Thermal Inkjet Ink Composition for Cold-Temperature Nozzle Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal inkjet inks fail to provide reliable print quality and nozzle integrity at extreme environmental conditions, particularly refrigerated temperatures, leading to nozzle clogging and print defects due to ink residue accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A thermal inkjet ink composition comprising binder resins with a hydroxyl number or acid number of at least 100 mg KOH/g, terpene phenolic resins, volatile organic solvents, and dyes, optimized for solubility and stability, ensuring minimal ink residue accumulation and efficient nozzle operation across a wide temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If solvent-based inks are used for printing on non-porous substrates, then adhesion and dry time are improved, but nozzle clogging occurs due to ink residue accumulation at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the ink by incorporating specific binder resins with hydroxyl numbers of at least 100 mg KOH/g and acid numbers of at least 100 mg KOH/g. These parameter changes in the ink formulation improve solubility and prevent residue accumulation at low temperatures, resolving the contradiction between adhesion performance and nozzle reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation combining multiple components: binder resins, terpene phenolic resins, volatile organic solvents, and dyes. This composite material approach synergistically combines the adhesive properties of terpene phenolic resins with the solubility-enhancing properties of high hydroxyl/acid number binder resins, achieving both strong adhesion and nozzle reliability
2Productivity
If printing continues for extended periods at refrigerated temperatures, then production throughput is maintained, but print quality deteriorates due to accumulated ink residue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by formulating the ink with binder resins and terpene phenolic resins before printing begins. This pre-formulation ensures that the ink has optimal solubility and flow characteristics from the start, preventing residue accumulation during extended printing operations at low temperatures and maintaining both productivity and print quality
3Stability of the object's composition
If ink viscosity increases at cold conditions, then ink remains stable, but solubility of solids decreases and redissolution rates are reduced leading to nozzle blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ink by incorporating binder resins with high hydroxyl and acid numbers (at least 100 mg KOH/g). These parameter changes enhance the solubilizing capability of the ink formulation, allowing solids to remain soluble and redissolve rapidly even when viscosity increases at cold temperatures, thus maintaining nozzle operation reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The ink composition maintains print quality for extended periods without nozzle blockages, achieving reliable printing on non-porous substrates for up to 8 hours at temperatures as low as 5°C, with improved adhesion and decap performance.
Implementation Method 1
Thermal inkjet (TIJ) print heads produce ink droplets from thermal vaporization of the ink solvent. In the jetting process, a resistor is heated rapidly to produce a vapor bubble which subsequently ejects a droplet from the orifice.
Implementation Method 2
the combination of ink ingredients must remain completely stable and soluble over tens of millions of firing events
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a thermal inkjet ink that provides good reliability at a wide range of industrial print conditions from both low temperature to high temperature environments across a broad range of humidities. It is particularly advantageous in low-temperature applications, for example, printing at temperatures down to 5° C. or lower continuously for 8 hours without developing print defects which can lead to unreadable codes; and, in the meantime also maintains other critical functional aspects including contrast, wetting, decap time, dry time, adhesion, ink cartridge stability, etc. The inks contain one or more binder resins that exhibit a hydroxyl number or acid number of at least 100 mg KOH/g; one or more terpene phenolic resins; one or more volatile organic solvents; and one or more dyes, and optionally further components.