Inkjet Image Formation with UV Curing for Abrasion Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing with pigment inks on low absorptive media, such as gloss-treated coated paper, results in poor abrasion resistance and image quality due to peeling and smudging issues, as well as difficulties in controlling film thickness and leveling.
Innovation Solution
An image forming method involving the discharge of ink containing water, a coloring material, a polymerization initiator, and a polymerizable compound using a line head, followed by exposure to active energy radiation and application of a processing fluid, with a controlled time interval between ink discharge and radiation exposure to enhance abrasion resistance and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pigment ink is used for printing on low absorptive media, then light resistance is improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates due to peeling and smudging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by exposing the printed image to active energy radiation (UV or electron beam) immediately after ink discharge while the recording medium is still in motion. This pre-drying and cross-linking action prevents the pigment film from peeling and smudging during subsequent handling, thereby improving abrasion resistance while maintaining the light resistance benefits of pigment ink on low absorptive media
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the ink system by incorporating polymerizable compounds and polymerization initiators that undergo cross-linking reactions upon exposure to active energy radiation. This transforms the ink film from a simple pigment dispersion into a cross-linked polymer network, dramatically improving abrasion resistance while preserving the inherent light resistance of pigment-based coloring materials
2Reliability
If pigment ink is used for printing on low absorptive media, then light resistance is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to poor film thickness control and leveling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the rheological and chemical parameters of the ink by incorporating polymerizable compounds and polymerization initiators. Upon exposure to active energy radiation, these components undergo rapid polymerization and cross-linking, which controls film thickness uniformity and improves leveling. This allows precise control of film properties while maintaining the light resistance advantages of pigment ink
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing in-flight or immediate post-printing exposure to active energy radiation. This preliminary cross-linking action occurs while the ink is still wet or semi-dry, allowing the polymerization process to level the film surface and uniformize thickness before the ink fully dries, thereby improving image quality while preserving light resistance
3Productivity
If line head printing is used, then productivity is improved, but ink blurring occurs due to insufficient drying time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional thermal drying mechanism with a photochemical or radiative curing mechanism using active energy radiation (UV or electron beam). This substitution allows instantaneous or near-instantaneous drying and cross-linking of the ink, enabling high-speed line head printing without ink blurring, thereby maintaining both high productivity and image sharpness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by exposing the printed image to active energy radiation immediately after ink discharge from the line head. This preliminary curing action occurs during or immediately after the printing process itself, preventing ink blurring that would otherwise occur at high printing speeds, thus maintaining both productivity and image sharpness
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 method improves productivity, abrasion resistance, and image glossiness by preventing ink blurring and forming a uniform ink film, while minimizing peeling and smudging, even on non-permeable substrates.
Implementation Method 1
discharging ink containing water, a coloring material, a polymerization initiator, and a polymerizable compound to a recording medium by a line head to obtain an image, exposing the image to active energy radiation
Implementation Method 2
drying the image with heat
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming method includes discharging ink containing water, a coloring material, a polymerization initiator, and a polymerizable compound to a recording medium by a line head to obtain an image, exposing the image to active energy radiation, applying a processing fluid to the image, and drying the image with heat, wherein the time interval between when the ink is discharged in the discharging from the line head to the recording medium passing under a bottom portion of the line head and when the recording medium is exposed to the active energy radiation in the exposing is from 0.5 to 15 seconds.