CA1157639A - Ink composition for ink-jet recording - Google Patents
Ink composition for ink-jet recordingInfo
- Publication number
- CA1157639A CA1157639A CA000371063A CA371063A CA1157639A CA 1157639 A CA1157639 A CA 1157639A CA 000371063 A CA000371063 A CA 000371063A CA 371063 A CA371063 A CA 371063A CA 1157639 A CA1157639 A CA 1157639A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- ink
- ink composition
- composition
- polyethylene glycol
- dye
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
- C09D11/00—Inks
- C09D11/30—Inkjet printing inks
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Inks, Pencil-Leads, Or Crayons (AREA)
- Ink Jet Recording Methods And Recording Media Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The ink composition for ink-jet comprises a water-soluble acid or direct dye and a polyethylene glycol with a polymerization degree of 4 to 25. The composition has a vis-cosity of 4 to 20 c.p.s. at 25°C and a surface tension of 40 to 60 dyn/cm. With this ink composition no serious clogging occurs at the orifice, no substantial changes in physical and chemical properties or no precipitate will be caused during storage. Recorded images have sufficient contrast, and, therefore, stable and clear recording can be maintained for a long period and even after long storage.
The ink composition for ink-jet comprises a water-soluble acid or direct dye and a polyethylene glycol with a polymerization degree of 4 to 25. The composition has a vis-cosity of 4 to 20 c.p.s. at 25°C and a surface tension of 40 to 60 dyn/cm. With this ink composition no serious clogging occurs at the orifice, no substantial changes in physical and chemical properties or no precipitate will be caused during storage. Recorded images have sufficient contrast, and, therefore, stable and clear recording can be maintained for a long period and even after long storage.
Description
~L157~)9 The present invention relates to an ink composition for ink-jet recording and more particularly, the present invention relates to an aqueous ink composition for ink-jet recording process, wherein ink droplets are jetted from an orifice of the print head by an impulsive decrease of the volume of a pressure chamber thereof.
An ink-jet recording system of this kind is known~
Such a system is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent 3,946,398. According to this patent, the recording process consists of the following two steps: a step wherein the inner volume of the pressure chamber filled with ink is suddenly decreased by the formation of an -electrical driving pulse and an ink drop is jetted from the orifice, thus a single drop of ink is transferred to the recording paper by a single driving pulse, and a step to return the entire system to its ori~inal state, thus preparing the system for another ink-jetting process. An ., ink composition used for this type of ink-jet printing - process, as is the case for any ink composition of other ink-jet recording systems, requires that the ink not only `;
;; causes no serious clogging at the orifice, to give a suffi-cient contrast to a jetted image, no change in its physical or chemical properties, no precipitation during storage thereof, but also that the viscosity and the surface tension thereof be maintained within an adequate range. Particularly, the influence caused by the viscosity of the ink on ink-jet printing performance is great and in the case when ink having an improper viscosity value, which is normally pre-determined according to the individual printing apparatus, and the various electrical factors to be given to the apparatus, is used, various troubles are likely to be caused ':~
A~
, . .
.
~7~9 in the jetting and the returning steps and thus satisfactory recording would become impossible. For example, if the ink having a viscosity lower than the proper viscosity range is used, it is impossible to compensate for the speed deviation of each part of the ink column jetted from the orifice in the jet process, and as a result two or more ink drops having different speeds are jetted for a single electrical driving pulse, which greatly deteriorates the print quality.
Further, in the returning step, there may be trouble. For example, after an ink drop is jetted, the meniscus of the ink drops for a while by reaction and thereafter, on returning to its original position by the action of the capillary force, if the viscosity of the ink is too low, the damper action of the ink is small and therefore an ink meniscus passes the orifice and is again returned by sur-face tension, which causes the meniscus to vibrate and it takes a long time for this vibration to settle down in the original balanced position. On the other hand when the viscosity is too high, suc~ type of vibration does not appear. ~onetheless, when the ink is returned by a capillary force, it takes a long time and in both cases, the time required for the meniscus to return to the original state is long and consequently the printing speed is lowered.
The proper viscosity range of the ink in the ink-jet system of this kind in which no such troublesome phenomena influences the viscosity of the ink needs be within 4 to 20 centipoises.
Similarly, the surface tension of the ink has a big influence on the ink-jet recording system of this kind and when an ink having a surface tension of improper value is used, the same trouble happens in both the jetting process and the returning steps and satisfactory recording becomes ' 3~9 difficult. For example, when an ink having a surface tension that is lower than the proper value is used, the shape of an ink drop is hard to be kept constant and, in ~i some cases, two or more ink drops having different speeds are jetted for a single electrical driving pulse (so-called a satellite), and further in the returning process, when the fallen ink meniscus is returned to its original position by a capillary force after an ink drop is jetted, the returning time becomes long due to the fact that the capillary force becomes small and, consequently, the frequency characteristic is worsened.
In the case where the surface tension is too high, on the contrary, in the returning step by a capillary force, the returning speed thereof is too high due to a big capillary force and, consequently, the ink meniscus begins to vibrate. Therefore, again, it takes a long time to settle down to the original balanced position. The proper range of the surface tension of the ink for the ink-jet system of this kind within which no such troublesome phenomena occurs is about 40 to 60 dyn/cm.
Heretofore, as an ink composition for this purpose, various kinds have been proposed but nothing satisfies all the above-mentioned requirements, although some of those require-ments may be satisfied, and, therefore, the known ink compositions have some drawbacks. For example, it has been known that cellulose derivatives such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose and methyl cellulose, etc., or water-soluble thickeners such as polyvinyl alcohol are added to the ink composition in order to keep the desired viscosity, but such water-soluble thickener changes its viscosity during storage :
ilS;~6 :i~
thereof due to an interaction with water-soluble dye as a colorant and, depending on the condition, a precipitate may result. Thus the ink-jet recording system of this kind has had some drawbacks from a practical point of view.
Furthermore, in the case where a fine orifice structure of 30-200 microns is employed in an ink-jet system of this kind, which is usually the case, there have been such dis-advantages that the orifice is often clogged due to the precipitation of a solid component in the ink composition by evaporation of solvent during storage of the ink inside the orifice, the response of ink-jet by inner volume change induced by an electrical driving pulse will be impeded and, consequently, ink may not be jetted; or the jetting con-dition changes as time elapses and, for one or more of the above-mentioned reasons, a stable recording becomes im-possible. Furthermore, it has been known that water-soluble polyhydric alcohol is added to water-color ink composition for the purpose of prevention of clogging of the orifice as described in U.S. Patents Nos. 3,705,043 and 3,846,141, Japanese Patent Publications Open to Public Inspection No.
72712/1975 and 95008/1975 and West German OLS Patent ~o.
An ink-jet recording system of this kind is known~
Such a system is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent 3,946,398. According to this patent, the recording process consists of the following two steps: a step wherein the inner volume of the pressure chamber filled with ink is suddenly decreased by the formation of an -electrical driving pulse and an ink drop is jetted from the orifice, thus a single drop of ink is transferred to the recording paper by a single driving pulse, and a step to return the entire system to its ori~inal state, thus preparing the system for another ink-jetting process. An ., ink composition used for this type of ink-jet printing - process, as is the case for any ink composition of other ink-jet recording systems, requires that the ink not only `;
;; causes no serious clogging at the orifice, to give a suffi-cient contrast to a jetted image, no change in its physical or chemical properties, no precipitation during storage thereof, but also that the viscosity and the surface tension thereof be maintained within an adequate range. Particularly, the influence caused by the viscosity of the ink on ink-jet printing performance is great and in the case when ink having an improper viscosity value, which is normally pre-determined according to the individual printing apparatus, and the various electrical factors to be given to the apparatus, is used, various troubles are likely to be caused ':~
A~
, . .
.
~7~9 in the jetting and the returning steps and thus satisfactory recording would become impossible. For example, if the ink having a viscosity lower than the proper viscosity range is used, it is impossible to compensate for the speed deviation of each part of the ink column jetted from the orifice in the jet process, and as a result two or more ink drops having different speeds are jetted for a single electrical driving pulse, which greatly deteriorates the print quality.
Further, in the returning step, there may be trouble. For example, after an ink drop is jetted, the meniscus of the ink drops for a while by reaction and thereafter, on returning to its original position by the action of the capillary force, if the viscosity of the ink is too low, the damper action of the ink is small and therefore an ink meniscus passes the orifice and is again returned by sur-face tension, which causes the meniscus to vibrate and it takes a long time for this vibration to settle down in the original balanced position. On the other hand when the viscosity is too high, suc~ type of vibration does not appear. ~onetheless, when the ink is returned by a capillary force, it takes a long time and in both cases, the time required for the meniscus to return to the original state is long and consequently the printing speed is lowered.
The proper viscosity range of the ink in the ink-jet system of this kind in which no such troublesome phenomena influences the viscosity of the ink needs be within 4 to 20 centipoises.
Similarly, the surface tension of the ink has a big influence on the ink-jet recording system of this kind and when an ink having a surface tension of improper value is used, the same trouble happens in both the jetting process and the returning steps and satisfactory recording becomes ' 3~9 difficult. For example, when an ink having a surface tension that is lower than the proper value is used, the shape of an ink drop is hard to be kept constant and, in ~i some cases, two or more ink drops having different speeds are jetted for a single electrical driving pulse (so-called a satellite), and further in the returning process, when the fallen ink meniscus is returned to its original position by a capillary force after an ink drop is jetted, the returning time becomes long due to the fact that the capillary force becomes small and, consequently, the frequency characteristic is worsened.
In the case where the surface tension is too high, on the contrary, in the returning step by a capillary force, the returning speed thereof is too high due to a big capillary force and, consequently, the ink meniscus begins to vibrate. Therefore, again, it takes a long time to settle down to the original balanced position. The proper range of the surface tension of the ink for the ink-jet system of this kind within which no such troublesome phenomena occurs is about 40 to 60 dyn/cm.
Heretofore, as an ink composition for this purpose, various kinds have been proposed but nothing satisfies all the above-mentioned requirements, although some of those require-ments may be satisfied, and, therefore, the known ink compositions have some drawbacks. For example, it has been known that cellulose derivatives such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose and methyl cellulose, etc., or water-soluble thickeners such as polyvinyl alcohol are added to the ink composition in order to keep the desired viscosity, but such water-soluble thickener changes its viscosity during storage :
ilS;~6 :i~
thereof due to an interaction with water-soluble dye as a colorant and, depending on the condition, a precipitate may result. Thus the ink-jet recording system of this kind has had some drawbacks from a practical point of view.
Furthermore, in the case where a fine orifice structure of 30-200 microns is employed in an ink-jet system of this kind, which is usually the case, there have been such dis-advantages that the orifice is often clogged due to the precipitation of a solid component in the ink composition by evaporation of solvent during storage of the ink inside the orifice, the response of ink-jet by inner volume change induced by an electrical driving pulse will be impeded and, consequently, ink may not be jetted; or the jetting con-dition changes as time elapses and, for one or more of the above-mentioned reasons, a stable recording becomes im-possible. Furthermore, it has been known that water-soluble polyhydric alcohol is added to water-color ink composition for the purpose of prevention of clogging of the orifice as described in U.S. Patents Nos. 3,705,043 and 3,846,141, Japanese Patent Publications Open to Public Inspection No.
72712/1975 and 95008/1975 and West German OLS Patent ~o.
2,258,804. All of these ink compositions consisting of an aqueous solution comprising water-soluble dye and wetting agent, in an amount less than 40 weight percent, such as polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol and glycerol etc. as its basic component, but even by the addition of such wetting agent it is almost impossible to maintain the viscosity range within 4-20 centipoises and the prevention of clogging in the orifice and of penetration of the air bubbles into the orifice can be achieved only imperfectly.
Ai The object of the present invention is to eliminate these drawbacks and to provide an ink composi-tion for ink-jet recording, whereby no serious clogging occurs at the orifice, no substantial changes in physical and chemical properties or no precipitate will be caused during storage, and recorded images can have sufficient contrast and, therefore, stable and clear recording can be maintained in the recording for a long period and even after a long storage.
The present invention thus more specifically relates to an ink composition for ink-jet recording con-sisting of an aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble acid or direct dye and a polyethylene glycol with a poly-merization degree of 4 to 25, said composition having a viscosity of 4 to 20 centipoises and a surface tension of 40 to 60 dyn/cm at 25C.
As the water-soluble acid and direct dye to be used for the present invention, any of the ones having a solubility of more than 0.5 weight percent can be used and in the case of monochromatic recording, it is preferable to use a black or blue dye to obtain a high contrast on the recording paper. For example, C.I. Acid Blacks ~o. 2, 7, 24, 31, 52, 107, 118, 119, 156 and C.I. Direct Blacks No.
17, 32, 38, 51 can be used as black dyes and C.I. Acid Blues No. 9, 62, 102, 104, 113, 117, 120 and C.I. Direct Blues ~o. 1, 6, 15, 25, 71, 86 and 226 can be used as a blue dye and such dye can be used independently or in any combination of two or more kinds. The amount of the dyes added is not necessarily an important factor in particular when sufficient recording is obtained, however, in general, 0.5-8 weight percent is suitable in practice and 1.0-5 weight t~
~1~7~3~
percent is more preferable.
As polyethylene glycol to be used for the present invention, one with an optional average molecular weight can be used as long as it has the aforesaid polymerization degree and, for example, polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 200), polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 300), polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 400), polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 600), and polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 1000) can be mentioned. According to the present invention these compounds may be used singly or in any combination of two or more.
Such polyethylene glycols are all miscible with water and due to their wetting, low volatility and thick-ening properties, they play an important role in the ink composition of the present invention. Regarding the poly-merization degree of polyethylene glycol, the one with a polymerization degree of 4 to 25 can be used and a poly-merization degree of 4 to 10 is preferable. The amount of such polyethylene glycol to be used may be decided depend-ing on the predetermined viscosity, surface tension andshould be sufficient to prevent the clogging of the orifice and the penetration of bubbles. Furthermore, the amount to be used varies depending upon the polymerization degree of polyethylene glycol but it can be optionally selected within a wide range as long as the aforesaid conditions are satisfied. An amount of 30-60 weight percent is general-ly preferable.
In the present invention various kinds of additives, if necessary, can be used. For example when the composition has to be stored for a long time, it is possible to add an antiseptic agent or an antimold to the a~
7~3~
composition of the present invention to prevent or to decrease the growth of bacteria or mold therein. It has been known that various kinds of antiseptic agents are useful for this purpose and Bacillat 35TM (1,3,5-hexahydro triazine derivative) sold by Hoechst AG, for example, is preferable. The amount of antiseptic agent or antimold added is generally 1 weight percent or less based on the total amount of ink composition and the range of 0.01-0.5 weight percent is especially preferable.
Furthermore, a surface active agent may be added in order to change the surface tension of the ink composi-tion or to improve the so-called "wetting" of the ink in the ink passage. Preferred examples include polyoxyalkylene and alkylethers thereof which are sold as siloxane-oxyalkylene copolymer (L-5340) by Union Carbide Co., and fluorine surface active agent (FC-430) sold by 3M, all of which are non-ionic surface active agents. The amount of surface active agents added is generally 1 weight percent or less based on the total amount of the ink composition and the range of 0.05 to 0.5 percent by weight is especially preferable.
Furthermore, it is possible to add various kinds of inorganic or organic buffersto prevent a pH change caused mainly by the absorption of carbonic acid gas in the air during storage of the ink in the container or during the period of residence in the orifice. ~arbonates such as sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate, for example, are preferred, and 0.1 to 5 percent by weight based on the total amount of the ink composition may be suitable and more preferably 0.1 to 2 percent by weight is used.
Furthermore, it is possible to add various kinds of ~.~
Ai The object of the present invention is to eliminate these drawbacks and to provide an ink composi-tion for ink-jet recording, whereby no serious clogging occurs at the orifice, no substantial changes in physical and chemical properties or no precipitate will be caused during storage, and recorded images can have sufficient contrast and, therefore, stable and clear recording can be maintained in the recording for a long period and even after a long storage.
The present invention thus more specifically relates to an ink composition for ink-jet recording con-sisting of an aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble acid or direct dye and a polyethylene glycol with a poly-merization degree of 4 to 25, said composition having a viscosity of 4 to 20 centipoises and a surface tension of 40 to 60 dyn/cm at 25C.
As the water-soluble acid and direct dye to be used for the present invention, any of the ones having a solubility of more than 0.5 weight percent can be used and in the case of monochromatic recording, it is preferable to use a black or blue dye to obtain a high contrast on the recording paper. For example, C.I. Acid Blacks ~o. 2, 7, 24, 31, 52, 107, 118, 119, 156 and C.I. Direct Blacks No.
17, 32, 38, 51 can be used as black dyes and C.I. Acid Blues No. 9, 62, 102, 104, 113, 117, 120 and C.I. Direct Blues ~o. 1, 6, 15, 25, 71, 86 and 226 can be used as a blue dye and such dye can be used independently or in any combination of two or more kinds. The amount of the dyes added is not necessarily an important factor in particular when sufficient recording is obtained, however, in general, 0.5-8 weight percent is suitable in practice and 1.0-5 weight t~
~1~7~3~
percent is more preferable.
As polyethylene glycol to be used for the present invention, one with an optional average molecular weight can be used as long as it has the aforesaid polymerization degree and, for example, polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 200), polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 300), polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 400), polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 600), and polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 1000) can be mentioned. According to the present invention these compounds may be used singly or in any combination of two or more.
Such polyethylene glycols are all miscible with water and due to their wetting, low volatility and thick-ening properties, they play an important role in the ink composition of the present invention. Regarding the poly-merization degree of polyethylene glycol, the one with a polymerization degree of 4 to 25 can be used and a poly-merization degree of 4 to 10 is preferable. The amount of such polyethylene glycol to be used may be decided depend-ing on the predetermined viscosity, surface tension andshould be sufficient to prevent the clogging of the orifice and the penetration of bubbles. Furthermore, the amount to be used varies depending upon the polymerization degree of polyethylene glycol but it can be optionally selected within a wide range as long as the aforesaid conditions are satisfied. An amount of 30-60 weight percent is general-ly preferable.
In the present invention various kinds of additives, if necessary, can be used. For example when the composition has to be stored for a long time, it is possible to add an antiseptic agent or an antimold to the a~
7~3~
composition of the present invention to prevent or to decrease the growth of bacteria or mold therein. It has been known that various kinds of antiseptic agents are useful for this purpose and Bacillat 35TM (1,3,5-hexahydro triazine derivative) sold by Hoechst AG, for example, is preferable. The amount of antiseptic agent or antimold added is generally 1 weight percent or less based on the total amount of ink composition and the range of 0.01-0.5 weight percent is especially preferable.
Furthermore, a surface active agent may be added in order to change the surface tension of the ink composi-tion or to improve the so-called "wetting" of the ink in the ink passage. Preferred examples include polyoxyalkylene and alkylethers thereof which are sold as siloxane-oxyalkylene copolymer (L-5340) by Union Carbide Co., and fluorine surface active agent (FC-430) sold by 3M, all of which are non-ionic surface active agents. The amount of surface active agents added is generally 1 weight percent or less based on the total amount of the ink composition and the range of 0.05 to 0.5 percent by weight is especially preferable.
Furthermore, it is possible to add various kinds of inorganic or organic buffersto prevent a pH change caused mainly by the absorption of carbonic acid gas in the air during storage of the ink in the container or during the period of residence in the orifice. ~arbonates such as sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate, for example, are preferred, and 0.1 to 5 percent by weight based on the total amount of the ink composition may be suitable and more preferably 0.1 to 2 percent by weight is used.
Furthermore, it is possible to add various kinds of ~.~
3.~ 3~
chelating reagents to mask the metal and metallic ion of the composition. For example, sodium gluconate, ethylene-diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA), disodium ethylenediamine tetra acetate, trisodium ethylenediamine tetra acetate, tetrasodium ethylenediamine tetra acetate and sodium salt of diethylenetriamino penta acetic acid etc. can be mentioned.
As stated above, the ink composition of the present invention is useful because no change in physical and chemical properties or no precipitate is caused during storage, no serious clogging at the orifice occurs and stable and clear recording can be maintained even for recording for a long period of time and even after the ink has been in the ink chamber for a long time.
It is surprising that the ink composition of the present invention shows an excellent effect when it is used for ink-jet recording, but when other polyalkylene glycols that are similar to polyethylene glycol are used, the effects obtained by the present invention will not be attainable. For example, most of the polypropylene glycols do not dissolve in water and even if they dissolve, their viscosity becomes too high in practice and by utilizing a polymethylene glycol, for example, a stable and clear record-ing cannot be attained.
The present invention is illustrated hereinbelow with reference to the following examples.
"~
~:157i~3~
Example 1:
Ink Composition % bY weiqht C.I. Direct Black 17 2.5 Polyethylene glycol (molecular weight: 200 and average polymerization degree: 4.1) 47.2 Distilled Water 50.1 Potassium Carbonate 0.2 Bacillat M (antiseptic agent made by Hoechst AG) 0.1 .
The above components for an ink composition were -:
mixed under agitation to make a homogeneous aqueous solution and this solution was then filtered through a filter having a pore size of 1.0 micron.
The ink composition thus obtained had a viscosity value of 7.8 c.p.s. and surface tension of 58 dyne/cm at normal temperature (25C).
The ink composition thus prepared was used in the ink-jet recording apparatus device disclosed in Figs. 1 to 3 of U.S. Patent 3,946,398 and ink-jet recording was con-ducted under the conditions shown below.
Parameters for Ink-Jet Printing Operation:
Printing speed 1750 dots/sec Static pressure 0.006 psi Peak pressure of the pulse 5.74 psi Pulse voltage 80 volts Pulse width. 140 us Diameter of the orifice 0.00~8 inches As a result of this experiment it was found that a clear and excellent print could be obtained by using the 'A
ink composition according to the present invention and the quality of the printed image remained unchanged after con- ' tinuous recording operation for 24 hours and, furthermore, even in operation, wherein the ink composition was stored for one month in the device.
Example 2:
Ink Composition-% bY weiaht C.I. Direct Black 32 4.0 Polyethylene glycol (molecular weight: 400 and average polymerization degree 8.7) 47.7 Deionized Water48.0 EDTA-tetra sodium salt 0.2 Bacillat 35 (Hoechst AG) 0.1 Another aqueous ink composition consisting of the above shown components was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. The viscosity and the surface tension of the ink composition thus prepared were 11.0 c.p.s. and 56 dyn/cm at normal temperature.
Using this ink, ink-jet recording was conducted using the same device and in the same manner as in Example 1 and, similarly as in Example 1, good results were obtained.
Further, even after a long period of storage, no growth of bacteria or mold was observed and no precipitation occurred.
7~,~
6~9 Example 3:
Ink Composition% by weiqht C.I. Direct Blue 252.0 C.I. Direct Black 322.0 Polyethylene glycol (molecular weight: 600 and average polymerization degree: 13.2) 45.0 Distilled Water 50.0 Sodium carbonate 0.2 EDTA-tertiary sodium salt 0.2 Bacillat M 35 (~oechst AG) 0.1 Another aqueous ink composition consisting of the ~ :
above components was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. The viscosity and the surface tensi~n of the ink composition thus prepared were respectively 16.2 c.p.s.
and 59 dyn/cm at normal temperature (25C).
Using this ink the same experiments as in Example :
2 were repeated and similarly good results were obtained.
Example 4:
Ink Composition % bY weiaht C.I. Acid Black 109 3.5 Polyethylene glycol (molecular weight: 300 and average polymerization degree: 6.4) 40.0 Distilled Water 56.2 EDTA-tetra sodium salt 0.2 Bacillat 35 (Hoechst AG) 0.1 '~
. .
11~7~39 Another aqueous ink composition consisting of the components shown above was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. The viscosity and the surface tension of the ink composition thus prepared were 5.1 c.p.s. and 60 dyn/cm at normal temperature (25C).
Using this ink, ink-jet recording was conducted in the same manner as Example 2, and similarly good results were obtained.
chelating reagents to mask the metal and metallic ion of the composition. For example, sodium gluconate, ethylene-diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA), disodium ethylenediamine tetra acetate, trisodium ethylenediamine tetra acetate, tetrasodium ethylenediamine tetra acetate and sodium salt of diethylenetriamino penta acetic acid etc. can be mentioned.
As stated above, the ink composition of the present invention is useful because no change in physical and chemical properties or no precipitate is caused during storage, no serious clogging at the orifice occurs and stable and clear recording can be maintained even for recording for a long period of time and even after the ink has been in the ink chamber for a long time.
It is surprising that the ink composition of the present invention shows an excellent effect when it is used for ink-jet recording, but when other polyalkylene glycols that are similar to polyethylene glycol are used, the effects obtained by the present invention will not be attainable. For example, most of the polypropylene glycols do not dissolve in water and even if they dissolve, their viscosity becomes too high in practice and by utilizing a polymethylene glycol, for example, a stable and clear record-ing cannot be attained.
The present invention is illustrated hereinbelow with reference to the following examples.
"~
~:157i~3~
Example 1:
Ink Composition % bY weiqht C.I. Direct Black 17 2.5 Polyethylene glycol (molecular weight: 200 and average polymerization degree: 4.1) 47.2 Distilled Water 50.1 Potassium Carbonate 0.2 Bacillat M (antiseptic agent made by Hoechst AG) 0.1 .
The above components for an ink composition were -:
mixed under agitation to make a homogeneous aqueous solution and this solution was then filtered through a filter having a pore size of 1.0 micron.
The ink composition thus obtained had a viscosity value of 7.8 c.p.s. and surface tension of 58 dyne/cm at normal temperature (25C).
The ink composition thus prepared was used in the ink-jet recording apparatus device disclosed in Figs. 1 to 3 of U.S. Patent 3,946,398 and ink-jet recording was con-ducted under the conditions shown below.
Parameters for Ink-Jet Printing Operation:
Printing speed 1750 dots/sec Static pressure 0.006 psi Peak pressure of the pulse 5.74 psi Pulse voltage 80 volts Pulse width. 140 us Diameter of the orifice 0.00~8 inches As a result of this experiment it was found that a clear and excellent print could be obtained by using the 'A
ink composition according to the present invention and the quality of the printed image remained unchanged after con- ' tinuous recording operation for 24 hours and, furthermore, even in operation, wherein the ink composition was stored for one month in the device.
Example 2:
Ink Composition-% bY weiaht C.I. Direct Black 32 4.0 Polyethylene glycol (molecular weight: 400 and average polymerization degree 8.7) 47.7 Deionized Water48.0 EDTA-tetra sodium salt 0.2 Bacillat 35 (Hoechst AG) 0.1 Another aqueous ink composition consisting of the above shown components was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. The viscosity and the surface tension of the ink composition thus prepared were 11.0 c.p.s. and 56 dyn/cm at normal temperature.
Using this ink, ink-jet recording was conducted using the same device and in the same manner as in Example 1 and, similarly as in Example 1, good results were obtained.
Further, even after a long period of storage, no growth of bacteria or mold was observed and no precipitation occurred.
7~,~
6~9 Example 3:
Ink Composition% by weiqht C.I. Direct Blue 252.0 C.I. Direct Black 322.0 Polyethylene glycol (molecular weight: 600 and average polymerization degree: 13.2) 45.0 Distilled Water 50.0 Sodium carbonate 0.2 EDTA-tertiary sodium salt 0.2 Bacillat M 35 (~oechst AG) 0.1 Another aqueous ink composition consisting of the ~ :
above components was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. The viscosity and the surface tensi~n of the ink composition thus prepared were respectively 16.2 c.p.s.
and 59 dyn/cm at normal temperature (25C).
Using this ink the same experiments as in Example :
2 were repeated and similarly good results were obtained.
Example 4:
Ink Composition % bY weiaht C.I. Acid Black 109 3.5 Polyethylene glycol (molecular weight: 300 and average polymerization degree: 6.4) 40.0 Distilled Water 56.2 EDTA-tetra sodium salt 0.2 Bacillat 35 (Hoechst AG) 0.1 '~
. .
11~7~39 Another aqueous ink composition consisting of the components shown above was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. The viscosity and the surface tension of the ink composition thus prepared were 5.1 c.p.s. and 60 dyn/cm at normal temperature (25C).
Using this ink, ink-jet recording was conducted in the same manner as Example 2, and similarly good results were obtained.
Claims (6)
1. An ink composition for ink-jet recording which comprises a water-soluble acid or direct dye and a poly-ethylene glycol with a polymerization degree of 4 to 25, said composition having a viscosity of 4 to 20 c.p.s. at 25°C and a surface tension of 40 to 60 dyn/cm.
2. An ink composition according to claim 1, wherein said dye is selected from a blue or black dye having a solubility in water of more than 0.5 % by weight.
3. An ink composition according to claim 2, wherein said dye is selected from a group consisting of C.I. Acid Blacks No. 2, 7, 24, 52, 107, 118, 119 and 156, C.I. Direct Blacks No. 17, 32, 38 and 51, C.I. Acid Blues No. 9, 62, 102, 104, 113, 117 and 120, and C.I. Direct Blues No. 1, 6, 15, 25, 71, 86 and 226.
4. An ink composition according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said dye is incorporated in said composition in an amount of 0.5 to 8% by weight.
5. An ink composition according to claim 1, wherein said polyethylene glycol is incorporated in said composition in an amount of 30 to 60% by weight.
6. An ink composition according to claim 1, wherein said polyethylene glycol has a polymerization degree of 4 to 10.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP1951680A JPS56115370A (en) | 1980-02-18 | 1980-02-18 | Ink composition for ink jet recording |
| JP19516/1980 | 1980-02-18 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1157639A true CA1157639A (en) | 1983-11-29 |
Family
ID=12001511
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000371063A Expired CA1157639A (en) | 1980-02-18 | 1981-02-17 | Ink composition for ink-jet recording |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS56115370A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1157639A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3105525A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2070049B (en) |
Families Citing this family (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT1155268B (en) * | 1982-02-04 | 1987-01-28 | Olivetti & Co Spa | INK FOR A SELECTIVE INK JET WRITING METHOD |
| FR2681815A1 (en) * | 1983-01-28 | 1993-04-02 | Canon Kk | Method and device for recording by the ejection of ink |
| JPS61116588A (en) * | 1984-11-12 | 1986-06-04 | Toyo Ink Mfg Co Ltd | Recording method |
| DE3445225A1 (en) * | 1984-12-12 | 1986-06-19 | Fa. J.S. Staedtler, 8500 Nürnberg | Use of an aqueous dye concentrate and recording ink prepared therefrom |
| JPS62116676A (en) * | 1985-11-18 | 1987-05-28 | Canon Inc | Recording fluid |
| JPH0662000B2 (en) * | 1986-06-20 | 1994-08-17 | キヤノン株式会社 | Inkjet recording method |
| US4853036A (en) * | 1986-11-25 | 1989-08-01 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink for ink-jet recording and ink-jet recording process using the same |
| JPH04168167A (en) * | 1990-10-31 | 1992-06-16 | Nippon Paint Co Ltd | Water-base ink composition and method for preparing lithographic plate |
| JP2602404B2 (en) * | 1992-09-08 | 1997-04-23 | イー・アイ・デュポン・ドウ・ヌムール・アンド・カンパニー | Aqueous ink composition |
| JPH0892517A (en) * | 1994-09-20 | 1996-04-09 | Brother Ind Ltd | Recording ink |
-
1980
- 1980-02-18 JP JP1951680A patent/JPS56115370A/en active Pending
-
1981
- 1981-02-16 DE DE19813105525 patent/DE3105525A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1981-02-17 CA CA000371063A patent/CA1157639A/en not_active Expired
- 1981-02-18 GB GB8105059A patent/GB2070049B/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE3105525A1 (en) | 1981-12-10 |
| GB2070049A (en) | 1981-09-03 |
| GB2070049B (en) | 1984-02-29 |
| JPS56115370A (en) | 1981-09-10 |
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