Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US5213613?dq=6,757,710
Timestamp: 2016-02-14 05:59:12
Document Index: 287372946

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts1', 'arts1', 'arts1', 'arts1', 'arts1', 'arts1']

Patent US5213613 - Ink, and ink-jet recording method and instrument using the same - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsDisclosed herein is an ink comprising a recording agent and a liquid medium dissolving or dispersing the recording agent therein, wherein the ink contains an imide compound and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of urea, thiourea and derivatives thereof, and volatile alkaline c...http://www.google.com/patents/US5213613?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5213613 - Ink, and ink-jet recording method and instrument using the sameAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS5213613 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 07/949,158Publication dateMay 25, 1993Filing dateSep 23, 1992Priority dateSep 26, 1991Fee statusPaidAlso published asDE69208308D1, DE69208308T2, EP0534427A2, EP0534427A3, EP0534427B1Publication number07949158, 949158, US 5213613 A, US 5213613A, US-A-5213613, US5213613 A, US5213613AInventorsAkira Nagashima, Shinichi Tochihara, Osamu Nishiwaki, Kumiko MafuneOriginal AssigneeCanon Kabushiki KaishaExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (16), Referenced by (72), Classifications (17), Legal Events (5) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetInk, and ink-jet recording method and instrument using the same
US 5213613 AAbstract
Disclosed herein is an ink comprising a recording agent and a liquid medium dissolving or dispersing the recording agent therein, wherein the ink contains an imide compound and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of urea, thiourea and derivatives thereof, and volatile alkaline compounds.
1. An ink comprising a recording agent and a liquid medium dissolving or dispersing the recording agent therein, wherein the ink contains an imide compound and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of urea, thiourea and derivatives thereof, and volatile alkaline compounds, and wherein the proportion of the imide compound and volatile alkaline compound to be contained in the ink is 1:1 to 8:1 by weight
2. The ink according to claim 1, wherein the imide compound is at least one selected from the group consisting of succinimide, glutarimide, maleimide, diglycolimide and glutazine.
3. The ink according to claim 1, wherein the volatile alkaline compound is at least one selected from the group consisting of ammonia, monomethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, monoethylamine, dimethylamine and trimethylamine.
4. The ink according to claim 1, wherein the proportion of the imide compound and compound selected from the group consisting of urea, thiourea and the derivatives thereof to be contained in the ink is 1:3 to 10:1 by weight.
5. The ink according to claim 1, wherein the compound selected from the group consisting of urea, thiourea and the derivatives thereof is contained in a proportion of from 0.1% to 20.0% by weight based o the total weight of the ink.
6. The ink according to claim 1, wherein the volatile alkaline compound is contained in a proportion of from 0.1% to 20.0% by weight based on the total weight of the ink.
7. An ink-jet recording method comprising ejecting droplets of an ink out of an orifice in accordance with a recording signal to make a record on a recording material, wherein the ink comprises a recording agent and a liquid medium dissolving or dispersing the recording agent therein, and contains an imide compound and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of urea, thiourea and derivatives thereof, and volatile alkaline compounds, and wherein the proportion of the imide compound and volatile alkaline compound to be contained in the ink is 1:1 to 8:1 by weight.
8. The ink-jet recording method according to claim 7, wherein the proportion of the imide compound and compound selected from the group consisting of urea, thiourea and the derivatives thereof to be contained in the ink is 1:3 to 10:1 by weight.
9. The ink-jet recording method according to claim 7, wherein the recording material is woodfree paper.
10. The ink-jet recording method according to claim 7, wherein the ink droplets are ejected by applying thermal energy to the ink.
11. A recording unit comprising an ink container portion with an ink held therein and a head from which the ink is ejected in the form of ink droplets, wherein said ink is the ink as set forth in claim 1.
12. The recording unit according to claim 11, wherein the head is a head which causes thermal energy to act on the ink to eject its droplets.
13. The recording unit according to claim 11, wherein the ink container portion is formed of polyurethane, cellulose or polyvinyl acetate.
14. An ink cartridge comprising an ink container portion with an ink held therein, wherein said ink is the ink as set forth in claim 1.
15. The ink cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the ink container portion is made of a polyolefin at its surface with which the ink comes into contact.
16. An ink-jet recording apparatus comprising a recording unit having an ink container portion with an ink held therein and a head from which the ink is ejected in the form of ink droplets, wherein said ink is the ink as set forth in claim 1.
17. The ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the head is a head which causes thermal energy to act on the ink to eject its droplets.
18. The ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the ink container portion is formed of polyurethane, cellulose or polyvinyl acetate.
19. An ink-jet recording apparatus comprising a head from which the ink is ejected in the form of ink droplets, an ink cartridge having an ink container portion with an ink held therein, and an ink feeder for feeding the ink from the ink cartridge to the recording head, wherein said ink is the ink as set forth in claim 1.
20. The ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the head is a head which causes thermal energy to act on the ink to eject its droplets.
21. The ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the ink container portion is made of a polyolefin at its surface with which the ink comes into contact.
The present invention relates to an ink, and an ink-jet recording method and instruments making use of the ink, and more specifically to an ink which can provide prints excellent in water resistance and conduct recording on non-coated paper such as woodfree paper, medium-quality paper, bond paper and regenerated paper, i.e., so-called plain paper, which are commonly used in offices, and also on other recording materials, and an ink-jet recording method and instruments making use of such an ink.
Inks with greatly various manners of being composed have been hitherto reported in respect of inks for writing utensils (fountain pens, marking pens, ball-point pens making use of a water-based ink, etc.) and for ink-jet recording. In particular, in recent years, detailed researches and developments have been made from various aspects such as compositions and physical properties of inks so that good recording can be conducted even on plain paper such as paper for copying, paper for reporting, notepaper, letter paper, bond paper and continuous business forms, which have been commonly used in offices.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-80366 has proposed a water-based ink in which an imide compound has been contained in a water-based ink composition so as to achieve the prevention of clogging of a nozzle part and to provide images excellent in print quality.
Even in such an ink which can provide prints with high quality, however, the following problem has been encountered: The resulting print is poor in water resistance because the ink is soluble in water, so that when waterdrops such as raindrops adhere to the print, or the print is immersed in water after printing, the ink runs out, resulting in deteriorated image density. In particular, a water-based ink for ink-jet recording, which serves to provide color images, is all the more likely to run because a dye having high solubility in water is used in order to make the chromaticity of the ink high.
Further, since water and low-boiling solvents are used in water-soluble ink compositions, such solvents vaporize as the time goes on when such ink compositions are stored for a long period of time, so that the viscosity of the ink compositions becomes higher. Accordingly, there is also a problem that such ink compositions become unsuitable for use in ink-jet recording which is constituted so as to eject an ink out of a minute orifice or orifices, resulting in uneven ink droplets.
It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide an ink which can provide prints having sufficient water resistance without adversely affecting the image quality of the prints and the like when conducting recording on plain paper commonly used in offices, and permits printing without the least problem and with high quality even after stored for a long period of time, and an ink-jet recording method and instruments making use of such an ink.
The above object can be achieved by the present invention described below. According to the present invention, there is thus provided an ink comprising a recording agent and a liquid medium dissolving or dispersing the recording agent therein, wherein the ink contains at least one compound selected from urea, thiourea and derivatives thereof, and volatile alkaline compounds, and an imide compound in combination.
According to the present invention, there is also provided an ink-jet recording method comprising ejecting droplets of an ink out of an orifice in accordance with a recording signal to make a record on a recording material, wherein the ink comprises a recording agent and a liquid medium dissolving or dispersing the recording agent therein, and contains at least one compound selected from urea, thiourea and derivatives thereof, and volatile alkaline compounds, and an imide compound in combination.
According to the present invention, there is yet still further provided an ink-jet recording apparatus comprising a head from which the ink is ejected in the form of ink droplets, an ink cartridge having an ink container portion with an ink held therein, and an ink feeder for feeding the ink from the ink cartridge to the recording head, wherein said ink is the ink described above.
The present inventor has carried out an extensive investigation on various manners of ink compositions with a view toward providing prints improved in water resistance using water-soluble inks. As a result, it has been found that when an imide compound and at least one compound selected from urea, thiourea and derivatives thereof, and volatile alkaline compounds are contained in combination in an ink comprising a recording agent and a liquid medium dissolving or dispersing the recording agent therein, the water resistance of resulting prints is sharply improved without impairing print quality, and the properties of the ink remain good even after stored for a long period of time, so that the reliability of an ink-jet recording system is not impaired at all even when such an ink is used, leading to completion of the present invention.
The present invention will hereinafter be described more detail by the following preferred embodiments.
As exemplary preferred imide compounds useful in the practice of this invention, may be mentioned succinimide, glutarimide, maleimide, diglycolimide, glutazine and the like. Further, as other specific examples thereof, may be mentioned compounds represented by the following chemical formulae: ##STR1##
No particular limitation is imposed on the compounds selected from urea, thiourea and derivatives thereof. However, as preferred compounds, may be mentioned urea; derivatives of urea such as 1,1-diethylurea, 1,3-diethylurea, 1,1-dimethylurea and 1,3-dimethylurea; thiourea; and derivatives of thiourea such as 1,1-diethylthiourea, 1,3-diethylthiourea, 1,1-dimethylthiourea and 1,3-dimethylthiourea. Since urea has a high water-retaining effect, the addition of urea can provide an ink which achieves the prevention of clogging and solidification at a low temperature. The reason why the combined use of at least one compound selected from urea, thiourea and the derivatives thereof, and the imide compound has a particular effect on water resistance is not understood clearly. However, it is inferentially believed that for example, an interaction between the imide compound and the compound selected from urea, thiourea and the derivatives thereof, an interaction between the imide compound and a hydrolyzate of the compound selected from urea, thiourea and the derivatives thereof, an interaction between their compounds and a dye, an interaction, from the viewpoint of electricity by way of example, between their compounds and the component of a recording agent, etc. may operate upon water resistance.
When the imide compound and the compound selected from urea, thiourea and the derivatives thereof are contained in combination, no particular limitation is imposed on their contents in the ink because they are affected deeply by the application and purpose of the ink, the kind of a coloring material used, the composition of the ink, etc. However, the imide compound and the compound selected from urea, thiourea and the derivatives thereof are preferably contained in ranges of from 0.2% to 40.0% by weight, more preferably, from 1.0% to 20.0% by weight, and of from 0.1% to 20.0% by weight, more preferably, from 0.5% to 15.0% by weight, respectively.
The proportion of the imide compound and compound selected from urea, thiourea and the derivatives thereof to be contained in combination is preferably about 1:3 to 10:1, more preferably, about 1:2 to 5:1.
Any proportions outside the above range lower the effect on water resistance, or reduce the reliability of the resulting ink when used in ink-jet recording because the balance of the proportions and rates of hydrolyses of the imide compound and the compound selected from urea, thiourea and the derivatives thereof, which exist in the ink, and the interactions and hydrolyzates for the respective hydrolyses is destroyed.
No particular limitation is imposed on the volatile alkaline compound useful in the practice of this invention. However, as preferred examples thereof, may be mentioned ammonia, triethylamine and alkylamines having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as monoethylamine, diethylamine, monomethylamine, dimethylamine and trimethylamine. It has heretofore been conducted to add a nonvolatile alkaline compound such as triethanolamine as a liquid medium. However, it remains in prints because it is a nonvolatile compound, and runs when waterdrops or the like adhere to the prints. Accordingly, such a compound has impaired the water resistance of the prints. On the contrary, the volatile alkaline compound such as ammonia vaporizes off upon printing and does not remain in prints. Therefore, the water resistance of the prints can be improved.
When the imide compound and the volatile alkaline compound are contained in combination, no particular limitation is imposed on their contents in the ink because they are affected deeply by the application and purpose of the ink, the kind of a coloring material used, the composition of the ink, etc. However, the imide compound and the volatile alkaline compound are preferably contained in ranges of from 0.1% to 20.0% by weight, more preferably, from 0.5% to 15.0% by weight, and of from 0.1% to 20.0% by weight, more preferably, from 0.5% to 15.0% by weight, respectively.
The proportion of the imide compound and volatile alkaline compound to be contained in combination is preferably about 1:1 to 8:1.
If the proportion of the volatile alkaline compound is higher than 1:1, the long-term reliability of the resulting ink, for example, fixing or clogging behavior at low temperatures, becomes deteriorated and moreover, the viscosity of the ink is increased by a sort of coloring material, so that the ink becomes hard to use.
If the proportion of the imide compound is higher than 8:1, fixing or clogging behavior of the resulting ink becomes deteriorated and moreover. Further, its stability in the ink is lowered by a sort of coloring material when stored for a long period of time, whereby the reliability upon ink-jet recording is reduced.
In this invention, it is also preferable to use, as a buffering agent, a salt of a weak acid such as lithium acetate, and a strong base such as lithium hydroxide, alone or in combination.
The proportion of the buffering agent in the ink is preferably about 0.10% to 5.0% by weight.
No particular limitation is imposed on the recording agent useful in the practice of this invention. Coloring materials such as various kinds of dyes and pigments may be used.
No particular limitation is imposed on the amount of these coloring agents to be used. However, it is preferable to use them in a range of, generally, from 0.1% to 15% by weight, more preferably, from 0.1% to 10% by weight based on the total weight of the ink.
In this invention, it is also preferable to add a pH adjustor to the ink so as to keep pH 5 to 10.
The ink of this invention may contain, in addition to the above components, various additives such as water-soluble organic solvents, surfactants, rust preventives, antiseptics, antioxidants, vaporization accelerators, chelating agents and water-soluble polymers as necessary.
The liquid medium useful in the practice of this invention is preferably a mixed solvent of water and a water-soluble organic solvent. As specific examples of the water-soluble organic solvent, may be mentioned 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 whose alkylene moiety has 2 to 6 carbon atoms, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, thiodiglycol, hexylene glycol and diethylene glycol; glycerol; lower alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols, such as ethylene glycol monomethyl (or monoethyl) ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl (or monoethyl) ether and triethylene glycol monomethyl (or monoethyl) ether; N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone; 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone; triethanolamine; sulfolane; dimethylsulfoxide; and the like.
The content of the water-soluble organic solvent in the ink is generally within a range of from 1% to 40% by weight, more preferably, from 3% to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the ink.
The content of water to be used in the ink is within a range of from 30 to 95% by weight. When the amount of water is less than 30% by weight, the solubility of the coloring material and the like is deteriorated, and the viscosity of the resulting ink is increased. It is hence not preferred to use water in such a small amount. On the other hand, when the amount of water is greater than 95% by weight, the vaporizing components are too great to satisfy sufficient fixing property.
The ink of this invention is particularly suitable for use in an ink-jet recording system of a type that an ink is ejected by the bubbling phenomenon of the ink caused by thermal energy. This recording system has a feature that the ejection of the ink becomes extremely stable, and no satellite dots generate. In this case, the thermal properties (for example, the specific heat, the coefficient of thermal expansion, the heat conductivity, etc.) of the ink may however be controlled in some cases.
The ink of this invention is desirably controlled so as to have, as its own physical properties, a surface tension of 30 to 68 dyn/cm and a viscosity of 15 cPs or lower, preferably 10 cPs or lower, more preferably 5 cPs or lower as measured at 25� C. from the viewpoint of solving the problem of water resistance of prints when recorded on plain paper or the like and at the same time, making the matching of the ink with an head for ink-jet recording good.
Accordingly, in order to control the physical properties of the ink to the above-described values and solve the problem on plain paper, it is preferred that the content of water in the ink of this invention be adjusted to from not less than 50% to not more than 95% by weight, preferably, from not less than 60% to not more than 95% by weight.
The ink according to this invention may suitably be used, in particular, in an ink-jet recording system of a type that recording is conducted by ejecting droplets of an ink by the action of thermal energy. It however goes without saying that the ink may also be used for general-purpose writing utensils.
FIG. 3 illustrates an appearance of a multi-head composed of an array of a number of heads as shown in FIG. 1. The multi-head is formed by closely bonding a glass plate 27 having a number of channels 26 to a heating head 28 similar to the head as illustrated in FIG. 1. Incidentally, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the head 13 taken along the flow path of the ink, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-B in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an ink-jet recording apparatus in which such a head has been incorporated. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 61 designates a blade serving as a wiping member, one end of which is a stationary end held by a blade-holding member to form a cantilever. The blade 61 is provided at the position adjacent to the region in which a recording head operates, and in this embodiment, is held in such a form that it protrudes to the course through which the recording head is moved. Reference numeral 62 indicates 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 cap it. Reference numeral 63 denotes an ink-absorbing member provided adjoiningly to the blade 61 and, similar to the blade 61, held in such a form that it protrudes to the course through which the recording head is moved. The above-described blade 61, cap 62 and absorbing member 63 constitute a recovery portion 64 for the recording head, where the blade 61 and absorbing member 63 remove off water, dust and/or the like from the face of the ink-ejecting openings.
FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary ink cartridge in which an ink fed to the head through an ink-feeding member, for example, a tube is contained. Here, reference numeral 40 designates an ink container portion containing the ink to be fed, as exemplified by a bag for the ink. One end thereof is provided with a stopper 42 made of rubber. A needle (not illustrated) may be inserted into this stopper 42 so that the ink in the bag 40 for the ink can be fed to the head. Reference numeral 44 indicates an ink absorbing member for receiving a waste ink. It is preferred in this invention that the ink container portion 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 this invention may not be limited to the apparatus as described above in which the head and the ink cartridge are separately provided. Therefore, a device in which these members are integrally formed as shown in FIG. 6 can also be preferably used.
In FIG. 6, reference numeral 70 designates a recording unit, in the interior of which an ink container portion containing an ink, for example, an ink-absorbing member, is contained. The recording unit 70 is so constructed that the ink in such an ink-absorbing member is ejected in the form of ink droplets through a head 71 having a plurality of orifices. In this invention, polyurethane, cellulose or polyvinyl acetate is preferably used as a material for the ink-absorbing member. Reference numeral 72 indicates an air passage for communicating the interior of the recording unit 70 with the atmosphere. This recording unit 70 can be used in place of the recording head shown in FIG. 4, and is detachably installed on the carriage 66.
EXAMPLE 1 TO 14
After their corresponding components as described below were mixed and thoroughly stirred into solutions, the resulting solutions were separately filtered under pressure through a "Fluoropore Filter" (trade name; product of Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.) having a pore size of 0.45 μm, thereby preparing respective inks according to Examples of this invention.
______________________________________Ink composition of Example 1:C.I. Food Black 2      4 partsGlycerol               5 partsEthyl alcohol          2 partsUrea                   5 partsSuccinimide            10 partsWater                  74 partsInk composition of Example 2:C.I. Direct Black 154  3 partsDiethylene glycol      10 partsUrea                   3 parts1,1-Diethylurea        4 partsGlutarimide            6 partsWater                  74 partsInk composition of Example 3:C.I. Direct Black 154  5 partsDiethylene glycol      10 partsIsopropyl alcohol      2 parts1,1-Diethylurea        4 partsSuccinimide            6 partsWater                  73 partsInk composition of Example 4:C.I. Acid Red 35       2 partsGlycerol               7 partsIsopropyl alcohol      3 partsThiourea               7 partsSuccinimide            16 partsWater                  65 partsInk composition of Example 5:C.I. Food Black 2      4 partsGlycerol               5 partsEthyl alcohol          2 partsTriethylamine          5 partsSuccinimide            7 partsWater                  77 partsInk composition of Example 6:C.I. Direct Black 154  3 partsDiethylene glycol      10 partsAmmonia                6 partsSuccinimide            8 partsWater                  73 partsInk composition of Example 7:C.I. Direct Black 154  5 partsDiethylene glycol      10 partsIsopropyl alcohol      2 partsMonoethylamine         2 partsGlutarimide            12 partsWater                  69 partsInk composition of Example 8:C.I. Acid Red 35       2 partsGlycerol               7 partsIsopropyl alcohol      3 partsAmmonia                3 partsSuccinimide            10 partsWater                  75 partsInk composition of Example 9:C.I. Food Black 2      4 partsGlycerol               5 partsEthyl alcohol          2 partsLithium acetate        1 part.sup.1,3-Diethylthiourea    3 partsSuccinimide            8 partsCompound No. 13        2 partsWater                  75 partsInk composition of Example 10:C.I. Food Black 2      2 partsThioglycol             10 partsIsopropyl alcohol      1 parts1,1-Diethylurea        3 partsSuccinimide            12 partsWater                  72 partsInk composition of Example 11:C.I. Food Black 2      2 partsGlycerol               7 partsIsopropyl alcohol      3 partsLithium hydroxide      1 part.sup.1,1-Dimethylurea       3 partsGlutarimide            16 partsWater                  68 partsInk composition of Example 12:C.I. Food Black 1      2 partsDiethylene glycol      15 parts1,1-Diethylurea        1 part.sup.Succinimide            12 partsWater                  70 partsInk composition of Example 13:C.I. Direct Black 168  2 partsC.I. Food Black 2      0.5 part.sup.Thiodiglycol           8 parts1,1-Diethylurea        3 partsSuccinimide            8 partsIsopropyl alcohol      2.2 partsLithium hydroxide      0.2 part.sup.Water                  76.1 partsInk composition of Example 14:C.I. Direct Black 168  1.8 partsC.I. Food Black 1      0.2 part.sup.Thiodiglycol           5 partsTriethylamine          5 partsSuccinimide            4 partsWater                  84 parts______________________________________
After their corresponding components as described below were mixed and thoroughly stirred into solutions, the resulting solutions were then separately filtered under pressure through a "Fluoropore Filter" (trade name; product of Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.) having a pore size of 0.45 μm, thereby preparing respective inks according to Comparative Examples.
______________________________________Ink composition of Comparative Example 1:C.I. Direct Black 154  3 partsDiethylene glycol      10 partsIsopropyl alcohol      7 partsWater                  80 partsInk composition of Comparative Example 2:C.I. Direct Black 2    4 partsTriethylene glycol     10 partsWater                  86 partsInk composition of Comparative Example 3:C.I. Direct Black 154  3 partsDiethylene glycol      10 partsIsopropyl alcohol      4 partsGlutarimide            4 partsWater                  79 partsInk composition of Comparative Example 4:C.I. Direct Black 154  3 partsDiethylene glycol      10 partsIsopropyl alcohol      7 partsTriethanolamine        4 partsWater                  76 partsInk composition of Comparative Example 5:C.I. Direct Black 2    3 partsGlycerol               5 parts1,1-Dimethylurea       10 partsTriethanolamine        2 partsIsopropyl alcohol      3 partsWater                  77 partsInk composition of Comparative Example 6:C.I. Direct Black 2    3 partsDiethylene glycol      10 partsIsopropyl alcohol      7 partsLithium hydroxide      1 part.sup.Water                  79 parts______________________________________
Using each of the inks obtained in Examples 1 to 14 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6, a printing test was conducted using, as an ink-jet recording apparatus, an On-Demand type ink-jet printer making use of a heating element as an ejection-energy source to evaluate their (1) water resistance, (2) frequency response characteristics and (3) print quality in accordance with the following respective standards. The results are given in Tables 1 and 2.
Drive voltage: 26 V
Resistance of a heating resistor: 150 Ω
Methods and Standards for Evaluation
(1) Water Resistance (a)
After an ink to be tested was charged into the printer to print English characters and numerals and solid areas on commercially-available woodfree paper, the printer was stopped and the resulting print was left over for at least 1 hour, followed by measurement of the image density of the print by a "Macbeth RD915" (trade name; manufactured by Macbeth Company). After the print was then immersed for 3 minutes in a container filled with water, it was allowed to stand and dried to measure its image density again, whereby the percent retention of the image density was calculated. The water resistance was evaluated by ranking the value in accordance with the following standard:
◯: Percent retention of image density not lower than 80%;
x: Percent retention of image density not higher than 65.
(2) Water Resistance (b)
After English characters and numerals were printed on commercially-available woodfree paper by the printer, and the resulting print was left over for 1 day at room temperature, a great amount of water was sprayed on the print by a sprayer. After the print was dried, ease in reading the printed English characters and numerals was determined by a naked eye, and the water resistance was evaluated in accordance with the following standard:
◯: The ease in reading English characters and numerals remained unchanged before and after spraying a great amount of water, and their density also remained thick;
Δ: English characters and numerals were easy to read even after spraying a great amount of water, but their density became thin;
x: English characters and numerals were hard to read after spraying a great amount of water, and their density also became thin.
(3) Frequency Response Characteristic
The resulting print was observed by the naked eye with respect to its printing conditions, namely, conditions of blurred characters and blanks, and defective ink-droplet impact such as splash and slippage to evaluate the frequency response characteristic by ranking the conditions in accordance with the following standard:
◯: The follow-up condition of the ink to the frequency was substantially good, and none of blurred characters, blanks and defective ink-droplet impact were observed upon printing of characters, but blurred characters were slightly recognized upon solid printing;
Δ: None of blurred characters and blanks were observed, but defective ink-droplet impact was partly recognized upon printing of characters, and upon solid printing, blurred characters and blanks were observed at portions of about one-third of the whole solid printed area;
x: Blurred characters and blanks were observed to a great extent upon solid printing, and blurred characters and defective ink-droplet impact were also recognized to a large extent upon printing of characters.
(4) Evaluation of Print Quality
English characters and numerals were printed on commercially-available woodfree paper by the printer, and the resulting print was left over for at least 1 hour. The print was then observed by a microscope and naked eyes to evaluate the print quality by ranking the degree of sharpness of the letters and whisker-like feathering occurred on the letters in accordance with the following standard:
⊚: The letters were sharp, and no whisker-like feathering occurred;
◯: The letters were sharp, but whisker-like feathering slightly occurred;
Δ: The letters were dull, or whisker-like feathering occurred to a great extent;
x: The letters were dull, and whisker-like feathering also occurred to a great extent.
(5) Evaluation of Jetting Ability
After an ink to be tested was charged into the printer, and the printer was left over for 1 week without capping the head under the environment of normal temperature and humidity, English characters and numerals and solid areas were printed on commercially-available woodfree paper. The jetting ability was evaluated by ranking the condition of the resulting print in accordance with the following standard:
⊚: None of blurred characters, splash and slippage were observed in both English characters and numerals and solid printed areas from the beginning of printing;
◯: Splash and slippage were slightly observed in both English characters and numerals and solid printed areas from the beginning of printing, but blurred characters were not recognized in the solid printed areas;
Δ: Splash, slippage and jetting failure were observed in both English characters and numerals and solid printed areas from the beginning of printing, and blurred characters were recognized in the solid printed areas at the beginning of printing;
x: Splash, slippage and jetting failure were often observed in both English characters and numerals and solid printed areas from the beginning of printing, and blurred characters and also blanks were recognized in the solid printed areas at the beginning of printing.
TABLE 1__________________________________________________________________________Evaluation   Exampleproperties   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10                            11                              12                                13                                  14__________________________________________________________________________Water resistance (1)        &#9711;          &#9711;            &#9711;              &#9711;                &#9711;                  &#9711;                    &#9711;                      &#9711;                        &#9711;                          &#9711;                            &#9711;                              &#9711;                                &#9711;                                  &#9711;Water resistance (2)        &#9711;          &#9711;            &#9711;              &#9711;                &#9711;                  &#9711;                    &#9711;                      &#9711;                        &#9711;                          &#9711;                            &#9711;                              &#916;                                &#9711;                                  &#916;Frequency response        &#9711;          &#9711;            &#9711;              &#9711;                &#9711;                  &#9711;                    &#9711;                      &#9711;                        &#9711;                          &#9711;                            &#9711;                              &#9711;                                &#9711;                                  &#9711;characteristicPrint quality        &#8858;          &#8858;            &#8858;              &#8858;                &#8858;                  &#8858;                    &#8858;                      &#8858;                        &#8858;                          &#8858;                            &#8858;                              &#8858;                                &#8858;                                  &#9711;Jetting ability        &#8858;          &#8858;            &#8858;              &#8858;                &#8858;                  &#8858;                    &#8858;                      &#8858;                        &#8858;                          &#8858;                            &#8858;                              &#9711;                                &#8858;                                  &#916;__________________________________________________________________________
TABLE 2______________________________________Evaluation     Comparative Exampleproperties     1     2       3   4     5   6______________________________________Water resistance (1)          x     x       x   x     x   xWater resistance (2)          x     x       x   x     x   xFrequency response          &#8728;                &#8728;                        &#8728;                            &#8728;                                  &#916;                                      &#8728;characteristicPrint quality  x     &#8858;                        &#8728;                            x     x   xJetting ability          x     &#916; &#8728;                            &#8728;                                  &#916;                                      x______________________________________
According to the inks of this invention, as described above, the water resistance of prints can be improved without adversely affecting the image quality of the prints and the like with respect to so-called plain paper such as woodfree paper, medium-quality paper, bond paper and regenerated paper, commonly used in offices.
Further, according to the inks of this invention, recording can be conducted without the least problem and with high reliability in an ink-jet recording system even after stored for a long period of time.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS3993493 *Aug 9, 1971Nov 23, 1976Petrolite CorporationInks containing isocyanated imides of hydrocarbon anhydrides and blends thereofUS4137083 *Nov 18, 1977Jan 30, 1979Monsanto CompanyWater based printing inkUS4455168 *Dec 27, 1982Jun 19, 1984Ricoh Company, Ltd.Aqueous ink for ink-jet printingUS4781758 *Oct 22, 1987Nov 1, 1988International Business Machines CorporationInk composition for drop-on-demand ink jetUS4789400 *Jul 10, 1987Dec 6, 1988Xerox CorporationWaterfast ink jet compositions and processUS5017224 *Jun 21, 1990May 21, 1991Kabushiki Kaisha PilotWater-resistant ink compositionUS5017644 *May 22, 1989May 21, 1991Xerox CorporationInk jet ink compositionsUS5019164 *May 9, 1990May 28, 1991Kabushiki Kaisha PilotWater-resistant ink compositionUS5078790 *Feb 6, 1991Jan 7, 1992Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk, ink-jet recording process, and instrument making use of the inkUS5080716 *Feb 6, 1991Jan 14, 1992Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk having use in ink-jet recordingUS5125969 *Jan 17, 1990Jun 30, 1992Canon Kabushiki KaishaRecording liquid and ink jet recording method employing the sameUS5131949 *Feb 6, 1991Jul 21, 1992Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk, ink-jet recording process, and instrument making use of the inkUS5132700 *Oct 1, 1991Jul 21, 1992Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk-jet recording process and apparatus employing-ink for ink-jet recordingUS5135571 *Oct 30, 1990Aug 4, 1992Canon Kabushiki KaishaRecording liquidUS5137570 *Aug 2, 1991Aug 11, 1992Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk jet recording device and cartridge thereforeJPS5880366A * Title not available* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS5395434 *Jul 7, 1993Mar 7, 1995Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk, ink-jet recording method, and ink-jet recording apparatusUS5409529 *Aug 30, 1993Apr 25, 1995Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk, and ink-jet recording method and instrument using the sameUS5415686 *Apr 5, 1994May 16, 1995Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk, ink-jet recording method making use of the same and instrument provided with the inkUS5451251 *Feb 23, 1994Sep 19, 1995Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk, and ink-jet recording method and instrument using the sameUS5466282 *May 12, 1994Nov 14, 1995Canon Kabushiki KaishaAzo dye compound, ink containing the same, and recording method and instrument using the inkUS5476541 *Sep 7, 1993Dec 19, 1995Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk containing blue, red or yellow dyes, ink-jet recording method using the ink, and recording unit and apparatus using the inkUS5482545 *Dec 23, 1994Jan 9, 1996Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk, and ink-jet recording method and instrument using the sameUS5485188 *Dec 15, 1993Jan 16, 1996Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk jet recording method employing inks, ink set, and apparatus for use with the inksUS5571313 *Aug 29, 1995Nov 5, 1996Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk-jet inkUS5594044 *Mar 3, 1995Jan 14, 1997Videojet Systems International, Inc.Ink jet ink which is rub resistant to alcoholUS5596027 *Jul 13, 1995Jan 21, 1997Videojet Systems International, Inc.Condensation and water resistant jet inkUS5652286 *Apr 4, 1996Jul 29, 1997Videojet Systems International, Inc.Wet surface marking jet inkUS5688312 *Mar 29, 1996Nov 18, 1997Xerox CorporationInk compositionsUS5865883 *Mar 13, 1997Feb 2, 1999Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk, ink cartridge and recording unit, ink-jet recording method and ink-jet recording apparatusUS5933164 *Mar 11, 1997Aug 3, 1999Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk-jet recording methodUS6003987 *Dec 14, 1995Dec 21, 1999Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk set recording apparatus and method using ink set having a dye that becomes insoluble when mixed with another dyeUS6221933Apr 1, 1999Apr 24, 2001Marconi Data Systems Inc.Fast drying jet ink compositionUS6412936Feb 25, 1999Jul 2, 2002Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk, ink set, ink cartridge, recording unit, image recording process and image recording apparatusUS6476096Jul 13, 2000Nov 5, 2002Xaar Technology LimitedInk jet printer inkUS6676254Dec 19, 2001Jan 13, 2004Canon Kabushiki KaishaRecording method, ink cartridge, printing device and information recording apparatusUS7125111Oct 21, 2004Oct 24, 2006Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk and ink jet recording method using the inkUS7141105Oct 29, 2004Nov 28, 2006Canon Kabushiki KaishaWater-based fluorescent ink, recorded image using the same, and judging methodUS7185978Aug 6, 2003Mar 6, 2007Canon Kabushiki KaishaRecording method, ink cartridge, printing device and information recording apparatusUS7198664Jan 26, 2006Apr 3, 2007Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk jet black ink, ink set, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, recording unit, and ink jet recording apparatusUS7208033Sep 23, 2005Apr 24, 2007Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, and ink jet recording apparatusUS7244299Sep 26, 2005Jul 17, 2007Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk jet recording ink, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, and ink jet recording apparatusUS7267716Aug 1, 2005Sep 11, 2007Canon Kabushiki KaishaAqueous ink, image recorded using said aqueous ink and method for forming said imageUS7303620Oct 28, 2004Dec 4, 2007Canon Kabushiki KaishaWater-based ink, and image formation method and recorded image using the inkUS7364770Mar 6, 2006Apr 29, 2008Canon Kabushiki KaishaCoated fine particles and method for producing coated fine particles by reverse Diels-Alder reactionUS7431664Nov 13, 2007Oct 7, 2008Acushnet CompanyComposite metal wood clubUS7455400Sep 26, 2005Nov 25, 2008Canon Kabushiki KaishaAqueous fluorescent ink, image recording method and recorded imageUS7464965Oct 18, 2006Dec 16, 2008Canon Kabushiki KaishaWater-based fluorescent ink, recorded image using the same, and judging methodUS7473437Apr 26, 2006Jan 6, 2009Canon Kabushiki KaishaMethod of forming fluorescent image, fluorescent image, and ink-jet recording methodUS7485179 *May 2, 2006Feb 3, 2009Samsung Electronics Co., LtdInkjet composition, ink cartridge comprising the same, and inkjet recording apparatus comprising the sameUS7488381 *Sep 10, 2007Feb 10, 2009E.I. Du Pont De Nemours & CompanyInkjet inkUS7503969 *Oct 11, 2007Mar 17, 2009E.I. Du Pont De Nemours & CompanyInkjet inkUS7550037Jun 10, 2008Jun 23, 2009Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, recording unit and ink jet recording apparatusUS7604695 *Nov 27, 2006Oct 20, 2009Toyo Ink Mfg. Co., Ltd.Ink compositionUS7682433May 7, 2008Mar 23, 2010Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk set, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, recording unit, and ink jet recording apparatusUS7699924Sep 24, 2007Apr 20, 2010Canon Kabushiki KaishaAqueous ink, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, recording unit and ink jet recording apparatusUS8070871Feb 18, 2009Dec 6, 2011Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk jet ink, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, recording unit, and ink jet recording apparatusUS8163360Dec 25, 2008Apr 24, 2012Canon Kabushiki KaishaPigment dispersion and inkjet recording medium using the sameUS8252393Dec 25, 2008Aug 28, 2012Canon Kabushiki KaishaSurface-modified inorganic pigment, colored surface-modified inorganic pigment, recording medium and production processes thereof, and image forming method and recorded imageUS8308198Nov 17, 2008Nov 13, 2012Canon Kabushiki KaishaWater-based fluorescent ink, recorded image using the same, and judging methodUS8383743Mar 30, 2006Feb 26, 2013Dainippon Ink And Chemicals, Inc.Ink composition for jet printerUS8425675 *Jun 9, 2010Apr 23, 2013Dong-A Teaching Materials Co., Ltd.Recrystallization type of ink compositionUS8757785 *Mar 23, 2012Jun 24, 2014Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaTreatment solution for ink-jet recording, ink set, ink-jet recording method, and ink-jet recording apparatusUS20040027404 *Aug 6, 2003Feb 12, 2004Canon Kabushiki KaishaRecording method, ink cartridge, printing device and information recording apparatusUS20050052515 *Oct 21, 2004Mar 10, 2005Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk and ink jet recording method using the inkUS20050088501 *Oct 28, 2004Apr 28, 2005Canon Kabushiki KaishaWater-based ink, and image formation method and recorded image using the inkUS20050109952 *Oct 29, 2004May 26, 2005Canon Kabushiki KaishaWater-based fluorescent ink, recorded image using the same, and judging methodUS20060011097 *Sep 26, 2005Jan 19, 2006Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk jet recording ink, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, and ink jet recording apparatusUS20060012657 *Sep 26, 2005Jan 19, 2006Canon Kabushiki KaishaAqueous fluorescent ink, image recording method and recorded imageUS20060065157 *Sep 23, 2005Mar 30, 2006Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, and ink jet recording apparatusUS20060152570 *Mar 6, 2006Jul 13, 2006Canon Kabushiki KaishaIntermediate chemical substance in the production of pigment crystals, method for manufacturing pigment crystals using the same, and pigment crystalUS20060194897 *Mar 6, 2006Aug 31, 2006Canon Kabushiki KaishaPigment, process for producing pigment, pigment dispersion, process for producing pigment dispersion, recording ink, recording method, and recorded imageUS20060234018 *Apr 26, 2006Oct 19, 2006Canon Kabushiki KaishaMethod of forming fluorescent image, fluorescent image, and ink-jet recording methodUS20070002111 *May 2, 2006Jan 4, 2007Roh Hee-JungInkjet composition, ink cartridge comprising the same, and inkjet recording apparatus comprising the sameUS20070034114 *Oct 18, 2006Feb 15, 2007Canon Kabushiki KaishaWater-based fluorescent ink, recorded image using the same, and judging methodUS20070119342 *Nov 27, 2006May 31, 2007Kaori NakanoInk compositionUS20080018722 *Sep 24, 2007Jan 24, 2008Canon Kabushiki KaishaAqueous ink, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, recording unit and ink jet recording apparatusUS20080060547 *Sep 10, 2007Mar 13, 2008Christian JacksonInkjet inkUS20080087194 *Oct 11, 2007Apr 17, 2008Christian JacksonInkjet inkUS20080280042 *May 7, 2008Nov 13, 2008Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk set, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, recording unit, and ink jet recording apparatusUS20090011130 *Jun 10, 2008Jan 8, 2009Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, recording unit and ink jet recording apparatusUS20090078889 *Nov 17, 2008Mar 26, 2009Canon Kabushiki KaishaWater-Based Fluorescent Ink, Recorded Image Using The Same, and Judging MethodUS20090130405 *Mar 30, 2006May 21, 2009Dainippon Ink And Chemicals, Inc.Ink composition for jet printerUS20090238974 *Feb 18, 2009Sep 24, 2009Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk jet ink, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, recording unit, and ink jet recording apparatusUS20100183828 *Dec 25, 2008Jul 22, 2010Canon Kabushiki KaishaPigment dispersion and inkjet recording medium using the sameUS20110059298 *Dec 25, 2008Mar 10, 2011Canon Kabushiki KaishaSurface-modified inorganic pigment, colored surface-modified inorganic pigment, recording medium and production processes thereof, and image forming method and recorded imageUS20110303118 *Dec 15, 2011Dong-A Teaching Materials Co., Ltd.Recrystallization type of ink compositionUS20120268520 *Mar 23, 2012Oct 25, 2012Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaTreatment solution for ink-jet recording, ink set, ink-jet recording method, and ink-jet recording apparatus* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification106/31.43, 106/31.76, 106/31.46, 106/31.75, 347/100International ClassificationC09D11/02, C09D11/00, C09D11/328, C09D11/033, C09D11/322, C09D11/037, B41M5/00, B41J2/01Cooperative ClassificationB41J2/01, C09D11/38European ClassificationC09D11/38, B41J2/01Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionSep 23, 1992ASAssignmentOwner name: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JAPANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNORS:NAGASHIMA, AKIRA;TOCHIHARA, SHINICHI;NISHIWAKI, OSAMU;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:006263/0988Effective date: 19920918May 17, 1994CCCertificate of correctionSep 30, 1996FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Oct 30, 2000FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Oct 20, 2004FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 12RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services