Water-Based Inks for Edge Printing with Adhesion Primer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing edge printing technologies for furniture, particularly rotogravure, face challenges such as the need for multiple base colors, high cylinder stocks, limited speed, and environmental hazards from traditional inks, while digital inks face adhesion and compatibility issues.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the application of a primer comprising polyurethane polymer, fixative agent, additive, and solvent, followed by digital inkjet printing using pigmented inks with wetting agents, binding agents, and biocides, ensuring adhesion and compatibility with subsequent applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional UV inks are used for digital printing, then good adhesion is achieved, but environmental impact increases and working conditions deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink system by replacing UV-curing inks with water-based inks containing specific polymers and adhesion promoters, thereby reducing environmental impact while maintaining adhesion through modified chemical properties rather than photopolymerization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a primer layer as an intermediary between the substrate and the water-based ink. This primer contains adhesion promoters that bridge the substrate surface and the ink, enabling good adhesion without requiring hazardous UV inks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If water-based inks are used for digital printing, then environmental impact is reduced, but adhesion problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidadhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The primer acts as a mediator between the substrate and water-based ink, containing adhesion promoters that specifically bond to both the substrate surface and the water-based ink components, thereby solving the adhesion problem while maintaining environmental benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite material systems where the primer and ink contain multiple components including polymers, adhesion promoters, and surfactants that work together to achieve both adhesion and environmental compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If UV inks are used for digital printing, then adhesion is good, but drying time is too long

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoiddrying time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the drying mechanism from UV photopolymerization to water evaporation and air drying, fundamentally altering the time and energy parameters of the drying process while achieving adequate adhesion through the primer system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If rotogravure printing is used, then production speed is limited, but equipment complexity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical rotogravure printing system with a digital inkjet printing system, substituting mechanical cylinder-based printing with digitally controlled droplet deposition, thereby increasing speed and flexibility while reducing mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 process achieves high-quality, durable prints with improved adhesion and reduced environmental impact, allowing for faster production and safer working conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the digital printing is piezoelectric inkjet printing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250263572A1Water-based inks for digital printing on edges
Publication Date: 2025.08.21 INKGENIO SRL

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process for printing on a substrate, comprising at least one step of applying at least one primer to at least one portion of the substrate and at least one step of applying at least one ink to said at least one portion of the substrate. Furthermore, the invention relates to a substrate obtained/obtainable with said process.