Thermostable Inkjet Coating for Continuous-Tone Multicolor Decoration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for decorating culinary items with multiple colors are costly and inefficient, especially for small batches, as they require multiple screen printing or pad printing operations, and traditional sublimation printing is complex and not productive for non-flat shapes. Additionally, inkjet printing with conventional inks cannot achieve thermostable coatings with high-temperature baking requirements.
Innovation Solution
A thermostable coating with a bichrome decoration in continuous tones is applied directly to an opaque surface using inkjet printing, eliminating the need for an ink-receiving layer and allowing baking at temperatures above 300°C, ensuring adhesion and maintaining pattern clarity through the use of thermostable binders and pigments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If screen printing or pad printing is used to apply multi-colored patterns, then decoration quality is improved, but manufacturing cost and process complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the decoration process into separate color layers applied sequentially through a single screen, where each color is deposited in a specific zone during one printing pass. This eliminates the need for multiple screens while maintaining multi-color capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A single screen printing apparatus performs multiple functions by applying different colors in different zones during one printing operation. The screen is designed with multiple aperture patterns that correspond to different color regions, allowing one screen to replace what would traditionally require multiple screens.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple screen printing operations are carried out for multi-color patterns, then decoration quality is improved, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple color printing operations into a single printing pass by using a screen with multiple aperture patterns that correspond to different color zones. All colors are applied simultaneously in one operation rather than sequentially in separate operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen is pre-configured with multiple aperture patterns and color zones before the printing operation. This preliminary setup allows the single printing pass to deposit multiple colors correctly positioned, eliminating the need for multiple sequential printing operations and their associated drying times.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional inks are used with inkjet printing, then printing flexibility is improved, but thermostability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ink by using inorganic pigments instead of organic dyes, and employs a sol-gel process that transforms the ink composition into a thermostable ceramic coating. This parameter change maintains the flexibility of inkjet printing while achieving the required thermostability for high-temperature applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining inorganic pigments with a sol-gel matrix that forms a ceramic coating upon heating. This composite structure provides both the printing flexibility of liquid ink application and the thermostability of ceramic materials after the sol-gel transformation process.
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
This method enables cost-effective, high-quality, multi-color decorations on various shapes without the need for multiple printing passes or complex sublimation processes, ensuring durability and maintaining the appearance of the decoration even after high-temperature baking.
Implementation Method 1
the decorative composition is applied by inkjet printing
Implementation Method 2
ensuring adhesion and maintaining pattern clarity through the use of thermostable binders and pigments
Implementation Method 3
allowing baking at temperatures above 300°C, ensuring adhesion and maintaining pattern clarity through the use of thermostable binders and pigments
Data Source
Figure 1~7
Figure 8
AI summary
The present invention relates to a heating article (1) comprising a substrate having two opposite faces (21, 22), of which at least one (21) is opaque, and a thermostable coating (3) placed on the opaque face. According to the invention, the heating article has been subjected to firing at a temperature above 300°C and the heat-stable coating comprises: - a decoration (31) at least bichrome in continuous tones in the form of a continuous layer or discontinuous, - an opaque undercoat (4) in enamel covering one of the faces (21) of said substrate (2), and/or - a finishing layer (32) in continuous and transparent enamel placed on the decoration ( 31) or placed between the substrate (2) or the underlayer (4) if necessary and the decoration (31). and The present invention also relates to a method of making an article.