Waterless Silicone Emulsion Mixing for Printing Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concentrated silicone oil emulsions used in printing devices are unstable over time, leading to separation and requiring frequent checks and replacements, which increases logistics costs and risks in achieving the desired mixture composition.
Innovation Solution
Storing ingredients with reduced water content, such as a silicone paste with trace amounts of water, which maintains stability for extended periods, allowing for larger reservoirs and more accurate mixing, and using a device with a buffer system and high shear mixers to ensure continuous supply and mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a concentrated silicone oil emulsion is stored in a reservoir for long periods, then the reservoir size can be reduced and logistics costs lowered, but the concentrate becomes unstable and separates into oil and water layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the water content parameter of the silicone oil concentrate from high (unstable) to low/stabilized (stable), allowing long-term storage without separation. This parameter change enables the concentrate to remain stable for months while maintaining emulsion integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The concentrate is pre-stabilized before storage by adding specific additives and controlling the formulation in advance. This preliminary stabilization prevents separation during long-term storage, eliminating the need for frequent reservoir exchanges and checks.
2Stability of the object's composition
If stabilizing additives are added to the concentrate, then the concentrate stability is improved, but the remoistening properties of the concentrate are modified and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the type and amount of stabilizing additives to maintain the balance between stability and remoistening properties. By optimizing the additive package, the concentrate remains stable during storage while retaining its ability to effectively remoisten printing material.
3Manufacturing precision
If the concentrate is checked and renewed regularly, then the mixture composition accuracy is maintained, but time and operational effort are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The concentrate is pre-formulated and pre-stabilized to ensure long-term stability without degradation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for regular checking and renewal, maintaining mixture composition accuracy while saving operational time.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilized concentrate is self-sufficient for long periods without requiring human intervention for checking or renewal. The system essentially serves itself by maintaining stability through the improved formulation, reducing operational burden.
4Manufacturing precision
If containers with concentrate are ordered and transported frequently, then the mixture composition accuracy is maintained, but logistics expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The concentrate is pre-stabilized to extend its shelf life significantly, allowing larger reservoirs to be filled less frequently. This reduces the number of ordering and transportation cycles, lowering logistics expenses while maintaining composition accuracy through proper stabilization.
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
This approach ensures a reliable and economic liquid mixture supply over long periods, reducing the need for frequent reservoir exchanges and additive use, while maintaining the stability and accuracy of the mixture composition.
Implementation Method 1
The mixing tank is provided with a high shear mixer
Implementation Method 2
The buffer is provided with a pressure stabilizing device
Implementation Method 3
The heating device has a heating element which is immersed in the liquid mixture
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
This device for preparing a liquid mixture (18) that is to be applied to a printing material (24) comprises a first reservoir (2) containing a first ingredient (1) of the liquid mixture (18), a supply source (32) for a second ingredient (16) of the liquid mixture, a mixing tank (12,14) for receiving the at least first and second ingredients (1,16) and for mixing the ingredients (1,16) to obtain the liquid mixture (18), and means (6,30) to convey the first ingredient (1) and the second ingredient (16) from the first reservoir (2) and the supply source (32) to the mixing tank (12,14). The device is characterised in that the first ingredient (1) comprises less than 60, preferably less than 50, and most preferably less than 25 weight % of water, in particular is an essentially waterless ingredient.