U.S. patent application number 11/981349 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-19 for ink jet recording ink, ink jet recording ink set, recording method, recorded matter and ink jet recording apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Hiroko Hayashi, Toshiyuki Miyabayashi, Masahiro Yatake.
Application Number | 20080146713 11/981349 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27584943 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080146713 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yatake; Masahiro ; et
al. |
June 19, 2008 |
Ink jet recording ink, ink jet recording ink set, recording method,
recorded matter and ink jet recording apparatus
Abstract
Provided are an ink jet recording ink (IJ ink), an ink jet
recording ink set (IJ ink set) and a recording method, having
excellent dispersion stability and ejection stability and being
capable of providing images which is free from bleeding and which
is excellent in color development property and rubbing resistance.
An IJ ink and I an IJ ink set having long-term storage stability
are provided. Also provided are recorded matter having excellent
color development property and rubbing resistance, and an ink jet
recording apparatus capable of providing the same. The invention
includes: an IJ ink containing a colorant of a pigment and/or dye
enveloped in a polymer, and water, and containing at least one
compound selected from the group consisting: of acetylene glycol
surfactants, acetylene alcohol surfactants, glycol ethers and
1,2-alkylene glycols; an IJ ink set comprising a plurality of the
inks; a recording method of using the ink and/or the ink set;
recorded matter printed according to the recording method; and an
ink jet recording apparatus having an electrostrictive unit mounted
thereon and is designed so as to be capable of ejecting the
ink.
Inventors: |
Yatake; Masahiro;
(Nagano-ken, JP) ; Miyabayashi; Toshiyuki;
(Nagano-ken, JP) ; Hayashi; Hiroko; (Nagano,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LADAS & PARRY
26 West 61st Street
New York
NY
10023
US
|
Assignee: |
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
|
Family ID: |
27584943 |
Appl. No.: |
11/981349 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10048909 |
Jun 18, 2002 |
7307109 |
|
|
PCT/JP01/04787 |
Jun 6, 2001 |
|
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11981349 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
524/377 ;
347/100; 524/386 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C08K 5/053 20130101;
C09D 11/32 20130101; C09D 11/322 20130101; C08K 5/06 20130101; B41J
2/14201 20130101; C09D 11/40 20130101; C08K 3/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
524/377 ;
524/386; 347/100 |
International
Class: |
C08K 5/053 20060101
C08K005/053; C08K 5/06 20060101 C08K005/06; G01D 11/00 20060101
G01D011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 7, 2000 |
JP |
P.2000-170921 |
Jun 7, 2000 |
JP |
P.2000-170922 |
Jun 7, 2000 |
JP |
P.2000-170923 |
Jun 7, 2000 |
JP |
P.2000-170924 |
Jun 7, 2000 |
JP |
P.2000-170925 |
Jun 7, 2000 |
JP |
P.2000-170926 |
Jun 7, 2000 |
JP |
P.2000-170927 |
Jun 7, 2000 |
JP |
P.2000-170928 |
Jun 7, 2000 |
JP |
P.2000-170929 |
Jun 7, 2000 |
JP |
P.2000-170931 |
Jun 7, 2000 |
JP |
P.2000-170932 |
Jun 7, 2000 |
JP |
P.2000-170934 |
Jun 7, 2000 |
JP |
P.2000-170935 |
Jun 7, 2000 |
JP |
P.2000-170936 |
Claims
1. An ink jet recording ink containing: a colorant of a pigment
and/or dye enveloped in a polymer by phase conversion
emulsification; water; at least one compound selected from the
group consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants and acetylene
alcohol surfactants; and 1,2-(C.sub.4-10 alkyl)-diol.
2. The ink jet recording ink as claimed in claim 1, further
containing a glycol ether.
3. The ink jet recording ink as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
glycol ether is di(tri)ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and/or
(di)propylene glycol monobutyl ether.
4. The ink jet recording ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
1,2-(C.sub.4-10 alkyl)-diol is 1,2-pentanediol and/or
1,2-hexanediol.
5. The ink jet recording ink as claimed in claim 7, which further
contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting
of polyalcohols and compounds of the following formula (1):
R-EOn-POm-M (1) wherein R represents a C.sub.4-12 alkanol,
cycloalkanol, phenol and/or naphthol group, which is linear and/or
another isomer; EO represents an ethyleneoxy group; PO represents a
propyleneoxy group; n and m each indicate the mean value of the
repetitive units in the whole system; the indication of EC and PO
merely represent the presence thereof in the molecule, not limiting
their order; M represents a hydrogen atom, a sulfonate group, a
phosphate group and/or a borate group, axed the counter ion of the
sulfonate group, the phosphate group and/or the borate group is a
hydrogen atom, an alkali metal, an inorganic base and/or an organic
amine.
6. The ink jet recording ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
polymer content is 10% by weight or higher based on the whole
amount of the colorant.
7. The ink jet recording ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
polymer that envelops the pigment and/or dye therein comprises, as
a main component, at least one member selected from, the group
consisting of vinyl polymers, polyesters, polyamides, polyimides,
silicon-containing polymers and sulfur-containing polymers.
8. The ink jet recording ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
polymer that envelops the pigment and/or dye therein has a
crosslinked structure.
9. The ink jet recording ink as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
colorant of a pigment and/or dye enveloped in the crosslinked
structure-having polymer is prepared by contacting an organic phase
that contains at least a polymer having a crosslinking reactive
group and a hydrophilic group and a crosslinking agent with an
aqueous phase to cause phase conversion emulsification to thereby
make the pigment and/or dye enveloped in the polymer, and then
carrying out a crosslinking reaction of the polymer and the
crosslinking agent.
10. The ink jet recording ink as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
polymer having a crosslinking reactive group and a hydrophilic
group comprises, as a main component, at least one member selected
from the group consisting of vinyl polymers, poly(meth)acylates,
styrene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymers, polyesters, polyamides,
polyimides, polyurethanes, amino polymers, silicon-containing
polymers, sulfur-containing polymers, fluorine-containing polymers
and epoxy resins.
11. The ink jet recording ink as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
crosslinking reactive group of the polymer having a crosslinking
reactive group and a hydrophilic group is selected from a glycidyl
group, an isocyanate group, a hydroxyl group and an unsaturated
hydrocarbon group.
12. The ink jet recording ink as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
unsaturated hydrocarbon group is selected from the group consisting
of a vinyl group, an allyl group, an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl
group, a propenyl group, a vinylidene group and a vinylene
group.
13. The ink jet recording ink as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
organic phase contains a reactive surfactant.
14. The ink jet recording ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
polymer that envelops the pigment and/or dye therein has a
solubility parameter of from 11 to 14 cal/cm.sup.3, and the
difference between the solubility parameter of a liquid component
and that of the polymer is 1.0 cal/cm.sup.3 or greater.
15. The ink jet recording ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
polymer that envelops the pigment and/or dye therein has an acid
value of from 20 to 200 KOH mg/g.
16. The ink jet recording ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
polymer that envelops the pigment and/or dye therein has a glass
transition temperature of not higher than 25.degree. C.
17. The ink jet recording ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
polymer that envelops the pigment and/or dye therein has a
film-forming temperature of not higher than 25.degree. C.
18. The ink jet recording ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
colorant of a pigment and/or dye enveloped in a polymer further
contains a hardly water-soluble substance.
19. The ink jet recording ink as claimed in claim 18, wherein the
hardly water-soluble substance has a solubility in water of 10% by
weight or lower.
20. A recording method of performing printing by ejecting an ink
droplet so as to be attached onto a recording medium, wherein an
ink jet recording ink of claim 1 is used.
21. Recorded matter printed according to a recording method of
claim 20.
22. An ink jet recording apparatus which is so designed that mounts
an electrostrictive unit capable of vibrating based on an
electronic signal and ejects an ink jet recording ink of claim 1
according to the vibration of the electrostrictive unit.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an ink jet recording ink,
an ink jet recording ink set, a recording method, recorded matter,
and an ink jet recording apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Ink jet recording is a method of recording letters and
figures on the surface of a recording object by ejecting ink
droplets onto the object through fine nozzles. For such an ink jet
recording system, for example, practically employed are a method of
recording letters and symbols on the surface of a recording object
by converting electronic signals into mechanical ones by the use of
an electrostrictive device, followed by intermittently ejecting the
ink stored in a nozzle head onto the object according to the
thus-converted mechanical signals; and a method of recording
letters and symbols on the surface of a recording object by rapidly
heating a part of the ink stored in a nozzle head and nearest to
the ejecting orifices of the nozzle to cause bubbling, and
intermittently ejecting the ink onto the object by the volume
expansion of the ink bubbles.
[0003] Ink for such ink jet recording is required to have various
specific characteristics. For example, for printing on paper which
is an recording object, the requirements of the ink to be used are
that it does not cause bleeding, it quickly dries thereon, it
enables uniform recording on various kinds of recording objects,
and it does not mix with the neighboring ink in multi-color
printing to form color prints.
[0004] For ink jet recording ink, generally used are those prepared
by dissolving various kinds of water-soluble dyes in aqueous media.
Recently, those prepared by dispersing pigments in aqueous media
have been provided, and this is characterized in that the
pigment-containing inks are superior to the water-soluble
dye-containing ones in water-resistance and light-resistance.
[0005] Many conventional pigment-containing inks are to ensure the
quality of printed matter by mainly suppressing their penetration
into printing paper to thereby prevent the paper surface from being
too much wetted with the inks and make the ink droplets stay near
the paper surface. However, the inks of this type are problematic
in that their applicability to all kinds of paper is low.
Specifically, one problem is that the difference in the degree of
bleeding depending on the kind of paper is large. In particular,
for regenerated paper that comprises many unspecific paper
materials, the difference in the wettability of inks with such
different paper materials constituting it has an influence on the
degree of ink bleeding thereon, and, as a result, the print quality
is unstable. Another problem is that the inks of the type mentioned
above take a long time until the printed area is dried. In
particular, in multi-color printing for color prints, the
neighboring inks are mixed. Still another problem is that some
pigment remains on the printed paper, and therefore the printed
paper is deteriorated in abrasion resistance.
[0006] To solve the problems, adding a penetrant to ink is tried
for improving ink penetration into paper. For example, some
examples of using glycol ethers are disclosed as follows. An
example of using triethylene glycol monomethyl ether is disclosed
in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 147861/1981; and an example of
using ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol or triethylene glycol
ethers is in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 111165/1997. Addition of
diethylene glycol monobutyl ether is proposed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,156,675; addition of an acetylene glycol surfactant, Surfynol 465
(by Nisshin Chemical) is in U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,502; and a combined
use of diethylene glycol monobutyl ether and Surfynol 465 is in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,196,056. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,083,372, proposed is
using diethylene glycol ethers in ink.
[0007] For preparing conventional pigment-containing inks, in
general, pigment is dispersed in an aqueous medium by a dispersant
such as surfactant or polymer dispersant. However, this is
problematic in that it is not easy to improve the ink penetration
while ensuring the pigment dispersion stability in ink.
[0008] In the inks of pigment dispersion prepared by dispersing
pigment by a dispersant such as surfactant or polymer dispersant so
as to improve the ink penetration, the pigment merely adsorbs the
dispersant on its surface. Therefore, when the ink of the type is
ejected through fine nozzles, the adsorbed dispersant drops off in
case where it receives strong shear force, and the pigment
dispersibility in the ink is lowered, thereby the ejection may tend
to become unstable. In addition, when the ink is stored for a long
time, the dispersibility may tend to become unstable. To solve the
problems, an increase of the addition amount of the dispersant can
be considered. In such a case, however, the amount of the
dispersant not adsorbed by the pigment but still dissolving in the
ink increases, and therefore the ink often involves the phenomena
that when used in printing plain paper or regenerated paper, it
readily cause bleeding and it wets the periphery of the nozzles to
readily make the ejection unstable. In addition, in case where ink
of a pigment dispersion prepared by dispersing a pigment by a
dispersant such as surfactant or polymer dispersant to ensure
improved penetration is used in printing on plain paper or
regenerated paper, the pigment which is the colorant component
therein tends to hardly remain on the surface of the fibers
constituting the surface of the recording medium and, as a result,
there is a tendency that the printed density is insufficient and
the color development is not good. Moreover, in general, the
dispersant not originally adsorbed by the pigment but dissolving in
ink, or the dispersant having dropped off from the pigment tend to
increase the viscosity of the ink, and therefore the pigment
content of the ink is limited in many cases. Therefore, the ink of
this type could not ensure sufficient printed density especially on
plain paper or regenerated paper, and hence good color development
cannot be attained and high-quality images are hardly obtained. In
addition, when ink is left in heads for a long time, its dispersion
stability is deteriorated and there have been cases where the
ejection of the ink from the nozzles of a printer becomes
difficult.
[0009] With respect to these problems, inks using pigments having
subjected to some surface treatment to their surfaces have been
proposed for improving ejection stability, dispersion stability,
printed density and color development property. Examples of the
inks using treated pigments are as follows. For example, inks using
pigment particles oxidized on their surfaces are proposed in
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 319444/1996; inks using encapsulated
fine pigment particles are proposed in Japanese Patent Publication
No. 94634/1995 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59715/1996; and
inks using pigment particles having graft polymerized a polymer on
their surfaces are proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos.
339516/1993, 302227/1996, 302228/1996 and 81647/1996.
[0010] In addition to the above proposals, further proposed are
inks using a pigment coated with a resin having film-forming
property through phase conversion emulsification at room
temperature, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos.
218015/1996, 295837/1996, 3376/1997, 183920/1996, 46075/1998,
292143/1998, 80633/1999, 349870/1999 and 7961/2000; and inks using
a pigment coated with an anionic group-containing organic polymer
compound through acid deposition, as disclosed in Japanese Patent
Laid-Open Nos. 31360/1997, 217019/1997, 316353/1997, 104834/1997,
151342/1997, 140065/1998, 152424/1999, 166145/1999, 166145/1999,
199783/1999 and 209672/1999. However, inks using the colorant
prepared through phase conversion emulsification or acid deposition
in combination with a surfactant, as a penetrant, such as glycol
ethers or acetylene glycol surfactants are still unsatisfactory
especially in point of the image quality on plain paper or
regenerated paper. Specifically, the resin not absorbed by the
pigment exists in the ink with being dissolved therein; and the
resin adsorbed by the pigment drops off to increase the amount of
the resin dissolving in the ink. For these reasons, when the ink is
used in printing on plain paper or regenerated paper, the pigment
which is the colorant component hardly remain on the surface of
paper-forming fibers on the recording medium surface. Therefore, it
is difficult to obtain a sufficient printed density and the color
development is not good. In addition, bleeding readily occurs.
Furthermore, it tends to cause a phenomenon that the ink wets the
periphery of the nozzles to readily make the ejection unstable.
[0011] The present invention is to solve the problems described
above. Accordingly, an object thereof is to provide an ink jet
recording ink, an ink jet recording ink set and a recording method,
having excellent dispersion stability and ejection stability and
being capable of providing a high-quality image which is free from
bleeding and has high printed density and excellent color
development property even on plain paper and regenerated paper.
[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide an ink jet
recording ink, an ink jet recording ink set and a recording method,
capable of attaining satisfactory rubbing resistance not only on
plain paper and regenerated paper but also on other recording media
such as coated paper, etc.
[0013] A still other object of the invention is to provide an ink
jet recording ink and an ink jet recording ink set, which have
excellent long-term storage stability.
[0014] A still other object of the invention is to provide recorded
matter having high-quality images of high printed density and
excellent color development property, and having satisfactory
rubbing resistance.
[0015] A further other object of the invention is to provide an ink
jet recording apparatus capable of producing recorded matter having
high-quality images of high printed density and excellent color
development property, and having satisfactory rubbing
resistance.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present inventors found that an ink containing: a
colorant of a pigment and/or dye enveloped in a polymer; and water,
and containing a specific compound has excellent properties
suitable for ink jet recording ink. Specifically, it was found that
the ink has good dispersion stability and ejection stability, and
enables stable printing operation with no trouble of nozzle
clogging for a long time, and further found that, when used in
printing on recording media such as plain paper, regenerated paper
and coated paper, it can be realized to form an image having good
drying property of a printed image, being free from bleeding,
having high printed density and excellent color development
property and rubbing resistance. That is, the invention is as
follows:
[0017] 1. An ink jet recording ink containing: a colorant of a
pigment and/or dye enveloped in a polymer; and water, and
containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting
of acetylene glycol surfactants, acetylene alcohol surfactants,
glycol ethers and 1,2-alkylene glycols.
[0018] 2. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 1, which is
so designed that the content of the at least one compound selected
from the group consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants,
acetylene alcohol surfactants, glycol ethers and 1,2-alkylene
glycols in the ink falls between 0.5% by weight and 30% by
weight.
[0019] 3. An ink jet recording ink containing: a colorant of a
pigment and/or dye enveloped in a polymer; and water, and
containing: at least one compound selected from the group
consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants and acetylene alcohol
surfactants; and at least one compound selected from the group
consisting of glycol ethers and 1,2-alkylene glycols.
[0020] 4. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
3, which contains at most 5% by weight of at least one compound
selected from the group consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants
and acetylene alcohol surfactants.
[0021] 5. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
4, which contains at most 5% by weight of at least one compound
selected from the group consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants
and acetylene alcohol surfactants, and contains at least 1% by
weight of at least one compound selected from glycol ethers and
1,2-alkylene glycols.
[0022] 6. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
5, which contains at least 0.5% by weight of at least one compound
selected from the group consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants
and acetylene alcohol surfactants, wherein the ratio by weight of
the compound to the 1,2-alkylene glycol falls between 1:0 and
1:10.
[0023] 7. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
6, wherein at least one compound selected from the group consisting
of acetylene glycol surfactants and acetylene alcohol surfactants
is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of
2,4-dimethyl-5-hexyn-3-ol, 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol,
3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol, and adducts of those
2,4-dimethyl-5-hexyn-3-ol, 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol
and 3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol each with at most 30, on average
number, of ethyleneoxy groups and/or propyleneoxy groups added
thereto.
[0024] 8. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
7, wherein the glycol ether is one or a mixture of two or more
selected from the group consisting of diethylene glycol
mono(C.sub.1-8 alkyl)ethers, triethylene glycol mono(C.sub.1-8
alkyl)ethers, propylene glycol mono(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)ethers, and
dipropylene glycol mono(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)ethers.
[0025] 9. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
7, wherein the glycol ether is di(tri)ethylene glycol monobutyl
ether and/or (di)propylene glycol monobutyl ether.
[0026] 10. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 9, which
contains at most 10% by weight of (di)propylene glycol monobutyl
ether.
[0027] 11. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 9 or 10,
which contains at least 0.5% by weight of at least one compound
selected from the group consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants
and acetylene alcohol surfactants, wherein the ratio by weight of
the compound to (di)propylene glycol monobutyl ether falls between
1:0 and 1:10.
[0028] 12. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 9 to
11, which contains at most 20% by weight of di(tri)ethylene glycol
monobutyl ether.
[0029] 13. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 9 to
12, which contains at least 0.5% by weight of at least one compound
selected from the group consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants
and acetylene alcohol surfactants, wherein the ratio by weight of
the compound to di(tri)ethylene glycol monobutyl ether falls
between 1:0 and 1:10.
[0030] 14. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
13, wherein the 1,2-alkylene glycol is a 1,2-(C.sub.4-10
alkyl)-diol.
[0031] 15. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
14, wherein the 1,2-alkylene glycol is 1,2-pentanediol and/or
1,2-hexanediol.
[0032] 16. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 14 or 15,
which contains at most 15% by weight of the 1,2-(C.sub.4-10
alkyl)-diol.
[0033] 17. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
16, which further contains at least one compound selected from the
group consisting of polyalcohols and compounds of the following
formula (1):
R-EOn-POm-M (1)
wherein R represents a C.sub.4-12 alkanol, cycloalkanol, phenol
and/or naphthol group, which is linear and/or another isomer; EO
represents an ethyleneoxy group; PO represents a propyleneoxy
group; n and m each indicate the mean value of the repetitive units
in the whole system; the indication of EO and PO merely represent
the presence thereof in the molecule, not limiting their order; M
represents a hydrogen atom, a sulfonate group, a phosphate group
and/or a borate group, and the counter ion of the sulfonate group,
the phosphate group and/or the borate group is a hydrogen atom, an
alkali metal, an inorganic base and/or an organic amine.
[0034] 18. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 17, wherein
n in formula (1) falls between 0 and 10 and m therein falls between
1 and 5.
[0035] 19. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 17 or 18,
wherein the mean molecular weight of the compound of formula (1) is
at most 2000.
[0036] 20. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 17
to 19, which contains at most 5% by weight of an acetylene glycol
surfactant, wherein the ratio of the compound of formula (1) to the
acetylene glycol surfactant falls between 1:0 and 1:3.
[0037] 21. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 17
to 20, wherein the glycol ether is (di)propylene glycol butyl ether
monobutyl ether and contained in an amount of at most 10% by
weight, and wherein the ratio by weight of the compound of formula
(1) to the glycol ether falls between 1:0 and 1:10.
[0038] 22. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 17
to 20, wherein the glycol ether is di(tri)ethylene glycol monobutyl
ether and contained in an amount of at most 20% by weight, and
wherein the ratio by weight of the compound of formula (1) to the
glycol ether falls between 1:0 and 1:10.
[0039] 23. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 17
to 22, wherein the ratio of the compound of formula (1) to the
1,2-alkylene glycol falls between 1:0 and 1:10.
[0040] 24. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 17
to 23, wherein the polyalcohol is a C.sub.3-12 alkyldiols and/or
C.sub.3-12 alkyltriols.
[0041] 25. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
24, which further contains glycerin.
[0042] 26. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 25, which
further contains a saccharide.
[0043] 27. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 24 or 25,
which further contains a compound of the following formula (2):
A-(EP)n (2)
wherein A represents a glycerin skeleton; EP represents an
ethyleneoxy group (terminal OH) and/or a propyleneoxy group
(terminal OH), but may be an OH group; and n indicates the
repetitive units.
[0044] 28. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 27, wherein
n in formula (2) falls between 0.5 and 10.
[0045] 29. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 27 or 28,
wherein the mean molecular weight of the compound of formula (2) is
at most 1000.
[0046] 30. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 26
to 29, wherein at least 80% by weight of the saccharide comprises
aldose, ketose and/or glycoalcohol with at most 12 carbon
atoms.
[0047] 31. The ink jet recording ink composition of any of the
above items 1 to 30, wherein the dye is insoluble or hardly soluble
in water.
[0048] 32. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
31, wherein the amount of the polymer-enveloped colorant of a
pigment and/or dye falls between 0.5% by weight and 30% by
weight.
[0049] 33. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
31, wherein the colorant is a colorant of a pigment and/or dye
enveloped in a polymer and the polymer content is at least 10% by
weight based on the whole amount of the colorant.
[0050] 34. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
33, wherein the polymer that envelops the pigment and/or dye
therein comprises, as a main component, at least one selected from
the group consisting of vinyl polymers, polyesters, polyamides,
polyimides, silicon-containing polymers and sulfur-containing
polymers.
[0051] 35. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
34, wherein the polymer that envelops the pigment and/or dye
therein is a copolymer of a polymerizable group-having dispersant
and a copolymerizable monomer.
[0052] 36. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
35, wherein the colorant of a pigment and/or dye enveloped in a
copolymer of a polymerizable group-having dispersant and a
copolymerizable monomer is prepared by dispersing the pigment
and/or dye in water by a polymerizable group-having dispersant, and
adding thereto the copolymerizable monomer and a polymerization
initiator to cause polymerization.
[0053] 37. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 35 or 36,
wherein the copolymerizable monomer is a compound having an
unsaturated group in its structure.
[0054] 38. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 37, wherein
the unsaturated group is selected from the group consisting of a
vinyl group, an allyl group, an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl
group and a propenyl group.
[0055] 39. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 35
to 38, wherein the copolymerizable monomer is an electron-receiving
monomer.
[0056] 40. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 35
to 39, wherein the copolymerizable monomer is selected from the
group consisting of fumaric diesters, maleic diesters, maleimides
and vinylidene cyanides.
[0057] 41. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
33, wherein the polymer that envelops the pigment and/or dye
therein has a crosslinked structure.
[0058] 42. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 41, wherein
the colorant of a pigment and/or dye enveloped in the crosslinked
structure-having polymer is prepared by contacting an organic phase
that contains at least a polymer having a crosslinking reactive
group and a hydrophilic group and a crosslinking agent with an
aqueous phase to cause phase conversion emulsification to thereby
make the pigment and/or dye enveloped in the polymer, and then
carrying out a crosslinking reaction of the polymer and the
crosslinking agent.
[0059] 43. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 41 or 42,
wherein the polymer having a crosslinking reactive group and a
hydrophilic group comprises, as a main component, at least one
member selected from the group consisting of vinyl polymers,
poly(meth)acrylates, styrene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymers,
polyesters, polyamides, polyimides, polyurethanes, amino polymers,
silicon-containing polymers, sulfur-containing polymers,
fluorine-containing polymers and epoxy resins.
[0060] 44. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 41
to 43, wherein the hydrophilic group of the polymer having a
crosslinking reactive group and a hydrophilic group is selected
from the group consisting of a sulfone group, a sulfonic acid
group, a carboxyl group, a hydroxyl group and their salts, and
quaternary ammonium salts.
[0061] 45. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 41
to 44, wherein the crosslinking reactive group of the polymer
having a crosslinking reactive group and a hydrophilic group is
selected from a glycidyl group, an isocyanate group, a hydroxyl
group and an unsaturated hydrocarbon group.
[0062] 46. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 45, wherein
the unsaturated hydrocarbon group is selected from the group
consisting of a vinyl group, an allyl group, an acryloyl group, a
methacryloyl group, a propenyl group, a vinylidene group and a
vinylene group.
[0063] 47. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 42
to 46, wherein the crosslinking agent has, in its molecule, at
least two functional groups capable of reacting with the
crosslinking reactive group of the polymerization having a
crosslinking reactive group and a hydrophilic group.
[0064] 48. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 42
to 47, wherein the functional groups of the crosslinking agent are
selected from the group consisting of an amino group, a carboxyl
group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a mercapto group, a
glycidyl group, an isocyanate group, an N-methylol group, an
N-methylolether group and an unsaturated hydrocarbon group.
[0065] 49. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 48, wherein
the unsaturated hydrocarbon group of the crosslinking agent is
selected from the group consisting of a vinyl group, an allyl
group, an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group, a propenyl group, a
vinylidene group and a vinylene group.
[0066] 50. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 42
to 49, wherein the ratio by weight of the crosslinking agent to the
polymer having a crosslinking reactive group and a hydrophilic
group falls between 0.01 and 0.1.
[0067] 51. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 42
to 50, wherein the organic phase contains a reactive
surfactant.
[0068] 52. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 41, wherein
the crosslinked structure-having polymer is a polymer of a
polymerizable group-having dispersant and a crosslinking
monomer.
[0069] 53. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 41 or 52,
wherein the colorant of the pigment and/or dye enveloped in the
crosslinked structure-having polymer is prepared by dispersing a
pigment and/or dye in water by a polymerizable group-having
dispersant, adding thereto at least a crosslinking monomer and a
polymerization initiator to cause polymerization.
[0070] 54. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 35
to 40 and 52 to 53, wherein the polymerizable group-having
dispersant is a polymerizable surfactant having at least a
polymerizable group, a hydrophobic group and a hydrophilic group in
its molecular structure.
[0071] 55. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 54, wherein
the polymerizable group of the polymerizable surfactant is an
unsaturated hydrocarbon group.
[0072] 56. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 55, wherein
the unsaturated hydrocarbon group is selected from the group
consisting of a vinyl group, an allyl group, an acryloyl group, a
methacryloyl group, a propenyl group, a vinylidene group and a
vinylene group.
[0073] 57. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 54
to 56, wherein the hydrophilic group of the polymerizable
surfactant is selected from the group consisting of a sulfone
group, a sulfonic acid group, a carboxyl group, a carbonyl group, a
hydroxyl group and their salts, and quaternary ammonium salts.
[0074] 58. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 54
to 57, wherein the polymerizable surfactant is a compound of the
following formula (I):
##STR00001##
wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, or a hydrocarbon group having
from 1 to 12 carbon atoms; n indicates a number falling between 2
and 20; M represents an alkali metal, an ammonium salt, or an
alkanolamine.
[0075] 59. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 54
to 57, wherein the polymerizable surfactant is a compound of the
following formula (II):
##STR00002##
wherein R' represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having
from 1 to 12 carbon atoms; n indicates a number falling between 2
and 20; M represents an alkali metal, an ammonium salt, or an
alkanolamine.
[0076] 60. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
59, wherein the solubility parameter of the polymer that envelops
the pigment and/or dye therein falls between 11 and 14
cal/cm.sup.3, and the difference between the solubility parameter
of a liquid component and that of the polymer is at least 1.0
cal/cm.sup.3.
[0077] 61. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
60, wherein the acid value of the polymer that envelops the pigment
and/or dye therein falls between 20 and 200 KOH mg/g.
[0078] 62. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
61, wherein the glass transition temperature of the polymer that
envelops the pigment and/or dye therein is not higher than
25.degree. C.
[0079] 63. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
62, wherein the film-forming temperature of the polymer that
envelops the pigment and/or dye therein is not higher than
25.degree. C.
[0080] 64. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
63, wherein the colorant of a pigment and/or dye enveloped in a
polymer further contains a hardly water-soluble substance.
[0081] 65. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 64, wherein
the solubility in water of the hardly water-soluble substance is at
most 10% by weight.
[0082] 66. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 65,
which contains a preservative, a sequestrant and a rust preventive,
wherein the preservative is at least one compound selected from the
group consisting of alkylisothiazolones, chloroalkylisothiazolones,
benzisothiazolones, bromonitroalcohols, oxazolidines and
chloroxylenols, the sequestrant is ethylenediamine acetate, and the
rust preventive is dicyclohexylammonium nitrate and/or
benzotriazole.
[0083] 67. The ink jet recording ink of the above item 66, wherein
the addition amount (A) of the preservative falls between 0.01% by
weight and 0.1% by weight, the addition amount (B) of the
sequestrant falls between 0.01% by weight and 0.5% by weight, the
addition amount (C) of the rust preventive falls between 0.01% by
weight and 0.2% by weight, and A+B+C falls between 0.03% by weight
and 0.8% by weight.
[0084] 68. The ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to
67, which is so designed that has a surface tension falling between
25 mN/m and 45 mN/m.
[0085] 69. An ink jet recording ink set comprising a plurality of
ink jet recording inks of any of the above items 1 to 68.
[0086] 70. A recording method of performing printing by ejecting an
ink droplet so as to be attached onto a recording medium, wherein
an ink jet recording ink of any of the above items 1 to 68 and/or
an ink jet recording ink set of the above item 69 is used.
[0087] 71. Recorded matter printed according to a recording method
of the above item 70.
[0088] 72. An ink jet recording apparatus which is so designed that
mounts an electrostrictive unit capable of vibrating based on an
electronic signal and ejects an ink jet recording ink of any of the
above items 1 to 68 or an ink of an ink set of the above item 69
according to the vibration of the electrostrictive unit.
BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0089] The ink jet recording ink of the invention (hereinafter
sometimes referred to simply as "ink") has a feature that it
contains: a colorant of a pigment and/or dye enveloped in a
polymer; and water, and contains at least one compound selected
from the group consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants,
acetylene alcohol surfactants, glycol ethers, and 1,2-alkylene
glycols.
[0090] Preferably, the ink jet recording ink is so designed that
the content of the at least one compound therein, which is selected
from the group consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants,
acetylene alcohol surfactants, glycol ethers and 1,2-alkylene
glycols, falls between 0.5% by weight and 30% by weight. If the
content is smaller than 0.5% by weight, the effect of improving
penetration readily becomes insufficient and the print quality is
hardly improved. On the other hand, if the content is larger than
30% by weight, the ink viscosity increases to make the handling
thereof difficult, and a further larger amount addition thereof
tends to not show an effect of further improving the print quality.
More preferably, the content falls between 1% by weight and 15% by
weight.
[0091] Particularly preferably, the ink of the invention contains:
a colorant of a pigment and/or dye enveloped in a polymer; and
water, and contains: at least one compound selected from the group
consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants and acetylene alcohol
surfactants; and at least one compound selected from the group
consisting of glycol ethers and 1,2-alkylene glycols.
[0092] Also preferably, the ink jet recording ink contains at most
5% by weight of at least one compound selected from the group
consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants and acetylene alcohol
surfactants. If the content of the compound is larger than 5% by
weight, its effect to improve the print quality has peaked and the
ink viscosity increases to make the handling thereof difficult. In
addition, the ink readily adheres to the tip of a head and the
printed image tends to be disordered. More preferably, the content
of the compound falls between 0.1% by weight and 2% by weight.
[0093] One preferred embodiment of the ink jet recording ink
contains at most 5% by weight of at least one compound selected
from the group consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants and
acetylene alcohol surfactants, and contains at least 1% by weight
of at least one compound selected from glycol ethers and
1,2-alkylene glycols.
[0094] The acetylene glycol surfactants and acetylene alcohol
surfactants are effective to improve ink penetration even though
their amount in ink is small. For this reason, therefore, when the
content of the at least one compound selected from the group
consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants and acetylene alcohol
surfactants in ink is at most 0.5% by weight, it is desirable that
the content of the at least one compound selected from the group
consisting of glycol ethers and 1,2-alkylene glycols in the ink is
at least 1% by weight for ensuring improved print quality.
[0095] In case where the ink jet recording ink contains at least
0.5% by weight of the at least one compound selected from the group
consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants and acetylene alcohol
surfactants, it is desirable that the ratio by weight of the
compound to the 1,2-alkylene glycol in the ink is controlled to
fall between 1:0 and 1:10 from the viewpoint of print quality. If
the addition amount of the 1,2-alkylene glycol in the ink is over
10 times the acetylene glycol surfactant and/or the acetylene
alcohol surfactant, not only the effect of improving the print
quality tends to have peaked, but also an adverse effect of
increasing the ink viscosity tends to occur.
[0096] From the viewpoint of the print quality improvement,
suitable examples of the at least one compound selected from the
group consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants and acetylene
alcohol surfactants include at least one compound selected from the
group consisting of 2,4-dimethyl-5-hexyn-3-ol,
2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol,
3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol, and adducts of those
2,4-dimethyl-5-hexyn-3-ol, 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol
and 3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol each with at most 30, on average
number, of ethyleneoxy groups and/or propyleneoxy groups added
thereto.
[0097] Of the adducts of 2,4-dimethyl-5-hexyn-3-ol,
2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol and
3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol each with ethyleneoxy groups and/or
propyleneoxy groups added thereto, those in which the average
number of the ethyleneoxy groups and/or propyleneoxy groups added
thereto is larger than 30 tend to cause heavy bubbling of the ink
to deteriorate the print quality improving effect. Therefore, the
number of the groups in the adducts is preferably at most 30.
[0098] In case where the ink contains an acetylene alcohol
surfactant, a dissolution promoter may be added thereto. Preferred
examples of the dissolution promoter include
1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, 2-pyrrolidone, and
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.
[0099] The glycol ethers for use herein include diethylene glycol
mono(C.sub.1-8 alkyl)ethers, triethylene glycol mono(C.sub.1-8
alkyl)ethers, propylene glycol mono(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)ethers, and
dipropylene glycol mono(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)ethers. These compounds may
be used singly or as a mixture of two or more thereof.
[0100] Specific examples thereof include ethylene glycol monomethyl
ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol
mono-iso-propyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene
glycol mono-t-butyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether
acetate, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether (DEGmME), diethylene
glycol monoethyl ether (DEGmEE), diethylene glycol monopropyl ether
(DEGmPE), diethylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, diethylene
glycol monobutyl ether (DEGmBE), diethylene glycol mono-t-butyl
ether, diethylene glycol monopentyl ether (DEGmPeE), diethylene
glycol monohexyl ether (DEGmHE), diethylene glycol monoheptyl ether
(DEGmHpE), diethylene glycol monooctyl ether (DEGmOE), triethylene
glycol monomethyl ether (TEGmME), triethylene glycol monoethyl
ether (TEGmEE), triethylene glycol monopropyl ether (TEGmPE),
triethylene glycol monobutyl ether (TEGmBE), triethylene glycol
monopentyl ether (TEGmPeE), triethylene glycol monohexyl ether
(TEGmHE), triethylene glycol monoheptyl ether (TEGmHpE),
triethylene glycol monooctyl ether (TEGmOE), propylene glycol
monomethyl ether (PGmME), propylene glycol monoethyl ether (PGmEE),
propylene glycol monopropyl ether (PGmPE), propylene glycol
mono-iso-propyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether (PGmBE),
propylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, propylene glycol monopentyl
ether (PGmPeE), propylene glycol monohexyl ether (PGmHE),
dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (DPGmME), dipropylene glycol
monoethyl ether (DPGmEE), dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether
(DPGmPE), dipropylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, dipropylene
glycol monobutyl ether (DPGmBE), dipropylene glycol monopentyl
ether (DPGmPeE), and dipropylene glycol monohexyl ether (DPGmHE).
Since a larger alkyl group has higher hydrophobicity, the alkyl
group therein is preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl, for
ensuring good print quality on plain paper.
[0101] Particularly preferably, the glycol ether is di(tri)ethylene
glycol monobutyl ether and/or (di)propylene glycol monobutyl
ether.
[0102] The (di)propylene glycol monobutyl ether is meant to
indicate propylene glycol monobutyl ether (PGmBE) (solubility
parameter .delta.=8.9) and/or dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether
(DPGmBE) (.delta.=8.2). The di(tri)ethylene glycol monobutyl ether
is meant to indicate diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DEGmBE)
(.delta.=8.96) and/or triethylene glycol monobutyl ether (TEGmBE)
(.delta.=8.86).
[0103] The (di)propylene glycol monobutyl ether content in the ink
is preferably at most 10% by weight for imparting satisfactory ink
penetration suitable for ink jet recording ink. If it is larger
than 10% by weight, not only the effect of improving the print
quality tends to have peaked, but also an adverse effect of
increasing the ink viscosity tends to occur. In addition, since the
solubility in water of the (di)propylene glycol monobutyl ether is
not so high, the addition thereof in an amount larger than 10% by
weight in the ink tends to necessitate a dissolution promoter. More
preferably, the (di)propylene glycol monobutyl ether content of the
ink falls between 0.5% by weight and 5% by weight.
[0104] In case where the ink jet recording ink contains at least
0.5% by weight of the at least one compound selected from the group
consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants and acetylene alcohol
surfactants, it is desirable that the ratio by weight of the
compound to the (di)propylene glycol monobutyl ether in the ink is
controlled to fall between 1:0 and 1:10 for ensuring good print
quality. If the amount of the (di)propylene glycol monobutyl ether
in the ink is over 10 times the acetylene glycol surfactant and/or
the acetylene alcohol surfactant, the effect of improving the print
quality tends to have peaked, and a further larger amount addition
thereof gives merely a small effect, rather readily causes an
adverse effect of increasing the viscosity.
[0105] The di(tri)ethylene glycol monobutyl ether content in the
ink is preferably at most 20% by weight for imparting satisfactory
ink penetration suitable for ink jet recording ink. If it is larger
than 20% by weight, not only the effect of improving the print
quality tends to have peaked, but also an adverse effect of
increasing the viscosity tends to occur. More preferably, the
di(tri)ethylene glycol monobutyl ether content of the ink falls
between 0.5% by weight and 10% by weight.
[0106] In case where the ink jet recording ink contains at least
0.5% by weight of the at least one compound selected from the group
consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants and acetylene alcohol
surfactants, it is desirable that the ratio by weight of the
compound to the di(tri)ethylene glycol monobutyl ether is
controlled to fall between 1:0 and 1:10 for ensuring good print
quality. The di(tri)ethylene glycol monobutyl ether is effective
for improving the solubility of the acetylene glycol surfactants
and for improving the print quality. However, if the addition
amount thereof is over 10 times the di(tri)ethylene glycol
monobutyl ether, those effects tends to have peaked, and the
handling as an ink jet recording ink becomes worsened.
[0107] The 1,2-alkylene glycols include 1,2-(C.sub.4-10
alkyl)diols.
[0108] Preferably, the 1,2-(C.sub.4-10 alkylene) glycol content in
the ink is at most 15% by weight for imparting satisfactory ink
penetration suitable for ink jet recording ink. Of 1,2-alkylene
glycols, those in which the number of the carbon atoms in the
alkylene group is 3 or less give only a small effect of improving
the penetration. On the other hand, those in which the number of
the carbon atoms is more than 10 are poorly soluble in water, and
are therefore difficult to be used in water-soluble ink as in the
present invention, which necessitates the introduction of a
structure added with an oxyethylene chain or a water-soluble group
such as sulfonic acid group or phosphoric acid group. Provided that
the number of carbon atoms is 4 or more, 1,2-alkylene glycol
derivatives having such a water-soluble group introduced thereinto
and having at most 30 carbon atoms can be suitably used.
[0109] Preferably, the 1,2-(C.sub.4-10 alkylene) glycol content in
the ink is at most 15% by weight. If it is larger than 15% by
weight, not only the effect of improving the ink penetration tends
to have peaked to deteriorate the effect of improving the print
quality, but also an adverse effect of increasing the viscosity
tends to readily occur.
[0110] The 1,2-alkylene glycol includes, for example,
1,2-butanediol (1,2-BD), 1,2-pentanediol (1,2-PeD), 1,2-hexanediol
(1,2-HD), 1,2-octanediol, and 1,2-decanediol. Of those 1,2-alkylene
glycols, 1,2-pentanediol and/or 1,2-hexanediol are highly effective
when used directly as they are.
[0111] Particularly preferably, the 1,2-pentanediol content in the
ink falls between 3% by weight and 15% by weight. If it is smaller
than 3% by weight, the effect of improving the penetration tends to
be lowered. Also preferably, the 1,2-hexanediol content in the ink
falls between 0.5% by weight and 10% by weight. If it is smaller
than 0.5% by weight, the effect of improving the penetration tends
to be lowered.
[0112] Preferably, the ink jet recording ink of the invention
further contains at least one compound selected from the group
consisting of polyalcohols and compounds of formula (1) set forth
below, thereby the dispersion stability and ejection stability of
the ink can be improved.
R-EOn-POm-M (1)
wherein R represents a C.sub.4-12 alkanol, cycloalkanol, phenol
and/or naphthol group, which is linear and/or another isomer; EO
represents an ethyleneoxy group; PO represents a propyleneoxy
group; n and m each indicate the mean value of the repetitive units
in the whole system; the indication of EO and PO merely represent
the presence thereof in the molecule, not limiting their order; M
represents a hydrogen atom, a sulfonate group, a phosphate group
and/or a borate group, and the counter ion of the sulfonate group,
the phosphate group and/or the borate group is a hydrogen atom, an
alkali metal, an inorganic base and/or an organic amine.
[0113] With regard to M of formula (1) above, the alkali metal
includes, for example, lithium, sodium, and potassium; the
inorganic base may be ammonia; and the organic amine includes, for
example, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine,
monoisopropanolamine, and mono-s-butanolamine.
[0114] In formula (1), preferably, n falls between 0 and 10 and m
falls between 1 and 5. Since m and n each indicate the mean value
in the ink system, it is presumed that the molecules of formula (1)
have a molecular weight distribution. However, they may be
monodispersed.
[0115] Starting from alcohols, the compounds of formula (1) are
prepared by adding a target amount of ethylene oxide or propylene
oxide to the alcohol in an alkali or the like atmosphere, or by
adding thereto any of (mono, di, tri, . . . )propylene glycol or
(mono, di, tri, . . . )ethylene glycol through dehydration. In
general, therefore, the compounds are not monodispersed, but there
is no problem in making it monodispersed through an additional
process such as distillation or the like for use herein. However,
the residual alcohol content in the ink is preferably at most 1% by
weight. If larger than 1% by weight, it involves some problems such
that the ink wets the nozzle surface of a head to readily
deteriorate the print quality and that a smell of alcohol is
generated.
[0116] Preferably, the mean molecular weight of the compounds of
formula (1) is at most 2000. If their mean molecular weight is
larger than 2000, adverse effects such as deterioration in
penetration effect and an increase in the ink viscosity are readily
caused. More preferably, the mean molecular weight is at most 1000,
further preferably at most 500.
[0117] In case where the ink jet recording ink contains at most 5%
by weight of the acetylene glycol surfactant, the ratio of the
compound of formula (1) to the acetylene glycol surfactant
preferably falls between 1:0.1 and 1:3 from the view point of print
quality. Examples of the acetylene glycol surfactant include
Surfynol series manufactured by Air Products (USA) and Olfin series
manufactured by Nisshin Chemical Industry.
[0118] Preferably, the addition amount of the compound of formula
(1) in the ink falls between 0.5% by weight and 30% by weight.
[0119] In case where the ink jet recording ink contains at most 10%
by weight of (di)propylene monoglycol butyl ether as the glycol
ethers, the ratio by weight of the compound of formula (1) to the
glycol ether preferably falls between 1:0.1 and 1:10.
[0120] In case where the ink jet recording ink contains at most 20%
by weight of di(tri)ethylene glycol monobutyl ether as the glycol
ethers, the ratio by weight of the compound of formula (1) to the
glycol ether preferably falls between 1:0.1 and 1:10.
[0121] Also preferably, the ratio by weight of the compound of
formula (1) to the 1,2-alkylene glycol in the ink jet recording ink
falls between 1:0.1 and 1:10.
[0122] Also preferably, the polyalcohols are C.sub.3-12 alkyldiols
and/or C.sub.3-12 alkyltriols. Specifically, for example
1,2-propanediol (1,2-PD), 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD), 1,3-butanediol
(1,3-BD), 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD), 2,3-pentanediol (2,3-PeD),
1,5-pentanediol (1,5-PeD), 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol,
1,6-hexanediol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, and 1,2,6-hexanetriol are
on the market.
[0123] Also preferably, the ink jet recording ink of the invention
further contains a saccharide and glycerin. The use of the
saccharide and glycerin, which are soluble in water and have an
effect of water retention, in combination, an effect of suppressing
the evaporation of water is enhanced, to thereby prevent the
viscosity increase or solidification of the ink due to drying up at
the nozzle tips of a head. Accordingly, clogging with the ink can
be surely prevented (that is, the clogging reliability can be
improved), and satisfactory long-term ejection stability can be
ensured.
[0124] The saccharide for use in the invention includes
monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides and
glycosides.
[0125] Including monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides
and glycosides, the saccharide may be in any form of aldehydes,
ketones or glycoalcohols. Specifically, examples thereof include
erythrose, threose, erythrulose, erythritol, arabinose, xylose,
ribulose, xylulose, xylitol, glucose, mannose, galactose, talose,
fructose, psicose, tagatose, sorbose, sorbitol, mannitol,
trehalose, kojibiose, nigrose, maltose, isomaltose, isotrehalose,
sophorose, laminaribiose, cellobiose, gentibiose, multidextrin,
linear oligosaccharides, isomaltooligosaccharides, isomerized
saccharides, gentioligosaccharides, polydextrose, maltitol,
fructooligosaccharides, palatinose, palatinose oligosaccharides,
emulsified oligosaccharides, lactitol, lactulose, lactosucrose,
galactooligosaccharides, soybean oligosaccharides,
xylooligosaccharides, chitin-chitosan oligosaccharides, pectin
oligosaccharides, agarooligosaccharides, inulooligosaccharides,
paranichit, reduced starch syrup, carrageenan, alginic acid,
pullulan, xanthan gum, gellan gum, curdlan, polydextrose and
polydextrose. Of these saccharides, those having a large molecular
weight increase the viscosity of the ink, and hence their amount to
be added is limited. Therefore, monosaccharides and disaccharides
having a relatively small molecular weight are preferred. Addition
of the polysaccharide in a large amount is not preferred since it
increases the ink viscosity.
[0126] Accordingly, at least 80% by weight of the saccharide added
to the ink preferably comprises aldose, ketose and/or glycoalcohol
each having at most 12 carbon atoms.
[0127] Particularly preferred examples of the saccharide for use in
the invention include glucose, mannose, maltitol, fructose, ribose,
xylose, arabinose, lactose, galactose, aldonic acid, glucitose,
maltose, cellobiose, sucrose, trehalose, erythritol, maltotriose,
isomaltooligosaccharides, mannitol, sorbitol, fructose, and
xylitol. In the invention, the addition amount of the saccharide
preferably falls between 0.05% by weight and 30% by weight, more
preferably between 3% by weight and 20% by weight. If the amount of
the saccharide is smaller than 0.05% by weight, the effect of
recovering from the phenomenon that the ink is dried up at the
nozzle tip portion of a head to clog the nozzle, i.e., a so-called
clogging phenomenon, is small. On the other hand, if larger than
30% by weight, the viscosity of the ink is increased to cause a
problem in the ejection stability, such as the occurrence of an
ejection defect, etc., thus not being preferred.
[0128] Preferably, the ink jet recording ink of the invention
contains glycerin, and at least one member selected from
saccharides and compounds of a formula (2) set forth below.
Particularly since the color development of the images can be
improved thereby, the print quality can be further improved. In
addition, the ink is more surely prevented from clogging head
nozzles (the clogging reliability can be improved).
A-(EP)n (2)
wherein A represents a glycerin skeleton; EP represents an
ethyleneoxy group (terminal OH) and/or a propyleneoxy group
(terminal OH), but may be an OH group; and n indicates the
repetitive units.
[0129] In formula (2), n preferably falls between 0.5 and 10. If n
is smaller than 0.5, the effect of improving print quality is small
and, on the other hand, if larger than 10, an adverse effect such
as viscosity increase is caused. However, in the case where the
compound is used in combination with the saccharide described
above, n in formula (2) is not limited to the range, though
depending on the addition amount thereof. For example, n may be
smaller than 0.5, or may be larger than 10 not exceeding 30.
[0130] Preferably, the repetitive units (EP) indicated with n in
formula (2) are ethyleneoxy and/or propyleneoxy groups, and the
compounds preferably have a molecular weight distribution. (EP) is
preferably ethyleneoxy and/or propyleneoxy. Particularly, when the
ink is desired to have a low viscosity, ethyleneoxy is preferably
used, whereas when the ink is desired to have a relatively high
viscosity, propyleneoxy is preferably used. The amounts thereof can
be appropriately selected. These additives are preferred since they
improve the ejection stability of the ink.
[0131] Preferably, the mean molecular weight of the compound of
formula (2) is at most 1000. If the mean molecular weight is larger
than 1000, it becomes hard to surely improve the clogging
reliability. Regarding the degree of the molecular weight
distribution, it is preferred that the ratio of weight-average
molecular weight (Mw)/number-average molecular weight (Mn) is at
least 1.5, but this does not deny the ratio of smaller than
1.5.
[0132] Preferably, the dye for use in the invention is insoluble or
hardly soluble in water. For use in the colorant in the present
invention, examples thereof include, for example, oil-soluble dyes,
basic dyes, disperse dyes, vat dyes, sulfide dyes, organic
solvent-soluble dyes, and reactive dyes.
[0133] The pigment for use in the invention is not particularly
limited, and any of inorganic dyes and organic dyes can be used.
The inorganic dyes include, for example, metallic dyes such as
copper oxides, iron oxides, and titanium oxides; and carbon blacks
such as furnace black, lamp black, acetylene black, and channel
black. The organic pigments include, for example, azo pigments
(including azo lakes, insoluble azo pigments, condensed azo
pigments, chelate azo pigments), polycyclic pigments (e.g.,
phthalocyanine pigments, perylene pigments, perinone pigments,
anthraquinone pigments, quinacridone pigments, dioxane pigments,
thioindigo pigments, isoindolinone pigments, quinofuranone
pigments), dye chelates (e.g., basic dye chelates, acid dye
chelates), nitro pigments, nitroso pigments, and aniline black.
[0134] As the pigment for black ink, C.I. Pigment Black 11 which is
an iron oxide; C.I. Pigment Black 7 which is a carbon black; and
C.I. Pigment Black 1 which is an aniline black can be mentioned.
More specifically, the following carbon blacks can be exemplified:
Mitsubishi Chemical's No. 2300, No. 900, MCF88, No. 33, No. 40, No.
45, No. 52, MA7, MA8, MA100, No. 220GB; Columbia's Raven 5750,
Raven 5250, Raven 5000, Raven 3500, Raven 1255, Raven 700; Cabot's
Regal 400$, Regal 330R, Regal 660R, Mogul L, Monarch 700, Monarch
800, Monarch 880, Monarch 900, Monarch 1000, Monarch 1100, Monarch
1300, Monarch 1400; Dexxa's Color Black FW1, Color Black FW2, Color
Black FW2V, Color Black FW18, Color Black FW200, Color Black S150,
Color Black S160, Color Black S170, Printex 35, Printex U, Printex
V, Printex 140U, Special Black 6, Special Black 5, Special Black
4A, Special Black 4.
[0135] Examples of the pigment for yellow ink include C.I. Pigment
Yellow 1 (Fast Yellow G), 2, 3, 12 (Disazo Yellow AAA), 13, 14, 16,
17, 24, 34, 35, 37, 42 (yellow iron oxide), 53, 55, 73, 74, 75, 81,
83 (Disazo Yellow HR), 93, 95, 97, 98, 100, 101, 104, 108, 109,
110, 114, 117, 120, 128, 129, 138, 151, 153 and 154.
[0136] Examples of the pigment for magenta ink include C.I. Pigment
Red 1, 2, 3, 5, 7. 12, 17, 22 (Brilliant Fast Scarlet Red), 23, 31,
38, 48 (Ca), 48 (Mn), 48:2 (Permanent Red 2B (Ba)), 48:2 (Permanent
Red 2B (Ca)), 48:3 (Permanent Red 2B (Sr)), 48:3 (Permanent Red 2B
(Mn)); 49:1, 52:2, 53:1, 57)Ca), 57:1 (Brilliant Carmine 6B), 60:1,
63:1, 63:2, 64:1, 81 (Rhodamine 6G Lake), 83, 88, 101 (red iron
oxide), 104, 105, 106, 108 (cadmium red), 112, 114, 122
(quinacridone magenta), 123, 146, 149, 166, 168, 170, 172, 177,
178, 179, 184, 185, 190, 193, 202, 209 and 219.
[0137] Examples of the pigment for cyan ink include C.I. Pigment
Blue 1, 2, 3, 15 (Phthalocyanine Blue R), 15:1, 15:2, 15:3
(Phthalocyanine Blue G), 15:4, 15:6 (Phthalocyanine Blue E), 15:34,
16, 17:1, 22, 56, 60 and 63, C.I. Vat Blue 4, and C.I. Vat Blue
60.
[0138] Examples of the pigment for green ink include C.I. Pigment
Green 1, 4, 7, 8, 10, 17, 18 and 36.
[0139] With regard to the particle size of the pigment, pigments
comprising particles of at most 0.5 .mu.m are preferred, and
pigments comprising particles falling between 0.01 and 0.15 .mu.m
are more preferred.
[0140] The addition amount of the colorant of such pigment and/or
dye enveloped in a polymer preferably falls between 0.5% by weight
and 30% by weight, more preferably between 1.0% by weight and 12%
by weight. If the addition amount is smaller than 0.5% by weight,
printed density tends to become hardly ensued. On the other hand,
if larger than 30% by weight, there is a tendency that a viscosity
increase of the ink or a structural viscosity in the viscosity
characteristics is caused to thereby deteriorate the ejection
stability.
[0141] In the colorant of the pigment and/or dye enveloped in a
polymer, the content of the polymer is preferably at least 10% by
weight, more preferably at least 20% by weight, still more
preferably at least 30% by weight with respect to the whole amount
of the colorant. When the polymer content is not smaller than 10%
by weight, in particular, the property of recovering from nozzle
clogging becomes good. In case of color inks (e.g., cyan ink,
magenta ink, yellow ink, etc.), the color transparency through
transparent sheets such as OHP sheet becomes further good.
[0142] When the polymer content in the colorant is smaller than 10%
by weight, the above-mentioned acetylene alcohol surfactants,
acetylene glycol surfactants, glycol ethers, polyalcohols and
substances of formula (2) may partially swell the polymer. In such
a case, the polymer readily peels off from the pigment, sometime
resulting in an increase viscosity of the ink.
[0143] The colorant of the pigment and/or dye enveloped in a
polymer is described in more detail below. The term "enveloping" as
used in the present invention means that the pigment and/or dye for
the colorant is completely enveloped in a polymer.
[0144] The polymer that envelops the pigment and/or dye therein
preferably comprises, as a main component, at least one member
selected from the group consisting of vinyl polymers such as
polyacrylates, styrene-acrylic acid copolymers, polystyrenes; and
polyesters, polyamides, polyimides, silicon-containing polymers and
sulfur-containing polymers.
[0145] If an ordinary pigment (not enveloped in a polymer) is
dispersed in water by a dispersant, and a compound selected from
acetylene glycol surfactants, acetylene alcohol surfactants, glycol
ethers and 1,2-alkylene glycols is added to the aqueous dispersion,
then the dispersant readily drops off from the pigment surface, and
the compound may adhere to the pigment in place of the dropped
dispersant. As a result, a phenomenon that the dispersant having
dropped off from the pigment disturbs the printing readily occurs.
In contrast, where the above-described polymer is used for
enveloping the pigment and/or dye therein, the polymer can stably
envelop the colorant therein, making it difficult to cause the
phenomenon mentioned above. Therefore, the use of the colorant of
the pigment and/or dye enveloped in the polymer as a colorant of an
ink composition makes it possible to attain stable ejection and
satisfactory images.
[0146] In one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention,
suitable examples of the polymer include those prepared by
polymerizable monomers or oligomers having a double bond of an
acryloyl, methacryloyl, vinyl or allyl group through ordinary
polymerization using a polymerization initiator.
[0147] The monomers include, for example, styrene,
tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate, butyl methacrylate, (.alpha.,2,3 or
4)-alkylstyrenes, (.alpha.,2,3 or 4)-alkoxystyrenes,
3,4-dimethylstyrene, .alpha.-phenylstyrene, divinylbenzene,
vinylnaphthalene, dimethylamino (meth)acrylate, dimethylaminoethyl
(meth)acrylate, dimethylaminopropylacrylamide,
N,N-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate, acryloylmorpholine,
N,N-dimethylacrylamide, N-isopropylacrylamide,
N,N-diethylacrylamide, methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate,
propyl (meth)acrylate, ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, other alkyl
(meth)acrylates, methoxydiethylene glycol (meth)acrylate, ethoxy,
propoxy or butoxy-having diethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol
(meth)acrylates, cyclohexyl (meth)acrylate, benzyl (meth)acrylate,
phenoxyethyl (meth)acrylate, isobornyl (meth)acrylate, hydroxyalkyl
(meth)acrylates, fluorine, chlorine or bromine-containing
(meth)acrylates, (meth)acrylamides, maleic acid amides; and for
additionally introducing a crosslinked structure to monofunctional
(meth)acrylic acids, examples thereof include acryl or methacryl
group-having compounds such as (mono, di, tri, tetra, poly)ethylene
glycol di(meth)acrylates, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol,
1,6-hexanediol, 1,8-octanediol and 1,10-decanediol (meth)acrylates,
trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, glycerin (di,
tri)(meth)acrylates, bisphenol A or bisphenol F-ethylene oxide
adduct di(meth)acrylates, neopentyl glycol di(meth)acrylate,
pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate and dipentaerythritol
hexa(meth)acrylate.
[0148] The polymerization initiator may be any ordinary one
generally used in radical polymerization, including, for example,
potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate, as well as hydrogen
persulfate, azobisisobutyronitrile, benzoyl peroxide, dibutyl
peroxide, peracetic acid, cumemehydroperoxide,
t-butylhydroxyperoxide, paramenthanehydroxyperoxide. However,
preferred for use herein are water-soluble polymerization
initiators.
[0149] Examples of the method for enveloping the pigment and/or dye
in such a polymer include phase conversion emulsification, acid
deposition and forced emulsification.
[0150] One known example of the phase conversion emulsification
comprises: dissolving a self-water-dispersible resin
(self-water-dispersible polymer), in which a part of the acid group
is neutralized with a base, in an organic solvent; dispersing or
dissolving a pigment and/or dye in the resulting solution to give a
colorant resin solution; and mixing it with an aqueous medium
essentially comprising water, to thereby undergo phase conversion
emulsification. Upon the phase conversion emulsification, colorant
particles in which the pigment and/or dye is enveloped in the resin
are generated. Therefore, by subsequently removing the organic
solvent from the aqueous medium, a colorant enveloping the pigment
and/or dye can be suitably obtained. Preferred examples of the
self-water-dispersible resin include copolymers of at least one
monomer selected from the group consisting of styrene, substituted
styrenes and (meth)acrylates, having an acid value of from 20 to
200 KOH mg/g, with (meth)acrylic acid.
[0151] Another known example of the phase conversion emulsification
comprises adding a polyester to a ketone solvent together with the
pigment and/or dye, adding a neutralizing agent to the ketone
solution to thereby ionize the carboxyl group in the polyester, and
adding water thereto to undergo phase conversion emulsification. By
evaporating away the ketone solvent from the mixed solvent, and a
colorant enveloping the pigment and/or dye in a polyester can be
suitably obtained.
[0152] One example of the acid deposition process comprises adding
an acidic compound to an aqueous dispersion of the pigment and/or
dye finely dispersed by a "resin (polymer) having a carboxyl group
neutralized with a basic compound" to make the pH of the aqueous
dispersion neutral or acidic, thereby making the resin hydrophobic
so that the pigment can be firmly fixed onto the resin. By
subsequently adding a basic compound to the aqueous dispersion so
as to neutralize again the carboxyl group in the resin, an aqueous
dispersion of a colorant enveloping the pigment and/or dye in a
resin (polymer) can be suitably obtained.
[0153] One known example of the forced emulsification process
comprises adding a vinyl polymer having a silicon macromer as a
copolymerizable component, and the pigment and/or dye to an organic
solvent, adding a neutralizing agent to the resulting solution or
dispersion to thereby ionize the salt-forming group in the vinyl
polymer, and adding water thereto to emulsify it. By subsequently
evaporating away the organic solvent, a colorant enveloping the
pigment and/or dye in the polymer can be suitably obtained.
[0154] The polymer that envelops pigment and/or dye therein is
typically a copolymer of a polymerizable group-having dispersant
and a copolymerizable monomer, which will be described in detail
below. The colorant of the pigment and/or dye enveloped in such a
copolymer of a polymerizable group-having dispersant and a
copolymerizable monomer can be suitably obtained by dispersing the
pigment and/or dye in water by a polymerizable group-having
dispersant, followed by adding a copolymerizable monomer and a
polymerization initiator thereto to undergo polymerization.
[0155] It is preferred that the particles in the ink jet recording
ink have a relatively uniform particle size from the views points
of clogging and ejection stability. Therefore, the colorant of the
pigment and/or dye enveloped in the polymer is preferably prepared
through emulsion polymerization.
[0156] In case where a pigment is used, the pigment colorant
enveloped in a polymer is preferably prepared by dispersing the
pigment in water by a polymerizable group-having dispersant
followed by conducting emulsion polymerization in water using a
monomer copolymerizable with the dispersant (copolymerizable
monomer) and a polymerization initiator.
[0157] The colorant of the dye enveloped in a polymer is preferably
prepared by directly dissolving a water-insoluble or hardly
water-soluble dye such as oil-soluble dye, disperse dye, vat dye or
reactive dye in a monomer, followed by conducting emulsion
polymerization.
[0158] The emulsion polymerization may be effected in any ordinary
manner, and the polymerization is proceeded with free radicals that
are formed through thermal decomposition of a water-soluble
polymerization initiator in the presence of an emulsifier.
[0159] The copolymerizable monomer is preferably a compound having
an unsaturated group in its structure. The unsaturated group is
preferably selected from the group consisting of a vinyl group, an
allyl group, an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group, a propenyl
group, an acrylamido group, a vinylamido group, a vinylidene group
and a vinyl group.
[0160] More specifically, the copolymerizable monomer is may be any
of those having high copolymerizability with a polymerizable
group-having dispersant, and commonly used radically polymerizable
monomers can be used therefor. Examples of the radically
polymerizable monomer include those containing, in its molecule, at
least one radically polymerizable unsaturated hydrocarbon group
such as vinyl, allyl, acryloyl or methacryloyl, propenyl,
acrylamido, vinylamido, vinylidene and vinylene groups. Specific
examples of the radically polymerizable monomer include styrene and
styrene derivatives such as methylstyrene, dimethylstyrene,
chlorostyrene, dichlorostyrene, bromostyrene,
p-chloromethylstyrene, divinylbenzene; acrylic acid and
mono-functional acrylates such as methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate,
n-butyl acrylate, butoxyethyl acrylate, benzyl acrylate, phenyl
acrylate, phenoxyethyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate,
dicyclopentanyl acrylate, dicyclopentenyl acrylate,
dicyclopentenyloxyethyl acrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate,
isobornyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl
acrylate, 2-acryloyloxyethyl succinate, 2-acryloyloxyethyl
phthalate, caprolactone acrylate, glycidyl acrylate; methacrylic
acid and monofunctional methacrylates such as methyl methacrylate,
ethyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl
methacrylate, butoxymethyl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate,
phenyl methacrylate, phenoxyethyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl
methacrylate, dicyclopentanyl methacrylate, dicyclopentenyl
methacrylate, dicyclopentenyloxyethyl methacrylate,
tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate,
2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate,
2-hydroxybutyl methacrylate, glycerol methacrylate,
2-methacryloyloxyethyl succinate, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phthalate,
caprolactone methacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate; allyl compounds
such as aminoethyl acrylate, aminopropyl acrylate, methylaminoethyl
acrylate, methylaminopropyl acrylate, ethylaminoethyl acrylate,
ethylaminopropyl acrylate, acrylic aminoethylamide, acrylic
aminopropylamide, acrylic methylaminoethylamide, acrylic
methylaminopropylamide, acrylic ethylaminoethylamide, acrylic
ethylaminopropylamide, methacrylic amide, aminoethyl methacrylate,
aminopropyl methacrylate, methylaminoethyl methacrylate,
methylaminopropyl methacrylate, ethylaminoethyl methacrylate,
ethylaminopropyl methacrylate, methacrylic aminoethylamide,
methacrylic aminopropylamide, methacrylic methylaminoethylamide,
methacrylic methylaminopropylamide, methacrylic
ethylaminoethylamide, methacrylic ethylaminopropylamide,
hydroxymethyl acrylate, hydroxymethyl methacrylate,
N-methylolacrylamide, allyl alcohol, allylbenzene, allyl
3-cyclohexanepropionate, 1-allyl-3,4-dimethoxybenzene, allyl
phenoxyacetate, allyl phenylacetate, allylcyclohexane, and allyl
esters of polycarboxylic acids; fumaric acid, maleic acid, itaconic
acid, and their esters; and other radically polymerizable
group-having monomers such as acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile,
maleic anhydride, N-substituted maleimides, and cyclic olefins.
[0161] In particular, monomers having a hydrophilic group is
preferably used as the copolymerizable monomer. Examples of a
carboxyl group-having monomer include, for example, acrylic acid,
methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, ethacrylic acid, propylacrylic
acid, isopropylacrylic acid, 2-acryloyloxyethylsuccinic acid,
2-acryloyloxyethylphthalic acid, 2-methacryloyloxyethylsuccinic
acid, 2-methacryloyloxyethylphthalic acid, itaconic acid, fumaric
acid, and maleic acid. Of these, preferred are acrylic acid and
methacrylic acid. Examples of a sulfonic acid group-having monomer
include, for example, 4-methylsulfonic acid and its salts,
vinylsulfonic acid and its salts, sulfoethyl acrylate and its
salts, sulfoethyl methacrylate and its salts, sulfoalkyl acrylates
and their salts, sulfoalkyl methacrylates and their salts,
sulfopropyl acrylate and its salts, sulfopropyl methacrylate and
its salts, sulfoaryl acrylates and their salts, sulfoaryl
methacrylates and their salts, butylacrylamidosulfonic acid and its
salts, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and its salts.
Examples of a hydroxyl group-having monomer include, for example,
2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate,
2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate,
2-hydroxybutyl acrylate, 2-hydroxybutyl methacrylate, polyethylene
glycol 400 acrylate, polyethylene glycol 400 methacrylate,
N-hydroxyethyl acrylate, and N-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Examples
of an amido group-having monomer include, for example, acrylamide,
methacrylamide, acrylic aminopropylamide, methacrylic
aminoproylamide, acrylic aminoethylamide, methacrylic
aminoethylamide, and vinylpyrrolidone. Examples of a phosphone
group-having monomer include phosphoethyl methacrylate.
[0162] Polymerizable surfactants of formula (I) (mentioned in
detail below) that are preferred for the polymerizable group-having
dispersant are monomers of high electron donating ability.
Therefore, the copolymerizable monomers to be used are preferably
those of high electron acceptability. Examples of the
copolymerizable monomer of high electron acceptability include
acrylonitrile, fumaronitrile, fumaric diesters such as dibutyl
fumarate; maleic diesters such as dibutyl maleate; maleimides such
as N-phenylmaleimide; and vinylidene cyanide. These may be used
singly or as a mixture of two of more thereof.
[0163] The addition amount of the copolymerizable monomer
preferably falls between around 2 and 15 times, more preferably
between around 3 and 12 times, in terms of molar ratio with respect
to the polymerizable group-having dispersant. With a molar ratio of
at least 2 times the dispersant, the encapsulated pigment particles
formed have excellent dispersion stability in an aqueous medium.
With a molar ratio of at most 15 times the dispersant, the monomer
can be sufficiently dissolved in the adsorbing layer of the
polymerizable group-having dispersant to suppress the formation of
water-insoluble polymers and the relative reduction in the amount
of ionic repulsive groups, thereby making it possible to enhance
the dispersion stability.
[0164] Suitable examples of the polymerization initiator to be used
in preparing the copolymer of the polymerizable group-having
dispersant and the copolymerizable monomer include potassium
persulfate, ammonium persulfate, sodium persulfate,
2,2-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride, and
4,4-azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid).
[0165] In the emulsion polymerization, a chain transfer agent can
be also used. Examples thereof include t-dodecylmercaptan, as well
as n-dodecylmercaptan, n-octylmercaptan, xanthogens such as
dimethylxanthogen disulfide, diisobutylxanthogen disulfide; and
dipentene, indene, 1,4-cyclohexadiene, dihydrofuran, and
xanthene.
[0166] For dispersing the pigment and/or dye in water, for example,
employable are dispersion methods with ultrasonic waves, or in bead
mills, sand mills or roll mills. In particular, in the case where a
pigment is used, the use of a disperser such as bead mill, sand
mill or roll mill is preferred, since the pigment colorant can be
formed into fine particles thereby.
[0167] The polymer that envelops the pigment and/or dye therein
include a polymer having a crosslinked structure.
[0168] The colorant of the pigment and/or dye enveloped in such a
crosslinked structure-having polymer for use in the invention may
be prepared through phase conversion emulsification of the pigment
and/or dye with a polymer having a crosslinking reactive group and
a hydrophilic group to thereby make the pigment and/or dye
enveloped in the polymer, followed by crosslinking reaction with a
crosslinking agent.
[0169] Specifically, the "pigment and/or dye", the polymer having a
crosslinking reactive group and a hydrophilic group, and a
crosslinking agent are added to an organic solvent to prepare a
solution or dispersion, to which are added a neutralizing agent and
optionally a surfactant (this surfactant is preferably a
polymerizable surfactant described in detail below), to obtain the
resulting mixture as an organic solvent phase. While either of the
organic solvent phase or water is stirred, water is put into the
organic solvent phase or the organic solvent phase is put into
water to undergo phase conversion emulsification, thereby
enveloping the "pigment and/or dye" in the organic phase that
comprises the polymer having a crosslinking reactive group and a
hydrophilic group and the crosslinking agent. In this process, a
catalyst to initiate the crosslinking reaction may be added to
either the organic solvent phase or the aqueous phase. When the
catalyst is soluble in oil, it is preferably added to the organic
solvent phase; but when soluble in water, it is preferably added to
the aqueous phase. Next, the polymer is crosslinked at a
predetermined temperature, at which crosslinking reaction takes
place, for a predetermined period of time, and then the organic
solvent is evaporated away by a general method of, for example,
ordinary distillation or reduced pressure distillation, to thereby
obtain an aqueous dispersion in which the colorant of a coloring
material enveloped in a polymer having a crosslinked structure is
dispersed.
[0170] The polymer having a crosslinking reactive group and a
hydrophilic group is not particularly limited so long as it has at
least a crosslinking reactive group and a hydrophilic group.
Examples thereof include, for example, vinyl polymers,
polyacrylates, styrene-acrylic acid copolymers, polyesters,
polyamides, polyimides, polyurethanes, amino polymers,
silicon-containing polymers, sulfur-containing polymers,
fluorine-containing polymers, epoxy resins and their mixtures,
having a crosslinking reactive group and a hydrophilic group.
[0171] The hydrophilic group of the polymer having a crosslinking
reactive group and a hydrophilic group includes a sulfone group, a
sulfonic acid group, a carboxyl group, a hydroxyl group and their
salts and quaternary ammonium salts, and is preferably selected
therefrom.
[0172] The crosslinking reactive group of the polymer having a
crosslinking reactive group and a hydrophilic group includes a
glycidyl group, an isocyanate group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl
group and an unsaturated hydrocarbon group, and is preferably
selected therefrom.
[0173] The unsaturated hydrocarbon group of the polymer having a
crosslinking reactive group and a hydrophilic group includes a
vinyl group, an allyl group, an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl
group, a propenyl group, a vinylidene group and a vinylene group,
and is preferably selected therefrom.
[0174] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, vinyl
polymers, poly(meth)acrylates, and styrene-(meth)acrylic acid
copolymers are used for the polymer having a crosslinking reactive
group and a hydrophilic group. These polymers may be prepared by
polymerizing: a (meth)acrylate monomer having at least one
hydrophilic group selected from the group consisting of a sulfone
group, a sulfonic acid group, a carboxyl group, a hydroxyl group
and their salts and quaternary ammonium salts; a (meth)acrylate
monomer having a crosslinking reactive group such as a glycidyl
group or an isocyanate group; and a monomer capable of
copolymerizable with these monomers, in a mode of solution
polymerization in an solvent such as an aliphatic hydrocarbon
solvent, an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, an ester solvent, a
ketone solvent, an alcohol solvent or an aprotic solvent, in the
presence of a polymerization initiator of, for example, peroxides
such as t-butyl peroxybenzoate, di-t-butyl peroxide, cumene
perhydroxide, acetyl peroxide, benzoyl peroxide or lauroyl
peroxide, or azo compounds such as azobisisobutyronitrile,
azobis-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile or azobiscyclohexanecarbonitrile.
Upon the solution polymerization, optionally added is a polymer
chain transfer agent, examples of which includes, for example,
mercaptans such as octylmercaptan, n-dodecylmercaptan,
t-dodecylmercaptan, n-hexadecylmercaptan, n-tetradecylmercaptan,
t-tetradecylmercaptan; xanthogen disulfides such as
dimethylxanthogen disulfide, diethylxanthogen disulfide,
diisopropylxanthogen disulfide; thiuram disulfides such as
tetramethylthiuram disulfide, tetraethylthiuram disulfide,
tetrabutylthiuram disulfide; halogenohydrocarbons such as carbon
tetrachloride, ethylene bromide; hydrocarbons such as
pentaphenylethane; acrolein, methacrolein, allyl alcohol,
2-ethylhexyl thioglycolate, terbinolene, .alpha.-terpinene,
.gamma.-terpinene, dipentene, .alpha.-methylstyrene dimer
(preferably containing at least 50 parts by weight of
2,4-diphenyl-4-methyl-1-pentene); unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbon
compounds such as 9,10-dihydroanthracene, 1,4-dihydronaphthalene,
indene, 1,4-cyclohexadiene; unsaturated heterocyclic compounds such
as xanthene, 2,5-dihydrofuran. These may be used singly or as a
mixture of two or more thereof.
[0175] The polymerization may be effected generally at 30 to
100.degree. C., preferably at 50 to 80.degree. C., for 1 to 10
hours. The polymerization condition may be appropriately
determined, depending on the kinds of the radical polymerization
initiator, monomers and solvent to be used. Preferably, the
polymerization is effected in an inert gas atmosphere such as
nitrogen. After thus polymerized, the copolymer may be isolated
from the reaction mixture in any known method of, for example,
reprecipitation or solvent evaporation. The thus-obtained copolymer
may be purified by removing the unreacted monomer and the like
through repeated reprecipitation, membrane separation,
chromatography or extraction. The weight-average molecular weight
of the thus-obtained polymer preferably falls between 1000 and
50000, more preferably between 1000 and 30000, from the view point
of easiness of enveloping the coloring material and easiness of
crosslinking.
[0176] Of the hydrophilic group-having (meth)acrylate monomers,
examples of a carboxyl group-having acrylic monomer include, for
example, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, ethacrylic
acid, propylacrylic-acid, isopropylacrylic acid, itaconic acid, and
fumaric acid. Of those, preferred are acrylic acid and methacrylic
acid. Examples of a sulfonic acid group-having (meth)acrylic
monomer include, for example, sulfoethyl methacrylate,
butylacrylamidosulfonic acid, and
2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid. Examples of a phosphone
group-having (meth)acrylic monomer include, for example,
phosphoethyl methacrylate.
[0177] Examples of a crosslinking reactive group-having
(meth)acrylate monomer include, for example, blocked isocyanate
group-having polymerizable monomers, epoxy group-having monomers,
and 1,3-dioxolan-2-on-4-yl group-having monomers. The blocked
isocyanate group-having polymerizable monomers may be readily
prepared, for example, by reacting an isocyanate group-having
polymerizable monomer such as 2-methacryloyloxyethyl isocyanate
with a known blocking agent in a mode of addition reaction.
Alternatively, they may also be prepared by reacting a vinyl
copolymer having a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group with a
compound having an isocyanate group and a blocked isocyanate group
in a mode of addition reaction. Examples of the epoxy group-having
monomer include, for example, glycidyl (meth)acrylate, and
alicyclic epoxy group-having (meth)acrylate monomers. Examples of
the 1,3-dioxolan-2-on-4-yl group-having monomer include, for
example, 1,3-dioxolan-2-on-4-ylmethyl (meth)acrylate, and
1,3-dioxolan-2-on-4-ylmethyl vinyl ether.
[0178] The monomer copolymerizable with these monomers includes,
for example, (meth)acrylates such as methyl acrylate, ethyl
acrylate, isopropyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate,
t-butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, n-octyl acrylate, lauryl
acrylate, benzyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate,
isopropyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, n-butyl
methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, t-butyl methacrylate,
2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, n-octyl methacrylate, lauryl
methacrylate, stearyl methacrylate, tridecyl methacrylate, benzyl
methacrylate; adducts of oil-fatty acids and oxirane
structure-having (meth)acrylate monomers, such as adduct of stearic
acid and glycidyl methacrylate; adducts of oxirane compounds with
an alkyl group having at least 3 carbon atoms, and (meth)acrylic
acid; styrene monomers such as styrene, .alpha.-methylstyrene,
o-methylstyrene, m-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene,
p-tert-butylstyrene; itaconates such as benzyl itaconate, ethyl
itaconate; maleates such as dimethyl maleate, diethyl maleate;
fumarates such as dimethyl fumarate, diethyl fumarate; and
acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, vinyl acetate, isobornyl
acrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, aminoethyl acrylate, aminopropyl
acrylate, methylaminoethyl acrylate, methylaminopropyl acrylate,
ethylaminoethyl acrylate, ethylaminopropyl acrylate, acrylic
aminoethylamide, acrylic aminopropylamide, acrylic
methylaminoethylamide, acrylic methylaminopropylamide, acrylic
ethylaminoethylamide, acrylic ethylaminopropylamide, methacrylic
amide, aminoethyl methacrylate, aminopropyl methacrylate,
methylaminoethyl methacrylate, methylaminopropyl methacrylate,
ethylaminoethyl methacrylate, ethylaminopropyl methacrylate,
methacrylic aminoethylamide, methacrylic aminopropylamide,
methacrylic methylaminoethylamide, methacrylic
methylaminopropylamide, methacrylic ethylaminoethylamide,
methacrylic ethylaminopropylamide, hydroxymethyl acrylate,
2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, hydroxymethyl
methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl
methacrylate, N-methylolacrylamide, allyl alcohol.
[0179] As the crosslinking agent, those which react with the
crosslinking reactive group of the polymer having a crosslinking
reactive group and a hydrophilic group to undergo crosslinking and
which have, in its molecular structure, at least two functional
groups capable of reacting with the crosslinking reactive group of
the polymer can be used. In case where the crosslinking reactive
group of the polymer is a glycidyl group, preferably used is a
compound having at least two functional groups of at least one kind
selected from an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydroxyl group,
an N-methylol group and an N-methylol ether group. Examples thereof
include, for example, aliphatic amines such as ethyleneamines,
N-aminoethylpiperazine, metaxylenediamine,
1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane, polyamides; cycloaliphatic amines
such as paramenthanediamine, mesophoronediamine,
bis(4-amino-3-methylcyclohexyl)methane, 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole;
aromatic amines such as metaphenylenediamine,
4,4'-diaminodiphenylamine, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone,
dicyanediamide; and acid anhydrides such as phthalic anhydride,
pyromellitic anhydride, nadic anhydride. In case where the
crosslinking reactive group of the polymer having a crosslinking
reactive group and a hydrophilic group is an isocyanate group,
preferably used is a compound having at least two functional groups
of at least one kind selected from a carboxyl group, a hydroxyl
group, an amino group and a mercapto group. Examples thereof
include, for example, polyols such as polyether polyols,
polytetramethylene ether glycols, alkyleneoxide copolyols, epoxy
resin-modified polyols, lactone-polyester polyols, condensed
polyester polyols, polycarbonate diols, acrylic polyols,
polybutadiene polyols, phosphorus-containing polyols,
halogen-containing polyols; polyamines such as polyether
polyamines, polytetramethylene-ether diamines, alkyleneoxide
copolyamines, epoxy-modified polyamines, condensed polyester
polyamines, polycarbonate polyamines, acrylic polyamines; and
polythiols such as polyether polythiols, polytetramethylene-ether
diols, alkyleneoxide copolythiols, epoxy resin-modified polythiols,
lactone-polyester polythiols, condensed polyester polythiols,
polycarbonate dithiols, acrylic polythiols, polybutadiene
polythiols, phosphorus-containing polythiols, halogen-containing
polythiols. In case where the crosslinking reactive group of the
polymer is a hydroxyl group, preferably used is a compound having
at least two functional groups of at least one kind selected from a
glycidyl group and an isocyanate group. In case where the
crosslinking reactive group of the polymer is an unsaturated
hydrocarbon group, preferably used is a compound having at least
two unsaturated hydrocarbon groups of at least one kind selected
from a vinyl group, an allyl group, an acryloyl group, a
methacryloyl group, a propenyl group, a vinylidene group, and a
vinylene group. Examples thereof include, for example, ethylene
glycol diacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, triethylene glycol
diacrylate, tetraethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol
diacrylate, allyl acrylate, bis(acryloxyethyl)hydroxyethyl
isocyanurate, bis(acryloxyneopentylglycol) adipate, 1,3-butylene
glycol diacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, neopentylglycol
diacrylate, propylene glycol diacrylate, polypropylene glycol
diacrylate, 2-hydroxy-1,3-diacryloxypropane,
2,2-bis[4-(acryloxy)phenyl]propane,
2,2-bis[4-(acryloxyethoxy)phenyl]propane,
2,2-bis[4-(acryloxyethoxy.diethoxy)phenyl]propane,
2,2-bis[4-(acryloxyethoxy.polyethoxy)phenyl]propane, hydroxypivalic
neopentylglycol diacrylate, 1,4-butanediol diacrylate,
dicyclopentanyl diacrylate, dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate,
dipentaerythritol monohydroxypentaacrylate, ditrimethylolpropane
tetraacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, tetrabromobisphenol A
diacrylate, triglycerol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate,
tris(acryloxyethyl) isocyanurate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate,
diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol
dimethacrylate, tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, polyethylene
glycol dimethacrylate, propylene glycol dimethacrylate,
polypropylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,3-butylene glycol
dimethacrylate, 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol
dimethacrylate, neopentylglycol dimethacrylate,
2-hydroxy-1,3-dimethacryloxypropane,
2,2-bis[4-(methacryloxy)phenyl]propane,
2,2-bis[4-(methacryloxyethoxy)phenyl]propane,
2,2-bis[4-(methacryloxyethoxydiethoxy)phenyl]propane,
2,2-bis[4-(methacryloxyethoxypolyethoxy)phenyl]propane,
tetrabromobisphenol A dimethacrylate, dicyclopentanyl
dimethacrylate, dipentaerythritol hexamethacrylate, glycerol
dimethacrylate, hydroxypivalic neopentylglycol dimethacrylate,
dipentaerythritol monohydroxypentamethacrylate,
ditrimethylolpropane tetramethacrylate, pentaerythritol
trimethacrylate, pentaerythritol tetramethacrylate, triglycerol
dimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate,
tris(methacryloxyethyl) isocyanurate, allyl methacrylate,
divinylbenzene, diallyl phthalate, diallyl terephthalate, diallyl
isophthalate, and diethylene glycol bisallylcarbonate.
[0180] Preferably, the crosslinking agent is added to the organic
solvent phase in a ratio by weight falling between 0.01 and 0.1
with respect to the polymer having a crosslinking reactive group
and a hydrophilic group. When the ratio is smaller than 0.01, a
viscosity increase with time, nozzle clogging, an ejection
stability defect, etc. take place, thus not being preferred. On the
other hand, when the ratio is larger than 0.1, deterioration in the
rubbing resistance, enlargement of the particle size, etc. take
place, thus not being preferred.
[0181] The catalyst to be used in the crosslinking reaction is not
particularly limited so long as it has an effect of initiating or
promoting the reaction. In case where the crosslinking reactive
group of the polymer is an unsaturated hydrocarbon group and the
crosslinking agent is a compound having at least two unsaturated
hydrocarbon groups of at least one kind selected from a vinyl
group, an allyl group, an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group, a
propenyl group, a vinylidene group and a vinylene group, usable are
any of oil-soluble radical-polymerization initiators, for example,
peroxides such as t-butyl peroxybenzoate, di-t-butyl peroxide,
cumene perhydroxide, acetyl peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, lauroyl
peroxide and azo compounds such as azobisisobutyronitrile,
azobis-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile, azobiscyclohexanecarbonitrile;
and also water-soluble radical-polymerization initiators such as
potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate, sodium persulfate,
2,2-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride, and 4,4-azobis
(4-cyanovaleric acid). The addition amount of the catalyst may be
appropriately determined.
[0182] The organic solvent for use in the organic solvent phase is
not particularly limited, so long as it can dissolve the polymer
having a crosslinking reactive group and a hydrophilic group.
Preferred are low-boiling-point organic solvents, considering the
easiness of evaporating away. Examples thereof include, for
example, ketone-type organic solvents such as acetone, methyl ethyl
ketone; ester-type organic solvents such as ethyl acetate;
alcohol-type organic solvents such as ethanol, isopropyl alcohol;
and aromatic hydrocarbon-type organic solvents such as benzene.
[0183] The ratio by weight of the polymer having a crosslinking
reactive group and a hydrophilic group with respect to the pigment
and/or dye can be appropriately determined within the range between
0.3 and 1.5. Preferably, it is so determined that the mean particle
size of the colorant particles be at most 400 nm, more preferably
at most 200 nm, and the amount of the water-soluble substance that
results from the polymer having a crosslinking reactive group and a
hydrophilic group in the aqueous phase after production be at most
1000 ppm.
[0184] The mixed solution that contains at least the "polymer
having a crosslinking reactive group and a hydrophilic group", the
"crosslinking agent" and the "pigment and/or dye" in an organic
solvent may be prepared, for example, according to a method of
dispersing the pigment and/or dye in an organic solvent that
contains the polymer having a crosslinking reactive group and a
hydrophilic group dissolved therein by the use of a various
disperser such as a bead mill, a roll mill or a sand mill, followed
by dissolving a crosslinking agent and optionally an oil-soluble
catalyst therein; or a method of flushing and dispersing an aqueous
dispersion of the pigment and/or dye (for example, a wet cake of
the pigment) in the polymer having a crosslinking reactive group
and a hydrophilic group by the use of a various disperser, followed
by dissolving or dispersing a crosslinking agent and optionally an
oil-soluble catalyst therein. For improving the pigment dispersion,
generally employed are dispersants and surfactants. In the
invention, preferably used is a reactive surfactant for that
purpose. The reactive surfactant referred to herein is the same as
the polymerizable surfactant described below. As the reactive
surfactant, those capable of reacting with the polymer having a
crosslinking reactive group and a hydrophilic group or with the
crosslinking agent can be used. The use of the reactive surfactant
improves defects likely accompanied with the use of ordinary ink
compositions which are prepared by the use of an ordinary
dispersant or surfactant, such as deterioration in the printed
images, e.g., occurrence of bleeding on plain paper, and an
ejection defect due to the wetting at the periphery of the nozzles
of a printer head.
[0185] For dispersing the colorant into fine particles, it is
desirable that the phase conversion emulsification is carried out
while applying ultrasonic waves.
[0186] Another preferred embodiment of the crosslinked
structure-having polymer is a copolymer of at least a polymerizable
group-having dispersant and a crosslinking monomer.
[0187] Naturally, the crosslinked structure-having polymer
encompasses polymers prepared through copolymerization of a
polymerizable group-having dispersant, a crosslinking monomer and a
monomer copolymerizable with these crosslinking monomers.
[0188] The colorant of pigment and/or dye enveloped in the
crosslinked structure-having copolymer of at least a polymerizable
group-having dispersant and a crosslinking monomer is meant to
indicate completely encapsulated, fine and stable particles of the
pigment and/or dye.
[0189] The colorant of the pigment and/or dye enveloped in the
crosslinked structure-having copolymer of such a polymerizable
group-having dispersant and a crosslinking monomer has excellent
dispersion stability in various aqueous media comprising a various
water-soluble organic solvent and water. In particular, it has good
dispersion stability in the aqueous media used in the invention
that comprise a compound selected from acetylene glycol surfactants
and acetylene alcohol surfactants, a compound selected from glycol
ethers and 1,2-alkylene glycols, and water. The reason therefor has
not yet been clarified, it can be attributed to that the colorant
particles are encapsulated as in the manner mentioned above, and
therefore, as compared with the case where a dispersant is adsorbed
on the coloring material surfaces by a mere Van der Waals force,
the enveloping polymer adheres thereto more firmly by the action of
the coloring material, and that the polymer has a crosslinked
structure to thereby improve the solvent resistance. This theory is
referred to herein merely for explaining the contents of the
invention, which, therefore, should not whatsoever restrict the
scope of the invention.
[0190] The crosslinking monomer for use in the invention is not
particularly limited, so long as it has high copolymerizability
with the polymerizable group-having dispersant.
[0191] The crosslinking monomer for use in the invention is
preferably a compound having at lest two unsaturated hydrocarbon
groups of at least one kind selected from a vinyl group, an allyl
group, an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group, a propenyl group, a
vinylidene group and a vinylene group. Examples thereof include,
for example, ethylene glycol diacrylate, diethylene glycol
diacrylate, triethylene glycol diacrylate, tetraethylene glycol
diacrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, allyl acrylate,
bis(acryloxyethyl)hydroxyethyl isocyanurate,
bis(acryloxyneopentylglycol) adipate, 1,3-butylene glycol
diacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, neopentylglycol diacrylate,
propylene glycol diacrylate, polypropylene glycol diacrylate,
2-hydroxy-1,3-diacryloxypropane,
2,2-bis[4-(acryloxy)phenyl]propane,
2,2-bis[4-(acryloxyethoxy)phenyl]propane,
2,2-bis[4-(acryloxyethoxy-diethoxy)phenyl]propane,
2,2-bis[4-(acryloxyethoxy-polyethoxy)phenyl]propane, hydroxypivalic
neopentylglycol diacrylate, 1,4-butanediol diacrylate,
dicyclopentanyl diacrylate, dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate,
dipentaerythritol monohydroxypentaacrylate, ditrimethylolpropane
tetraacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, tetrabromobisphenol A
diacrylate, triglycerol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate,
tris(acryloxyethyl) isocyanurate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate,
diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol
dimethacrylate, tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, polyethylene
glycol dimethacrylate, propylene glycol dimethacrylate,
polypropylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,3-butylene glycol
dimethacrylate, 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol
dimethacrylate, neopentylglycol dimethacrylate,
2-hydroxy-1,3-dimethacryloxypropane,
2,2-bis[4-(methacryloxy)phenyl]propane,
2,2-bis[4-(methacryloxyethoxy)phenyl]propane,
2,2-bis[4-(methacryloxyethoxydiethoxy)phenyl]propane,
2,2-bis[4-(methacryloxyethoxypolyethoxy)phenyl]propane,
tetrabromobisphenol A dimethacrylate, dicyclopentanyl
dimethacrylate, dipentaerythritol hexamethacrylate, glycerol
dimethacrylate, hydroxypivalic neopentylglycol dimethacrylate,
dipentaerythritol monohydroxypentamethacrylate,
ditrimethylolpropane tetramethacrylate, pentaerythritol
trimethacrylate, pentaerythritol tetramethacrylate, triglycerol
dimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate,
tris(methacryloxyethyl) isocyanurate, allyl methacrylate,
divinylbenzene, diallyl phthalate, diallyl terephthalate, diallyl
isophthalate, and diethylene glycol bisallylcarbonate.
[0192] The addition amount of the crosslinking monomer preferably
falls between 0.1 and 20% by weight, more preferably between 0.1
and 10% by weight of the polymer to be obtained. If the addition
amount is smaller than 0.1% by weight, viscosity increase with
time, nozzle clogging, an ejection stability defect, etc. take
place, thus not being preferred. On the other hand, if it is larger
than 20% by weight, an objective colorant is hardly obtained, thus
being not preferred.
[0193] As the monomer copolymerizable with the polymerizable
group-having dispersant and the crosslinking monomer, commonly used
radically polymerizable monomers can be used. The radically
polymerizable monomer include monomers having, in their molecules,
at least one radically polymerizable unsaturated hydrocarbon group,
such as vinyl, allyl, acryloyl, methacryloyl, propenyl, vinylidene
and vinylene groups. Examples of the radically polymerizable
monomer include styrene and styrene derivatives such as
methylstyrene, dimethylstyrene, chlorostyrene, dichlorostyrene,
bromostyrene, p-chloromethylstyrene, divinylbenzene; acrylic acid
and mono-functional acrylates such as methyl acrylate, ethyl
acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, butoxyethyl acrylate, benzyl acrylate,
phenyl acrylate, phenoxyethyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate,
dicyclopentanyl acrylate, dicyclopentenyl acrylate,
dicyclopentenyloxyethyl acrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate,
isobornyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl
acrylate, 2-acryloyloxyethyl succinate, 2-acryloyloxyethyl
phthalate, caprolactone acrylate, glycidyl acrylate; methacrylic
acid and monofunctional methacrylates such as methyl methacrylate,
ethyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl
methacrylate, butoxymethyl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate,
phenyl methacrylate, phenoxyethyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl
methacrylate, dicyclopentanyl methacrylate, dicyclopentenyl
methacrylate, dicyclopentenyloxyethyl methacrylate,
tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate,
2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate,
2-hydroxybutyl methacrylate, glycerol methacrylate,
2-methacryloyloxyethyl succinate, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phthalate,
caprolactone methacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate; allyl compounds
such as allylbenzene, allyl-3-cyclohexane propionate,
1-allyl-3,4-dimethoxybenzene, allyl phenoxyacetate, allyl
phenylacetate, allylcyclohexane, and allyl esters of polycarboxylic
acids; fumaric acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, and their esters;
and other radically polymerizable group-having monomers such as
acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, maleic anhydride, N-substituted
maleimides, and cyclic olefins.
[0194] Polymerizable surfactants of formula (I) (described in
detail below) that are preferred for the polymerizable group-having
dispersant are monomers of high electron donating ability.
Therefore, the monomers to be used herein are preferably those of
high electron acceptability. Examples of monomers of high electron
acceptability include acrylonitrile, fumaronitrile, fumaric
diesters such as dibutyl fumarate; maleic diesters such as dibutyl
maleate; maleimides such as N-phenylmaleimide; and vinylidene
cyanide. These may be used singly or as a mixture of two or more
thereof.
[0195] The addition amount of the monomer preferably falls between
around 2 and 15 times, more preferably between around 3 and 12
times, in terms of the molar ratio with respect to the
polymerizable group-having dispersant. With a molar ratio of at
least 2 times the dispersant, the colorant (encapsulated colorant
particles) formed has excellent dispersion stability in aqueous
media. With a molar ratio of at most 15 times the dispersant, the
monomer can be sufficiently dissolved in the adsorbing layer of the
polymerizable group-having dispersant to suppress the formation of
water-insoluble polymers and the relative reduction in the amount
of ionic repulsive groups, thereby making it possible to enhance
the dispersion stability.
[0196] The colorant of the pigment enveloped in the crosslinked
structure-having polymer that is constituted by a polymerizable
group-having dispersant, a crosslinking monomer and a monomer
copolymerizable with these monomers may be prepared in the manner
set forth below.
[0197] A pigment and/or dye, and a polymerizable group-having
dispersant are added to an aqueous organic solvent and/or water,
and wet-ground in a disperser such as an ultrasonic disperser, a
ball mill or a sand grinder, and then transferred into a reactor
equipped with an ultrasonic generator, a stirrer, a dropping unit,
a reflux condenser, a thermometer and a temperature controller. To
this are added a crosslinking monomer, another copolymerizable
monomer, a polymerization initiator and optionally water and/or an
aqueous organic solvent, and they are allowed to undergo
polymerization reaction at 40 to 100.degree. C. for 10 to 60 hours
to give a colorant of a pigment and/or dye enveloped in a
crosslinked structure-having polymer. The addition amount of the
polymerization initiator preferably falls between 0.1 and 5% by
weight, more preferably between 0.1 and 3% by weight with respect
to the total amount of the polymerizable group-having dispersant,
the crosslinking monomer and the copolymerizable monomer. More
preferably, the preparation can be carried out according to the
method described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 316909/1998.
[0198] As the polymerization initiator to be used to prepare the
crosslinked structure-having polymer, suitably used are
water-soluble polymerization initiators such as potassium
persulfate, sodium persulfate, ammonium persulfate,
2,2-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride, and
4,4-azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid).
[0199] The "polymerizable group-having dispersant" is not
particularly limited so long as it has, in its molecular structure,
at least a polymerizable group, a hydrophobic group and a
hydrophilic group and, particularly, suitable examples thereof
include polymerizable surfactants having, in their molecular
structures, at least a polymerizable group, a hydrophobic group and
a hydrophilic group (surfactants having introduced therein a
polymerizable group), and polymer dispersant having, in their
molecular structures, at least a polymerizable group, a hydrophobic
group and a hydrophilic group (polymer dispersants having
introduced therein a polymerizable group).
[0200] The polymerizable group is not particularly limited so long
as it is a functional group that causes polymerization reaction in
a mode of, for example, radical polymerization, addition
polymerization or polycondensation. Examples of the radically
polymerizable group include, for example, unsaturated hydrocarbon
groups including vinyl, allyl, acryloyl, methacryloyl, vinylidene
and vinylene groups. Examples of the addition-polymerizable group
include, for example, an isocyanate or isothiocyanate group, and
other groups capable of reacting therewith, such as a hydroxyl
group, an amino group, a mercapto group, and a carboxyl group. The
polycondensing group is a functional group capable of polymerizing
through condensation, including, for example, a carboxyl group, a
hydroxyl group, an amino group and an alkoxy group.
[0201] As the polymerizable group, preferred are radically
polymerizable unsaturated hydrocarbon groups, which are preferably
selected from vinyl, allyl, acryloyl, methacryloyl, propenyl,
vinylidene and vinylene groups.
[0202] The hydrophilic group is preferably selected from carboxyl,
carbonyl, hydroxyl, sulfone and sulfonic acid groups and their
salts and quaternary ammonium salts.
[0203] As the polymer dispersant having introduced therein a
polymerizable group, usable herein are those prepared by
introducing a polymerizable group into the following synthetic
polymers. Examples of the synthetic polymers include polyvinyl
alcohols; polyvinylpyrrolidones; acrylic resins and their salts
such as polyacrylic acids, acrylic acid-acrylonitrile copolymers,
potassium acrylate-acrylonitrile copolymers, vinyl acetate-acrylate
copolymers, acrylic acid-acrylate copolymers; styrene-acrylic
resins and their salts such as styrene-acrylic acid copolymers,
styrene-methacrylic acid copolymers, styrene-methacrylic
acid-acrylate copolymers, styrene-.alpha.-methylstyrene-acrylic
acid copolymers, styrene-.alpha.-methylstyrene-acrylic
acid-acrylate copolymers; styrene-maleic acid copolymers,
styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers, vinylnaphthalene-acrylic acid
copolymers, vinylnaphthalene-maleic acid copolymers, and their
salts; and vinyl acetate copolymers and their salts such as vinyl
acetate-ethylene copolymers, vinyl acetate-fatty acid vinylethylene
copolymers, vinyl acetate-maleate copolymers, vinyl
acetate-crotonic acid copolymers, vinyl acetate-acrylic acid
copolymers. Of those, particularly preferred are copolymers of a
hydrophobic group-having monomer and a hydrophilic group-having
monomer, and polymers of a monomer having both a hydrophobic group
and a hydrophilic group in its molecular structure.
[0204] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
polymerizable surfactant is used as the polymerizable group-having
dispersant.
[0205] The polymerizable surfactant for use in the invention
preferably has a hydrophilic group selected from sulfone, sulfonic
acid, carboxyl, carbonyl and hydroxyl groups and their salts and
quaternary ammonium salts. In addition, the polymerizable group
thereof is preferably an unsaturated hydrocarbon group, more
specifically, a group selected from vinyl, allyl, acryloyl,
methacryloyl, propenyl vinylidene and vinylene groups. Specific
examples of such a polymerizable surfactant include the anionic
allyl derivatives as described in Japanese Patent Publication Nos.
46291/1974 and 21442/1989, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
104802/1987; the anionic propenyl derivatives as described in
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 221431/1987; the anionic acrylic acid
derivatives as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos.
34947/1987 and 11525/1980; the anionic itaconic acid derivatives as
described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 34898/1971, Japanese
Patent Laid-Open No. 30284/1976; the anionic maleic acid
derivatives as described in Japanese Patent Publication No.
4157/1976, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 30284/1976; the nonionic
allyl derivatives as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
104802/1987; the nonionic propenyl derivatives as described in
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 100502/1987; the nonionic acrylic
acid derivatives as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
28208/1981; the nonionic itaconic acid derivatives as described in
Japanese Patent Publication No. 12681/1984; the nonionic maleic
acid derivatives as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
74102/1984; and the cationic allyl derivatives as described in
Japanese Patent Publication No. 65824/1992.
[0206] The polymerizable surfactant is adsorbed on the surface of
the coloring material surface, and is excellent in dispersion
stability even in the subsequent polymerization conditions (that
is, the particles can be prevented from aggregating together).
Therefore, the polymerizable surfactant is advantageous in the
easiness of forming encapsulated particles.
[0207] In the invention, the polymerizable surfactant is preferably
a compound of formula (I) or (II) set forth below. The use of the
polymerizable surfactant of formula (I) or (II) makes it possible
to form fine and stable encapsulated particles of a
polymer-enveloped colorant of a pigment and/or dye, and makes it
possible to stably disperse the colorant particles in aqueous
media. Since the polymerizable surfactants of formula (I) or (II)
are excellent particularly in the adsorption property onto the
surface of the pigment and/or dye and in the dispersion stability
under the subsequent polymerization conditions (that is, the
particles can be prevented from aggregating together), they are
advantageous in the easiness of forming encapsulated particles.
Incidentally, the polymerizable surfactant of formula (I)
corresponds to those disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos.
320276/1993 and 316909/1998.
##STR00003##
wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, or a hydrocarbon group having
from 1 to 12 carbon atoms; n indicates a number falling between 2
and 20; M represents an alkali metal, an ammonium salt, or an
alkanolamine.
[0208] By appropriately selecting R and the value of n in formula
(I), the compound can be fitted to the degree of hydrophilicity or
hydrophobicity of the coloring material surface. Preferred examples
of the polymerizable surfactant of formula (I) include compounds of
formulae (III) to (VI) set forth below. These may be used singly or
as a mixture of two or more thereof.
##STR00004##
[0209] As the polymerizable surfactant of formula (I), commercially
products can also be used. For example, SE-10N of Adekarea Soap SE
Series manufactured by Asahi Denka Kogyo K.K. is a polymerizable
surface-active agent of formula (I) wherein R is C.sub.9H.sub.19, n
is 10 and M is NH.sub.4, which corresponds to formula (III). Also,
SE-20N of the same series is the same as SE-10N, but n is 20.
[0210] The polymerizable surfactant of formula (II) is as
follows:
##STR00005##
wherein R' represents a hydrogen atom, or a hydrocarbon group
having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms; n indicates a number falling
between 2 and 20; M represents an alkali metal, an ammonium salt,
or an alkanolamine.
[0211] R' is preferably C.sub.9H.sub.19-- or C.sub.8H.sub.17--.
[0212] Except those mentioned above, other commercial products can
also be used as the polymerizable surfactant. Examples thereof
include, for example, Aquaron HS Series (Aquaron HS-05, HS-10,
HS-20, and HS-1025), Aquaron RN Series (RN-10, RN-20, RN-30, RN-50,
and RN-2025), New Frontier Series (New Frontier 177E, and S-510),
manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Yakuhin Co., Ltd.; Adekarea Soap NE
Series (NE-10, NE-20, NE-30, NE-40, and NE-50) manufacture by Asahi
Denka Kogyo K.K.
[0213] The addition amount of the polymerizable surfactant
preferably falls between around 10 and 150% by weight, more
preferably between around 20 and 100% by weight, with respect to
the pigment and/or dye. By controlling the addition amount to at
least 10% by weight, the dispersion stability of the ink
composition can be improved.
[0214] By controlling the addition amount to at most 150% by
weight, the generation of the polymerizable surfactant not adsorbed
onto the pigment and/or dye can be suppressed, and the generation
of polymers besides the encapsulated particles can be prevented. As
the result, this makes it possible to obtain satisfactory ejection
stability of the ink composition.
[0215] The colorant of a pigment enveloped in a polymer includes,
for example, the encapsulated fine particles of pigments as
disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 94634/1995, Japanese
Patent Laid-Open No. 59715/1996; the pigment having a polymer group
bonded to its surface as disclosed in WO9951690; and the modified
particles having bonded thereto a polymer group having a halogen
group as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,103,380.
[0216] Preferred embodiments of the physical properties of the
polymer that envelops the pigment and/or dye therein are described
below.
[0217] Firstly, it is preferred that the solubility parameter of
the "polymer that envelops the pigment and/or dye therein"
(hereinafter designated by "SPp") falls between 11 and 14
cal/cm.sup.3, and the difference between the solubility parameter
of the liquid component and that of the polymer (hereinafter
designated by "ASP") is at least 1.0 cal/cm.sup.3. Herein, the
liquid component is an aqueous mixed liquid (aqueous medium)
comprising water and a water-soluble organic solvent.
[0218] SPp indicates the hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity of the
polymer. When SPp thereof is smaller than 11 cal/cm.sup.3, the
hydrophobicity of the polymer is too high and the colorant of the
pigment and/or dye enveloped in the polymer has poor dispersibility
in the aqueous medium. On the other hand, when SPp thereof is
larger than 14 cal/cm.sup.3, the polymer swells in the aqueous
medium to expand the hydrate layer and enlarge the
polymer-enveloped colorant particles, where a viscosity increase
may sometime be observed, and deterioration in ejection stability
and nozzle clogging readily take place. Accordingly, SPp of the
polymer preferably falls within the range as defined above.
[0219] When .DELTA.SP is smaller than 1.0 cal/cm.sup.3, the mixed
solvent penetrates into the polymer to dissolve and/or swell it,
thereby causing a viscosity increase, etc. As the result, the
storage stability is not ensured, and deterioration in ejection
stability and nozzle clogging readily take place. Accordingly, the
difference between the solubility parameter of the mixed solvent
and that of the polymer preferably falls within the range as
defined above.
[0220] The solubility parameter (.delta.) is a value obtained
according to the Fedors formula set forth below, based on the
evaporation energy (.DELTA.e.sub.i) of the atoms or the atomic
groups constituting the chemical structure and the molar volume
(.DELTA.v.sub.i) thereof.
.delta.=(.SIGMA..DELTA.e.sub.i/.SIGMA..DELTA.v.sub.i).sup.1/2
<Fedors formula>
(Yuji Harazaki, Basic Science of Coating (Maki Shoten, 1980), pp.
54-55)
[0221] Incidentally, the solubility parameter can also be obtained,
for example, through calculation from the heat of evaporation,
calculation from the refractive index, calculation from the
kauri-butanol value, or calculation from the surface tension.
[0222] The acid value of the "polymer that envelops pigment and/or
dye therein" preferably falls between 20 and 200 KOH mg/g, more
preferably between 60 and 140 KOH mg/g. In general, the acid value
indicates the amount (mg) of potassium hydroxide needed for
neutralizing the free fatty acids contained in 1 g of oils and
fats. In the invention, the acid value is defined to indicate the
amount (mg) of potassium hydroxide needed for neutralizing the acid
group such as carboxyl group and sulfonic acid group contained in 1
g of the polymer.
[0223] If the acid value of the polymer is smaller than 20 KOH
mg/g, the dispersion stability of the colorant in aqueous media is
insufficient; but if larger than 200 KOH mg/g, aggregation readily
takes place upon production of the colorant, and the hydrate layers
of the colorant particles expands to thereby readily cause
deterioration in ejection stability and nozzle clogging.
Accordingly, the above-defined range is preferred.
[0224] The glass transition temperature of the "polymer that
envelops pigment and/or dye therein" is preferably not higher than
25.degree. C. When the ink of the invention is used in printing at
room temperature on plain paper or on media exclusively for ink jet
recording, the aqueous medium (comprising water and/or
water-soluble organic solvent) existing around the colorant
particles penetrates into the plain paper or media exclusively for
ink jet recording and therefore leaves from the vicinity of the
colorant particles, thereby making the colorant particles close to
one another. In such a situation, if the glass transition
temperature of the colorant particles at the particle surface is
not higher than 25.degree. C., the polymers on the colorant
particle surfaces fuse one another owing to the capillary pressure
caused in the space between the neighboring colorant particles.
Since the film formation proceeds in the state where the coloring
material (the pigment and/or dye) is encapsulated (enveloped)
inside, the rubbing resistance of the image can be particularly
improved. In general, when a polymer solid, especially an amorphous
polymer solid is heated from a low temperature up to a high
temperature, it is observed a phenomenon of an abrupt change from a
state where extremely large force is required for slight
deformation (glass state) to a state where significant deformation
is caused even with small force. The temperature at which the
polymer undergoes the phenomenon is referred to as a glass
transition temperature. In general, the glass transition
temperature is defined as follows: Using a differential scanning
calorimeter, a polymer is heated to obtain its DTA curve, on which
a tangential line is drawn from the bottom of the endothermic peak
toward the endothermic change starting point, and the temperature
at which the tangential line crosses the base line is defined as
the glass transition temperature. It is known that the other
physical properties such as elastic modulus, specific heat and
refractive index also abruptly change at the glass transition
temperature. Therefore, also known are methods of determining the
glass transition temperature by measuring these physical
properties. In the invention, the glass transition temperature
obtained with a heat-up measurement of differential scanning
calorimeter (DSC) was employed. When the ink is used in printing on
plain paper or on media exclusively for ink jet recording, the
glass transition temperature of the "polymer that envelops pigment
and/or dye therein" is more preferably not higher than 15.degree.
C., even more preferably not higher than 10.degree. C., in order
that the colorant more favorably undergoes film formation at room
temperature. Accordingly, the "polymer that envelops pigment and/or
dye therein" for use in the invention is preferably so designed
that its glass transition temperature is not higher than 25.degree.
C., more preferably not higher than 15.degree. C., still more
preferably not higher than 10.degree. C. The glass transition
temperature of the polymer can be controlled to fall within those
ranges by appropriately selecting the kind and molecular weight of
the polymer. In the case where it is possible to heat the printed
matter, depending on the glass transition temperature of the
"polymer that envelops pigment and/or dye therein", to a
temperature higher the glass transition temperature of the polymer,
the glass transition temperature may be higher than 25.degree. C.
since the film formation can be accomplished so long as the glass
transition temperature is not higher than the heating temperature.
However, such an embodiment causes a necessity such that the ink
jet recording apparatus should be equipped with a heating unit, and
causes a problem such as an increased cost for the apparatus.
Accordingly, the glass transition temperature is preferably not
higher than 25.degree. C.
[0225] As so mentioned hereinabove, when the ink of the invention
is used in printing at room temperature on plain paper or on media
exclusively for ink jet recording, a film is formed on the surface
of the printed areas and the rubbing resistance of the printed
image can be particularly improved. In the invention, the
film-forming temperature on the recording medium is preferably not
higher than 25.degree. C., more preferably not higher than
15.degree. C., still more preferably not higher than 10.degree. C.
The film-forming temperature of the ink of the invention on a
recording medium is determined as follows: Using an ink jet printer
under a predetermined temperature environment, an ink jet recording
medium of a plastic film coated with inorganic particles together
with a small amount of binder (for example, superfine-exclusive
glossy film, produced by Seiko Epson Corporation) is printed with
an ink sample of the invention, at 100% duty in a region of 10
mm.times.10 mm of the film to form a solid print. After allowing it
stands for 1 hour at a predetermined temperature, the printed
region is rubbed with an aqueous yellow fluorescent ink pen, ZEBRA
PEN2 (trademark) manufactured by Zebra K.K., under a load of 500 g
at a speed of 10 mm/sec. The temperature at which no stain is
generated is regarded as the film-forming temperature.
[0226] The colorant of a pigment and/or dye enveloped in a polymer
preferably contains a hardly water-soluble substance. As the hardly
water-soluble substance, substances generally used as film-forming
promoters or film-making promoters are preferably used.
[0227] The solubility in water of the hardly water-soluble
substance is preferably at most 10% by weight. The presence of such
a hardly water-soluble substance having a low solubility in water,
particularly having a solubility in water of at most 10% by weight,
in the colorant of pigment and/or dye enveloped in a polymer
improves the fixing property of the ink jet recording ink on
recording media. The reason therefor is that the hardly
water-soluble substance existing in the polymer of the colorant
according to the invention therein can lower the glass transition
temperature of the polymer, therefore improving the film
formability of the polymer.
[0228] The colorant of a pigment and/or dye enveloped in a polymer
has been described hereinabove. By combining the colorant with at
least one compound selected from the group consisting of acetylene
glycol surfactants, acetylene alcohol surfactants, glycol ethers
and 1,2-alkylene glycols, it becomes possible to accomplish stable
printing with excellent dispersion stability and ejection stability
and free from nozzle clogging for a long period of time. In
addition, with a recording medium such as plain paper, regenerated
paper or coated paper, it can be obtained a high-quality image
having good drying property after printing, being free from
bleeding, having a high printed density and excellent color
development property.
[0229] When a pigment is dispersed in water, a dispersant such as a
surfactant or a polymer dispersant is generally used. However,
since these dispersants are merely adsorbed on the pigment
particles, there is a tendency that the dispersant is usually
readily released off from the colorant particles by some
environmental factor.
[0230] As opposed to this, in the colorant of a pigment and/or dye
enveloped in a polymer, particularly the colorant of a pigment
and/or dye enveloped in a crosslinked structure-having polymer, for
use in the invention, the polymer firmly adheres to the colorant of
the pigment and/or dye and, presumably, is hardly released off from
the pigment and/or dye, to provide a satisfactory solvent
resistance. Therefore, even by the contact with the penetrant
selected from acetylene glycol surfactants, acetylene alcohol
surfactants, glycol ethers and 1,2-alkylene glycols, the polymer is
hardly released off from the pigment and/or dye, and is hardly
swollen by the penetrant. Accordingly, the colorant for use in the
present invention has excellent dispersion stability for a long
period of time.
[0231] On the other hand, with an ink that contains a pigment
dispersion, in which a pigment is dispersed by the use of a
dispersant such as a surfactant or a polymer dispersant, and has
improved penetrating property, there is a tendency that the ink
viscosity is increased by dispersants not adsorbed on the pigment
surface originally from the time of the dispersing step but
dissolved in the liquid and by dispersants released off from the
pigment after the dispersing step. Therefore, the pigment content
is limited in many cases. For this reason, a sufficient printed
density cannot be obtained particularly on plain paper and
regenerated paper, and satisfactory color development cannot be
attained in many cases. As opposed to this, in the colorant for use
in the invention, the polymer firmly adheres to the pigment and/or
dye and is hardly released off from the coloring material, and
therefore it hardly causes an increase in the ink viscosity. Thus,
the ink involves an advantage that since the viscosity of the ink
can be easily lowered, a larger amount of the colorant can be
contained, thereby making it possible to obtain sufficient printed
density on plain paper or regenerated paper. These reasons are
referred to herein merely for explaining the contents of the
invention, which therefore should not whatsoever restrict the scope
of the invention.
[0232] Preferably, the ink jet recording ink of the invention
contains a preservative, a sequestrant and a rust preventive. The
preservative preferably comprises at least one compound selected
from the group consisting of alkylisothiazolones,
chloroalkylisothiazolones, benzisothiazolones, bromonitroalcohols,
oxazolidines and chloroxylenols. The sequestrant is preferably a
salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The rust preventive is
preferably dicyclohexylammonium nitrate and/or benzotriazole.
[0233] Provided that the above-mentioned preservative, sequestrant
and rust preventive are contained, the ink jet recording ink of the
invention may additionally contain any other preservatives,
sequestrants and rust preventives.
[0234] Specific examples of the preservative are as follows. For
example, as the alkylisothiazolone, products containing
octylisothiazolone as the effective component are commercially
available (for example, NS-800H, NS-800G, and NS-800P, manufactured
by Nagase Kasei Kogyo K.K.). As the chloroalkylisothiazolone,
products containing chloroisomethylthiazolone as the effective
component are commercially available (for example, NS-500W, NS-80D,
NS-CG, NS-TM, and NS-RS, manufactured by Nagase Kasei Kogyo K.K.).
Products containing benzisothiazolone as the effective component
are commercially available (for example, Proxel XL-2, Proxel BDN,
Proxel BD20, Proxel GXL, Proxel LV, and Proxel TN, manufactured by
Zeneca Ltd. (England); Deniside BIT and Deniside NIPA, manufactured
by Nagase Kasei Kogyo K.K.). Products containing bromonitroalcohol
as the effective component are commercially available (for example,
Bronopole, Miaside BT, and Miaside AS, manufactured by Nagase Kasei
Kogyo K.K.). Also, a product containing chloroxylenol as the
effective component is commercially available (for example, PCMX:
manufactured by Nagase Kasei Kogyo K.K.). Also, products containing
oxazolidine-based compound as the effective component are
commercially available (for example, NS-BP, Deniside BIT-20N,
Deniside SPB, Saniset HP, Microstat S520, Saniset SK2, Deniside
NS-100, Deniside C3H, Saniset 161, Deniside CSA, Deniside CST,
Deniside C3, Deniside OMP, Deniside XR-6, Deniside NM, Mordenise
N769, Denisat P4, Denisat P-8, and Denisat CHR, manufactured by
Nagase Kasei Kogyo K.K.). Of these products, the products
containing the oxazolidine-based compound as the effective
component, the products containing chloroisomethylthiazolone as the
effective component, and the products containing benzisothiazolone
as the effective component have a large effect.
[0235] These preservatives are preferably composite components
using two or more kinds of structures, which do not so resemble
each other, than a single component since the former can restrain
resistant bacteria.
[0236] For the sequestrant, particularly preferred is a salt of
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.
[0237] Examples of the salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
include, for example, disodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic
acid, trisodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid,
tetrasodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, dipotassium
salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, tripotassium salt of
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, tetrapotassium salt of
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diammonium salt of
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, triammonium salt of
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and tetraammonium salt of
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. In the ink jet recording ink of
the invention that contains at least the colorant of a pigment
and/or dye enveloped in a polymer, and water, preferably used are
disodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and dipotassium
salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.
[0238] The salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid is effective for
suppressing the deterioration of the dispersion stability of the
polymer-enveloped colorant of a pigment and/or dye according to the
invention by the influence of a minute amount of metal ion existing
in ink cartridges or in the ink pathways in heads.
[0239] For the rust preventive, effective are dicyclohexylammonium
nitrate and/or benzotriazole. These rust preventives are for
preventing metal heads from being rusted, and are effective for the
plated faces of heads which are readily rusted (in particular,
nozzle tip portions are readily rusted, whereby the ejection of an
ink readily becomes inferior).
[0240] Preferably, the addition amount (A) of the preservative
falls between 0.01% by weight and 0.1% by weight, the addition
amount (B) of the sequestrant falls between 0.01% by weight and
0.5% by weight, the addition amount (C) of the rust preventive
falls between 0.01% by weight and 0.2% by weight, and A+B+C falls
between 0.03% by weight and 0.8% by weight.
[0241] If the addition amount (A) of the preservative is smaller
than 0.01% by weight, the ink preservation effect is small. On the
other hand, if larger than 0.1%, since the preservative gives an
adverse influence on the colorant stability in the ink and the
long-term storage stability of the ink tends to be deteriorated,
thus not being preferred.
[0242] If the amount (B) of the sequestrant in the ink of the
invention is smaller than 0.01% by weight, foreign substance may be
generated when the ink is filled in the ink cartridges in which the
ink chamber is made of an urethane foam that may contain a minute
amount of metal ions. On the other hand, if the amount thereof is
larger than 0.5% by weight, the stability of the colorant in the
ink tends to be deteriorated, making it hard to store the ink for a
long period of time.
[0243] If the amount (C) of the rust preventive is smaller than
0.01% by weight, the ink tends to rust the metallic part of heads,
particularly the vicinity of the nozzle tip portions when the ink
jet recording apparatus is used for a long time. On the other hand,
if the amount thereof is larger than 0.2% by weight, the stability
of the colorant in the ink tends to be deteriorated, making it hard
to store the ink for a long period of time.
[0244] By containing such a preservative, a sequestrant and a rust
preventive as described above, the storage stability of the ink can
be further improved and stable ejection can be further surely
attained for a long period of time.
[0245] For ensuring the storage stability, the clogging preventing
property, the ejection stability and the long-term storage
stability, the ink jet recording ink in the present invention may
further contain any other various additives such as wetting agent,
moisturizer, dissolution promoter, penetration inhibitor,
viscosity-controlling agent, pH-controlling agent, dissolution
promoter, antioxidant, antifungal agent, corrosion inhibitor, and
other sequestrants.
[0246] For suppressing the ink from drying up at the nozzle tip
portions of a head, a water-soluble organic solvent that is soluble
in water and has the ability to retain water is preferably added as
a wetting agent (or moisturizer). Examples thereof include
glycerin, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol,
polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of at most 2000,
propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol,
1,3-propylene glycol, isopropylene glycol, isobutylene glycol,
1,4-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol,
mesoerythritol, and pentaerythritol. In the invention, particularly
preferred are glycerin, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and
polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of at most 2000.
[0247] In addition, examples of the component for improving the
solubility of the ink ingredients and improving the penetrating
property of the ink into recording media such as paper, or
preventing nozzles from being clogged, include, for example, alkyl
alcohols having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as ethanol, methanol,
butanol, propanol, isopropanol, as well as formamide, acetamide,
dimethylsulfoxide, sorbitol, sorbitan, acetin, diacetin, triacetin,
and sulforane. These compounds can be appropriately selected and
used.
[0248] For controlling the penetrating property, the ink of the
invention may contain any other surfactants. The additional
surfactants are preferably well miscible with the ink of the
invention, particularly those of high penetrating property and high
stability. Examples thereof include, for example, ampholytic
surfactants and nonionic surfactants. Examples of the ampholytic
surfactants include lauryl dimethylaminoacetate betaine,
2-alkyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethylimidazolinium betaine,
cocoylamidopropyl dimethylaminoacetate betaine,
polyoctylpolyaminoethylglycine and other imidazole derivatives.
Examples of the nonionic surfactants include ethers such as
polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene octylphenyl
ether, polyoxyethylene dodecylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene
alkylallyl ether, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, polyoxyethylene
lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyalkylene alkyl
ether; polyoxyethyleneoleic acid; esters such as polyoxyethylene
oleate, polyoxyethylene distearate, sorbitan laurate, sorbitan
monostearate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan sesquioleate,
polyoxyethylene monooleate, polyoxyethylene stearate; as well as
fluorine-containing surfactants such as fluoroalkyl esters and
salts of perfluoroalkylcarboxylic acids.
[0249] In addition, included are pH-controlling agents, amines such
as diethanolamine, triethanolamine, propanolamine, morpholine and
their modified derivatives; inorganic hydroxides such as potassium
hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide; ammonium hydroxide,
quaternary ammonium salts (e.g., tetramethylammonium); carbonates
such as potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, lithium carbonate;
and phosphates.
[0250] As still other additives, ureas such as urea, thiourea,
tetramethylurea; allophanates such as allophanate,
methylallophanate; biurets such as biuret, dimethylbiuret,
tetramethylbiuret; L-ascorbic acid and its salts; and
commercially-available antioxidants and UV absorbents can also be
used.
[0251] Preferably, the surface tension of the ink jet recording ink
of the invention is at most 45 mN/m, more preferably falling
between 25 and 45 mN/m. If the surface tension is higher than 45
mN/m, satisfactory images are hardly obtained, since the drying
property of the printed image becomes poor, bleeding is readily
caused, and color bleeding is caused. On the other hand, if the
surface tension thereof is lower than 25 mN/m, the periphery of the
nozzles of a printer tends to be subjected to wetting, thereby
readily causing problems in the ejection stability such as
occurrence of curving of the ejected ink droplets. The surface
tension of the ink can be measured with any ordinary surface
tension meter.
[0252] The surface tension of the ink can be controlled to fall
within the above range, by appropriately adjusting the constituent
components of the ink and the composition ratio thereof.
[0253] Since the colorant of the ink of the invention is a pigment
or dye enveloped in a polymer, the weather resistance including
light resistance and gas resistance of the formed images becomes
satisfactory. In addition, according to the colorant of the ink of
the invention, the characteristics of the polymer that envelops the
pigment or dye can be designed with broadened latitude by
appropriately selecting the polymerizing monomers and other
reactants. Therefore, it is possible to make the ink have various
functions (light resistance, gas resistance, coloring property,
gloss, fixing property).
[0254] In ordinary ink prepared by dispersing a pigment with an
ordinary dispersant (e.g., surfactant or polymer dispersant), the
dispersant basically is merely adsorbed on the pigment, and
therefore it is readily released from the pigment by some
environmental factors. Thus released, the dispersant likely
increases the ink viscosity excessively. Therefore, the colorant
content is limited, and it has heretofore been considered that it
is difficult to obtain sufficient color development of images.
However, in the polymer-enveloped colorant of a pigment and/or dye
in the ink of the invention, the polymer is hardly released off
from the pigment and/or dye. Therefore, even when the colorant is
added in a large amount, it does not increase the ink viscosity, or
that is, the viscosity of the ink of the invention can be easily
lowered. As compared with ordinary ink in which the pigment is
dispersed with an ordinary dispersant, the colorant content of the
ink of the invention can be increased, and hence it is easy to
obtain images having sufficient color development.
[0255] The constitution of the ink jet recording ink of the
invention has been described hereinabove. The ink jet recording ink
set of the invention comprises a plurality of the inks. In general,
it is composed of a combination of the inks of three or more
different colors. For example, for the ink set, four ink
compositions of magenta ink, yellow ink, cyan ink and black ink may
be combined; or seven ink compositions of dark and light magenta
inks, dark and light yellow inks, dark and light cyan inks and
black ink may be combined. If desired, orange ink and green ink may
be further combined with those compositions.
[0256] The long-term storage stability of the ink jet recording ink
and the ink jet recording ink set of the invention is
excellent.
[0257] The recording method of the invention comprises ejecting ink
droplets to attach a recording medium to thereby perform printing,
and has a feature that the ink jet recording ink and/or the ink jet
recording ink set of the invention is used in the method. The
recording method can be suitably carried out by mounting an ink
cartridge containing ink jet recording ink of the invention (in the
case where the ink set comprising a plurality of ink jet recording
inks is to be used, an ink cartridge separately containing the
respective ink jet recording inks) on a known ink jet recording
apparatus, and performing printing with respect to a recording
medium.
[0258] One preferred embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus
for use herein is so designed that an electrostrictive unit capable
of vibrating based on an electronic signal is mounted and the ink
jet recording ink of the invention or the inks constituting the ink
set of the invention can be ejected according to the vibration of
the electrostrictive unit.
[0259] As the ink cartridge (storage case) for storing the ink jet
recording ink, a known cartridge can be suitably used.
[0260] According to the ink jet recording ink, the ink jet
recording ink set and the recording method of the present
invention, it can be obtained a high-quality image having excellent
dispersion stability and ejection stability, being free from
bleeding even on plain paper or regenerated paper, and having high
printed density and excellent color development property. In
addition, an image having sufficient rubbing resistance can be
obtained not only on plain paper and regenerated paper but also on
other recording media such as coated paper.
[0261] Since the recorded matter of the invention is obtained by
printing according to the recording method of the present
invention, it has an image having sufficient rubbing resistance not
only with plain paper and regenerated paper but also with other
recording media such as coated paper.
EXAMPLES
[0262] The present invention will be illustrated in greater detail
with reference to the following Examples, but the invention should
not be construed as being limited thereto.
<Preparation of Colorant of Pigment Enveloped in Polymer
(Copolymer) of Polymerizable Group-Having Dispersant and Monomer
(Copolymerizable Monomer)>
[0263] The colorants set forth below were prepared by well
dispersing a pigment in an aqueous organic solvent and/or water in
the presence of a polymerizable group-having dispersant, followed
by polymerizing the polymerizable group-having dispersant alone or
together with other copolymerizable monomer in the presence of a
polymerization initiator at a predetermined temperature for a
predetermined period of time in a reactor equipped with a stirrer,
a thermometer, a temperature controller, a reflux condenser and a
dropping funnel. The mean particle size of the colorant particles
was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size distribution
analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds & Northrup.
The glass transition temperature of the polymer of the colorant was
measured with a heat-scanning type calorimeter (differential
scanning calorimeter: DSC) manufactured by Seiko Electronics,
according to the method described above.
(Colorant 1-1: Black Colorant)
[0264] Colorant 1-1 was prepared according to the same method as in
Example 1 described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 316909/1998.
Specifically, 100 parts by weight of carbon black (Raven C,
manufactured by Columbia Carbon) and 60 parts by weight of a
polymerizable surfactant of formula (IV), Adekarea Soap SE-10N
(manufactured by Asahi Denka) were added to 250 parts by weight of
water, exposed to ultrasonic waves, and subjected to dispersion
treatment in a sand mill (manufactured by Yasukawa Seisakusho) for
about 2 hours. This dispersion having the carbon black dispersed
with the polymerizable surfactant was put into a reactor equipped
with an ultrasonic generator, a stirrer, a temperature controller,
a reflux condenser and a dropping funnel. On the other hand, 30
parts by weight of acrylonitrile, 9 parts by weight of styrene, 51
parts by weight of n-butyl acrylate, 10 parts by weight of
methacrylic acid, 10 parts by weight of the same polymerizable
surfactant as above, 1 part by weight of potassium persulfate and
100 parts by weight of water were mixed to prepare an emulsion. The
emulsion was gradually and dropwise put into the above-described
reactor through its dropping funnel. After the dropwise addition, a
polymerization reaction was carried out at 60.degree. C. for 48
hours. The resulting colorant dispersion was neutralized with
potassium hydroxide to have a pH of around 8, and filtered through
a 0.4 .mu.m filter to remove coarse particles. Through the process,
an intended colorant dispersion was obtained. The mean particle
size thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size
distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 105 nm. The glass transition
temperature of colorant 1-1 was measured with a differential
scanning calorimeter (DSC), DSC 200 manufactured by Seiko
Electronics, and the glass transition temperature of the polymer of
the colorant was found to be 10.degree. C.
(Colorant 1-2: Cyan Colorant)
[0265] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 1-1, except that C.I. Pigment
Blue 15:3 (copper phthalocyanine pigment, manufactured by Clariant)
was used in place of the carbon black pigment. The mean particle
size thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size
distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 85 nm. The glass transition
temperature of colorant 1-2 was measured with a differential
scanning calorimeter (DSC), DSC 200 manufactured by Seiko
Electronics, and the glass transition temperature of the polymer of
the colorant was found to be 10.degree. C.
(Colorant 1-3: Magenta Colorant)
[0266] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 1-1, except that C.I. Pigment
Red 122 (dimethylquinacridone pigment, manufactured by Clariant)
was used in place of the carbon black pigment. The mean particle
size thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size
distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 90 nm. The glass transition
temperature of colorant 1-3 was measured with a differential
scanning calorimeter (DSC), DSC 200 manufactured by Seiko
Electronics, and the glass transition temperature of the polymer of
the colorant was found to be 10.degree. C.
(Colorant 1-4: Yellow Colorant)
[0267] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 1-1, except that C.I. Pigment
Yellow 180 (diketopyrrolopyrole, manufactured by Clariant) was used
in place of the carbon black pigment. The mean particle size
thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size
distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 80 nm. The glass transition
temperature of colorant 1-4 was measured with a differential
scanning calorimeter (DSC), DSC 200 manufactured by Seiko
Electronics, and the glass transition temperature of the polymer of
the colorant was found to be 10.degree. C.
(Colorant 1-5: Black Colorant)
[0268] Colorant 1-5 was prepared according to the same method as in
Example 1 described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 316909/1998.
Specifically, 100 parts by weight of carbon black (Raven C,
manufactured by Columbia Carbon) and 60 parts by weight of a
polymerizable surfactant of formula (II), Aquaron HS-10
(manufactured by Daiichi Yakuhin Kogyo) were added to 250 parts by
weight of water, exposed to ultrasonic waves, and dispersed in a
sand mill (manufactured by Yasukawa Seisakusho) for about 2 hours.
The dispersion having carbon black dispersed with the polymerizable
surfactant was put into a reactor equipped with an ultrasonic
generator, a stirrer, a temperature controller, a reflux condenser
and a dropping funnel. On the other hand, 30 parts by weight of
acrylonitrile, 9 parts by weight of styrene, 51 parts by weight of
n-butyl acrylate, 10 parts by weight of methacrylic acid, 10 parts
by weight of the same polymerizable surfactant as above, 1 part by
weight of potassium persulfate and 100 parts by weight of water
were mixed to prepare an emulsion. The emulsion was gradually and
dropwise put into the reactor through its dropping funnel. After
the dropwise addition, a polymerization reaction was carried out at
60.degree. C. for 48 hours. The resulting colorant dispersion was
neutralized with potassium hydroxide to have a pH of around 8, and
filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m filter to remove coarse particles.
Through the process, an intended colorant dispersion was obtained.
The mean particle size thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser
particle size distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured
by Leeds & Northrup, and found to be 11.0 nm. The glass
transition temperature of the colorant was measured with a
differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), DSC 200 manufactured by
Seiko Electronics, and the glass transition temperature of the
polymer of the colorant was found to be 10.degree. C.
(Colorant 1-6: Cyan Colorant)
[0269] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 1-5, except that C.I. Pigment
Blue 15:3 (copper phthalocyanine pigment, manufactured by Clariant)
was used in place of the carbon black pigment. The mean particle
size thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size
distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 90 nm. The glass transition
temperature of the colorant was measured with a differential
scanning calorimeter (DSC), DSC 200 manufactured by Seiko
Electronics, and the glass transition temperature of the polymer of
the colorant was found to be 10.degree. C.
(Colorant 1-7: Magenta Colorant)
[0270] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 1-5, except that C.I. Pigment
Red 122 (dimethylquinacridone pigment, manufactured by Clariant)
was used in place of the carbon black pigment. The mean particle
size thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size
distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 95 nm. The glass transition
temperature of the colorant was measured with a differential
scanning calorimeter (DSC), DSC 200 manufactured by Seiko
Electronics, and the glass transition temperature of the polymer of
the colorant was found to be 10.degree. C.
(Colorant 1-8: Yellow Colorant)
[0271] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 1-5, except that C.I. Pigment
Yellow 180 (diketopyrrolopyrole, manufactured by Clariant) was used
in place of the carbon black pigment. The mean particle size
thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size
distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 85 nm. The glass transition
temperature of the colorant was measured with a differential
scanning calorimeter (DSC), DSC 200 manufactured by Seiko
Electronics, and the glass transition temperature of the polymer of
the colorant was found to be 10.degree. C.
(Colorant 1-9: Black Colorant)
[0272] This colorant was prepared according to the same method as
in Example 1 described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
316909/1998. Specifically, 5 parts by weight of carbon black (Raven
C, manufactured by Columbia Carbon) and 3 parts by weight of a
polymerizable surfactant of formula (IV), SE-10N (manufactured by
Asahi Denka) were added to 80 parts by weight of water, and
dispersed through exposure to ultrasonic waves for 4 hours. 1.6
parts by weight of acrylonitrile and 0.05 parts by weight of
potassium persulfate were added thereto, and a polymerization
reaction was carried out at 60.degree. C. for 48 hours. The
resulting dispersion was filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m filter to
remove coarse particles. Through the process, an intended colorant
dispersion was obtained.
(Colorant 1-10: Black Colorant)
[0273] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 1-9, except that a
polymerizable surfactant of formula (II), Aquaron HS-10, was used
in place of the polymerizable surfactant of formula (IV), Adekarea
Soap SE-10N (manufactured by Asahi Denka).
(Colorant 1-11: Cyan Colorant)
[0274] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 1-9, except that C.I. Pigment
Blue 15:3 was used in place of the carbon black.
(Colorant 1-12: Magenta Colorant)
[0275] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 1-9, except that C.I. Pigment
Red 122 was used in place of the carbon black.
(Colorant 1-13: Magenta Colorant)
[0276] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 1-9, except that C.I. Pigment
Red 180 was used in place of the carbon black.
(Colorant 1-14: Black Colorant)
[0277] The intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 1-9, except that 2 parts by
weight of dibutyl fumarate was used in place of the
acrylonitrile.
(Colorant 1-15: Black Colorant)
[0278] 5 parts by weight of carbon black (Raven C, manufactured by
Columbia Carbon) and 3 parts by weight of a polymerizable
surfactant of formula (IV), SE-10N (manufactured by Asahi Denka)
were added to 80 parts by weight of water, exposed to ultrasonic
waves, and dispersed in a sand mill (manufactured by Yasukawa
Seisakusho) for about 2 hours. The dispersion having carbon black
dispersed with the polymerizable surfactant was put into a reactor
equipped with an ultrasonic generator, a stirrer, a temperature
controller, a reflux condenser and a dropping funnel. 2 parts by
weight of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate and 0.05 parts by weight of
potassium persulfate were added thereto, and a polymerization
reaction was carried out at 60.degree. C. for 48 hours. The
resulting dispersion was filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m filter to
remove coarse particles. Through the process, an intended colorant
dispersion was obtained.
(Colorant 1-16: Black Colorant)
[0279] 10 parts by weight of carbon black (Raven C, manufactured by
Columbia Carbon) and 6 parts by weight of a polymerizable
surfactant of formula (IV), SE-10N (manufactured by Asahi Denka)
were added to 160 parts by weight of water, exposed to ultrasonic
waves, and dispersed in a sand mill (manufactured by Yasukawa
Seisakusho) for about 2 hours. The dispersion having carbon black
dispersed with the polymerizable surfactant was put into a reactor
equipped with an ultrasonic generator, a stirrer, a temperature
controller, a reflux condenser and a dropping funnel. On the other
hand, 2 parts by weight of benzyl methacrylate, 2 parts by weight
of n-butyl acrylate, 1 part by weight of methacrylic acid, 0.1
parts by weight of the same polymerizable surfactant as above, 0.05
parts by weight of potassium persulfate and 10 parts by weight of
water were mixed to prepare an emulsion. The emulsion was gradually
and dropwise put into the reactor through its dropping funnel.
After the dropwise addition, a polymerization reaction was carried
out at 60.degree. C. for 48 hours. The resulting colorant
dispersion was filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m filter to remove coarse
particles. Through the process, an intended colorant dispersion was
obtained.
(Colorant 1-17: Black Colorant)
[0280] 10 parts by weight of carbon black (Raven C, manufactured by
Columbia Carbon) and 6 parts by weight of a polymerizable
surfactant of formula (IV), SE-10N (manufactured by Asahi Denka)
were added to 160 parts by weight of water, exposed to ultrasonic
waves, and dispersed in a sand mill (manufactured by Yasukawa
Seisakusho) for about 2 hours. The resulting dispersion was put
into a reactor equipped with an ultrasonic generator, a stirrer, a
temperature controller, a reflux condenser and a dropping funnel.
On the other hand, 1 part by weight of benzyl methacrylate, 2 parts
by weight of n-butyl methacrylate, 1 part by weight of methacrylic
acid, 0.1 parts by weight of the same polymerizable surfactant as
above, 0.05 parts by weight of potassium persulfate and 10 parts by
weight of water were mixed to prepare an emulsion. The emulsion was
gradually and dropwise put into the reactor through its dropping
funnel. After the dropwise addition, a polymerization reaction was
carried out at 60.degree. C. for 48 hours. The resulting colorant
dispersion was neutralized with potassium hydroxide to have a pH of
around 8, and filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m filter to remove coarse
particles. Through the process, an intended colorant dispersion was
obtained. The acid value of the colorant was 101 KOH mg/g. The acid
value of the colorant can be considered as the acid value of the
polymer.
(Colorant 1-18: Black Colorant)
[0281] 10 parts by weight of carbon black (Raven C, manufactured by
Columbia Carbon) and 6 parts by weight of a polymerizable
surfactant of formula (IV), SE-10N (manufactured by Asahi Denka)
were added to 160 parts by weight of water, exposed to ultrasonic
waves, and dispersed in a sand mill (manufactured by Yasukawa
Seisakusho) for about 2 hours. The resulting dispersion was put
into a reactor equipped with an ultrasonic generator, a stirrer, a
temperature controller, a reflux condenser and a dropping funnel.
On the other hand, 1 part by weight of benzyl methacrylate, 2 parts
by weight of n-butyl methacrylate, 3 parts by weight of methacrylic
acid, 0.1 parts by weight of the same polymerizable surfactant as
above, 0.05 parts by weight of potassium persulfate and 10 parts by
weight of water were mixed to prepare an emulsion. The emulsion was
gradually and dropwise put into the reactor through its dropping
funnel. After the dropwise addition, a polymerization reaction was
carried out at 60.degree. C. for 48 hours. The resulting colorant
dispersion was neutralized with potassium hydroxide to have a pH of
around 8, and filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m filter to remove coarse
particles. Through the process, an intended colorant dispersion was
obtained. The acid value of the colorant was 168 KOH mg/g. The acid
value of the colorant can be considered as the acid value of the
polymer. The solubility parameter (.delta.) of the polymer was
11.3. The mean particle size thereof was measured with a
Doppler-laser particle size distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA
150 manufactured by Leeds & Northrup, and found to be 110 nm.
The glass transition temperature of the colorant was measured with
a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), DSC 200 manufactured by
Seiko Electronics, and the glass transition temperature of the
polymer of the colorant was found to be 17.degree. C.
(Colorant 1-19: Black Colorant)
[0282] 10 parts by weight of carbon black (Raven C, manufactured by
Columbia Carbon) and 6 parts by weight of a polymerizable
surfactant of formula (IV), SE-10N (manufactured by Asahi Denka)
were added to 160 parts by weight of water, exposed to ultrasonic
waves, and dispersed in a sand mill (manufactured by Yasukawa
Seisakusho) for about 2 hours. The resulting dispersion was put
into a reactor equipped with an ultrasonic generator, a stirrer, a
temperature controller, a reflux condenser and a dropping funnel.
On the other hand, 2 parts by weight of acrylonitrile, 1 part by
weight of acrylamide, 3 parts by weight of n-butyl methacrylate, 1
part by weight of methacrylic acid, 0.1 parts by weight of the same
polymerizable surfactant as above, 0.05 parts by weight of
potassium persulfate and 10 parts by weight of water were mixed to
prepare an emulsion. The emulsion was gradually and dropwise put
into the reactor through its dropping funnel. After the dropwise
addition, a polymerization reaction was carried out at 60.degree.
C. for 48 hours. The resulting colorant dispersion was neutralized
with potassium hydroxide to have a pH of around 8, and filtered
through a 0.4 .mu.m filter to remove coarse particles. Through the
process, an intended colorant dispersion was obtained. The acid
value of the colorant was 101 KOH mg/g. The acid value of the
colorant can be considered as the acid value of the polymer. The
solubility parameter (.delta.) of the polymer was 13.8. The mean
particle size thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle
size distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 105 nm. The glass transition
temperature of the colorant was measured with a differential
scanning calorimeter (DSC), DSC 200 manufactured by Seiko
Electronics, and the glass transition temperature of the polymer of
the colorant was found to be 13.degree. C.
(Colorant 1-20: Black Colorant)
[0283] In the same manner as in Example 1 described in Japanese
Patent Laid-Open No. 316909/1998, 5 parts by weight of a carbon
black pigment, Raven C (manufactured by Columbia Carbon) and 3
parts by weight of a polymerizable surfactant of formula (IV),
Adekarea Soap SE-10N (manufactured by Asahi Denka) were added to 80
parts of ion-exchanged water in a reactor equipped with an
ultrasonic generator, a stirrer, a dropping unit, a water-cooling
reflux condenser, a thermometer and a temperature controller, and a
dispersion treatment was carried out with applying ultrasonic waves
for 4 hours. 1.6 parts by weight of acrylonitrile and 0.05 parts by
weight of potassium persulfate were added thereto, and a
polymerization reaction was carried out at 60.degree. C. for 48
hours. The resulting dispersion was filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m
membrane filter to remove coarse particles.
[0284] Next, 27 parts by weight of ion-exchanged water and 0.06
parts by weight of sodium laurylsulfate were put into the reactor,
to which were added 100 parts by weight of ion-exchanged water and
0.5 parts by weight of a polymerization initiator, and kept at
70.degree. C. in a nitrogen atmosphere. Then, after 3 parts by
weight of Adekarea Soap SE-10N was added thereto and stirred, a
mixture prepared by mixing 15 parts by weight of styrene, 6 parts
by weight of tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, 45 parts by weight of
n-butyl acrylate and 0.02 parts by weight of t-dodecylmercaptan was
dropwise put into the reactor and reacted. This was neutralized
with sodium hydroxide to have a pH of 8, and filtered through 0.3
.mu.m filter to obtain an intended colorant dispersion. The mean
particle size thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle
size distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 105 nm.
(Colorant 1-21: Film-Forming Promoter-Containing Black
Colorant)
[0285] Colorant 1-21 was prepared in the same manner as in Example
1 described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 316909/1998.
Specifically, 100 parts by weight of carbon black (Raven C,
manufactured by Columbia Carbon) and 60 parts by weight of a
polymerizable surfactant of formula (IV), SE-10N (manufactured by
Asahi Denka) were added to 250 parts by weight of water, exposed to
ultrasonic waves, and dispersed in a sand mill (manufactured by
Yasukawa Seisakusho) for about 2 hours. The carbon black dispersion
in the polymerizable surfactant was put into a reactor equipped
with an ultrasonic generator, a stirrer, a temperature controller,
a reflux condenser and a dropping funnel. On the other hand, 30
parts by weight of acrylonitrile, 50 parts by weight of styrene, 15
parts by weight of n-butyl methacrylate, 10 parts by weight of
methacrylic acid, 10 parts by weight of the same polymerizable
surfactant as above, 15 parts by weight of ADEKA PLANON MPC-709
(manufactured by Asahi Denka), 1 part by weight of potassium
persulfate and 100 parts by weight of water were mixed to prepare
an emulsion. The emulsion was gradually and dropwise put into the
reactor through its dropping funnel. After the dropwise addition, a
polymerization reaction was carried out at 60.degree. C. for 48
hours. The resulting colorant dispersion was neutralized with
potassium hydroxide to have a pH of around 8, and filtered through
a 0.4 .mu.m filter to remove coarse particles. Through the process,
an intended colorant dispersion was obtained. The mean particle
size thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size
distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 105 nm. The glass transition
temperature of the colorant was measured with a differential
scanning calorimeter (DSC), DSC 200 manufactured by Seiko
Electronics, and the glass transition temperature of the polymer of
colorant 1-21 was 25.degree. C.
(Colorant 1-22: Film-Forming Promoter-Containing Cyan Colorant)
[0286] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 1-21, except that C.I.
Pigment Blue 15:3 (copper phthalocyanine pigment, manufactured by
Clariant) was used in place of the carbon black pigment. The mean
particle size thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle
size distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 85 nm.
(Colorant 1-23: Film-Forming Promoter-Containing Magenta
Colorant)
[0287] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 1-21, except that C.I.
Pigment Red 122 (dimethylquinacridone pigment, manufactured by
Clariant) was used in place of the carbon black pigment. The mean
particle size thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle
size distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 90 nm.
(Colorant 1-24: Film-Forming Promoter-Containing Yellow
Colorant)
[0288] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 1-21, except that C.I.
Pigment Yellow 180 (diketopyrrolopyrole, manufactured by Clariant)
was used in place of the carbon black pigment. The mean particle
size thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size
distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 80 nm.
<Preparation of Colorant of Pigment Enveloped in Crosslinked
Structure-Having Polymer>
(Colorant 2-1: Black Colorant)
[0289] Prepared was a mixture of 84 parts by weight of benzyl
methacrylate, 85 parts by weight of n-butyl methacrylate, 35 parts
by weight of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 25 parts by weight of
methacrylic acid, 13 parts by weight of glycidyl methacrylate and
20.0 parts by weight of t-hexylperoxy-2-ethyl hexanoate.
[0290] On the other hand, 300 parts by weight of methyl ethyl
ketone was put into a reactor, and, while sealed in nitrogen, this
was heated up to 75.degree. C. with stirring. Then, the mixture
prepared in the above was dropwise added thereto over a period of 2
hours. After the dropwise addition, this was further reacted for 20
hours at the same temperature, and then methyl ethyl ketone was
evaporated away to obtain polymer (A). Through GPC, polymer (A) was
found to have a weight-average molecular weight of about 13000. The
acid value of polymer (A) was 76 KOH mg/g.
[0291] 6 parts by weight of polymer (A) prepared in the process of
producing colorant 2-1 was dissolved in 50 parts by weight of
toluene added thereto. Then, 20 parts by weight of carbon black,
Raven C (manufactured by Columbia Carbon) was added thereto, and
dispersed in a bead mill disperser, and the beads used were removed
through filtration. To the resulting filtrate, added was 0.3 parts
by weight of paramenthanediamine, and dissolved by stirring with a
stirrer.
[0292] Next, while stirred and exposed to ultrasonic waves, the
organic solvent phase was emulsified with 60 parts by weight of
ion-exchanged water dropwise added thereto. Toluene was completely
removed from the resulting emulsion at 60.degree. C. under reduced
pressure, and a crosslinking reaction was carried out at 80.degree.
C. for 5 hours. Next, the pH thereof was controlled to around 8
with potassium hydroxide, and this was filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m
filter to obtain an intended colorant dispersion. The mean particle
size thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size
distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 180 nm. The solid content thereof
was 30.5%.
(Colorant 2-2: Black Colorant)
[0293] 30 parts by weight of polymer (A) prepared in the process of
producing colorant 2-1 was dissolved in 100 parts by weight of
toluene added thereto. Then, 20 parts by weight of carbon black,
Raven C (manufactured by Columbia Carbon) was added thereto, and
dispersed in a bead mill disperser, and the beads used were removed
through filtration. To the resulting filtrate, added was 1.5 parts
by weight of paramenthanediamine, and dissolved by stirring with a
stirrer.
[0294] Next, while stirred and exposed to ultrasonic waves, the
organic solvent phase was emulsified with 100 parts by weight of
ion-exchanged water dropwise added thereto. Toluene was completely
removed from the resulting emulsion at 60.degree. C. under reduced
pressure, and a crosslinking reaction was carried out at 80.degree.
C. for 5 hours. Next, the pH thereof was controlled to around 8
with potassium hydroxide, and this was filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m
filter to obtain an intended colorant dispersion. The mean particle
size thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size
distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 180 nm. The solid content thereof
was 34%.
[0295] A part of the dispersion was centrifuged to separate the
colorant from the liquid phase, and the liquid phase was analyzed
through GPC, which confirmed that the amount of the water-soluble
substance derived from the polymer was 600 ppm.
(Colorant 2-3: Cyan Colorant)
[0296] Prepared was a mixture of 84 parts by weight of benzyl
methacrylate, 85 parts by weight of n-butyl acrylate, 35 parts by
weight of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 25 parts by weight of
methacrylic acid and 20.0 parts by weight of t-hexylperoxy-2-ethyl
hexanoate.
[0297] On the other hand, 300 parts by weight of methyl ethyl
ketone was put into a reactor, and, while sealed in nitrogen, this
was heated up to 75.degree. C. with stirring. Then, the mixture
prepared in the above was dropwise added thereto over a period of 2
hours. After the dropwise addition, this was further reacted for 20
hours at the same temperature to obtain a solution of a polymer
having a weight-average molecular weight of 13000. To the polymer
solution, added were 5 parts by weight of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl
isocyanate (Karenzu MOI manufactured by Showa Denko), 0.1 parts by
weight of dibutyltin laurate and 200 ppm of hydroquinone, and again
reacted under heat at 70.degree. C. for 5 hours to obtain polymer
(B) having an unsaturated hydrocarbon group as a crosslinking
reactive group.
[0298] 30 parts by weight of polymer (B) was dissolved in 50 parts
by weight of toluene added thereto, to which was added 20 parts by
weight of C.I. Pigment Blue 15:3. The mixture was subjected to
dispersion treatment with a bead mill disperser, then the beads
used were removed through filtration, and the resulting filtrate
was mixed with 0.3 parts by weight of diethylene glycol
dimethacrylate added thereto in a mixer, and dissolved therein.
[0299] Next, while stirred and exposed to ultrasonic waves, the
organic solvent phase was emulsified with 60 parts by weight of
ion-exchanged water dropwise added thereto. The ion-exchanged water
contained 1% by weight of a polymerization initiator, potassium
persulfate, dissolved therein. The emulsion was subjected to
crosslinking reaction at 75.degree. C. for 10 hours, and toluene
was completely removed therefrom at 60.degree. C. under reduced
pressure. The pH of the emulsion was controlled to around 8 with
potassium hydroxide, and this was filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m
filter to obtain an intended colorant dispersion. The mean particle
size thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size
distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 180 nm. The solid content thereof
was 30.5%.
(Colorant 2-4: Magenta Colorant)
[0300] 30 parts by weight of polymer (B) prepared in the process of
producing colorant 2-3 was dissolved in 50 parts by weight of
toluene added thereto. Then, 20 parts by weight of C.I. Pigment Red
122 and 2 parts by weight of a reactive (or polymerizable)
surfactant, Adekarea Soap NE-10 manufactured by Asahi Denka, were
added thereto, and the mixture was subjected to dispersion
treatment in a bead mill disperser, and the beads used were removed
through filtration. To the resulting filtrate, added was 2 parts by
weight of diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and dissolved by
stirring with a stirrer.
[0301] Next, while stirred and exposed to ultrasonic waves, the
organic solvent phase was emulsified with 60 parts by weight of
ion-exchanged water dropwise added thereto. The ion-exchanged water
contained 1% by weight of a polymerization initiator, potassium
persulfate, dissolved therein. The emulsion was subjected to
crosslinking reaction at 75.degree. C. for 10 hours, and toluene
was completely removed therefrom at 60.degree. C. under reduced
pressure. The pH of the emulsion was controlled to around 8 with
potassium-hydroxide, and this was filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m
filter to obtain an intended colorant dispersion. The mean particle
size thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size
distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 150 nm. The solid content thereof
was 30%.
(Colorant 2-5: Black Colorant)
[0302] Prepared was a mixture of 85 parts by weight of benzyl
methacrylate, 85 parts by weight of n-butyl acrylate, 40 parts by
weight of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 55 parts by weight of
methacrylic acid, 15 parts by weight of glycidyl methacrylate and
20.0 parts by weight of t-hexylperoxy-2-ethyl hexanoate.
[0303] On the other hand, 300 parts by weight of methyl ethyl
ketone was put into a reactor, and, while sealed in nitrogen, this
was heated up to 75.degree. C. with stirring. Then, the mixture
prepared in the above was dropwise added thereto over a period of 2
hours. After the dropwise addition, this was further reacted for 20
hours at the same temperature, and then methyl ethyl ketone was
evaporated away to obtain a polymer. Through GPC, the polymer was
found to have a weight-average molecular weight of about 13000. The
acid value of the polymer was 145 KOH mg/g.
[0304] 6 parts by weight of the polymer was dissolved in 50 parts
by weight of toluene added thereto. Then, 20 parts by weight of
carbon black, Raven C (manufactured by Columbia Carbon), was added
thereto, and the mixture was subjected to dispersion treatment in a
bead mill disperser, and the beads used were removed through
filtration. To the resulting filtrate, added was 0.3 parts by
weight of paramenthanediamine, and dissolved by stirring with a
stirrer.
[0305] Next, while stirred and exposed to ultrasonic waves, the
organic solvent phase was emulsified with 60 parts by weight of
ion-exchanged water dropwise added thereto. Toluene was completely
removed from the resulting emulsion at 60.degree. C. under reduced
pressure, and a crosslinking reaction was carried out at 80.degree.
C. for 5 hours. Next, the pH thereof was controlled to around 8
with potassium hydroxide, and this was filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m
filter to obtain an intended colorant dispersion. The solubility
parameter (.delta.) of the polymer was 11.0. The mean particle size
was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size distribution
analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds & Northrup,
and found to be 180 nm. The glass transition temperature of the
colorant was measured with a differential scanning calorimeter
(DSC), DSC 200 manufactured by Seiko Electronics, and the glass
transition temperature of the polymer of the colorant was found to
be 21.degree. C.
[0306] The colorant of a pigment enveloped in a crosslinked
structure-having polymer can be obtained also by a different method
that comprises well dispersing a pigment in an aqueous organic
solvent and/or water together with a polymerizable group-having
dispersant, and carrying out a polymerization reaction of the
polymerizable group-having dispersant with a crosslinking monomer
in the presence of a polymerization initiator in a reactor equipped
with a stirrer, a thermometer, a temperature controller, a reflux
condenser and a dropping funnel, at a predetermined temperature for
a predetermined period of time. Examples of colorants produced
according to the method are set forth below.
(Colorant 2-6: Black Colorant)
[0307] Colorant 2-6 was prepared according to the same method as in
Example 1 described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 316909/1998.
Specifically, 50 parts by weight of carbon black (Raven C,
manufactured by Columbia Carbon) and 30 parts by weight of a
polymerizable surfactant of formula (IV), SE-10N (manufactured by
Asahi Denka) were added to 200 parts by weight of water, exposed to
ultrasonic waves, and subjected to dispersing treatment in a sand
mill (manufactured by Yasukawa Seisakusho) for about 2 hours. The
dispersion having carbon black dispersed in the polymerizable
surfactant was put into a reactor equipped with an ultrasonic
generator, a stirrer, a temperature controller, a reflux condenser
and a dropping funnel. On the other hand, 16 parts by weight of
acrylonitrile, 2.4 parts by weight of divinylbenzene, 1 part by
weight of potassium persulfate and 100 parts by weight of water
were mixed to prepare an emulsion. The emulsion was gradually and
dropwise put into the reactor through its dropping funnel. After
the dropwise addition, a polymerization reaction was carried out at
60.degree. C. for 48 hours. The resulting colorant dispersion was
controlled to have a pH of around 8 with potassium hydroxide, and
then filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m filter to remove coarse
particles. Through the process, an intended colorant dispersion was
obtained. The mean particle size thereof was measured with a
Doppler-laser particle size distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA
150 manufactured by Leeds & Northrup, and found to be 110 nm.
The glass transition temperature of the colorant was measured with
a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), DSC 200 manufactured by
Seiko Electronics, and the glass transition temperature of the
polymer of the colorant was found to be 20.degree. C.
(Colorant 2-7: Black Colorant)
[0308] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as above, except that a polymerizable surfactant of formula
(II), Aquaron HS-10 was used in place of the polymerizable
surfactant of formula (IV), Adekarea Soap SE-10 (manufactured by
Asahi Denka) used in preparing colorant 2-6.
(Colorant 2-8: Magenta Colorant)
[0309] Colorant 2-8 was prepared according to the same method as in
Example 1 described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 316909/1998.
Specifically, 50 parts by weight of C.I. Pigment Red 122 and 30
parts by weight of a polymerizable surfactant of formula (IV),
SE-10N (manufactured by Asahi Denka) were added to 200 parts by
weight of water, exposed to ultrasonic waves, and subjected to
dispersion treatment in a sand mill (manufactured by Yasukawa
Seisakusho) for about 2 hours. The dispersion having C.I. Pigment
Red 122 dispersed with the polymerizable surfactant was put into a
reactor equipped with an ultrasonic generator, a stirrer, a
temperature controller, a reflux condenser and a dropping funnel.
On the other hand, 16 parts by weight of acrylonitrile, 5 parts by
weight of diallyl isophthalate, 1 part by weight of potassium
persulfate and 100 parts by weight of water were mixed to prepare
an emulsion. The emulsion was gradually and dropwise put into the
reactor through its dropping funnel. After the dropwise addition, a
polymerization reaction was carried out at 60.degree. C. for 48
hours. The resulting colorant dispersion was controlled to have a
pH of around 8 with potassium hydroxide, and then filtered through
a 0.4 .mu.m filter to remove coarse particles. Through the process,
an intended colorant dispersion was obtained. The mean particle
size thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size
distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 115 nm.
(Colorant 2-9: Cyan Colorant)
[0310] 50 parts by weight of C.I. Pigment Blue 15:3 and 30 parts by
weight of a polymerizable surfactant of formula (IV), SE-10N
(manufactured by Asahi Denka) were added to 300 parts by weight of
water in a reactor equipped with an ultrasonic generator, a
stirrer, a temperature controller, a reflux condenser and a
dropping funnel, and ultrasonically dispersed for 4 hours. Next, 16
parts by weight of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 3
parts by weight of acrylonitrile, 5 parts by weight of
divinylbenzene and 0.5 parts by weight of potassium persulfate were
added thereto, and a polymerization reaction was carried out at
60.degree. C. for 48 hours. The pH thereof was controlled to around
8 with potassium hydroxide, and this was filtered through a 0.4
.mu.m filter to remove coarse particles. The process gave an
intended colorant dispersion.
(Colorant 2-10: Black Colorant)
[0311] 50 parts by weight of carbon black (Raven C, manufactured by
Columbia Carbon) and 30 parts by weight of a polymerizable
surfactant of formula (IV), SE-10N (manufactured by Asahi Denka)
were added to 800 parts by weight of water in a reactor equipped
with an ultrasonic generator, a stirrer, a temperature controller,
a reflux condenser and a dropping funnel, and ultrasonically
dispersed for 4 hours. Next, 16 parts by weight of acrylonitrile,
2.4 parts by weight of divinylbenzene, 5 parts by weight of fumaric
acid and 0.5 parts by weight of potassium persulfate were added
thereto, and a polymerization reaction was carried out at
60.degree. C. for 48 hours. The pH thereof was controlled to around
8 with potassium hydroxide, and this was filtered through a 0.4
.mu.m filter to remove coarse particles. The process gave an
intended colorant dispersion. The acid value of the colorant was
126 KOH mg/g.
(Colorant 2-11: Black Colorant)
[0312] 50 parts by weight of carbon black (Raven C, manufactured by
Columbia Carbon) and 30 parts by weight of a polymerizable
surfactant of formula (IV), SE-10N (manufactured by Asahi Denka)
were added to 800 parts by weight of water in a reactor equipped
with an ultrasonic generator, a stirrer, a temperature controller,
a reflux condenser and a dropping funnel, and ultrasonically
dispersed for 4 hours. Next, 16 parts by weight of acrylonitrile,
2.4 parts by weight of divinylbenzene and 0.5 parts by weight of
potassium persulfate were added thereto, and a polymerization
reaction was carried out at 60.degree. C. for 48 hours. The pH
thereof was controlled to around 8 with potassium hydroxide, and
this was filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m filter to remove coarse
particles. The process gave an intended colorant dispersion. The
acid value of the colorant was 45 KOH mg/g. The solubility
parameter (.delta.) of the polymer was 13.7.
(Colorant 2-12: Black Colorant)
[0313] 50 parts by weight of carbon black (Raven C, manufactured by
Columbia Carbon) and 30 parts by weight of a polymerizable
surfactant of formula (IV), SE-10N (manufactured by Asahi Denka)
were added to 800 parts by weight of water in a reactor equipped
with an ultrasonic generator, a stirrer, a temperature controller,
a reflux condenser and a dropping funnel, and ultrasonically
dispersed for 4 hours. Next, 16 parts by weight of acrylonitrile,
2.4 parts by weight of divinylbenzene, 3 parts by weight of fumaric
acid and 0.5 parts by weight of potassium persulfate were added
thereto, and a polymerization reaction was carried out at
60.degree. C. for 48 hours. The pH thereof was controlled to around
8 with potassium hydroxide, and this was filtered through a 0.4
.mu.m filter to remove coarse particles. The process gave an
intended colorant dispersion. The acid value of the colorant was 95
KOH mg/g. The solubility parameter (8) of the polymer was 13.9.
(Colorant 2-13: Magenta Colorant)
[0314] 10 parts by weight of C.I. Pigment Red 122 and 6 parts by
weight of a polymerizable surfactant of formula (IV), SE-10N
(manufactured by Asahi Denka) were added to 160 parts by weight of
water, exposed to ultrasonic waves, and dispersed in a sand mill
(manufactured by Yasukawa Seisakusho) for about 2 hours. The
dispersion was put into a reactor equipped with an ultrasonic
generator, a stirrer, a temperature controller, a reflux condenser
and a dropping funnel. On the other hand, 1 part by weight of
benzyl methacrylate, 2 parts by weight of n-butyl methacrylate, 0.2
parts by weight of dicyclopentanyl dimethacrylate, 1 part by weight
of methacrylic acid, 0.1 parts by weight of the same polymerizable
surfactant as above, 0.05 parts by weight of potassium persulfate
and 10 parts by weight of water were mixed to prepare an emulsion.
This was gradually and dropwise put into the reactor through its
dropping funnel. After the dropwise addition, a polymerization
reaction was carried out at 60.degree. C. for 48 hours. The
resulting colorant dispersion was controlled to have a pH of around
8 with potassium hydroxide, and then filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m
filter to remove coarse particles. The process gave an intended
colorant dispersion. The acid value thereof was 100 KOH mg/g.
(Colorant 2-14: Magenta Colorant)
[0315] 10 parts by weight of C.I. Pigment Red 122 and 6 parts by
weight of a polymerizable surfactant of formula (IV), SE-10N
(manufactured by Asahi Denka) were added to 160 parts by weight of
water, exposed to ultrasonic waves, and dispersed in a sand mill
(manufactured by Yasukawa Seisakusho) for about 2 hours. The
dispersion was put into a reactor equipped with an ultrasonic
generator, a stirrer, a temperature controller, a reflux condenser
and a dropping funnel. On the other hand, 1 part by weight of
benzyl methacrylate, 2 parts by weight of n-butyl methacrylate, 0.2
parts by weight of 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate, 2 parts by weight
of methacrylic acid, 0.1 parts by weight of the same polymerizable
surfactant as above, 0.05 parts by weight of potassium persulfate
and 10 parts by weight of water were mixed to prepare an emulsion.
This was gradually and dropwise put into the reactor through its
dropping funnel. After the dropwise addition, a polymerization
reaction was carried out at 60.degree. C. for 48 hours. The
resulting colorant dispersion was controlled to have a pH of around
8 with potassium hydroxide, and then filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m
filter to remove coarse particles. The process gave an intended
colorant dispersion. The acid value thereof was 165 KOH mg/g. The
solubility parameter (.delta.) of the polymer was 11.0.
(Colorant 2-15: Cyan Colorant)
[0316] 50 parts by weight of C.I. Pigment Blue 15:3 and 30 parts by
weight of a polymerizable surfactant of formula (IV), SE-10N
(manufactured by Asahi Denka) were added to 800 parts by weight of
water in a reactor equipped with an ultrasonic generator, a
stirrer, a temperature controller, a reflux condenser and a
dropping funnel, and ultrasonically dispersed for 4 hours. Next, 16
parts by weight of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 3
parts by weight of acrylonitrile, 5 parts by weight of
divinylbenzene and 0.5 parts by weight of potassium persulfate were
added thereto, and a polymerization reaction was carried out at
60.degree. C. for 48 hours. The colorant dispersion was controlled
to have a pH of around 8 with potassium hydroxide, and this was
filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m filter to remove coarse particles. The
process gave an intended colorant dispersion. The acid value of the
colorant was 98 KOH mg/g.
(Colorant 2-16: Cyan Colorant)
[0317] 50 parts by weight of C.I. Pigment Blue 15:3 and 20 parts by
weight of a polymerizable surfactant of formula (IV), SE-10N
(manufactured by Asahi Denka) were added to 800 parts by weight of
water in a reactor equipped with an ultrasonic generator, a
stirrer, a temperature controller, a reflux condenser and a
dropping funnel, and ultrasonically dispersed for 4 hours. Next, 12
parts by weight of acrylonitrile, 30 parts by weight of
2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 45 parts by weight of
benzyl methacrylate, 45 parts by weight of n-butyl methacrylate and
0.5 parts by weight of potassium persulfate were added thereto, and
a polymerization reaction was carried out at 60.degree. C. for 48
hours. The colorant dispersion was controlled to have a pH of
around 8 with potassium hydroxide, and this was filtered through a
0.4 .mu.m filter to remove coarse particles. The process gave an
intended colorant dispersion. The acid value of the colorant was
137 KOH mg/g. The solubility parameter (.delta.) of the polymer was
11.1
<Preparation of Colorant of Dye Enveloped in Polymer (Copolymer)
of Polymerizable Group-Having Dispersant and Monomer
(Copolymerizable Monomer)>
[0318] Examples of colorants using a disperse dye as the dye are
set forth below. Water-insoluble dyes can be preferably used. Also,
oil-soluble dyes, vat dyes, sulfide dyes, organic solvent-soluble
dyes, and reactive dyes can be used.
(Colorant 3-1: Black Colorant)
[0319] 100 parts by weight of ion-exchanged water was put into a
reactor equipped with an ultrasonic generator, a stirrer, a
temperature controller, a reflux condenser and a dropping funnel.
While it was stirred at 70.degree. C. in a nitrogen atmosphere, 0.2
parts by weight of a polymerization initiator, potassium
persulfate, was added thereto, and kept at the temperature. In a
different vessel, 25 parts by weight of styrene, 20 parts by weight
of benzyl methacrylate, 35 parts by weight of n-butyl acrylate and
5 parts by weight of methacrylic acid were mixed and dissolved to
prepare a monomer solution. 130 parts by weight of a disperse dye,
Disperse Black 1, was added to the monomer solution and dissolved
therein. To this were added 300 parts by weight of ion-exchanged
water and 3 parts by weight of a polymerizable surfactant
(polymerizable group-having dispersant), Adekarea Soap SE-10N
(manufactured by Asahi Denka), and ultrasonically stirred for 30
minutes to prepare an emulsion. The emulsion was dropwise added to
the reactor, and after the dropwise addition, a polymerization
reaction was carried out at the above-describe temperature for 8
hours. The colorant dispersion thus obtained was neutralized to
have a pH of around 8 with potassium hydroxide, and then filtered
through a 0.4 .mu.m filter to remove coarse particles. The process
gave an intended colorant dispersion. The mean particle size
thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size
distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 120 nm. The glass transition
temperature of the colorant was measured with a differential
scanning calorimeter (DSC), DSC 200 manufactured by Seiko
Electronics, and the glass transition temperature of the polymer of
the colorant was found to be 13.degree. C.
(Colorant 3-2: Cyan Colorant)
[0320] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 3-1, except that Disperse
Blue 3 was used in place of Disperse Black 1. The glass transition
temperature of the polymer of colorant 3-2 was 13.degree. C.
(Colorant 3-3: Magenta Colorant)
[0321] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 3-1, except that Disperse Red
60 was used in place of Disperse Black 1. The glass transition
temperature of the polymer of colorant 3-3 was 13.degree. C.
(Colorant 3-4: Yellow Colorant)
[0322] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 3-1, except that Disperse
Yellow 3 was used in place of Disperse Black 1. The glass
transition temperature of the polymer of colorant 3-4 was
13.degree. C.
(Colorant 3-5: Film-Forming Promoter-Containing Black Colorant)
[0323] 100 parts by weight of ion-exchanged water was put into a
reactor equipped with a dropping unit, a thermometer, a
water-cooling reflux condenser and a stirrer. While it was stirred
at 70.degree. C. in a nitrogen atmosphere, 0.2 parts by weight of a
polymerization initiator, potassium persulfate was added thereto,
and kept at the temperature. On the other hand, 130 parts by weight
of a disperse dye 1 was dissolved in a monomer solution comprising
15 parts by weight of styrene, 2 parts by weight of glycidyl
methacrylate, 16 parts by weight of benzyl methacrylate, 50 parts
by weight of n-butyl methacrylate, 15 parts by weight of a
film-forming promoter, ADEKA PLANON MPC-709 (manufactured by Asahi
Denka) and 0.02 parts by weight of t-dodecylmercaptan, and this was
added to 80 parts by weight of ion-exchanged water having added
thereto 0.05 parts by weight of sodium laurylsulfate, to prepare an
emulsion. The emulsion was dropwise added to the reactor kept at
70.degree. C., through its dropping funnel. After the dropwise
addition, the pH thereof was controlled to around 8 with potassium
hydroxide. This was filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m filter to remove
coarse particles to obtain an intended colorant dispersion. The
glass transition temperature of the colorant was measured with a
differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), DSC 200 manufactured by
Seiko Electronics, and found to be 25.degree. C.
(Colorant 3-6: Cyan Colorant)
[0324] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 3-5, except that Disperse
Blue 3 was used in place of Disperse Black 1.
(Colorant 3-7: Magenta Colorant)
[0325] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 3-5, except that Disperse Red
60 was used in place of Disperse Black 1.
(Colorant 3-8: Yellow Colorant)
[0326] An intended colorant dispersion was obtained in the same
manner as that for preparing colorant 3-5, except that Disperse
Yellow 3 was used in place of Disperse Black 1.
<Preparation of Colorant of Pigment Enveloped in Polymer>
(Colorant 4-1: Black Pigment Prepared Through Phase Conversion
Emulsification)
[0327] A colorant of a pigment enveloped in a polymer was prepared
in the same manner as that described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open
No. 191972/2000. Specifically, 20 parts by weight of a
polymerization catalyst, methyl ethyl ketone, 15 parts by weight of
styrene, 12 parts by weight of n-butyl acrylate, 3 parts by weight
of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 6 parts by weight of silicone
macromer FM-0711 manufactured by Chisso, 5 parts by weight of
styrene-acrylonitrile macromer AN-6 manufactured by To a Gosei, 5
parts by weight of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, and 0.6 parts
by weight of a polymer chain transfer agent, n-dodecylmercaptan
were fed into a reactor equipped with a stirrer, a temperature
controller, a reflux condenser and a dropping funnel, and well
purged with nitrogen. On the other hand, 15 parts by weight of
styrene, 12 parts by weight of n-butyl acrylate, 3 parts by weight
of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 6 parts by weight of silicone
macromer FM-0711 manufactured by Chisso, 5 parts by weight of
styrene-acrylonitrile macromer AN-6 manufactured by To a Gosei, 5
parts by weight of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, 2.4 parts by
weight of a polymer chain transfer agent, n-dodecylmercaptan in 60
parts by weight of methyl ethyl ketone, and 0.1 parts by weight of
a polymerization initiator, 2,2'-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile)
were dissolved in 5 parts by weight of methyl ethyl ketone in a
separate vessel. This was put into the reactor, reacted at
65.degree. C. for 2 hours, and then aged at 70.degree. C. for 2
hours to obtain a methyl ethyl ketone solution of a copolymer. The
number-average molecular weight of the copolymer was about 10,000
(measured through gel permeation chromatography). The copolymer
solution was dried under reduced pressure to isolate the copolymer.
20 parts by weight of the copolymer was dissolved in 100 parts by
weight of methyl ethyl ketone, to which was added aqueous 30%
gluconic acid to partially neutralize the salt-forming group of the
copolymer. 400 parts by weight of ion-exchanged water and 80 parts
by weight of carbon black were added thereto, and kneaded in a bead
mill. From the mixture, the organic solvent was completely removed
at 60.degree. C. under reduced pressure. This was filtered through
a 0.4 .mu.m filter to remove coarse particles to obtain an intended
colorant dispersion. The mean particle size thereof was measured
with a Doppler-laser particle size distribution analyzer, Microtrac
UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds & Northrup, and found to be 120
nm. The glass transition temperature of the colorant was measured
with a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), DSC 200
manufactured by Seiko Electronics, and the glass transition
temperature of the polymer of the colorant was 8.degree. C.
(Colorant 4-2: Black Pigment Prepared Through Phase Conversion
Emulsification)
[0328] A colorant of a pigment enveloped in a polymer was prepared
in the same manner as that described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open
No. 43636/1999. Specifically, 300 parts by weight of methyl ethyl
ketone was fed into a flask reactor equipped with a stirrer, a
temperature controller, a reflux condenser and a dropping funnel,
and heated up to 75.degree. C. with stirring in a nitrogen
atmosphere. On the other hand, 50 parts by weight of styrene, 150
parts by weight of n-butyl methacrylate, 70 parts by weight of
butyl acrylate, 35 parts by weight of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate,
25 parts by weight of methacrylic acid, and 6.5 parts by weight of
a polymerization initiator, Perbutyl O (tert-butyl peroxyoctoate by
Nippon Yushi) were mixed in a separate vessel, and the resulting
mixture was fed into the dropping funnel of the reactor and
dropwise added to the reactor over a period of 2 hours. After the
dropwise addition, this was reacted for 15 hours at the temperature
to obtain a methyl ethyl ketone solution of a carboxyl group-having
vinyl copolymer. The acid value of the solid component of the
copolymer solution was 70 KOH mg/g; and the number-average
molecular weight of the copolymer was about 12500 (measured through
gel permeation chromatography). Next, 15 parts by weight of C.I.
Pigment Blue 15:3, 15 parts by weight of the carboxyl group-having
vinyl copolymer solution in methyl ethyl ketone, 0.8 parts by
weight of dimethylethanolamine, and 44.2 parts by weight of
ion-exchanged water were mixed with stirring to prepare a primary
mixture, and this was put into a bead mill to disperse it. The
dispersion was diluted two-fold with water added thereto. While
this was stirred with a stirrer, 1 N HCl was added thereto to make
it have pH of from 3 to 5. Through the process, the carboxyl
group-having vinyl copolymer in the dispersion was insolubilized
and fixed to the C.I. Pigment Blue 15:3. The process thus gave a
dispersion of C.I. Pigment Blue 15:3 enveloped in a carboxyl
group-having vinyl copolymer. This was filtered under suction, and
the residue was washed with water to obtain a wet cake of C.I.
Pigment Blue 15:3 enveloped in the carboxyl group-having vinyl
copolymer. While the wet cake was stirred with a stirrer, aqueous
10% sodium hydroxide solution was added thereto to make it have pH
of from 8.5 to 9.5. This was further stirred for 1 hour, and water
was added thereto to make it have a nonvolatile content of 25%.
Filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m filter to remove coarse particles,
this gave an intended colorant dispersion. The mean particle size
thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size
distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 100 nm. The glass transition
temperature of the colorant was measured with a differential
scanning calorimeter (DSC), DSC 200 manufactured by Seiko
Electronics, and the glass transition temperature of the polymer of
the colorant was 16.degree. C.
<Preparation of Colorant of Oil-Soluble Dye Enveloped in
Crosslinked Structure-Having Polymer>
(Colorant 5-1: Cyan Colorant)
[0329] 30 parts by weight of polymer (A) prepared for colorant 2-1
was dissolved in 100 parts by weight of toluene added thereto, and
20 parts by weight of an oil-soluble dye, Vail Fast Blue 2606 (by
Orient Chemical) was added thereto and dispersed with a bead mill
disperser. The beads used were removed through filtration, and 1.5
parts by weight of paramenthanediamine was added to the filtrate
and dissolved by stirring with a stirrer.
[0330] Next, while stirred and exposed to ultrasonic waves, the
organic solvent phase was emulsified with 100 parts by weight of
ion-exchanged water dropwise added thereto. Toluene was completely
removed from the resulting emulsion at 60.degree. C. under reduced
pressure, and a crosslinking reaction was carried out at 80.degree.
C. for 5 hours. Next, the pH thereof was controlled to around 8
with potassium hydroxide, and this was filtered through a 0.4 .mu.m
filter to obtain an intended colorant dispersion. The mean particle
size thereof was measured with a Doppler-laser particle size
distribution analyzer, Microtrac UPA 150 manufactured by Leeds
& Northrup, and found to be 180 nm. The solid content was
34%.
<Preparation of Pigment Having Polymer Group Bonded to Its
Surface>
(Colorant 6-1: Black Pigment)
[0331] An intended pigment having a polymer group bonded to its
surface was prepared according to the method described in Example
III and Example IV in WO995169 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
95987/2000. The details thereof are described below.
[0332] 11.4 g of sodium nitrite, 28.0 g of sulfanilic acid and 1200
g of 0.degree. C. water were fed into a reactor to form diazonium
sulfanilate, to which was added 200 g of a carbon black pigment,
Raven C. When the generation of nitrogen ceased, the reaction
mixture was concentrated, and further reacted at an elevated
temperature. The resulting mixture was extracted with ethanol for
12 hours in a Soxhlet's extractor to remove unreacted compounds and
side products, and this was again dissolved in water and filtered
to obtain a dispersion of about 20 wt. % sulfanilate-processed
carbon black pigment. On the other hand, 3.6 g of aminostyrene, 2.1
g of sodium nitrite and 150 g of water were fed into a separate
reactor to form a diazonium salt of 4-aminostyrene, and this was
dissolved in 10 g of ethanol. The sulfanilate-processed carbon
black pigment dispersion was added to the diazonium salt solution
and reacted for 18 hours with stirring. Then, this was filtered and
purified through Soxhlet extraction to obtain a dispersion of a
carbon black pigment having 4-aminostyrene added to its surface.
Next, 30 g of deionized water was degassed in a nitrogen atmosphere
at 90.degree. C. in a reactor, and a mixture of 28.13 g of the
4-aminostyrene-added carbon black pigment dispersion, 2.0 g of
methyl methacrylate, 2.0 g of butyl acrylate, and 1.0 g of
polyethylene glycol 2000 monomethyl ether acrylate dissolved in 3.0
g of deionized water was dropwise added thereto over a period of 20
minutes. 0.22 g of potassium persulfate was added thereto and
reacted at 80.degree. C. for 18 hours. The resulting product was
concentrated under reduced pressure, and extracted with acetone in
an Soxhlet's extractor to remove the non-added polymer. The process
gave an intended dispersion of a pigment having a polymer group
bonded to its surface.
<Preparation of Inks>
[0333] Inks having the composition set forth below (see Table 1 to
Table 32) were produced according to the following process. An
aqueous medium prepared beforehand was gradually and dropwise added
to the above-obtained dispersion of the colorant with stirring.
After the dropwise addition, this was fully stirred, and filtered
through a 5 .mu.m membrane filter to obtain an ink.
[0334] In Table 1 below, "Ex. 1" indicates the ink of Example 1;
and "Comp. 1" indicates the ink of Comparative Example 1. The same
shall apply to the other example numbers in Table 1 and also to the
example numbers in the other Tables.
[0335] In Tables 1 to 32 below, the numerals relating to the
compositions of the inks indicate the contents of the respective
constituent components in terms of % by weight with respect to the
whole amount of each ink composition. The colorant is added in the
form of a dispersion. Accordingly, the amount of the colorant
dispersion added is calculated from the colorant content in the ink
and from the solid concentration of the colorant dispersion.
[0336] Olfin E1010 (manufactured by Nisshin Chemical Industry),
Olfin STG (manufactured by Nisshin Chemical Industry), and Surfynol
465 (manufactured by Air Product) are acetylene glycol surfactants.
Surfynol 61 (manufactured by Air Product) is an acetylene alcohol
surfactant.
[0337] The surface tension in Tables 1 to 31 below was measured
with an automatic surface tension balance, Model CBVP-Z
manufactured by Kyowa Kaimen Gagaku.
[0338] The inks of the Examples all have ASP of at least 1.0
cal/cm.sup.3.
[0339] Regarding the colorants, the compounds of formula (1) and
the compounds of formula (2), the numeral in the upper row
indicates the content thereof, and the code in the lower row
indicates the kind of the colorant, the compound of formula (1) or
the compound of formula (2).
[0340] Specifically, the codes of the compounds shown in the Tables
are as follows:
[0341] [1-1]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is neopentyl
group, n is 1.0, m is 1.5, and M is hydrogen atom.
[0342] [1-2]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is t-butyl group,
n is 1.0, m is 2.0, and M is hydrogen atom.
[0343] [1-3]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is
1,3-dimethylbutyl group, n is 0, m is 4.5, and M is hydrogen
atom.
[0344] [1-4]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is isobutyl group,
n is 3.0, m is 1.0, and M is hydrogen atom.
[0345] [1-5]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is a mixture of
50% n-hexyl group and 50% 2-ethylhexyl group; n and m for n-hexyl
are 4.0 and 1.0, respectively, and n and m for 2-ethylhexyl are 2.0
and 1.0, respectively; and M is potassium phosphate for both
n-hexyl and 2-ethylhexyl.
[0346] [1-6]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is
1,1-dimethylbutyl, n is 7.0, m is 1.0, and M is sodium borate.
[0347] [1-7]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is a mixture of
50% cyclohexyl group and 50% n-heptyl group; n, m and M for
cyclohexyl are 9.0, 1.0 and sodium sulfonate, respectively; and n,
m and M for n-heptyl are 3.5, 2.0 and potassium phosphate,
respectively.
[0348] [1-8]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is a mixture of is
50% neopentyl group, 30% n-pentyl group and 20% isopentyl group; n,
m and M for neopentyl are 0, 1.0 and K.sup.+, respectively; n, m
and M for n-pentyl are 2.5, 1.0 and ammonium sulfonate,
respectively; and n, m and M for isopentyl are 3.0, 1.5 and
hydrogen atom, respectively.
[0349] [1-9]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is a mixture of
50% cyclohexyl group and 50% n-heptyl group; k, m and M for
cyclohexyl are 9.0, 1.0 and ammonium borate, respectively; and k, m
and M for n-heptyl are 3.5, 2.0 and triethanolamine borate,
respectively.
[0350] [1-10]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is a mixture of
50% n-hexyl group and 50% 2-ethylhexyl group; n and m for n-hexyl
are 4.0 and 1.0, respectively; n and m for 2-ethylhexyl are 2.0 and
1.0, respectively; and M is triethanolamine sulfonate for both
h-hexyl and 2-ethylhexyl.
[0351] [1-11]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is a mixture of
50% cyclohexyl group and 50% n-heptyl group; n, m and M for
cyclohexyl are 9.0, 1.0 and potassium borate, respectively; and n,
m and M for n-heptyl are 3.5, 2.0 and ammonium borate,
respectively.
[0352] [1-12]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is a mixture of
50% neopentyl group, 30% n-pentyl group and 20% isopentyl group; n,
m and M for neopentyl are 0, 1.0 and K.sup.+, respectively; n, m
and M for n-pentyl are 2.5, 1.0 and ammonium sulfonate,
respectively; and n, m and M for isopentyl are 3.0, 1.5 and sodium
phosphate, respectively.
[0353] [1-13]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is a mixture of
50% n-hexyl group and 50% 2-ethylhexyl group; k and m for n-hexyl
are 4.0 and 1.0, respectively; k and m for 2-ethylhexyl are 2.0 and
1.0, respectively; and M is potassium borate for both n-hexyl and
2-ethylhexyl.
[0354] [1-14]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is a mixture of
50% n-butyl group and 50% n-heptyl group; k, m and M for n-butyl
are 9.0, 1.0 and ammonium phosphate, respectively; and k, m and M
for n-heptyl are 3.5, 2.0 and triethanolamine phosphate,
respectively.
[0355] [1-15]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is a mixture of
50% cyclohexyl group and 50% n-heptyl group; k, m and M for
cyclohexyl are 9.0, 1.0 and ammonium borate, respectively; and k, m
and M for n-heptyl are 3.5, 2.0 and triethanolamine borate,
respectively.
[0356] [1-16]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is neopentyl
group, n is 1.0, m is 1.5, and M is sodium.
[0357] [1-17]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is t-butyl group,
n is 1.0, m is 2.0, and M is triethanolamine.
[0358] [1-18]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is isobutyl
group, n is 3.0, m is 1.0, and M is ammonia.
[0359] [1-19]: 1:1 mixture of compound of formula (1) wherein R is
n-hexyl group, n is 4.0 and m is 1.0 and compound of formula (1)
wherein R is 2-ethylhexyl group, n is 2.0 and m is 1.0, in both of
which M is potassium.
[0360] [1-20]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is a mixture of
50% cyclohexyl group and 50% n-heptyl group; n, m and M for
cyclohexyl are 9.0, 1.0 and hydrogen atom, respectively; and n, m
and M for h-heptyl is 3.5, 2.0 and sodium phosphate,
respectively.
[0361] [1-21]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is a mixture of
50% neopentyl group, 30% n-pentyl group and 20% isopentyl group; n,
m and M for neopentyl are 0, 1.0 and K.sup.+, respectively; n, m
and M for n-pentyl are 2.5, 1.0 and ammonium borate, respectively;
and n, m and M for isopentyl are 3.0, 1.5 and hydrogen atom,
respectively.
[0362] [1-22]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is a mixture of
50% n-hexyl group and 50% 2-ethylhexyl group mixed; n and m for
n-hexyl are 4.0 and 1.0, respectively; n and m for 2-ethylhexyl are
2.0 and 1.0, respectively; and M is potassium sulfonate for both
n-hexyl and 2-ethylhexyl.
[0363] [1-23]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is a mixture of
50% cyclohexyl group and 50% n-heptyl group; n, m and M for
cyclohexyl are 9.0, 1.0 and hydrogen atom, respectively; n, m and M
for n-heptyl are 3.5, 2.0 and sodium phosphate, respectively.
[0364] [1-24]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is a mixture of
50% neopentyl group, 30% n-pentyl group and 20% isopentyl group; n,
m and M for neopentyl are 0, 1.0 and K.sup.+, respectively; n, m
and M for n-pentyl are 2.5, 1.0 and ammonium borate, respectively;
and n, m and M for isopentyl are 3.0, 1.5 and hydrogen atom,
respectively.
[0365] [1-25]: compound of formula (1), wherein R is a mixture of
50% cyclohexyl group and 50% n-heptyl group; n, m and M for
cyclohexyl are 9.0, 1.0 and sodium borate, respectively; and n, m
and M for n-heptyl are 3.5, 2.0 and ammonium borate,
respectively.
[0366] [2-1]: compound of formula (2), wherein n is 2, and EP is
ethyleneoxy alone.
[0367] [2-2]: compound of formula (2), wherein n is 0.8, and EP is
ethyleneoxy alone.
[0368] [2-3]: compound of formula (2), wherein n is 4, and EP is
ethyleneoxy and propyleneoxy in a ratio of 3:1.
[0369] [2-4]: compound of formula (2), wherein n is 1.5, and EP is
ethyleneoxy alone.
[0370] [2-5]: compound of formula (2), wherein n is 2.8, and EP is
ethyleneoxy alone.
[0371] [2-6]: compound of formula (2), wherein n is 3.5, and EP is
ethyleneoxy alone.
[0372] [2-7]: compound of formula (2), wherein n is 10, and EP is
ethyleneoxy alone.
[0373] [2-8]: compound of formula (2), wherein n is 4.5, and EP is
ethyleneoxy alone.
[0374] [2-9]: compound of formula (2), wherein n is 4, and EP is
ethyleneoxy alone.
[0375] [2-10]: compound of formula (2), wherein n is 5, and EP is
ethyleneoxy and propyleneoxy in a ratio of 3:1.
[0376] [2-11]: compound of formula (2), wherein n is 3, and EP is
ethyleneoxy alone.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4 Ex. 5 Ex. 6 Ex. 7
Ex. 8 colorant 7.5 4.5 5.5 5.0 7.5 4.5 5.5 5.0 1-1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-1
1-2 1-3 1-4 Olfin E1010 1.0 0.5 Olfin STG 1.0 0.7 Surfynol 465 1.2
Surfynol 61 0.5 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.3 DEGmBE 5.0 5.0 TEGmBE 10.0 5.0 4.0
PGmBE 1.0 1,2-pentanediol 2.0 1,2-hexanediol 3.0 5.0 3.0 5.0 5.0
1,6-hexanediol 5.0 glycerin 14.0 9.0 9.0 14.0 14.0 9.0 12.0 12.0
diethylene glycol 5.0 7.0 5.0 thiodiglycol 3.5 3.5
trimethylolpropane 1.0 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 2.0 2.0
2.0 2.0 triethanolamine 0.8 0.9 1.0 0.7 0.9 0.9 potassium hydroxide
0.1 0.1 0.1 Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 water balance
balance balance balance balance balance balance balance surface
tension (mN/m) 34 32 34 34 35 33 32 32
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Ex. 9 Ex. 10 Ex. 11 Ex. 12 Ex. 13 Ex. 14 Ex.
15 Ex. 16 Colorant 7.0 7.0 7.5 4.5 5.5 7.5 7.5 5.5 1-1 1-1 1-1 1-2
1-3 1-1 1-1 1-1 Olfin E1010 1.0 1.0 Olfin STG 1.0 1.0 Surfynol 465
0.5 1.2 Surfynol 61 0.6 DEGmBE 4.0 2.5 7.0 TEGmBE 5.0 8.0 PGmBE 2.0
DPGmBE 1.0 3.0 1,2-hexanediol 3.0 7.0 5.0 4.5 1.0 5.0
1,6-hexanediol 5.0 Glycerin 10.0 10.0 12.0 10.0 10.0 12.0 12.0 12.0
diethylene glycol 2.0 7.0 tetraethylene glycol 5.0 Thiodiglycol 3.0
3.5 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 Triethanolamine 0.9 0.8 0.9
0.9 0.8 0.8 0.8 potassium hydroxide 0.1 Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03
0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance balance balance balance balance
balance balance balance surface tension (mN/m) 30 32 33 33 32 33 35
34
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Ex. 17 Ex. 18 Ex. 19 Ex. 20 Ex. 21 Ex. 22
Ex. 23 Ex. 24 Colorant 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 1-1 1-1 1-1
1-1 1-1 1-1 1-1 1-5 Olfin E1010 1.0 1.0 Surfynol 61 0.5 0.5 DEGmBE
8.0 5.0 TEGmBE 5.0 3.0 PGmBE 1.0 1,2-pentanediol 4.0 2.0
1,2-hexanediol 3.0 5.0 Glycerin 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0
14.0 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 2.0 1.0 Triethanolamine 0.8
0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 potassium hydroxide 0.10 0.10 Proxel XL-2 0.03
0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02
0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance balance balance balance
balance balance balance balance surface tension (mN/m) 35 35 34 36
34 31 36 34
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Ex. 25 Ex. 26 Ex. 27 Ex. 28 Ex. 29 Ex. 30
Ex. 31 Ex. 32 Colorant 4.5 5.5 5.0 7.5 4.5 5.5 3.0 5.0 1-6 1-7 1-8
1-20 1-20 1-20 3-1 3-2 Olfin E1010 0.5 1.0 1.0 Olfin STG 1.0 0.5
1.0 Surfynol 465 1.2 1.2 Surfynol 61 0.5 DEGmBE 5.0 7.0 TEGmBE 10.0
5.0 10.0 6.0 PGmBE 2.0 1,2-pentanediol 2.0 1,2-hexanediol 3.0 5.0
3.0 1.0 2.0 1,6-hexanediol 5.0 5.0 Glycerin 9.0 9.0 14.0 10.0 9.0
9.0 14.0 15.0 diethylene glycol 5.0 7.0 5.0 7.0 tetraethylene
glycol 3.5 Thiodiglycol 3.5 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 2.0
Triethanolamine 0.9 1.0 0.7 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.9 potassium hydroxide 0.1
0.1 Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance
balance balance balance balance balance balance balance surface
tension (mN/m) 32 34 31 33 32 32 32 34
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Ex. 33 Ex. 34 Ex. 35 Ex. 36 Colorant 5.0 5.5
5.0 5.5 3-3 3-4 3-4 3-4 Olfin E1010 1.0 Surfynol 465 1.0 Surfynol
61 0.5 1.0 DEGmBE 8.0 8.0 TEGmBE 4.0 PGmBE 2.0 1,2-hexanediol 5.0
5.0 Glycerin 15.0 7.0 15.0 15.0 diethylene glycol 5.0
tetrapropylene glycol 5.0 Trimethylolpropane 1.0 1.0
1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 Triethanolamine 0.5 0.9 0.9 0.3
potassium hydroxide 0.05 0.1 0.1 Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance balance balance
balance surface tension (mN/m) 31 28 34 31
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Ex. 37 Ex. 38 Ex. 39 Ex. 40 Ex. 41 Ex. 43
Ex. 43 Ex. 44 Colorant 4.0 3.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 3.0 4-1 4-2 4-1
4-2 4-1 4-2 4-1 4-2 Olfin E1010 1.0 0.5 Olfin STG 1.0 0.7 Surfynol
465 1.2 Surfynol 61 0.5 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.3 DEGmBE 5.0 5.0 TEGmBE 10.0
5.0 4.0 PGmBE 1.0 DPGmBE 1,2-pentanediol 2.0 1,2-hexanediol 3.0 5.0
3.0 5.0 5.0 1,6-hexanediol 5.0 Glycerin 14.0 9.0 9.0 14.0 14.0 9.0
12.0 12.0 diethylene glycol 5.0 7.0 5.0 tetraethylene glycol
thiodiglycol 3.5 3.5 trimethylolpropane 1.0
1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 triethanolamine
0.8 0.9 1.0 0.7 0.9 0.9 potassium hydroxide 0.1 0.1 0.1 Proxel XL-2
0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 benzotriazole 0.02 0.02
0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance balance balance balance
balance balance balance balance surface tension (mN/m) 34 32 34 34
35 33 32 32
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Ex. 45 Ex. 46 Ex. 47 Ex. 48 Ex. 49 Ex. 50
Ex. 51 Ex. 52 Colorant 4.0 3.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 3.0 4-1 4-2 4-1
4-2 4-1 4-2 4-1 4-2 Olfin E1010 1.0 Olfin STG 1.0 Surfynol 465 0.5
Surfynol 61 0.5 0.5 0.3 DEGmBE 4.0 8.0 TEGmBE 8.0 PGmBE 2.0 DPGmBE
1.0 1,2-pentanediol 4.0 1,2-hexanediol 3.0 7.0 5.0 1,6-hexanediol
Glycerin 10.0 10.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 diethylene glycol
2.0 thiodiglycol 3.0 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 2.0
triethanolamine 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 potassium hydroxide 0.1
Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 benzotriazole
0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance balance
balance balance balance balance balance balance surface tension
(mN/m) 30 32 33 35 34 35 35 34
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Ex. 53 Ex. 54 Ex. 55 Ex. 56 Colorant 4.0 3.0
7.0 7.0 4-1 4-2 6-1 6-1 Olfin E1010 1.0 Olfin STG 1.0 DEGmBE 3.0
2.0 TEGmBE 5.0 1.0 PGmBE 1.0 1,2-pentanediol 2.0 2.0 1,2-hexanediol
3.0 2.0 Glycerin 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone
2.0 triethanolamine 0.8 0.8 0.5 0.9 potassium hydroxide 0.1 Proxel
XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 Water
balance balance balance balance surface tension (mN/m) 36 34 33
29
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Ex. 57 Ex. 58 Ex. 59 Ex. 60 Ex. 61 Ex. 62
Ex. 63 Ex. 64 Colorant 7.5 4.5 5.5 5.5 5.0 7.5 4.5 5.5 1-1 1-2 1-3
1-3 1-4 1-1 1-2 1-3 Olfin E1010 1.0 0.5 Olfin STG 1.0 1.0 Surfynol
465 1.2 Surfynol 61 0.5 1.0 1.0 0.5 DEGmBE 2.5 7.0 5.0 TEGmBE 5.0
5.0 4.0 PGmBE 1.0 DPGmBE 3.0 1,2-pentanediol 2.0 1,2-hexanediol 4.5
1.0 5.0 3.0 5.0 1,6-hexanediol 5.0 5.0 Glycerin 12.0 10.0 7.0 7.0
10.0 10.0 7.0 10.0 Maltitol 3.5 2.5 Maltose 3.0 erythritol 2.5
Isomalto-oligosaccharide 2.0 Sorbitol 3.0 Fructose 3.0 Xylitol 5.0
Glucose 3.0 Xylose 5.0 diethylene glycol 7.0 5.0 thiodiglycol 3.5
3.5 3.5 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0
triethanolamine 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.0 0.7 0.9 potassium hydroxide 0.1 0.1
0.1 0.10 Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance
balance balance balance balance balance balance balance surface
tension (mN/m) 34 34 31 35 35 36 34 33
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Ex. 65 Ex. 66 Ex. 67 Ex. 68 Ex. 69 Ex. 70
Ex. 71 Ex. 72 Colorant 5.0 7.0 7.0 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 1-4 1-1 1-1
1-1 1-1 1-1 1-1 1-1 Olfin E1010 1.0 Olfin STG 0.7 1.0 Surfynol 465
0.5 Surfynol 61 0.3 0.5 0.5 DEGmBE 4.0 8.0 TEGmBE 8.0 PGmBE 2.0
DPGmBE 1.0 1,2-hexanediol 5.0 3.0 7.0 5.0 Glycerin 10.0 10.0 10.0
10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 Maltitol 1.0 2.5 1.0 2.0 Maltose 3.0 2.0
Erythritol 2.0 Mannitol 2.0 1.0 Sorbitol 2.0 3.0 Fructose 2.0
Xylitol 2.5 1.0 Xylose 3.0 4.0 diethylene glycol 2.0 Thiodiglycol
3.0 Trimethylolpropane 1.0 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 2.0
2.0 Triethanolamine 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 potassium hydroxide
0.1 Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance
balance balance balance balance balance balance balance surface
tension (mN/m) 33 31 33 34 36 35 36 38
TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 Ex. 73 Ex. 74 Ex. 75 Ex. 76 Ex. 77 Ex. 78
Ex. 79 Ex. 80 Colorant 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 4.5 5.5 1-1 1-1 1-1
1-1 1-1 1-5 1-6 1-7 Olfin E1010 1.0 1.0 Olfin STG 1.0 Surfynol 465
1.2 Surfynol 61 0.5 DEGmBE 6.0 TEGmBE 5.0 3.0 10.0 PGmBE 1.0
1,2-pentanediol 4.0 2.0 1,2-hexanediol 3.0 5.0 3.0 5.0
1,6-hexanediol 5.0 Glycerin 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 9.0 9.0
Maltitol 2.0 2.0 2.0 Maltose 1.0 Erythritol 1.0
isomalto-oligosaccharide 1.0 1.0 Sorbitol 4.0 1.0 1.0 Xylitol 4.0
2.0 2.0 1.0 Xylose 2.0 1.0 diethylene glycol 5.0 7.0 Thiodiglycol
3.5 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 1.0 2.0 Triethanolamine 0.8
0.8 0.8 0.8 0.9 1.0 potassium hydroxide 0.10 0.10 0.1 Proxel XL-2
0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02
0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance balance balance balance
balance balance balance balance surface tension (mN/m) 35 37 35 32
37 35 33 35
TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 12 Ex. 81 Ex. 82 Ex. 83 Ex. 84 Ex. 85 Ex. 86
Ex. 87 Colorant 5.0 3.0 5.0 5.0 5.5 5.0 5.0 1-8 3-1 3-2 3-3 3-4 3-2
3-3 Olfin E1010 0.5 1.0 1.0 Olfin STG 1.0 Surfynol 465 1.0 Surfynol
61 0.5 0.5 1.0 DEGmBE 7.0 8.0 8.0 TEGmBE 5.0 6.0 4.0 PGmBE 2.0 2.0
1,2-pentanediol 2.0 1,2-hexanediol 3.0 2.0 5.0 5.0 Glycerin 10.0
11.0 11.0 11.0 7.0 10.0 10.0 Maltitol 1.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 Maltose 1.0
2.0 Erythritol 1.0 1.0 isomalto-oligosaccharide 1.0 1.0 Sorbitol
1.0 2.0 2.0 Fructose 1.0 2.0 Xylitol 1.0 2.0 Xylose 2.0 diethylene
glycol 5.0 tetrapropylene glycol 5.0 Trimethylolpropane 1.0 1.0
1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 2.0 Triethanolamine 0.7 0.9 0.5
0.8 0.9 0.3 potassium hydroxide 0.1 0.05 0.1 0.1 Proxel XL-2 0.03
0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance balance balance balance balance
balance balance surface tension (mN/m) 32 33 35 32 30 35 32
TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 13 Ex. 88 Ex. 89 Ex. 90 Ex. 91 Ex. 92 Ex. 93
Ex. 94 Ex. 95 Colorant 4.0 3.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 3.0 4-1 4-2 4-1
4-2 4-1 4-2 4-1 4-2 Olfin E1010 1.0 0.5 Olfin STG 1.0 0.7 Surfynol
465 1.2 Surfynol 61 0.5 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.3 DEGmBE 5.0 5.0 TEGmBE 10.0
5.0 4.0 PGmBE 1.0 1,2-pentanediol 2.0 1,2-hexanediol 3.0 5.0 3.0
5.0 5.0 1,6-hexanediol 5.0 Glycerin 10.0 7.0 7.0 12.0 12.0 7.0 10.0
10.0 Maltitol 3.5 2.5 Maltose 3.0 Erythritol 2.5
isomalto-oligosaccharide 2.0 Sorbitol 3.0 Fructose 3.0 Xylitol 5.0
Glucose 3.0 Xylose 5.0 diethylene glycol 5.0 7.0 5.0 Thioglycol 3.5
3.5 Trimethylolpropane 1.0 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 2.0
2.0 2.0 2.0 Triethanolamine 0.8 0.9 1.0 0.7 0.9 0.9 potassium
hydroxide 0.1 0.1 0.1 Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
0.03 0.03 Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
Water balance balance balance balance balance balance balance
balance surface tension (mN/m) 35 33 35 35 36 34 33 33
TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 14 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 96 Ex. 97 Ex. 98 Ex. 99
100 101 102 103 Colorant 4.0 3.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 3.0 4-1 4-2
4-1 4-2 4-1 4-2 4-1 4-2 Olfin E1010 1.0 Olfin STG 1.0 Surfynol 465
0.5 Surfynol 61 0.5 0.5 DEGmBE 4.0 8.0 TEGmBE 8.0 PGmBE 2.0 DPGmBE
1.0 1,2-pentanediol 4.0 1,2-hexanediol 3.0 7.0 5.0 1,6-hexanediol
Glycerin 8.0 8.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 Maltitol 1.0 2.5 1.0
2.0 Maltose 3.0 2.0 Erythritol 2.0 isomalto-oligosaccharide
Mannitol 2.0 1.0 Sorbitol 2.0 3.0 Fructose 2.0 Xylitol 2.5 1.0
Glucose Xylose 3.0 4.0 diethylene glycol Thioglycol 3.0
Trimethylolpropane 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 2.0
Triethanolamine 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 potassium hydroxide 0.1
Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 Benzotriazole
0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance balance
balance balance balance balance balance balance surface tension
(mN/m) 31 33 34 36 35 36 36 35
TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 15 Ex. 104 Ex. 105 Ex. 106 Colorant 4.0 3.0
7.0 4-1 4-2 6-1 Surfynol 465 1.0 TEGmBE 5.0 3.0 PGmBE 1.0
1,2-pentanediol 2.0 1,2-hexanediol 3.0 3.0 Glycerin 10.0 10.0 12.0
Maltitol 3.0 Sorbitol 4.0 Xylitol 4.0 3.0
1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 Triethanolamine 0.8 0.8 0.5
potassium hydroxide 0.1 Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 Benzotriazole
0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance balance balance surface tension (mN/m)
37 35 33
TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 16 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 107 108 109
110 111 112 113 114 Colorant 7.5 4.5 5.5 5.0 3.0 5.0 5.0 5.5 1-1
1-2 1-3 1-4 3-1 3-2 3-3 3-4 Olfin E1010 1.0 1.0 Olfin STG 0.5 1.0
Surfynol 465 1.2 1.0 Surfynol 61 0.5 0.5 DEGmBE 7.0 8.0 10.0 TEGmBE
3.0 6.0 PGmBE 2.0 DPGmBE 2.0 DPDmBE 2.0 1,2-pentanediol 5.0
1,2-hexanediol 1.0 compound of formula (1) 5.0 10.0 10.0 8.0 7.0
6.0 10.0 6.0 1-1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6 1-7 1-8 Glycerin 9.0 14.0 15.0
15.0 7.0 diethylene glycol 7.0 5.0 dipropylene glycol 5.0
tetraethylene glycol 9.0 tetrapropylene glycol 5.0 Thiodiglycol 3.5
2.0 Trimethylolpropane 1.0 Maltitol 1.0
1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 Triethanolamine 0.8 0.9 1.0 0.7
0.9 0.9 0.5 0.9 potassium hydroxide 0.1 0.1 0.05 0.1 Proxel XL-2
0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02
0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance balance balance balance
balance balance balance balance surface tension (mN/m) 32 32 32 34
31 32 32 31
TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 17 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 115 116 117
118 119 120 121 122 Colorant 7.5 4.5 5.5 5.0 3.0 5.0 5.0 5.5 1-1
1-2 1-3 1-4 3-1 3-2 3-3 3-4 Olfin E1010 1.0 1.0 Olfin STG 3.5 1.0
Surfynol 465 1.2 1.0 Surfynol 61 0.5 0.5 DEGmBE 2.5 7.0 7.0 8.0
10.0 TEGmBE 5.0 3.0 6.0 PGmBE 2.0 DPGmBE 3.0 2.0 DPDmBE 3.0 2.0
1,2-propanediol 6.0 1,2-pentanediol 5.0 1,2-hexanediol 4.5 1.0
compound of formula (1) 8.0 7.0 10.0 6.0 1-4 1-5 1-9 1-8
1,5-pentanediol 5.0 2.0 1.0 Glycerin 9.0 8.0 7.0 8.0 14.0 10.0 10.0
7.0 compound of formula (2) 8.0 10.0 2.0 8.0 10.0 6.0 10.0 6.0 2-1
2-2 2-3 2-4 2-5 2-6 2-7 2-8 Maltose 3.0 diethylene glycol 5.0
dipropylene glycol 5.0 tetraethylene glycol 1.0 Trimethylolpropane
2.0 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 Triethanolamine 0.8 0.9 1.0
0.7 0.9 0.9 0.5 0.9 potassium hydroxide 0.1 0.05 0.1 Proxel XL-2
0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02
0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance balance balance balance
balance balance balance balance surface tension (mN/m) 33 32 31 34
34 32 33 29
TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 18 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 123 124 125 126 Colorant
5.0 3.0 5.0 5.5 1-4 3-1 3-3 3-4 Olfin STG 1.0 Surfynol 465 0.5 1.0
Surfynol 61 0.5 DEGmBE 7.0 8.0 10.0 TEGmBE 3.0 PGmBE 2.0 2.0
1,2-pentanediol 5.0 compound of formula (1) 8.0 7.0 10.0 6.0 1-4
1-10 1-11 1-12 1,5-pentanediol 2.0 Glycerin 8.0 14.0 10.0 7.0
Maltose 5.0 erythritol 1.0 mannitol 3.0 Sorbitol 2.0 Fructose 2.0
3.0 Xylitol 2.5 Xylose 2.0 diethylene glycol 5.0 tetraethylene
glycol 1.0 tetrapropylene glycol 5.0 trimethylolpropane 1.0
trimethylolethane 1.0 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 sodium
benzoate 0.1 triethanolamine 0.7 0.9 0.5 0.9 potassium hydroxide
0.05 0.1 Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 benzotriazole 0.02 0.02
0.02 0.02 Water balance balance balance balance surface tension
(mN/m) 34 34 33 33
TABLE-US-00019 TABLE 19 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 127 128 129
130 131 132 133 134 Colorant 7.5 4.5 5.5 5.0 3.0 5.0 5.0 5.5 1-1
1-2 1-3 1-4 1-1 1-2 1-3 1-4 Olfin E1010 1.0 1.0 Olfin STG 0.5 1.0
Surfynol 465 1.2 1.0 Surfynol 61 0.5 0.5 DEGmBE 2.5 7.0 7.0 8.0
10.0 TEGmBE 5.0 3.0 6.0 PGmBE 2.0 DPGmBE 2.0 DPDmBE 3.0
1,2-propanediol 6.0 1,2-pentanediol 5.0 1,2-hexanediol 4.5 1.0
1,5-pentanediol 5.0 1,6-hexanediol 5.0 Glycerin 9.0 8.0 7.0 8.0
14.0 7.0 10.0 7.0 compound of formula (2) 3.0 2.0 3.0 2-9 2-10 2-11
Maltitol 2.5 Maltose 3.5 3.0 3.0 5.0 Erythritol 2.5
isomalto-oligosaccharide 2.0 1.0 Mannitol 3.0 Sorbitol 2.0 Fructose
2.0 3.0 Xylitol 2.5 Glucose 2.0 Xylose 2.0 diethylene glycol 7.0
5.0 dipropylene glycol 5.0 tetraethylene glycol 1.0 tetrapropylene
glycol 5.0 Thiodiglycol 3.5 2.0 Trimethylolpropane 1.0
Trimethylolethane 1.0 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0
Triethanolamine 0.8 0.9 1.0 0.7 0.9 0.9 0.5 0.9 potassium hydroxide
0.1 0.5 0.1 Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance
balance balance balance balance balance balance balance surface
tension (mN/m) 33 32 31 34 34 32 32 29
TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 20 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 135 136 137
138 139 140 141 142 Colorant 7.5 4.5 5.5 5.0 3.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 1-1
1-2 1-3 1-4 3-1 3-2 3-3 3-4 Olfin E1010 0.1 0.05 Olfin STG 0.5 0.05
Surfynol 465 0.1 1.0 Surfynol 61 0.05 DEGmBE 0.5 0.7 0.3 0.5 TEGmBE
1.0 0.5 0.6 DPGmBE 0.3 DPDmBE 0.3 DPGmME 1.5 TEGmME 1.5
1,2-propanediol 0.6 1,2-pentanediol 5.0 1,2-hexanediol 0.5 0.5
compound of formula (1) 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.8 1-4 1-5 1-15 1-18
1,5-pentanediol 5.0 2.0 1.0 Glycerin 9.0 8.0 7.0 8.0 14.0 10.0 10.0
7.0 compound of formula (2) 8.0 10.0 2.0 8.0 10.0 6.0 10.0 6.0 2-1
2-2 2-3 2-4 2-5 2-6 2-7 2-8 Maltitol 3.5 Maltose 3.0 diethylene
glycol 5.0 dipropylene glycol 5.0 tetraethylene glycol 1.0
Trimethylolpropane 1.0 Trimethylolethane 1.0
1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 Triethanolamine 0.8 0.9 1.0 0.7
0.9 0.9 0.5 0.9 potassium hydroxide 0.1 0.05 0.1 Proxel XL-2 0.03
0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02
0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance balance balance balance
balance balance balance balance surface tension (mN/m) 42 39 40 42
44 45 41 40
TABLE-US-00021 TABLE 21 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 143 144 145
146 147 148 149 150 Colorant 7.5 7.5 4.5 5.5 5.0 7.5 7.5 7.5 1-9
1-10 1-11 1-12 1-13 1-14 1-15 1-16 Olfin E1010 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Olfin STG 0.5 Surfynol 465 1.2 Surfynol 61 0.5 TEGmBE 3.0
1,2-pentanediol 5.0 1,2-hexanediol 1.0 compound of formula (1) 5.0
5.0 10.0 10.0 8.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 1-16 1-17 1-3 1-18 1-19 1-16 1-16
1-16 1,5-pentanediol 5.0 5.0 2.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 1,6-hexanediol 5.0
Glycerin 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 diethylene glycol 7.0 dipropylene
glycol 5.0 tetraethylene glycol 9.0 Thiodiglycol 3.5
1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 Triethanolamine 0.8 0.8 0.9 1.0
0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 potassium hydroxide 0.1 Water balance balance
balance balance balance balance balance balance surface tension
(mN/m) 32 32 31 30 33 32 32 32
TABLE-US-00022 TABLE 22 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 151 152 153 154 155
Colorant 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 2-1 2-2 5-1 2-3 2-4 Olfin E1010 1.0
1.0 1.0 Surfynol 465 1.0 1.0 DEGmBE 5.0 5.0 TEGmBE 5.0 5.0 5.0
PGmBE 3.0 DPGmBE 2.0 2.0 1,2-pentanediol 5.0 1,2-hexanediol 5.0 5.0
5.0 5.0 Glycerin 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 Triethanolamine 0.5 0.5
0.5 0.5 0.5 potassium hydroxide 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.10 0.10 Proxel XL-2
0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
Water balance balance balance balance balance surface tension
(mN/m) 32 32 32 32 32
TABLE-US-00023 TABLE 23 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 156 157 158 159 Colorant
8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 2-6 2-7 2-8 2-9 Olfin E1010 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 DEGmBE
5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 1,2-hexanediol 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 Glycerin 10.0 10.0
10.0 10.0 Triethanolamine 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 potassium hydroxide 0.1
0.1 0.1 0.1 Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02
0.02 0.02 Water balance balance balance balance surface tension
(mN/m) 30 29 30 29
TABLE-US-00024 TABLE 24 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 160 161 162
163 164 165 166 167 Colorant 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 2-1
2-2 5-1 2-3 2-4 2-6 2-7 2-8 Olfin E1010 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Surfynol 465 1.0 1.0 DEGmBE 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 TEGmBE 5.0 5.0 5.0
PGmBE 3.0 DPGmBE 2.0 2.0 1,2-pentanediol 5.0 1,2-hexanediol 5.0 5.0
5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 Glycerin 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0
10.0 Maltitol 3.5 2.5 Maltose 3.0 Erythritol 2.5
isomalto-oligosaccharide 2.0 Mannitol Sorbitol 3.0 Fructose 3.0
Xylitol 5.0 Glucose 3.0 Xylose 5.0 Triethanolamine 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 potassium hydroxide 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.10 0.10 0.1 0.10
0.10 Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance
balance balance balance balance balance balance balance surface
tension (mN/m) 33 33 33 33 33 31 30 31
TABLE-US-00025 TABLE 25 Ex. 168 Comp. 1 Comp. 2 Colorant 8.0 8.0
8.0 2-9 2-6 2-6 Olfin E1010 1.0 5.0 Olfin STG 5.0 DEGmBE 5.0 TEGmBE
5.0 1,2-hexanediol 5.0 8.0 Glycerin 10.0 15.0 5.0 Maltitol 1.0
Mannitol 2.0 diethylene glycol 0.5 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone
6.0 2-pyrrolidone 5.0 Triethanolamine 0.5 0.5 0.5 potassium
hydroxide 0.1 0.1 0.1 Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 Benzotriazole 0.02
0.02 0.02 Water balance balance balance surface tension (mN/m) 30
51 23
TABLE-US-00026 TABLE 26 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 169 170 171 172 173
Colorant 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 1-18 1-19 2-5 2-11 2-12 Olfin E1010
1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 DEGmBE 5.0 5.0 5.0 TEGmBE 2.0 2.0 2.0 6.0 6.0
DPGmBE 1.0 1,2-hexanediol 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.0 2.0 Glycerin 10.0 10.0
10.0 10.0 10.0 Triethanolamine 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 potassium
hydroxide 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance balance
balance balance balance surface tension (mN/m) 33 32 33 32 32
TABLE-US-00027 TABLE 27 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 174 175 176 177 178
179 Colorant 7.0 5.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 1-17 2-1 2-11 2-10 2-13 2-15
Olfin E1010 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 Surfynol 465 1.0 1.0 DEGmBE 5.0 5.0 5.0
TEGmBE 5.0 5.0 5.0 PGmBE 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 DPGmBE 2.0 1,2-pentanediol
3.0 3.0 3.0 1.0 1,2-hexanediol 3.0 3.0 2.0 Glycerin 10.0 10.0 10.0
10.0 10.0 10.0 Tri- 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 ethanolamine potassium
0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 hydroxide Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance balance
balance balance balance balance surface 33 32 32 32 32 32 tension
(mN/m)
TABLE-US-00028 TABLE 28 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 180 181 182 183 184
185 Colorant 7.0 7.0 5.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 1-18 1-19 2-5 2-12 2-14 2-16
Olfin E1010 1.0 Surfynol 465 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 DEGmBE 5.0 5.0 5.0
TEGmBE 5.0 5.0 5.0 PGmBE 1.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 DPGmBE 2.0 1,2-pentanediol
3.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 1,2-hexanediol 2.0 3.0 3.0 1.0 Glycerin 10.0 10.0
10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 Tri- 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 ethanolamine
potassium 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 hydroxide Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03
0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
Water balance balance balance balance balance balance surface 33 32
31 32 33 33 tension (mN/m)
TABLE-US-00029 TABLE 29 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 186 187 188 189 Colorant
5.0 3.0 5.0 5.5 3-1 3-2 3-3 3-4 Olfin STG 1.0 Surfynol 465 1.0
Surfynol 61 0.5 0.5 DEGmBE 7.0 8.0 10.0 TEGmBE 3.0 PGmBE 2.0 DPGmBE
2.0 1,2-pentanediol 5.0 compound of formula (1) 8.0 7.0 10.0 6.0
1-4 1-5 1-20 1-21 1,5-pentanediol 2.0 Glycerin 14.0 15.0 7.0
diethylene glycol 5.0 tetraethylene glycol 9.0 tetrapropylene
glycol 5.0 trimethylolpropane 1.0 trimethylolethane 1.0
1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 triethanolamine 0.7 0.9 0.5 0.9
potassium hydroxide 0.05 0.1 Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Water balance balance balance
balance surface tension (mN/m) 34 34 33 31
TABLE-US-00030 TABLE 30 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 190 191 192
193 194 195 196 197 Colorant 7.5 4.5 5.5 5.0 1.0 5.0 5.0 5.5 1-21
1-22 1-23 1-24 3-5 3-6 3-7 3-8 Olfin E1010 1.0 1.0 Olfin STG 0.5
1.0 Surfynol 465 1.2 1.0 Surfynol 61 0.5 0.5 DEGmBE 2.5 7.0 7.0 8.0
10.0 TEGmBE 5.0 3.0 6.0 PGmBE 2.0 DPGmBE 2.0 DPDmBE 3.0
1,2-propanediol 6.0 1,2-pentanediol 5.0 1,2-hexanediol 4.5 1.0
compound of formula (1) 8.0 7.0 10.0 6.0 1-4 1-22 1-23 1-24
1,5-pentanediol 5.0 2.0 1.0 1,6-hexanediol 5.0 Glycerin 9.0 14.0
15.0 15.0 7.0 diethylene glycol 7.0 5.0 dipropylene glycol 5.0 5.0
tetraethylene glycol 9.0 Thiodiglycol 3.5 2.0 Trimethylolpropane
1.0 Trimethylolethane 1.0 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 sodium
benzoate 0.1 Triethanolamine 0.8 0.9 1.0 0.7 0.9 0.9 0.5 0.9
potassium hydroxide 0.1 0.05 0.1 Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
0.02 0.02 Water balance balance balance balance balance balance
balance balance surface tension (mN/m) 33 33 31 34 34 33 32 32
TABLE-US-00031 TABLE 31 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 198 199 200
201 202 203 204 205 Colorant 7.5 4.5 5.5 5.0 3.0 5.0 5.0 5.5 1-1
1-2 1-3 1-4 3-1 3-2 3-3 3-4 Olfin E1010 1.0 1.0 Olfin STG 0.5 1.0
Surfynol 465 1.2 1.0 Surfynol 61 0.5 0.5 DEGmBE 2.5 7.0 7.0 8.0
10.0 TEGmBE 5.0 3.0 6.0 PGmBE 2.0 DPGmBE 2.0 DPDmBE 3.0
1,2-propanediol 3.0 1,2-pentanediol 5.0 1,2-hexanediol 4.5 1.0 3.0
compound of formula (1) 8.0 7.0 10.0 6.0 1-4 1-5 1-25 1-8
1,5-pentanediol 2.0 Glycerin 12.0 12.0 7.0 8.0 14.0 10.0 10.0 7.0
Maltitol 3.5 2.5 3.0 5.0 Maltose 3.0 Erythritol 2.5 1.0
isomalto-oligosaccharide 2.0 Mannitol 3.0 Sorbitol 2.0 Fructose 2.0
3.0 Xylitol 5.0 Glucose 2.0 Xylose 2.0 diethylene glycol 7.0 5.0
tetraethylene glycol 1.0 tetrapropylene glycol 5.0
Trimethylolpropane 1.0 Trimethylolethane 1.0
1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0 sodium benzoate Triethanolamine
0.8 0.9 0.7 0.9 0.5 0.9 potassium hydroxide 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.05 0.1
Proxel XL-2 0.03 0.03 0.03 Proxel TN 0.04 Deniside CST 0.01
Deniside CSA 0.01 Deniside C3 0.02 Deniside OMP 0.03 Microstat S520
0.03 NS-BP 0.05 Benzotriazole 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.03
dicyclohexylammonium nitrate 0.02 0.02 disodium salt of 0.03 0.03
0.03 0.03 0.03 0.02 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid dipotassium
salt of 0.03 0.02 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid Water balance
balance balance balance balance balance balance balance surface
tension (mN/m) 33 32 31 34 34 33 33 32
[0377] In accordance with the compositions set forth below, inks of
(Comparative Example 3) to (Comparative Example) 5 were
prepared.
Comparative Example 3
TABLE-US-00032 [0378] Weight (%) Carbon black pigment 5.0 (mean
particle size, 105 nm) Glycerin 10.0 Dispersant 3.0 Nonionic
surfactant 1.0 Ion-exchanged water balance Carbon black pigment:
Raven C (manufactured by Columbia Carbon) Nonionic surfactant:
Noigen EA160 (manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku) Dispersant:
Joncryl 62 (manufactured by Johnson Polymer)
Comparative Example 4
TABLE-US-00033 [0379] Weight (%) Acid Blue 9 5.5 DEGmME 7.0
Diethylene glycol 10.0 2-Pyrrolidone 5.0 Ion-exchanged water
balance
Comparative Example 5
TABLE-US-00034 [0380] Weight (%) Direct Black 154 2.5 Diethylene
glycol 10.0 Nonionic surfactant 1.0 Ion-exchanged water balance
Nonionic surfactant: Epan 450 (manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo
Seiyaku)
[0381] Inks of Comparative Example 6 to Comparative Example 15 were
prepared by adding, to the composition of Comparative Example 3, at
least one compound selected from acetylene glycol surfactants,
acetylene alcohol surfactants, glycol ethers and 1,2-alkylene
glycols as shown in Table 32 below.
TABLE-US-00035 TABLE 32 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. 6
Comp. 7 Comp. 8 Comp. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Olfin E1010 1 1 1 1 Olfin
STG 0.5 0.5 1 0.5 Surfynol 465 Surfynol 61 0.5 0.5 DEGmBE 5 5 6 10
TEGmBE 8 7 8 PGmBE 2 DPGmBE 2 3 1,2-pentanediol 5 5 1,2-hexanediol
3 2 2
[0382] The inks of Examples and Comparative Examples were evaluated
according to the tests set forth below.
<Evaluation 1: Print Quality>
[0383] Using an ink jet printer, MJ-930C (manufactured by Seiko
Epson), each 24 pieces of upper-case and lower-case alphabet
letters were printed with each ink on various kinds of paper set
forth below. The printed letters were visually observed, and
evaluated according to the following criteria. [0384] SA: No
bleeding was found on every kind of paper, and the printed density
is high. [0385] AA: No bleeding was found on every kind of paper,
but the printed density is lower than that of the SA-rank. [0386]
A: Some bleeding was found only on a few kinds of paper. [0387] B:
Some bleeding was found on every kind of paper. [0388] C: Much
bleeding was found on every kind of paper.
[0389] Used in the test were 12 kinds of paper: Conqueror paper,
Favorit paper, Modo paper, Rapid Copy paper, Epson EPP paper, Xerox
P paper, Xerox 4024 paper, Xerox 10 paper, Neenha Bond paper,
Ricopy 6200 paper, Yamayuri paper (regenerated paper) and Xerox R
paper (regenerated paper).
<Evaluation 2: Water Resistance>
[0390] Onto the printed area of each printed matter obtained in the
print quality test of evaluation 1, 1 ml of ion-exchanged water was
dropped. The condition of the printed matter, 20 minutes after the
drop, was visually observed, and was evaluated according to the
following criteria.
[0391] A: No change was found in every kind of paper.
[0392] B: A little colorant bled out of the printed area, but the
printed letters are still recognizable.
[0393] C: The colorant bled out of the printed area, making the
outline of the printed letters blurred and making it difficult to
recognize the printed letters.
<Evaluation 3: Dispersion Stability (1)>
[0394] Each ink was put in a glass sample bottle (50 ml) and the
bottle was sealed. The sealed bottle was stored at 60.degree. C.
for 2 weeks. Before and after the storage, the viscosity of the ink
was measured with Rheometrics Scientific RFS2 at 20.degree. C. and
150 sec.sup.-1. The obtained data was evaluated according to the
following criteria.
[0395] SA: The viscosity change is smaller than .+-.0.02 mPas.
[0396] AA: The viscosity change ranges from .+-.0.02 to smaller
than 0.05 mPas.
[0397] A: The viscosity change ranges from +0.05 to smaller than
0.1 mPas.
[0398] B: The viscosity change ranges from .+-.0.1 to smaller than
0.3 mPas.
[0399] C: The viscosity change is .+-.0.3 mPas or more.
<Evaluation 4: Dispersion Stability (2)>
[0400] Each ink was put in a glass sample bottle (50 ml) and the
bottle was sealed. The sealed bottle was stored at 60.degree. C.
for 2 weeks to see whether a sediment or foreign substance is
generated or not, and the result was evaluated according to the
following criteria.
[0401] A: Generation of sediments or foreign substance was not
found.
[0402] B: Generation of sediments or foreign substance was
found.
<Evaluation 5: Clogging Resistance Reliability (1)>
[0403] Each ink was filled in the head of an ink jet printer,
MJ-930C manufactured by Seiko Epson, with which alphabet and
numeral letters were printed on paper continuously for 10 minutes.
Thereafter, the printer was stopped, and left at 40.degree. C. and
a humidity of 25% for 2 weeks with no cap fitted thereto. After
this suspension, the printer was again used to print alphabet and
numeral letters. The number of operation times required until
prints of the same quality as that of the prints before the
suspension (the number of operation times for recovery) was
counted, and was evaluated according to the following criteria.
[0404] SA: Prints of the same quality as that before the suspension
were obtained with 0 to 1 recovery operation.
[0405] AA: Prints of the same quality as that before the suspension
were obtained with 2 to 3 recovery operations.
[0406] A: Prints of the same quality as that before the suspension
were obtained with 3 to 4 recovery operations.
[0407] B: Prints of the same quality as that before the suspension
were obtained with 5 to 6 recovery operations.
[0408] C: Prints of the same quality as that before the suspension
could not obtained even with 7 recovery operations.
<Evaluation 6: Ejection Stability>
[0409] Using an ink jet printer, MJ-930C (manufactured by Seiko
Epson), alphabet and numeral letters were continuously printed with
each ink on Xerox P paper. The printing condition such as dot
deletion and deviation in the ink-landing position was visually
observed, and was evaluated according to the following
criteria.
[0410] SA: Even after printing over 50000 sheets, neither dot
deletion nor deviation in the ink-landing position was found.
[0411] AA: Dot deletion or deviation in the ink-landing position
was found at the number of printed sheets of from 10000 to less
than 50000.
[0412] A: Dot deletion or deviation in the ink-landing position was
found at the number of printed sheets of from 1000 to less than
10000.
[0413] B: Dot deletion or deviation in the ink-landing position was
found at the number of printed sheets of from 100 to less than
1000.
[0414] C: Dot deletion or deviation in the ink-landing position was
found at the number of printed sheets of less than 100.
<Evaluation 7: Rubbing Resistance>
[0415] Using the head of an ink jet printer, MJ-930C manufactured
by Seiko Epson, solid printing was carried out with each ink at
100% duty on an area of 10 mm.times.10 mm of a superfine-exclusive
glossy film manufactured by Seiko Epson. The printed film was then
left for 1 hour at 25.degree. C., and then the printed area was
rubbed with an aqueous yellow fluorescent ink pen, ZEBRA PEN2
(trademark) manufactured by Zebra, under a load of 500 g at a speed
of 10 mm/sec. The printed film was observed to see the presence or
absence of stains therein, and the result was evaluated according
to the following criteria.
[0416] A: Not stained at all, even after rubbed twice.
[0417] B: Not stained after rubbed once, but stained after rubbed
twice.
[0418] C: Stained when rubbed once.
<Evaluation 8: Rapid Dryability>
[0419] Using an ink jet printer, MJ-930C (manufactured by Seiko
Epson), solid printing was carried out with each ink at 100% duty
on an area of 10 mm.times.10 mm of Xerox P paper. 10 seconds after
the solid printing, a fresh sheet of the same kind paper was put on
the printed area, and a 300 g weight was put thereon. After kept as
such for 10 seconds, the weight was removed, and the latter fresh
sheet was checked for the presence or absence of ink transfer
thereto. The result was evaluated according to the following
criteria.
[0420] A: No ink transfer was found.
[0421] B: Ink transfer was found.
TABLE-US-00036 TABLE 33 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4
Ex. 5 Ex. 6 Ex. 7 Ex. 8 Ex. 9 10 11 12 13 14 Print Quality SA SA SA
SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA Water resistance A A A A A A A A A
A A A A A Dispersion Stability (1) SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
SA SA SA Dispersion Stability (2) A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
Clogging Resistance AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA
Reliability (1) Jetting Stability SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
SA SA SA Rubbing Resistance A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Rapid
Dryability A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
TABLE-US-00037 TABLE 34 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Print Quality
SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA Water resistance A A A A
A A A A A A A A A A Dispersion Stability (1) SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
SA SA SA SA SA SA SA Dispersion Stability (2) A A A A A A A A A A A
A A A Clogging Resistance AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA
Reliability (1) Jetting Stability AA AA SA AA AA AA AA SA AA SA SA
SA SA SA Rubbing Resistance A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Rapid
Dryability A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
TABLE-US-00038 TABLE 35 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Print Quality
SA SA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA Water resistance A A A A
A A A A A A A A A A Dispersion Stability (1) SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
SA A A A A A A Dispersion Stability (2) A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
Clogging Resistance AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA A A A A A A Reliability
(1) Jetting Stability SA SA AA AA AA AA AA AA A A A A A A Rubbing
Resistance A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Rapid Dryability A A A A A A
A A A A A A A A
TABLE-US-00039 TABLE 36 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 Print Quality
AA AA AA AA A A A A A A A A AA AA Water resistance A A A A A A A A
A A A A A A Dispersion Stability (1) A A A A A A A A A A A A AA AA
Dispersion Stability (2) A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Clogging
Resistance A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Reliability (1) Jetting
Stability A A A A A A A A A A A A AA AA Rubbing Resistance A A A A
A A A A A A A A A A Rapid Dryability A A A A A A A A A A A A A
A
TABLE-US-00040 TABLE 37 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 Print Quality
SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA Water resistance A A A A
A A A A A A A A A A Dispersion Stability (1) SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
SA SA SA SA SA SA SA Dispersion Stability (2) A A A A A A A A A A A
A A A Clogging Resistance SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
Reliability (1) Jetting Stability SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
SA AA AA Rubbing Resistance A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Rapid
Dryability A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
TABLE-US-00041 TABLE 38 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 Print Quality
SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA AA AA AA Water resistance A A A A
A A A A A A A A A A Dispersion Stability (1) SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
SA SA SA SA SA SA SA Dispersion Stability (2) A A A A A A A A A A A
A A A Clogging Resistance SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
Reliability (1) Jetting Stability SA AA AA AA AA SA AA SA SA SA SA
AA AA AA Rubbing Resistance A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Rapid
Dryability A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
TABLE-US-00042 TABLE 39 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 Print Quality
AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA A Water resistance A A A A A
A A A A A A A A A Dispersion Stability (1) SA SA SA A A A A A A A A
A A A Dispersion Stability (2) A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Clogging
Resistance SA SA SA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA Reliability
(1) Jetting Stability AA AA AA A A A A A A A A A A A Rubbing
Resistance A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Rapid Dryability A A A A A A
A A A A A A A A
TABLE-US-00043 TABLE 40 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112
Print Quality A A A A A A A AA SA SA SA SA AA AA Water resistance A
A A A A A A A A A A A A A Dispersion Stability (1) A A A A A A A AA
SA SA SA SA SA SA Dispersion Stability (2) A A A A A A A A A A A A
A A Clogging Resistance AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA
Reliability (1) Jetting Stability A A A A A A A AA SA SA SA SA AA
AA Rubbing Resistance A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Rapid Dryability
A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
TABLE-US-00044 TABLE 41 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 Print Quality
AA AA SA SA SA SA AA AA AA AA SA AA Water resistance A A A A A A A
A A A A A Dispersion Stability (1) SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
SA Dispersion Stability (2) A A A A A A A A A A A A Clogging
Resistance AA AA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA Reliability (1)
Jetting Stability AA AA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA AA Rubbing
Resistance A A A A A A A A A A A A Rapid Dryability A A A A A A A A
A A A A
TABLE-US-00045 TABLE 42 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 Print
Quality AA AA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA Water resistance A A
A A A A A A A A A A A Dispersion Stability (1) SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
SA SA SA SA SA SA Dispersion Stability (2) A A A A A A A A A A A A
A Clogging Resistance SA AA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
Reliability (1) Jetting Stability AA AA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
SA SA Rubbing Resistance A A A A A A A A A A A A A Rapid Dryability
A A A A A A A A A A A A A
TABLE-US-00046 TABLE 43 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151
Print Quality SA AA AA AA AA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA AA Water
resistance A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Dispersion Stability (1) SA
SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA AA Dispersion Stability (2) A A
A A A A A A A A A A A A Clogging Resistance SA SA SA SA SA AA AA AA
AA AA AA AA AA A Reliability (1) Jetting Stability SA AA AA AA AA
SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA AA Rubbing Resistance A A A A A A A A A A A
A A A Rapid Dryability A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
TABLE-US-00047 TABLE 44 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. Ex. 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165
Print Quality AA AA AA AA SA SA SA SA AA AA AA AA AA SA Water
resistance A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Dispersion Stability (1) AA
AA AA AA SA SA SA SA AA AA AA AA AA SA Dispersion Stability (2) A A
A A A A A A A A A A A A Clogging Resistance A A A A SA SA SA SA AA
AA AA AA AA SA Reliability (1) Jetting Stability AA AA AA AA SA SA
SA SA AA AA AA AA AA SA Rubbing Resistance A A A A A A A A A A A A
A A Rapid Dryability A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
TABLE-US-00048 TABLE 45 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 166 167
168 Comp. 1 Comp. 2 169 170 171 172 173 174 Print Quality SA SA SA
AA B SA SA AA SA SA SA Water resistance A A A A A A A A A A A
Dispersion Stability (1) SA SA SA SA AA SA SA A SA SA SA Dispersion
Stability (2) A A A A A A A A A A A Clogging Resistance SA SA SA SA
AA AA AA A AA AA AA Reliability (1) Jetting Stability SA SA SA AA C
SA SA A SA SA SA Rubbing Resistance A A A A A A A A A A A Rapid
Dryability A A A B A A A A A A A
TABLE-US-00049 TABLE 46 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 Print Quality AA SA SA
SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA Water resistance A A A A A A A A A A A
Dispersion Stability (1) A SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA Dispersion
Stability (2) A A A A A A A A A A A Clogging Resistance A AA AA AA
AA AA AA AA AA AA AA Reliability (1) Jetting Stability AA SA SA SA
SA SA SA A SA SA SA Rubbing Resistance A A A A A A A A A A A Rapid
Dryability A A A A A A A A A A A
TABLE-US-00050 TABLE 47 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ex. Ex. 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 Print
Quality SA AA AA AA SA SA SA SA AA AA AA AA SA Water resistance A A
A A A A A A A A A A A Dispersion Stability (1) SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
SA SA SA SA SA SA Dispersion Stability (2) A A A A A A A A A A A A
A Clogging Resistance AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA
Reliability (1) Jetting Stability AA AA AA AA SA SA SA SA AA AA AA
AA SA Rubbing Resistance A A A A A A A A A A A A A Rapid Dryability
A A A A A A A A A A A A A
TABLE-US-00051 TABLE 48 Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Comp. Comp.
Comp Comp. Comp. Comp. 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 3 4 5 6 7 8
Print Quality SA SA SA AA AA AA AA C C C B B B Water resistance A A
A A A A A A C C A A A Dispersion Stability (1) SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
C -- -- C C C Dispersion Stability (2) A A A A A A A B -- -- B B B
Clogging Resistance AA AA AA AA AA AA AA C A A C C C Reliably (1)
Jetting Stability SA SA SA AA AA AA AA C C C C C C Rubbing
Resistance A A A A A A A C C C C C C Rapid Dryability A A A A A A A
B A B A A A
TABLE-US-00052 TABLE 49 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 Print Quality B B B B B B B Water resistance A A
A A A A A Dispersion Stability (1) C C C C C C C Dispersion
Stability (2) B B B B B B B Clogging Resistance C C C C C C C
Reliability (1) Jetting Stability C C C C C C C Rubbing Resistance
C C C C C C C Rapid Dryability A A A A A A A
[0422] As shown above, the inks of Examples, when used in printing
on various kinds of plain paper and regenerated paper (Yamayuri,
Xerox R), provided high-quality images with reduced bleeding on the
printed images.
[0423] On the other hand, the ink in which a pigment is dispersed
with ordinary dispersant (Comparative Example 3) and the inks of
dye colorant (Comparative Example 4, Comparative Example 5) caused
bleeding, and could not provide high-quality images.
[0424] The colorants of the inks of the Examples are insoluble in
water. Therefore, as compared with those using a water-soluble dye
such as Comparative Examples 4 and 5, the images formed by the inks
of the Examples have extremely excellent water resistance.
[0425] As can be understood from the results in Tables 32 to 49
above, the inks of the Examples produced neither sediments nor
foreign substance, exhibited almost no change in their physical
properties, and had satisfactory dispersion stability and ejection
stability.
[0426] Specifically, it has been confirmed that satisfactory
ejection stability and dispersion stability can be attained,
firstly, by combining the "colorant of a pigment/and or dye
enveloped in a polymer" and the "at least one compound selected
from the group consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants,
acetylene alcohol surfactants, glycol ethers and 1,2-alkylene
glycols".
[0427] On the other hand, even when the "colorant of pigment/and or
dye enveloped in a polymer" and the "at least one compound selected
from the group consisting of acetylene glycol surfactants,
acetylene alcohol surfactants, glycol ethers and 1,2-alkylene
glycols" were added to an ink in which a pigment is dispersed with
ordinary dispersant (Comparative Examples 6 to 15), satisfactory
dispersion stability and ejection stability could not be
obtained.
[0428] The inks further containing at least one compound selected
from the group consisting of polyalcohols and compounds of formula
(1) exhibited extremely satisfactory dispersion stability and
ejection stability, with almost no generation of sediments and
foreign substance and almost no change in physical properties.
[0429] The inks further containing at least one compound selected
from saccharide and formula (2), and glycerin exhibited extremely
satisfactory clogging resistance reliability.
[0430] When the surface tension thereof was larger than 45 mN/m,
the rapid dryability was deteriorated, readily causing bleeding.
When the surface tension was smaller than 25 mN/m, the ejection was
not stable. That is, it was confirmed that the surface tension of
the ink preferably falls between 25 and 45 mN/m.
<Evaluation Test: Clogging Resistance Reliability (2)>
[0431] Regarding the "polymer-enveloped pigment colorants"
contained in the inks of Examples 127 to 134, the amount, % by
weight, of the "polymer" with respect to the "polymer-enveloped
pigment colorant" was varied as shown in Table 50, and those inks
were tested for the clogging resistance reliability. The test
method is as follows: Each ink was charged in the ink cartridge in
an ink jet printer, MJ-930C manufactured by Seiko Epson, left
therein at 40.degree. C. and at a humidity of 20% for 3 months, and
then taken out. Thereafter, the printer was tested in a cleaning
mode (this is a mode intrinsic to the ink jet printer, MJ-930J
manufactured by Seiko Epson, for recovering the function of the
printer when dot deletion or the like occurs), and the number of
cleaning mode operations required for recovering was counted. "A"
indicates that the printer recovered with three times or less
operations; "B" indicates that the printer recovered with 4 or 5
times operations; "C" indicates that the printer recovered with 5
to 20 times operations; and "D" indicates that the printer did not
recover even with 20 times or more operations.
TABLE-US-00053 TABLE 50 Clogging Resistance Reliability (2) amount
of polymer (wt. %) 1 2 5 10 15 20 30 50 Inks with varying Ex. 51 D
D C A A A A A amount of polymer in Ex. 52 D D C A A A A A colorant
Ex. 53 D D C A A A A A Ex. 54 D D C A A A A A Ex. 55 D D C A A A A
A Ex. 56 D D C A A A A A Ex. 57 D D C A A A A A Ex. 58 D D C A A A
A A
[0432] As can be seen from the results in Table 50, it was
confirmed that when the amount of the polymer is 10% by weight or
more, particularly, good clogging recovering property can be
obtained.
[0433] Regarding the "polymer-enveloped pigment colorants"
contained in the color inks of Examples 128 to 134, the amount of
the polymer was varied as shown in Table 51. Using MJ-930C, solid
printing was carried out with those inks on paper exclusively for
OHP (manufactured by Seiko Epson) The measurement results of the
haze thereof are shown. The haze was measured with a haze meter
(manufactured by Suga Test Instruments). Smaller data indicate
lower haze and higher transparency.
TABLE-US-00054 TABLE 51 Data of Haze amount of polymer (wt. %) 1 2
5 10 15 20 30 50 Inks with varying Ex. 52 25 24 22 13 10 8 7 6
amount of polymer in Ex. 53 30 28 25 18 13 10 8 7 colorant Ex. 54
40 37 34 20 17 15 11 9 Ex. 56 26 24 22 13 10 8 7 6 Ex. 57 32 32 30
17 14 10 9 8 Ex. 58 43 41 35 20 18 12 12 10
[0434] As can be seen from the results in Table 51, it was
confirmed that when the amount of the polymer is 10% by weight or
more, particularly, good color transparency with respect to a
transparent sheet such as OHP can be attained.
<Evaluation Test: Rubbing Resistance>
[0435] In the preparation of the "polymer-enveloped pigment
colorant" contained in the ink of Example 1, the total amount of
styrene and butyl acrylate was kept at 60 parts by weight, but the
ratio by weight of styrene to butyl acrylate was varied as shown in
Tables 52 and 53 to thereby vary the glass transition temperature
and film-forming temperature of the polymers. The results of the
rubbing resistance evaluation thereof are given in Tables 52 and
53.
[0436] The film-forming temperature shown therein was measured as
follows: Using the head of an ink jet printer, MJ-930C manufactured
by Seiko Epson, solid printing was carried out with each ink at
100% duty at a predetermined temperature on an area of 10
mm.times.10 mm of a superfine-exclusive glossy film manufactured by
Seiko Epson. After the printed film was then left for 1 hour at the
temperature, the printed region was rubbed with an aqueous yellow
fluorescent ink pen, ZEBRA PEN2 (trademark) manufactured by Zebra,
under a load of 500 g at a speed of 10 mm/sec. The temperature at
which the printed region was stained was regarded as the
film-forming temperature. The evaluation of the rubbing resistance
was made according to the method for the evaluation 7 described
above.
TABLE-US-00055 TABLE 52 glass transition temperature (.degree. C.)
60 40 30 25 20 10 0 St/BA 37/23 27/33 21/39 18/42 15/42 9/51 2/58
rubbing resistance C C B A A A A St/BA: ratio by weight of styrene
to butyl acrylate.
TABLE-US-00056 TABLE 53 film-forming temperature (.degree. C.) 60
40 30 25 20 10 0 St/BA 37/23 27/33 21/39 18/42 15/42 9/51 2/58
rubbing resistance C C B A A A A St/BA: ratio by weight of styrene
to butyl acrylate.
[0437] As can be seen from the results in Tables 52 and 53, it was
confirmed that when the glass transition temperature and
film-forming temperature of the polymer part of the colorant are
not higher than 25.degree. C., particularly, good rubbing
resistance can be obtained.
[0438] In addition, also in the preparation of the
"polymer-enveloped pigment colorants" contained in the inks of
Examples 2 to 4 and 31 to 34, the ratio by weight of styrene to
butyl acrylate was varied as in Tables 52 and 53 above, and the
same test was carried out. As a result, almost the same results as
in Tables 52 and 53 were obtained (In the preparation of the
polymer-enveloped pigment or dye colorants for the inks, the total
amount of styrene and butyl acrylate was 60 parts by weight in
Examples 2 to 4, and was 65 parts by weight in Examples 31 to
34).
[0439] In the preparation of the "polymer-enveloped pigment
colorant" contained in the ink of Example 190, the addition amount
of the hardly water-soluble, film-forming promoter, ADEKA PLANON
MCP-709 was varied as shown in Tables 54 and 55. The evaluation
results of the rubbing resistance thereof are given in Table Tables
54 and 55.
TABLE-US-00057 TABLE 54 glass transition temperature (.degree. C.)
40 30 25 20 10 0 film-forming promoter (wt. %) 0 10 15 20 30 40
rubbing resistance B B A A A A
TABLE-US-00058 TABLE 55 film-forming temperature (.degree. C.) 40
30 25 20 10 0 film-forming promoter (wt. %) 0 10 15 20 30 40
rubbing resistance B B A A A A
[0440] As can be seen from Tables 54 and 55, it was confirmed that
when the glass transition temperature and film-forming temperature
of the polymer part of the colorant are not higher than 25.degree.
C., particularly, good rubbing resistance can be attained.
[0441] In addition, also in the preparation of the
"polymer-enveloped pigment colorants" contained in the inks of
Examples 191 to 197, the film-forming promoter content was varied
as in Tables 54 and 55 above, and the same test was carried out. As
a result, almost the same results as in Tables 54 and 55 were
obtained.
<Evaluation Test: Storage Stability>
[0442] Using the inks of Examples 198 to 205, and inks prepared by
eliminating therefrom the preservative, the sequestrant or the rust
preventive, evaluation of their storage stability and ejection
stability was carried out. The results are given in Table 56.
[0443] For the storage stability, the inks were tested as follows:
The ink to be tested was filled in the cartridge of an ink jet
printer, MJ-930C manufactured by Seiko Epson, and left at
30.degree. C. for a half year. After thus left, the ink was checked
as to whether it had a foreign odor and got mildewed, or not. The
case where foreign substance was not at all visually observed is
indicated as "A", and the case where foreign substance was visually
observed though its amount was extremely minute is indicated as
"B". The case where generation of a foreign odor and mildew was not
found is indicated as "A", and the case where generation of a
foreign odor and mildew was found is indicated as "B". The case
where generation of rust was not found in the nozzle part of the
ink jet printer is indicated as "A", and the case where generation
of rust was found therein is indicated as "B".
TABLE-US-00059 TABLE 56 Storage Stability (upper rows: generation
of foreign substance, middle rows: generation of foreign odor and
mildew, lower rows: generation of rust) Inks of Examples to be
based Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. 198 199 200 201 202 203 204
205 no change in A A A A A A A A composition A A A A A A A A A A A
A A A A A preservative A A A A A A A A omitted B B B B B B B B A A
A A A A A A sequestrant B B B B B B B B omitted A A A A A A A A A A
A A A A A A rust preventive A A A A A A A A omitted A A A A A A A A
B B B B B B B B
[0444] As can be seen from Table 56, it was confirmed that,
particularly, good storage stability can be attained with the inks
containing a preservative, a sequestrant and an ethylenediamine
acetate, wherein the preservative is at least one compound selected
from the group consisting of alkylisothiazolones,
chloroalkylisothiazolones, benzisothiazolones, bromonitroalcohols,
oxazolidines and chloroxylenols, the sequestrant is ethylenediamine
acetate, and the rust preventive is dicyclohexylammonium nitrate
and/or benzotriazole.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0445] As has been described hereinabove, the present invention
provides an ink jet recording ink, an ink jet recording ink set and
a recording method, having excellent dispersion stability and
ejection stability and being capable of providing a high-quality
image which is free from bleeding and has high printed density and
excellent color development property even on plain paper and
regenerated paper.
[0446] Also, the invention provides an ink jet recording ink, an
ink jet recording ink set and a recording method, capable of
attaining satisfactory rubbing resistance not only on plain paper
and regenerated paper but also on other recording media such as
coated paper, etc.
[0447] Also, the invention provides an ink jet recording ink and an
ink jet recording ink set, which have excellent long-term storage
stability.
[0448] Also, the invention provides recorded matter having
high-quality images of high printed density and excellent color
development property, and having satisfactory rubbing
resistance.
[0449] Still also, the invention is to provide an ink jet recording
apparatus capable of producing recorded matter having high-quality
images of high printed density and excellent color development
property, and having satisfactory rubbing resistance.
* * * * *