Water-Based Ink System Using Organic Solvent Emulsification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional water-based ink compositions using leuco dyes suffer from slow color development and weak color intensity due to the dyes being dispersed as solid particles or microcapsules in water, and organic solvent-based compositions have drawbacks like high cost, undesirable odors, and oily residues.
Innovation Solution
A water-based ink composition is developed using an organic solvent dissolved in water with an emulsifier, forming fine droplets that react with a color developer on a treated surface, allowing for vivid and intense color formation without the need for external manipulation, and includes additives like antioxidants and thickening agents to enhance performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If water-based dispersion ink compositions are used, then cost is reduced and odor is eliminated, but color development is slow and color intensity is weak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the leuco dye from dispersed solid particles to dissolved molecular form by using an organic solvent as an intermediate carrier. The leuco dye is first dissolved in the organic solvent to create a saturated solution, which is then emulsified in water. This parameter change from solid dispersion to liquid solution enables complete reaction with color developers, achieving fast color development and intense color while maintaining water-based safety and low cost.
2Quantity of substance
If leuco dye is used in water-based compositions, then cost is reduced and safety is improved, but color intensity is weak due to incomplete reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an organic solvent as an intermediary substance between the water-based system and the leuco dye. The leuco dye is first dissolved in the organic solvent (which it is soluble in) to create a saturated solution. This organic solvent solution is then emulsified in water with the help of an emulsifier. The intermediary organic solvent enables complete dissolution and reaction of the leuco dye with color developers, producing intense colors while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of water-based inks.
3Illumination intensity
If organic solvent-based compositions are used, then color intensity is improved, but cost increases and oily residues are left
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ink composition into distinct phases: an organic solvent phase containing the dissolved leuco dye, and an aqueous phase containing the emulsifier. The organic solvent forms fine droplets dispersed in water, creating an oil-in-water emulsion. This segmentation allows the leuco dye to remain in the organic phase for complete reaction and intense color formation, while the continuous aqueous phase prevents oily residues and maintains safety. The emulsifier stabilizes this segmented structure.
4Reliability
If leuco dye is dispersed as solid particles in water, then water-based safety is maintained, but reaction completeness is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dissolution parameter of the leuco dye by introducing an organic solvent. Instead of attempting to disperse solid leuco dye particles in water (where it is insoluble), the leuco dye is first dissolved in the organic solvent to create a molecular solution. This liquid solution is then emulsified in water, maintaining water-based safety while achieving complete reaction. The parameter change from solid dispersion to liquid solution resolves the contradiction between safety and reaction completeness.
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 ink composition achieves bright, bold, and vivid color formation on treated surfaces while preventing stray marks on unintended surfaces and reducing mess, with improved stability and washability.
Implementation Method 1
The resultant solution of solvent and solute (the organic solvent containing the coloring agent) is added to water with an emulsifier to emulsify the solution in water
Implementation Method 2
As the aqueous emulsion is applied to the color developer-treated surface, a reaction between the color developer-treated surface and the coloring agent occurs, forming a visible color on the surface. As the water evaporates, more of the coloring agent dissolved in the organic solvent droplets is able to react with the color developer-treated surface increasing performance.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A no-mess water-based ink including a composition including water, an organic solvent, a coloring agent dissolved in the organic solvent and an emulsifier for use in conjunction with a specially treated substrate containing a color developer.