UV-Curable Inkjet Layer with Treated Glittering Powder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for producing decorative products with glossy appearances, such as metallic plating and inkjet printing, face challenges in forming fine patterns on curved surfaces and achieving high multi-production efficiency, while also struggling to demonstrate metal gradations and maintain durability.

Innovation Solution

A material with a layer produced by an ultraviolet-curable composition for inkjet, containing a polymerized compound and a glittering powder with a specific volume content and surface treatment using fluorinated silane compounds or phosphate esters, which provides excellent glossy appearance and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional metallic plating or stamp-printing is used to produce decorative products with glossy appearance, then a metallic luster can be achieved, but it is difficult to form fine patterns and apply to curved surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglossy appearanceVSAvoidfine pattern formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical plating and stamp-printing methods with an inkjet printing system that deposits ultraviolet-curable composition containing glittering powder. This substitution enables precise digital pattern formation on curved surfaces while maintaining metallic glossy appearance through the glittering powder particles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional inkjet printing with pigments is used for recording, then fine patterns can be formed, but the composition lacks sufficient abrasion resistance and water resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefine pattern formationVSAvoidabrasion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using ultraviolet-curable resins instead of conventional pigment-based inks. The composition includes polymerized compounds that cross-link upon UV irradiation, forming a durable matrix that encapsulates glittering powder particles, thereby achieving both fine pattern formation and high abrasion resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If glittering powder is added to ultraviolet-curable composition for inkjet, then glossy appearance can be demonstrated, but the discharge stability becomes low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglossy appearanceVSAvoiddischarge stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a surface treatment layer on the glittering powder particles that acts as an intermediary between the powder and the ultraviolet-curable composition. This treatment layer improves dispersibility and prevents aggregation during inkjet discharge, maintaining both glossy appearance and discharge stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the particle size parameters of the glittering powder, controlling the average grain diameter to be less than 3.0 μm and maximum grain diameter to be less than 5 μm. This parameter control ensures proper flow characteristics and discharge stability in the inkjet system while maintaining the desired glossy appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Illumination intensity

If high concentration of glittering powder is used in the layer, then glossy appearance is enhanced, but the layer becomes less durable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglossy appearanceVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of glittering powder to a specific range (more than 0.1 percent by volume and less than 5.0 percent by volume). This optimized concentration ensures sufficient glossy appearance while maintaining the structural integrity and durability of the cured layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 material achieves a high glossy appearance and durability by optimizing the volume ratio of glittering powder in the layer and using surface-treated metal particles, ensuring excellent discharge stability and adhesiveness, suitable for various decorative applications.

Implementation Method 1

a composition (ultraviolet-curable composition for inkjet), which becomes hardened when irradiating ultraviolet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS9920210B2Material including layer produced by ultraviolet-curable composition

Publication Date: 2018.03.20 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A material includes a layer produced by an ultraviolet-curable composition for inkjet that includes a polymerized compound and a glittering powder. The glittering powder has a scale-like shape. An average thickness of the glittering powder is more than 10 nm and less than 100 nm, an average grain diameter is less than 3.0 μm, and in addition, a maximum grain diameter is less than 5 μm.