Water Removable Ink Composition for Plastic Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing removable inks have low adhesion to plastic substrates and often require organic solvents for removal, leading to clogging issues in inkjet printers and insufficient color contrast on various plastic surfaces, including transparent ones.
Innovation Solution
A water dispersible or removable ink composition comprising 50-95% alcohol wax or carboxylic acid wax, 5-50% tackifier, and 0.5-5% colorant, which provides high adhesion to plastic substrates and can be easily removed with water without the need for soap or detergent, suitable for both 2D and 3D printing applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing removable inks are used to print on plastic substrates, then the ink can be removed easily, but the adhesion to plastic substrates is low and organic solvents are required for removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ink composition by using alcohol waxes (C16-C40) instead of traditional organic solvent-based formulations. This parameter change allows the ink to be removed with water while maintaining adhesion to plastic substrates, eliminating the need for harmful organic solvents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite material system consisting of alcohol wax, colorant, and optional additives. This composite formulation achieves a balance between adhesion to plastic substrates and water removability, resolving the contradiction between ease of removal and elimination of organic solvents.
2Ease of operation
If existing removable inks are used, then removal is facilitated, but ink jet print heads are clogged resulting in excessive maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the ink by formulating it with alcohol waxes that have controlled melting points and viscosity characteristics. These parameter changes enable the ink to flow smoothly through ink jet print heads without clogging, while still allowing easy removal from substrates.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing inks are used to print on plastic substrates, then printing can be performed, but sufficient adhesion is not achieved leading to flaking and abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by selecting alcohol waxes with specific carbon chain lengths (C16-C40) that provide optimal balance between adhesion to plastic substrates and water removability. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient adhesion strength to prevent flaking and abrasion during handling.
4Ease of manufacture
If existing inks are used, then printing can be performed, but color contrast is insufficient on various plastic substrates including transparent ones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite formulation incorporating colorants with high chroma and transparency-enhancing additives. This composite approach allows the ink to maintain vivid color contrast on various plastic substrates, including transparent and lightly-tinted ones, while preserving the water removability feature.
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 ensures strong adhesion to plastic substrates, preventing flaking or abrasion during handling and easy removal with water, while maintaining color stability and contrast, thus addressing the limitations of existing inks in terms of adhesion and removal methods.
Implementation Method 1
provides good adhesion to the plastic substrates
Implementation Method 2
water dispersible or water removable ink composition
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, water removable compositions are described herein, including for use in various printing applications. In some embodiments, a composition described herein comprises 50-95% by weight alcohol wax having the formula CH3(CH2)nOH, wherein n is an integer from 1 5 to 40; 5-50% by weight tackifier; and 0.5-5% by weight colorant. In other instances, a composition described herein comprises 50-95% by weight carboxylic acid wax having the formula CH3(CH2)mCOOH, wherein m is an integer from 1 4 to 40; 5- 50% by weight tackifier; and 0.5-5% by weight colorant. Additionally, in some cases, the tackifier of a composition described herein comprises a rosin acid, a rosin ester, a rosin alcohol, or a mixture or combination thereof. Further, the solubility of a colorant in a composition described herein can be characterized by a spectral strength delta value of 5% or less or 3% or less.