Ink containing halogenated alkanol with 2 to 4 carbon atoms, recording method and apparatus using the same

An ink comprising a dye and a liquid medium for dissolving or dispersing a dye, wherein the liquid medium comprises an alkyl alcohol having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, in which at least one of the hydrogen atoms is substituted by a halogen atom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to an ink suitable for ink-jet recording and 
also to a recording method and apparatus using the same. In particular, 
the present invention relates to an ink that is capable of achieving 
highly detailed and high image quality recording not only on coated paper 
specially prepared for ink-jet recording, but also on non-coated and plain 
paper, such as paper for copying, paper for reporting, notepaper, letter 
paper, and bond paper or continuous slip paper, that is commonly used in 
offices and homes, and also to a recording method and apparatus using the 
same. 
2. Related Background 
Inks with greatly varying compositions have been hitherto reported with 
respect to inks for ink-jet recording. In particular, in recent years, 
detailed research and developments have been made from various approaches 
such as composition and physical properties so that a good record can be 
made even on a plain paper, such as paper for copying, paper for 
reporting, notepaper, letter paper, bond paper or continuous slip paper, 
as commonly used in offices. Such ink generally comprises an organic 
solvent with a high boiling point, such as glycols, for the purpose of 
anti-dryness and anti-clogging. However, in a case where a record can be 
made on a plain paper with high sizing degree using such an ink, ink 
cannot easily permeate into paper and the recorded portion cannot dry 
quickly. Therefore, there has been a problem in ink-fixing property such 
that hands become dirty when the recorded matter is touched, and letters 
are rubbed to become dirty. 
Under such circumstances, in order to increase the permeation of ink into 
paper, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 55-29546 proposes a 
method in which a large amount of a surfactant is added in ink. In such an 
instance, the following problems have been caused: feathering occurs very 
frequently on some kinds of paper; when filled in an ink-jet recording 
head, the ink recedes from the orifice surface depending on the structural 
conditions of the head, resulting in no ejection of ink, or on the other 
hand, the whole of the orifice surface becomes wet, also resulting in no 
ejection of ink. 
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-57862 proposes a method in 
which the pH of the ink is adjusted to the alkaline side. In this 
instance, however, there are disadvantages such that the ink is harmful 
when touched by hand or good results cannot be obtained in view of both 
feathering and drying performance when the ink is used on a paper that 
contains a certain kind of sizing agent, e.g., a neutralized paper. 
Besides the foregoing, various improvements have been attempted. Up to the 
present, however, no ink is known which can satisfactorily settle all the 
above problems with respect to feathering, drying performance and safety 
of ink, and also the problem of clogging. 
SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink that 
has resolved the problems of feathering and drying retardation of printed 
matter, and can achieve an excellent image quality when recording is 
carried out on non-coated paper such a paper for copying, paper for 
reporting, notepaper, letter paper, bond paper or continuous slip paper, 
i.e., what is called a plain paper, as commonly used in offices. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink that is safe 
even when used in offices and homes. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an ink that is 
not liable to cause clogging at the orifice and also has a good 
reliability, and to provide an ink-jet recording method, a recording unit, 
an ink-jet recording apparatus and an ink cartridge using the same. 
The above objects of the present invention can be achieved by the present 
invention described below. 
The present invention provides an ink comprising a dye and a liquid medium 
for dissolving or dispersing a dye, wherein the liquid medium comprises an 
alkyl alcohol having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, in which at least one of the 
hydrogen atoms is substituted by a halogen atom. 
The present invention also provides an ink-jet recording method comprising 
ejecting ink described above from an orifice of a recording head in 
accordance with a recording signal to make a record on a recording medium. 
The present invention also provides a recording unit comprising an ink 
container that holds an ink described above and a head from which the ink 
is ejected in the form of droplets. 
The present invention also provides an ink-jet recording apparatus 
comprising a recording unit described above. 
The present invention also provides an ink cartridge comprising an ink 
container that holds the ink described above. 
The present invention also provides an ink-jet recording apparatus 
comprising an ink cartridge described above, a recording head for ejecting 
ink droplets, an ink supplying portion for supplying ink to a recording 
head from the ink cartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The present inventors have made intensive studies with respect to various 
manners of ink composition with good reliability that can improve 
anti-feathering, drying performance, and permeation of ink on plain paper. 
As a result, they have found that ink comprising the above-mentioned alkyl 
alcohol (or alkanol) can be well balanced in anti-feathering and 
permeation of ink characteristics, and also can achieve good reliability 
with anti-clogging and safety. According to what is known by the inventors 
as to the feathering and the permeation of ink on a plain paper, good 
results cannot be necessarily obtained if ink containing surfactant is 
used. This is because, in a case where such an ink is used, the results 
are influenced by the kind of paper used. 
On the other hand, in the case where the ink of the present invention is 
used, it is possible to carry out a stable recording without being 
influenced by the kind of paper. The reason is as follows. 
Feathering and permeation of ink are largely influenced by a phenomenon of 
the wettability at the interface between the ink droplet and paper. In the 
case where a surfactant-containing ink is used, the wettability of ink to 
paper is different at the surface and the interior of the ink droplet 
attached to paper. Therefore, good results cannot be obtained. 
On the other hand, in the case where the ink of the present invention is 
used, it can be presumed that the difference of the wettability is not 
caused and affinity for a sizing agent added to paper, present on the 
surface and interior thereof, can be given in a miraculous balance for a 
plain-paper-adapted ink-jet ink. 
Alkyl alcohols, which are used and characterized in the present invention 
are as follows: 
a) Halogenized derivatives of ethyl alcohol represented by the following 
Formula (I): 
##STR1## 
wherein X denotes a hydrogen atom or halogen atom and at least one of X 
denotes a halogen atom. 
b) Halogenized derivatives of propane having one hydroxyl group; 
c) Halogenized derivatives of butane having one hydroxyl group. 
These compounds are obtained by using conventionally known production 
methods. 
Halogenized derivatives of ethyl alcohol preferably include 
2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, 2,2,2,-trichloroethanol, 2,2,2-tribromoethanol, 
2,2-difluoroethanol, 2,2-dichloroethanol and 2-bromoethanol. 
Compounds which are used in the present invention are not limited to the 
compounds described above. 
The amount of these compounds added to the ink depends on the type of dyes 
used and the type of liquid medium components. In general, these compounds 
may be contained in an amount of approximately from 0.01 to 30% by weight, 
preferably from 0.1 to 20% by weight, more preferably from 0.5 to 10% by 
weight, based on the total weight of the ink. 
Halogenized derivatives of propane having one hydroxyl group preferably 
include 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-1-propanol, 
1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol, 1H,1H-pentafluoro-1-propanol, 
2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propanol, 2,3-dibromo-1-propanol, 
1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanol, 3-bromo-1-propanol, 3-chloro-1-propanol, 
1-bromo-3-chloro-2-propanol and 1,1,3-trihydroperfluoro-1-propanol. 
Compounds which are used in the present invention are not limited to the 
compounds described above. 
The amount of these compounds added to the ink depends on the type of dyes 
used and the type of liquid medium components. In general, these compounds 
may be contained in an amount of approximately from 0.01 to 15% by weight, 
preferably from 0.1 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 5% by weight, 
based on the total weight of the ink. 
Halogenized derivatives of butane having one hydroxyl group preferably 
include 1,4-dibromo-2-butanol, 4-chloro-1-butanol, 
1H,1H-pentafluoro-1-butanol, hexafluoro-2-methyl-isopropanol, 
3,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butanol and 2-(trifluoromethyl)-1-propanol. 
Compounds which are used in the present invention are not limited to the 
compounds described above. 
The amount of these compounds added to the ink depends on the type of dyes 
used and the type of liquid medium components. In general, these compounds 
may be contained in an amount of approximately from 0.01 to 15% by weight, 
preferably from 0.1 to 5% by weight, more preferably from 0.1 to 3% by 
weight, based on the total weight of the ink. 
The ink of the present invention is characterized in containing a 
particular alkyl alcohol described above. However, water and other organic 
solvents in conventionally known inks can also be used so long as they can 
be used without hindrance. 
Such organic solvents include, for example, alkyl alcohols having 1 to 5 
carbon atoms such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, 
isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, 
isobutyl alcohol and n-pentanol; amides such as dimethylformamide and 
dimethylacetamide; ketones or ketoalcohols such as acetone and diacetone 
alcohol; ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane; oxyethylene or 
oxypropylene addition polymers such as diethylene glycol, triethylene 
glycol, tetraethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, 
polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol; alkylene glycols whose 
alkylene group has 2 to 6 carbon atoms, such as ethylene glycol, propylene 
glycol, trimethylene glycol, butylene glycol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol and 
hexylene glycol; thiodiglycol; glycerol; lower alkyl ethers of polyhydric 
alcohols, such as ethylene glycol monomethyl or -ethyl ether, diethylene 
glycol monomethyl or -ethyl ether and triethylene glycol monomethyl or 
-ethyl ether and tetraethylene glycol dimethyl or -ethyl ether; sulfolane, 
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone. 
The above described water-soluble organic solvent may be contained in an 
amount ranging from 0.5% to 50% by weight, and preferably from 1% to 30% 
by weight, based on the total weight of the ink. 
It is possible to use such an organic solvent alone or in combination as a 
liquid medium. Preferably, the liquid medium component contains water and 
at least one of the organic solvents including water-soluble organic 
solvent with a high boiling point, as for example, polyhydric alcohols 
such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, glycerol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol 
and thiodiglycol; and 2-pyrrolidone. 
The dye which is contained in the ink of the present invention may include 
direct dyes, acid dyes, food dyes, basic dyes, reactive dyes, disperse 
dyes, vat dyes, water-soluble vat dye, reactive disperse dyes, oil dyes 
and pigments. In particular, a water-soluble dye is preferred on 
properties of ink. 
The amount of these dyes depends on the kind of liquid medium components 
and the properties required in ink, etc. In general, the dye may be 
contained in an amount of approximately from 0.2 to 20% by weight, 
preferably from 0.5 to 10% by weight, more preferably from 1 to 5% by 
weight, based on the total weight of the ink. 
The essential components of the ink of the present invention are as 
described above. It is possible to add other various kinds of dispersants, 
surfactants, viscosity modifiers, surface tension modifiers, and 
fluorescent brightening agents. 
For example, these added components include viscosity modifiers such as 
polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose and water-soluble resins; all sorts of 
surfactants of cationic, anionic or nonionic nature; surface tension 
modifiers such as diethanolamine and triethanolamine; pH adjusters 
comprising a buffer; and mildewproofing agents. 
For the purpose of preparing the ink used in an ink-jet recording method in 
which recording is carried out by electrifying ink, a resistivity modifier 
may be added. Such a resistivity modifier includes inorganic salts such a 
lithium chloride, ammonium chloride and sodium chloride. 
The ink of the present invention can be particularly preferably used in the 
ink-jet recording in which recording is carried out by ejecting ink 
droplets using a phenomenon of ink bubbling caused by heat energy. When 
the ink is used in such ink-jet recording, ejection of the ink becomes 
particularly stable and satellite dots do not occur. In this instance, 
thermal physical properties such as specific heat, thermal expansion 
coefficient, and thermal conductivity may be adjusted. 
The ink of the present invention can resolve the problems concerning the 
feathering of ink, the drying performance of recorded matter and the 
permeation of ink, which arise when recording is carried out on plain 
paper or the like. At the same time, it can match the recording head in an 
improved state. From these viewpoints, the physical properties of the ink 
should be adjusted to give a surface tension of from 30 to 68 dyne/cm at 
25.degree. C. and a viscosity of not more than 15 cP, preferably not more 
than 10 cP, and more preferably not more that 5 cP. 
Accordingly, in order to adjust the ink so as to have the properties 
described above and to resolve the problems on plain paper, water may be 
contained in the ink in an amount of not less than 50% by weight, 
preferably not less than 60% by weight, more preferably not less than 75% 
by weight, based on the total weight of the ink. 
The ink of the present invention can be particularly preferably used in 
ink-jet recording in which recording is carried out by ejecting ink 
droplets by an action of heat energy. Needless to say, it can also be used 
for usual writing implements. 
The method and apparatus suited to carry out recording by the use of the 
ink of the present invention may include a method and apparatus in which a 
heat energy corresponding with a recording signal is imparted to the ink 
held in the interior of a recording head so that ink droplets are 
generated by an action of the heat energy. 
FIGS. 1A and 1B show an example of the construction of the head, which is a 
main component of the apparatus. 
A head 13 is formed by bonding a glass, ceramic or plastic plate or the 
like having a groove 14 through which ink is passed, to a heating head 15 
used in thermal recording (the drawing shows a head, to which, however, 
the present invention is not limited). The heating head 15 is constituted 
of a protection layer 16 formed of silicon oxide or the like, aluminum 
electrodes 17-1 and 17-2, a heating resistor layer 18 formed of nichrome 
and so forth, a heating accumulating layer 19, and a substrate plate 20 
with a good heat dissipation property. 
The ink 21 reaches an ejection orifice 22 (a minute opening) and a meniscus 
23 is formed there by a pressure P. 
Now, upon application of electric signals to the electrodes 17-1 and 17-2, 
heat is abruptly generated at the region denoted by n in the heating head 
15, so that bubbles are generated in the ink 21 coming into contact with 
this region. The pressure thus produced thrusts out the meniscus 23 and 
the ink 21 is ejected from the orifice 22 in the form of recording 
droplets 24 to fly against a recording medium 25. FIG. 2 illustrates a 
multi-head comprising the head as shown in FIG. 1A, arranged in a large 
number. The multi-head is prepared by closely adhering a glass plate 27 
having a multi-grooves 26, to a heating head 28 similar to the head as 
illustrated in FIG. 1A. 
FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of the head 13 along its ink flow path, 
and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view along the line 1B--1B in FIG. 1A. 
FIG. 3 shows an example of an ink-jet recording apparatus in which such a 
head has been incorporated. 
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 61 denotes a blade serving as a wiping member, 
one end of which is a stationary end retained by a blade-retaining member. 
The blade 61 is provided at the position adjacent to the region in which a 
recording head makes a record. In the present example, the blade is 
retained in such a form that it protrudes into the course through which 
the recording head is moved. Reference numeral 62 denotes a cap, which is 
provided at the home position adjacent to the blade 61, and is so 
constituted that it moves in the direction perpendicular to the direction 
in which the recording head is moved and comes into contact with the face 
of ejection openings to carry out capping. Reference numeral 63 denotes an 
ink absorption member provided adjoiningly to the blade 61, and, similar 
to the blade 61, is retained in such a form that it protrudes into the 
course through which the recording head is moved. The above blade 61, cap 
62 and ink absorption member 63 constitute an ejection-recovery portion 
64, where the blade 61 and the ink absorption member 63 remove water, dust 
or the like from the ink ejection opening face. 
Reference numeral 65 denotes the recording head having an ejection energy 
generating means and ejects ink to the recording medium set opposingly to 
the ejection opening face provided with ejection openings, to carry out 
recording. Reference numeral 66 denotes a carriage on which the recording 
head 65 is mounted so that the recording head 65 can be moved. The 
carriage 66 is slideably associated with a guide rod 67. A part of the 
carriage 66 is connected (not shown) with a belt 69 driven by a motor 68. 
Thus, the carriage 66 can be moved along the guide rod 67 and hence the 
recording head 65 can be moved from a recording region to a region 
adjacent thereto. 
Reference number 51 denotes a paper feeding part from which recording 
mediums are inserted, and number 52 denotes a paper feed roller driven by 
a motor (not shown). With such construction, the recording medium is fed 
to the position opposing to the ejection opening face of the recording 
head, and, with progress of recording, outputted from a paper output 
section provided with a paper output roller 53. 
In the above constitution, the cap 62 of the ejection-recovery portion 64 
is receded from the moving course of the recording head 65 when the 
recording head 65 is returned to its home position, e.g., after completion 
of recording, and the blade 61 stands protruded into the moving course. As 
a result, the ejection opening face of the recording head 65 is wiped. 
When the cap 62 comes into contact with the ejection opening face of the 
recording head 65 to carry out capping, the cap 62 is moved in such a way 
that it protrudes to the moving course of the recording head. 
When the recording head 65 is moved from its home position to the position 
at which recording is started, the cap 62 and the blade 61 are at the same 
position as the position where the ejection opening face is wiped. As a 
result, the ejection opening face of the recording head 65 is wiped also 
at the time of this movement. 
The above movement of the recording head to its home position is made not 
only at the time of the completion of recording or restoration of 
ejection, but also when the recording head is moved between recording 
regions for the purpose of recording, during which it is moved to the home 
position adjacent to each recording region at given intervals, where the 
ejection opening face is wiped in accordance with this movement. 
FIG. 4 shows an example of an ink cartridge, denoted as 45, that holds the 
ink being fed to the head through an ink-feeding member as exemplified by 
a tube (not shown). Herein reference numeral 40 denotes an ink container 
portion that holds the feeding ink, as exemplified by an ink bag. The top 
thereof is provided with a stopper 42 made of rubber. A needle (not shown) 
may be inserted to this stopper 42 so that the ink in the ink container 
portion 40 can be fed to the head. Reference numeral 44 denotes an 
absorption member that receives a waste ink. 
It is preferred in the present invention that the ink holder is formed of a 
polyolefin, in particular, polyethylene, at its surface with which the ink 
comes into contact. 
The ink-jet recording apparatus used in the present invention may not be 
limited to the apparatus as described above in which the head and the ink 
cartridge are separately provided, and a device can also be preferably 
used in which these are integrally formed as shown in FIG. 5. 
In FIG. 5, reference numeral 70 denotes a recording unit, in the interior 
of which an ink container portion that holds an ink, a exemplified by an 
ink absorption member, is contained. The recording unit is so constructed 
that the ink in such an ink absorption member is ejected in the form of 
ink droplets from a head 71 having a plurality of orifices. As a material 
for the ink absorption member, it is preferred in the present invention to 
use polyurethane. 
Reference numeral 72 denotes an air path opening through which the interior 
of the recording unit is made to communicate with the atmosphere. 
This recording unit 70 can be used in place of the recording head shown in 
FIG. 3, and is detachably mounted to the carriage 66. 
The present invention will be described below in a more specific manner by 
giving examples and comparative examples. In the following, "part(s)" and 
"%" are by weight unless particularly noted. 
EXAMPLES 1 TO 5 
The respective components as shown below were mixed and stirred for 5 
hours. Thereafter, the resulting solution was adjusted to have a pH value 
of 7.5 with an aqueous 0.1% sodium hydroxide solution and then subjected 
to pressure filtration using a membrane filter of 0.22 .mu.m in pore size. 
Inks A to E of the present invention were thus obtained. 
Next, recording was carried out using the resulting inks A to E and also 
using an ink-jet recording apparatus the ink-jet printer BJ-10 (trade 
name; manufactured by Canon Inc.) with a heater element as an energy 
source for the ejection of ink. The recording was carried out on 
commercially available paper for copying and bond paper to evaluate the 
fixing performance of recorded characters, the feathering occurrence, the 
anti-clogging when printing is re-started after a pause of printing, and 
the frequency response. Results obtained are shown in Table 1. 
______________________________________ 
Ink A: 
C.I. Direct Yellow 86 2 parts 
Diethylene glycol 15 parts 
2,2,2-trifluoroethanol 3 parts 
Water 80 parts 
Ink B: 
C.I. Acid Red 35 2 parts 
Glycerol 10 parts 
2,2,2-trichlorethanol 1.8 parts 
Ethylene glycol 5.5 parts 
Water 80.7 parts 
Ink C: 
C.I. Food Black 2 3 parts 
Triethylene glycol 10 parts 
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone 2 parts 
2,2,2-tribromoethanol 3.2 parts 
Water 81.8 parts 
Ink D: 
C.I. Direct Blue 199 2.5 parts 
1,2,6-hexanetriol 5 parts 
Diethylene glycol 10 parts 
Triethylene glycol monomethyl ether 
2 parts 
Triethanol amine 0.5 parts 
2,2-dichloroethanol 3.5 parts 
Water 76.5 parts 
Ink E: 
C.I. Direct Black 154 2 parts 
Thiodiglycol 6 parts 
Diethylene glycol 9 parts 
2-Bromoethanol 2.2 parts 
Water 80.8 parts 
______________________________________ 
COMATIVE EXAMPLES 1 TO 3 
Using the components as shown below, inks F to H of Comparative Examples 1 
to 3 were obtained in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 5, and the 
evaluation on every item was made in the same manner as in the Examples. 
The results obtained are shown in Table 1. 
______________________________________ 
Ink F: 
C.I. Direct Yellow 86 2 parts 
Diethylene glycol 15 parts 
Water 83 parts 
Ink G: 
C.I. Food Black 2 3 parts 
Diethylene glycol 10 parts 
Triethylene glycol 10 parts 
Nonionic surfactant* 0.5 parts 
Water 76.5 parts 
Ink H: 
C.I. Acid Red 35 2 parts 
Glycerol 10 parts 
Ethanol 1.8 parts 
Ethylene glycol 5.5 parts 
Water 80.7 parts 
______________________________________ 
*Nonionic surfactant (trade name: Nissan Nonion P223; available from 
Nippon Oil & Fats Co., Ltd.) 
TABLE 1 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Comparative 
Example Example 
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 
Ink: A B C D E F G H 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Fixing performance:*1) 
Paper for copying 
AA A AA A A C AA A 
Bond Paper AA AA AA AA AA B AA AA 
Feathering occurrence:*2) 
Paper for copying 
A A A A A A C A 
Bond Paper A A A A A A B A 
Anti-clogging at the 
A A A A A B B C 
time of re-printing 
after pause:*3) 
Frequency response:4*) 
AA AA AA AA AA C B C 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
*1) Evaluation on fixing performance: 
Characters were printed on commercially available paper for copying and 
bond paper, and then the printed characters were rubbed with a filter 
paper (trade name: No. 5C, available from Toyo Roshi K.K.) after a lapse 
of 10 seconds and 30 seconds. 
Evaluation was carried out under conditions of 25.degree. C. and 60% RH. 
AA: Not blurred when rubbed after a lapse of 10 seconds. 
A: Slightly blurred when rubbed after a lapse of 10 seconds. 
B: Slightly blurred when rubbed after a lapse of 30 seconds. 
C: Greatly blurred when rubbed after a lapse of 30 seconds. 
*2) Feathering occurrence: 
To examine the occurrence of feathering, 300 dots were printed with a 
printer on commercially available paper for copying and bond paper, in a 
discontinuous fashion. Thereafter, the printed dots were left to stand for 
1 hour or more and then the number of dots on which the feathering 
occurred was counted through observation with a microscope. The proportion 
of the count to the total number of the dots was indicated by %. 
Printing was carried out under conditions of 25.degree. C. and 60% RH. 
A: 10% or less 
B: 11% to 30% 
C: 31% or more 
*3) Anti-clogging at the time of re-printing after pause: 
To evaluate the anti-clogging observed when printing is re-started after a 
temporary stop of printing, a given ink was charged in the printer, and 
English characters were continuously printed for 10 minutes and then the 
printing was stopped. After the printer was left to stand for 10 minutes 
in an uncapped state, English characters were again printed. The 
evaluation was made on whether or not there was defective print such as 
blurred characters or characters with unsharp edges. 
The evaluation was carried out under conditions of 25.degree. C. and 60% 
RH. 
A: No defective print is seen on the first and subsequent characters 
B: A part of the first character is blurred or has unsharp edges. 
C: The first character can not be printed at all. 
*4) Evaluation on frequency response: 
The state of print obtained by the printing, i.e., defectiveness such as 
blurred characters or blank areas and defective ink-droplet impact such as 
splash or slippage were observed with the naked eye to make an evaluation. 
AA: The ink can be shot under good follow-up to the frequency, so that none 
of blurred characters, blank areas and defective ink-droplet impact are 
seen in both solid print and character print. 
A: The ink can be shot under substantially good follow-up to the frequency, 
so that none of the blurred characters, blank areas and defective 
ink-droplet impact are seen in character print, but with slightly blurred 
in solid print. 
B: None of blurred characters and blank areas are seen in character print, 
but defective ink-droplet impact is partly seen. In solid print, blurred 
and blank areas are seen in about one-third of the whole of the solid 
print. 
C: A large number of blurred and blank areas are seen in solid print, and a 
large number of blurred characters and defective ink-droplet impact are 
also seen in character print. 
EXAMPLES 6 TO 15 
Using the components as shown below, inks I to R of Examples 6 to 15 were 
obtained in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 5, and the evaluation on 
every item was made in the same manner as in the Examples. The results 
obtained are shown in Table 2. 
Ink I 
The same ink as Ink A except that 1 part of 3,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-2-butanol 
was used in place of 3 parts of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, and 82 parts of 
water was used in place of 80 parts of water. 
Ink J 
The same ink as Ink B except that 0.8 parts of 1H,1H-pentafluoro-1-butanol 
was used in place of 1.8 parts of 2,2,2-trichloroethanol, and 81.7 parts 
of water was used in place of 80.7 parts of water. 
Ink K 
The same ink as Ink C except that 1 part of 1,4-dibromo-2-butanol and 0.5 
parts of 4-chloro-1-butanol were used in place of 3.2 parts of 
2,2,2-tribromoethanol and 83.5 parts of water was used in place of 81.8 
parts of water. 
Ink L 
The same ink as Ink D except that 1 part of 1,4-dibromo-2-butanol was used 
in place of 3.5 parts of 2,2-dichloroethanol and 79 parts of water was 
used in place of 76.5 parts of water. 
Ink M 
The same ink as Ink E except that 1.5 parts of 
hexafluoro-2-methylisopropanol was used in place of 2.2 parts of 
2-bromoethanol and 81.5 parts of water was used in place of 80.8 parts of 
water. 
Ink N 
The same ink as Ink A except that 1.2 parts of 
2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-1-propanol was used in place of 3 parts of 
2,2,2-trifluoroethanol and 81.8 parts of water was used in place of 80 
parts of water. 
Ink O 
The same ink as Ink B except that 1.5 parts of 
2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propanol was used in place in 2,2,2-trichloroethanol 
and 81 parts of water was used in place of 80.7 parts of water. 
Ink P 
The same ink as Ink C except that 1.5 parts of 3-chloro-1-propanol was used 
in place of 3.2 parts of 2,2,2-tribromoethanol and 83.5 parts of water was 
used in place of 81.8 parts of water. 
Ink Q 
The same ink as Ink D except that 2 parts of 
1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol was used in place of 3.5 parts of 
2,2-dichloroethanol and 78 parts of water was used in place of 76.5 parts 
of water. 
Ink R 
The same ink as Ink E except that 2 parts of 
1,1,3-trihydroperfluoro-1-propanol was used in place of 2.2 parts of 
2-bromoethanol and 81 parts of water was used in place of 80.8 parts of 
water. 
TABLE 2 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Example 
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 
Ink: I J K L M N O P Q R 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Fixing performance:*1) 
Paper for copying 
AA AA AA A AA AA A AA AA AA 
Bond Paper AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA 
Feathering occurrence:*2) 
Paper for copying 
A A A A A A A A A A 
Bond Paper A A A A A A A A A A 
Anti-clogging at the 
A A A A A A A A A A 
time of re-printing 
after pause:*3) 
Frequency response:*4) 
AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possible to 
carry out recording with a superior quality level and a good fixing 
performance, causing no feathering even on a plain paper such as paper for 
copying, paper for reprint, notepaper, letter paper, bond paper or 
continuous slip paper, as commonly used in offices. 
It is also possible to obtain an ink having a high safety even when used in 
offices and homes. 
It is still also possible to carry out recording that may not cause 
clogging at the nozzles of a head for ink-jet recording and has a good 
reliability, and especially to achieve a superior frequency response in 
printing where ink is ejected utilizing a phenomenon of ink bubbling 
caused by thermal energy. 
While the present invention has been described with respect to what is 
presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be 
understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. 
To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications 
and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the 
appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the 
broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and 
equivalent structures and functions.