# US 8,740,367 B2 · Metallic ink jet printing system for graphics applications

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- Number: US 8,740,367 B2
- Document ID: US8740367B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/685,521
- Filed: 2012-11-26
- Published: 2013-04-04
- Granted: 2014-06-03
- Earliest claimed: 2005-09-12
- Assignees: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
- Applicants: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
- Inventors: Paul A. Edwards; Sandra Zinke; Joshua Samuel; Matthew Tennis
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8740367B2

## CPC

- B41J 11/00214: {using UV radiation}
- B41J 2/2107: {characterised by the ink properties (supplying ink in a solid state B41J2/17593)}
- B41J 2/2114: {Ejecting specialized liquids, e.g. transparent or processing liquids (B41J2/211 takes precedence)}
- B41J 11/0015: {for treating before, during or after printing or for uniform coating or laminating the copy material before or after printing (selective coating B41J2/2114)}
- B41J 11/00216: {using infrared [IR] radiation or microwaves}
- B41M 5/0023: {Digital printing methods characterised by the inks used (inks per se C09D11/00)}
- B82Y 30/00: Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
- C09D 5/004: {Reflecting paints; Signal paints}
- C09D 11/101: Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
- C09D 11/322: Pigment inks
- C09D 11/54: Inks based on two liquids, one liquid being the ink, the other liquid being a reaction solution, a fixer or a treatment solution for the ink
- B41J 3/4078: {Printing on textile}
- Y10T 428/24364: with transparent or protective coating
- Y10T 428/24612: Composite web or sheet
- Y10T 428/24851: Intermediate layer is discontinuous or differential
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41M: PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D10/00; printing textiles D06P)
- B82Y: SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES
- C09D: COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR (cosmetics A61K; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general, B05D; staining wood B27K5/02; glazes or vitreous enamels C03C; natural resins, French polish, drying-oils, driers, turpentine, per se, C09F; polishing compositions other than French polish, ski waxes C09G; adhesives or use of materials as adhesives C09J; materials for sealing or packing joints or covers C09K3/10; materials for stopping leaks C09K3/12; processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings C25D)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A multi-phase system for creating a metallic effect on a substrate, including applying to the substrate a first ink jet ink having a dispersion of reflective metallic particles in a suitable carrier system, to form a reflective coating layer; and applying a second ink jet ink over the reflective coating layer to form a protective coating layer. Optionally, an undercoat layer is printed on the substrate prior to applying the first ink jet ink. The second ink jet includes at least one crosslinkable polymer or is otherwise energy curable. The second ink jet ink optionally imparts a color to the metallic image.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A printing system for creating a metallic effect image on a substrate having a surface, the system comprising:
a first ink jet ink applied onto the surface of the substrate,
wherein the first ink jet ink is registered on a region that comprises less than the entirety of the surface of the substrate to form at least one graphic object,
wherein the first ink jet ink comprises a dispersion of reflective metallic particles in a carrier system, wherein the first ink jet ink forms a smooth reflective coating layer, and
wherein a boundary is formed at the edge between a) the region covered by the first ink iet ink that comprises less than the entirety of the surface of the substrate, and b) a portion of the surface of the substrate not covered by first ink jet ink; and
a second ink jet ink applied over at least a portion of the reflective coating layer, wherein the applied second ink jet ink is configured to spread across the reflective coating layer up to, but not extending beyond, the boundary to form a protective coating layer.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The printing system of claim 1, wherein the second ink jet ink
forms a first contact angle with the reflective coating layer, and
forms a second contact angle with the substrate;
wherein the first contact angle is less than the second contact angle.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The printing system of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises any of leather, cloth, or semi-absorbent material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The printing system of claim 1, wherein the surface of the substrate comprises any of a rough or uneven surface.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The printing system of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a non-metallic substrate.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The printing system of claim 1, wherein the surface of the substrate comprises a smooth surface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The printing system of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises any of a glass or a mirror.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The printing system of claim 1, wherein the first ink jet ink further comprises one or more fatty acids to enhance surface compatibility of the reflective metallic particles.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The printing system of claim 1, wherein the second ink jet ink further comprises at least one colorant, and wherein the second ink jet ink and colorant do not extend beyond the boundary.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The printing system of claim 1, wherein the reflective coating layer is at least partially dried or cured prior to applying the second ink jet ink.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The printing system of claim 1, wherein a rest period occurs between applying the first ink jet ink and the second ink jet ink.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The printing system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first ink jet ink and the second ink jet ink comprises a photoinitiator.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The printing system of claim 1, wherein the reflective metallic particles comprise silver particles.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The printing system of claim 13, wherein the silver particles comprise about 2% to about 10% by weight of the dispersion.

### Claim 15

A method for creating a metallic effect image, comprising the steps of:
providing a substrate having a surface;
jetting a first ink jet ink onto the surface of the substrate to form at least one graphic object, wherein the first ink jet ink is registered on a region that comprises less than the entirety of the surface of the substrate, wherein the first ink jet ink comprises a dispersion of reflective metallic particles in a carrier system;
curing the first ink jet ink to form a reflective coating layer, wherein a boundary is formed at the edge between a) the region that comprises less than the entirety of the surface of the substrate, and b) a portion of the surface of the substrate not covered by first ink iet ink; and
overprinting a second ink jet ink over at least a portion of the reflective coating layer, wherein the applied second ink jet ink is configured to spread across the reflective coating layer up to, but not extending beyond, the boundary to form a protective coating layer.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the second ink jet ink
forms a first contact angle with the reflective coating layer, and
forms a second contact angle with the substrate;
wherein the first contact angle is less than the second contact angle.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the substrate comprises any of leather, cloth, or semi-absorbent material.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the surface of the substrate comprises any of a rough or uneven surface.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the substrate comprises a non-metallic substrate.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the surface of the substrate comprises a smooth surface.

### Claim 21 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the substrate comprises any of a glass or a mirror.

### Claim 22 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the first ink jet ink further comprises one or more fatty acids to enhance surface compatibility of the reflective metallic particles.

### Claim 23 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the second ink jet ink further comprises at least one colorant, and wherein the second ink jet ink and colorant do not extend beyond the boundary.

### Claim 24 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the step of curing the first ink jet ink comprises at least partially drying or curing the first ink jet ink before the step of overprinting the second ink jet ink.

### Claim 25 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:
providing a rest period between the step of jetting the first ink jet ink and overprinting the second ink jet ink.

### Claim 26 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of the first ink jet ink and the second ink jet ink comprises a photoinitiator.

### Claim 27 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the reflective metallic particles comprise silver particles.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27, wherein the silver particles comprise about 2% to about 10% by weight of the dispersion.