White inkjet ink

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional textile printing methods, such as rotary and flat-screen printing, face limitations in maximum image size and require pattern repeats, while digital inkjet printing offers flexibility but struggles with white ink formulations due to sedimentation and clogged printheads caused by titanium dioxide pigment settling.

Innovation Solution

A white inkjet ink formulation using a non-self-dispersed white pigment, an anionic copolymer dispersant, and a polymeric binder, which allows for easy re-dispersion of settled pigment without a rheology modifier, preventing clogging and ensuring even pigment distribution, thus maintaining print quality and printhead performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional analog printing methods (rotary/screen printing) are used, then high volume throughput is achieved, but image size is limited and pattern repeats are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume throughputVSAvoidimage size flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses digital inkjet printing to create physical copies of images directly from electronic files, eliminating the need for physical screens or plates. This allows any image size to be printed without pattern repeats, providing unlimited adaptability while maintaining high throughput through digital fabrication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If digital inkjet printing with white pigment is used, then image size flexibility is improved, but pigment sedimentation causes printhead clogging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage size flexibilityVSAvoidprinthead performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the ink formulation by incorporating specific dispersants and surfactants that change the physical-chemical properties of the titanium dioxide pigment suspension. These parameter changes prevent pigment aggregation and sedimentation, maintaining reliable printhead operation while enabling flexible digital printing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dispersants and surfactants as intermediary substances between the titanium dioxide pigment and the ink vehicle. These intermediaries prevent direct contact and aggregation between pigment particles, reducing sedimentation and clogging while maintaining pigment distribution stability during storage and printing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If titanium dioxide pigment is used for white ink, then opacity is achieved, but sedimentation rate increases causing clogging

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveopacityVSAvoidsedimentation

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite ink formulation combining titanium dioxide pigment with specific dispersants, surfactants, and ink vehicles. This composite material maintains the high opacity of titanium dioxide while the incorporated additives prevent sedimentation, eliminating the harmful effects of pigment settling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 formulation improves re-dispersibility, reduces maintenance time for printheads, and ensures consistent, opaque, and washfast white images on various textile fabrics, including cotton and dark colors, with enhanced jettability and durability.

Implementation Method 1

anionic copolymer dispersant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic repulsion: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Implementation Method 2

anionic copolymer dispersant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

digital thermal or piezoelectric inkjet printing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy conversion: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 4

digital thermal or piezoelectric inkjet printing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12163035B2White inkjet ink

Publication Date: 2024.12.10 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

An example of a white inkjet ink includes: a non-self-dispersed white pigment; from about 0.005 wt % to about 1 wt %, based on a total weight of the white inkjet ink, of an anionic copolymer dispersant having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) ranging from about 125,000 g/mol to about 30,000,000 g/mol; a polymeric binder; and an aqueous vehicle. The white inkjet ink may be used in a textile printing kit.