JP3123668B2 - Ink jet recording ink, ink jet recording method using the same, and device using the ink - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink for ink-jet recording, an ink-jet recording method using the same, and a device using such an ink. An ink that can print well on so-called plain paper and other recording materials such as high-quality paper, neutral paper, bond paper, and recycled paper used in general offices, etc.
The present invention relates to a jet recording ink, an ink jet recording method using the same, and a device using the ink.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Writing instruments (fountain pens, felt-tip pens,
A variety of compositions have been reported for inks for aqueous ballpoint pens and the like, and inks for inkjets. In particular, the composition and physical properties of the ink have been used in recent years so that good recording can be performed on plain paper such as copy paper, report paper, notebooks, stationery, bond paper, and continuous slip paper that are commonly used in offices. Detailed research and development has been done from various aspects such as. For example, in general, ink contains a high-boiling organic solvent such as glycol for the purpose of preventing drying and preventing clogging, etc.When recording is performed on plain paper having a high degree of size using such an ink. In some cases, the ink hardly penetrates into the paper and the drying property of the recording part is poor. Was.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 55-29546 proposes a method in which a large amount of a surfactant is added to ink to increase the permeability of the ink into the paper. However, in this case, bleeding occurs extremely frequently depending on the type of paper, ink drops from the pen tip when filled in a writing instrument, or when the ink is filled in an ink jet head, the head may be damaged. Depending on the structural conditions, there were problems such that the ink receded from the orifice surface and no ejection was performed, and conversely, the entire orifice surface was wet and the ink was not ejected. Further, JP-A-56-5786
No. 2 proposes a method of making the pH of the ink highly alkaline, but this method is dangerous when the ink is touched, and paper using a certain sizing agent, for example, There are drawbacks such as bleeding on neutral paper or the like and poor drying properties. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 04933 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-14189 disclose a method of adding N, N-bis (polyoxyethylene (or propylene))-P-toluenesulfonic acid amide to an ink. Although the method is effective for improving the solubility of the dye, it is necessary to use a considerably large amount of an organic solvent such as a polyhydric alcohol in order to sufficiently prevent clogging. There is a problem that the drying property on the recording material is poor, and even after a long time elapses, contamination occurs due to contact. Therefore, it is necessary to use a surfactant in combination to improve the permeability to paper. As a result, bleeding occurs and the print quality is not sufficient.

Further, when used for ink jet recording and ink ejection is interrupted, there is a problem that when the water or the like evaporates, the above-mentioned compound recedes from the orifice surface, and the clogging prevention property is poor. Various improvements other than the above have been attempted so far, but an ink which sufficiently solves all the above-mentioned problems of dryness, print quality, and clogging has not been known so far. is the current situation.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a so-called plain paper such as a high quality paper, a neutral paper, a bond paper, a recycled paper, and other recording materials used in general offices and the like. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink which is excellent in water resistance of a printed matter obtained when recording is performed, an ink jet recording method using the ink, and a device using the ink.

[0006]

The above object is achieved by the present invention described below. That is, in the present invention, a compound represented by the following general formula (A) is contained in an ink jet recording ink (hereinafter, simply referred to as “ink”) including a recording agent and a liquid medium in which the recording agent is dissolved or dispersed. An ink, an ink jet recording method using the ink, and a device using the ink.

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[0007]

The present inventors have conducted intensive studies on various ink compositions in order to improve the water resistance of the printed recorded matter. As a result, the ink containing a recording agent and a liquid medium for dissolving or dispersing the same was obtained. The inventors have found that the addition of the compound represented by the following general formula (A) can markedly improve the water resistance of the resulting printed recorded matter, thereby completing the present invention.

[0008]

Preferred examples of the compound represented by the above general formula (A) contained in the ink characterizing the present invention include, but are not limited to, the following. .

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Among the above compounds, those which are particularly effectively used in the ink of the present invention are those represented by the general formula (A) wherein R ₁ or R ₃ is represented by C _m H _{2m -1} . And a compound containing an unsaturated bond at 2, 6, 7 or the like. The compound represented by the general formula (A) may be used alone or in a mixture of two or more. Further, as the amount to be contained in the ink of the present invention,
The content is 0.1 to 20% by weight, particularly preferably 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the ink. If it is less than 0.1% by weight, the effect of improving water resistance is not obtained, and if it is more than 20% by weight, the print quality is greatly reduced. Recording agent used in the present invention,
There is no particular limitation, and all coloring materials such as dyes and pigments can be used. The content of these recording agents is not particularly limited, but is generally preferably in the range of 0.1 to 15% by weight, more preferably 0.1% by weight, based on the total weight of the ink. 1 to 10% is contained. In addition, the ink of the present invention may contain, in addition to the above components, a water-soluble organic solvent, a surfactant, a pH adjuster, a rust inhibitor, a preservative, a fungicide, an antioxidant, an evaporation promoter, a chelating agent, if necessary. Various additives such as an agent and a water-soluble polymer may be added.

The liquid medium used in the present invention is preferably a mixed solvent of water and a water-soluble organic solvent. Specific examples of water-soluble organic solvents include, for example, amides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide; ketones such as acetone; ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane; polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol; Alkylene glycols having an alkylene group containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, thiodiglycol, hexylene glycol, diethylene glycol; glycerin ; Ethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl)
Lower alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols such as ether and triethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether; N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, triethanolamine, sulfolane, dimethyl sal And the like.

In general, the content of the water-soluble organic solvent is preferably 1% to 40% by weight, more preferably 3% to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the ink. In particular, the amount of the wetting agent such as a polyhydric alcohol generally used for the purpose of preventing clogging is large due to the effect of the compound represented by the general formula (A) contained in the ink of the present invention. It is not necessary to use it, and if it is contained in an amount of 40% by weight or more, the result is that the print fixability on paper and the print quality deteriorate. The content of water in the ink is in the range of 30 to 95% by weight. If the amount is less than 30% by weight, the solubility of the coloring material deteriorates and the viscosity of the ink increases, which is not preferable. On the other hand, if the content is more than 95% by weight, the amount of the evaporating component becomes too large, so that it becomes impossible to satisfy the sufficient fixing property and the density of the printed matter.

The ink of the present invention is particularly suitable when applied to an ink jet recording method of a type in which ink is ejected by a bubbling phenomenon of ink due to thermal energy,
Discharge is extremely stable and satellite dots are not generated. However, in this case, the thermal physical property value (for example, specific heat, thermal expansion coefficient, thermal conductivity, etc.) may be adjusted. Further, the ink of the present invention solves the problem of ink bleeding and the drying and penetrating properties of the recorded matter when recorded on plain paper or the like, and at the same time, improves the physical properties of the ink itself from the viewpoint of improving the matching with the ink jet head. Surface tension at 25 ° C. is 30 to 68 dyn
It is desirable that the e / cm and the viscosity be adjusted to 15 cP or less, preferably 10 cP or less, more preferably 5 cP or less. Therefore, in order to adjust the ink to the above physical properties and to solve the problem in plain paper, the amount of water contained in the ink of the present invention should be 50% by weight to 98% by weight, preferably 60% by weight to 95% by weight. It is preferred that the content be not more than% by weight.

[0013] The ink of the present invention, especially Ru suitably used in an ink jet recording method for recording by ejecting droplets by the action of heat energy. As a method and apparatus suitable for performing recording using the ink of the present invention, a method and apparatus for applying thermal energy corresponding to a recording signal to ink in a chamber of a recording head and generating droplets by the thermal energy are known. No.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show examples of the structure of a head which is a main part of the apparatus. The head 13 is formed by bonding a glass, ceramic or plastic plate having a groove 14 through which ink passes, and a heating head 15 (a head is shown in the figure, but is not limited to this) used for thermal recording. Is obtained. The heating head 15 includes a protective film 16 made of silicon oxide or the like, and an aluminum electrode 17.
-1, 17-2, heat generating resistor layer 18 made of nichrome or the like, heat storage layer 19, substrate 20 having good heat dissipation such as alumina
Is made up of The ink 21 reaches a discharge orifice (fine hole) 22 and forms a meniscus 23 by the pressure P. Now, when an electric signal is applied to the electrodes 17-1 and 17-2, the area indicated by n of the heating head 15 generates heat rapidly, and bubbles are generated in the ink 21 in contact with the area. Protrudes, the ink 21 is ejected, becomes a recording droplet 24 from the orifice 22, and flies toward the recording material 25. FIG. 3 shows an external view of a multi-head in which many heads shown in FIG. 1 are arranged. The multi-head is manufactured by closely contacting a glass plate 27 having a multi-groove 26 and a heating head 28 similar to that described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows the head 13 along the ink flow path.
2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AB in FIG.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an ink jet recording apparatus incorporating such a head. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 61 denotes a blade as a wiping member, one end of which is held by a blade holding member to become a fixed end, and forms a cantilever. The blade 61 is disposed at a position adjacent to a recording area of the recording head, and in this example, is held in a form protruding into the movement path of the recording head. Reference numeral 62 denotes a cap, which is disposed at a home position adjacent to the blade 61, and has a configuration in which the cap moves in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the print head moves and comes into contact with the ejection port surface to perform capping. Further, an absorber 63 is provided adjacent to the blade 61 and, like the blade 61, is held in a form protruding into the movement path of the recording head. The blade 61, the cap 62, and the absorber 63 constitute an ejection recovery unit 64, and the blade 61 and the absorber 63 remove water, dust, and the like from the ink ejection port surface.

Reference numeral 65 denotes a recording head which has discharge energy generating means and performs recording by discharging ink on a recording material opposed to a discharge port surface provided with discharge ports, and 66 denotes a recording head on which the recording head 65 is mounted. A carriage for performing the movement 65. The carriage 66 is slidably engaged with the guide shaft 67, and a part of the carriage 66 is connected to a belt 69 driven by a motor 68 (not shown). As a result, the carriage 66 can move along the guide shaft 67, and the recording head 65 can move the recording area and the adjacent area. Reference numeral 51 denotes a paper feed unit for inserting a recording material, and 52 denotes a paper feed roller driven by a motor (not shown). With such a configuration, the recording material is fed to a position facing the ejection port surface of the recording head, and is discharged to a discharge section provided with a discharge roller 53 as recording proceeds.

In the above configuration, when the recording head 65 returns to the home position at the end of recording or the like, the cap 62 of the head recovery unit 64 is retracted from the moving path of the recording head 65, but the blade 61 protrudes into the moving path. I have. As a result, the ejection port surface of the recording head 65 is wiped. When capping is performed with the cap 62 in contact with the ejection surface of the recording head 65, the cap 62 moves so as to protrude into the movement path of the recording head. Recording head 6
When 5 moves from the home position to the recording start position, the cap 62 and the blade 61 are at the same position as the position at the time of wiping described above. As a result, the ejection port surface of the recording head 65 is also wiped during this movement. The movement of the recording head to the home position described above
Not only at the end of recording and at the time of ejection recovery, but also at a predetermined interval, the recording head moves to a home position adjacent to the recording area while moving the recording area for recording, and the wiping is performed along with this movement. .

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of an ink cartridge containing ink supplied to the head via an ink supply member, for example, a tube. Here, reference numeral 40 denotes an ink storage portion that stores the supply ink, for example, an ink bag, and a rubber stopper 42 is provided at the tip thereof. By inserting a needle (not shown) into the stopper 42, the ink in the ink bag 40 can be supplied to the head. 44
Is an absorber for receiving waste ink. It is preferable for the present invention that the ink container has a surface in contact with the ink made of polyolefin, particularly polyethylene. The ink jet recording apparatus used in the present invention is not limited to the one in which the head and the ink cartridge are separated as described above, but may be suitably used in an integrated one as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 70 denotes a recording unit, in which an ink container containing ink, for example, an ink absorber is stored, and the ink in the ink absorber has a plurality of orifices. Head part 71
Are ejected as ink droplets from the ink. It is preferable for the present invention to use polyurethane, cellulose or polyvinyl acetal as a material of the ink absorber. Reference numeral 72 denotes an atmosphere communication port for communicating the inside of the recording unit with the atmosphere. This recording unit 70 has the configuration shown in FIG.
The recording head is used in place of the recording head shown in FIG.

[0020]

Next, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2. In the following description, parts and% are based on weight unless otherwise specified. Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 The components shown below were mixed in such a manner that the compound (4) or (5) was added last, and sufficiently stirred to dissolve, and the pore size was 0.45 μm. Pressure filtration with a Fluoropore filter (trade name: manufactured by Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.)
2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were prepared, respectively.

Ink composition of Example 1 I. Direct Black 154 3 parts Diethylene glycol 10 parts Isopropyl alcohol 2 parts Compound (4) 8 parts Water 77 parts Ink composition of Example 2 I. Food Black 2 4 parts ・ Glycerin 5 parts ・ Ethyl alcohol 1 part ・ Compound (5) 5 parts ・ Water 82 parts

Ink composition of Comparative Example 1 I. Direct Black 154 3 parts Diethylene glycol 10 parts Isopropyl alcohol 2 parts Water 85 parts Ink composition of Comparative Example 2 I. Food Black 2 4 parts ・ Glycerin 5 parts ・ Ethyl alcohol 1 part ・ Water 90 parts

Example 3 Using the same components as in Example 1, C.I. I. Direct Black 154 was dissolved in a 10% aqueous solution, compound (4) was added thereto, and then the respective components were added and sufficiently stirred to dissolve, and the ink of Example 3 of the present invention was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. Was prepared.

Next, an on-demand type ink jet printer BJ-130 using the inks of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and using a heating element as an ink ejection energy source as an ink jet recording apparatus.
A printing test was performed using (trade name: manufactured by Canon Inc.), and each evaluation of (1) water resistance, (2) frequency response, and (3) variation in printing density was performed according to the following criteria. . Table 1 shows the obtained results.

[Evaluation Method and Evaluation Criteria] (1) Water Resistance After filling the ink into a printer and printing alphanumeric characters and solid portions on commercially available high quality paper, stop printing and leave it for one hour or more. Print density was measured by Macbeth RD915 (trade name:
Macbeth). Then, after immersing the obtained printed matter in a container filled with tap water for 3 minutes,
After drying, the print density was measured again, the residual ratio of the print density was determined, and the water resistance was evaluated. ：: Remaining rate of print density is 85% or more. X: The residual ratio of the print density is 60% or less.

(2) Frequency Response The printed state of the obtained printed matter, that is, the state of blurring or white spots and the state of defective landing points such as splash or skein were visually observed and evaluated. A: The ink follow-up state with respect to the frequency was good, and no blurring, white spots, or defective landing points were observed in both solid printing and character printing. ○: follow-up state of the ink to the frequency is fairly good, the character printing spots blur or white, but impact point defects is not observed, slightly mosquitoes thread in solid printing was observed. Δ: No blurring or white spots were observed in character printing, but some landing point defects were observed. Further, in solid printing, blurring and white spots are recognized about 1/3 of the entire solid printing. X: Many blurs and white spots were observed in solid printing, and many blurs and landing point defects were observed in character printing.

(3) Variation in print density After printing alphanumeric characters and solid portions on commercial high-quality paper, leave it for one hour or more, then immerse the printed matter in a container filled with tap water for 3 minutes, leave and dry And 10 different places in the solid area,
The print density was measured using a Macbeth RD915 (trade name: manufactured by Macbeth) to determine the density variation. ：: Variation in print density was within 0.1. D: The print density variation was 0.15 or more.

[0027]

[Table 1] Table 1 Evaluation results

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the water resistance of a printed matter with respect to ordinary plain paper generally used in offices such as copy paper, report paper, notebooks, and stationery. Excellent recording is possible. In addition, Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 3
According to the comparison of the evaluation results, the compound represented by the general formula (A) to be contained in the ink of the present invention can be used even if the printed matter is immersed in water, if the addition at the time of preparing the ink is last. It is possible to provide printed matter having a uniform density.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a head section of an ink jet recording apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a head section of the inkjet recording apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a head obtained by multiplying the head shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an inkjet recording apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a recording unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 61: Wiping member 62: Cap 63: Ink absorber 64: Discharge recovery unit 65: Recording head 66: Carriage

Claims (15)

(57) [Claims] 1. A recording material and an inkjet recording ink comprising a liquid medium for dissolving or dispersing this ink for ink jet recording, characterized in that to incorporate a compound represented by the following general formula (A). Embedded image 2. A liquid medium comprising a mixture of water and a water-soluble organic solvent.
The ink for inkjet recording according to claim 1, which is a solvent.
H. 3. An ink jet recording method in which ink droplets are ejected from an orifice according to a recording signal to perform recording on a recording material, wherein the ink is the ink according to claim 1. . 4. The ink jet recording method according to claim 3 , wherein the ink is ejected by applying thermal energy to the ink. 5. A recording unit, comprising: an ink storage section for storing ink; and a head section for discharging the ink as ink droplets, wherein the ink is the ink according to claim 1. unit. 6. The recording unit according to claim 5 , wherein the head section is a head for ejecting ink droplets by applying thermal energy to the ink. 7. The recording unit according to claim 5 , wherein the ink containing section is formed of polyurethane, cellulose, or polyvinyl acetate. 8. An ink cartridge provided with an ink containing section containing ink, wherein the ink is the ink according to claim 1. 9. The ink cartridge according to claim 8 , wherein the ink container has a liquid contact surface formed of polyolefin. 10. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit having an ink storage section storing ink and a head section for discharging the ink as ink droplets, wherein the ink is the ink according to claim 1. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: 11. The head according to claim 1, wherein the head is a head for ejecting ink droplets by applying thermal energy to the ink.
0. The ink jet recording apparatus according to 0 . 12. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the ink containing section is formed of polyurethane, cellulose, or polyvinyl acetate. 13. A recording head for discharging ink droplets,
2. An ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: an ink cartridge having an ink containing section containing ink; and an ink supply section for supplying ink from the ink cartridge to a recording head, wherein the ink is the ink according to claim 1. Characteristic inkjet recording device. 14. A recording head for ejecting ink droplets by applying thermal energy to ink.
14. The ink jet recording apparatus according to 13 . 15. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the ink container has a liquid contact surface formed of polyolefin.