Urethane Ink-Jet Ink Composition for Retort-Resistant Laminates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink jet inks for impermeable base materials fail to provide sufficient retort resistance, which is the ability to withstand heating and pressurization sterilization at temperatures of 100°C or higher, when used to create laminates.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet ink comprising water, a pigment, a pigment dispersing resin containing a first urethane resin, and resin particles with a second urethane resin, where both resins have a high polyol unit content without acid groups and a narrow glass transition temperature difference, along with an ink set that includes a pretreatment liquid, enhances the retort resistance of laminates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ink jet ink is used for recording on impermeable base materials, then the ink can be applied and forms an image, but the laminate lacks sufficient retort resistance to withstand heating and pressurization sterilization at 100°C or higher
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite resin system comprising two different urethane resins with complementary properties: a water-soluble urethane resin for adhesion and a water-insoluble urethane resin for heat resistance. This composite material approach allows the ink film to simultaneously achieve strong adhesion to the base material and sufficient retort resistance during sterilization processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameters of the urethane resins including glass transition temperature (Tg), acid value, and molecular weight. The water-soluble urethane resin has Tg of -50°C to 0°C and acid value of 50-150 mgKOH/g, while the water-insoluble urethane resin has Tg of 0°C to 50°C and acid value of 10-50 mgKOH/g. These parameter optimizations enable the ink film to maintain flexibility for adhesion while resisting thermal degradation during retort sterilization
2Strength
If the ink film is made more flexible to improve adhesion, then the ink can better conform to the base material, but the retort resistance during high-temperature sterilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the resin system into two distinct functional components: a water-soluble urethane resin segment that provides adhesion and flexibility, and a water-insoluble urethane resin segment that provides heat resistance and structural stability. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, enabling the ink film to simultaneously achieve strong adhesion and retort resistance
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an ink jet ink for an impermeable base material, which can improve retort resistance of a laminate obtained by laminating a base material for lamination on an image of an image recorded material obtained by applying an ink jet ink onto an impermeable base material to record an image.