U.S. patent application number 11/623928 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-23 for recording ink as well as ink media set, ink cartridge, ink recorded matter, inkjet recording apparatus and inkjet recording method.
Invention is credited to Tamotsu Aruga, Hiroshi Goto, Hisashi Habashi, Masayuki Koyano, Akihiko Matsuyama, Naoya Morohoshi, Kiyofumi Nagai, Tohru Ohshima.
Application Number | 20070197685 11/623928 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37846042 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070197685 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aruga; Tamotsu ; et
al. |
August 23, 2007 |
RECORDING INK AS WELL AS INK MEDIA SET, INK CARTRIDGE, INK RECORDED
MATTER, INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS AND INKJET RECORDING METHOD
Abstract
A recording ink containing at least a solid component which
contains a colorant and a resin and is a solid at 25.degree. C., a
liquid component which has a higher boiling point than that of
water and is a liquid at 25.degree. C. and water, wherein the total
content of the liquid component in the recording ink is 20% by mass
or less, the total content of the solid component in the recording
ink is 20% by mass or more, and the total content of a resin
component in the solid component is 40% by mass to 95% by mass
relative to a total amount of the solid component is provided.
Inventors: |
Aruga; Tamotsu;
(Isehara-shi, JP) ; Koyano; Masayuki; (Zama-shi,
JP) ; Matsuyama; Akihiko; (Isehara-shi, JP) ;
Habashi; Hisashi; (Isehara-shi, JP) ; Goto;
Hiroshi; (Atsugi-shi, JP) ; Ohshima; Tohru;
(Atsugi-shi, JP) ; Morohoshi; Naoya; (Numazu-shi,
JP) ; Nagai; Kiyofumi; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND, MAIER & NEUSTADT, P.C.
1940 DUKE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
37846042 |
Appl. No.: |
11/623928 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
523/160 ;
428/411.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 428/31504 20150401;
C09D 11/322 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
523/160 ;
428/411.1 |
International
Class: |
C09D 11/00 20060101
C09D011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 18, 2006 |
JP |
2006-009939 |
Feb 28, 2006 |
JP |
2006-052565 |
Claims
1. A recording ink, comprising: a solid component, a liquid
component, and water, wherein the solid component comprises a
colorant and a resin and is a solid at 25.degree. C.; the liquid
component has a higher boiling point than that of water and is a
liquid at 25.degree. C.; the total content of the liquid component
in the recording ink is 20% by mass or less; the total content of
the solid component in the recording ink is 20% by mass or more;
and the total content of resin components in the solid component is
40% by mass to 95% by mass relative to the total amount of the
solid components.
2. The recording ink according to claim 1, wherein the resin
comprises resin fine particles having a glass transition
temperature of 25.degree. C. or less, and the volume average
particle diameter of the resin fine particles is 10 nm to 1,000
nm.
3. The recording ink according to claim 1, wherein the colorant is
a pigment of a polymer emulsion type containing a color material
which is water insoluble or hardly water soluble in polymer fine
particles.
4. The recording ink according to claim 1, wherein the liquid
component comprises a surfactant, and the surfactant is at least
one selected from fluorine surfactants and silicone
surfactants.
5. The recording ink according to claim 1, having a surface tension
at 25.degree. C. of 35 mN/m or less.
6. An ink media set, comprising: a recording ink, and a recording
medium, wherein the recording ink comprises at least a solid
component, a liquid component, and water; the solid component
comprises a colorant and a resin and is a solid at 25.degree. C.;
the liquid component has a higher boiling point than that of water
and is a liquid at 25.degree. C.; the total content of the liquid
component in the recording ink is 20% by mass or less; the
recording medium comprises a support, and a coating layer on at
least one surface of the support; the transfer amount of purified
water to the recording medium for a contact time of 100 ms is 2
mL/m.sup.2 to 35 mL/m.sup.2; and the transfer amount of purified
water to the recording medium for a contact time of 400 ms is 3
mL/m.sup.2 to 40 mL/m.sup.2 measured using a dynamic scanning
absorbing liquid meter.
7. An ink media set, comprising: a recording ink, and a recording
medium, wherein the recording ink comprises at least a solid
component, a liquid component, and water; the solid component
comprises a colorant and a resin and is a solid at 25.degree. C.;
the liquid component has a higher boiling point than that of water
and is a liquid at 25.degree. C.; the total content of the liquid
component in the recording ink is 30% by mass or less; the total
content of the solid component in the recording ink is 20% by mass
or more; the total content of resin components in the solid
component is 40% by mass to 95% by mass relative to the total
amount of the solid components; the recording medium comprises a
support, and a coating layer on at least one surface of the
support; the transfer amount of purified water to the recording
medium for a contact time of 100 ms is 2 mL/m.sup.2 to 35
mL/m.sup.2; and the transfer amount of purified water to the
recording medium for a contact time of 400 ms is 3 mL/M.sup.2 to 40
mL/m.sup.2 measured using a dynamic scanning absorbing liquid
meter.
8. The ink media set according to claim 7, wherein the resin
comprises resin fine particles having a glass transition
temperature of 25.degree. C. or less, and the volume average
particle diameter of the resin fine particles is 10 nm to 1,000
nm.
9. The ink media set according to claim 7, wherein the colorant is
a pigment of a polymer emulsion type containing a color material
which is water insoluble or hardly water soluble in polymer fine
particles.
10. An ink media set, comprising: a recording ink, and a recording
medium, wherein the recording ink comprises at least a solid
component, a liquid component, and water; the solid component
comprises a colorant and a resin and is a solid at 25.degree. C.;
the liquid component has a higher boiling point than that of water
and is a liquid at 25.degree. C.; the total content of the liquid
component in the recording ink is 30% by mass or less; the total
content of the solid component in the recording ink is 20% by mass
or more; the total content of resin components in the solid
component is 40% by mass to 95% by mass relative to the total
amount of the solid components; and the recording medium comprises
a non-porous substrate.
11. The ink media set according to claim 10, wherein the non-porous
substrate is any one selected from plastic films, plastic laminate
papers, plastic coat papers, glasses and metals.
12. The ink media set according to claim 10, wherein the non-porous
substrate is a polyester film.
13. The ink media set according to claim 10, wherein the resin
comprises resin fine particles having a glass transition
temperature of 25.degree. C. or less, and the volume average
particle diameter of the resin fine particles is 10 nm to 1,000
nm.
14. The ink media set according to claim 10, wherein the colorant
is a pigment of a polymer emulsion type containing a color material
which is water insoluble or hardly water soluble in polymer fine
particles.
15. An ink cartridge, housing a recording ink in a container,
wherein the recording ink comprises at least a solid component, a
liquid component, and water; the solid component comprises a
colorant and a resin and is a solid at 25.degree. C.; the liquid
component has a higher boiling point than that of water and is a
liquid at 25.degree. C.; the total content of the liquid component
in the recording ink is 30% by mass or less; the total content of
the solid component in the recording ink is 20% by mass or more;
and the total content of resin components in the solid component is
40% by mass to 95% by mass relative to the total amount of the
solid components.
16. A moisturizing agent, comprising one selected from (1) a liquid
medium composed of water, (2) a liquid medium whose main component
is water, (3) a liquid medium whose main components are water and a
liquid component which has a higher boiling point than that of
water and is a liquid at 25.degree. C., and (4) a liquid medium
containing the same components as a recording ink which comprises
at least a solid component, a liquid component, and water, the
solid component comprises a colorant and a resin and is a solid at
25.degree. C., the liquid component has a higher boiling point than
that of water and is a liquid at 25.degree. C., the total content
of the liquid component is 20% by mass or less; and the content of
the solid component being a solid at 25.degree. C. in the liquid
medium is less than that of the recording ink.
17. An inkjet recording method, comprising: flying a recording ink
in an ink media set by applying an impulse to the recording ink to
form an image on a recording medium in the ink media set, wherein
the recording ink comprises at least a solid component, a liquid
component, and water; the solid component comprises a colorant and
a resin and is a solid at 25.degree. C.; the liquid component has a
higher boiling point than that of water and is a liquid at
25.degree. C.; the total content of the liquid component in the
recording ink is 30% by mass or less; the total content of the
solid component in the recording ink is 20% by mass or more; the
total content of resin components in the solid component is 40% by
mass to 95% by mass relative to the total amount of the solid
components; the recording medium comprises a support, and a coating
layer on at least one surface of the support; the transfer amount
of purified water to the recording medium for a contact time of 100
ms is 2 mL/m.sup.2 to 35 mL/m.sup.2; and the transfer amount of
purified water to the recording medium for a contact time of 400 ms
is 3 mL/m.sup.2 to 40 mL/m.sup.2 measured using a dynamic scanning
absorbing liquid meter.
18. The inkjet recording method according to claim 17, wherein
after recording the image on the recording medium, the image is
dried by at least either heating or sending air.
19. An inkjet recording method, comprising flying a recording ink
in an ink media set by applying an impulse to the recording ink to
form an image on a recording medium in the ink media set, wherein
the recording ink comprises at least a solid component, a liquid
component, and water; the solid component comprises a colorant and
a resin and is a solid at 25.degree. C.; the liquid component has a
higher boiling point than that of water and is a liquid at
25.degree. C.; the total content of the liquid component in the
recording ink is 30% by mass or less; the total content of the
solid component in the recording ink is 20% by mass or more; the
total content of resin components in the solid component is 40% by
mass to 95% by mass relative to the total amount of the solid
components; and the recording medium comprises a non-porous
substrate.
20. The inkjet recording method according to claim 19, wherein
after recording the image on the recording medium, the image is
dried by at least either heating or sending air.
21. An inkjet recording method, comprising: replacing a recording
ink with a moisturizing agent when inkjet recording is stopped for
a long time, and replacing the moisturizing agent with the
recording ink when inkjet recording is restarted, wherein the
recording ink comprises at least a solid component, a liquid
component, and water; the solid component comprises a colorant and
a resin and is a solid at 25.degree. C.; the liquid component has a
higher boiling point than that of water and is a liquid at
25.degree. C.; the total content of the liquid component in the
recording ink is 20% by mass or less; the moisturizing agent
comprises at least one selected from (1) a liquid medium composed
of water, (2) a liquid medium whose main component is water, (3) a
liquid medium whose main components are water and a liquid
component which has a higher boiling point than that of water and
is a liquid at 25.degree. C., and (4) a liquid medium containing
the same components as a recording ink which comprises at least a
solid component, a liquid component, and water, the solid component
comprises a colorant and a resin and is a solid at 25.degree. C.,
the liquid component has a higher boiling point than that of water
and is a liquid at 25.degree. C., the total content of the liquid
component is 20% by mass or less; and the content of the solid
component being a solid at 25.degree. C. in the liquid medium is
less than that of the recording ink.
22. An inkjet recording method, comprising: supplying a
moisturizing agent to a capping unit which is configured to cap the
nozzle of a recording head when inkjet recording is stopped for a
long time, wherein the moisturizing agent comprises at least one
selected from (1) a liquid medium composed of water, (2) a liquid
medium whose main component is water, (3) a liquid medium whose
main components are water and a liquid component which has a higher
boiling point than that of water and is a liquid at 25.degree. C.,
and (4) a liquid medium containing the same components as a
recording ink which comprises at least a solid component, a liquid
component, and water, the solid component comprises a colorant and
a resin and is a solid at 25.degree. C., the liquid component has a
higher boiling point than that of water and is a liquid at
25.degree. C., the total content of the liquid component is 20% by
mass or less; and the content of the solid component being a solid
at 25.degree. C. in the liquid medium is less than that of the
recording ink.
23. An ink media set, comprising: a recording ink, and a recording
medium, wherein the recording ink comprises at least a pigment of a
polymer emulsion type containing a color material which is water
insoluble or hardly water soluble in polymer fine particles, water
dispersible resin fine particles, and a wetting agent; the total
solid content of the pigment of the polymer emulsion type and the
water dispersible resin fine particles is 20% by mass or more; the
content of the wetting agent is 20% by mass or more; the transfer
amount of purified water to the recording medium for a contact time
of 100 ms is 2 mL/m.sup.2 to 35 mL/m.sup.2, and the transfer amount
of purified water to the recording medium for a contact time of 400
ms measured using a dynamic scanning absorbing liquid meter is 3
mL/m.sup.2 to 40 mL/m.sup.2.
24. An inkjet recording method, comprising: flying a recording ink
in an ink media set by applying an impulse to the recording ink to
form an image on a recording medium in the ink media set, and
drying the image formed on the recording medium, wherein the ink
media set comprises a recording ink, and a recording medium; the
recording ink comprises at least a pigment of a polymer emulsion
type containing a color material which is water insoluble or hardly
water soluble in polymer fine particles, water dispersible resin
fine particles, and a wetting agent; the total solid content of the
pigment of the polymer emulsion type and the water dispersible
resin fine particles is 20% by mass or more; the content of the
wetting agent is 20% by mass or more; the transfer amount of
purified water to the recording medium for a contact time of 100 ms
is 2 mL/M.sup.2 to 35 mL/m.sup.2, and the transfer amount of
purified water to the recording medium for a contact time of 400 ms
measured using a dynamic scanning absorbing liquid meter is 3
mL/m.sup.2 to 40 mL/m.sup.2.
25. An ink media set, comprising: a recording ink, and a recording
medium, wherein the recording ink comprises at least a colorant, a
water dispersible resin, and a wetting agent; the total solid
content of the recording ink is 20% by mass or more; the content of
the wetting agent is 20% by mass or more; the wetting agent
contains glycerine alone, or the content of the glycerine in the
wetting agent is 80% by mass or more; the transfer amount of
purified water to the recording medium for a contact time of 100 ms
is 2 mL/m.sup.2 to 35 mL/M.sup.2, and the transfer amount of
purified water to the recording medium for a contact time of 400 ms
measured using a dynamic scanning absorbing liquid meter is 3
mL/m.sup.2 to 40 mL/m.sup.2.
26. An inkjet recording method, comprising: flying a recording ink
in an ink media set by applying an impulse to the recording ink to
form an image on a recording medium in the ink media set, and
drying the image formed on the recording medium, wherein the ink
media set comprises a recording ink, and a recording medium; the
recording ink comprises at least a colorant, a water dispersible
resin, and a wetting agent; the total solid content of the
recording ink is 20% by mass or more; the content of the wetting
agent is 20% by mass or more; the wetting agent contains glycerine
alone, or the content of the glycerine in the wetting agent is 80%
by mass or more; the transfer amount of purified water to the
recording medium for a contact time of 100 ms is 2 mL/m.sup.2 to 35
mL/m.sup.2, and the transfer amount of purified water to the
recording medium for a contact time of 400 ms measured using a
dynamic scanning absorbing liquid meter is 3 mL/m.sup.2 to 40
mL/m.sup.2.
27. An ink record, comprising: an image formed on a recording
medium using a recording ink, wherein the recording medium
comprises a support, and a coating layer on at least one surface of
the support; the transfer amount of purified water to the recording
medium for a contact time of 100 ms is 2 mL/m.sup.2 to 35
mL/m.sup.2; the transfer amount of purified water to the recording
medium for a contact time of 400 ms is 3 mL/m.sup.2 to 40
mL/m.sup.2 measured using a dynamic scanning absorbing liquid
meter; the recording ink comprises at least a solid component, a
liquid component, and water; the solid component comprises a
colorant and a resin and is a solid at 25.degree. C.; the liquid
component has a higher boiling point than that of water and is a
liquid at 25.degree. C.; the total content of the liquid component
in the recording ink is 30% by mass or less; the total content of
the solid component in the recording ink is 20% by mass or more;
and the total content of resin components in the solid component is
40% by mass to 95% by mass relative to the total amount of the
solid components.
28. An ink record, comprising: an image formed on a recording
medium using a recording ink, wherein the recording medium
comprises a non-porous substrate; the recording ink comprises at
least a solid component, a liquid component, and water; the solid
component comprises a colorant and a resin and is a solid at
25.degree. C.; the liquid component has a higher boiling point than
that of water and is a liquid at 25.degree. C.; the total content
of the liquid component in the recording ink is 30% by mass or
less; the total content of the solid component in the recording ink
is 20% by mass or more; and the total content of resin components
in the solid component is 40% by mass to 95% by mass relative to
the total amount of the solid components.
29. The ink record according to claim 28, wherein the recording
medium is a polyether film.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a recording ink which is
suitable for inkjet recording, as well as an ink media set, an ink
cartridge, an ink record, an inkjet recording apparatus and an
inkjet recording method using the recording ink.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] An inkjet recording method is the method to perform printing
by ejecting small liquid drops of an ink to adhere onto a recording
medium such as paper. As the ink used for this inkjet recording
method, those in which colorants of various dyes and pigments have
been dissolved or dispersed in water or water and an organic
solvent having a high boiling point and a wetting agent composed of
the organic solvent having the high boiling point has been
abundantly contained for keeping a moisturizing property are used.
Such a wetting agent composed of the organic solvent having the
high boiling point contributes to preventing nozzles from being
dried by its water-holding capacity. However, when printing on the
paper with a rapid penetrating speed, e.g., plain paper, there is a
shortcoming that show-through is increased because the wetting
agent is hardly evaporated.
[0005] Meanwhile, on the papers such as non-porous substrates such
as offset coated papers for printing, plastic films, plastic
laminate papers and plastic coated papers which have a low
water-absorbing capacity, it takes a long time for drying because
the wetting agent is hardly evaporated, which is impractical.
[0006] Thus, it is desired to provide an inkjet recording method in
which drying is rapid on the paper for printing, an image density
is high, an image quality is high on the plain paper and no
clogging occurs when stopped for a long time.
[0007] For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A)
No. 2004-115551 an inkjet ink in which a content of the wetting
agent has been excessively low is proposed. According to this
proposal, even when the plain paper is used, the image quality with
no show through having the high image density is obtained. However,
in this proposal, since no resin is contained in the ink, a fixing
property of the image is inferior particularly when a pigment ink
is used. Enhancement of a drying speed when printed on the offset
coated paper is neither disclosed nor suggested.
[0008] In JP-A No. 60-34992, quick drying inks are proposed.
[0009] However, in Example in this proposal, the wetting agent is
abundantly contained at 15% by mass or more, no resin is added and
quality papers are used as the paper. Thus, coated papers for
printing which extremely hardly absorb the water do not subject to
this proposal.
[0010] In JP-A No. 08-109343, quick drying inks for the inkjet of a
current-carrying heat generation system are proposed. However, in
this proposal, no resin is added, electrolytes are considerably
abundantly contained, the fixing property of the image is inferior,
and an ejecting system which is essentially different from the
inkjet of a piezoelectric system is employed.
[0011] In JP-A No. 2002-67473 and JP-A No. 2002-69346, a
combination of microcapsule type pigments with the paper for
printing is proposed. However, in these proposals, heating by
microwave is required for enhancing a drying property because of a
usual ink composition.
[0012] In JP-A No. 2002-301857 containing wax fine particles and
resin fine particles are proposed. In this proposal, the wax fine
particle is used in place of the wetting agent because it can
impart a wetting property. However, the wax having the wetting
property tends to be inferior in fixing property and drying.
[0013] In JP-A No. 06-171072, inks containing a resin emulsion, a
polymer dispersant and a pigment are proposed. In the ink in this
proposal, since the wetting agent content is low but a
concentration of an entire solid content is low, there are problems
in that the sufficient image density and color formation are not
obtained.
[0014] In JP-A No. 2003-226827, the ink containing a fluorine
surfactant and a polymer emulsion containing a water-insoluble or
water-hardly soluble color material in polymer fine particles,
whose viscosity is 5 mPas or more is described. However, it is not
described to record on non-porous medium such as plastic films.
[0015] When printed on an unabsorbable recording medium such as
polyester films, generally the ultraviolet ray curable ink is used
because the usual ink is inferior in fixing property and drying
property (see JP-A No. 2000-117960). However, since strong
ultraviolet light is required and the apparatus is grown in size
due to storage stability of the ink, the apparatus is not common as
a printer.
[0016] Meanwhile, the methods of enhancing the drying property and
the fixing property by oil-based inks are available, but the
solvent is the organic solvent, and thus, they can not be generally
used in places such as offices where odor is avoided.
[0017] As water-based inks used for printing on polyolefin films,
those containing the resin at high concentration are proposed, for
example, in JP-A No. 04-139271. However, it is not described
whether the ink can be used as the inkjet ink.
[0018] In JP-A No. 2005-15672, a non-water-based inkjet ink for
polyvinyl chloride resin sheets is proposed. This proposal is the
non-water-based ink, and is not suitable for the use in the office
in terms of environmental problem such as odor.
[0019] Also, the inkjet ink printed on the non-porous substrate
such as vinyl medium is described in JP-A No. 2005-220352. So far
as this is seen in Example, the concentration of the total solid
content is 6% by mass and the amount of the wetting agent is 21% by
mass. When the solid content is low in this way, the amount of the
wetting agent is large and the amount of the adhered ink having the
relatively low viscosity is large per unit area, unevenness of the
image density due to liquid flow referred to as beading and liquid
bias easily occurs particularly in solid images.
[0020] In JP-A No. 2000-44858, the inkjet ink printed on the vinyl
medium is proposed, and dried at 70.degree. C. in this Example.
When seen in Examples, the amount of wetting agent in the ink is
large, the solid content is low which is 10% by mass or less, and
thus it is speculated that the drying is necessarily slow and no
good image is obtained unless drying is performed by heating. That
is, in the [ink sample 1] described in the above JP-A No.
2000-44858, when calculated, the solid content is 11% by mass which
is more than 10% by mass, but the resin includes a dispersant
polymer and is not an emulsion type. Thus it is speculated that the
resin in a large amount can not be added.
[0021] Therefore, it is an actual circumstance that a recording ink
and an inkjet recording method having sufficiently satisfied
performances are not obtained yet, i.e., the ink for printing by
which the image having a high image density, a low backside
density, good color formation and no bleeding is obtained when
printed on the plain paper and the sharp image close to printed
matters, having no problem in drying speed is obtained on smooth
papers for printing having a low water absorbing capacity and
non-porous substrates such as plastic films, plastic laminate
papers and plastic coated papers, and the inkjet recording method
using the recording ink, where no clogging of nozzles occurs when
stopped for a long time are not obtained yet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The present invention aims at providing a recording ink by
which the image having a high image density, a low backside
density, good color formation and no bleeding is obtained when
printed on the plain paper and the sharp image close to printed
matters, having no problem in drying speed is obtained even when
printed on smooth papers for printing having a low water absorbing
capacity, as well as an ink cartridge, an ink media set, an ink
record, an inkjet recording apparatus where no clogging of nozzles
occurs when stopped for a long time, and an inkjet recording method
using the recording ink.
[0023] The present invention also aims at providing an ink media
set, an ink cartridge, an ink record, an inkjet recording apparatus
and an inkjet recording method which do not select recording
medium, not only capable of recording on the plain paper and the
paper specific for the inkjet but also capable of well recording on
non-porous substrates having the low water absorbing capacity, such
as plastic sheets such as polyester sheets, plastic laminate
papers, plastic coated papers, glasses and metals.
[0024] The recording ink of the present invention contains at least
a solid component which contains a colorant and a resin and is a
solid at 25.degree. C., a liquid component which has a higher
boiling point than that of water and is a liquid at 25.degree. C.
and water.
[0025] The total content of the liquid component in the recording
ink is 20% by mass or less, the total content of the solid
component in the recording ink is 20% by mass or more, and the
total content of a resin component in the solid component is 40% to
95% by mass relative to the total amount of the solid
component.
[0026] In the recording ink of the present invention, by making the
total content of the resin component in the solid component 40% to
95% by mass relative to the total amount of the solid component,
the fixing property and a gloss property of the colorant are
enhanced and the image having the high image density, the low
backside density, the good color formation and no bleeding is
obtained particularly when printed on the plain paper. Also, by
making the total content of the liquid component in the recording
ink 20% by mass or less, a drying time of the ink can be shortened,
and the sharp image close to the printed matter, whose drying speed
is enhanced and which is excellent in glossiness is obtained when
printed on the smooth paper for printing having the low water
absorbing capacity. Also by making the total content of the solid
component in the recording ink 20% by mass or more, the drying is
rapid even on the paper for printing which hardly absorbs the
water, and the image having the less show through and the high
color tone is obtained on the plain paper.
[0027] An ink media set according to a first aspect of the present
invention contains a recording ink and a recording medium, wherein
the recording ink contains a solid component, a liquid component,
and water; the solid component contains a colorant and a resin and
is a solid at 25.degree. C.; the liquid component has a higher
boiling point than that of water and is a liquid at 25.degree. C.;
the total content of the liquid component in the recording ink is
20% by mass or less; the recording medium contains a support, and a
coating layer on at least one surface of the support; the transfer
amount of purified water to the recording medium for a contact time
of 100 ms is 2 mL/m.sup.2 to 35 mL/m.sup.2; and the transfer amount
of purified water to the recording medium for a contact time of 400
ms is 3 mL/m.sup.2 to 40 mL/m.sup.2 measured using a dynamic
scanning absorbing liquid meter.
[0028] In the ink media set according to the first aspect of the
present invention, by combining a recording medium having small
water absorbing capacity and a recording ink having a higher
boiling point than that of water and having less amount of a liquid
component which is a liquid at 25.degree. C., it is possible to
record an image which can be quickly dried and has glossy feeling
and high uniformity, where no beading is observed in solid
portions.
[0029] In the ink media set according to the first aspect of the
present invention, the conditions that the total content of solid
components in the recording ink is 20% by mass or more and the
content of resin components in the solid components is 40% by mass
to 95% by mass have supplementary effects on fixing property and
drying property, however, the requirements are not necessarily
necessary requirements, the drying property can be improved even
when a recording medium having small water absorbing capacity like
the recording medium set forth above is used, provided that the
content of the liquid component is 20% by mass or less.
[0030] An ink media set according to a second aspect of the present
invention contains a recording ink and a recording medium, wherein
the recording ink contains a solid component, a liquid component,
and water; the solid component contains a colorant and a resin and
is a solid at 25.degree. C.; the liquid component has a higher
boiling point than that of water and is a liquid at 25.degree. C.;
the total content of the liquid component in the recording ink is
30% by mass or less; the total content of the solid component in
the recording ink is 20% by mass or more; the total content of
resin components in the solid component is 40% by mass to 95% by
mass relative to the total amount of the solid component; the
recording medium contains a support, and a coating layer on at
least one surface of the support; the transfer amount of purified
water to the recording medium for a contact time of 100 ms is 2
mL/m.sup.2 to 35 mL/m.sup.2; and the transfer amount of purified
water to the recording medium for a contact time of 400 ms is 3
mL/m.sup.2 to 40 mL/m.sup.2 measured using a dynamic scanning
absorbing liquid meter.
[0031] In the ink media set according to the second aspect of the
present invention, by combining the recording ink of the present
invention with the recording medium where the transfer amount of
the purified water is in the given range, it is possible to record
the image having glossy feeling and high uniformity, where no
beading is observed in solid portions.
[0032] An ink media set according to a third aspect of the present
invention contains a recording ink and a recording medium, the
recording ink contains a solid component, a liquid component, and
water; the solid component contains a colorant and a resin and is a
solid at 25.degree. C.; the liquid component has a higher boiling
point than that of water and is a liquid at 25.degree. C.; the
total content of the liquid component in the recording ink is 30%
by mass or less; and the recording medium contains a non-porous
substrate.
[0033] In the ink media set according to the third aspect of the
present invention, by increasing the solid contents in the colorant
and the water-dispersible resin in the recording ink, increasing a
resin ratio and further reducing a surface tension, wettability,
the drying property and the fixing property can be improved when
printed on non-porous substrates having the low water absorbing
capacity, such as plastic sheets such as polyester sheets, plastic
laminate papers, plastic coated papers, glasses and metals, and it
becomes possible to print on film medium by the water-based ink
without requiring a special device such as heater by reducing the
amount of the wetting agent as much as possible and without using
the ultraviolet ray curable ink or the oil-based ink. But, it is
advantageous to heat for drying at high speed.
[0034] When the ratio of the wetting agent is not so small (20% to
30% by mass), the ink is not so quick drying, and thus the heating
is effective for the quick drying. However, since the solid content
concentration is high and the viscosity is high, image density bias
such as beading defect is relatively few compared with the ink
having the low viscosity and the low solid content concentration.
Meanwhile, when the amount of the wetting agent is small which is
20% by mass or less, the viscosity is relatively low, water in the
ink is rapidly evaporated, the drying is rapid, the viscosity is
rapidly increased, the image defect due to liquid flow hardly
occurs and the drying at high speed becomes possible because the
amount of the wetting agent is small.
[0035] A fourth aspect of an ink media set of the present invention
contains a recording ink and a recording medium, wherein the
recording ink contains at least a pigment of a polymer emulsion
type containing a color material which is water insoluble or hardly
water soluble in polymer fine particles, water dispersible resin
fine particles, and a wetting agent; the total solid content of the
pigment of the polymer emulsion type and the water dispersible
resin fine particles is 20 % by mass or more; the content of the
wetting agent is 20 % by mass or more; the transfer amount of
purified water to the recording medium for a contact time of 100 ms
is 2 mL/m.sup.2 to 35 mL/m.sup.2; and the transfer amount of
purified water to the recording medium for a contact time of 400 ms
is 3 mL/m.sup.2 to 40 mL/m.sup.2 measured using a dynamic scanning
absorbing liquid meter.
[0036] An ink media set according to a fifth aspect of the present
invention contains a recording ink and a recording medium, wherein
the recording ink contains at least a colorant, a water dispersible
resin, and a wetting agent; the total content of solid components
in the recording ink is 20% by mass or more; the wetting agent
contains glycerine alone or the content of the glycerine in the
wetting agent is 80% by mass or more; the transfer amount of
purified water to the recording medium for a contact time of 100 ms
is 2 mL/m.sup.2 to 35 mL/m.sup.2; and the transfer amount of
purified water to the recording medium for a contact time of 400 ms
is 3 mL/m.sup.2 to 40 mL/m.sup.2 measured using a dynamic scanning
absorbing liquid meter.
[0037] The ink cartridge of the present invention houses a
recording ink in an ink media set according to any one of the first
aspect to the fifth aspect of the present invention in a container.
The ink cartridge is used suitably for printers by an inkjet
recording system. When recorded using the ink housed in the ink
cartridge, the image having the high image density, the low
backside density, the good color formation and no bleeding is
obtained particularly when printed on the plain paper, and the
sharp image close to the printed matter, where the drying speed is
enhanced can be recorded when printed on the smooth paper for
printing having low water absorbing capacity.
[0038] A moisturizing agent of the present invention contains at
least one selected from (1) a liquid medium composed of water, (2)
a liquid medium whose main component is water, (3) a liquid medium
whose main components are water and a liquid component which has a
higher boiling point than that of water and is a liquid at
25.degree. C., and (4) a liquid medium containing the same
components as a recording ink, the content of the solid component
being a solid at 25.degree. C. in the liquid medium is less than
that of the recording ink. The recording ink described in (4) is a
recording ink commonly used in inkjet recording.
[0039] An inkjet recording method according to a first aspect of
the present invention includes flying a recording ink by applying
an impulse to the recording ink to form an image on a recording
medium, wherein the recording ink is a recording ink in an ink
media set according to any one of the first aspect and the third
aspect of the present invention; and the recording medium is a
recording medium in an ink media set according to any one of the
fist aspect and the third aspect of the present invention. As a
result, the image having the high image density, the low backside
density, the good color formation and no bleeding is obtained when
printed on the plain paper, and the sharp image close to the
printed matter, where the drying speed is enhanced is obtained when
printed on the smooth paper for printing having the low water
absorbing capacity.
[0040] In an inkjet recording method according to a second aspect
of the present invention, when inkjet recording is stopped for a
long time, a recording ink is replaced with a moisturizing agent,
and when inkjet recording is restarted, the moisturizing agent is
replaced with the recording ink. The recording ink is a recording
ink commonly used in inkjet recording.
[0041] In the inkjet recording method according to the third aspect
of the present invention, the moisturizing agent according to the
present invention is supplied to a capping unit configured to cap a
nozzle of a recording head when inkjet recording is stopped for a
long time.
[0042] In an inkjet recording method according to any one of the
second aspect and the third aspect of the present invention, no
clogging is caused even when inkjet recording is stopped for a long
time.
[0043] Here, "when stopped for a long time" means that the nozzle
is left stand in a state where the recording is suspended for one
day or more in a state where a nozzle is capped with a capping
unit.
[0044] An inkjet recording method according to a fourth aspect of
the present invention includes at least flying a recording ink in
an ink media set by applying an impulse to the recording ink to
form an image on a recording medium in an ink media set and drying
the image formed on the recording medium, wherein the ink media set
is an ink media set according to any one of the fourth aspect and
the fifth aspect of the present invention.
[0045] An ink record of the present invention contains an image
formed on the recording medium using the recording ink of the
present invention, wherein the recording ink is a recording ink in
an ink media set according to any one of the first aspect and the
fifth aspect of the present invention; and the recording medium is
a recording medium in an ink media set according to any one of the
first aspect and the fifth aspect of the present invention.
[0046] In the ink record of the present invention, the image having
the high image density, the low backside density, the good color
formation and no bleeding is obtained particularly when printed on
the plain paper, and the sharp image close to the printed matter,
where the drying speed is enhanced is retained on the recording
medium when printed on the smooth paper for printing having the low
water absorbing capacity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0047] FIG. 1 is a view showing one example of an ink cartridge of
the present invention.
[0048] FIG. 2 is a view including a case (outer package) of the ink
cartridge in FIG. 1.
[0049] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing one example of an inkjet
recording apparatus of the present invention.
[0050] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing one example of an
internal structure of the inkjet recording apparatus in FIG. 3.
[0051] FIG. 5 is a schematic magnified view showing one example of
an inkjet head of the present invention.
[0052] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing nozzle lines of the
inkjet head of the present invention.
[0053] FIG. 7 is a decomposition perspective illustrative view of a
liquid supply device in an inkjet recording apparatus of the
present invention.
[0054] FIG. 8 is a magnified decomposition perspective view of FIG.
7.
[0055] FIG. 9 is a schematic side illustrative view of a
subtank.
[0056] FIG. 10A is a schematic sectional view of an A-A line in
FIG. 9.
[0057] FIG. 10B is a schematic sectional view of an A-A line in
FIG. 9.
[0058] FIG. 11 is a view seen from a top of a maintenance unit of
an inkjet printer of the present invention.
[0059] FIG. 12 is a schematic illustrative view showing one example
of the maintenance unit of the inkjet printer of the present
invention.
[0060] FIG. 13 is a graph showing a relationship between an adhered
amount and a drying time for ink sets A to C.
[0061] FIG. 14 is a graph showing time course changes of a water
evaporation speed of the ink after printing in the ink set C.
[0062] FIG. 15 is a graph showing time course changes of integrated
water evaporation amounts in the ink set C.
[0063] FIG. 16 is a view showing drying time of the ink sets I, II
and III in Examples.
[0064] FIG. 17 is a view showing results of evaluation of imaging
on plain paper of the ink sets I, II and III in Examples.
[0065] FIG. 18 is a view showing results of evaluation of imaging
on plain paper of the ink sets I, II and III in Examples.
[0066] FIG. 19 is a graph showing the results of image density and
show-through when an image was recorded on regular paper using the
respective recording inks of Examples B-1 to B-3.
[0067] FIG. 20 is a graph showing a relation between the adhered
amount of the respective recording inks of Examples B-1 to B-3 at
green solid parts and the drying time required to dry the ink
adhered on a paper of POD GLOSS COART 100 g/m.sup.2.
[0068] FIG. 21 is a graph showing the results of moisture
evaporation rate of the respecting recording inks of Examples D-1
to D-3 and E-1 to E-3.
[0069] FIG. 22 is a schematic view of a cross section exemplarily
showing a nozzle plate of the inkjet head according to the present
invention.
[0070] FIG. 23A is a schematic view exemplarily showing a nozzle
plate of the inkjet heat according to the present invention.
[0071] FIG. 23B is another schematic view exemplarily showing a
nozzle plate of the inkjet heat according to the present
invention.
[0072] FIG. 23C is a yet another schematic view exemplarily showing
a nozzle plate of the inkjet heat according to the present
invention.
[0073] FIG. 24A is a schematic view exemplarily showing a nozzle
plate of an inkjet heat for comparison.
[0074] FIG. 24B is another schematic view exemplarily showing a
nozzle plate of an inkjet heat for comparison.
[0075] FIG. 24C is a yet another schematic view exemplarily showing
a nozzle plate of an inkjet heat for comparison.
[0076] FIG. 25 is a view showing a state where an ink repellent
layer is formed by applying a silicone resin using a dispenser.
[0077] FIG. 26A is a view showing a relation between the
application hole of the tip of a needle and a width required to
apply the silicone resin to a nozzle plate which is an application
target.
[0078] FIG. 26B is a view showing a relation between the tip of a
generally used needle and a width required to apply the silicone
resin to a nozzle plate which is an application target.
[0079] FIG. 27 is a view showing the movement of application of the
silicone resin using a dispenser.
[0080] FIG. 28 is a view showing a state where an ink repellant
layer made of the silicone resin is formed to a predetermined depth
of the internal wall of the nozzle.
[0081] FIG. 29 is a view exemplarily showing the inkjet heat
according to the present invention and a state where a nozzle hole
is formed by excimer laser process.
[0082] FIG. 30 is a view showing a construction of an excimer laser
processor used when a nozzle hole is processed.
[0083] FIG. 31A is a view showing a material to be used for a
substrate which constitutes a nozzle forming member in the
production process of a nozzle plate in the method of producing an
inkjet heat.
[0084] FIG. 31B is a view showing a step in which a SiO.sub.2 thin
film layer is formed on the surface of a resin film.
[0085] FIG. 31C is a view showing a step in which a fluorine water
repellent is applied over the surface of the SiO.sub.2 film
layer.
[0086] FIG. 31D is a view showing a step of leaving the work in the
air after evaporation of the water repellent layer.
[0087] FIG. 31E is a view showing a step in which a pressure
sensitive adhesive tape is attached to the surface of the work.
[0088] FIG. 31F is a view showing a step of processing a nozzle
hole.
[0089] FIG. 32 is a view showing the outline on an apparatus used
when producing an inkjet heat according to the method of producing
an inkjet head in the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(Recording Ink)
[0090] The recording ink of the present invention contains at least
a solid component which contains a colorant and a resin and is a
solid at 25.degree. C., a liquid component which has a higher
boiling point than that of water and is a liquid at 25.degree. C.
and water, and further contains other components if necessary.
<Liquid Component Which Has a Higher Boiling Point Than That of
Water and is a Liquid at 25.degree. C.>
[0091] The liquid component which has the higher boiling point than
that of water and is the liquid at 25.degree. C. is a water-soluble
organic solvent having the high boiling points referred to as the
so-called wetting agent as a majority, and includes controlling
agents of ink physical properties such as penetrating agents and
surfactants.
[0092] In the present invention, "the total content of a liquid
component which has a higher boiling point than that of water and
is a liquid at 25.degree. C." represents the total content of a
wetting agent, a penetrating agent, and a surfactant.
[0093] The total amount of the liquid component which has the
higher boiling point than that of water and is the liquid at
25.degree. C. in the recording ink is 20% by mass or less,
preferably 15% by mass or less and may be 0% by mass (no addition)
in some cases. When the content of the liquid component which has
the higher boiling point than that of water and is the liquid at
25.degree. C. is lower, the drying time of the ink is shorter, but
the stricter management is required for preventing the clogging due
to drying of the nozzle. Using the ink in which the amounts of the
added wetting agent and penetrating agent are small, the drying
rapidly progresses even on the papers such as offset coated papers
which hardly absorb the lo water, and the image having excellent
glossiness is obtained. However, when an ink having a high surface
tension in which no surfactant is contained is used, such paper is
slowly dried due to the excessively slow infiltration of the
ink.
[0094] When the content is more than 20% by mass, the drying speed
is reduced on the coated papers for printing such as offset coated
papers, and the show through is sometimes increased on the plain
papers. But, this is absolutely relative, and when the amount of
the liquid component which has the higher boiling point than that
of water and is the liquid at 25.degree. C. is relatively smaller,
the more the drying property is enhanced.
[0095] Here, the liquid component which has the higher boiling
point than that of water and is the liquid at 25.degree. C. is not
particularly limited as long as it is the water-soluble organic
solvent having the higher boiling point than that of water, and all
are included. The penetrating agent and the surfactant are also
included if they have the higher boiling point than that of water
and are the liquid at 25.degree. C. In brief, it is aimed that the
drying time on the papers such as papers for printing having the
low water absorbing capacity is shortened by reducing the amount of
the liquid which more hardly dries than water as possible.
Generally, it has been believed that the inkjet printing on the
paper is dried by permeation drying and the ink evaporation
scarcely contributes to the drying. However, the results in this
time suggest the contribution of the evaporation in the drying for
a relatively short time. Details thereof are unknown, but a
speculated mechanism will be described later. When offset paper
whose water absorbing capacity is low is used, an ink having low
permeability and high surface tension is dried slowly as compared
to an ink having low surface tension. In the present invention, it
is considered that the contribution of the amount of a wetting
agent to drying time markedly takes effect when the ink adhesion
amount per unit area is relatively large.
--Wetting Agent (Water-Soluble Organic Solvent Having High Boiling
Point)--
[0096] The so-called wetting agent which is a representative of the
liquid component which has the higher boiling point than that of
water and is the liquid at 25.degree. C. is not particularly
limited as long as it is the liquid at 25.degree. C., can be
appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and includes, for
example, polyvalent alcohols, polyvalent alcohol alkyl ethers,
polyvalent alcohol aryl ethers, nitrogen-containing heterocyclic
compounds, amides, amines, sulfur-containing compounds, propylene
carbonate and ethylene carbonate. These may be use alone or in
combination of two or more.
[0097] The polyvalent alcohols include, for example, ethylene
glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol,
dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol,
1,3-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol,
3-methyl-1,3-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol,
2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, tetraethylene glycol, glycerine,
1,2,6-hexanetriol, 1,2,4-butanetriol, 1,2,3-butanetriol and
petriol.
[0098] The polyvalent alcohol alkyl ethers include, for example,
ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether,
ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl
ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, tetraethylene glycol
monomethyl ether and propylene glycol monoethyl ether.
[0099] The polyvalent alcohol aryl ethers includes, for example,
ethylene glycol monophenyl ether and ethylene glycol monobenzyl
ether.
[0100] The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds include, for
example, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-hydroxyethyl-2-pyrrolidone,
2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethylimidazolidinone and
.epsilon.-caprolactam.
[0101] The amides include, for example, formamide,
N-methylformamide, and N,N-dimethylformamide.
[0102] The amines include, for example, monoethanolamine,
diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monoethylamine, diethylamine, and
triethylamine.
[0103] The sulfur-containing compounds include, for example,
dimethylsulfoxide, sulfolane, thiodiethanol and thiodiglycol.
[0104] Among them, glycerine, 2-pyrrolidone, diethylene glycol,
thiodiethanol, polyethylene glycol, triethylene glycol,
1,2,6-hexanetriol, 1,2,4-butanetriol, petriol, 1,5-pentanediol,
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-butanediol and 3-methyl-1,3-butanediol
are preferable in terms of spout stability of the ink. Among them,
glycerine, 1,3-butanediol, 3-methyl-1,3-butanediol and
2-pyrrolidone are particularly preferable.
[0105] By making the total amount of the liquid component which has
the higher boiling point than that of water and is the liquid at
25.degree. C. containing the wetting agent as a major ingredient
20% by mass or less and preferably 15% by mass or less, it is
possible to enhance the drying property. Components which are added
if necessary, are the liquid at 25.degree. C. and are other than
the water and the wetting agent include penetrating agents and
surfactants described below. Here, the liquid at 25.degree. C.
means the liquid at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure
(25.degree. C., 1 atm) , an environment in which the inkjet
recording is typically used. But, since the amount of the
components to be added other than the wetting agent is small, the
total amount of the liquid component which has the higher boiling
point than that of water and is the liquid at 25.degree. C. may be
approximated to the amount of the wetting agent to be added.
[0106] When an auxiliary means such as heating and air sending
means is provided to the drying of the ink, it is possible to
increase the content of the wetting agent up to about 30% by
mass.
[0107] Meanwhile, when the amount of the wetting agent to be added
is less than 10% by mass, if a carriage is operated for a long time
by printing other colors except for one color, the nozzle for the
not printed color is dried to sometimes cause nozzle clogging. At
that time, it is necessary to perform an empty jet frequently on
the place other than the recording medium, it is preferable to
perform the empty jet at least once every printing on an A4 size
sheet, and it is more preferable to perform the empty jet every one
line printing. It is also one means for preventing the drying of
the nozzle to supply the water in the cap which caps the nozzle
when stopped for a long time.
[0108] This way, it is preferable to keep reliability of the spout
by making a maintenance mechanism mechanically complete for the ink
having the small amount of the wetting agent.
[0109] But, in the polymer emulsion containing the water insoluble
water hardly soluble color material in polymer fine particle which
is the colorant used in the present invention, the spout is
relatively stable although the concentration of the wetting agent
is low, and thus, the specific maintenance mechanism as the above
is not necessarily required.
--Permeating Agent--
[0110] The penetrating agent is calculated by including in the
liquid component which has the higher boiling point than that of
water and is the liquid at 25.degree. C. if the penetrating agent
has the higher boiling point than that of water and is the liquid
at 25.degree. C. As described above, when the amount of the
penetrating agent to be added is small, the amount may be omitted
in the calculation.
[0111] As the penetrating agent, polyol compounds having 8 to 11
carbon atoms or glycol ether compounds are used. At least any of
these polyol compounds and glycol ether compounds accelerates a
penetrating speed in the paper, has an effect to prevent the
bleeding, and is the partially water-soluble compound having a
solubility of 0.1% by mass to 4.5% by mass in water at 25.degree.
C.
[0112] The polyol compounds having 8 to 11 carbon atoms include,
for example, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol and
2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol.
[0113] The glycol ether compounds include, for example, polyvalent
alcohol alkyl ether compounds and polyvalent alcohol aryl ether
compounds.
[0114] The polyvalent alcohol alkyl ether compounds include, for
example, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl
ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol
monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, tetraethylene
glycol monomethyl ether and propylene glycol monoethyl ether.
[0115] The polyvalent alcohol aryl ether compounds includes, for
example, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether and ethylene glycol
monobenzyl ether.
[0116] The content of the penetrating agent as the liquid component
which has the higher boiling point than that of water and is the
liquid at 25.degree. C. in the recording ink is preferably 0% by
mass to 10% by mass and more preferably 0.5% by mass to 5% by mass.
But, the total content of the liquid component which has the higher
boiling point than that of water and is the liquid at 25.degree. C.
is 20% by mass or less and preferably 15% by mass or less.
--Surfactants--
[0117] The surfactant is calculated by including in the liquid
component which has the higher boiling point than that of water and
is the liquid at 25.degree. C. if the surfactant is added if
necessary, has the higher boiling point than that of water and is
the liquid at 25.degree. C. As described above, when the amount of
the surfactant to be added is small, its amount may be omitted in
the calculation.
[0118] The surfactant is not particularly limited, and can be
appropriately selected from surfactants which do not impair the
dispersion stability by a type of the colorant and a combination
with the wetting agent and the penetrating agent depending on the
purpose. In particular, when printed on the paper for printing,
those having the low surface tension and a high leveling property
are preferable, and at least one selected from silicone surfactants
and fluorine surfactants is suitable. Among them, the fluorine
surfactant is particularly preferable.
[0119] When printed on the non-porous substrate such as polyester
sheets, if the surface tension of the ink is lowered by adding the
surfactant, the wettability and the leveling property to the
recording medium are enhanced to give the good effect to the drying
property and the image uniformity.
[0120] In the fluorine surfactant, the number of carbon atoms
substituted with fluorine atoms is preferably 2 to 16, and more
preferably 4 to 16. When the number of carbon atoms substituted
with fluorine atoms is less than two, the effect of fluorine is not
obtained in some cases. When it is more than 16, the problem occurs
in storage stability of the ink.
[0121] The fluorine surfactants include, for example,
perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid compounds, perfluoroalkyl carboxylic
compounds, perfluoroalkyl phosphate ester compounds, perfluoroalkyl
ethylene oxide adducts and polyoxyalkylene ether polymer compounds
having perfluoroalkyl ether group in side chain. Among them, the
polyoxyalkylene ether polymer compounds having perfluoroalkyl ether
group in side chain are particularly preferable because its foaming
property is low.
[0122] The perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid compounds include, for
example, perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid and perfluoroalkyl sulfonate
salts.
[0123] The perfluoroalkyl carboxylic compounds include, for
example, perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid and perfluoroalkyl
carboxylate salts.
[0124] The perfluoroalkyl phosphate ester compounds include, for
example, perfluoroalkyl phosphate ester and salts of perfluoroalkyl
phosphate ester.
[0125] The polyoxyalkylene ether polymer compounds having
perfluoroalkyl ether group in side chain include polyoxyalkylene
ether polymers having perfluoroalkyl ether group in side chain,
sulfate ester of polyoxyalkylene ether polymers having
perfluoroalkyl ether group in side chain and salts of
polyoxyalkylene ether polymers having perfluoroalkyl ether group in
side chain.
[0126] Counterions of the salts in these fluorine surfactants
include Li, Na, K,NH.sub.4, NH.sub.3CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH,
NH.sub.2(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH).sub.2,
NH(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH).sub.3.
[0127] As the fluorine surfactants, those appropriately synthesized
may be used or commercially available ones may be used.
[0128] The commercially available products include Surflon S-111,
S-112, S-113, S-121, S-131, S-132, S-141, S-145 (supplied from
Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.), Fullard FC-93, FC-95, FC-98, FC-129,
FC-135, FC-170C, FC-430, FC-431 (supplied from Sumitomo 3M Ltd.),
Megafac F-470, F1405, F-474 (Dainippon Ink And Chemicals,
Incorporated), Zonyl TBS, FSP, FSA, FSN-100, FSN, FSO-100, FSO,
FS-300, UR (supplied from DuPont), FT-110, FT-250, FT-251, FT-400S,
FT-150, FT-400SW (Neos Corporation) and PF-151N (Omnova Inc.).
Among them, FT-110, FT-250, FT-251, FT-400S, FT-150, FT-400SW
supplied from Neos Corporation and PF-151N supplied from Omnova
Inc. are particularly preferable in terms of good printing quality,
particularly remarkably enhancing the color forming property and
the evenly staining property for the paper. (1) Anionic Fluorine
Surfactants ##STR1##
[0129] In the above structural formula, Rf represents a mixture of
fluorine containing hydrophobic groups represented by the following
structural formulae, and A represents --SO.sub.3X, --COOX or
--PO.sub.3X (but X is counteranion, specifically includes hydrogen
atom, Li, Na, K, NH.sub.4, NH.sub.3CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH,
NH.sub.2(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH).sub.2, or
NH(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH).sub.3). ##STR2##
[0130] But, in the above structural formula, Rf' represents a
fluorine containing group represented by the following structural
formula. X is the same defined as the above, n represents an
integer of 1 or 2, and m represents 2-n.
FCF.sub.1CF.sub.2.sub.nCH.sub.2CH.sub.2
[0131] But, n represents an integer of 3 to 10.
Rf'-S--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--COO.X
[0132] In the above structural formula, Rf' and X are the same as
defined above. Rf'-SO.sub.3.X
[0133] In the above structural formula, Rf' and X are the same as
defined above.
(2) Nonionic Fluorine Surfactants Rf-OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2O.sub.nH
[0134] In the above structural formula, Rf is the same as defined
above, and n represents an integer of 5 to 20.
Rf'OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2O.sub.nH
[0135] In the above general formula, Rf' is the same as defined
above, and n represents an integer of 1 to 40. (3) Ampholytic
Fluorine Surfactant ##STR3##
[0136] In the above general formula, Rf is the same as defined
above (4) Oligomer Type Fluorine Surfactant ##STR4##
[0137] In the above general formula, Rf' represents the fluorine
containing group represented by the following structural formula, n
represents an integer of 0 to 10, and X is the same as defined
above. FCF.sub.2CF.sub.2.sub.nCH.sub.2
[0138] But, n represents an integer of 1 to 4. ##STR5##
[0139] Rf' is the same as defined above, 1, m, and n represent
integers of 0 to 10.
[0140] The silicone surfactants are not particularly limited, can
be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, are preferably
those which are not decomposed at high pH, and include, for
example, polydimethylsiloxane with modified side chain,
polydimethylsiloxane with modified both ends, polydimethylsiloxane
with modified one end and polydimethylsiloxane with modified side
chain and both ends. As a modifying group, those having
polyoxyethylene group or polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene group are
particularly preferable because they exhibit good natures as
aqueous surfactants.
[0141] As such a surfactant, those appropriately synthesized may be
used, or commercially available products may be used.
[0142] The commercially available products can be easily obtained
from, for example, BYK Chemie GmbH, Shin-Etsu Silicones Co., Ltd.,
and Dow Corning Tray Co., Ltd.
[0143] The polyether modified silicone surfactant is not
particularly limited, can be appropriately selected depending on
the purpose, and includes, for example, compounds obtained by
introducing a polyalkylene oxide structure represented by the
following structural formula into Si portion side chain of dimethyl
polysiloxane. ##STR6##
[0144] But, in the above structural formula, m, n, a and b
represent integers. R and R' represent alkyl and alkylene
groups.
[0145] As the polyether modified silicone compounds, the
commercially available products can be used, and for example,
KF-618, KF-642 and KF643 (supplied from Shin-Etsu Chemical Co.,
Ltd.) are included.
[0146] Anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants and ampholytic
surfactants can also be used in addition to the fluorine
surfactants and silicone surfactants.
[0147] The anionic surfactants include, for example,
polyoxyethylene alkyl ether acetate salts, dodecyl benzene
sulfonate salts, succinate ester sulfonate salts, laurate salts and
salts of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate.
[0148] The nonionic surfactants include, for example, acetylene
glycol based surfactants, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether,
polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl ester and
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester.
[0149] The acetylene glycol based surfactants include, for example,
2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decine-4,7-diol,
3,6-dimethyl-4-octine-3,6-diol and 3, 5-dimethyl-1-hexine-3-ol. The
acetylene glycol based surfactants include Surfynol 104, 82, 465,
485 and TG supplied from Air Products (USA) as the commercially
available products.
[0150] The ampholytic surfactants include, for example, lauryl
amino propionate salts, lauryl dimethylbetaine, stearyl
dimethylbetaine, lauryl dihydroxyethylbetaine, lauryl dimethylamine
oxide, myristyl dimethylamine oxide, stearyl dimethylamine oxide,
dihydroxyethyl laurylamine oxide, polyoxyethylene palm oil alkyl
dimethylamine oxide, dimethyl alkyl (palm) betaine and
dimethyllauryl betaine.
[0151] As such a surfactant, the commercially available products
can be easily obtained from Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd., Nippon
Emulsion Co., Ltd., Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd., Toho Chemical
Industry Co., Ltd., Kao Corporation, Adeka Co., Ltd., Lion
Corporation, Aoki Oil Industrial Co., Ltd., and Sanyo Chemical
Industries, Ltd.
[0152] The surfactants are not limited thereto, and may be used
alone or in mixture of two or more. When a single surfactant is not
easily dissolved in the recording ink, the surfactant can be
solubilized to be present stably by mixing with another
surfactant.
[0153] Among these surfactants, those represented by the following
structural formulae (1) to (5) are suitable.
R--O--(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.h--R.sup.2 Structural Formula (1)
[0154] In the structural formula (1), R.sup.1 represents a branched
or unbranched C6-14 alkyl group, or a branched or unbranched C6-14
perfluoroalkyl group; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a
branched or unbranched C1-4 alkyl group; and h represents an
integer of 5 to 20.
R.sup.1--COO--(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.h--R.sup.2 Structural Formula
(2)
[0155] In the structural formula (2), R.sup.1 represents a branched
or unbranched C6-14 alkyl group; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom
or a branched or unbranched C1-4 alkyl group; and h represents an
integer of 5 to 20. ##STR7##
[0156] In the structural formula (3), R.sup.3 represents a
hydrocarbon group and, for example, includes a branched or
unbranched C6-14 alkyl group; and k represents an integer of 5 to
20. ##STR8##
[0157] In the structural formula (4), R.sup.4 represents a
hydrocarbon group and for example represents a branched or
unbranched C6-14 alkyl group; L represents an integer of 5 to 10;
and p represents an integer of 5 to 20. A propylene glycol chain
and an ethylene glycol chain may undergo the block polymerization
or the random polymerization. ##STR9##
[0158] In the structural formula (5), q and p represent integers of
5 to 20.
[0159] The content of the surfactant in the recording ink is
preferably 0.01% by mass to 3.0% by mass and more preferably 0.5%
by mass to 2% by mass. But, the total content of the liquid
component which has the higher boiling point than that of water and
is the liquid at 25.degree. C. is 20% by mass or less and
preferably 15% by mass or less.
[0160] When the content is less than 0.01% by mass, the effect of
the added surfactant is sometimes lost. When it exceeds 3.0% by
mass, the permeability in the recording medium is unnecessarily
increased, and the image density is reduced and the show through
occurs in some cases.
<Solid Component Which Contains Colorant and Resin and is Solid
at 25.degree. C.>
[0161] The total content of the resin component in the solid
component is 40% by mass or more, preferably 70% by mass or more,
more preferably 80% by mass or more, and preferably 95% by 20 mass
or less relative to the solid component which contains colorant and
resin and which is solid at 25.degree. C. When the content is less
than 40% by mass, the fixing property and the glossy feeling of the
colorant are sometimes inferior. Meanwhile, in order to increase
the image density to some extent, the content of the colorant is
necessary to be 5% by mass or more relative to the total amount of
the solid component.
[0162] This way, the content of the resin component in the solid
component is increased for enhancing the fixing property, the image
sharpness and the glossiness.
[0163] Here, the resin component means a polymer solid component
other than the colorant molecule having a chromophoric group and
includes the resins which enfold the colorant or disperse the
colorant. Also the resin emulsion added if necessary is of curse
included. Namely, when the total amount of resin components is
calculated in the case where "the total content of resin components
in the solid component relative to the total content of the solid
component", a resin containing colorant molecule (for example,
pigment molecule) having a chromophoric group in the colorant and a
resin in which the colorant is dispersed are included in the
content of resin components.
[0164] The solid at 25.degree. C. means the solid at ambient
temperature and atmospheric pressure (25.degree. C., 1 atm), an
environment in which the inkjet recording is typically used.
[0165] In the present invention, "the total content of a solid
component which contains a colorant and a resin and is a solid at
25.degree. C." represents the total content of the colorant and the
resin.
--Resins--
[0166] The resin is not particularly limited as long as it is the
solid at 25.degree. C., can be appropriately selected depending on
the purpose, and a resin fine particle is preferable in terms of
being capable of making the amount of the resin to be added
large.
[0167] As the resin fine particle, one present as the resin
emulsion in which the resin fine particles are dispersed as a
continuous phase in water is used upon production of the ink. A
dispersant such as surfactant may be contained in the resin
emulsion if necessary.
[0168] The content of the resin fine particles as the dispersion
phase (the content of the resin fine particles in the resin
emulsion and not the content in the recording ink after the
production) is preferably 10% by mass to 70% by mass generally.
[0169] Particularly considering the use for the inkjet recording
apparatus, for a particle diameter of the resin fine particle, a
volume average particle diameter is preferably 10 nm to 1,000 nm,
more preferably 100 nm to 300 nm and still more preferably 50 nm to
200 nm. This is the particle diameter in the resin emulsion, and in
the stable recording ink, the particle diameter in the resin
emulsion is not largely different from the particle diameter of the
resin fine particle in the recording ink. The larger the volume
average particle diameter is, the larger amount of the emulsion can
be added. When the volume average particle diameter is less than
100 nm, the amount of the emulsion to be added can not be sometimes
increased. When it exceeds 300 nm, the reliability is sometimes
reduced. But, the emulsion having the particle diameter in the
range other than the above can not be always used. This is a
general tendency not depending on the type of the emulsion.
[0170] In particular, to obtain the high image quality as the high
resin fine particle density on the non-porous medium, the particle
diameter of the resin fine particle is preferably 50 nm to 200
nm.
[0171] Here, the volume average particle diameter can be measured
using a particle size analyzer (Microtrack Model UPA9340 supplied
from Nikkiso Co., Ltd.)
[0172] Specifically, an aqueous solution of the emulsion is diluted
within the signal level optimal range and measured under the
condition of transparency-YES, tentatively Reflective Index1.49,
Partial Density1.19, Spherical Particles-YES, and medium-water.
Here, a value of 50% was rendered the volume average particle
diameter.
[0173] It is preferable that the water dispersible resin does not
fluidize the water dispersible colorant on the surface of the
non-porous substrate such as polyester film (prevents the image
density bias [beading]), and has an action to fix onto the
recording medium or the action to help fixing, and forms a film at
ambient temperature to enhance the fixing property of the colorant.
Therefor, it is preferable that a minimum film forming temperature
(MFT) of the water dispersible resin is equal to or less than the
ambient temperature, and it is preferably 20.degree. C. or
below.
[0174] The resin fine particle (water dispersible resin) in the
dispersion phase is not particularly limited, can be appropriately
selected depending on the purpose, and includes, for example
condensation based synthetic resins, addition based synthetic
resins and natural polymer compounds. The condensation based
synthetic resins include, for example, polyester resins,
polyurethane resins, polyepoxy resins, polyamide resins, polyether
resins and silicon resins. The addition based synthetic resins
include, for example, polyolefin resins, polystyrene based resins,
polyvinyl alcohol based resins, polyvinyl ester based resins,
polyacrylic acid based resins and unsaturated carboxylic acid based
resins. The natural polymer compounds include, for example,
celluloses, rosins and natural rubbers.
[0175] The water dispersible resin may be used as a homopolymer or
may be used as a complex based resin as a copolymer. Any of a
single phase structure type, a core shell type and a power feed
type of the emulsions can be used.
[0176] As the water dispersible resin, the resin itself having a
hydrophilic group and the self-dispersibility and the resin itself
not having the hydrophilic group and having the dispersibility
imparted by the surfactant or the resin having the hydrophilic
group can be used. Among them, the emulsion of the resin particles
obtained by emulsification polymerization and suspension
polymerization of an ionomer or an unsaturated monomer of the
polyester resin or the polyurethane resin is optimal. The acrylic
resin and the acryl silicone resin emulsion are also optimal. In
the case of the emulsification polymerization of the unsaturated
monomer, the reaction is performed in water in which the
unsaturated monomer, a polymerization initiator, and the
surfactant, a chain transfer agent, a chelating agent and a pH
adjuster have been added, and thus, the water dispersible resin can
be easily obtained and the objective nature is easily made because
a resin constitution is easily changed.
[0177] As the unsaturated monomer, for example, unsaturated
carboxylic acids, (meth)acrylic acid ester monomers, (meth)acrylic
acid amide monomers, aromatic vinyl monomers, vinyl cyan compound
monomers, vinyl monomers, allyl compound monomers, olefin monomers,
diene monomers, oligomers having unsaturated carbon atoms and the
like can be used alone or in combination of two or more. By
combining these monomers, it is possible to flexibly modify the
nature, and by performing the polymerization reaction and the graft
reaction using the oligomer type polymerization initiator, it is
also possible to modify the property of the resin.
[0178] The unsaturated carboxylic acids include, for example,
acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, fumaric acid and
maleic acid.
[0179] The monofunctional (meth)acrylic acid esters include, for
example, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, isopropyl
methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, n-amyl
methacrylate, isoamyl methacrylate, n-hexyl methacrylate,
2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, octyl methacrylate, decyl methacrylate,
dodecyl methacrylate, octadecyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl
methacrylate, phenyl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate, glycidyl
methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl
methacrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate,
methacryloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium salts,
3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, methyl acrylate, ethyl
acrylate, isopropyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate,
n-amyl acrylate, isoamyl acrylate, n-hexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl
acrylate, octyl acrylate, decyl acrylate, dodecyl acrylate,
octadecyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, benzyl
acrylate, glycidyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate,
2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, dimethylaminoethyl acrylate and
acryloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium salts.
[0180] The polyfunctional (meth)acrylic acid esters include, for
example, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol
dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, polyethylene
glycol dimethacrylate, 1,3-butylene glycol dimethacrylate,
1,4-butylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1.6-hexanediol dimethacrylate,
neopentyl glycol dimethacrylate, dipropylene glycol dimethacrylate,
polypropylene glycol dimethacrylate, polybutylene glycol
dimethacrylate, 2,2'-bis(4-methacryloxydiethoxyphenyl)propane,
trimethylol propane trimethacrylate, trimethylol ethane
trimethacrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, triethylene glycol
diacrylate, 1,3-butylene glycol diacrylate, 1,4-butylene glycol
diacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol diacrylate,
1,9-nonanediol diacrylate, polypropylene glycol diacrylate,
2,2'-bis(4-acryloxypropyloxyphenyl)propane,
2,2'-bis(4-acryloxydiethoxyphenyl)propane, trimethylol propane
triacrylate, trimethylol ethane triacrylate, tetramethylol propane
triacrylate, ditrimethylol tetraacrylate, tetramethylol methane
tetraacrylate, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate and dipentaerythritol
hexaacrylate.
[0181] The (meth)acrylic acid amide monomers include, for example,
acrylamide, methacrylamide, N,N-dimethylacrylamide,
methylenebisacrylamide and 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic
acid.
[0182] The aromatic vinyl monomers include, for example, styrene,
.alpha.-methylstyrene, vinyl toluene, 4-t-butylstyrene,
chlorostyrene, vinyl anisole, vinyl naphthalene and divinyl
benzene.
[0183] The vinyl cyan compound monomers include, for example,
acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile.
[0184] The allyl compound monomers include, for example,
allylsulfonic acid and salts thereof, allylamine, allyl chloride,
diallylamine, and diallyldimethyl ammonium salts.
[0185] The olefin monomers include, for example, ethylene and
propylene.
[0186] The diene monomers include, for example, butadiene and
chloroprene.
[0187] The vinyl monomers include, for example, vinyl acetate,
vinylidene chloride, vinyl chloride, vinyl ether, vinyl ketone,
vinyl pyrrolidone, vinylsulfonic acid and salts thereof, vinyl
trimethoxysilane and vinyl triethoxysilane.
[0188] The oligomers having unsaturated carbon atoms include, for
example, styrene oligomers having methacryloyl group,
styrene-acrylonitrile oligomers having methacryloyl group, methyl
methacrylate oligomers having methacryloyl group, dimethylsiloxane
oligomers having methacryloyl group, and polyester oligomers having
acryloyl group.
[0189] Since breakdown of the molecular chain due to dispersion
breaking and hydrolysis is caused under a strong alkaline or acidic
condition, pH of the water dispersible resin is preferably pH 4 to
12, more preferably pH 6 to 11 and still more preferably pH 7 to 9
particularly in terms of miscibility with the water dispersible
colorant.
[0190] As the resin emulsion, commercially available ones may be
used.
[0191] The commercially available resin emulsions include, for
example, Microgel E-1002, E-5002 (styrene-acrylic resin emulsions,
supplied from Nippon Paint Co., Ltd.); Boncoat 4001 (acrylic resin
emulsion, supplied from Dainippon Ink And Chemicals, Incorporated);
Boncoat 5454 (styrene-acrylic resin emulsions, supplied from
Dainippon Ink And Chemicals, Incorporated); SAE-1014
(styrene-acrylic resin emulsions, supplied from Zeon Corporation);
Saibinol SK-200 (acrylic resin emulsion, supplied from Saiden
Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.); Primal AC-22, AC-61 (acrylic resin
emulsion, supplied from Rohm and Haas); Nanocril SBCX-2821, 3689
(acryl silicone-based emulsion, supplied from Toyo Ink MFG Co.,
Ltd.); and #3070 (methyl methacrylate polymer resin emulsion,
supplied from Mikuni Color Ltd.). Among them, acryl silicone
emulsion is particularly preferable in terms of good fixing
property.
[0192] A glass transition temperature of the resin component in the
acryl silicone emulsion is preferably 25.degree. C. or below and
more preferably 0.degree. C. or below. When the glass transition
temperature is higher than 25.degree. C., the resin itself becomes
fragile, which causes deterioration of the fixing property. In
particular, on the smooth paper for printing which hardly absorb
the water, the fixing property is sometimes reduced. But, if the
glass transition temperature of the resin component is 25.degree.
C. or above, the resin component can not always used.
[0193] The glass transition temperature can be measured using a
differential scanning calorimeter (supplied from Rigaku Denki
K.K.).
[0194] Specifically, the temperature of a resin piece obtained by
drying the resin emulsion aqueous solution at ambient temperature
is raised from around -50.degree. C., and the temperature at which
the level was changed was obtained using a Rigaku Denki
differential scanning calorimeter.
--Colorant--
[0195] The colorant is not particularly limited as long as it is
the solid at 25.degree. C., and any of pigments and dyes can be
suitably used.
[0196] When the pigment is used for the colorant, it is possible to
obtain the ink excellent in light resistance. The pigment is not
particularly limited, common pigments for the inkjet are used, and
the followings are preferable.
[0197] (1) Pigments imparting the hydrophilic group on their
surface;
[0198] (2) pigments of the polymer emulsion type containing the
water insoluble or water hardly soluble color material in polymer
particles; and
[0199] (3) pigments of the microcapsule type in which the pigment
is covered with the resin having the hydrophilic group.
[0200] In the pigment of the above (1), the surface is modified so
that at least one hydrophilic group is bound to the surface of the
pigment directly or via another atomic group. The surface is
modified by chemically binding a certain functional group
(functional group such as sulfone or carboxyl group) to the surface
of the pigment or performing a wet oxidation treatment using any of
hypohalous acid or a salt thereof. Among them, the form in which
the carboxyl group has been bound onto the surface of the pigment,
which is dispersed in water is particularly preferable. Since the
surface of the pigment is modified and the carboxyl group is bound,
not only the dispersion stability is enhanced but also high
printing quality is obtained as well as water resistance of the
recording medium after printing is enhanced.
[0201] The ink in this form is excellent in redispersibility after
drying. Thus, no clogging occurs when the printing is stopped for a
long time and the water component in the ink around the nozzle of
the inkjet head is evaporated, and the good printing is easily
performed by simple cleaning.
[0202] The volume average particle diameter of the self-dispersible
pigment is preferably 0.01 .mu.m to 0.16 .mu.m in the ink.
[0203] For example, as self-dispersible carbon black, those having
an ionic property are preferable, and those charged anionically or
cationically are suitable.
[0204] The anionic hydrophilic group includes, for example, --COOM,
--SO.sub.3M, --PO.sub.3HM, --PO.sub.3M.sub.2, --SO.sub.2NH.sub.2
and --SO.sub.2NHCOR (but, M represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali
metal, ammonium or organic ammonium. R represents an alkyl group
having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a phenyl group which may have
substituents or a naphthyl group which may have substituents).
Among them, it is preferable to use those in which --COOM or
--SO.sub.3M has been bound to the surface of the pigment.
[0205] "M in the hydrophilic group includes, for example, lithium,
sodium and potassium as the alkali metals. The organic ammonium
includes, for example, mono- to trimethyl ammonium, mono- to
triethyl ammonium, and mono- to trimethanol ammonium. As the method
of obtaining the color pigment anionically charged, the method of
introducing --COONa onto the surface of the color pigment includes,
for example, the method of oxidation-treating the color pigment
with sodium hypochlorite, the method by sulfonation and the method
of reacting a diazonium salt. As the cationic hydrophilic group, a
quaternary ammonium group is preferable, the quaternary ammonium
groups shown below are more preferable, and in the present
invention, those in which any of these has been bound onto the
carbon black surface are suitable as the color material.
##STR10##
[0206] The method for producing the cationic self-dispersible
carbon black to which the hydrophilic group has been bound is not
particularly limited, can be appropriately selected depending on
the purpose, and includes the method of treating the carbon black
with 3-amino-N-ethylpyridium bromide as the method of binding an
N-ethylpyridyl group represented by the following structural
formula. ##STR11##
[0207] The hydrophilic group may be bound to the surface of the
carbon black via the other atomic group. The other atomic group
includes, for example, alkyl groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms,
phenyl groups which may have the substituents and naphthyl groups
which may have the substituents. Specific examples when the
hydrophilic group is bound to the carbon black surface via the
other atomic group include, for example, --C.sub.2H.sub.4COOM (M
represents an alkali metal or quaternary ammonium), --PhSO.sub.3M
(Ph represent a phenyl group, M represents an alkali metal or
quaternary ammonium), and --C.sub.5H.sub.10NH.sub.3+.
[0208] In the pigment of the above (2), the polymer emulsion
containing the color material means at least any one of those in
which the pigment has been enclosed in the polymer fine particles
or those in which the pigment has been adhered onto the surface of
the polymer fine particles. For example, those described in JP-A
No. 2001-139849 are included.
[0209] In this case, it is not necessary that all pigments are
enclosed in and/or adhered onto the polymer fine particles, and the
pigments may be dispersed in the emulsion in the range in which the
effects of the present invention are not impaired.
[0210] The "water insoluble or water hardly soluble" means that 10
parts by mass or more of the color material is not dissolved in 100
parts by mass of water at 20.degree. C. The "being dissolved" means
that no separation or no precipitation of the color material is
visually observed in an aqueous solution surface layer or lower
layer.
[0211] The polymer which forms the polymer emulsion is not
particularly limited, can be appropriately selected depending on
the purpose, and includes, for example, vinyl based polymers,
polyester based polymers, polyurethane based polymers and polymers
disclosed in JP-A No. 2000-53897 and JP-A No. 2001-139849. Among
them, the vinyl based polymers and the polyester based polymers are
particularly preferable.
[0212] The volume average particle diameter of the polymer fine
particles (colored fine particles) containing the color material is
preferably 0.01 .mu.m to 0.16 .mu.m in the ink.
[0213] By the use of the pigment of the above (2), it is possible
to obtain the ink excellent in light resistance and fixing
property.
[0214] The pigment of the above (3) is obtained by covering the
pigment with the hydrophilic and water insoluble resin and making a
resin layer on the pigment surface hydrophilic to disperse the
pigment in water, and includes, for example, those described in
JP-A No. 2002-67473.
[0215] By the use of the pigment of the above (3), it is possible
to obtain the ink excellent in light resistance and fixing
property.
[0216] The pigments of the above (2) and (3) are thought to be
similar in terms of integrating the pigment and the resin, and any
of them can be suitably used in the present invention.
[0217] When the pigments of the above (1), (2) and (3) are used at
a composition ratio of the ink of the present invention, the
enhancement of the drying property and high color tone are
particularly exerted.
[0218] A color forming component of the colorant is not
particularly limited, can be appropriately selected depending on
the purpose, and for example may be any of inorganic pigments and
organic pigments.
[0219] The inorganic pigments include, for example, titanium oxide,
iron oxide, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, aluminium hydroxide,
barium yellow, cadmium red, chromium yellow, and carbon black.
Among them, carbon black is preferable. The carbon black includes
those produced by the publicly known methods such as a contact
method, a furnace method and a thermal method.
[0220] The organic pigments include, for example, azo pigments,
polycyclic pigments, dye chelates, nitro pigments, nitroso
pigments, and aniline black. Among them, azo pigments and
polycyclic pigments are preferable. The azo pigments include, for
example, azo lakes, insoluble azo pigments, condensed azo pigments,
and chelate azo pigments. The polycyclic pigments include
phthalocyanine pigments, perylene pigments, perinone pigments,
anthraquinone pigments, quinacridone pigments, dioxadine pigments,
indigoid pigments, thioindigoid pigments, isoindolinone pigments
and quinophtalone pigments. The dye chelates include, for example,
basic dye chelates and acidic dye chelates.
[0221] The color of the pigments is not particularly limited, can
be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and includes
those for monochrome or color. These may be used alone or in
combination of two or more.
[0222] Those for the monochrome include, for example carbon black
(C.I. pigment black 7) such as furnace black, lamp black, acetylene
black and channel black, metals such as copper, iron (C.I. pigment
black 11) and titanium oxide, and organic pigments such as aniline
black (C.I. pigment black 1).
[0223] As the ones for color printing, ones for the yellow ink
include, for example, C.I. pigment yellow 1 (fast yellow G), 3, 12
(disazo yellow AAA), 13, 14, 17, 23, 24, 34, 35, 37, 42 (yellow
iron oxide), 53, 55, 74, 81, 83 (disazo yellow HR), 95, 97, 98,
100, 101, 104, 108, 109, 110, 117, 120, 128, 138, 150, and 153.
[0224] Ones for the magenta ink include, for example, C.I. pigment
red 1, 2, 3, 5, 17, 22 (brilliant fast scarlet), 23, 31, 48:2
(permanent red 2B (Ba)), 48:2 (permanent red 2B (Ca)), 48:3
(permanent red 2B (Sr)), 48:4 (permanent red 2B (Mn)), 49:1, 52:2,
53:1, 57:1 (brilliant carmine 6B), 60:1, 63:1, 63:2, 64:1, 81
(rhodamine 6G lake), 83, 88, 92, 101 (colcothar), 104, 105, 106,
108 (cadmium red), 112, 114, 122 (dimethyl quinacridone), 123, 146,
149, 166, 168, 170, 172, 177, 178, 179, 185, 190, 193, 209 and
219.
[0225] Ones for the cyan ink include, for example, C.I. pigment
blue 1, 2, 15 (copper phthalocyanine blue R), 15:1, 15:2, 15:3
(phthalocyanine blue G), 15:4, 15:6 (phthalocyanine blue E), 16,
17:1, 56, 60, and 63.
[0226] Intermediumte colors for red, green and blue include C.I.
pigment red 177, 194, 224, C.I. pigment orange 43, C.I. pigment
violet 3, 19, 23, 37, C.I. pigment green 7 and 36.
[0227] When the dye is used as the colorant, it is possible to
obtain the ink excellent in color tone. The dye includes, for
example, water soluble dyes, oil soluble dyes and dispersible
dyes.
[0228] The water soluble dyes are the dyes classified into acidic
dyes, direct dyes, basic dyes, reactive dyes and edible dyes in
color index, and preferably the dyes excellent in water resistance
and light resistance are used.
[0229] The acidic dyes and the edible dyes include, for example,
C.I. acid yellow 17, 23, 42, 44, 79, 142; C.I. acid red 1, 8, 13,
14, 18, 26, 27, 35, 37, 42, 52, 82, 87, 89, 92, 97, 106, 111, 114,
115, 134, 186, 249, 254, 289; C.I. acid blue 9, 29, 45, 92, 249;
C.I. acid black 1, 2, 7, 24, 26, 94; C.I. food yellow 3, 4; C.I.
food red 7, 9, 14; C.I. food black 1, 2
[0230] The direct dyes include, for example, C.I. direct yellow 1,
12, 24, 26, 33, 44, 50, 86, 120, 132, 142, 144; C.I. direct red 1,
4, 9, 13, 17, 20, 28, 31, 39, 80, 81, 83, 89, 225, 227; C.I. direct
orange 26, 29, 62, 102; C.I. direct blue 1, 2, 6, 15, 22, 25, 71,
76, 79, 86, 87, 90, 98, 163, 165, 199, 202; C.I. direct black 19,
22, 32, 38, 51, 56, 71, 74, 75, 77, 154, 168, 171.
[0231] The basic dyes include, for example, C.I. basic yellow 1, 2,
11, 13, 14, 15, 19, 21, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 32, 36, 40, 41, 45, 49,
51, 53, 63, 64, 65, 67, 70, 73, 77, 87, 91; C.I. basic red 2, 12,
13, 14, 15, 18, 22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 35, 36, 38, 39, 46, 49, 51, 52,
54, 59, 68, 69, 70, 73, 78, 82, 102, 104, 109, 112; C.I. basic blue
1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 21, 22, 26, 35, 41, 45, 47, 54, 62, 65, 66, 67, 69,
75, 77, 78, 89, 92, 93, 105, 117, 120, 122, 124, 129, 137, 141,
147, 155; C.I. basic black 2, 8.
[0232] The reactive dyes include, for example, C.I. reactive black
3, 4, 7, 11, 12, 17; C.I. reactive yellow 1, 5, 11, 13, 14, 20, 21,
22, 25, 40, 47, 51, 55, 65, 67; C.I. reactive red 1, 14, 17, 25,
26, 32, 37, 44, 46, 55, 60, 66, 74, 79, 96, 97; C.I. reactive blue
1, 2, 7, 14, 15, 23, 32, 35, 38, 41, 63, 80, 95.
[0233] The amount of the resin component is 40% by mass to 95% by
mass and preferably 70% by mass to 95% by mass relative to the
total amount of the solid component (e.g., the total amount of the
resin and the colorant). Therefore, the content of the colorant is
preferably 60% by mass or less and preferably 30% by mass or less.
The resin component calculated here includes the resin enclosing
colorant molecule (e.g. pigment molecule) having chromophoric group
in the colorant. That is, in total solid content=resin+colorant,
the percentage of the total resin amount including the resin which
encloses colorant molecule (e.g. pigment molecule) having
chromophoric group in the colorant is meant to be 40% by mass or
more.
[0234] The total amount of the solid component (total solid content
of the resin and the colorant) is 20% by mass or more, preferably
20% by mass to 60% by mass and more preferably 20% by mass to 30%
by mass. When the total solid content exceeds 60% by mass, the
viscosity becomes high and the printing becomes difficult in the
current apparatus, but it is not impossible to use by employing
various measures as in the present invention. But, it is preferable
that the solid content is more abundant for preventing the
bleeding. As described later, the solid content can not be
increased so much because of the combination with the wetting
agent. Meanwhile, when the total solid content is less than 20% by
mass, in conjunction with the wetting agent in a small amount, the
viscosity becomes too low, and the image is sometimes inferior in
sharpness.
[0235] However, to increase the drying property of the ink relative
to a recording medium having low water absorbing capacity, it is
effective to set a small amount of the wetting agent in the
recording ink. The content of solid components in the ink and the
resin component ratio are not necessarily prerequisites to improve
the drying property. Since the reliability of the ink may degrade
when the content of solid components is largely increased, the
content of the wetting agent or the content of the liquid component
which is a liquid at 25.degree. C. can be set to 20% by mass or
less, and the content of solid components can be restrained to near
10% by mass when recording information or an image on a recording
medium having small water absorbing capacity and the drying
property and reliability are emphasized. To enhance the drying
property of the ink, it is more effective to set the amount of the
wetting agent to 10% by mass or less.
[0236] The other components are not particularly limited, can be
appropriately selected if necessary, and include anti-foaming
agents, preservatives/anti-fungal agents, antirusts, pH adjusters,
specific resistance adjusters, antioxidants, ultraviolet ray
absorbers, oxygen absorbers, photo stabilizers and viscosity
adjusters.
[0237] The anti-foaming agent is not particularly limited, can be
appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and suitably
includes, for example, silicone based anti-foaming agents,
polyether based anti-foaming agents and fatty acid ester based
anti-foaming agents. These may be used alone or in combination of
two or more. Among them, the silicone based anti-foaming agent is
preferable in terms of being excellent in foam breaking effect.
[0238] The silicone based anti-foaming agent includes, for example,
oil type silicone anti-foaming agents, compound type silicone
anti-foaming agents, self-emulsification type silicone anti-foaming
agents, emulsion type silicone anti-foaming agents and modified
silicone anti-foaming agents. The modified silicone anti-foaming
agents include, for example, amino modified silicone anti-foaming
agents, carbinol modified silicone anti-foaming agents, methacryl
modified silicone anti-foaming agents, polyether modified silicone
anti-foaming agents, alkyl modified silicone anti-foaming agents,
higher fatty acid ester modified silicone anti-foaming agents and
alkylene oxide modified silicone anti-foaming agents. Among them,
considering the use for the recording ink which is the water-based
medium, the self emulsification type silicone anti-foaming agent
and the emulsion type silicone anti-foaming agent are
preferable.
[0239] As the anti-foaming agent, commercially available products
may be used. The commercially available products include silicone
anti-foaming agents (KS508, KS531, KM72, KM85) supplied from
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., silicone anti-foaming agents
(Q2-3183A, SH5510) supplied from Dow Corning Tray Co., Ltd.,
silicone anti-foaming agents (SAG30) supplied from Nippon Unicar
Co., Ltd., and anti-foaming agents (Adekanate series) supplied from
Asahi Denka Co., Ltd.
[0240] The content of the anti-foaming agent in the recording ink
is not particularly limited, can be appropriately selected
depending on the purpose, and is preferably 0.001% by mass to 3% by
mass and more preferably 0.05% by mass to 0.5% by mass.
[0241] The preservatives/anti-fungal agents include, for example,
1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one, sodium dehydroacetate, sodium sorbate,
sodium 2-pyridinethiol-2-oxide, sodium benzoate and sodium
pentachlorophenol.
[0242] As the specific resistance adjusters, by containing
inorganic salts, e.g., alkali metal halide or halogenated ammonium
(e.g., lithium chloride, ammonium chloride, sodium chloride), it is
possible to prepare a recording liquid used for the inkjet
recording method in which the recording ink is electrically
charged.
[0243] The pH adjuster is particularly limited as long as it can
adjust pH to a desired value without harmfully affecting the
prepared recording ink, can be appropriately selected depending on
the purpose, and includes alcohol amines, alkali metal hydroxide,
ammonium hydroxide, phosphonium hydroxide and alkali metal
carbonate salts.
[0244] The alcohol amines include, for example, diethanolamine,
triethanolamine and 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propane diol.
[0245] The hydroxide of alkali metal elements includes, for
example, lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and potassium
hydroxide.
[0246] The hydroxide of ammonium includes, for example, ammonium
hydroxide, quaternary ammonium hydroxide and quaternary phosphonium
hydroxide.
[0247] The carbonate salts of alkali metals include, for example,
lithium carbonate, sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate.
[0248] The antirusts include, for example, acidic sulfite salts,
sodium thiosulfate, ammonium thiodiglycolate, diisopropylammonium
nitrate, pentaerythritol tetranitrate and cyclohexylammonium
nitrate.
[0249] The antioxidants include, for example, phenol based
antioxidants (including hindered phenol based antioxidants), amine
based antioxidants, sulfur based antioxidants and phosphorous based
antioxidants.
[0250] The phenol based antioxidants (including hindered phenol
based antioxidants) include, for example, butylated hydroxyanisole,
2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol,
stearyl-.beta.-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate, 5
2,2'-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol),
2,2'-methylenebis(4-ethyl-6-tert-butylphenol),
4,4'-butylidenebis(3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol),
3,9-bis(1,1-dimethyl-2-[.beta.-(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)
propionyloxy]ethyl]2,4,8,10-tetraixaspiro[5,5]undecane,
1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyl)butane,
1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)benzen
e and
tetraxis[methylene-3-(3',5'-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propiona
te]methane.
[0251] The amine based antioxidants include, for example,
phenyl-.beta.-naphthylamine, .alpha.-naphthylamine,
N,N'-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine, phenothiazine,
N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine, 2,6-tert-butyl-p-cresol,
2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, 2,4-dimethyl-6-tert-butyl-phenol,
butylhydroxyanisole,
2,2'-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol),
4,4'-butylidenebis(3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol),
4,4'-thiobis(3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol),
tetraxis[methylene-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-dihydroxyphenyl)propion
ate]methane and
1,1,3-tris(3-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyl)butane.
[0252] The sulfur based antioxidants include, for example, dilauryl
3,3'-thiodipropionate, distearyl thiodipropionate, lauryl stearyl
thiodipropionate, dimyristyl 3,3'-thiodipropionate, distearyl
.beta.,.beta.'-thiodipropionate, 2-mercaptobenzimidazole and
dilauryl sulfite.
[0253] The phosphorous based antioxidants include triphenyl
phosphite, octadecyl phosphite, triisodecyl phosphite, trilauryl
trithiophosphite, and trinonylphenyl phosphite.
[0254] The ultraviolet ray absorbers include, for example,
benzophenone based ultraviolet ray absorbers, benzotriazole based
ultraviolet ray absorbers, salicylate based ultraviolet ray
absorbers, cyanoacrylate based ultraviolet ray absorbers, and
nickel complex salt based ultraviolet ray absorbers.
[0255] The benzophenone based ultraviolet ray absorbers include,
for example, 2-hydroxy-4-n-octoxybenzophenone,
2-hydroxy-4-n-dodecyloxybenzophenone, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone,
2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophe none, and
2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone.
[0256] The benzotriazole based ultraviolet ray absorbers include,
for example, 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-tert-octylphenyl)benzotriazole,
2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole,
2-(2'-hydroxy-4'-octoxyphenyl)benzotriazole, and
2-(2'-hydroxy-3'-tert-butyl-5'-methylphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole.
[0257] The salicylate based ultraviolet ray absorbers include, for
example, phenyl salicylate, p-tert-butylphenyl salicylate, and
p-octylphenyl salicylate.
[0258] The cyanoacrylate based ultraviolet ray absorbers include,
for example, ethyl-2-cyano-3,3'-diphenyl acrylate,
methyl-2-cyano-3-methyl-3-(p-methoxyphenyl)acrylate, and
butyl-2-cyano-3-methyl-3-(p-methoxyphenyl)acrylate, The nickel
complex salt based ultraviolet ray absorbers include, for example,
nickel bis(octylphenyl) sulfide,
2,2'-thiobis(4-tert-octylphelate)-n-butylamine nickel (II),
2,2'-thiobis(4-tert-octylphelate)-2-ethylhexylamine nickel (II) and
2,2'-thiobis(4-tert-octylphelate)triethanolamine nickel (II).
[0259] The recording ink of the present invention is produced by
dispersing or dissolving the solid component which contains the
colorant and the resin and is the solid at 25.degree. C., the
liquid component which has the higher boiling point than that of
water and is the liquid at 25.degree. C. and the water, and further
the other ingredients if necessary in the water-based medium and
further stirring and mixing them if necessary. Generally, the
colorant and the resin previously dissolved or dispersed in water
are used. The dispersion can be performed using a sand mill, a
homogenizer, a ball mill, a paint shaker and an ultrasonic
dispersing machine. The mixing with stirring can be performed using
a usual stirrer using a stirring wing, a magnetic stirrer and a
high speed dispersing machine.
[0260] The physical properties of the recording ink of the present
invention is not particularly limited, can be appropriately
selected depending on the purpose, and for example, it is
preferable that the viscosity, the surface tension and pH are in
the following ranges.
[0261] The viscosity of the recording ink is preferably 20 mPas or
less and more preferably 15 mPas or less at 25.degree. C. When the
viscosity is more than 20 mPas, it sometimes becomes difficult to
assure the jet stability. But, even if the viscosity exceeds 20
mPas, the ink can not be always used depending on the head
structure. The surface tension of the recording ink is preferably
35 mN/m or less, more preferably 30 mN/m or less, and preferably 15
mN/m or more and more preferably 20 mN/m or more. When the surface
tension is more than 35 mN/m, the leveling of the ink on the
recording medium hardly occurs and the drying time is sometimes
prolonged. Meanwhile, when the surface tension is too low, wetting
of the ink on the nozzle surface becomes too strong, and meniscus
formation is sometimes unstabilized to cause jet defect.
[0262] The surface tension can be measured using, for example, a
full automatic tensiometer (CBVP-Z supplied from Kyowa Interface
Science Co., Ltd.).
[0263] The pH value of the recording ink is preferably, for
example, 7 to 10.
[0264] The coloration of the recording ink of the present invention
is not particularly limited, can be appropriately selected
depending on the purpose, and includes, yellow, magenta, cyan and
black. When recorded using the ink set combining two or more of
these colorations, the multicolor image can be recorded. When
recorded using the ink set combining all of these colorations, the
full color image can be recorded.
[0265] The recording ink of the present invention can be suitably
used for the printer loading any inkjet head such as a so-called
piezoelectric type inkjet head where the volume in an ink flow path
is changed to jet the ink drop by deforming a vibration plate which
forms a wall of the ink flow path using a piezoelectric element as
a pressure generating means to apply the pressure to the ink in the
ink flow path (see JP-A No. 02-51734), or a so-called thermal
inkjet head where bubbles are generated by heating the ink in the
ink flow path using an exothermic resistive element (see JP-A No.
61-59911), or an electrostatic inkjet head where the electrode and
the vibration plate which forms the wall of the ink flow path are
disposed in opposed positions, and the volume in the ink flow path
is changed to jet the ink by an electrostatic power generated
between the electrode and the vibration plate (see JP-A No.
06-71882).
[0266] The recording ink of the present invention can be used
suitably in various fields, can be used suitably in an image
forming apparatus (printer etc.) by the inkjet recoding system, for
example can be used for the printer having the function to
facilitate the printing fixation by heating the paper to be
recorded or the recording ink at 50.degree. C. to 200.degree. C.
during, before or after the printing, and particularly can be used
suitably for the following ink cartridge, ink record, inkjet
recording apparatus and inkjet recording method of the present
invention.
(Ink Cartridge)
[0267] The ink cartridge of the present invention houses the
recording ink of the present invention or a recording ink in the
ink media set of the present invention, in a container, and further
has other members appropriately selected if necessary.
[0268] The container is not particularly limited, and its shape,
structure, size and material can be appropriately selected
depending on the purpose. Examples thereof suitably include those
having an ink bag formed by aluminium laminate film or resin
film.
[0269] Subsequently, the ink cartridge will be described with
reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, FIG. 1 is a view showing one
example of the ink cartridge of the present invention, and FIG. 2
is a view including a casing (outer packing) of the ink
cartridge.
[0270] As shown in FIG. 1, in the ink cartridge, the ink is filled
from an ink inlet 42 into an ink bag 41, after deaerating, the ink
inlet 42 is closed by fusion bond. In use, the ink is supplied by
pushing a needle equipped with the main body of the apparatus into
an ink outlet 43 composed of a rubber member.
[0271] The ink bag 41 is formed by a packing member such as
aluminium laminate film having no air permeability. As shown in
FIG. 2, this ink bag 41 is typically housed in a cartridge case 44
made from plastic, and used by detachably loading in various inkjet
recording apparatuses.
(Inkjet Recording Apparatus and Inkjet Recording Method)
[0272] The inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention
contains at least an ink ejecting unit, and further contains
appropriately selected other units. e.g., an impulse generation
unit and a control unit, if necessary.
[0273] The inkjet recording method of the present invention
contains at least an ink ejecting step, and further contains
appropriately selected other steps, e.g., an impulse generation
step and a control step, if necessary.
[0274] The inkjet recording method of the present invention can be
suitably carried out by the inkjet recording apparatus of the
present invention, the ink ejecting step can be suitably carried
out by the ink ejecting unit, and the aforementioned other steps
can be suitably carried out by the aforementioned other units.
--Ink Flying Step and Ink Flying Unit--
[0275] The ink flying step is a step in which an impulse is applied
to the recording ink of the present invention or a recording ink in
the ink media set of the present invention to fly the recording ink
and to thereby form an image.
[0276] The ink flying unit is a unit configured to apply an impulse
to the recording ink of the present invention to thereby form an
image. The ink ejecting unit is not particularly limited and can be
appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples thereof
include various recording heads (ink jet heads), and particularly,
those having multiple nozzle lines and a subtank which houses a
liquid supplied from a liquid storage tank and supplies the liquid
to the head are preferable.
[0277] As the subtank, those having a negative pressure generation
unit for generating negative pressure in the subtank, an air
opening unit which exposes an inside of the subtank to air and a
detection unit which detects the presence of absence of the ink by
difference of electric resistance are preferable.
[0278] The impulse can be generated, for example by the impulse
generation unit. The impulse is not particularly limited, can be
appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples thereof
include heat, pressure, vibration, and light. These may be used
alone or in combination of two or more. Among them, the heat and
the pressure are suitably preferable.
[0279] Examples of the impulse generation unit includes a heating
device, a pressurizing device, a piezoelectric element, a vibration
generating device, an ultrasonic oscillator and a light.
Specifically, the examples thereof include a piezoelectric actuator
such as a piezoelectric element, a thermal actuator which utilizes
phase change by membrane boiling of the liquid using an electric
thermal conversion element such as an exothermal resistive element,
a shape memory alloy actuator using a metallic phase change by
thermal change, and a electrostatic actuator using the
electrostatic power.
[0280] The aspect of ejection of the recording ink is not
particularly limited, is different depending on the impulse, and
when the impulse is "heat", the method in which heat energy
corresponding to recording signals is imparted using a thermal head
to the recording ink in a recording head to generate bubbles in the
recording ink by the heat energy and the recording ink is jetted
and spouted as the liquid drop from a nozzle pore of the recording
head by pressure of the bubbles is included. When the impulse is
"pressure", the method in which the piezoelectric element is bended
and the volume in a pressure room is reduced to jet and spout the
recording ink as droplets from the nozzle pore of the recording
head by applying voltage to the piezoelectric element adhered at a
position called the pressure room in the ink flow path in the
recording head is included.
[0281] The method in which the recording ink is ejected by applying
the voltage to the piezoelectric element is preferable. Because of
no heat generation, the piezoelectric system is advantageous to
eject the ink containing the resin, and particularly is the
advantageous method with less clogging of nozzles when the ink
containing the wetting agent in a small amount is used.
[0282] In order to prevent the nozzle clogging, it is preferable to
perform empty scanning by applying the voltage at an intensity at
which the ink is not jetted to the piezoelectric element. In
addition, it is preferable to jet the ink into an ink stock section
before performing the empty scanning on one page of sheet.
[0283] It is preferable to have a scraping unit which scrapes the
ink firmly fixed to an empty jet support. The scraping unit is
preferably a wiper or a cutter.
[0284] When the inkjet image is formed using the recording ink
containing the wetting agent in a small amount as in the present
invention, in order to prevent the nozzle clogging, it is
preferable to replace the recording ink in the nozzles of the
recording head with a moisturizing liquid when the printing is
stopped for a long time over one day or more (when the inkjet
recording is not performed) and form the image by replacing the
moisturizing liquid with the recording ink when the inkjet
recording is restarted.
[0285] When stopped for a long time, by replacing the recording ink
in the nozzles with the moisturizing liquid in this way, it is
possible to prevent the clogging of the nozzles caused by
exsiccation of the colorant and the resin due to evaporation of
water. When the inkjet recording is restarted, by replacing the
moisturizing liquid with the recording ink of the present invention
and then forming the image, it is possible to form the image with
high density.
[0286] The moisturizing liquid may be water or water containing the
wetting agent (may be contain other additives in small amounts, pH
adjusters and surfactants). The moisturizing liquid could be the
solution which hardly produce the clogging due to water evaporation
compared with the recording ink of the present invention, produces
no precipitation when mixed with the recording ink of the present
invention and can redisperse or clean the dried and fixed recording
ink of the present invention. That is, the moisturizing liquid is
the aqueous solution containing water or the wetting agent or the
liquid containing water and wetting agent and less solid contents
of the solids at 25.degree. C. such as colorant and resins (or no
solid). In particular, when printed on the offset coated paper on
which the ink is hardly dried, the printing can be done using the
ink with less amount of a wetting agent to enhance the drying
property, and the clogging can be prevented by replacing the
recording ink in the nozzles with the moisturizing liquid when
stopped.
[0287] The moisturizing liquid is preferably any of (1) a liquid
medium composed of water, (2) a liquid medium containing water as a
major ingredient, (3) a liquid medium containing water and a liquid
component which has the higher boiling point than that of water and
is the liquid at 25.degree. C. as the major ingredients, and (4) a
liquid medium containing the same components as a recording ink,
the content of the solid component being a solid at 25.degree. C.
in the liquid medium is less than that of the recording ink. The
recording ink described in (4) is a recording ink commonly used in
inkjet recording.
[0288] Here, the water as the major ingredient means containing
water at 90% by mass or more.
[0289] The water and the liquid component which has the higher
boiling point than that of water and is the liquid at 25.degree. C.
as the major ingredients means containing the water and the liquid
component which has the higher boiling point than that of water and
is the liquid at 25.degree. C. at 90% by mass or more.
[0290] The moisturizing liquid may be the liquid having the same
components as in the recording ink of the present invention,
increasing the wetting agent amount and decreasing the solid
content of the colorant than in the recording ink. In this case,
the moisturizing liquid itself can be utilized as a low density
colorant ink, a so-called light density ink.
[0291] It is preferable that the moisturizing liquid is stored in a
different tank from a tank for the recording ink and supplied to
the nozzle before being stopped for a long time. In this case, the
ink tank itself may be exchanged, or the tank for the moisturizing
liquid is originally provided and a path which supplies the
moisturizing liquid to the nozzle may be provided differently from
a path for the recording ink. But, these methods are absolutely the
units for completely preventing the clogging of the nozzle, after
being stopped for a long time, even if somewhat clogging occurs,
the clogging is removed by cleaning, and thus the recording ink of
the present invention can be used without using the moisturizing
liquid.
[0292] When the inkjet image is formed using the recording ink
containing the wetting agent in a small amount as in the present
invention, in order to prevent the nozzle clogging, the water is
supplied to a capping unit (moisturizing cap) which caps the nozzle
of the recording head.
[0293] Generally, the moisturizing liquid has a high equilibrium
water amount to cause the slow evaporation of water, and has an
action to delay coagulation and drying of the ink. Meanwhile, such
an action of the recording ink containing the wetting agent at low
concentration as in the present invention is small. Thus, when the
water is supplied in the moisturizing cap, a humidity in the
moisturizing cap becomes about 100%, thus, even if the amount of
the wetting agent is small, the clogging of the nozzle due to
drying is inhibited. To supply the water, the cartridge which
stores the liquid containing the water as the major ingredient and
having the pH adjuster, the preservative and the anti-fungal agent
in small amounts is separately prepared, and the liquid is
spouted/supplied in the cap by nozzle imaging. As the liquid
supplied in this cap, all moisturizing liquids described above can
be used in addition to the water, but those in which the amounts of
the wetting agent and the solids are small and the water amount is
large are preferable. It is more preferable to separately prepare
the liquid in which the water amount is large and the solid content
is small as a water supply liquid in the cap, differently from the
moisturizing liquid for liquid exchange in the nozzle when stopped
for a long time.
[0294] The enhancement of reliability of the ink using a wetting
agent is not limited to the case where the recording ink of the
present invention is used and is also effective when a typical
pigment ink is used and there are concerns about degradation of
reliability of the pigment ink due to at least dry nozzle. However,
it is more effective especially in the case of an ink containing
less amount of a wetting agent and having concerns about
degradation of reliability of the ink, like the recording ink of
the present invention.
[0295] When a solid portion area with an area of 2 mM.sup.2 or
more, bias of the image density in a solid portion can be
eliminated by printing by shifting a time and a place every
printing of 2 mm.sup.2.
[0296] It is preferable to use the non-porous substrate such as
plastic film, plastic laminate paper, plastic coated paper, glass
and metal and dry the recorded image by any of heating or air
sending after recording on the non-porous substrate.
[0297] In the case of a recording ink whose content of a wetting
agent is increased, it is preferable to include a dry-forcing step
in the inkjet recording method to increase the drying rate. For the
method of drying the recording ink, an ink dry-forcing unit may be
provided before recording or may be provided after recording.
[0298] The drying unit may be a unit configured to apply microwave
energy to paper by means of the microwave energy or may be a
non-contact drying unit like a drying unit based on a heating wire
technique. Further, a contact type drying unit such as a heat
roller may be separately provided. A drying unit that directly
heats a roller itself or a drying unit that indirectly heats a
roller from another heating source may be used.
[0299] An image sample whose one side surface has been printed is
heated and thereafter both sides of another image sample may be
copied. When paper is dried before recording an image, it is
possible to prevent nonuniformity of image density due to liquid
bias called beading which is attributable to slow drying of dots of
a recorded image. When paper is dried after recording an image,
paper curling can be relatively easily prevented and the influence
on the printer main body is relatively small.
[0300] The control unit is not particularly limited as long as it
can control movements of each units, and can be appropriately
selected depending on the purpose. Examples thereof include
instruments such as a sequencer and a computer.
[0301] In the present invention, it is preferable to form an ink
repellent layer on a plate surface on which an ink ejecting opening
of an inkjet head for flying the ink are formed.
[0302] The surface roughness (Ra) of the ink repellent layer is
preferably 0.2 .mu.m or less. By setting the surface roughness (Ra)
to 0.2 .mu.m or less, unwiped portions can be reduced at the time
of wiping.
[0303] FIGS. 22, and 23A to 23C are respectively a cross-section of
the nozzle plate of the inkjet head used in the present
invention.
[0304] In the present invention, a nozzle plate 32 serving as a
plate base of the inkjet head is prepared with electroformed
nickel, and an ink repellent layer 31 is formed on the surface of
the nozzle plate 32. The ink repellent layer 31 is a silicone resin
coating film having a film thickness of 0.1 nm or more. The surface
roughness of the ink repellent layer 31 is preferably set to 0.2
.mu.m or less. The film thickness of the ink repellent layer 31 is
preferably 0.1 .mu.m or more, and more preferably 0.5 .mu.m or
more.
[0305] When feeding an ink 3, as shown in FIG. 23C, a meniscus
(fluid level) P is formed at the boundary between the ink repellent
layer 31 made of the silicone resin coating layer and the nozzle
plate 32.
[0306] The ink repellent layer 31 formed on the plate surface where
the opening for ink ejecting (nozzle) of the inkjet head is
provided is formed such that the cross sectional area of the ink
repellent layer of a plane surface perpendicular to the center line
of the opening is gradually increased as more the cross sectional
area separates from the plate base surface.
[0307] The shape of the ink repellent layer near the opening is
preferably a curved surface shape. Further, the curvature radius of
a curve near the opening of the ink repellent layer in the cross
section of the plane surface including the center line of the
opening is preferably greater than the thickness of the ink
repellent layer.
[0308] The curve near the opening is represented by a substantially
circular arc curve from an outside edge of the opening of the ink
repellent layer in the cross section of the plane surface including
the center line of the opening, and the curvature radius of the
circular arc is preferably greater than the thickness of the ink
repellent layer.
[0309] Further, the angel formed by the tangential line running at
the outside edge of the opening of the ink repellent layer in the
cross section of the plane surface including the center line of the
opening from the surface of the nozzle including the outside edge
is preferably less than 90 degrees.
[0310] With respect to the opening of the nozzle plate 32, the
cross section of the plane surface perpendicular to the center line
which is represented by a dashed-dotted line in FIGS. 23A to 23C is
formed in a substantially a circle centering on the center line.
The ink repellent layer 31 formed on the ink ejecting surface in
the nozzle plate 32 is formed such that the cross sectional area of
the ink repellent layer of a plane surface perpendicular to the
center line of the opening is gradually increased as more the cross
sectional area separates from the nozzle plate 32.
[0311] Specifically, in the opening of the ink repellent layer 31,
as shown in FIG. 23A, a curve near the opening from the outside
edge of the opening of the nozzle plate 32 is formed in a round
shape having a curvature radias `r`. The curvature radius `r` is
preferably greater than the thickness `d` of a portion of the ink
repellent layer 31 other than the vicinity of the opening of the
ink repellent layer 31.
[0312] The thickness `d` is a thickness of the portions other than
the round part of the opening of the ink repellent layer 31.
Preferably, the thickness `d` may be the maximum thickness of the
ink repellent layer.
[0313] As shown in the figure, by forming the opening of the ink
repellent layer 31 which is articulated to the opening of the
nozzle plate 32 in a shape having no substantially peaked edge (a
smooth curve having no pointed portions) without having hooked
portions, it is possible to prevent troubles that a wiper is caught
on such pointed portions to peel off the ink repellent layer 31
from the nozzle plate 32.
[0314] As shown in FIG. 23B, the angel .theta. formed by the
tangential line running at the outside edge of the opening of the
ink repellent layer 31 in the cross section of the plane surface
including the center line of the opening of the nozzle plate 32
from the surface of the nozzle plate 32 including the outside edge
of the opening of the nozzle plate 32 which is articulated to the
outside edge of the opening is preferably less than 90 degrees.
[0315] By setting the angle .theta. between the tangential line of
the outside edge of the opening of the ink repellent layer 31 and
the surface of the nozzle plate 32 less than 90 degrees, as shown
in FIG. 23C, a meniscus (fluid level) P is stably formed at the
boundary between the ink repellent layer 32 and the nozzle plate
32, and this can greatly reduce the possibility that a meniscus P
is formed in the other portions. As the result, it is possible to
gain excellent ink jetting stability of an ink when forming an
image with the use of an image forming apparatus using an inkjet
head including the nozzle plate 32 because the meniscus-formed
surface can be stabilized.
[0316] For the silicone resin to be used in the embodiment, a
liquid silicone resin which can be hardened at room temperature is
preferable, and the one accompanying a hydrolysis reaction is more
preferable. SR2411 manufactured by Toray DOW CORNING TORAY SILICONE
CO., LTD. was used in the Examples to be hereinafter described.
[0317] Table A below shows the evaluation results on the shape
formed from the outside edge of the opening of the nozzle plate 32
to the vicinity of the outside edge of the opening, ink deposit
around the nozzle, edge peel-off, and ink jetting stability in the
ink repellent layer 31 at the inkjet head according to the
embodiment. portion toward the center part of the opening of the
ink repellent layer 31' (the portion at which the cross sectional
area perpendicular to the center line in the opening is the
smallest) when feeding the ink. For this reason, there may be cases
where there are variations in ink jetting stability of the ink when
an image is recorded using an inkjet recording apparatus using an
inkjet head which includes the nozzle plate 32.
[0318] The method of producing a nozzle of the inkjet head
according to the embodiment set forth will be described
hereinafter.
[0319] FIG. 25 is a view showing a construction forming an ink
repellent layer 31 by applying a silicone resin using a dispenser
34 according to the embodiment.
[0320] On the ink ejecting side of a nickel electroformed nozzle
32, a dispenser 34 to apply a silicone solution is arranged. It was
possible to form a silicone resin film selectively on the ink
ejecting surface of the nozzle plate 32 as shown in FIGS. 22, and
23A to 23C by moving the dispenser 34 while ejecting the silicone
from the tip of a needle 35 such that the nozzle plate 32 and the
tip of the needle 35 were arranged to keep a predetermined
distance.
[0321] For the silicone resin used in the embodiment, silicone
resin which can be hardened at room temperature SR2411
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE A Ink jetting Edge shape Ink deposit Edge
peel-off stability Pointed edge Partly Occurred Stable existed
occurred No pointed edge .theta. .ltoreq. 90.degree. Not occurred
Not occurred Stable existed .theta. > 90.degree. Not occurred
Not occurred Not stable (formed in a r .gtoreq. d Not occurred Not
occurred Stable round shape) r < d Not occurred Partly Not
stable occurred
[0322] The results shown in Table A demonstrated that an ink
repellent layer 31 containing a substantially peaked edge at the
edge portion (in the vicinity of the outside edge of the opening)
caused ink deposit around the nozzle, and the edge was peeled off
in the course of wiping.
[0323] Any of ink repellent layers 31 having a round shape of the
edges thereof caused no ink deposit, however, by way of comparison,
an ink repellent layer having r<d as exemplarily shown in FIG.
24A caused peel-off at part of edges, and an ink repellent layer
having .theta.>90.degree. as exemplarily shown in FIG. 24B
resulted in unstable injection of ink droplets.
[0324] Further, as shown in FIG. 24C, with the use of an ink
repellent layer having r<d or .theta.>90.degree., there was a
case where a meniscus (fluid level) P was formed at the boundary
between the ink repellent layer 31 and the nozzle plate 32 when
feeding the ink and there was a case where a meniscus Q was formed
at convex (manufactured by Toray DOW CORNING TORAY SILICONE CO.,
LTD.; viscosity: 10 mPas) was used. However, a slightly amount of
dripping of the silicone was observed in the nozzle hole and the
back face of the nozzle plate. The silicone resin film which was
selectively formed in this way had a thickness of 1.2 .mu.m and a
surface roughness (Ra) of 0.18 .mu.m.
[0325] The application hole of the tip of the needle according to
the embodiment is ensured with a width as large as the width
required to apply the silicone resin to the nozzle plate 32 which
is an application target as shown in FIG. 26A. With this
configuration, the silicone resin can be completely applied over
the entire surface of the application target by moving the
dispenser 34 once in the application direction.
[0326] In other words, the configuration allows for only one moving
direction of applying motion and cut out the need of altering the
direction and moving the dispenser in the opposite direction as
shown in FIG. 26B.
[0327] Here, the tip of a generally used needle 35 is significantly
narrower than the width for application to the nozzle plate 32
which is the application target, and thus in order to complete the
application of a silicone resin to the entire surface of the
application target, there is a need to move a dispenser by changing
the direction of application by 90 degrees and to move the
dispenser in plural directions such as by moving the dispenser in
the opposite direction. For this reason, it is difficult to apply a
silicone resin to the entire surface of an application target with
a uniform thickness.
[0328] According to the embodiment, by ensuring the width of the
application hole at the tip of the needle 35 for only the width of
application to the nozzle plate 32 which is the application target,
the thickness of the silicone resin applied over the entire surface
of the application target can be uniformed, and the surface
finishing can be excellently and precisely achieved.
[0329] FIG. 27 is a view showing the movement of application of the
silicone resin using the dispenser 34 according to the embodiment.
The basic construction is similar to the one shown in FIG. 25,
however, the silicone is applied while jetting a gas 36 from a
nozzle hole (opening) of a nozzle plate 32. For the gas 36, various
types of gas can be used as long as it is a gas which hardly
initiates chemical reactions with the silicone to be applied. For
example, the gas may be air.
[0330] By applying the silicone while jetting the gas 36 from the
nozzle hole, a silicone resin film can be formed on only the
surface of the nozzle of the nozzle plate except for the nozzle
hole.
[0331] When the same silicone resin is used and applied without
jetting the gas 36 to infiltrate the silicone resin to a
predetermined depth and then the gas 36 is jetted from the nozzle
32, an ink repellent layer made of the silicone resin can be formed
to the desired depth of the internal wall of the nozzle, for
example, to the depth of around several micron meters, as shown in
FIG. 28. Namely, an extremely thin ink repellent layer 31a (an ink
repellent layer formed at the internal water of the opening of the
nozzle plate 32) can be formed to a predetermined depth from the
outside edge of the opening of the nozzle plate 32 as well as the
ink repellent layer 31 having the ink ejecting surface set
forth.
[0332] The thus prepared ink repellent layer 31 of the nozzle plate
was wiped using an EPDM rubber (rubber hardness: 50 degrees). As
the result, the ink repellent layer 31 of the nozzle plate could
keep excellent ink repellency against 1,000 times wiping treatment.
The nozzle member with the ink repellent layer 31 formed therein
was immersed in the ink heated at 70.degree. C. for 14 days. As the
result, thereafter, the ink repellent layer 31 could keep the
unchanged ink repellency from the early stage.
[0333] FIG. 29 is a view exemplarily showing the inkjet head of the
present invention and represents a state where a nozzle hole is
formed by excimer laser processing. A nozzle plate 43 is formed by
joining a resin material 121 and a highly rigid material 125 with a
thermoplastic adhesive 126. On or above the surface of the resin
material 121, a SiO.sub.2 thin film layer 122 and a fluorine-water
repellent layer are formed in this order in a laminate structure.
In the resin material 121, a nozzle hole 44 having a desired
diameter is formed. In the highly rigid material 125, a nozzle
communicating hole 127 which is communicated with the nozzle hole
44 is formed. The SiO.sub.2 thin film layer 122 is formed by a
method by which a film can be formed within a temperature range
where the resin material is not thermally affected. Specifically,
sputtering, ion beam deposition, ion plating, CVD (Chemical Vapor
Deposition), P-CVD (Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition) and the like
are preferable.
[0334] It is advantageous that the thickness of the SiO.sub.2 thin
film layer 122 is set to the minimum necessary thickness within a
range where adhesive force can be ensured from the perspective of
process time and material cost. This is because an excessively
thick film may cause troubles at the time of excimer laser
processing. In other words, even when the resin material 121 is
finely processed to have a nozzle hole shape, part of the SiO.sub.2
thin film layer 122 may not be satisfactorily processed to leave
some to be processed. Thus, as a specific range where adhesive
force can be ensured and no portion remains for excimer laser
processing in the SiO.sub.2 thin film layer 122, it can be said
that a suitable film thickness of the SiO.sub.2 thin film layer 122
is ranging from 0.1 nm to 30 nm. A film thickness ranging from 1 nm
to 10 nm is more preferable. In the experimental result, the
adhesive force of the SiO.sub.2 thin film layer 122 was adequate
even with a film thickness of 3 nm, and there was no problem with
material workability by the use of excimer laser. A slight part to
be processed was left with a film thickness of 30 nm, however, the
film thickness was still within an available range. With a film
thickness more than 30 nm, a substantial part to be processed was
left, and the nozzle was deformed to such an extent that the nozzle
was unusable.
[0335] For material of the ink repellent layer, various materials
can be used as long as the material sheds water. Specific examples
thereof include fluorine water repellent materials, and silicone
water repellent materials.
[0336] With respect to the fluorine water repellent materials,
various material are known, however, here, necessary water
repellency is obtained by evaporating a mixture of
perfluoropolyoxethane and a modified perfluoropolyoxethane (trade
name: OPTOOL DSX manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.) in a
thickness of 0.1 nm to 3 nm. In the experimental result, there were
not differences observed in water repellency and wiping durability
with a thickness of OPTOOL DSX of 1 nm, 2 nm, or 3 nm. Thus, the
thickness of the fluorine water repellent material for fluorine
water repellent layer 123 is more preferably 0.1 nm to 2 nm in view
of cost. However, since a water repellent layer having a thicker
film thickness may maintain the water repellency for a longer time
depending on the used ink from the perspective of reliability, in
such a case, the thickness of the fluorine water repellent layer
123 is preferably 10 nm to 20 nm. A pressure sensitive adhesive
tape 124 in which an adhesive material is applied to a resin film
is attached to the surface of the fluorine water repellent layer
123 and serves as an assistance function at the time of excimer
laser processing. A silicone water repellent material can also be
used.
[0337] For the silicone water repellent materials, there are liquid
silicone resins or elastomers each of which can be hardened at room
temperature. It is preferable that an ink repellent film is formed
by applying the liquid silicone resin or elastomer over a surface
of a substrate and leaving the substrate with the silicone water
repellent material applied to the surface thereof in the atmosphere
at room temperature to thereby polymerize and harden the substrate
surface.
[0338] The above noted silicone water repellent material may be a
liquid silicone or an elastomer each of which can be hardened at
room temperature, and an ink repellent film may be formed by
applying the liquid silicone or elastomer over a surface of a
substrate and heating the substrate surface to harden the substrate
surface.
[0339] The silicone water repellent material may be a liquid
silicone resin or elastomer each of which can be cured by
ultraviolet ray, and an ink repellent film may be formed by
applying the liquid silicone resin or elastomer over a surface of a
substrate and irradiating the substrate surface with ultraviolet
ray to harden the substrate surface.
[0340] The viscosity of the silicone water repellent material is
preferably 1,000 cp (centipoises) or less.
[0341] FIG. 30 is a view showing a construction of an excimer laser
processor used when a nozzle hole is processed. An excimer laser
beam 82 emitted from a laser oscillator 81 is reflected by mirrors
83, 85, and 88 to be guided to a processing table 90. In the
optical path where the laser beam 82 is led to the processing table
90, a beam expander 84, a mask 86, and field lens 87, and an image
forming optical system 89 are respectively arranged at a
predetermined position such that an optimum beam reaches a
processing target. A processing target (nozzle plate) 91 is placed
on the processing table 90 to receive the laser beam. The
processing table 90 is composed on an XYZ table known in the art,
or the like and is configured to apply a laser beam to a desired
position by moving the processing target 91 according to need.
Hereinabove, the laser is explained using an excimer laser,
however, various lasers can be used as long as the laser is a
ultraviolet ray laser having a short wavelength and allows for
abrasion processing.
[0342] FIGS. 31A to 31E are views schematically showing the
production process of the nozzle plate in the method of producing
an inkjet head according to the present invention.
[0343] FIG. 31A is a view showing a material to be used for the
substrate which constitutes a nozzle forming member. Here, for a
resin film 121, a film including no particles, KAPTON (trade name)
manufactured by DuPont Electronics, was used. In a typical
polyimide film, particles such as SiO.sub.2 (silica) are added in
the film material in consideration of handleability (slipperiness)
in an apparatus to handle roll films. When a nozzle hole is
processed with an excimer laser, the nozzle may be deformed due to
poor processability with the excimer laser because the SiO.sub.2
(silica) particles hinder the process. For the reason, in the
present invention, a film to which no SiO.sub.2 (silica) particles
are added is used. For the material of the plate substrate, a
polyimide film, UPILEX manufactured by Ube Industries Ltd. may be
used. UPILEX can be directly used because it has extremely fine
particles and it involves no troubles during processing.
[0344] FIG. 31B is a view showing a step in which a SiO.sub.2 thin
film layer 122 is formed on the surface of the resin film 121. For
the formation of the SiO.sub.2 thin film layer 122, a sputtering
process carried out in a vacuum chamber is suitable, and a film
thickness ranging from around 0.1 nm to 30 nm is suitable. Here,
the SiO.sub.2 thin film layer 122 is formed to have a thickness of
1 nm to 10 nm. For the sputtering method, it is more effective to
use a method in a SiO.sub.2 layer is formed by sputtering the film
with Si and then applying O.sub.2 ion to the Si surface because the
adhesive force of the SiO.sub.2 film to the resin film 121 can be
enhanced, a uniform and extremely precise film can be yielded, and
the wiping durability of the water repellent layer can be
enhanced.
[0345] FIG. 31C is a view showing a step in which a fluorine water
repellent 123a is applied over the surface of the SiO.sub.2 film
layer 122. For the method of applying the fluorine water repellent
123a, a spin coater, a roll coater, a screen printing, a spray
coater can be used, however, a method of forming a film by vacuum
evaporation is more effective because the method leads to more
enhanced adhesive force of the water repellent film. After forming
the SiO.sub.2 thin film layer 122 shown in FIG. 31B, carrying out
the vacuum evaporation in the vacuum chamber there can achieve
further more excellent effect in the adhesive force of the water
repellent film. Conventionally, after forming the SiO.sub.2 thin
film layer 122, the work is taken out from the vacuum chamber once,
and thus it is considered that the adhesive force of the water
repellent film is impaired due to adhered impurities on the surface
of the work. For the fluorine water repellent material, various
materials are known. Here, by using perfluoropolyoxethane or a
modified perfluoropolyoxethane or a mixture thereof as a fluorine
amorphous compound, required water repellency can be obtained
against the ink. "OPTOOL DSX" manufactured by Daikin Industries,
Ltd. may be called as "alkoxysilane end modified
perfluoropolyether".
[0346] FIG. 31D is a view showing a step of leaving the work in the
air after evaporation of the water repellent layer. By subjecting
the work to this step, the fluorine water repellent 123a is
chemically bonded the SiO.sub.2 thin film layer 122 with mediation
of moisture in the air to thereby form a fluorine water repellent
layer 123.
[0347] FIG. 31E is a view showing a step in which a pressure
sensitive adhesive tape 124 is attached to the surface of the work.
Specifically, the pressure sensitive adhesive tape 124 is attached
to the surface of the work with the fluorine water repellent layer
123 applied thereon. The pressure sensitive adhesive tape 124
should be attached to the work surface such that no air bubbles
arise therebetween. This is because when air bubbles arise
therebetween, a nozzle hole opened at the position where air
bubbles arise may result in a poor quality product due to deposits
attached in the course of the processing.
[0348] FIG. 31F is a view showing a step of processing a nozzle
hole 44. In this step, the nozzle hole 44 is formed by applying an
excimer laser from the side of the polyimide film 121. After
processing the nozzle hole 44, the pressure sensitive adhesive tape
124 is peeled off from the work for use. Here, explanation of
highly rigid material 125 which is to be used for enhancing the
rigidity of the nozzle plate 43 explained in FIG. 29 is omitted,
however, when the step is applied in the process, it is appropriate
to perform the step between the step shown in FIG. 31D and the step
shown in FIG. 31E.
[0349] FIG. 32 is a view showing the outline on an apparatus used
when producing an inkjet heat according to the method of producing
an inkjet head in the present invention.
[0350] The apparatus is the one that is prepared into an apparatus
using a process called "Metamode Process" that was developed by
OCLI (Optical Coating Laboratory Inc.) in the U.S. and is used in
preparing antireflection films and antifouling films for displays
and the like. As shown in FIG. 32, a Si sputter 202, an O.sub.2 ion
gun 203, an Nb sputter 204, and an OPTOOL evaporator 205 are
respectively arranged at four sites around a drum 210 and all the
components are arranged in a chamber capable of vacuuming. First,
the target is sputtered with Si by means of the Si sputter 202, and
then, O.sub.2 ion is applied to Si by means of the O.sub.2 ion gun
203 to yield SiO.sub.2. Thereafter, Nb and OPTOOL DSX are properly
evaporated using the Nb sputter 204 and the OPTOOL evaporator 205.
In the case of an antireflection film, Nb and SiO.sub.2 are
laminated in a laminate of required plural layers with a given
thickness, and then the laminate is evaporated. In the present
invention, since the function of an antireflection film is
unnecessary, it is unnecessary to use Nb, and it is necessary to
form only a single layer of SiO.sub.2 and a single layer of OPTOOL
DSX. As mentioned above, the use of the apparatus allows for
carrying out vacuum evaporation of OPTOOL DSX without moving the
work within the vacuum chamber after the SiO.sub.2 thin film layer
122 is formed.
[0351] The critical surface tension of the ink repellent layer is
preferably 5 mN/m to 40 mN/m, and more preferably 5 mN/m to 30
mN/m. When the critical surface tension is more than 30 mN/m, the
nozzle excessively gets wet with the ink in long-term use, when
printed repeatedly, the ejecting direction of the ink may be
deflected, and it may cause abnormality in ink particles. When the
critical surface tension is more than 40 mN/m, the nozzle plate
excessively gets wet with the ink in the early stage of the use,
and thus the ejecting direction of the ink may be deflected, and it
may cause abnormality in ink particles.
[0352] Actually, ink repellent materials shown in Table B was
respectively applied over a surface of an aluminum substrate, and
the substrate surface was heated and dried to thereby prepare
respective nozzle plates with an ink repellent layer formed
therein. The critical surface tension of the respective ink
repellent layers was measured. Table B also shows the measurement
results.
[0353] Here, the critical surface tension can be determined by the
Zisman method. Specifically, a liquid whose surface tension is
known is dropped on the ink repellent layer surface, and the
contact angle .theta. is measured. The surface tension of the
liquid is plotted along `x` axis and the "cos .theta." is plotted
along `y` axis, and then a straight line on the downside can be
obtained (Zisman Plot). The surface tension when the straight line
is positioned at Y=1 (.theta.=0) can be calculated as the critical
surface tension .gamma.c. For other methods to determine the
critical surface tension, it can be determined by using Forwkes
method, Owens and Wendt method, or Van Oss method.
[0354] An inkjet head was prepared using a nozzle plate with an ink
repellent layer formed therein in the same manner as the method for
producing an inkjet head set forth above. The following cyan ink
(cyan ink of Production Example 1 to be explained below) was used
in the inkjet head to eject the ink. The process of ink flying was
recorded using a video set, and the video recording status was
observed. It was verified that the ink normally was in particles
and the ejecting stability was excellent with the use of any of the
prepared nozzle plates, respectively. Table B also shows the
results.
<Cyan Ink>
[0355] In a vessel, 20.0% by mass of a polymer fine particle
dispersions containing a copper phthalocyanine pigment, 23.0% by
mass of 3-methyl-1,3-butandiol, 8.0% by mass of glycerine, 2.0% by
mass of 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2.5% by mass of FS-300
(manufactured by DuPont Electronics Ltd.) as a fluorochemical
surfactant, 0.2% by mass of PROXEL LV (manufactured by AVECIA Ltd.)
as an antiseptic and fungicide, 0.5% by mass of
2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol, and an appropriate amount of ion
exchange water were added to total 100% by mass. Then, the
composition was filtered through a membrane filter having an
average hole diameter of 0.8 .mu.m, thereby preparing a cyan ink.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE B Critical surface Ejecting Trade name tension
stability Dow Corning SR2411 21.6 mN/m Excellent Toray Silicone
Co., Ltd. Shin-Etsu KBM7803 16.9 mN/m Excellent Chemical Co., Ltd.
Shin-Etsu KP801M 6.6 mN/m Excellent Chemical Co., Ltd.
[0356] One aspect of carrying out the inkjet recording method of
the present invention by the inkjet recording apparatus of the
present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing one example of the inkjet
recording apparatus of the present invention. The inkjet recording
apparatus shown in FIG. 3 has a main body 1 of the apparatus, a
paper supply tray 2 for loading the paper loaded to the main body
1, a paper discharge tray 3 for stocking the paper on which the
image has been recorded (formed) loaded to the main body 1, and an
ink cartridge loading section 6. An operation section 7 such as
operation keys and displays is disposed on the ink cartridge
loading section 6. The ink cartridge loading section 6 has an
openable and closable front cover 8 for detaching an ink cartridge
10.
[0357] In the main body 1 of the apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 4 and
5, a carriage 13 is retained with freely sliding in a main scanning
direction by a guide rod 11 which is a guide member bridged
laterally to right and left side plates not shown in the figure and
a stay 12, and is moved and scanned by a main scanning motor (not
shown in the figure) in an arrow direction in FIG. 5.
[0358] In the carriage 13, a recording head 14 composed of four
heads for inkjet recording which jet ink drops for recording of
respective colors such as yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M) and
black (B) is loaded so that multiple ink jetting openings are
arranged in a direction which intersects the main scanning
direction and an ink drop jetting direction is directed
downward.
[0359] As the head for inkjet recording which constitutes the
recording head 14, it is possible to use those containing the
piezoelectric actuator such as a piezoelectric element, the thermal
actuator utilizing phase change by membrane boiling of the liquid
using the electric thermal conversion element such as an exothermal
resistive element, the shape memory alloy actuator using a metallic
phase change by thermal change, and the electrostatic actuator
using the electrostatic power, as the energy generation unit to jet
the recording ink.
[0360] The carriage 13 carries a subtank 15 for each color to
supply each color ink to the recording head 14. The recording ink
of the present invention is supplied from an ink cartridge 10 of
the present invention loaded in the ink cartridge loading section 6
to the subtank 15 through the supplying tube for the recording ink
not shown in the figure.
[0361] Meanwhile, a paper supply section which supplies the paper
22 taken on a paper taking on section (pressure plate) 21 of the
paper supply tray 2 contains a half moon type roller (paper supply
roller 23) which separates and feeds the paper 22 one by one from
the paper taking on section 21 and a separation pad 24 opposed to
the paper supply roller 23 and composed of the material with large
friction coefficient, and this separation pad 24 is biased toward
the paper supply roller 23 side.
[0362] A feeding section for feeding the paper supplied from this
paper supply section beneath the recording head 14 contains a
feeding belt 31 for feeding the paper 22 by absorbing
electrostatically, a counter roller 32 for feeding the paper 22
sent through a guide 25 from the paper supply section by
sandwiching with the feeding belt 31, a feeding guide 33 for
feeding the paper sent in a nearly vertical upward direction on the
feeding belt 31 by changing the direction of the paper at about
90.degree., and a tip pressurizing roller 36 biased to the feeding
belt 31 side with a pushing member 34. An electrical charged roller
36 which is an electrical charge mean to charge the surface of the
feeding belt 31 is also contained.
[0363] The feeding belt is an endless belt, is disposed between a
feeding roller 37 and a tension roller 38, and is capable of going
around in a belt feeding direction. A guide member 77 corresponding
to the printing region by the recording head 14 is disposed on the
back side of the feeding belt 31. A paper discharging section for
discharging the paper 22 recorded at the recording head 14
comprises a separation nail 51 for separating the paper 22 from the
feeding belt 31, a paper discharging roller 52 and a discharging
half moon type roller 53. A paper discharge tray 3 is disposed
beneath the paper discharging roller 52.
[0364] A both side paper supply unit 61 is detachably loaded on the
backside section of the main body 1. The both side paper supply
unit 61 takes in the paper 22 returned in a reverse direction
rotation of the feeding belt 31, reverses the paper 22 and supplies
it again between the counter roller 32 and the feeding belt 31. A
manual paper supply section 62 is provided on the upper surface of
the both side paper supply unit 61.
[0365] In this inkjet recording apparatus, the paper 22 is
separated and supplied one by one from the paper supply section,
the paper 22 supplied in the nearly vertical upward direction is
guided by the guide 25, and fed by being sandwiched with the
feeding belt 31 and the counter roller 32. The tip of the paper is
further guided by the feeding guide 33, mounted on the feeding belt
31 at the tip pressurizing half moon type roller 35, and changed in
about 90.degree. in its feeding direction.
[0366] At that time, the feeding belt 31 is charged by the
electrical charged roller 36, and the paper 22 is fed by being
absorbed electrostatically. The ink drop is jetted onto the
stopping paper 22 to record one line by driving the recording head
14 depending on the image signals with moving the carriage 13
there, and next line is recorded after feeding the paper 22 to a
given amount. A recording operation is terminated by receiving a
recording termination signal or a signal that a back end of the
paper 22 has reached the recording region, and the paper is
discharged to the paper discharge tray 3.
[0367] When a remaining amount near end of the recording ink in the
subtank 15 is detected, the recording ink in a given amount is
supplied from the ink cartridge 10 to the subtank 15.
[0368] Here, the example in which the recording ink of the present
invention was applied to a serial type (shuttle type) inkjet
recording apparatus in which the carriage scans has been described,
but the recording ink can be likewise applied to a line type inkjet
recording apparatus containing a line type head.
[0369] Here, the recording head 14 (used by collectively meaning
multiple heads) is constituted by a liquid drop jetting head 14a
having a nozzle row 14yn composed of many nozzles N which jet
yellow (Y) ink drops and a nozzle row 14mn composed of many nozzles
N which jet magenta (M) ink drops, and a head 14b having a nozzle
row 14cn composed of many nozzles N which jet cyan (C) ink drops
and a nozzle row 14kn composed of many nozzles N which jet black
(Bk) ink drops, for example as shown in FIG. 6.
[0370] In this case, four colors of Y, M, C and black are printed
by supplying two colors from two distinct subtanks to one recording
head and using four subtanks and two heads, but the four colors of
Y, M, C and black may be printed by providing four heads having two
nozzle rows, preparing a different color subtank for each and using
four heads having two nozzle rows and four subtanks.
[0371] This example in FIG. 6 shows the inkjet printer (IPSiO G505
supplied from Ricoh Co., Ltd.), in which the same head is provided
with the nozzles side by side, which jet the different color
inks.
[0372] In the inkjet printer (IPSiO G707 supplied from Ricoh Co.,
Ltd.), although it is omitted to show in the figure, the four heads
having the same structure are provided, and the yellow, magenta,
cyan and black inks are supplied to respective heads.
[0373] Around the recording head, the cartridge which supplies the
moisturizing liquid, the subtanks and the recording heads are
provided, and dryness of the nozzle is prevented by spouting the
moisturizing liquid into the capping means (moisturizing cap) which
caps the nozzle in the recording head when stopped for a long time.
When spouted in the cap in this way, the moisturizing liquid is
preferably the liquid which contains the solid such as colorant in
a small amount (or contains no solid) and whose major ingredient is
water.
[0374] The inkjet printer (IPSiO G505 supplied from Ricoh Co.,
Ltd.) has two subtanks and nozzle rows in the same head, and one
side of them may be assigned for the subtank and nozzle row for the
moisturizing liquid. In this case, the heads in which the subtanks
for the moisturizing liquid and the subtanks for colored inks have
been provided are provided for four of the cyan, magenta, yellow
and black.
[0375] In this case, since the same head has the moisturizing
liquid and the recording ink, the moisturizing liquid also acts as
a washing liquid for the ink for color recording upon head
cleaning.
[0376] It is also possible to replace the colored ink at the nozzle
with the moisturizing liquid which is hardly dried by providing a
valve mechanism between the subtank of the moisturizing liquid and
the subtank of the colored ink or wherever in the path from the
subtank to the nozzle and opening this valve when stopped for a
long time.
[0377] Even if the maintenance mechanism by the moisturizing liquid
is not provided, the nozzle clogging can be prevented by performing
the empty scanning by applying the voltage with strength not to jet
the ink to piezoelectric elements to prevent the firmly fixed ink
at the nozzle, or frequently performing so-called empty jet which
jets the ink onto an empty jet receiving section (ink reservoir)
other than the recording medium. It is preferable to certainly
perform the empty jet at least during one page printing.
[0378] As the inkjet head which constitutes the recording head 14,
it is possible to use those containing the piezoelectric actuator
such as a piezoelectric element, thermal actuator utilizing phase
change by membrane boiling of the liquid using the electric thermal
conversion element such as an exothermal resistive element, the
shape memory alloy actuator using a metallic phase change by
thermal change, and the electrostatic actuator using the
electrostatic power, as the energy generation unit to jet the
recording ink. In Example describe later, the head using the
piezoelectric actuator (piezoelectric element) for the energy
generation unit is carried.
[0379] The carriage 13 carries the subtanks 15 (when each color is
distinguished, signs 15y, 15m, 15c and 15k are used corresponding
to the nozzle rows) which is liquid containers of respective colors
to supply the respective color inks to respective nozzle rows 14yn,
14mn, 14cn and 14kn in the recording head 14. The ink is supplied
from the aforementioned main tank (ink cartridge ) 10 for each
color (when each color is distinguished, signs 10y, 10m, 10c and
10k are used corresponding to the nozzle rows) to this subtank 15
through an ink supply tube 16. Here, the main tank 10 houses each
color ink of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M) and black (K), and a
capacity of the main tank 10K is larger than those of the main
tanks 10y, 10m and 10c.
[0380] Subsequently, the detail of an ink supply apparatus which is
a liquid supply apparatus in this recording apparatus will be
described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. 7 is a decomposition
perspective illustrating view of portions according to the ink
supply apparatus, FIG. 8 is a detailed view thereof, and FIG. 9 is
a schematic side view of the subtank.
[0381] As described above, this ink supply apparatus is constituted
by the subtank 15 which is the liquid container which is carried by
the carriage 13 and supplies the ink to the respective recording
heads 14 (14a, 14b), and the main tank (ink cartridge) 10 for
supplying the ink to the subtank 15 through the supply tube 16.
[0382] In one subtank 15, a film-shaped member (flexible
film-shaped member) 102 having flexibility to close an opening (one
side of the subtank 15) of an ink housing section 100 is stuck by
adhesion or deposition to a container main body (case main body)
101 which forms the ink housing section 100 in which the ink is
housed, and further a spring 103 which is an elastic member to bias
the film-shaped member 102 to an outer side is provided between the
case main body 101 and the film-shaped member 102 inside the ink
housing section 100.
[0383] Here, the above film-shaped member may have a single layer,
but as shown in FIG. 10A, various different first layer 102a and
second layer 102b may be laminated to make a bilayer structure, and
the film-shaped members of polyethylene and nylon may be laminated,
and as shown in FIG. 10B, a silica deposition layer 102c can be
formed on the first layer 102a. By making such a constitution, it
is possible to certainly assure liquid resistance to the ink. By
including the silica deposition layer in the film-shaped member
102, it is also possible to enhance the liquid resistance to the
ink.
[0384] The thickness of the film-shaped member 102 is preferably 10
.mu.m to 100 .mu.m. When the thickness is less than 10 .mu.m,
breakage due to deterioration with time easily occurs. When it
exceeds 100 .mu.m, efficient negative pressure sometimes hardly
occurs due to the reduction of flexibility.
[0385] Furthermore, in the film-shaped member 102, a swelling
section 102a which becomes a convex shape responding to the spring
103 is formed, and a reinforcing member 104 is attached to an outer
side thereof. By providing the flexible film-shaped member 102 with
the convex section in this way, it is possible to stably retain the
elastic member (spring here) 103. In this case, in the flexible
film-shaped member 102, the convex section can be easily formed by
molding a sheet-shaped film member into a convex shape.
[0386] The case 101 is provided with an ink introducing path 111 to
supply the ink to the ink housing section 100, and a joining means
112 to connect this ink introducing path 111 with the supply tube
16 connected to the ink cartridge 10 is loaded detachably. A liquid
sending pump described later for sending the ink with pressure from
the ink cartridge 10 to the subtank 15 is provided between the ink
cartridge 10 and the subtank 15.
[0387] Furthermore, a joining member 113 for supplying the ink from
the ink housing section 100 to the recording head 14 is attached
beneath the case 101, an ink supply path 114 of the recording head
14 is formed in this joining member 113, and a filter stands
between the ink housing section 100 and the joining member 113.
[0388] An air flow path 121 for sending out the air from the ink
housing section 100 is formed at an upper part of the case 101.
This air flow path 121 contains an inlet flow path portion 122
having an opening in the ink housing section 100 and a flow path
portion (referred to as "orthogonal flow path portion") 123
subsequent to this inlet flow path portion 122, communicates with
an air opening hole 131 provided downstream of the case 101, and
further continuously forms an accumulating section 126 at a portion
which is a lower side in use than the air opening hole 131.
[0389] This air opening hole 131 is provided with an air opening
valve mechanism 132 which is an air opening means for switching a
sealed state and an air opening state in the subtank 15. This valve
mechanism 132 is constituted by housing a valve seat 134, a ball
135 which is a valve element and a spring 136 which biases this
ball to the valve seat 134 side in a holder 133.
[0390] Describing about the action of the accumulating section 126,
when the apparatus main body is inclined or swung, it is highly
likely that the ink penetrates in the air flow path 121. Thus, by
accumulating the ink penetrated from the air flow path 121 in the
accumulating section 126, even when the ink penetrates due to
falling upon transport, it is prevented that the air opening valve
mechanism 132 goes into poor operation due to penetrating and
fixing the ink in the air opening hole 131 and the air opening
valve mechanism 132 which opens and closes this.
[0391] Two detection electrodes 141, 142 for detecting that the ink
amount is equal to or less than the given amount (this state is
made a "no ink state") in the subtank 15 is loaded at the upper
portion of the case 101. The "no ink state" can be detected by
changing a conductive state between the detection electrodes 141
and 142 in the state in which both detection electrodes are
immersed in the ink and in the state in which at least either one
is not immersed in the ink.
[0392] In the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention,
as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a maintenance recovery mechanism
(hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "subsystem") 71 for
maintaining and recovering the nozzle state in the recording head
14 is disposed in a non-printing region at one side (or may be both
sides) in the scanning direction of the carriage 13. FIG. 11 is a
view of the maintenance recovery mechanism seen from the top, and
FIG. 12 is a schematic illustrating view of a maintenance unit.
This subsystem 71 contains capping members 72A, 72B for capping
respective nozzle sides of the recording heads 14a, 14b and a wiper
blade 73 for wiping the nozzle side. An empty jet catcher upon
empty jet is provided between this capping member 72A and the wiper
blade 73. This empty jet catcher is constituted so that the jetted
ink flows to a lower waste tank, and since the ink is easily fixed
firmly onto this portion (jetted portion), the wiper which
automatically scrapes the firmly fixed ink is provided.
[0393] Subsequently, the maintenance recovery mechanism 71
according to the inkjet recording apparatus of the present
invention will be described.
[0394] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, when first a motor 231 is
normally rotated, a motor gear 232, an intermediumte gear 235, an
intermediumte gear 236 and an intermediumte gear 237 are rotated,
and then a tube pump runs to suck in a cap at the far right
(recording region side) joined with the pump and the tube 219.
Other gears do not run because a one way clutch 237 is not
joined.
[0395] When the motor 231 is reversely rotated, the one way clutch
237 is joined, parts from the motor to a cam shaft are rotated. The
tube pump is reversely rotated, but it does not run as the
pump.
[0396] The cam shaft is attached so that a carriage lock cam 227
and cap cams 222B and 222A and a wiper cam 224, and a wiper cleaner
cam 228, and a cam 241 for a home position sensor are integrally
rotated.
[0397] A carriage lock 215 is biased to an upward direction (lock
direction) by a compression spring (not shown in the figure). The
carriage lock 215 goes up and down by a carriage lock arm 217 in
contact with a cam side of the carriage lock cam 227.
[0398] Caps 72A and 72B and a cap holder 212A go up and down by the
cap cams 222A and 222B.
[0399] The wiper 73 goes up and down by the wiper cam 228.
[0400] A wiper cleaner 218 is biased by a spring to a direction
moving away from the wiper 73, and operates in a wiper direction by
the wiper cleaner cam 218. The wiper 73 is sent down as being
sandwiched with the wiper cleaner 218 and the empty jet catcher to
scrape the ink on the wiper into empty jet.
[0401] A sensor (photointeruptor not shown in the figure) is
secured in the main body of the maintenance unit. Motor (other than
the pump) home positions are detected by operating an HP lever (not
shown in the figure) to make the sensor "on" when the cap comes to
the lowest end by the home position cam (in the case other than
this, the HP lever is not operated and the sensor is made always
"off").
[0402] When the power is "on", the caps 72A and 72B go up and down
regardless of the positions of the cap holders 212A and 212B (the
position is not detected until starting the movement). After
detecting the home position of the cap (during the elevation), the
cap moves a given amount to move to the lowest end. Thereafter, the
carriage moves from side to side to detect the position, and then
returns to the cap position to undergo the capping.
[0403] In the operation order when the motor is reversely rotated,
a series of operation composed of a cap elevation (simultaneous
carriage lock), a cap descent (simultaneous carriage lock), home
position sensor "on", a wiper elevation, start of wiper cleaner
operation (the wiper is pushed to the empty jet catcher), wiper
descent (the wiper is wiped with the wiper cleaner) and return to
the wiper cleaner is repeated.
[0404] The inkjet recording apparatus and the inkjet recording
method of the present invention can be applied to various
recordings by the inkjet recording system, and for example, can be
suitably applied to printers for inkjet recording, facsimile
apparatuses, copying apparatuses, printer/facsimile/copia composite
machines, and the like
(Ink Media Set)
[0405] An ink media set according to a first aspect of the present
invention has a recording ink, and a recording medium, and further
has other constitutions if necessary, wherein the recording ink
contains at least a solid component, a liquid component, and water;
the solid component contains a colorant and a resin and is a solid
at 25.degree. C.; the liquid component has a higher boiling point
than that of water and is a liquid at 25.degree. C.; and the total
content of the liquid component in the recording ink is 20% by mass
or less.
[0406] The contents other than stated above on the recording ink in
the ink media set according to the first aspect are same as those
in the recording ink of the present invention.
[0407] An ink media set according to a second aspect of the present
invention has a recording ink and a recording medium, and further
has other constitutions if necessary.
[0408] An ink media set according to a third aspect of the present
invention has a recording ink and a recording medium composed of
the non-porous substrate, and further has other constitutions if
necessary.
[0409] A recording ink in the ink media set according to any one of
the second aspect ant the third aspect contains at least a solid
component, a liquid component, and water; the solid component
contains a colorant and a resin and is a solid at 25.degree. C.;
the liquid component has a higher boiling point than that of water
and is a liquid at 25.degree. C.; and the total content of the
liquid component in the recording ink is 30% by mass or less.
[0410] The components other than the total content of the liquid
component of he recording ink in the ink media set according to any
one of the second aspect and the third aspect are the same as in
the recording ink of the present invention.
[0411] An ink media set according to a fourth aspect of the present
invention contains a recording ink and a recording medium, wherein
the recording ink contains at least a pigment of a polymer emulsion
type containing a color material which is water insoluble or hardly
water soluble in polymer fine particles, water dispersible resin
fine particles and a wetting agent; the total solid content of the
pigment of polymer emulsion type and the water dispersible resin
fine particles is 20% by mass or more; and the content of the
wetting agent is 20% by mass or more.
[0412] An ink media set according to a fifth aspect of the present
invention contains a recording ink and a recording medium, wherein
the recording ink contains at least a colorant, a water dispersible
resin, and a wetting agent; the total solid content of the
recording ink is 20% by mass or more; the content of the wetting
agent is 20% by mass or more; and the wetting agent is composed of
a glycerine alone or the content of the glycerine in the wetting
agent is 80% by mass or more.
[0413] In the case of such a recording ink in having a large
content of a wetting agent, it is preferable to provide an ink
dry-forcing step to increase the drying speed. For the method of
drying the recording ink, the ink dry-forcing step may be provided
before recording or may be provided after recording.
[0414] The drying unit may be a unit configured to apply microwave
energy to paper by means of the microwave energy or may be a
non-contact drying unit like a drying unit based on a heating wire
technique. Further, a contact type drying unit such as a heat
roller may be separately provided. A drying unit that directly
heats a roller itself or a drying unit that indirectly heats a
roller from another heating source may be used.
[0415] For the recording medium used in an ink media set according
to any one of the first, the second, the fourth, and the fifth
aspects of the present invention, the following ink medium is
used.
<Recording Medium>
[0416] The recording medium of the present invention has a support
and a coating layer on at least one surface of the support, and
further has other layers if necessary.
[0417] In the recording medium, a transfer amount of purified water
to the recording medium is 2 mL/m.sup.2 to 35 mL/m.sup.2 and
preferably 2 mL/m.sup.2 to 10 mL/m.sup.2 for a contact time of 100
ms measured using a dynamic scanning absorptometer.
[0418] When the transfer amount of the ink and purified water for
the contact time of 100 ms is too small, beading easily occurs.
When it is too large, a diameter of an ink dot after recording is
sometimes much smaller than the desired diameter.
[0419] The transfer amount of purified water to the recording
medium is 3 mL/m.sup.2 to 40 mL/m.sup.2 and preferably 3 mL/m.sup.2
to 10 mL/m.sup.2 for the contact time of 400 ms measured using the
dynamic scanning absorptometer.
[0420] When the transfer amount for the contact time of 400 ms is
too small, the drying property is insufficient and thus a spur mark
easily occurs. When it is too large, the glossiness of the image
portion after drying sometimes becomes low.
[0421] Here, the dynamic scanning absorptometer (DSA,
Kami-Pa-Gi-Kyou-Shi vol 48, 88-92, May, 1994, Sigenori Kukan) is a
device capable of exactly measuring an absorbed liquid amount for
an extremely short time. The dynamic scanning absorptometer
automates the measurement by the method of directly reading a speed
of absorbing the liquid in a capillary from the movement of
meniscus, the method of making a sample a disc shape and spirally
scanning a absorbing liquid head thereon and the method of
automatically changing a scanning speed according to a
predetermined pattern to measure only a number of necessary points
on one sample. A liquid supply head to a paper sample is connected
to the capillary through a Teflon (registered trade name) tube, and
the position of the meniscus in the capillary is automatically read
by an optical sensor. Specifically, using the dynamic scanning
absorptometer (K350 series D type supplied from Kyowa Seiko Co.,
Ltd.), the transfer amount of purified water or the ink was
measured. The transfer amount for the contact time of 100 ms and
400 ms can be calculated by interpolation from a measured value of
the transfer amount at contact time adjacent to each contact
time.
--Support--
[0422] The support is not particularly limited, can be
appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and includes, for
example, paper whose major ingredient is wood fiber and
sheet-shaped substances such as nonwoven fabrics whose major
ingredients are wood fibers and synthetic fibers.
[0423] The paper is not particularly limited, can be appropriately
selected depending on the purpose, and includes, for example, wood
pulps and used paper pulps. The wood pulps include, for example,
broad leaved tree bleached kraft pulps (LBKP), needle leaved tree
bleached kraft pulps (NBKP), NBSP, LBSP, GP and TMP.
[0424] Raw materials of the used paper pulps include super white,
white with rule marks, cream white, cards, particular white, medium
white, simili paper, color white, Kent paper, white art, special
high cut, another high cut, newspapers and journals shown in used
paper standard quality specification table in Paper Recycling
Promotion Center. Specifically, non-coated computer sheets, printer
sheets such as thermal papers and pressure-sensitive papers which
are information-related sheets; used OA sheets such as PPC sheets;
used papers of papers or plate papers of coated papers such as art
papers, coated papers, finely coated papers and mat papers; and
non-coated papers such as quality papers, color high quality
papers, notepapers, letter papers, packing papers, facsimile
papers, medium quality papers, newspapers, fancy-figured papers,
super ceremony papers, structure papers, pure white rolling papers
and milk cartons are included, and chemical pulp papers and high
process yield pulp-containing papers are included. These may be
used alone or in combination of two or more.
[0425] The used paper pulp is generally produced by combining the
following 4 steps:
[0426] (1) a dissociation step in which the used paper is crumbed
into fibers using a pulper by treating with a mechanical force and
chemicals, and printed inks are peeled from the fibers;
[0427] (2) a cleaning step in which foreign matters (plastics and
the like) and dusts contained in the used paper are eliminated by a
screen or a cleaner;
[0428] (3) a deinking step in which the printed inks peeled from
the fibers using the surfactant are eliminated out of the system by
a floatation method or a washing method; and
[0429] (4) a bleaching step in which a white degree of the fibers
is enhanced using an oxidation action or a reduction action.
[0430] When the used paper pulp is mixed, a mixed rate of the used
paper pulp is preferably 40% or less relative to the entire pulps
in terms of measure for curling after the recording.
[0431] As an internally added filler used in the support, for
example, conventionally and publicly known white pigments are used.
The white pigments include, for example, white inorganic pigments
such as light calcium carbonate, heavy calcium carbonate, kaolin,
clay, talc, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, titanium dioxide, zinc
oxide, zinc sulfide, zinc carbonate, satin white, aluminium
silicate, diatom earth, calcium silicate, magnesium silicate,
synthetic silica, alumina, lithopone, zeolite, magnesium carbonate
and magnesium carbonate, and organic pigments such as styrene based
plastic pigments, acrylic plastic pigments, polyethylene,
microcapsules, urea resins and melamine resins. These may be used
alone or in combination of two or more.
[0432] An internally added sizing agent used for making the support
includes, for example, neutral rosin sizing agents used for neutral
paper making, alkenyl succinic acid anhydrate (ASA), alkyl ketene
dimers (AKD) and petroleum resin based sizing agents. Among them,
the neutral rosin sizing agent and alkenyl succinic acid anhydrate
are particularly suitable. The alkyl ketene dimer is required in a
small amount because of its high sizing effect, but since a
friction coefficient on the recording paper (medium) is reduced and
the ink is easily slid, and thus this is not preferable in terms of
feeding property upon inkjet recording in some cases.
--Coating Layer--
[0433] The coating layer contains a pigment and a binder, and
further contains a surfactant and other ingredients if
necessary.
[0434] As the pigment, inorganic pigments or those combining the
inorganic pigment and an organic pigment can be used.
[0435] The inorganic pigments include, for example, kaolin, heavy
calcium carbonate, light calcium carbonate, calcium sulfite,
amorphous silica, titanium white, magnesium carbonate, titanium
dioxide, aluminium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium
hydroxide, zinc hydroxide and chlorite. Among them, kaolin is
preferable because this is excellent in glossiness expression and
texture close to the paper for offset printing can be made.
[0436] In the kaolin, there are delaminated kaolin, baked kaolin
and engineered kaolin obtained by modifying its surface.
Considering the glossiness expression, it is preferable that kaolin
having a particle diameter distribution in which an amount of
kaolin with particle diameter of 2 .mu.m or less is 80% by mass
occupies 50% by mass or more in entire kaolin.
[0437] The amount of kaolin to be added is preferably 50 parts by
mass or more relative to 100 parts by mass of the binder. When the
amount is less than 50 parts by mass, the efficient effect is not
obtained in glossiness. An upper limit of the amount to be added is
not particularly limited, but considering fluidity, particularly
thickening property under high shearing force, it is preferable
that the amount to be added is 90 parts by mass or less in terms of
coating suitability.
[0438] The organic pigments include, for example, water soluble
dispersions of styrene-acryl copolymer particles, styrene-butadiene
copolymer particles, polystyrene particles and polyethylene
particles. These organic pigments may be used in mixture of two or
more.
[0439] The amount of the organic pigment to be added is preferably
2 parts by mass to 20 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass
of all pigments in the coating layer. The organic pigment is
excellent in glossiness expression and its specific gravity is
smaller than that of the inorganic pigment. Thus, the bulky and
highly glossy coating layer having a good surface coating property
can be obtained. When the amount to be added is less than 2 parts
by mass, no effect is obtained. When it exceeds 20 parts by mass,
the fluidity of a coating solution is deteriorated, which leads to
the reduction of coating operability, and it is not economical in
terms of cost.
[0440] The organic pigment may be in a form of a compact type, a
hollow type and a doughnut type, and in the light of surface
coating property and fluidity of the coating solution, the average
particle diameter is preferably 0.2 .mu.m to 3.0 .mu.m, and more
preferably the hollow type with a void rate of 40% or more is
employed.
[0441] As the binder, it is preferable to use a water-based
resin.
[0442] As the water-based resin, at least either water soluble
resins or water dispersible resins are suitably used. The water
soluble resins are not particularly limited, can be appropriately
selected depending on the purpose, and include, for example,
polyvinyl alcohol, modified polyvinyl alcohols such as cation
modified polyvinyl alcohol and acetal modified polyvinyl alcohol;
polyvinyl pyrrolidone and modified polyvinyl pyrrolidone such as
copolymers of polyvinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl acetate, copolymers
of vinyl pyrrolidone and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate,
copolymers of quaternized vinyl pyrrolidone and dimethylaminoethyl
methacrylate and copolymers of vinyl pyrrolidone and
metacrylamidepropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride; celluloses such as
carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose and
hydroxypropylcellulose; modified cellulose such as cationized
hydroxyethylcellulose; polyester, polyacrylic acid (ester),
melamine resins or modified products thereof; synthetic resins such
as copolymers of polyester and polyurethane; poly(meth)acrylic
acid, poly(meth)acrylamide, oxidized starch, phosphate esterified
starch, self-modified starch, cationized starch or various modified
starch, polyethylene oxide, soda polyacrylate and soda alginate.
These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
[0443] Among them, polyvinyl alcohol, cation modified polyvinyl
alcohol, acetal modified polyvinyl alcohol, polyester, polyurethane
and copolymers of polyester and polyurethane and the like are
particularly preferable in terms of absorbability of the ink.
[0444] The water dispersible resins are not particularly limited,
can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and
include, for example, polyvinyl acetate, copolymers of ethylene and
vinyl acetate, polystyrene, copolymers of styrene and (meth)acrylic
acid, copolymers of (meth)acrylate ester, copolymers of vinyl
acetate and (meth)acrylate ester, styrene-butadiene copolymers,
ethylene-propylene copolymers and silicone-acryl based copolymers.
Crosslinking agents such as methylolized melamine, methylolized
urea, methylolized hydroxypropylene urea and isocyanate may be
contained, and the resins may be copolymers having a unit of
N-methylol acrylamide and may have self crosslinking property.
These water-based resins can be used simultaneously in combination
of two or more.
[0445] The amount of the water-based resin to be added is
preferably 2 parts by mass to 100 parts by mass, and more
preferably 3 parts by mass to 50 parts by mass relative to 100
parts by mass of the pigment. The amount of the water-based resin
to be added is determined so that the absorbing property of the
recording medium falls into the desired range.
[0446] When the water dispersible colorant is used as the colorant,
the cationic organic compound is not always necessary to be
combined, is not particularly limited, can be appropriately
selected depending on the purpose, and includes, for example,
primary to tertiary amines, monomers, oligomers and polymers of
quaternary ammonium salts which form insoluble salts by reacting
with sulfone group, carboxyl group or amino group in the direct dye
and the acidic dye in the water soluble ink. Among them, the
oligomer or the polymer is preferable.
[0447] The cationic organic compounds include, for example,
dimethylamine epichlorohydrin polycondensates, dimethylamine
ammonia epichlorohydrin condensates, poly(trimethylaminoethyl
methacrylate methyl sulfate salt), diallylamine hydrochloride
salts, acrylamide copolymers, poly(diallylamine hydrochloride salt
sulfur dioxide), polyallylamine hydrochloride salts,
poly(diallylamine hydrochloride salt diallylamine hydrochloride
salt), acrylamide diallylamine copolymers, polyvinylamine
copolymers, dicyandiamide ammonium chloride urea formaldehyde
condensates, polyalkylenepolyamine dicyandiamide ammonium salt
condensates, dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride
polydiallylmethylamine hydrochloride salts, poly(diallyldimethyl
ammonium chloride), poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride sulfur
dioxide), poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride diallylamine
hydrochloride salt derivative), acrylamide diallyldimethyl ammonium
chloride copolymers, acrylate salts, acrylamide diallylamine
hydrochloride salt copolymers, ethyleneimine derivatives such as
polyethyleneimine and acrylamine polymers and modified
polyethyleneimine alkylene oxide. These may be used alone or in
combination of two or more.
[0448] Among them, it is preferable to use by combining the low
molecular weight cationic organic compound such as dimethylamine
epichlorohydrin polycondensate and polyallylamine hydrochloride
salt with the relatively high molecular weight cationic organic
compound such as poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride). By the
combination, the image density is enhanced and feathering is
further reduced compared with the case of a single use.
[0449] A cation equivalent of the cationic organic compound by
colloid titration method (use polyvinyl potassium sulfate and
toluidine blue) is preferably 3 meq/g to 8 meq/g. When the cation
equivalent is in this range, the good result is obtained in the
range of the above dried adhesion amount.
[0450] Here, when the cation equivalent is measured by the colloid
titration method, the cationic organic compound is diluted with
distilled water so that the solid content is 0.1% by mass, and pH
is not adjusted.
[0451] The dried adhesion amount of the cationic organic compound
is preferably 0.3 g/m.sup.2 to 2.0 g/m.sup.2. When the dried
adhesion amount of the cationic organic compound is less than 0.3
g/m.sup.2, the image density is not sufficiently enhanced and the
feathering is not reduced in some cases.
[0452] The surfactant is not particularly limited, can be
appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and any of anionic
surfactants, cationic surfactants, ampholytic surfactants, and
nonionic surfactants can be used. Among them, the nonionic
surfactants are particularly preferable. By adding the surfactant,
the water resistance of the image is enhanced as well as the image
density is increased and the bleeding is improved.
[0453] The nonionic surfactants include, for example, higher
alcohol ethylene oxide adducts, alkylphenol ethylene oxide adducts,
fatty acid ethylene oxide adducts, polyvalent alcohol fatty acid
ester ethylene oxide adducts, higher aliphatic amine ethylene oxide
adducts, fatty acid amide ethylene oxide adducts, ethylene oxide
adducts of fats and oils, polypropylene glycol ethylene oxide
adducts, fatty acid ester of glycerol, fatty acid ester of
pentaerythritol, fatty acid ester of sorbitol and sorbitan, fatty
acid ester of sucrose, alkyl ether of polyvalent alcohol and fatty
acid amide of alkanolamine. These may be used alone or in
combination of two or more.
[0454] The polyvalent alcohol is not particularly limited, can be
appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and includes, for
example, glycerol, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythrit, sorbitol and
sucrose. For the ethylene oxide adduct, those in which a part of
ethylene oxide is substituted with alkylene oxide such as propylene
oxide or butylene oxide in the range in which water solubility can
be kept are available. A substitution rate is preferably 50% or
less. HLB (ratio of hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity) of the nonionic
surfactant is preferably 4 to 15 and more preferably 7 to 13.
[0455] The amount of the surfactant to be added is preferably 0
part by mass to 10 parts by mass and more preferably 0.1 parts by
mass to 1.0 part by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the
cationic organic compound.
[0456] Other ingredients can be added to the coating layer if
necessary in the range in which the objects and effects of the
present invention are not impaired. The other ingredients include
additives such as alumina powders, pH adjusters, preservatives and
antioxidants.
[0457] The method of forming the coating layer is not particularly
limited, can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose,
and can be performed by the method of impregnating or applying a
coating layer solution in/on the support. The method of
impregnating or applying the coating layer solution layer is not
particularly limited, can be appropriately selected depending on
the purpose, and for example, it is possible to coat using various
coating machines such as a conventional size press, a gate roll
size press, a film transfer size press, a blade coater, a rod
coater, an air knife coater and a curtain coater. In terms of cost,
the coating layer solution may be impregnated or adhered using the
conventional size press, the gate roll size press or the film
transfer size press installed in a paper making machine, and
finished up on machine.
[0458] The amount of the coating layer solution to be adhered is
not particularly limited, can be appropriately selected depending
on the purpose, and preferably 0.5 g/m.sup.2 to 20 g/m.sup.2 and
more preferably 1 g/m.sup.2 to 15 g/m.sup.2 in terms of solid
content.
[0459] After the impregnation or the application, drying may be
performed if necessary. In this case, a temperature for the drying
is not particularly limited, can be appropriately selected
depending on the purpose, and is preferably about 100.degree. C. to
250.degree. C.
[0460] In the recording medium, a back layer on a backside of the
support, and another layer between the support and the coating
layer or between the support and the back layer may be further
formed, and a protection layer may also be formed on the coating
layer. These layers may be a monolayer or a multilayer.
[0461] The recording medium may be commercially available coated
papers for offset printing and coated papers for gravure printing
in addition to the medium for inkjet printing if the absorbing
property is in the range of the present invention.
[0462] The basis weight of the recording medium is preferably
ranging from 50 g/m.sup.2 to 250 g/m.sup.2, and more preferably 50
g/m.sup.2 to 200 g/m.sup.2. When the basis weight of the recording
medium is less than 50 g/m.sup.2, the recording medium cannot curve
around a curved part in the course of the conveyance path due to
excessively large stiffness of the recording medium to easily cause
conveyance troubles such as the recording medium is clogged in the
conveyance path.
[0463] In the ink media set according to the second aspect of the
present invention, the non-porous substrate is used as the
recording medium.
[0464] The non-porous substrate includes, for example, plastic
films, plastic laminate papers, plastic coated papers, glasses and
metals. These are the recording medium not having the water
absorbing capacity which the common papers specific for water-based
inkjet recording have.
[0465] The plastic films include, for example, polyester (PET)
films and polyolefin films. Here, for example, in the PET film,
typically about 10% inorganic fine particle filler may be
kneaded.
[0466] The plastic coated paper is the film having a plastic
surface, e.g., resin processing papers where paper surface is
coated with a plastic material by application treatment or
impregnation treatment with the plastic material.
[0467] An absorbable material is applied on the common OHP sheet
for inkjet, but in the present invention, it is possible to print
on unabsorbable sheet to which such a coating has not been
given.
[0468] It is also possible to print on the glass and the metal as
the non-porous substrate.
(Ink Record)
[0469] The ink record of the present invention is recorded by means
of the inkjet recording apparatus in accordance with the inkjet
recording method of the present invention. The ink record of the
present invention has an image formed on the recording medium using
the recording ink of the present invention.
[0470] The recording ink contains a solid component, a liquid
component, and water; the solid component contains a colorant and a
resin and is a solid at 25.degree. C.; the liquid component has a
higher boiling point than that of water and is a liquid at
25.degree. C.; the total content of the liquid component in the
recording ink is 20% by mass or less; the total content of the
solid component in the recording ink is 20% by mass or more; and
the total content of resin components in the solid component is 40%
by mass to 95% by mass relative to the total amount of the solid
components.
[0471] The recording medium is not particularly limited, and can be
appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and includes, for
example, plain paper, coated paper for printing glossy paper,
special paper, fabric, film, OHP sheet, or the like. These may be
used alone or in combination of two or more.
[0472] Among them, at least either the plain paper or the coated
paper for printing is preferable.
[0473] The plain paper is advantageous in terms of low cost. The
coated paper for printing is advantageous in terms of being more
inexpensive and giving the smooth and glossy image compared with
the glossy paper. However, the coated paper for printing has the
poor drying property and has been difficult to be used for inkjet,
but becomes possible to use by enhancing the drying property by the
recording ink of the present invention.
[0474] The coated paper for printing is the recording medium which
provides the support and the coating layer on at least one surface
of the support. The transfer amount of purified water to the
recording medium is 2 mL/M.sup.2 to 35 mL/M.sup.2 for the contact
time of 100 ms measured using the dynamic scanning absorbing liquid
meter and the transfer amount of purified water to the recording
medium is 3 mL/m.sup.2 to 40 mL/m.sup.2 for the contact time of 400
ms. The transfer amount, i.e., the water absorbing capacity in
these is smaller compared with the commercially available paper for
inkjet.
[0475] Among them, in the recording medium having the small
transfer amount, i.e., the low water absorbing capacity, the
recording ink of the present invention is particularly effective.
Specifically, the transfer amount of the purified water to the
recording medium is 2 mL/m.sup.2 to 10 mL/m.sup.2 for the contact
time of 100 ms and the transfer amount of purified water to the
recording medium is 3 mL/m.sup.2 to 10 mL/m.sup.2 for the contact
time of 400 ms measured using a dynamic scanning absorbing liquid
meter.
[0476] When the transfer amount of the liquid for the contact time
of 100 ms is below the above range, the beading easily occurs, and
when it exceeds the above range, the ink dot diameter after
recording becomes smaller than the desired diameter. When the
transfer amount of the liquid for the contact time of 400 ms is
below the above range, the spur mark easily occurs because of
insufficient drying property and glossiness of the image portion
after drying is easily reduced. But, these are absolutely related
to the drying time, and the recording ink of the present invention
in which the amount of liquid component having the high boiling
point is reduced has the effect to some extent on drying property
enhancement even on the paper which is below the above range.
[0477] These papers having the low water absorbing capacity are
available as the commercially available coated papers for
offset.
[0478] It is preferable that the recording medium is composed of a
non-porous substrate and that the non-porous substrate is any one
selected plastic films, plastic laminate papers, plastic coated
papers, glasses and metals. As the plastic film, polyester films
are particularly preferable.
[0479] The ink record has the high image quality with no bleeding,
is excellent in stability with time, and can be suitably used for
various intended uses as documents on which various printing or
images have been recorded.
[0480] Examples of the present invention will be described below,
but the present invention is not limited to these Examples at
all.
PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 1
--Preparation of Polymer Solution A--
[0481] An inside of a 1 L flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer,
a thermometer, a nitrogen gas introducing tube, a reflux tube and a
drop funnel was sufficiently replaced with nitrogen gas, then, 11.2
g of styrene, 2.8 g of acrylic acid, 12.0 g of lauryl methacrylate,
4.0 g of polyethylene glycol methacrylate, 4.0 g of styrene
macromer and 0.4 g of mercaptoethanol were mixed, and the
temperature is raised to 65.degree. C. Subsequently, a mixed
solution of 100.8 g of styrene, 25.2 g of acrylic acid, 108.0 g of
lauryl methacrylate, 36.0 g of polyethylene glycol methacrylate,
60.0 g of hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 36.0 g of styrene macromer,
3.6 g of mercaptoethanol, 2.4 g of azobismethyl valeronitrile and
18 g of methyl ethyl ketone was dripped over 2.5 hours in the
flask. After dripping, a mixed solution of 0.8 g of azobismethyl
valeronitrile and 18 g of methyl ethyl ketone was dripped over 0.5
hours in the flask. After maturing at 65.degree. C. for one hour,
0.8 g of azobismethyl valeronitrile was added, and the mixture was
further matured for one hour. After the termination of the
reaction, 364 g of methyl ethyl ketone was added in the flask to
prepare 800 g of a polymer solution A at a concentration of 50% by
mass.
PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 1-1
--Preparation of Polymer Fine Particle Water Dispersion Containing
Magenta Pigment--
[0482] Subsequently, 28 g of the resulting polymer solution A, 42 g
of C.I. pigment red 122, 13.6 g of an aqueous solution of 1 mol/L
potassium hydroxide, 20 g of methyl ethyl ketone and 13.6 g of
ion-exchange water were sufficiently stirred and then kneaded using
a roll mill. A resulting paste was placed in 200 g of purified
water, which was sufficiently stirred, and then methyl ethyl ketone
was distilled off using an evaporator to yield a water dispersion
of magenta pigment polymer particles containing 15% by mass of the
pigment and 20% by mass of a solid content of Production Example
1-1.
PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 1-2
--Preparation of Polymer Fine Particle Water Dispersion Containing
Cyan Pigment--
[0483] A water dispersion of cyan pigment polymer fine particles of
Production Example 1-2 was made in the same way as in Production
Example 1-1 except that copper phthalocyanine pigment was used in
place of C.I. pigment red 122. The water dispersion was prepared so
that the solid content was 20% by mass and the amount of pigment
colorant was 12% by mass.
PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 1-3
--Preparation of Polymer Fine Particle Water Dispersion Containing
Yellow Pigment--
[0484] A water dispersion of yellow pigment polymer fine particles
of Production Example 1-3 was made in the same way as in Production
Example 1-1 except that C.I. pigment yellow 74 was used in place of
C.I. pigment red 122. The water dispersion was prepared so that the
solid content was 20% by mass and the amount of pigment colorant
was 12% by mass.
PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 2
--Preparation of Surface Treatment Pigment Dispersion--
[0485] Carbon black 890 g having 150 m.sup.2/g of CTAB specific
surface area and 100 mL/100 g of DBP oil absorption amount was
added to 3,000 mL of a solution of 2.5 N sodium sulfate, stirred at
a speed of 300 rpm at a temperature of 60.degree. C., and reacted
for 10 hours to perform the oxidation treatment. This reaction
solution was filtrated, filtrated carbon black was neutralized with
a sodium hydroxide solution and ultrafiltration was performed. The
resulting carbon black was washed, dried, and dispersed in purified
water so that the solid content was 20% by mass to make a black
pigment dispersion of Production Example 2.
PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 3
--Preparation of Polymer Fine Particle Dispersion (Acryl Silicone
Based Emulsion) B--
[0486] The inside of a 1 L flask equipped with a mechanical
stirrer, a thermometer, a nitrogen gas introducing tube, a reflux
tube and a drop funnel was sufficiently replaced with nitrogen gas,
then, 8.0 g of Latemul S-180 and 180 g of ion-exchange water were
added and mixed, and the temperature was raised to 65.degree. C.
After raising the temperature, 6.0 g of t-butylperoxobenzoate and
1.0 g of sodium isoascorbate which were reaction initiators were
added. After 5 minutes, 45 g of methyl methacrylate, 160 g of
2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, 5 g of acrylic acid, 45 g of butyl
methacrylate, 30g of cyclohexyl methacrylate, 15 g of vinyl
triethoxysilane, 8.0 g of Latemul S-180 and 340 g of ion-exchange
water were mixed and dripped over 3 hours. Thereafter, thermal
maturation was performed at 80.degree. C. for 2 hours, the mixture
was cooled to ambient temperature, and adjusted to pH 7 to 8 with
sodium hydroxide. Ethanol was distilled off using the evaporator
and the water content was adjusted to make 730 g of a polymer
dispersion B solution having the solid content of 40% by mass of
Production Example 3.
[0487] An average particle diameter of the resulting polymer
dispersion B was 130 nm (measured at 23.degree. C.). The average
particle diameter was measured using a particle size measurement
device UPA150 supplied from Microtrack, and measured at a dilution
rate of 500 times.
EXAMPLE 1
--Preparation of Recording Ink--
[0488] An ink composition having the following formulation was
prepared, pH was adjusted and the composition was filtrated using a
membrane filter having an average pore diameter of 5 .mu.m to make
a recording ink.
[0489] <Ink Composition> TABLE-US-00003 Copper phthalocyanine
pigment-containing 32% by mass polymer fine particle dispersion of
Production Example 1-2 (solid content = 20% by mass, balanced with
water, colorant/resin in solid content (mass ratio) = 6/4) Acryl
silicone emulsion of Production Example 3 50% by mass (solid
content = 40% by mass, balanced with water, glass transition
temperature of resin component, -15.degree. C. (differential heat
initial rise) to -6.degree. C. (inflection point) Glycerine as
wetting agent 3.2% by mass 1,3-Butanediol as wetting agent 2% by
mass 2-Ethyl-1,3-hexanediol as penetrating agent 2% by mass
Fluorine based surfactant (number of carbon 1% by mass atoms
substituted with fluorine atoms = 4 to 16) Preservative anti-fungal
agent 0.05% by mass Amine based organic pH adjuster 0.6% by mass
Silicone emulsion based anti-foaming agent 0.1% by mass Water
balance
[0490] In the above ink composition, the total content of glycerine
and 1,3-butanediol as the wetting agents which were the liquids at
ambient temperature (25.degree. C.), 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol as the
penetrating agent which was the liquid at ambient temperature
(25.degree. C.) and the surfactant was 8.2% by mass. These
correspond to the liquid component which has the higher boiling
point than that of water and is the liquids at 25.degree. C.
[0491] The amount of water was 64.7% by mass, and the ratio of
water in the liquid component which was the liquid at ambient
temperature (25.degree. C.) was 88% by mass.
[0492] The content of the colorant which was the solid at ambient
temperature (25.degree. C.) was 3.8% by mass.
[0493] The resin component was the resin from the copper
phthalocyanine pigment-containing polymer fine particle dispersion
and the resin from the acryl silicone emulsion, and the total
amount thereof was 22.6% by mass.
[0494] The total content of the resin component was 85% by mass
from [22.6/(22.6+3.8)].times.100 relative to the total amount of
the colorant and the resin components.
[0495] The resin component here also includes the resin from the
copper phthalocyanine pigment-containing polymer fine particle
dispersion, and this is the same in the following Examples and
Comparative Examples.
EXAMPLE 2
--Preparation of Recording Ink--
[0496] An ink composition having the following formulation was
prepared, pH was adjusted and the composition was filtrated using a
membrane filter having an average pore diameter of 5 .mu.m to make
a recording ink.
[0497] <Ink Composition> TABLE-US-00004 Magenta
pigment-containing polymer fine particle 32% by mass dispersion of
Production Example 1-1 (solid content = 20% by mass, balanced with
water, colorant/resin in solid content (mass ratio) = 7.5/2.5)
Acryl silicone emulsion of Production Example 3 50% by mass (solid
content = 40% by mass, balanced with water, volume average particle
diameter 150 nm, glass transition temperature of resin component,
-15.degree. C. (differential heat initial rise) to -6.degree. C.
(inflection point) Glycerine as wetting agent 3.2% by mass
1,3-Butanediol as wetting agent 2% by mass 2-Ethyl-1,3-hexanediol
as penetrating agent 2% by mass Fluorine based surfactant (number
of carbon atoms 1% by mass substituted with fluorine atoms = 4 to
16) Preservative anti-fungal agent 0.05% by mass Amine based
organic pH adjuster 0.6% by mass Silicone emulsion based
anti-foaming agent 0.1% by mass Water balance
[0498] In the above ink composition, the total content of glycerine
and 1,3-butanediol as the wetting agents which were the liquids at
ambient temperature (25.degree. C.), 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol as the
penetrating agent which was the liquid at ambient temperature
(25.degree. C.) and the surfactant was 8.2% by mass. These
correspond to the liquid component which has the higher boiling
point than that of water and is the liquids at 25.degree. C.
[0499] The amount of water was 64.7% by mass, and the ratio of
water in the liquid component which was the liquid at ambient
temperature (25.degree. C.) was 89% by mass.
[0500] The content of the colorant which was the solid at ambient
temperature (25.degree. C.) was 4.8% by mass.
[0501] The resin component was the resin from the pigment
dispersion and the resin from the acryl silicone emulsion, and the
total amount thereof was 21.6% by mass.
[0502] The total content of the resin component was 82.0% by mass
from [21.61(21.6+4.8)].times.100 relative to the total amount of
the colorant and the resin components.
EXAMPLE 3
--Preparation of Recording Ink--
[0503] An ink composition having the following formulation was
prepared, pH was adjusted and the composition was filtrated using a
membrane filter having an average pore diameter of 5 .mu.m to make
a recording ink.
[0504] <Ink Composition> TABLE-US-00005 Yellow
pigment-containing polymer fine particle 32% by mass dispersion of
Production Example 1-3 (solid content = 20% by mass, balanced with
water, colorant/resin in solid content (mass ratio) = 6/4) Acryl
silicone emulsion of Production Example 3 50% by mass (solid
content = 40% by mass, balanced with water, volume average particle
diameter 150 nm, glass transition temperature of resin component,
-15.degree. C. (differential heat initial rise) to -6.degree. C.
(inflection point) Glycerine as wetting agent 3.2% by mass
1,3-Butanediol as wetting agent 2% by mass 2-Ethyl-1,3-hexanediol
as penetrating agent 2% by mass Fluorine based surfactant (number
of carbon atoms 1% by mass substituted with fluorine atoms = 4 to
16) Preservative anti-fungal agent 0.05% by mass Amine based
organic pH adjuster 0.6% by mass Silicone emulsion based
anti-foaming agent 0.1% by mass Water balance
[0505] In the above ink composition, the total content of glycerine
and 1,3-butanediol as the wetting agents which were the liquids at
ambient temperature (25.degree. C.), 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol as the
penetrating agent which was the liquid at ambient temperature
(25.degree. C.) and the surfactant was 8.2% by mass. These
correspond to the liquid component which has the higher boiling
point than that of water and is the liquids at 25.degree. C.
[0506] The amount of water was 64.7% by mass, and the ratio of
water in the liquid component which was the liquid at ambient
temperature (25.degree. C.) was 89% by mass.
[0507] The content of the colorant which was the solid at ambient
temperature (25.degree. C.) was 3.8% by mass.
[0508] The resin component was the resin from the pigment
dispersion and the resin from the acryl silicone emulsion, and the
total amount thereof was 22.6% by mass.
[0509] The total content of the resin component was 85.5% by mass
from [22.6/(22.6+3.8)].times.100 relative to the total amount of
the colorant and the resin components.
EXAMPLE 4
--Preparation of Recording Ink--
[0510] An ink composition having the following formulation was
prepared, pH was adjusted and the composition was filtrated using a
membrane filter having an average pore diameter of 5 .mu.m to make
a recording ink.
[0511] <Ink Composition> TABLE-US-00006 Carbon black
dispersion having hydrophilic 32% by mass group of Production
Example 2 (solid content = 20% by mass, balanced with water,
colorant/ resin in solid content (mass ratio) = 10/0) Acryl
silicone emulsion of Production 45% by mass Example 3 (solid
content = 40% by mass, balanced with water, volume average particle
diameter 150 nm, glass transition temperature of resin component,
-15.degree. C. (differential heat initial rise) to -6.degree. C.
(inflection point) 1,3-Butanediol as wetting agent 5% by mass
2-pyrrolidone as wetting agent 2% by mass 2-Ethyl-1,3-hexanediol as
penetrating agent 2% by mass Fluorine based surfactant (number of
carbon 1% by mass atoms substituted with fluorine atoms = 4 to 16)
Preservative anti-fungal agent 0.05% by mass Stabilizer 0.0005% by
mass Organic pH adjusters (two types) 0.65% by mass Silicone
emulsion based anti-foaming agent 0.1% by mass Water balance
[0512] In the above ink composition, the total content of
1,3-butanediol and 2-pyrrolidone as the wetting agents which were
the liquids at ambient temperature (25.degree. C.),
2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol as the penetrating agent which was the
liquid at ambient temperature (25.degree. C.) and the surfactant
was 10% by mass. These correspond to the liquid component which has
the higher boiling point than that of water and is the liquids at
250C.
[0513] The amount of water was 65% by mass, and the ratio of water
in the liquid component which was the liquid at ambient temperature
(25.degree. C.) was 87% by mass.
[0514] The content of the colorant which was the solid at ambient
temperature (25.degree. C.) was 6% by mass.
[0515] The resin component was the resin from the acryl silicone
emulsion, and the content thereof was 18% by mass.
[0516] The total content of the resin component was 75% by mass
from [18/(18+6)].times.100 relative to the total amount of the
colorant and the resin components.
[0517] For the inks for recording obtained in Examples 1 to 4,
surface tension, pH values and viscosity were measured as follows.
Results are shown in Table 1
<Measurement of pH Value>
[0518] The pH value was measured at 23.degree. C. using a pH meter,
Model HM3A (supplied from Toa Denpa Kogyo Co., Ltd.).
<Measurement of Viscosity>
[0519] The viscosity was measured at 25.degree. C. under the
condition of corn 34.times. R24, 180 rpm and after 3 minutes using
an RE500 type viscometer (supplied from Toki Sangyo Co., Ltd.).
<Measurement of Surface Tension>
[0520] The surface tension is a static surface tension measured at
25.degree. C. using a surface tension measurement apparatus (CBVP-Z
supplied from Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd.). TABLE-US-00007
TABLE 1 Viscosity Surface tension(mN/m) pH (mPa s) Example 1 24.7
9.28 5.17 Example 2 24.3 9.40 5.49 Example 3 24.2 9.25 5.22 Example
4 24.2 8.95 5.25
<Imaging Experiment>
[0521] Imaging was performed using obtained each ink by an inkjet
printer (G707 supplied from Ricoh Co., Ltd.).
[0522] As the paper, plain papers (T6200 paper supplied from Ricoh
Co., Ltd.) and papers for printing (supplied from Oji paper Co.,
Ltd.) which hardly absorbed the water were used. The transfer
amount of purified water to the recording medium was 3.1 mL/m.sup.2
for the contact time of 100 ms, and 3.5 mL/m.sup.2 for the contact
time of 400 ms measured for these papers using the dynamic scanning
absorptometer.
[0523] As a result, using any of the inks for recording, on the
plain paper supplied from Ricoh Co., Ltd., the image having no show
through, the high image density and no bleeding with good color
formation was obtained regardless of the plain paper.
[0524] On the POD gloss coated paper in which the water was hardly
permeated, the image having almost no problem in drying time was
obtained because almost no color smear occurs even when the image
is rubbed within one minute after printing. Furthermore, the image
on the POD gloss coat 100 g/m.sup.2 paper was sharp and close to
the printed matter.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1
[0525] An ink composition having the following formulation was
prepared, pH was adjusted and the composition was filtrated using a
membrane filter having an average pore diameter of 0.8 .mu.m to
make a recording ink.
[0526] <Ink Composition> TABLE-US-00008 Dimethyl quinacridone
pigment-containing polymer fine 33.5% by mass particle dispersion
of Production Example 1-1 (solid content = 20% by mass, balanced
with water, colorant/resin in solid content (mass ratio) = 7.5/2.5)
Acryl silicone emulsion of Production Example 3 (solid 25% by mass
content = 40% by mass, balanced with water, volume average particle
diameter 150 nm, glass transition temperature of resin component,
-15.degree. C. (differential heat initial rise) to -6.degree. C.
(inflection point) Glycerine as wetting agent 7.5% by mass
1,3-Butanediol as wetting agent 22.5% by mass
2-Ethyl-1,3-hexanediol as penetrating agent 2% by mass Fluorine
based surfactant 1% by mass Preservative anti-fungal agent 0.05% by
mass Amine based organic pH adjuster 0.6% by mass Silicone emulsion
based anti-foaming agent 0.1% by mass Water balance
[0527] In the above ink composition, the total content of glycerine
and 1,3-butanediol as the wetting agents which were the liquids at
ambient temperature (25.degree. C.), 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol as the
penetrating agent which was the liquid at ambient temperature
(25.degree. C.) and the surfactant was 33% by mass. These
correspond to the liquid component which has the higher boiling
point than that of water and is the liquids at 25.degree. C.
[0528] The amount of water was 49.5% by mass, and the ratio of
water in the liquid component which was the liquid at ambient
temperature (25.degree. C.) was 60% by mass.
[0529] The content of the colorant which was the solid at ambient
temperature (25.degree. C.) was 5% by mass.
[0530] The resin component was the resin from the pigment
dispersion and the resin from the acryl silicone emulsion, and the
total amount thereof was 11.7% by mass.
[0531] The total content of the resin component was 70% by mass
relative to the entire solid content.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2
[0532] An ink composition having the following formulation was
prepared, pH was adjusted and the composition was filtrated using a
membrane filter having an average pore diameter of 0.8 .mu.m to
make a recording ink.
[0533] <Ink Composition> TABLE-US-00009 Dimethyl quinacridone
pigment-containing polymer 54% by mass fine particle dispersion of
Production Example 1-1 (solid content = 20% by mass, balanced with
water, colorant/resin in solid content (mass ratio) = 7.5/2.5)
Acryl silicone emulsion of Production Example 3 9% by mass (solid
content = 40% by mass, balanced with water, volume average particle
diameter 150 nm, glass transition temperature of resin component,
-15.degree. C. (differential heat initial rise) to -6.degree. C.
(inflection point) Glycerine as wetting agent 7% by mass
1,3-Butanediol as wetting agent 22.5% by mass
2-Ethyl-1,3-hexanediol as penetrating agent 2% by mass Fluorine
based surfactant (number of carbon atoms 1% by mass substituted
with fluorine atoms = 4 to 16) Preservative anti-fungal agent 0.05%
by mass Amine based organic pH adjuster 0.6% by mass Silicone
emulsion based anti-foaming agent 0.1% by mass Water balance
[0534] In the above ink composition, the total content of glycerine
and 1,3-butanediol as the wetting agents which were the liquids at
ambient temperature (25.degree. C.), 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol as the
penetrating agent which was the liquid at ambient temperature
(25.degree. C.) and the surfactant was 32.5% by mass. These
correspond to the liquid component which has the higher boiling
point than that of water and is the liquids at 25.degree. C.
[0535] The amount of water was 52.3% by mass, and the ratio of
water in the liquid component which was the liquid at ambient
temperature (25.degree. C.) was 61.7% by mass.
[0536] The content of the colorant which was the solid at ambient
temperature (25.degree. C.) was 8.1% by mass.
[0537] The resin component was the resin from the pigment
dispersion and the resin from the acryl silicone emulsion, and the
total amount thereof was 6.3% by mass.
[0538] The total content of the resin component was 44% by mass
from [6.3/(6.3+8.1)].times.100 relative to the total amount of the
colorant and the resin components.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3
[0539] An ink composition having the following formulation was
prepared, pH was adjusted and the composition was filtrated using a
membrane filter having an average pore diameter of 0.8 .mu.m to
make an recording ink.
[0540] <Ink Composition> TABLE-US-00010 Dimethyl quinacridone
pigment-containing polymer 74% by mass fine particle dispersion of
Production Example 1-1 (solid content = 20% by mass, balanced with
water, colorant/resin in solid content (mass ratio) = 7.5/2.5)
Glycerine as wetting agent 7% by mass 1,3-Butanediol as wetting
agent 15% by mass 2-Ethyl-1,3-hexanediol as penetrating agent 2% by
mass Polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether based surfactant (Softal 1% by
mass EP-5035 supplied from Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.) Preservative
anti-fungal agent 0.05% by mass Amine based organic pH adjuster
0.2% by mass Silicone emulsion based anti-foaming agent 0.1% by
mass Water balance
[0541] In the above ink composition, the total content of glycerine
and 1,3-butanediol as the wetting agents which were the liquids at
ambient temperature (25.degree. C.), 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol as the
penetrating agent which was the liquid at ambient temperature
(25.degree. C.) and the surfactant was 25% by mass. These
correspond to the liquid component which has the higher boiling
point than that of water and is the liquids at 25.degree. C.
[0542] The amount of water was 59.9% by mass, and the ratio of
water in the liquid component which was the liquid at ambient
temperature (25.degree. C.) was 71% by mass.
[0543] The content of the colorant which was the solid at ambient
temperature (25.degree. C.) was 11% by mass.
[0544] The resin component was from the pigment dispersion and the
amount thereof was 3.7% by mass.
[0545] The total content of the resin component was 25% by mass
relative to the entire solid content.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 4
[0546] An ink composition having the following formulation was
prepared, pH was adjusted and the composition was filtrated using a
membrane filter having an average pore diameter of 0.8 .mu.m to
make a recording ink.
[0547] <Ink Composition> TABLE-US-00011 Dimethyl quinacridone
pigment-containing 29% by mass polymer fine particle dispersion of
Production Example 1-1 (solid content = 20% by mass, balanced with
water, colorant/resin in solid content (mass ratio) = 7.5/2.5)
Acryl silicone emulsion of Production 43% by mass Example 3 (solid
content = 40% by mass, balanced with water, volume average particle
diameter 150 nm, glass transition temperature of resin component,
-15.degree. C. (differential heat initial rise) to -6.degree. C.
(inflection point) Glycerine as wetting agent 6% by mass
3-methyl-1,3-Butanediol as wetting agent 19% by mass
2-Ethyl-1,3-hexanediol as penetrating agent 1.7% by mass Fluorine
based surfactant 0.85% by mass Preservative anti-fungal agent 0.05%
by mass Stabilizer 0.0005% by mass Amine based organic pH adjusters
(two types) 0.2% by mass Silicone emulsion based anti-foaming agent
0.1% by mass Water balance
[0548] In the above ink composition, the total content of glycerine
and 1,3-butanediol as the wetting agents which were the liquids at
ambient temperature (25.degree. C.), 2-pyrrolidone and
2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol as the penetrating agents which was the
liquid at ambient temperature (25.degree. C.) and the surfactant
was 28% by mass. These correspond to the liquid component which has
the higher boiling point than that of water and is the liquids at
25.degree. C.
[0549] The amount of water was 49% by mass, and the ratio of water
in the liquid component which was the liquid at ambient temperature
(25.degree. C.) was 64% by mass.
[0550] The content of the colorant which was the solid at ambient
temperature (25.degree. C.) was 4.4% by mass.
[0551] The resin component was from the pigment dispersion and from
the acryl silicone emulsion, and the total amount thereof was 18.7%
by mass.
[0552] The total content of the resin component was 81% by mass
relative to the entire solid content.
[0553] Subsequently, concerning the inks for recording of
Comparative Examples 1 to 4, the surface tension (25.degree. C.)
and the viscosity (25.degree. C.) were measured in the same way as
in Examples 1 to 4. The results are shown in Table 2.
TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 2 Surface tension(mN/m) Viscosity (mPa s)
Comparative Example 1 25.2 10.8 Comparative Example 2 25.7 8.2
Comparative Example 3 31.0 7.9 Comparative Example 4 26.3 23.2
<Imaging Experiments of Comparative Examples 1 to 4>
[0554] The imaging experiment was performed using the inks for
recording of Comparative Examples 1 to 4 in the same way as in
Examples 1 to 4. As a result, the inks of Comparative Examples 1, 2
and 3 were inferior in drying property on the paper for printing
(POD gloss coat 100 g/m.sup.2 paper supplied from Oji paper Co.,
Ltd.) compared with Examples. In particular, in Comparative Example
2, it was confirmed that the drying property was deteriorated when
a secondary color was made by overlaying with the other color
having the same composition. It seems to be caused because the
solid content is low whereas the solvent amount is large and the
ratio of water which easily evaporates is low in the solvent.
However, Comparative Example 1 is inferior in drying property on
the gloss paper compared with Example 1, but the solid content is
relatively high and the resin amount is large, and thus, the image
is good. It is possible to use on the gloss paper if the amount of
the adhered ink is adjusted to be low upon printing. In particular,
in Comparative Example 1, the resin amount is large and the solid
content is high, and thus the image quality on the paper for
printing (POD gloss coat 100 g/m.sup.2 paper supplied from Oji
paper Co., Ltd.) as well as on plain papers is also enhanced.
[0555] On the contrary, as in Examples 1 to 4, when the solid
content is 20% by mass or more and the ratio of water in the liquid
component is 85% by mass or more (i.e., the amount of the liquid
component which has the higher boiling point than that of water and
is the liquid at 25.degree. C. is small), the drying speed is high
and the quality of image is excellent even on the papers such as
papers for printing, which hardly absorb the water. In Comparative
Example 4, the solid content is high and the resin ratio in the
solid content is high but the wetting agent ratio is also high.
Thus, the ink viscosity becomes high and the spout become difficult
in some machines (but, since the solid content is high, if the
amount of the adhered ink is controlled and the spout is
stabilized, it is possible to use even on the gloss paper). In
Comparative Example 3, the image glossiness and marker resistance
were slightly inferior because the resin ratio is low.
TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 3 Resin ratio Total amount of Solid in solid
Water ratio liquid content* content* in liquid* component** Example
1 26.4 85 89.0 8.2 Example 2 26.4 82 89.0 8.2 Example 3 26.4 85
89.0 8.2 Example 4 24.0 75 87.0 10.0 Comparative 16.7 70 60.0 33.0
Example 1 Comparative 14.4 44 62.0 32.5 Example 2 Comparative 14.3
25 71.0 25.0 Example 3 Comparative 23.0 81 64.0 28.0 Example 4 *%
by mass **Liquid component which has the higher boiling point than
that of water and is the liquid at 25.degree. C. % by mass
[0556] Table 3 shows the ratio of components used in Examples 1 to
4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4. TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 4 40% by
mass 70% by More than Resin ratio in or more and less mass to 95%
by solid content than 70% by mass 95% by mass mass Fixing property:
Fixation and Image density is slightly inferior, image are good
reduced. Image glossiness: slightly inferior
[0557] The higher the ratio of the solid component at 25.degree. C.
is, the more the ink viscosity is, but when the amount of the solid
is increased, the ink viscosity is increased Since the ink
viscosity cannot be so increased, at most 50% by mass is a limit. A
lower limit of the solid amount is not particularly determined, but
10% by mass is required for assuring the image density. When the
wetting agent is at low concentration, to increase the viscosity to
some extent and make the image good, the solid amount is preferably
20% by mass or more. Problems when the viscosity is low and the
solid amount is changed are summarized in the following Table 5.
However, when emphasis is placed especially on the ejecting
reliability, it may be a case where the content of solid components
is set to 20% by mass or less to make the ink have a lower
viscosity. In such a case, setting the content of solid components
to 20% by mass or less is also useful in enhancing the drying
property of the ink on a recording medium having small water
absorbing capacity like the recording medium of the present
invention. TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 5 Amount of More than Less than
liquid 20% by 20 to 15% 3 to 15% 3% by component* mass by mass by
mass mass Solid 10 to 20% Drying Drying Drying Spout content by
mass speed on speed on speed on reliability 20 to 30% papers for
papers for papers for [C] by mass offset [D] offset [C] offset [B]
But, if required speed is low, it is possible to use 30 to 50%
Difficult to spout by mass depending on machines *Liquid component
which has the higher boiling point than that of water and is the
liquid at 25.degree. C.
[0558] As shown in Table 5, in terms of drying speed on the offset
coated paper, the wetting agent amount is preferably 20% by mass or
less and more preferably 15% by mass or less. But, at the low
imaging speed not affected by the drying, the above amount is not
limited as the above. Meanwhile, when the wetting agent amount is
less than 3% by mass, if the solid content is high, a spout
reliability is impaired. But, the ink is not absolutely used by
contriving the various maintenance mechanisms.
[0559] Here, the paper for printing means the smooth paper such as
POD gloss coat 100 g/m.sup.2 paper supplied from Oji paper Co.,
Ltd., which hardly absorbs the water compared with the common paper
specific for inkjet or the plain paper (not always identical to
intended uses indicated by manufacturers). These papers have no
water absorbing capacity which the papers specific for inkjet or
the plain papers have, and take a very long time for drying when
the common inkjet ink is used.
<Imaging Test After Inkjet Recording is Stopped for a Long
Time>
[0560] Subsequently, each recording ink of Examples 1 to 4 was
imaged using the inkjet printer (G707 supplied from Ricoh Co.,
Ltd.). At that time, the printing was stopped in the state where
the moisturizing cap was closed and about 0.1 cc of water was
placed therein, which was then stored. Thereafter, when 3 days had
passed, the printing with no clogging could be restarted. From
this, it was confirmed that it was effective to supply the water in
the moisturizing cap when being stopped. When no water was placed
in the cap, some clogging occurred upon restart, but the clogging
was removed by cleaning.
[0561] Each recording ink of Examples 1 to 4 was imaged using the
inkjet printer (G707 supplied from Ricoh Co., Ltd.). After being
suspended for one day, cyan and yellow could be imaged by all
channels, but the nozzle clogging occurred in 10% channels for
magenta. Thus, the printer was stored after being replacing with
the magenta ink of Comparative Example 2 in which the wetting agent
amount was large. After being stored, the imaging was performed by
replacing with the low wetting agent ink of Example 2 upon imaging
on the offset coated paper, and consequently the imaging was
possible with no problem.
[0562] This way, by making the ink used depending on the paper
medium the low wetting agent ink and using the high wetting agent
ink in storage, it is possible to image with fast drying even on
the paper for printing which hardly absorbs the water.
[0563] Instead of each recording ink of Examples 1 to 4, the
moisturizing liquid which contained 5% by mass of glycerine, 20% by
mass of butanediol and water as the balance and was adjusted pH=9
with the amine based pH adjuster was used. By changing to this
moisturizing liquid when being stopped for a long time, it was
possible to continue the imaging with no problem.
EXAMPLE 5
--Preparation of Recording Ink--
[0564] A recording ink of Example 5 was made in the same way as in
Example 1, except that fluorine based surfactant (number of carbon
atoms substituted with fluorine atoms=4 to 16) was changed to
polyether modified silicone based surfactant (product name KF-642
supplied from Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) in Example 1.
EXAMPLE 6
--Preparation of Recording Ink--
[0565] A recording ink of Example 6 was made in the same way as in
Example 2, except that fluorine based surfactant (number of carbon
atoms substituted with fluorine atoms=4 to 16) was changed to
polyether modified silicone based surfactant (product name KF-642
supplied from Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) in Example 2.
EXAMPLE 7
--Preparation of Recording Ink--
[0566] A recording ink of Example 7 was made in the same way as in
Example 3, except that fluorine based surfactant (number of carbon
atoms substituted with fluorine atoms=4 to 16) was changed to
polyether modified silicone based surfactant (product name KF-642
supplied from Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) in Example 3.
EXAMPLE 8
--Preparation of Recording Ink--
[0567] A recording ink of Example 8 was made in the same way as in
Example 4, except that fluorine based surfactant (number of carbon
atoms substituted with fluorine atoms=4 to 16) was changed to
polyether modified silicone based surfactant (product name KF-642
supplied from Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) in Example 4.
[0568] In the resulting respective inks of Examples 5 to 8, the
surface tension at 25.degree. C. was in the range of 26.+-.2 mN/m,
and the viscosity was 5.3.+-.0.4 mPas (25.degree. C.). In these
inks, the surface tension was hardly changed even when being stored
for a long time.
<Printing Experiment>
[0569] Concerning the resulting respective inks, the printing
experiment was performed in the same way as in Examples 1 to 4. As
a result, when any of the inks was used, the leveling property was
good and the beautiful image was obtained even on the POD gloss
coat 100 g/m.sup.2 paper having the poor water absorbing capacity.
And there was no problem in drying property.
EXAMPLE 9
[0570] A recording ink of Example 9 was made in the same way as in
Example 1, except that fluorine based surfactant (number of carbon
atoms substituted with fluorine atoms-=4 to 16) was changed to
nonionic polyoxyethylene based surfactant in Example 1.
[0571] In the resulting recording ink of Example 9, the surface
tension at 25.degree. C. was 30 mN/m, pH was 9.1 and the viscosity
was 5.3 mPas (25.degree. C.).
<Imaging Experiment>
[0572] Concerning the resulting ink, the imaging experiment was
performed in the same way as in Examples 1 to 4. As a result, the
image was good to some extent, but slightly inferior compared with
the case of using the silicone based surfactant or the fluorine
based surfactant.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 5
[0573] A recording ink of Comparative Example 5 was made in the
same way as in Example 2, except that fluorine based surfactant
(number of carbon atoms substituted with fluorine atoms=4 to 16)
and the penetrating agent were not added in Example 2.
[0574] In the resulting recording ink of Comparative Example 5, the
surface tension at 25.degree. C. was 40 mN/m or more, pH was 9.2
and the viscosity was 4.8 mPas (25.degree. C.).
<Imaging Experiment>
[0575] Concerning the resulting ink, the imaging experiment was
performed in the same way as in Examples 1 to 4. As a result, the
imaging was unstable probably because the surface tension of the
ink was high and the nozzle was hardly wetted.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 6
[0576] A recording ink was made in the same way as in Example 4,
except that the amount of the carbon black dispersion was changed
to 55% by mass and the amount of acryl silicone emulsion was
changed to 17% by mass in Example 4. In this ink, the resin ratio
in the solid content is 38% by mass, and the content of the liquid
component having the high boiling point, which was the liquid at
25.degree. C. was 7% by mass.
<Imaging Experiment>
[0577] Concerning the resulting ink, the imaging experiment was
performed in the same way as in Examples 1 to 4. As a result,
although the drying speed on the paper for printing was fast, the
color tone was opaque and the fixing property was slightly inferior
because the resin amount was small.
EXAMPLE 10
--Preparation of Ink Set and Ink Media Set--
[0578] An ink set of Example 10 was made by combining respective
inks of Examples 1 to 4. Performance evaluation was performed as
follows using this ink set and the following various papers for
recording.
<Paper for Recording (1)>
[0579] Commercially available paper (brand name: Aurora Coat,
weighing capacity=104.7 g/m.sup.2, supplied from Nippon Paper
Industries Co., Ltd.)
<Paper for Recording (2)>
[0580] POD gloss coat 100 g/m.sup.2 paper supplied from Oji paper
Co., Ltd.
<Paper for Recording (3)>
[0581] Commercially available matte coated paper for inkjet (brand
name: Super Fine supplied from Seiko Epson Corporation) Concerning
the above papers for recording, the transfer amount of purified
water was measured as follows. The results are shown in Table
6.
<Measurement of Transfer Amount of Water and Ink by Dynamic
Scanning Absorptometer>
[0582] Concerning the above papers for recording (1) to (3), an
absorption curve of purified water was made using the dynamic
scanning absorptometer (model: KS350D supplied from Kyowa Seiko
Co., Ltd.). The absorption curve was obtained by plotting the
transfer amount (mL/m.sup.2) with a square root of the contact time
and was a straight line with a certain slope. The transfer amount
after a certain time was determined by interpolation.
TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 6 Purified water Contact time Contact time 100
ms 400 ms Recording paper (1) 28 3.4 Recording paper (2) 3.1 3.5
Recording paper (3) 41.0 44.8
[0583] Subsequently, the printing was performed with a mode of high
grade and high image quality by using the ink set of Example 10,
using the above papers for recording (1) to (3) as the recording
medium and filling the ink in the inkjet printer (G707 supplied
from Ricoh Co., Ltd.).
[0584] Subsequently, concerning the resulting image prints, the
beading and the glossy feeling were evaluated as follows. The
results are shown in Table 7.
<Beading>
[0585] Levels of the beading in solid image portions of green and
red were visually observed, and evaluated by the following
criteria.
[Evaluation Criteria]
[0586] A: No beading and uniform printing [0587] B: Slight beading
[0588] C: Clear beading [0589] D: Remarkable beading <Evaluation
of Glossy Feeling>
[0590] Levels of the glossy feeling in the image portion was
visually observed, and evaluated by the following criteria.
[Evaluation Criteria]
[0591] A: High glossy feeling [0592] B: Normal glossy feeling
[0593] D: No glossy feeling TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 7 Ink set of
Example 10 Beading Gloss feeling Recording paper (1) B B Recording
paper (2) A B Recording paper (3) A C
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 7
--Preparation of Ink Set--
[0594] An ink set of Comparative Example 6 composed of the magenta
ink of Comparative Example 2, and a cyan ink having the same
composition as the magenta ink of the Comparative Example 2 other
than the magenta pigment, and a yellow ink (pigment: C.I. pigment
yellow 74) was prepared.
[0595] The printing was performed on the above paper for recording
(2) using this ink set of Comparative Example 7. When the ink at
the adhered amount similar to the ink adhered amount of the image
portion of Examples 1 to 4 was compared, the drying property was
inferior and the beading occurred in the secondary color. The
results are shown in Table 8. TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 8 Ink set of
Comparative Example 7 Beading Glossy feeling Recording paper (2) C
B
[0596] From the results of Tables 7 and 8, it is found that the ink
set of Example 10 is effective for enhancing the image quality in
the case of the paper having the small transfer amount of purified
water as compared with the ink set of Comparative Example 7. On the
papers for recording (1) and (2), drying of the ink of Comparative
Example 7 is slow and the ink causes the beading. When the printed
matters 20 seconds after the printing are overlaid, the set off
occurs. Furthermore, the ink set of Example 10 scarcely causes the
beading and the set off.
[0597] The paper for recording (2) and the ink set of Comparative
Example 7 can be used in some cases by controlling the ink drop
amount, but the ink set of Example 10 does not cause the beading at
the same ink drop amount. Taken together, the combination of the
ink set of Example 10 with the medium where the transfer amount of
purified water to the recording medium is 2 mL/m.sup.2 to 35
mL/m.sup.2 for the contact time of 100 ms and the transfer amount
of purified water to the recording medium is 3 mL/m.sup.2 to 40
mL/m.sup.2 for the contact time of 400 ms measured using the
dynamic scanning absorbing liquid meter is preferable.
[0598] Furthermore, viewing from the glossy feeling of the image,
the combination with the medium where the transfer amount of
purified water to the recording medium is 2 mL/M.sup.2 to 15
mL/M.sup.2 for the contact time of 100 ms and the transfer amount
of purified water to the recording medium is 3 mL/m.sup.2 to 20
mL/m.sup.2 for the contact time of 400 ms is more preferable. But
the paper for recording (3) can also be used although the image
quality is somewhat inferior.
EXAMPLE 11
[0599] An ink composition having the following formulation was
prepared, pH was adjusted and the composition was filtrated using a
membrane filter having an average pore diameter of 5 .mu.m to make
a magenta ink A.
[0600] --Formulation of Magenta Ink A-- TABLE-US-00019 Dimethyl
quinacridone pigment-containing polymer 32% by mass fine particle
dispersion of Production Example 1-1 Acryl silicone emulsion of
Production Example 3 36% by mass Glycerine 3% by mass Fluorine
based surfactant 1% by mass Preservative anti-fungal agent 0.05% by
mass Amine based organic pH adjuster 0.6% by mass Silicone emulsion
based anti-foaming agent 0.1% by mass Water balance
EXAMPLE 12
--Formulation of Cyan Ink A--
[0601] A cyan ink A of Example 12 was prepared in the same way as
in Example 11, except that the dimethyl quinacridone
pigment-containing polymer fine particle dispersion was changed to
the copper phthalocyanine pigment-containing polymer fine particle
dispersion in Example 11.
EXAMPLE 13
--Formulation of Yellow Ink A--
[0602] A yellow ink A of Example 13 was prepared in the same way as
in Example 11, except that the dimethyl quinacridone
pigment-containing polymer fine particle dispersion was changed to
the yellow pigment-containing polymer of Production Example 13 in
Example 11.
EXAMPLE 14
--Preparation of Magenta Ink B--
[0603] A magenta ink B of Example 14 was prepared in the same way
as in Example 11, except that the content of glycerine was changed
to 13% by mass in Example 11.
EXAMPLE 15
--Preparation of Cyan Ink B--
[0604] A cyan ink B of Example 15 was prepared in the same way as
in Example 12, except that the content of glycerine was changed to
13% by mass in Example 12.
EXAMPLE 16
--Preparation of Yellow Ink B--
[0605] A yellow ink B of Example 16 was prepared in the same way as
in Example 13, except that the content of glycerine was changed to
13% by mass in Example 13.
EXAMPLE A-1
--Preparation of Magenta Ink C--
[0606] A magenta ink C of Example A-1 was prepared in the same way
as in Example 11, except that the content of glycerine was changed
to 28% by mass.
EXAMPLE A-2
--Preparation of Cyan Ink C--
[0607] A cyan ink C of Example A-2 was prepared in the same way as
in Example 12, except that the content of glycerine was changed to
28% by mass.
EXAMPLE A-3 --Preparation of Yellow Ink C--
[0608] A yellow ink C of Example A-3 was prepared in the same way
as in Example 13, except that the content of glycerine was changed
to 28% by mass.
[0609] Subsequently, concerning the inks for recording of Examples
11 to 16 and Comparative Examples 7 to 9, the surface tension and
the viscosity were measured in the same way as in Examples 1 to 4.
The results are shown in Table 9. TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 9 Surface
Viscosity Ink tension (mPa s) Example 11 Magenta ink A 24.6 3.03
Example 12 Cyan ink A 24.5 2.78 Example 13 Yellow ink A 24.7 2.85
Example 14 Magenta ink B 24.5 4.41 Example 15 Cyan ink B 24.3 4.0
Example 16 Yellow ink B 24.3 4.1 Example A-1 Magenta ink C 23.5
8.71 Example A-2 Cyan ink C 23.7 8.07 Example A-3 Yellow ink C 23.5
8.26
[0610] In Examples 11 to 16 and Examples A-1 to A-3, the solid
content, the resin ratio in the solid content, the water ratio in
the liquid and the total amount of the liquid component were
calculated. The results are shown in Table 10. In the calculation
of the liquid component having the higher boiling point than that
of water, the amount of the fluorine based surfactant is included
in addition to the amount of the wetting agent. TABLE-US-00021
TABLE 10 Total amount Resin of Ratio in Water liquid Solid solid
ratio in compo- Ink Content* content* liquid* nent** Example 11
Magenta A 20.8 77 95 4 Example 14 Magenta B 20.8 77 82 14 Example
A-1 Magenta C 20.8 77 63 29 Example 12 Cyan A 20.8 82 95 4 Example
15 Cyan B 20.8 82 82 14 Eample A-2 Cyan C 20.8 82 63 29 Example 13
Yellow A 20.8 82 95 4 Example 16 Yellow B 20.8 82 82 14 Example A-3
Yellow C 20.8 82 63 29
[0611] The recording ink whose content of a wetting agent is 29% by
mass just as in Examples A-1, A-2, and A-3 was excellent in
ejecting reliability after leaving the nozzle intact for a long
time as compared to the recording ink whose content of a wetting
agent is 20% by mass or less just as in Examples 11 to 16.
Particularly in the recording medium of which the transfer amount
of purified water to the recording medium for a contact time of 100
ms is 2 mL/m.sup.2 to 35 mL/m.sup.2 and the transfer amount of
purified water to the recording medium for a contact time of 400 ms
is 3 mL/m.sup.2 to 40 mL/m.sup.2 measured using a dynamic scanning
absorbing liquid meter, the drying speed of the recorded image was
slow with a large amount of the content of a wetting agent because
the absorbing speed of the ink was slow.
[0612] When attaching importance to the drying speed, it is
appropriate to set the content of a wetting agent to 20% by mass or
less and use an inkjet recording method in which the recording ink
is replaced with a moisturizing agent when the total content of
solid components is 20% by mass or more, the content of the wetting
agent is reduced to 20% by mass or less, and inkjet recording is
stopped for a long time, and the moisturizing agent is replaced
with the recording ink when inkjet recording is restarted. In
addition, when inkjet recording is stopped for a long time, it is
appropriate to use a method of supplying the moisturizing agent to
a capping unit configured to cap the nozzle of the recording
head.
[0613] In contrast, when attaching importance to the ejecting
reliability, for paper containing a large amount of a wetting agent
and having ink-absorbing speed is slow as those mentioned above, in
order to prevent offset of overlaid recorded images caused due to
slow drying speed, it is appropriate to take much time in drying
recorded images or to provide a drying unit configured to forcedly
dry recorded images.
[0614] The solid content of the recording ink of the present
invention is more increased to 20% by mass or more as compared to
those of conventional inks in order to make the colorant left on
the paper and then to increase the image density. When the solid
content is high like this, the ejecting reliability of the
recording ink is degraded, and thus, in the present invention, not
only to increase the content of a wetting agent but also to use a
pigment of a polymer emulsion type containing a coloring material
which is water insoluble or hardly water soluble in highly reliable
polymer fine particles even when the content of solid components is
high. Further, a large amount of solid content contributes to
improvement in drying recorded images.
[0615] The reason why the ratio of glycerine is increased as a
wetting agent is that glycerine has extremely higher equilibrium
moisture content than those of other wetting agents, allows for
controlling moisture evaporation speed and allows for preventing
ink coagulation after drying the ink. Glycerine has another
advantage of not increasing the ink viscosity as much as the other
solvents even when the same content of a wetting agent is
contained.
[0616] A recording medium of which the transfer amount of purified
water to the recording medium for a contact time of 100 ms is 2
mL/m.sup.2 to 35 mL/m.sup.2, and the transfer amount of purified
water to the recording medium for a contact time of 400 ms is 3
mL/m.sup.2 to 40 mL/m.sup.2 has a relatively strong force of
masking a coloring material, and thus to increase the image
density, it is essential that the coloring material remains on the
surface of the recording medium. For the reason, a dye ink is
hardly able to exhibit the image density because a colorant is
infiltrated internally to a recording medium. In such a recording
medium, by containing a pigment ink having a high concentration of
a resin and a high concentration of solids, the colorant further
remains on the recording medium to make the image density more
excellent.
[0617] The following experiment actually confirmed the descriptions
set forth.
EXAMPLE B-1
[0618] A recording ink having the following formulation was
prepared. TABLE-US-00022 Polymer fine particle dispersion
containing a copper 38% by mass % by mass phthalocyanine pigment of
Production Example 1-2 (solid content = 20% by mass, balanced with
water, colorant/resin (mass ratio) 6/4 in the solid content) Acryl
silicone emulsion of Production Example 3 (solid 36% by mass
content = 40% by mass, balanced with water, volume average particle
diameter = 150 nm, glass transition temperature of resin component,
-15.degree. C. (differential heat initial rise) to -6.degree. C.
(inflection point) was concentrated to adjust the solid content to
55% by mass 1,3-butandiol as wetting agent 19% by mass Glycerine as
wetting agent 6% by mass Fluorine based surfactant (number of
carbon atoms 1% by mass substituted with fluorine atoms = 4 to 16)
Preservative anti-fungal agent 0.05% by mass Amine based organic pH
adjuster 0.6% by mass Silicone emulsion based anti-foaming agent
0.1% by mass Water balance
[0619] The recording ink of Example B-1 was a cyan ink of high
solid content containing a wetting agent in a content of 25% by
mass and having a total solid content of 26% by mass.
EXAMPLE B-2
[0620] A magenta ink of a high solid content containing a wetting
agent in a content of 25% by mass and having a total solid content
of 26% by mass was prepared in the same manner as in Example B1,
except that the polymer fine particle dispersion containing a
copper phthalocyanine pigment of Production 1-2 was changed to the
polymer fine particle dispersion containing a dimethylquinacridone
of Production 1-1.
EXAMPLE B-3
[0621] A cyan ink of a high solid content containing a wetting
agent in a content of 25% by mass and having a total solid content
of 26% by mass was prepared in the same manner as in Example B-1,
except that the polymer fine particle dispersion containing the
copper phthalocyanine pigment of Production 1-2 was changed to the
polymer fine particle dispersion containing the yellow pigment of
Production 1-3.
[0622] Next, for the respective recording inks of Examples B-1 to
B-3, the viscosity at a temperature of 25 .degree. C. was measured
in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 11 shows the measurement
results. TABLE-US-00023 TABLE 11 Viscosity (mPa s) Example B-1 12.8
Example B-2 12.3 Example B-3 15.2
EXAMPLES C-1 to C-3
[0623] A cyan recording ink, a magenta recording ink, and a yellow
recording ink of Examples C-1 to C-3 each containing a wetting
agent in a content of 15% by mass and having a total solid content
of 31% by mass were prepared in the same manner as in Examples B-1
to B-3, except that the content of the colorant dispersion was
changed to 42% by mass, the content of acryl silicone emulsion was
changed to 42% by mass, the content of 1,3-butanediol as a wetting
agent was changed to 11% by mass, and the content of glycerine was
changed to 4% by mass.
[0624] Next, for the respective recording inks of Examples C-1 to
C-3, the viscosity at a temperature of 25.degree. C. was measured
in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 12 shows the measurement
results. TABLE-US-00024 TABLE 12 Viscosity (mPa s) Example C-1 12.5
Example C-2 11.7 Example C-3 12.8
[0625] The recording inks of Examples C-1 to C-3 were made to have
a large amount of solid components and a less amount of a wetting
agent of 15% by mass, and the recording inks of Examples B-1 to B-3
were made to have a less amount of solid components of 26% by mass
and a high content of the wetting agent of 25% by mass.
[0626] Since both of the recording inks Examples B-1 to B-3 and C-1
to C-3 had a large amount of solid components of 20% by mass or
more, the image density printed on regular paper (T6200,
manufactured by Ricoh Company Ltd.) was extremely high and resulted
in excellent images without substantially causing offsets (see FIG.
19). In contrast, even though such an ink of high solid
concentration was used, the ejecting reliability was excellent
because a pigment of a polymer emulsion type containing a coloring
material which is insoluble or hardly water soluble in polymer fine
particles was used therein. However, the recording inks of Examples
C-1 to C-3 of which the solid content was set to 31% by mass and
the content of the wetting agent was set to 15% by mass sometimes
caused disjoining of the nozzle in an early stage of recording
after making the recording ink left intact, due to the extremely
high solid content. The recording inks of Examples B-1 to B-3 of
which the content of the wetting agent was set to 25% by mass
allows for stable ejecting, although they respectively have a high
solid content. For the inkjet printer, G707 manufactured by Ricoh
Company Ltd. was used.
[0627] In the meanwhile, the respective recording inks were
evaluated as to the drying property when recorded on paper of POD
GLOSS COAT 100 g/m.sup.2 manufactured by OJI Paper Co.
[0628] As compared to the recording inks of Examples C-1 to C-3, it
took long time to dry the recording inks of Examples B-1 to B-3
having a large content of the wetting agent. FIG. 20 is a view
showing a relation between the adhered amount of recording ink at
green solid parts and the drying time required to dry the ink
adhered on a chromatography paper.
[0629] The paper of GLOSS COAT 100 g/m.sup.2 was heated before
recording an image thereon, and then the image was recorded on the
paper with the use of recording inks of Examples C-1 to C-3,
respectively.
[0630] As the result, the drying speed was shortened to one-half or
less of the recording speed when the paper was not heated. The
drying speed of recorded image was considerably shortened by
heating an image in the course of recording or by drying the
recorded image using a dryer equipped with a heat roller.
[0631] It was found that even though such an ink of high solid
concentration was used, the ejecting reliability of the ink could
be increased by setting the content of a wetting agent to 25% by
mass or more, and even when the drying time was prolonged because
the recording ink containing such a large amount of the wetting
agent was directly used to record an image on paper having low
ink-absorbability like GLOSS COAT 100 g/m.sup.2, it could endure
high-speed recording by heating and drying the paper before and
after the recording.
EXAMPLE D-1
[0632] A recording ink having the following formulation was
prepared. TABLE-US-00025 Polymer fine particle dispersion
containing a 45% by mass copper phthalocyanine pigment of
Production % by mass Example 1-2 (solid content = 20% by mass,
balanced with water, colorant/resin (mass ratio) 6/4 in the solid
content) Acryl silicone emulsion of Production Example 3 10% by
mass (solid content = 40% by mass, balanced with water, volume
average particle diameter = 150 nm, glass transition temperature of
resin component, -15.degree. C. (differential heat initial rise) to
-6.degree. C. (inflection point) 1,3-butandiol as wetting agent 24%
by mass Glycerine as wetting agent 8% by mass Fluorine based
surfactant (number of carbon atoms 1% by mass substituted with
fluorine atoms = 4 to 16) Preservative anti-fungal agent 0.05% by
mass Amine based organic pH adjuster 0.6% by mass Silicone emulsion
based anti-foaming agent 0.1% by mass Water balance
[0633] The recording ink of Example D-1 was a cyan ink of high
solid content containing a wetting agent in a content of 32% by
mass and having a total solid content of 13% by mass.
EXAMPLE D-2
[0634] A cyan ink of a high solid content containing a wetting
agent in a content of 32% by mass and having a total solid content
of 13% by mass was prepared in the same manner as in Example D-1,
except that the polymer fine particle dispersion containing the
copper phthalocyanine pigment of Production 1-2 was changed to the
polymer fine particle dispersion containing the
dimethylquinacridone pigment of Production 1-1.
EXAMPLE D-3
[0635] A cyan ink of a high solid content containing a wetting
agent in a content of 32% by mass and having a total solid content
of 13% by mass was prepared in the same manner as in Example D-1,
except that the polymer fine particle dispersion containing the
copper phthalocyanine pigment of Production 1-2 was changed to the
polymer fine particle dispersion containing the yellow pigment of
Production 1-3.
[0636] Next, for the respective recording inks of Examples D-1 to
D-3, the viscosity at a temperature of 25.degree. C. was measured
in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 13 shows the measurement
results. TABLE-US-00026 TABLE 13 Viscosity (mPa s) Example D-1 8.17
Example D-2 8.03 Example D-3 8.65
EXAMPLES E-1 to E-3
[0637] A cyan recording ink, a magenta recording ink, and a yellow
recording ink of Examples E-1 to E-3 were prepared in the same
manner as in Examples D-1 to D-3, except that 1,3-butanediol used
as a wetting agent was changed to glycerine.
[0638] Next, for the respective recording inks of Examples E-1 to
E-3, the viscosity at a temperature of 25 .degree. C. was measured
in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 14 shows the measurement
results. TABLE-US-00027 TABLE 14 Viscosity (mPa s) Example E-1 6.76
Example E-2 6.61 Example E-3 6.91
[0639] The results shown in Table 14 demonstrated that when
1,3-butanediol used as a wetting agent is changed to glycerine, it
makes possible to keep the ink viscosity low even with the same
content of the wetting agent, and it is easy to make the ink to
have a high solid content.
[0640] In a Schale, 0.5 g of each of the inks was placed in the
environment of air conditioned air stream of humidity of 53% RH and
a temperature of 23.degree. C., and then the amount of evaporation
was determined.
[0641] The evaporation rate of water of the recording inks of
Examples E-1 to E-3 containing glycerine alone as a wetting agent
was slightly slow from the early stage, and after a lapse of time,
a large difference in evaporation amount was observed between the
recording inks of Examples D-1 to D-3 and the recording inks of
Examples E-1 to E-3 (see FIG. 21). This is because the difference
in equilibrium moisture content of the wetting agent affects the
evaporation rate. An increased amount of glycerine as a wetting
agent in a recording ink like this was useful in preventing low
viscosity and evaporation of moisture of the recording ink, and
particularly in the case of a recording ink having a high solid
content, it allowed for preventing solidification of the ink due to
drying and allowed for greatly enhancing the ejecting reliability.
TABLE-US-00028 TABLE 15 Total amount of liquid component Ink
Example 17 Ink set A 4% by mass Magenta A Cyan A Yellow A Example
18 Ink set B 14% by mass Magenta B Cyan B Yellow B Comparative Ink
set C 29% by mass Magenta C Cyan C Yellow C Example 8
[0642] Using the ink sets A to C shown in Table 15, the imaging was
performed on the gloss paper (POD gloss coat 100 g/m.sup.2 paper
supplied from Oji paper Co., Ltd.) using the inkjet printer (G707
supplied from Ricoh Co., Ltd.).
[0643] The relationship between the ink adhered amount and the
drying time at that time was shown in FIG. 13. After printing, the
filter paper was pushed down on the printed site, the value when
the amount adhered onto the filter paper was largely reduced was
rendered the drying time, and its relation with the ink adhered
amount was evaluated.
[0644] It is evident that the drying time is related to the amount
of the liquid (majority is the wetting agent of glycerine) which
has the higher boiling point than that of water and is the liquid
at 25.degree. C. When 20 g/m.sup.2 or more of the ink adhered
amount is required, to dry within one minute, the ink set C is
insufficient, and the amount of the wetting agent (including the
fluorine based surfactant) is preferably 20% by mass or less. But,
this is absolutely relative, and when the imaging time may be
sufficiently slow, the amount of the wetting agent may be further
increased.
[0645] From the above results, it is confirmed that the evaporation
speed of water is effective in the inkjet printing on the papers
such as gloss papers where the water permeability is low,
especially when the amount of ink adhered per unit area is
large.
[0646] In that case, to make the drying sufficiently rapid, it is
better that the amount of the wetting agent is small. This is
essentially different from a conventional line of thought where
only permeation rate limiting is considered in the inkjet printing
of a super permeable system with low surface tension. Meanwhile,
when the solid content is higher, it seems that the liquid amount
which exceeds the acceptable amount is small, which is good for
drying. However, when the amount of the wetting agent is not
changed and the solid content is increased, the wetting
agent+equilibrium aqueous content are left on the paper surface,
which worsens the drying property. In brief it seems that the
amount of wetting agent affects the drying property, and there is
the suitable combination of the solid content and the wetting agent
amount.
[0647] To prove the mechanism that the water evaporation is
effective for the drying, it is necessary to identify that the
water evaporation occurs at this speed.
[0648] FIG. 14 shows the direct measurement of the ink evaporation
speed on the green solid portion after being printed on the gloss
paper using the ink set C. FIG. 15 shows cumulative values of the
evaporation amounts. Concerning the drying time of the adhered ink
on the filter paper, it takes about one minute to largely reduce
the adhered ink on the filter paper, but it takes about 3.5 minutes
to completely not adhere onto the filter paper. This time
corresponds to the cumulative evaporation amount about 70% of the
water amount capable of being finally evaporated, calculated from
the equilibrium aqueous content of glycerine, indicating that the
water evaporation amount in the ink is sufficiently related to the
drying time of the adhered ink on the filter paper.
[0649] This way, it is thought that the evaporation of the ink is
sufficiently related to the drying property on the gloss paper
having the low water absorbing capacity, and that the water
evaporation in the ink affects the drying on the gloss paper even
using the ink having the super permeation with low surface tension.
Thus, it seems that the amount of the wetting agent is largely
involved in the drying property on the gloss paper.
EXAMPLE 19
--Preparation of Magenta Ink--
[0650] A magenta ink having the following compostion was made.
TABLE-US-00029 Magenta pigment-containing polymer fine particle 32%
by mass dispersion of Production Example 1-1 (solid content 20% by
mass) Emulsion resin aqueous solution of Production 36% by mass
Example 3 (solid content 40% by mass) Glycerine 3% by mass Fluorine
based surfactant (FS-300 supplied from 2.5% by mass DuPont)
Preservative anti-fungal agent (Proxel supplied from 0.05% by mass
Zeneca) Amine based pH adjuster 0.6% by mass Silicone based
anti-foaming agent 0.1% by mass Water balance
[0651] In the resulting magenta ink, the viscosity and the surface
tension measured in the same way as in Example I were 3.03 mPas and
24.8 mN/m, respectively. The total solid content in the ink was 21%
by mass, and the resin amount in the total solid content was 77% by
mass.
EXAMPLE 20
--Preparation of Cyan Ink--
[0652] A cyan ink was made in the same way as in Example 19, except
that the dispersion of Example 19 was changed to the copper
phthalocyanine pigment-containing polymer fine particle dispersion
of Production Example 1-2.
[0653] In the resulting cyan ink, the viscosity and the surface
tension measured in the same way as in Example 1 were 2.78 mPas and
24.3 mN/m, respectively. The total solid content in the ink was 21%
by mass, and the resin amount in the total solid content was 82% by
mass.
EXAMPLE 21
--Preparation of Yellow Ink--
[0654] A yellow ink was made in the same way as in Example 19,
except that the dispersion of Example 19 was changed to the monoazo
yellow pigment-containing polymer fine particle dispersion of
Production Example 1-3.
[0655] In the resulting yellow ink, the viscosity and the surface
tension measured in the same way as in Example 1 were 2.85 mPas and
24.7 mN/m, respectively. The total solid content in the ink was 21%
by mass, and the resin amount in the total solid content was 82% by
mass.
EXAMPLE 22
--Preparation of Magenta Ink--
[0656] A magenta ink was made in the same way as in Example 19,
except that the content of glycerine in Example 19 was changed to
13% by mass.
[0657] In the resulting magenta ink, the viscosity and the surface
tension measured in the same way as in Example 1 were 4.41 mPas and
24.5 mN/m, respectively. The total solid content in the ink was 21%
by mass, and the resin amount in the total solid content was 77% by
mass.
EXAMPLE 23
--Preparation of Cyan Ink--
[0658] A cyan ink was made in the same way as in Example 20, except
that the content of glycerine in Example 20 was changed to 13% by
mass.
[0659] In the resulting cyan ink, the viscosity and the surface
tension measured in the same way as in Example 1 were 4.00 mPas and
24.6 mN/m, respectively. The total solid content in the ink was 21%
by mass, and the resin amount in the total solid content was 82% by
mass.
EXAMPLE 24
--Preparation of Yellow Ink--
[0660] A yellow ink was made in the same way as in Example 21,
except that the content of glycerine in Example 21 was changed to
13% by mass.
[0661] In the resulting yellow ink, the viscosity and the surface
tension measured in the same way as in Example 1 were 4.1 mPas and
24.3 mN/m, respectively. The total solid content in the ink was 21%
by mass, and the resin amount in the total solid content was 82% by
mass.
EXAMPLE 25
--Preparation of Magenta Ink--
[0662] A magenta ink was made in the same way as in Example 19,
except that the content of glycerine in Example 19 was changed to
28% by mass.
[0663] In the resulting magenta ink, the viscosity and the surface
tension measured in the same way as in Example 1 were 8.71 mPa-s
and 24.1 mN/m, respectively. The total solid content in the ink was
21% by mass, and the resin amount in the total solid content was
77% by mass.
EXAMPLE 26
--Preparation of Cyan Ink--
[0664] A cyan ink was made in the same way as in Example 20, except
that the content of glycerine in Example 20 was changed to 28% by
mass.
[0665] In the resulting cyan ink, the viscosity and the surface
tension measured in the same way as in Example 1 were 8.07 mPas and
23.8 mN/m, respectively. The total solid content in the ink was 21%
by mass, and the resin amount in the total solid content was 82% by
mass.
EXAMPLE 27
--Preparation of Yellow Ink--
[0666] A yellow ink was made in the same way as in Example 21,
except that the content of glycerine in Example 21 was changed to
28% by mass.
[0667] In the resulting yellow ink, the viscosity and the surface
tension measured in the same way as in Example 1 were 8.26 mPas and
23.5 mN/m, respectively. The total solid content in the ink was 21%
by mass, and the resin amount in the total solid content was 82% by
mass.
[0668] Subsequently, the printing was performed using the ink sets
of Examples 19 to 21 (ink set I), Examples 22 to 24 (ink set II )
and Examples 25 to 27 (ink set III) and using the inkjet printer
(G-707 supplied from Ricoh Co., Ltd.), and the following evaluation
was performed.
[0669] As the recording medium, those obtained by cutting polyester
film (brand name: Lumira-75-T60 supplied from Toray Industries,
Inc.) into an A4 size were used.
<Polyester Film Imaging Evaluation-Drying Property Evaluation
1>
[0670] The image where solid images of secondary colors (green,
red, blue) of 2 mm square were arranged vertically and horizontally
with an interval of 0.3 mm was printed at various modes. The filter
paper 5A from Advantech was pushed down on the image portion, and
the time when the ink was not adhered onto the filter paper was
rendered a drying termination time.
[0671] As a result, in the ink set I, when the ink imaging
(secondary color: green) was performed at the mode of 20 g/m.sup.2
of the adhered amount, the ink was not adhered onto the filter
paper within 150 seconds. The fixing property evaluated by an
eraser or finger contact was sufficient. The solid image portion
had the visually uniform density. For the letters, the clear
letters with good fixing property were obtained.
[0672] Meanwhile, in the ink set II, even when the adhered amount
was small which was about 8 g/m.sup.2, the drying did not terminate
after 20 minutes had passed. In the ink set III, the drying time
was longer. It took one day or more to obtain the good fixing
property evaluated by the eraser or the finger contact.
[0673] But, in the ink sets II and III, after several days had
passed, the fixing property was enhanced, and thus they can not be
always used depending on the purpose.
[0674] If a drying step by a dryer or a microwave oven is added,
the drying terminates in a short time even in the ink sets II and
III.
<Polyester Film Imaging Evaluation-Drying Property Evaluation
2>
[0675] Instead of the solid image in the drying property evaluation
1, the solid image of 1 cm square was printed and the drying
property was evaluated. As a result, in the ink set I, when the
printing was performed at the adhered amount of 20 g/m.sup.2,
although the ink was dried from the periphery, it took 5 minutes or
more to dry the central portion. A dense portion in the image
density was produced in the central portion and toward to diagonal
portions.
[0676] To avoid this, by sequentially printing the solid imaging of
2 mm square with shifting the time and the place, the considerably
uniform solid image was obtained.
<Evaluation of Imaging on Gloss Paper>
[0677] The printing was performed on the POD gloss coated 100
g/m.sup.2 paper supplied from Oji paper Co., Ltd. In this paper,
the transfer amount of purified water to the recording medium is
3.1 mL/m.sup.2 for the contact time of 100 ms and the transfer
amount of purified water to the recording medium is 3.5 mL/m.sup.2
for the contact time of 400 ms measured using the dynamic scanning
absorbing liquid meter.
[0678] Each drying time in the ink sets I, II and III are shown in
FIG. 16.
[0679] This way, the difference of the drying property due to the
wetting agent (glycerine) amount also appears in the gloss paper
for printing which has the relatively low water absorbing capacity.
Any of the image quality was good, but when the adhered ink amount
is large, in the ink in which the amount of the wetting agent is
large in the ink set III, contrasting density easily occurs in the
solid image portion (referred to as the beading).
<Evaluation of Imaging on Plain Paper>
[0680] The imaging was performed on the plain paper, the brand name
of T6200 supplied from Ricoh Co., Ltd. In the case of the plain
paper, the density on the backside becomes high, which prevents
both side copying. However, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, in the ink
set 1 in which the content of glycerine was 3% by mass, the image
quality suitable for the both side copying was obtained because the
backside density is lower relative to the surface density.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 9 to 11
[0681] Inks of Comparative Examples 9 to 11 were made in the same
way as in Examples 19 to 21, except that the amount of the emulsion
resin aqueous solution of Production Example 3 was 10% by mass in
the inks of Examples 19 to 21.
[0682] In the resulting each ink, the total solid content in the
ink was 10% by mass, and the resin amount in the total solid
content was 54% by mass (magenta) to 63% by mass (cyan,
yellow).
[0683] Subsequently, concerning each ink of Comparative Examples 9
to 11, when the printing was performed on the polyester film, the
drying was slow because the total solid content is low, the fixing
property was poor because the resin ratio in the solid content is
low, and the image was not sharp.
[0684] When the amount of the emulsion resin aqueous solution
(solid content 40% by mass) of Production Example 3 was changed to
10% by mass in Examples 25 to 27, the similar results were
obtained.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 12
[0685] A pigment surfactant dispersion having the following
composition was prepared.
[0686] C.I. pigment blue 15:3 (100 g), 24.8 g of
polyoxyethyleneoleyl ether ammonium sulfate and 175.2 g of purified
water were mixed, dispersed using a wet sand mill, then 414.3 g of
purified water was added and mixed, and rough particles were
eliminated by centrifuging the mixture to prepare a cyan pigment
dispersion containing 14% by mass of the pigment and 17.5% by mass
of the solid content.
[0687] Subsequently, a cyan ink was made in the same way as in
Example 20, except that the pigment surfactant dispersion made
above was used in place of the cyan pigment dispersion in Example
20.
[0688] In the resulting cyan ink, the solid content in the cyan ink
was 20% by mass, the resin ratio in the solid content was 78% by
mass, and the wetting agent content was 4% by mass.
[0689] The resulting cyan ink was the surfactant pigment dispersion
ink in which the amount of the wetting agent was small, and the
spout stability was poor.
EXAMPLE 28
--Preparation of Magenta Ink--
[0690] A magenta ink having the following compostion was made.
TABLE-US-00030 Magenta dispersion of Production Example 1-1 (solid
32% by mass content 20% by mass) Emulsion of Production Example 3
(solid content 40% 50% by mass by mass) 1,3-Butanediol 2% by mass
Glycerine 3% by mass 2-Ethyl-1,3-hexanediol 2% by mass Fluorine
based surfactant 1% by mass Amine based pH adjuster 0.6% by mass
Silicone based anti-foaming agent 0.1% by mass Preservative
ant-fungal agent 0.05% by mass Water balance
[0691] In the resulting magenta ink, the viscosity and the surface
tension measured in the same way as in Example 1 were 5.49 mPas and
24.3 mN/m, respectively. The solid content in the ink was 26% by
mass, the resin ratio in the solid content was 82% by mass, and the
wetting agent content was 5% by mass (the total content of the
liquid components having higher boiling point than that of water
and being liquid at 25.degree. C. was 8% by mass).
EXAMPLE 29
--Preparation of Cyan Ink--
[0692] A cyan ink was made in the same way as in Example 28, except
that the cyan dispersion of Production Example 1-2 was used in
place of the magenta dispersion in Example 28.
[0693] In the resulting cyan ink, the viscosity and the surface
tension measured in the same way as in Example 1 were 5.1 7 mPas
and 24.7 mN/m, respectively. The solid content in the ink was 26%
by mass, the resin ratio in the solid content was 86% by mass, and
the wetting agent content was 5% by mass (the total content of the
liquid components having higher boiling point than that of water
and being liquid at 25.degree. C. was 8% by mass).
EXAMPLE 30
--Preparation of Yellow Ink--
[0694] A yellow ink was made in the same way as in Example 29,
except that the yellow dispersion of Production Example 1-3 was
used in place of the cyan dispersion in Example 29 and the
polyether modified silicone based surfactant (brand name: KF-642
supplied from Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was used in place of
the fluorine based surfactant.
[0695] In the resulting yellow ink, the viscosity and the surface
tension measured in the same way as in Example I were 5.22 mPas and
25.2 mN/m, respectively. The solid content in the ink was 26% by
mass, the resin ratio in the solid content was 86% by mass, and the
wetting agent content was 5% by mass (the total content of the
liquid components having higher boiling point than that of water
and being liquid at 25.degree. C. was 8% by mass).
[0696] The above inks of Examples 28 to 30 were rapidly dried even
when the polyester film was used as the recording medium because
they contained the wetting agent in a small amount similarly to the
inks of Examples 19 to 21.
EXAMPLE 31
--Preparation of Magenta Ink--
[0697] A magenta ink having the following composition was made.
TABLE-US-00031 Magenta dispersion of Production Example 1-1 (solid
42% by mass content 20% by mass) Emulsion obtained by concentrating
the emulsion of 42.5% by mass Production Example 3 to make 55% by
mass of the solid content (solid content 55% by mass)
1,3-Butanediol 11.5% by mass Glycerine 3.8% by mass
2-Ethyl-1,3-hexanediol 1% by mass Fluorine based surfactant 2% by
mass Amine based pH adjuster 0.6% by mass Silicone based
anti-foaming agent 0.1% by mass Preservative ant-fungal agent 0.05%
by mass Water balance
EXAMPLE 32
--Preparation of Cyan Ink--
[0698] A cyan ink was made in the same way as in Example 31, except
that the dispersion in Example 31 was changed to the cyan
dispersion (solid content 20% by mass) of Production Example
1-2.
EXAMPLE 33
--Preparation of Yellow Ink--
[0699] A yellow ink was made in the same way as in Example 31,
except that the dispersion in Example 31 was changed to the yellow
dispersion (solid content 20% by mass) of Production Example
1-3.
EXAMPLE 34
--Preparation of Magenta Ink--
[0700] A magenta ink was made in the same way as in Example 31,
except that the amounts of the pigment dispersion (solid content
20% by mass), the emulsion, 1,3-butanediol and glycerine in Example
31 were changed to 38% by mass, 36.3% by mass, 19.3% by mass and
6.5% by mass, respectively.
EXAMPLE 35
--Preparation of Cyan Ink--
[0701] A cyan ink was made in the same way as in Example 32, except
that the amounts of the pigment dispersion (solid content 20% by
mass), the emulsion, 1,3-butanediol and glycerine in Example 32
were changed to 38% by mass, 36.3% by mass, 19.3% by mass and 6.5%
by mass, respectively.
EXAMPLE 36
--Preparation of Yellow Ink--
[0702] A yellow ink was made in the same way as in Example 33,
except that the amounts of the pigment dispersion (solid content
20% by mass), the emulsion, 1,3-butanediol and glycerine in Example
33 were changed to 38% by mass, 36.3% by mass, 19.3% by mass and
6.5% by mass, respectively.
[0703] For each ink, the viscosity and the surface tension measured
in the same way as in Example 1 are shown in Table 12. The solid
content in the ink, the resin ratio in the solid content and the
wetting agent amount are shown in the following Table 12 (in
Examples 31 to 33, the content of the liquid components having a
higher boiling point than that of water and being liquid at
25.degree. C. was 18.3% by mass respectively, and in Examples 34 to
36, the content of the liquid components having a higher boiling
point than that of water and being liquid at 25.degree. C. was
29.1% by mass. TABLE-US-00032 TABLE 16 Resin Amount ratio of
Surface Solid in solid Wetting Viscosity tension content* content*
agent* (mPa s)** (mN/m)** Example 31 31.0 82 15.3 11.8 25.1 Example
32 31.0 85 15.3 12.5 25.1 Example 33 31.0 85 15.3 12.9 25.3 Example
34 26.5 81 25.8 12.3 25.1 Example 35 26.3 84 25.8 12.8 25.2 Example
36 26.3 84 25.8 15.2 25.2
[0704] The printing was performed using each ink of Examples 31 to
33 and using the inkjet printer (G-707 supplied from Ricoh Co.,
Ltd.). As the recording medium, those obtained by cutting the
polyester film (brand name: Lumira-75-T60 supplied from Toray
Industries, Inc.) into the A4 size were used.
[0705] When each ink of Examples 31 to 33 was printed on a green
solid portion of 1 cm square, when the drying property was observed
using the filter paper SA from Advantech, if the filter paper was
not strongly pushed down, the ink was not adhered within about 5
minutes after the printing. For the ink one day after the printing,
the fixing property was good unless the ink was strongly
rubbed.
[0706] The image had less beading on the solid portion. This is
because the amount of the wetting agent is about 15% by mass which
is relatively small and the solid content is 31% by mass which is
high.
[0707] Each ink of Examples 34 to 36 contains the wetting agent in
a large amount. Thus, the drying property was relatively slow
compared with the inks of Examples 31 to 33, but after 3 days had
passed, the image was not peeled even in the solid portion unless
the image was strongly rubbed. Because of the lower solid content
compared with Examples 31 to 33, the beading easily occurs in the
large solid portion, but small areas and letters which were not
solid could be imaged with no problem as the image. Since the
amount of the wetting agent was larger compared with Examples 31 to
33, the spout stability was good. The nozzle clogging which
occurred when left stand for one day or more was recovered by
cleaning, and it is possible to image with no problem depending on
the purpose.
[0708] As the above, these inks having the high solid content and
high resin concentration have a quick-drying property that the ink
is not adhered onto the filter paper when the filter paper is
strongly pushed down on the ink within several minutes even on
recording media that do not absorb water like polyester film
because the amount of the wetting agent is 10% by mass or less
which is small. When the amount of the wetting agent is 10% by mass
to 20% by mass, the sufficient fixing property is obtained within
several days without particularly providing a heating means. The
ink is not abundantly adhered onto the filter paper several minutes
after the printing unless the filter paper is strongly pushed down
on the ink. When the amount of the wetting agent is 20% by mass to
30% by mass, it is difficult to fix and dry within several minutes,
but after leaving stand for several days, the fixing property is
enhanced because the large amount of the resin affects it. In this
case, the heating means such as microwave oven is effective for
fixing in a short time. When the amount of the wetting agent
exceeds 30% by mass, the practical drying property can not be
obtained unless heating/drying is given.
[0709] These inks can be imaged on the non-porous substrates such
as glasses and metals. In particular, in the case of imaging only
the letters, there is no problem as the image.
[0710] When the recording ink of the present invention is printed
on the plain paper, the image having the high image density, the
low backside density, the good color formation and no bleeding is
obtained. On the smooth paper for printing, which has the low water
absorbing capacity, there is no problem in drying speed, and the
sharp image close to the printed matter is obtained. Thus, the
recording ink of the present invention can be used suitably for ink
media sets, ink cartridges, ink recorded mattes, inkjet recording
apparatuses and inkjet recording methods.
[0711] In the ink media set of the present invention, by increasing
the solid contents in the colorant and the water-dispersible resin
in the recording ink, increasing a resin ratio and further reducing
a surface tension, wettability, the drying property and the fixing
property can be improved when printed on non-porous substrates
having the low water absorbing capacity, such as plastic sheets
such as polyester sheets, plastic laminate papers, plastic coated
papers, glasses and metals, and it becomes possible to print on the
plastic medium by the water-based ink without requiring a special
device such as heater by reducing the amount of the wetting agent
as much as possible and without using a ultraviolet ray curable ink
or an oil-based ink. The inkjet recording apparatus and the inkjet
recording method of the present invention can be applied to various
recordings by the inkjet recording system, and for example, can be
suitably applied to printers for inkjet recording, facsimile
apparatuses, copying apparatuses, printer/facsimile/copia composite
machines, and the like.
* * * * *