U.S. patent application number 15/928658 was filed with the patent office on 2019-09-26 for textile pretreatment for digitial printing.
The applicant listed for this patent is Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated, Xerox Corporation. Invention is credited to Jennifer L. Belelie, Naveen Chopra, Anthony S. Condello, Warren Jackson, Paul J. McConville, Robert A. Street.
Application Number | 20190291490 15/928658 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66000946 |
Filed Date | 2019-09-26 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190291490 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chopra; Naveen ; et
al. |
September 26, 2019 |
TEXTILE PRETREATMENT FOR DIGITIAL PRINTING
Abstract
The present teachings include a process, system and article for
forming a printed image on a textile. The process includes coating
the solution of an orthosilicate to form a silica network on the
textile. The process includes applying an ink composition to the
textile having the silica network on the textile, forming an
image.
Inventors: |
Chopra; Naveen; (Oakville,
CA) ; McConville; Paul J.; (Webster, NY) ;
Belelie; Jennifer L.; (Oakville, CA) ; Condello;
Anthony S.; (Webster, NY) ; Street; Robert A.;
(Palo Alto, CA) ; Jackson; Warren; (San Francisco,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Xerox Corporation
Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated |
Norwalk
Palo Alto |
CT
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
66000946 |
Appl. No.: |
15/928658 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06P 1/67341 20130101;
B41J 11/0015 20130101; D06P 5/30 20130101; B41M 5/0017 20130101;
D06P 5/002 20130101; B41M 5/0047 20130101; D06P 1/5292 20130101;
C09D 4/00 20130101; B41J 3/4078 20130101; D06P 1/67383
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B41M 5/00 20060101
B41M005/00; B41J 11/00 20060101 B41J011/00; B41J 3/407 20060101
B41J003/407; D06P 5/30 20060101 D06P005/30; D06P 5/00 20060101
D06P005/00; C09D 4/00 20060101 C09D004/00 |
Claims
1. A method of printing an image on a textile, the method
comprising: coating and curing the textile with a solution
comprising an orthosilicate, a water miscible solvent, water and
ammonium hydroxide (NH.sub.4OH), thereby creating a silica network
attached to the textile, wherein the solution comprises from 70
weight percent to 85 weight percent of the water miscible solvent,
from 5 weight percent to 15 weight percent water, from 10 weight
percent to 20 weight percent NH.sub.4OH and from 0.1 weight percent
to 2 weight percent orthosilicate; and applying an ink composition
to the silica network, forming an image on the silica network.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the orthosilicate is selected
from the group consisting of: tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS),
tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS), tetraisopropoyl orthosilicate
(TIPS) and tertrabutyl orthosilicate (TBOS).
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the water miscible solvent is
selected from the group consisting of: alcohols, ketones,
keto-alcohols, glycols, triols, ethers and ureas.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: curing the image
after applying the ink composition.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said ink composition comprises
water, a humectant, a water-soluble polymer, a surfactant and a
colorant.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the textile is selected from the
group consisting of a wool, silk, cotton, linen, hemp, ramie, jute,
acetate, acrylic fabric, latex, nylon, polyester, rayon, viscose,
spandex, metallic composite, carbon and carbonized composite.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the textile comprises
polyester.
8-16. (canceled)
17. A printed article, comprising: a fabric having a silica network
on a surface of the fabric, wherein the silica network is formed by
applying a solution comprising from 70 weight percent to 85 weight
percent of a water miscible solvent, from 5 weight percent to 15
weight percent water, from 10 weight percent to 20 weight percent
ammonium hydroxide (NH.sub.4OH) and from about 0.1 weight percent
to about 2 weight percent orthosilicate to the fabric and curing
the solution; and a cured ink composition disposed on the silica
network on the surface of the fabric.
18. The printed article of claim 17, wherein said ink composition
comprises water, a humectant, a water-soluble polymer, a surfactant
and a colorant.
19. The printed article of claim 17, wherein the fabric is selected
from the group consisting of a wool, silk, cotton, linen, hemp,
ramie, jute, acetate, acrylic fabric, latex, nylon, polyester,
rayon, viscose, spandex, metallic composite, carbon and carbonized
composite.
20. The printed article of claim 17, wherein a thickness of the
silica network is from about 0.5 microns to about 300 microns.
Description
BACKGROUND
Field of Use
[0001] This disclosure is generally related to the field of
printing and, more particularly, to novel methods and apparatuses
for high-resolution, high-definition multicolor direct printing on
textile surfaces.
Background
[0002] Industrial printing on textiles is performed using processes
such as screen-printing or dye-sublimation. These processes are
time-consuming, and are not amenable to short-run, variable pattern
print runs, or printing directly on objects, such as footwear.
Digital printing of textiles is currently only 2.9% of the total
textile printing market. However, digital printing of textiles is
expected to grow. Substrates with poor wetting properties are not
designed to receive printing inks as color saturation and image
robustness is lacking.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to various embodiments, there is disclosed a
method of printing an image on a textile. The method includes
coating and curing the textile with a composition including an
orthosilicate, a water miscible solvent, water and ammonium
hydroxide, thereby creating a silica network attached to the
textile. The method includes applying an ink composition the silica
network, forming an image on the silica network.
[0004] According to various embodiments, there is provided a system
for printing an image on a textile. The system includes a coating
station for applying a composition including an orthosilicate, a
water miscible solvent, water and ammonium hydroxide to the textile
to create a silica network on a textile. The system includes an ink
jet printer for applying an ink composition to the textile to form
an image.
[0005] According to various embodiments there is disclosed a
printed article. The printed article includes a fabric having a
silica network on a surface of the fabric and a cured ink
composition disposed on the silica network on the surface of the
fabric.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several
embodiments of the present teachings and together with the
description, serve to explain the principles of the present
teachings.
[0007] FIGS. 1A-1C show schematic depictions of a textile
undergoing a method according to embodiments disclosed herein.
[0008] FIG. 2 shows a schematic depiction of a printing system for
various embodiments disclosed herein.
[0009] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart illustrating a method according to
various embodiments disclosed herein.
[0010] It should be noted that some details of the drawings have
been simplified and are drawn to facilitate understanding of the
embodiments rather than to maintain strict structural accuracy,
detail, and scale.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0011] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the
present teachings, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference
numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same
or like parts.
[0012] In the following description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which is
shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in
which the present teachings may be practiced. These embodiments are
described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art
to practice the present teachings and it is to be understood that
other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the present teachings. The
following description is, therefore, merely illustrative.
[0013] Illustrations with respect to one or more implementations,
alterations and/or modifications can be made to the illustrated
examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the
appended claims. In addition, while a particular feature may have
been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations,
such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the
other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any
given or particular function. Furthermore, to the extent that the
terms "including", "includes", "having", "has", "with", or variants
thereof are used in either the detailed description and the claims,
such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the
term "comprising." The term "at least one of" is used to mean one
or more of the listed items can be selected.
[0014] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters
setting forth the broad scope of embodiments are approximations,
the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are
reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however,
inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the
standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to
encompass any and all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, a
range of "less than 10" can include any and all sub-ranges between
(and including) the minimum value of zero and the maximum value of
10, that is, any and all sub-ranges having a minimum value of equal
to or greater than zero and a maximum value of equal to or less
than 10, e.g., 1 to 5. In certain cases, the numerical values as
stated for the parameter can take on negative values. In this case,
the example value of range stated as "less than 10" can assume
negative values, e.g. -1, -2, -3, -10, -20, -30, etc.
[0015] Disclosed herein is a process for treating textiles
including synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, to improve the
digital printing of images on such fabrics. Digital printing
includes using ink-jet printers and aerosol printers.
[0016] Inkjet printing is a type of computer printing that
recreates a digital image by propelling droplets of ink onto a
substrate. Ink jet material deposition uses inkjet technologies,
typically print-heads using piezoelectric crystals, to deposit
materials directly on substrates.
[0017] In order to overcome the textile wettability issue a
pre-treatment process for coating a textile or fabric with silica
derived from hydrolysis of an orthosilicate. In embodiments,
orthosilicates that may be used include terraethyl orthosilicate
(TEOS), tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS), tetraisopropoyl
orthosilicate (TIPS), tertrabutyl orthosilicate (TBOS). The
resultant textile or fabric coating will have a surface roughness
to increase the textile or fabric receptivity for ink. The reaction
of TEOS to create a silica network is shown below.
##STR00001##
[0018] In an embodiment, a method of treating a textile for the
subsequent reception of a printing ink, is shown in the schematic
illustrations of FIGS. 1A-1C. The method shown in FIGS. 1A-1C is
one example, and other methods of coating textiles with a solution
can be used. In FIG. 1A, a coating solution 21 is applied on a
glass plate 15. A coating rod 18 is used to spread the coating
solution 21 on the glass plate 15 and is shown in FIG. 1B. The
coating solution 21 is illustrated as spread on glass plate 15 in
FIG. 1B. As shown in FIG. 1C, the textile or fabric 17 is then
placed on the glass plate 15 and a roller 23 is used to immerse the
textile 17 in the coating solution 21 (FIG. 1B) so that the coating
solution 21 contacts all portions of the textile 17. After the
textile or fabric 17 is coated with solution 21 the coating
solution 21 is dried.
[0019] The coating solution 21 includes an orthosilicate, a water
miscible solvent such as ethyl alcohol (EtOH), water (H.sub.2O),
ammonium hydroxide (NH.sub.4OH). The coating solution 21 is well
mixed prior to coating. The weight percent ranges for the coating
solution 21 are from about 70 weight percent to about 85 weight
percent of the water miscible solvent, from about 5 weight percent
to about 15 weight percent water, from about 10 weight percent to
about 20 weight percent NH.sub.4OH and from about 0.1 weight
percent to about 2 weight percent TEOS.
[0020] In embodiments, solvents are mixtures of water and
water-miscible polar solvents that can be included in the coating
solution. In embodiments, water-soluble organic solvents include:
alcohols, ketones, keto-alcohols, ethers and others, such as
thiodiglycol, sulfolane, 2-pyrrolidone,
1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and caprolactam; glycols such as,
ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol,
tetraethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol,
tripropylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, butylene glycol and
hexylene glycol; polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and the
like; triols such as glycerol and 1,2,6-hexanetriol; lower alkyl
ethers of polyhydric alcohols, such as ethylene glycol monomethyl
ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol
monomethyl, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether; lower dialkyl ethers
of polyhydric alcohols, such as diethylene glycol dimethyl or
diethyl ether; urea and substituted ureas.
[0021] The thickness of the dried silica (SiO.sub.2) layer on the
fabric or textile 17 can be from about 0.5 microns to about 300
microns.
[0022] Other optional components in the coating solution 21 can
include surfactants. Surfactants adjust the surface tension and
wetting properties of the coating solution 21. In embodiments, the
surfactants may include SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfonate), SDBS
(sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate), as well as non-ionic surfactants
such as: Triton-X100 (ethoxylated nonylphenol). Other surfactants
include ethoxylated acetylene diols (e.g. SURFYNOL.RTM. series from
Air Products), ethoxylates and primary alcohols (e.g. NEODOL.RTM.
series from Shell and TOMADOL.RTM. series from Tomah Products) and
secondary alcohols (e.g. TERGITOL.RTM. series from Union Carbide),
sulfosuccinates (e.g. Aerosol.RTM. series from Cytec),
organosilicones (e.g. SILWET.RTM. series from GE Silicons) and
fluoro surfactants (e.g. ZONYL.RTM. series from DuPont). In
embodiments, surfactants are used in the amount of about 0.01
weight percent to about 5 weight percent of the total weight of the
coating solution 21, or in embodiments from about 0.5 weight
percent to about 2 weight percent, based on the total weight of the
coating solution 21.
[0023] Textiles that are suitable for use of the pre-treatment
disclosed herein include, for example, woven fabrics, knitted
fabrics, and non-woven fabrics such as felt fabrics. The textiles
may include fibers from any animal, plant and/or synthetic source
such as, for example, wool, silk, cotton, linen, hemp, ramie, jute,
acetate, acrylic fabric, latex, nylon, polyester, rayon, viscose,
spandex, metallic composite, carbon or carbonized composite, and
any combination thereof.
[0024] The process disclosed herein is highly suitable for garments
made of one or more textile fabrics. An example of such a garment
is a T-shirt.
[0025] The presently available inks for ink-jet printing include
aqueous-based inks. The inks contain water, a humectant, a water
soluble polymer, a surfactant and a colorant.
[0026] Aqueous-based inks are typically composed of water and a
colorant, usually a dye or pigment dispersion, and may contain a
number of additives for imparting certain features to the ink
(e.g., improved stability and flow, feather resistance, and the
like).
[0027] The term "colorant" as used herein describes a substance
which imparts the desired color to the printed image. The colorant
may be a pigment or a dye. Pigments are solid colorants with are
typically suspended in the carrier of the ink composition, whereby
dyes are liquid colorants which are dissolved in the carrier of the
ink composition.
[0028] Apart for imparting the desired color to the textile, the
colorant is selected suitable in terms of its chemical and physical
properties. Example dye colorants that are suitable for use in
embodiments include, without limitation, azo chrome complexes such
as the commercially available Orasol black RLI, Orsal Red G and Cu
phthalocyanine and similar azo-cobalt complexes. Example pigment
colorants that are suitable for use in this context of the present
invention include, without limitation, quinacridone,
benzimidazolone, carbon black, phthalocyanine, diarylide, azo,
titanium oxide and calcium carbonate. Example commercially
available pigments can include Permajet, Renol and Microlith.
[0029] Preferably, the colorant content in the ink composition
according to embodiments ranges from about 0.2% to about 40% of the
total weight of the ink composition. In embodiments, the colorant
content ranges from 1 to 10 weight percentages of the total weight
of the ink composition.
[0030] In embodiments, solvents are mixtures of water and
water-miscible polar solvents such as: methanol, ethanol,
2-propanol, acetone, tetrahydrofuran (THF), as well as
less-volatile solvents such as DMF (dimethyl formamide), or NMP
(N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) can be used with the ink composition. In
embodiments, water-soluble organic solvents include: alcohols,
ketones, keto-alcohols, ethers and others, such as thiodiglycol,
sulfolane, 2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and
caprolactam; glycols such as, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol,
triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, propylene glycol,
dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, trimethylene glycol,
butylene glycol and hexylene glycol; polyethylene glycol,
polypropylene glycol and the like; triols such as glycerol and
1,2,6-hexanetriol; lower alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols, such
as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl
ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl, diethylene glycol monoethyl
ether; lower dialkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols, such as
diethylene glycol dimethyl or diethyl ether; urea and substituted
ureas.
[0031] The ink composition may also contain a humectant, which may
also function as a water miscible solvent, which preferably
includes a glycol or dihydroxyglycolether, or mixture thereof, in
which one or both hydroxy groups are secondary hydroxy groups, such
as propane-1,2-diol, butane-2,3-diol, butane-1,3-diol and
3-(3-hydroxy-prop-2-oxy)propan-2-ol. Where the humectant has a
primary hydroxy group, in embodiments this may be attached to a
carbon atom adjacent to a carbon atom carrying a secondary or
tertiary hydroxy group. The humectant may include up to a total of
10 percent by weight of a polyol, especially a glycol or
dihydroxyglycolether, having two or more primary hydroxy groups,
such as ethyleneglycol, propane-1,3-diol, butane-1,4-diol,
2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethanol and 2-(2-[2-hydroxyethoxy]ethoxy)ethanol
and/or an alcohol with a primary hydroxy group, such as ethanol,
n-propanol and n-butanol. In the context of the humectant, the term
"alcohol" means a compound having only one hydroxy group attached
to an aliphatic carbon atom. The ink composition may contain from 5
weight percent to about 25 weight percent, or in embodiments, from
10 weight percent to 20 weight percent of humectant.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows a printing system 20 for producing a textile
having an image thereon according to various embodiments. The
system 20 includes a coating station 26 for applying a coating
solution to the textile 27. The textile 27 is dried at drying
station 31 forming a silica network on the textile 27. The textile
27 is printed using an ink jet printer 38 to form an image on the
silica network on textile 27. The printing system 20 can include a
control system 30 coupled to the coating station 26, drying station
31 and ink jet printer 38. The control system 30 can be configured
to provide instructions to, and/or otherwise control operation of
coating station 26, drying station 31 and ink jet printer 38. The
control system 30 may be mechanically or electrically connected to
coating station 26, drying station 31 and ink jet printer 38.
Control system 30 may be a computerized, mechanical, or
electro-mechanical device capable of controlling the coating
station 26, drying station 31 and ink jet printer 38. In one
embodiment, control system 30 may be a computerized device (e.g., a
programmable computer having a processor and memory) capable of
providing operating instructions to the coating station 26, drying
station 31 and ink jet printer 38. In another embodiment, control
system 30 may include a mechanical device, capable of use by an
operator. In this case, the operator may physically manipulate
control system 30 (e.g., by pulling a lever), which may actuate the
coating station 26, drying station 31 and ink jet printer 38. In
another embodiment, control system 30 may be an electro-mechanical
device.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart illustrating a method performed
according to various embodiments. As shown, the method can include
the following processes:
[0034] Process P1: A textile is provided and coated with a TEOS
solution and dried to form a silica network on the textile.
[0035] Process P2: A ink jet composition is coated on the silica
network on the textile to form an image.
[0036] Specific embodiments will now be described in detail. These
examples are intended to be illustrative, and not limited to the
materials, conditions, or process parameters set forth in these
embodiments. All parts are percentages by solid weight unless
otherwise indicated.
EXAMPLES
[0037] Preparation of TEOS Solution.
[0038] A TEOS/EtOH/water/NH.sub.4OH solution was based was prepared
by mixing 152 mL EtOH, 14 mL deionized water and 22 mL of
NH.sub.4OH was mixed. This was followed by addition of 1 mL TEOS.
The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes, as it went from clear to
cloudy. The weight percentages of the TEOS solution were
approximately 78 weight percent EtOH, 9 weight percent water, 12.4
weight percent NH.sub.4OH and 0.5 weight percent TEOS.
[0039] A polyester fabric was coated with the
TEOS/EtOH/water/NH.sub.4OH solution on a glass plate applied with a
#22 Meyer rod, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. The coating was cured to
form a silica network on the polyester fabric. The silica network
showed good affinity for polyester.
[0040] An ink jet composition was applied to the polyester fabric
with the cured TEOS/EtOH/water/NH.sub.4OH solution. The ink jet
composition showed good adherence to the silica network.
[0041] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed
embodiments and other features and functions or alternatives
thereof may be combined into other different systems or
applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated
alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein
may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, which are
also encompassed by the following claims
* * * * *