White ink jet ink composition and ink jet recording method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing white ink jet ink compositions using titanium oxide pigments suffer from sedimentation issues due to high specific gravity, leading to poor color development, especially on colored recording media like fabric, while compositions using hollow resin particles face permeation problems, resulting in unsatisfactory color development.

Innovation Solution

A white ink jet ink composition utilizing hollow resin particles with a glass transition temperature of 120°C or more, combined with a specific content of resin particles, enhances sedimentation stability and prevents permeation into the recording medium, improving color development.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If titanium oxide pigment is used as white coloring material, then color development is improved, but sedimentation occurs due to high specific gravity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor developmentVSAvoidsedimentation property
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from titanium oxide pigment to hollow resin particles, fundamentally altering the density and sedimentation characteristics while maintaining white coloring function through light scattering properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses hollow resin particles that can be easily replaced or replenished in the ink composition, providing a practical solution to sedimentation issues without requiring complex circulation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Stability of the object's composition

If hollow resin particles are used as white coloring material, then sedimentation property is improved, but color development becomes unsatisfactory due to permeation into recording medium

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesedimentation propertyVSAvoidcolor development
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies a resin coating layer on the hollow resin particles that acts as a barrier film, preventing permeation into the recording medium while maintaining the hollow structure's sedimentation resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure with hollow resin particles coated with resin, combining the sedimentation resistance of hollow structures with the barrier properties of the resin coating to prevent permeation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If hollow resin particles with low glass transition temperature are used, then ejection reliability is improved, but color development decreases due to melting or deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection reliabilityVSAvoidcolor development
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the glass transition temperature parameter to a specific range (80°C to 150°C) that balances ejection reliability and color development, preventing deformation during heat drying while maintaining proper ejection characteristics

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 composition achieves improved sedimentation properties and color development by using hollow resin particles with a glass transition temperature above a certain threshold, ensuring stable dispersion and effective light scattering, thereby enhancing storage stability and ejection reliability.

Implementation Method 1

The hollow resin particles have a glass transition temperature of 120°C or more... effective light scattering

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

the resin particles form a mesh structure on a surface of the recording medium... the resin particles may form a mesh structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP4067445B1White ink jet ink composition and ink jet recording method
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP4067445B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4067445B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4067445B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A white ink jet ink composition according to the present disclosure includes hollow resin particles, resin particles, and water. The hollow resin particles have a glass transition temperature of 120°C or more, the resin particles are composed of an acrylic resin or a urethane resin, and the content of the resin particles is 5% by mass or more relative to the total mass of the ink composition.