Water-Insoluble Pattern Manufacturing via Reactive Ink

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for creating patterns on substrates are limited by requiring extensive technical equipment, being easily detectable by counterfeiters, and not suitable for a wide range of materials without affecting their properties, while also facing challenges in authentication and reproduction resistance.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a water-insoluble pattern formed on and within a substrate using a deliquescent salt and an acid or its salt, deposited in liquid form, to create a pattern that is difficult to reproduce and detectable only under specific conditions, suitable for various materials and production volumes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional printing or coating technology is used to create patterns, then production sophistication and commercial application capability are improved, but susceptibility to counterfeiting and copying increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern production capabilityVSAvoidanti-counterfeiting security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameter of the pattern material from water-soluble to water-insoluble through chemical reaction. The reactive ink composition contains compounds that react with substrates (paper, textile, leather, wood, or cardboard) to form water-insoluble products, fundamentally altering the solubility parameter to prevent dissolution during washing or processing while maintaining ease of application through conventional printing methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses an intermediary chemical reaction process between the reactive ink composition and the substrate. The ink contains reactive compounds (such as metal salts, cyanuric halides, or isocyanates) that act as intermediaries to bond with substrate functional groups (hydroxyl, carboxyl, or amine groups), creating a permanent, water-resistant attachment that conventional non-reactive inks cannot achieve

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If advanced micro and nanotechnology methods are used for pattern creation, then precision and application field expansion are improved, but equipment complexity and technical requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern precisionVSAvoidtechnical equipment requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces complex mechanical microfabrication systems (photolithography, plasma treatment, laser treatment) with a simple chemical deposition system. The reactive ink composition is applied using conventional printing or coating equipment, and the chemical reaction with the substrate automatically provides precise, permanent patterning without requiring sophisticated mechanical or optical equipment

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the approach from mechanical/physical patterning to chemical patterning. By utilizing chemical reactivity between the ink composition and substrate, precise patterns are formed through selective chemical bonding rather than complex mechanical processes, thereby achieving high precision with simple equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If water-soluble materials are used for pattern creation, then ease of application and processing are improved, but pattern durability and water resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication easeVSAvoidwater resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies the reactive ink composition to the substrate in advance, allowing the chemical reaction to occur during or after application. This preliminary chemical bonding ensures that the pattern becomes water-insoluble before the product encounters water during use, washing, or processing, thereby achieving both ease of application and final water resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention fundamentally changes the solubility parameter of the pattern material from water-soluble to water-insoluble through chemical reaction. The reactive compounds in the ink (metal salts, cyanuric halides, isocyanates) form covalent or ionic bonds with substrate functional groups, creating a permanent, water-resistant structure while maintaining liquid-state applicability during the printing process

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 method allows for the creation of patterns with defined optical, structural, or chemical properties that are resistant to counterfeiting and easy to authenticate, using existing print facilities, and can be integrated with standard security elements for enhanced security and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

A method of manufacturing a water-insoluble pattern on and within a substrate... comprising a deliquescent salt... wherein the deliquescent salt of the treatment composition A and the acid or the salt thereof of the treatment composition B are selected such that the cation of the deliquescent salt and the anion of the acid or the salt thereof are capable of forming a water-insoluble salt in aqueous medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeliquescence: Deliquescence

Implementation Method 2

the cation of the deliquescent salt and the anion of the acid or the salt thereof are capable of forming a water-insoluble salt in aqueous medium... depositing the treatment composition A and the treatment composition B onto at least one surface region of the substrate to form at least one water-insoluble pattern

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentEP3512710B1Method for manufacturing a water-insoluble pattern
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 OMYA INT AG
  • EP3512710B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3512710B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3512710B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a water-insoluble pattern on and/or within a substrate, a substrate obtainable by said method, a product comprising said substrate and the use of the substrate in different applications.