Printing Apparatus White Ink Nozzle Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies face challenges in accurately reproducing a desired white color when using inks of plural colors, including white ink, as the color of the white ink can vary between different printing machines and types of printers, leading to difficulties in reliably reproducing white parts in color images and packaging films.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a first nozzle group for forming color images and a second nozzle group for forming a toned white color, controlled by a unit that uses unique ink codes and print data to adjust the white color, allowing for the formation of a white image with a desired color by overlapping the toned white image with the color image during the printing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single white ink is used for printing white parts, then the printing process is simple, but the color of the white part cannot be changed to a desired color
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the white ink ejection function into two separate nozzle groups: a first nozzle group that ejects only white ink, and a second nozzle group that ejects white ink mixed with at least one color ink (C, M, Y, or K). This segmentation allows independent control of pure white and toned white colors, enabling both simple white printing and adjustable toned white printing without complicating the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The second nozzle group is designed to eject white ink combined with at least one color ink, making it capable of producing various toned white colors (e.g., warm white, cool white, off-white) depending on the color ink used. This multi-functional design allows a single nozzle group to handle multiple white color variations, improving versatility without requiring separate nozzle groups for each tone.
2Ease of operation
If different white inks are used for different printing machines, then each machine can produce its preferred white color, but reliable color reproduction across different machines becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ink codes that specify the type of white ink to be used (pure white or toned white with specific color mixing ratios). By changing the ink code parameter, the system can adjust the white color output to match different printing machines' characteristics while maintaining reliable color reproduction through standardized code interpretation across all machines.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses ink codes as a feedback mechanism where the desired white color characteristics are encoded and transmitted to the printing machine. The machine then adjusts its white ink ejection based on this code, ensuring consistent color reproduction across different machines while allowing each machine to optimize for its specific characteristics.
3Stability of the object's composition
If only pure white ink is ejected, then the white color is consistent, but the ability to reproduce desired white colors (e.g., warm white, cool white) is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the white ink ejection into two distinct pathways: the first nozzle group maintains stable pure white ink ejection for consistency, while the second nozzle group provides toned white ink ejection by mixing white ink with color inks to achieve desired white color variations with accurate reproduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite ink formulation where the second nozzle group mixes white ink with color inks (C, M, Y, or K) to create toned white colors. This composite approach allows the system to maintain the base consistency of white ink while adding color components to achieve precise desired white color variations.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a printing apparatus that performs printing by using inks of plural colors including a white color, which includes a first nozzle group that ejects an ink of one color including a white color and at least one color other than the white color, and a second nozzle group that ejects the inks of plural colors. An image formed by the first nozzle group is an undercoat layer or an overcoat layer of an image formed by the second nozzle group.