Wet-Base Digital Textile Printing for Synthetic Fiber Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current digital printing technologies for synthetic resin textiles face issues with ink penetration, image quality degradation, and poor adhesion, leading to inadequate washability and increased costs due to labor-intensive processes and the need for intermediate drying steps.

Innovation Solution

A base application comprising aqueous acrylic latex, coalescing agents, and aziridine compounds is applied to the textile before digital printing, preventing dye migration and enhancing ink adhesion, allowing for direct inkjet printing without intermediate drying, using a multi-part system to control viscosity and ensure effective curing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If digital printing inks are applied directly to synthetic resin textiles, then printing efficiency is improved, but ink penetration into fibers causes image quality degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a base coating composition as an intermediary layer between the digital printing ink and the synthetic resin textile. This base coating prevents excessive ink penetration into the fibers while still allowing effective ink adhesion, thereby maintaining image quality without sacrificing printing efficiency. The base coating acts as a mediator that controls the interaction between ink and fabric.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If elevated temperatures are applied to accelerate ink curing, then ink adhesion is improved, but textile dye system deactivation causes image degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink adhesionVSAvoiddye migration

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a base coating composition to the textile before digital printing as a preliminary action. This base coating creates a protective barrier that prevents dye migration during subsequent curing processes. By preparing the surface in advance, the system enables effective ink adhesion without the harmful effects of elevated temperatures on the textile dye system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If intermediate drying or baking cycles are inserted before ink deposition, then base application curing is improved, but production time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebase application curingVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the base application and digital printing operations into a single continuous process without intermediate drying or baking cycles. The base coating is applied and immediately followed by ink deposition while the base coating is still wet, merging two separate operations into one efficient workflow. This eliminates time-consuming intermediate steps while maintaining proper curing through the use of accelerated curing lamps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Quantity of substance

If screen-printing is used for image deposition, then ink layer thickness is improved for coverage, but fabric feel is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink layer thicknessVSAvoidfabric feel

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical screen-printing system with a digital printing system that uses inkjet technology. This substitution allows for precise control of ink deposition, applying ink only where needed in thin layers that provide adequate coverage without the厚重 feel associated with screen-printing. The digital system maintains coverage quality while significantly improving fabric hand feel.

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

This method enables efficient, economical digital printing with improved image quality and durability, maintaining vividness and brightness even after multiple washings and dry cleaning cycles, reducing energy consumption by eliminating the need for external heat and intermediate drying steps.

Implementation Method 1

The base application comprises between about 30% to about 70% by weight of an aqueous acrylic latex material; between about 2.5% to about 20% by weight of one or more acrylic resin dispersions; between about 5% to about 20% by weight of one or more coalescing agents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFilm formation:

Implementation Method 2

an ink image is imprinted onto the textile material with a digital printing system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInkjet printing:

Implementation Method 3

The ink image is caused to cure upon the textile material thereby forming an imprinted textile article

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCuring:

Data Source

PatentUS9453301B2In-line digital printing system for textile materials

Publication Date: 2016.09.27 DONALD D SLOAN TRUSTEE OF THE DONALD D SLOAN TRUST ETC

AI summary

Compositions for and methods of digitally printing an ink image onto a woven textile material are provided. A base application is applied to the surface of a woven textile material, especially one comprising synthetic resin fibers prior to application of an ink image layer. The base application comprises an acrylic latex material that is formulated to imprinted upon with a digital ink while still wet, thereby eliminating the need for an intermediate drying cycle in between base application deposit and printing of the ink image.