Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
  • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
  • B41M5/50—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording
  • B41M5/52—Macromolecular coatings
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
  • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
  • B41M5/50—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording
  • B41M5/502—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording characterised by structural details, e.g. multilayer materials
  • B41M5/506—Intermediate layers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
  • B41M2205/00—Printing methods or features related to printing methods; Location or type of the layers
  • B41M2205/12—Preparation of material for subsequent imaging, e.g. corona treatment, simultaneous coating, pre-treatments
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
  • B41M2205/00—Printing methods or features related to printing methods; Location or type of the layers
  • B41M2205/38—Intermediate layers; Layers between substrate and imaging layer
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
  • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
  • B41M5/50—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording
  • B41M5/502—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording characterised by structural details, e.g. multilayer materials
  • B41M5/508—Supports
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
  • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
  • B41M5/50—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording
  • B41M5/52—Macromolecular coatings
  • B41M5/5218—Macromolecular coatings characterised by inorganic additives, e.g. pigments, clays
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
  • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
  • B41M5/50—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording
  • B41M5/52—Macromolecular coatings
  • B41M5/5227—Macromolecular coatings characterised by organic non-macromolecular additives, e.g. UV-absorbers, plasticisers, surfactants
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
  • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
  • B41M5/50—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording
  • B41M5/52—Macromolecular coatings
  • B41M5/5254—Macromolecular coatings characterised by the use of polymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. vinyl polymers

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a process for producing a recording sheet which is available in an ink-jet recording system.
• Ink jet recording systems in which water-based ink is ejected to a recording sheet through a nozzle having fine pores to form an image on the surface of the recording sheet are widely used in terminal printers, facsimiles, plotters, sheet feeding printers, or the like, due to their low noise during recording, ease of forming full-color images, possibility of performing rapid recording, lower cost than other printers, and so forth.
• an ink-jet recording sheet is made to have a high grade of characteristics so as to meet rapid spread, enhanced detail, and speedup of printers, and also to meet an appearance of digital cameras. That is, an ink jet recording sheet which can realize high-speed ink absorption, high recording density, excellent water-resistance, and excellent light-resistance, and also which can realize an image quality, surface gloss, and storage durability, which are equivalent to those of silver halide photography, has been strongly demanded. Moreover, it is required that the ink-jet recording sheet is made to prevent an ink-receiving layer thereof from being cracked or cracking when folded.
• the borax makes the water-soluble resin in the outside ink-receiving layer crosslinked, as a result of which the surface strength (hereinafter, abbreviated "strength") of the ink-receiving layer is enhanced, and thereby the cracking and fold-cracking thereof are prevented. Also, other requirements can be satisfied by the inside ink-receiving layer.
• Patent Document 1 requires many steps composed of at least the three steps of forming the inside ink-receiving layer, applying the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid, and forming the outside ink-receiving layer.
• Patent Document 2 discloses a process in which a crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is directly applied on a support to form a monolayered ink-receiving layer.
• the ink-receiving layer In order to form a monolayered ink-receiving layer while realizing sufficient ink-acceptability, it is required that the ink-receiving layer be thick. In order to provide the sufficient strength to such a thick ink-receiving layer, it is required that the coating amount of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid be increased. Although the coating amount of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is required to be increased, such an increase of the coating amount is difficult when the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is directly applied on the support, since the solubility of the crosslinking agent is low.
• the support is an impermeable support
• the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid does not penetrate through the support. Accordingly, it is conventionally impossible for the crosslinking agent to be applied in an amount of 0.1 g/cm 2 or more, and therefore it is difficult for the thick ink-receiving layer to be made to have a sufficient strength.
• cissing of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid tends to occur on the surface of an impermeable support. Accordingly, if the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is directly applied on the support, it is difficult for the coating amount thereof to be increased and the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid be uniformly applied.
• the present invention has as an object thereof to provide a process for producing an ink-jet recording sheet by which a monolayered thick ink-receiving layer with a sufficient strength can form, more specifically, a process for producing an ink-jet recording sheet by which the occurrence of cissing of a crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid on the surface of a support is prevented to allow uniform application of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid in an amount required to provide sufficient strength to the ink-receiving layer when the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is directly applied on the impermeable support and then an ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid is applied thereon.
• the inventors of the present invention have found that a crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is prevented from being repelled on a support by adding a surfactant thereto, as a result of which the coating amount of a crosslinking agent can be increased.
• the inventors of the present invention have found that occurrence of cissing of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid on the surface of an impermeable support is further prevented by adding thereto the surfactant and a viscosity modifier which increases the viscosity of the mixture, and the uniformity of the coating surface of the crosslinking-agent-containing layer can be improved, and also the coating amount of the crosslinking agent can be increased.
• a first aspect of the process for producing an ink-jet recording sheet according to the present invention is characterized by including: a first step in which a crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid containing a crosslinking agent and a surfactant is applied on a support and dried to form a crosslinking-agent-containing layer; and a second step in which an ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid containing inorganic fine particles and a water-soluble resin crosslinkable with the crosslinking agent is applied on the crosslinking-agent-containing layer to form an ink-receiving layer.
• the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid be applied in the first step so that the coating amount of the crosslinking agent in solid basis is 0.1 to 3.0 g/m 2 .
• a coating amount of the inorganic fine particles in the crosslinking-agent-containing layer be 1.0 g/m 2 or less.
• the crosslinking agent be a boric acid and/or a borax.
• the surfactant be a nonionic surfactant.
• a content of the surfactant in the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid be 0.001 to 10 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the crosslinking agent.
• the water-soluble resin be a polyvinyl alcohol.
• the support be an impermeable support.
• the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid be applied in the second step so that a coating amount of the ink-receiving layer is 10 to 40 g/m 2 .
• a second aspect of the process for producing an ink-jet recording sheet according to the present invention is a process for producing an ink-jet recording sheet characterized by including a first step in which a crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid having having a viscosity of 2 to 20 mPa ⁇ s is applied on an impermeable support to form a crosslinking-agent-containing layer, the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid containing a crosslinking agent, a viscosity modifier, and a surfactant; and a second step in which an ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid is applied on the crosslinking-agent-containing layer to form an ink-receiving layer, the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid containing inorganic fine particles and a water-soluble resin crosslinkable with the crosslinking agent.
• the crosslinking agent contain a boric acid and/or a borax and the water-soluble resin contain a polyvinyl alcohol.
• the viscosity modifier contain at least one selected from the group consisting of a gelatin, a cationized cellulose, a carboxymethyl cellulose, a hydroxyethyl cellulose, and a hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose.
• a drying step be further performed in the first step after the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is applied to form the crosslinking-agent-containing layer.
• the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is prevented from being repelled on the support, and therefore the coating amount of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid can be increased, and a monolayered ink-receiving layer with an ensured strength can be formed.
• a crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is applied on a support, and then dried to form a crosslinking-agent-containing layer.
• the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is a liquid containing a crosslinking agent and a surfactant.
• a solvent in the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid water, a water-based solvent in which an organic solvent is added to water in a small amount, or the like is exemplified.
• impermeable supports are preferably used.
• the reason for this is that if the impermeable support is used, the occurrence of what is referred to as cockling, in which a recording sheet is stretched and waved due to the influence of a moisture component of the solvent in ink when printing is performed, can be prevented.
• the impermeable support cannot absorb ink, it is required that the ink-receiving layer exhibit a sufficient ink-absorptivity.
• the support may be permeable or impermeable.
• the support may be transparent or opaque.
• the support examples include: films of cellophane, polyethylene, polypropylene, soft polyvinyl chloride, hard polyvinyl chloride, polyester or the like; paper such as high-quality paper, art paper, coated paper, cast-coated paper, foil paper, craft paper, paper coated with a polyolefin resin, impregnated paper, vapor deposition paper, water-soluble paper, and the like; sheets such as metal foil, synthetic paper, and the like.
• ink-jet recording sheet with a photograph-tone art paper, coated paper, baryta paper, raw paper for photographic paper, synthetic paper, or paper coated with a polyolefin resin is preferably used.
• synthetic paper or paper coated with a polyethylene resin is preferably used.
• a paper coated with a polyethylene resin in which titanium oxide is incorporated referred to as RC paper
• RC paper is preferably used as a support, since a finished appearance equivalent to that of photographic paper is realized.
• the RC paper is used as a support, effects of this aspect are significantly realized.
• the surface of the support may be roughed.
• the thickness of a polyethylene layer is preferably within the range of 3 to 50 ⁇ m, more preferably 5 to 30 ⁇ m. If the thickness of the polyethylene layer is less than 3 ⁇ m, there tends to occur an undesirable phenomenon such that holes being generated in applying the polyethylene resin, and thereby adjusting the thickness and smoothening polyethylene layer tends to be difficult. On the other hand, if the thickness is more than 50 ⁇ m, the realized effects are small in comparison with the cost-increase, which is not economical.
• crosslinking agent contained in the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid examples include boron compounds, epoxy compounds, glycidyl compounds, zirconium compounds, aluminum compounds, chrome compounds, and the like.
• the boron compounds, more preferably boric acid and/or borax, are preferable, because the viscosity-increase or gelation rapidly proceeds when used in combination with polyvinyl alcohol.
• boric acid examples include an orthoboric acid, metaboric acid, hypoboric acid, tetraboric acid, pentaboric acid, and the like, and sodium salts, potassium salts, and ammonium salts thereof.
• an orthoboric acid and disodium tetraborate are preferable.
• the borax is a mineral of sodium borate hydrate and is formulated as Na 2 B 4 O 7 ⁇ 10H 2 O.
• Na 2 B 4 O 7 (disodium tetraborate) is a component which serves as the crosslinking agent.
• any of anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and nonionic surfactants may be used.
• anionic surfactants sulfuric ester salt-based surfactants, sulfonate-based surfactants, phosphate-based surfactants, or the like, may be used, for example.
• cationic surfactants amine salt-based surfactants, tetraammonium salt-based surfactants, or the like, may be used, for example.
• nonionic surfactants acetylene glycol-based surfactants, polyethylene glycol-based surfactants (such as ethylene oxide adducts of higher alcohols, ethylene oxide adducts of fatty acids, ethylene oxide adducts of alkylphenols, ethylene oxide adducts of polypropylene glycols, ethylene oxide adducts of higher aliphatic amines or fatty acid amides, or the like), polyhydric alcohol-based surfactants (such as fatty acid esters of glycerin and pentaerythritol, fatty acid esters of sorbitol and sorbitan, fatty acid esters of sucrose, ethylene oxide adducts of polyhydric alcohols, fatty acid alkanolamides, or the like), or the like, may be used, for example.
• polyethylene glycol-based surfactants such as ethylene oxide adducts of higher alcohols, ethylene oxide adducts of
• the nonionic surfactants more preferably the acetylene glycol-based surfactants, are preferable, since they exhibit high compatibility with ink used for recording with an ink-jet printer.
• the acetylene glycol-based surfactants are nonionic, they have extremely strong polarity, since adjacent carbon atoms forming an acetylenic triple bond are bonded to each oxygen atom. Accordingly, high surface activating effects are realized and the wettability of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid with respect to the support is improved even with a small amount of the acetylene glycol-based surfactants. Since surfactants have generally high bubble-forming properties, the surfactants tend to cause a bubbling phenomenon. However, the acetylene glycol-based surfactants have anti-foaming properties, and therefore the occurrence of the bubbling phenomenon can be prevented.
• the acetylene glycol-based surfactants are compounds having in the molecule thereof an acetylene bond and an alcoholic hydroxy group, and addition reaction products of alkynylene glycol compounds with ethylene oxide are preferable among them.
• Particularly preferable acetylene glycol-based surfactants are compounds obtained by adding ethylene oxide to 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyl-4,7-diol, the compounds being having a chemical structure represented by the following formula (1).
• m and n each represents an integer, the average thereof may not be an integer.
• the concentration of the crosslinking agent in the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is preferably 0.001 to 20% by mass. If the concentration of the crosslinking agent is 0.001% by mass or more, a water-soluble resin described below is sufficiently crosslinked by the crosslinking agent. On the other hand, if the concentration of the crosslinking agent is 20% by mass or less, excess crosslinking can be prevented.
• the content of the surfactant in the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is preferably 0.001 to 10 parts by mass, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the crosslinking agent. If the content of the surfactant with respect to 100 parts by mass of the crosslinking agent is 0.001 parts by mass or more, the wettability of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid with respect to the support can be sufficiently realized. On the other hand, if the content of the surfactant is 10 parts by mass or less, problems such as blocking after coating or transition to the rear surface hardly occur.
• a blade coater In order to apply the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid to the support, a blade coater, air knife coater, roll coater, bar coater, gravure coater, rod blade coater, lip coater, die coater, curtain coater, slide bead coater, or the like, may be used, for example.
• the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid be applied so that the coating amount of the crosslinking agent in solid basis is 0.1 to 3.0 g/m 2 . If the coating amount of the crosslinking agent in solid basis is 0.1 g/m 2 or more, the strength and water-resistance can be sufficiently provided to the ink-receiving layer. On the other hand, if the coating amount of the crosslinking agent in solid basis is 3.0 g/m 2 or less, excess crosslinking of the water-soluble resin can be prevented and fold-cracking of the ink-receiving layer can be prevented.
• Drying methods are not particularly limited, and drying with hot air, drying by radiating infrared rays, or the like, may be performed, for example.
• the step of drying the applied crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid it is not required that the solvent contained therein be completely removed, and the solvent may remain provided that the crosslinking agent is crystallized.
• the coating amount of the inorganic fine particles in the crosslinking-agent-containing layer be 1.0 g/m 2 or less, and it is more preferable that no inorganic fine particles be contained. If the coating amount of the inorganic fine particles exceeds 1.0 g/m 2 , the formulation of a binder is required, which makes it difficult for the crosslinking agent to be formulated.
• an ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid containing inorganic fine particles and a water-soluble resin crosslinkable with the crosslinking agent is applied on the crosslinking-agent-containing layer to form an ink-receiving layer in the second step.
• the inorganic fine particles include amorphous silica (such as synthetic amorphous silica prepared by wet-process or dry-process, and cationized silica prepared using alumina or the like), agglomerated particles composed of amorphous silica and a cationic compound, which are prepared by mixing and agglomerating amorphous silica with the cationic compound, kaolin, clay, sintered clay, zinc oxide, tin oxide, titanium oxide, magnesium sulfate, aluminum hydroxide, alumina, alumina hydrate, calcium carbonate, satin white, aluminum silicate, smectite, zeolite, magnesium silicate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium oxide, diatomaceous earth, styrene-based plastic pigment, urea resin-based plastic pigment, benzoguanamine-based plastic pigment, and the like.
• amorphous silica such as synthetic amorphous silica prepared by wet-process or dry-process, and cationized
• amorphous silica, agglomerated particles composed of amorphous silica and a cationic compound, which are prepared by mixing and agglomerating amorphous silica with the cationic compound, aluminosilicate, alumina, or alumina hydrate is preferably used, in that they tend to achieve favorable balance between glossiness and ink-absorptivity.
• the average secondary particle diameter of the inorganic fine particles is preferably 0.7 ⁇ m or less, in terms of glossiness.
• water-soluble resin crosslinkable with the above-mentioned crosslinking agent examples include polyvinyl alcohol, cationized polyvinyl alcohol, silyl-modified polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetal, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, casein, soybean protein, synthetic proteins, starches, polypropylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl acrylamide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and the like.
• polyvinyl alcohol is preferably used in terms of ink-absorptivity, water-resistance, and preventability of cracking. It is preferable that the polyvinyl alcohol has a polymerization degree of 3,000 to 5,000. If the polymerization degree is less than 3,000, the water-resistance of the formed ink-receiving layer tends to be insufficient. In contrast, polyvinyl alcohol with a polymerization degree of more than 5,000 cannot be obtained in practice.
• the water-soluble resin be formulated in an amount of 1 to 100 parts by mass, more preferably 5 to 50 parts by mass, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the inorganic fine particles.
• the mass ratio of the water-soluble resin to the crosslinking agent be between 20:1 and 1:20, more preferably 10:1 and 1:10. If the mass ratio is within the above-mentioned range, an ink-jet recording sheet with excellent preventability of cracking and bleeding over time, and excellent ink-absorptivity can be obtained.
• the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid may contain various adhesives generally used in the art of coating paper, such as, for example, water-dispersible resins (such as, for example, conjugated-diene-based polymer latexes, such as styrenebutadiene copolymers, or methyl methacrylate-butadiene copolymers, acrylic polymer latexes, or vinyl-based copolymer latexes such as styrene-vinyl acetate copolymers), provided that the object of the present aspect is achieved.
• water-dispersible resins such as, for example, conjugated-diene-based polymer latexes, such as styrenebutadiene copolymers, or methyl methacrylate-butadiene copolymers, acrylic polymer latexes, or vinyl-based copolymer latexes such as styrene-vinyl acetate copolymers
• the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid may contain a cationic compound.
• the cationic compound include polyalkylene polyamines such as, for example, polyethyleneamines or polypropylene polyamines, derivatives thereof, acrylic resins having a tertiary amino group or a quaternary ammonium group, diacrylic amines, and the like. It is preferable that the content of the cationic compound be 1 to 30 parts by mass, more preferably 5 to 20 parts by mass, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the inorganic fine particles.
• the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid may contain various auxiliaries such as, for example, dispersants, thickeners, antifoaming agents, coloring agents, antistatic agents, or antiseptics.
• the same method as that for coating the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid and drying the same may be adopted.
• the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid is preferably applied so that the coating amount of the ink-receiving layer be 10 to 40 g/m 2 .
• the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid is preferably applied so that the coating amount of the ink-receiving layer be 5 to 25 g/m 2 . If the coating amount is the above-mentioned lower limit or more, sufficient ink-absorptivity and image-quality can be realized. If the coating amount is the above-mentioned upper limit or less, cracking of the ink-receiving layer can be prevented. If the coating amount is within the above-mentioned range, image-quality equivalent to that of silver halide photography can be realized.
• a glossy layer containing fine particles may be formed on the ink-receiving layer so as to increase glossiness.
• the fine particles in the glossy layer are not particularly limited, colloidal silica, fumed silica, or alumina is preferably used, in that they contribute to the realization of an excellent glossiness.
• the glossy layer may not have dye-fixing capabilities.
• the dye-fixing capabilities can be enhanced by formulating cationic fine particles.
• cationic fine particles cationized colloidal silica, fumed silica, or alumina is preferably used.
• fumed alumina is particularly preferable.
• the fine particles be in the colloidal form.
• the fine particles may be monodispersing particles or agglomeratingly dispersing particles, monodispersing particles or agglomeratingly dispersing particles with a small particle diameter are mainly preferably used so that high printing density and high glossiness are realized.
• the fine particles be selected from those with an average primary particle diameter of 3 to 100 nm and an average (secondary) particle diameter of 700 nm or less.
• the glossy layer may suitably contain the above-mentioned water-soluble resin, provided that the ink-absorptivity is not degraded. Also, the glossy layer may contain the above-mentioned cationic compound, as needed.
• a casting method in which a glossy-layer-formable coating-fluid containing fine particles and a solvent is applied on an ink-receiving layer, and the applied coating-fluid in a wet state is pressed against a heated mirrored drum to dry may be adopted, for example.
• the glossy-layer-formable coating-fluid may suitably contain various mold release agents so as to enhance the releaseability thereof from the mirrored drum. It is preferable that the mold release agent be formulated in an amount of 0.5 to 10 parts by mass, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the fine particles.
• the support is an air-impermeable support or a low-air-permeable support
• the glossy-layer-formable coating-fluid be dried using a drier during a post-process, immediately after the glossy-layer-formable coating-fluid is applied, or during the application of the glossy-layer-formable coating-fluid while pressing it against the mirrored drum (for example, nipping as shown in International Publication No. 03/039881 pamphlet).
• the coating amount of the glossy-layer-formable coating-fluid in solid basis be 0.1 to 10 g/m 2 , more preferably 0.2 to 5 g/m 2 , even more preferably 0.5 to 2 g/m 2 . If the coating amount is extremely small, the coating film tends to be thin, which causes interference color by light. On the other hand, if the coating amount is extremely great, there is a possibility in which the ink-absorbing rate significantly decreases and the transparency decreases.
• the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid to be applied on the support contains the surfactant, the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is hardly repelled on the support. Accordingly, the crosslinking-agent-containing layer containing a great amount (0.1 g/m 2 or more) of the crosslinking agent can be formed.
• the crosslinking-agent-containing layer When the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid is applied on the crosslinking-agent-containing layer, the crosslinking-agent-containing layer is dissolved by the solvent contained in the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid, and thereby the dissolved crosslinking agent is transferred into the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid.
• the water-soluble resin in the ink-receiving layer is crosslinked. Even if the ink-receiving layer is thick, the water-soluble resin can be sufficiently crosslinked due to the presence of the great amount of the crosslinking agent in the crosslinking-agent-containing layer. Accordingly, the sufficient strength of the ink-receiving layer is realized.
• a monolayered thick ink-receiving layer with a sufficient strength can be formed in accordance with the above-mentioned production process.
• the crosslinking-agent-containing layer Since the crosslinking-agent-containing layer is dissolved when the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid is applied, the crosslinking-agent-containing layer does not distinguishably exist in the obtained ink-jet recording sheet. That is, the ink-jet recording sheet obtained in accordance with the production process has a structure in which the ink-receiving layer is formed on the support.
• a crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is applied on an impermeable support to form a crosslinking-agent-containing layer.
• the impermeable support used in the present aspect is a sheet through which moisture content does not infiltrate, more specifically a sheet which results in the mass change of 0.1 g or less between before and after the sheet is made to contact with water in a water-absorption test in which 50 ml of water is made to contact with the surface of the support on which the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is to be applied, the mass of the support being previously measured, so that the contact area is 100 cm 2 , and then held in that situation for 10 seconds, followed by removing water from the support, wiping out water on the surface completely by slightly pressing down blotting paper thereon, and then measuring the mass of the support.
• Examples of the impermeable support include: film of cellophane, polyethylene, polypropylene, soft polyvinyl chloride, hard polyvinyl chloride, polyester or the like; resin-coated paper of which a base material such as paper is coated with polyolefin such as, for example, polyethylene, or polypropylene; synthetic paper prepared by drawing polypropylene so that voids are formed inside thereof; and sheets such as, for example, metal-foil paper.
• the support is suitably selected from the above-mentioned examples depending on a method for forming an ink-receiving layer or a glossy layer thereon or intended use thereof.
• synthetic paper or resin-coated paper is preferable in order to obtain an ink-jet recording sheet with a photograph-tone.
• synthetic paper prepared by extruding a polypropylene resin containing an inorganic pigment such as, for example, calcium carbonate, followed by subjecting to biaxial orientation, is preferably used, and synthetic paper with a skin layer free from roughness on the surface thereof is particularly preferable.
• the surface of the support may be roughened.
• the coating amount of the polyethylene layer be 3 to 50 g/m 2 , more preferably 5 to 30 g/m 2 . If the coating amount of the polyethylene layer is less than 3 g/m 2 , defects such as holes occurring in the polyethylene when coating the resin tend to occur, the control of thickness tends to be difficult, and smoothness tends not to be realized. On the other hand, if the coating amount exceeds 50 g/m 2 , exhibited effects are small in comparison with cost-increase, which is not economical.
• corona discharge treatment be provided on the surface of the resin layer, or an anchor coat layer be formed on the surface or the resin layer in order to enhance adhesive properties with respect to an ink-receiving layer.
• paper prepared using wood pulp as the main raw material thereof is preferably used as the paper base material.
• wood pulp various chemical pulp, mechanical pulp, regenerated pulp, or the like, may be suitably used.
• the beating degree of the pulp may be adjusted using a beater so as to adjust paper strength, smoothness, paper making suitability, or the like.
• the beating degree is not particularly limited, it is generally preferable that the beating degree be approximately within the range of 250 to 550 ml (CSF: JIS-P-8121).
• chlorine-free pulp such as so-called ECF pulp, TCF pulp, or the like, may be preferably used.
• a pigment may be formulated in the wood pulp, as needed.
• a talc, calcium carbonate, clay, kaolin, sintered kaolin, silica, zeolite, or the like may be preferably used.
• the formulated pigment contributes to increasing the opacity or smoothness.
• the formulation amount of the pigment with respect to the wood pulp be approximately 1 to 20% by mass.
• the color of the support may be modified using a fluorescent brightening agent such as a fluorescent dye, fluorescent pigment, or the like. Also, an antistatic layer may be formed on the support.
• the support may be transparent or opaque.
• the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is a liquid containing a crosslinking agent, viscosity modifier, and surfactant, and the viscosity thereof is 2 to 20 mPa ⁇ s.
• the viscosity of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid of the present aspect is measured at a liquid temperature of 23°C using a B-type viscometer BL-model, manufactured by TOKI SANGYO CO., LTD.
• the viscosity of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is 2 mPa ⁇ s or more, the occurrence of cissing of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid on the surface of the support is prevented, and a sufficient amount of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid can be uniformly applied. Also, even if hot-air drying is performed, the phenomenon in which the hot-air causes a ripple on the coating face is prevented, and thereby rapid-drying is realizable. On the other hand, if the viscosity of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is 20 mPa ⁇ s or less, a uniform crosslinking-agent-containing layer with a smoothness can be easily formed.
• the viscosity of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is more preferably 5 to 10 mPa ⁇ s.
• the same crosslinking agent formulated in the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid may be preferably used in the same concentration of that of the first aspect.
• the viscosity modifier is not particularly limited, provided that it can increase the viscosity of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid, and examples thereof include a gelatin, biogums, cellulose derivatives, guar gums, sodium alginates, polyacrylic acids, and the like.
• biogums examples include a xanthan gum, welan gum, glean gum, and the like.
• cellulose derivatives include a cationized cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, and the like.
• guar gums include a guar gum, hydroxypropylated guar gum, cationized guar gum, and the like.
• the viscosity modifier contain at least one selected from the group consisting of a gelatin, cationized cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose.
• the cellulose derivatives are preferable in that a favorable balance in which the viscosity of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is relatively high and the gelation strength thereof is relatively low is realized.
• the polymerization degree of the cellulose derivatives be 500 to 2,000, more preferably 800 to 1,800, in that the viscosity-control of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is relatively easy.
• the content of the viscosity modifier in the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is not particularly limited, provided that the viscosity of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is adjusted to be within the determined range.
• a small amount of a formulated viscosity modifier makes the viscosity of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid be within the determined range, fine-adjustment of the viscosity is difficult, and therefore such a case is not preferable.
• the viscosity modifier be formulated in an amount of 1 to 100 parts by mass, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the crosslinking agent.
• Formulation of the surfactant in the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid prevents the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid from being repelled on the surface of the impermeable support, and therefore makes it possible for the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid to be sufficiently coated, and realize the evenness of the coating face of the crosslinking-agent-containing layer even if the viscosity of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is increased by adding the viscosity modifier.
• the same surfactant exemplified in the above-mentioned first aspect may be preferably formulated in the same content as that of the first aspect.
• inorganic fine particles may be formulated in the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid, it is preferable that no inorganic fine particles be formulated, in a similar manner to that of the first aspect.
• crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid may suitably contain a solvent.
• the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid may be prepared by mixing a crosslinking-agent solution in which the crosslinking agent is dissolved in a solvent, a surfactant solution in which the surfactant is dissolved in a solvent, and a viscosity-modifier solution in which the viscosity modifier is dissolved in a solvent, for example.
• Examples of the solvent include water and water-based solvents in which a small amount of an organic solvent is formulated in water.
• the same apparatuses exemplified in the first aspect may be used.
• the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid be applied so that the coating amount of the crosslinking agent in solid basis is 0.1 to 3.0 g/m 2 , for the same reasons as those of the first aspect.
• a drying step in which the solvent in the coating-fluid is thoroughly removed is preferably performed. After the drying step, the resultant may be once wound up for storage.
• the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid may be applied on a layer of the applied crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid (crosslinking-agent-containing layer) without drying the layer.
• the water-soluble resin in the ink-receiving layer is crosslinked immediately after the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid is applied, and thereby a head of a die coater used as an apparatus for applying the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid may be blocked by crosslinked matter, as a result of which it may be difficult that application thereof is suitably performed.
• the drying method is not particularly limited, and drying with hot air, drying by irradiation of infrared rays, or the like may be adopted.
• the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid with a viscosity adjusted to the above-mentioned range is used in the present aspect, the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid on the support is hardly blown away by hot air at the time of drying with hot air, and phenomenon in which the hot-air causes a ripple on the coating face is prevented. Accordingly, intensification of the hot-air is possible to perform rapid-drying.
• the moisture retention of the crosslinking-agent-containing layer after drying is improved by adjusting the viscosity of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid to the above-mentioned range, and thereby crystallization of the borax during storing can be prevented.
• an ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid containing a water-soluble resin crosslinkable with the crosslinking agent and inorganic fine particles is applied on the crosslinking-agent-containing layer to form an ink-receiving layer in the second step.
• the same inorganic fine particles exemplified in the first aspect may be preferably used.
• the same water-soluble resin exemplified in the first aspect may be preferably used in the same content as that of the first aspect.
• the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid may contain other components described in the first aspect, provided that the objects of the present aspect are achieved.
• the favorable ink-absorptivity is realized, even if the ink-receiving layer is a monolayer, another ink-receiving layer may be further laminated thereon. Also, a glossy layer may be formed in the same way as that of the first aspect.
• the viscosity modifier is formulated in the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid applied on the support to adjust the viscosity thereof within the determined range, and also the surfactant is formulated therein, the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid is hardly repelled on the support or carried away, and the favorable coating properties can be realized. Accordingly, the crosslinking-agent-containing layer in which the coating amount of the crosslinking agent is great is uniformly formed by applying a great amount of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid on the impermeable support. Also, rapid drying is realizable by intensifying drying conditions.
• the crosslinking-agent-containing layer When the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid is applied on the crosslinking-agent-containing layer, the crosslinking-agent-containing layer is dissolved by the solvent contained in the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid, and the dissolved crosslinking agent is transferred into the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid. As a result, the water-soluble resin in the ink-receiving layer is crosslinked. Since the crosslinking-agent-containing layer contains a great amount of the crosslinking agent, the water-soluble resin can be sufficiently crosslinked and the sufficient strength of the ink-receiving layer can be provided, even if the ink-receiving layer is thick. Accordingly, the thick ink-receiving layer with a sufficient strength can be formed in accordance with the above-mentioned production process.
• the crosslinking-agent-containing layer is dissolved as described above when the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid is applied, the crosslinking-agent-containing layer is indistinguishably present in the obtained ink-jet recording sheet. That is, the ink-receiving layer is formed on the support in the ink-jet recording sheet prepared in accordance with this production process.
• a commercially available fumed silica (manufactured by TOKUYAMA Corp., under the trademark of REOLOSIL QS-30, with an average primary particle diameter of 10 nm and a specific surface area of 300 m 2 /g) was dispersed and pulverized in water using a sand mill and then pulverized and dispersed using a nanomizer (manufactured by Nanomizer Co., Ltd., under the trademark of NANOMIZER). These processes were combinationally repeated, and then the obtained dispersion liquid was classified to prepare a 10% silica dispersion liquid with an average secondary diameter of 80 nm.
• a needle-leaved tree bleached kraft pulp (NBKP) beaten to 250 ml CSF (JIS P-8121) and a broad-leaved tree bleached kraft pulp (LBKP) beaten to 250 ml CSF were mixed in a mass ratio of 2:8 to prepare a 0.5% pulp slurry.
• the pulp slurry with the above-mentioned components was made into paper using a Fourdrinier machine, passed through a drier, size-presser, and machine calendar to obtain a base paper with a basis weight of 180 g/m 2 and a density of 1.0 g/cm 3 .
• the size-pressing liquid used in the size-pressing step was a 5% solution prepared by mixing a carboxyl-modified polyvinyl alcohol and sodium chloride in a mass ratio of 2:1, followed by adding water to the mixture, and then heating to dissolve them.
• the size-pressing liquid was applied on both surfaces of the paper in the total amount of 25 ml/m 2 to obtain a support A (with an air-permeability of 300 seconds).
• Both surfaces of the support A were subjected to corona discharge treatment, and then the felt side of the support A was coated with a polyolefin resin composition 1 mixed and dispersed using a Banbury mixer, as described below, in a coating amount of 25 g/m 2 using a melt extruder equipped with a T-die (melting temperature: 320°C).
• the wire side of the support A was coated with a polyolefin resin composition 2 described below in a coating amount of 20 g/m 2 using the above-mentioned melt extruder.
• the felt side was cooled and fixed using a cooling roll with a specular surface, and the wire side was cooled and fixed using a cooling roll with a rough surface.
• a support B coated with resin of which the smoothness (Ohken-type, J. TAPPI No. 5) was 6,000 seconds and the opacity (JIS P 8138) was 93%, was obtained.
• a high-density polyethylene with a density of 0.954 g/cm 3 and a melt index of 20 g/ 10 minutes
• 35 parts of low-density polyethylene with a density of 0.919g/cm 3 and a melt index of 2 g/ 10 minutes
• the silica sol A 100 parts of the silica sol A and 24 parts of an aqueous solution containing 5% polyvinyl alcohol (manufactured by KURARAY CO., LTD., under the trade name of PVA-135H, with a polymerization degree of 3,500 and a saponification degree of 99% or more) were mixed to obtain an ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid A. Then, the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid A was applied on the crosslinking-agent-containing layer in a coating amount of 22 g/m 2 using a die coater, and then dried to form an ink-receiving layer. The total thickness of the ink-receiving layer was 37 ⁇ m.
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 1, except that the support A was used instead of the support B.
• the total thickness of the ink-receiving layer was 37 ⁇ m.
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 1, except that a commercially available polypropylene synthetic paper (manufactured by Yupo Corporation under the trademark of YUPO GWG-140) was used instead of the support B.
• the total thickness of the ink-receiving layer was 37 ⁇ m.
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 1, except that 100 parts of an aqueous solution containing 10% borax, the aqueous solution being heated at 60°C, was used instead of 100 parts of the aqueous solution containing 5% borax.
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 1, except that 170 parts of an aqueous solution containing 3% boric acid was used instead of 100 parts of the aqueous solution containing 5% borax.
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 1, except that an alumina sol A described below was used instead of the silica sol A.
• a high-purity alumina with an average particle diameter of approximately 3.0 ⁇ m (manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., under the trade name of AKP-G015, ⁇ -crystalline alumina, with a specific surface area of 150 m 2 /g) was dispersed using a sand mill. Then, the resultant was further dispersed using a high speed colliding type homogenizer, repeatedly dispersed using the sand mill and a liquid-colliding type homogenizer until the average particle diameter became 0.25 ⁇ m, and then a 10% aqueous dispersion thereof was prepared as the alumina sol A.
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a similar way to that of Example 1, except that a gelatin was applied in a coating amount of 0.3 g/m 2 on the felt-side resin-coating layer of the support B, and then a crosslinking-agent-containing layer was formed thereon.
• silica dispersion liquid 100 parts of cationic colloidal silica (manufactured by NISSAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD., under the trademark of Snowtex AK) and 3 parts of distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride were mixed and then diluted to prepare a 10% silica dispersion liquid. Then, this silica dispersion liquid was applied on the ink-receiving layer of the ink-jet recording sheet prepared in Example 1. While the applied face was in a wet state, the applied face was pressed against a mirrored drum finished by chrome-plating, the surface temperature thereof being 100°C, at a linear pressure of 2,000 N/cm to form a glossy layer, followed by drying using a drier to obtain an ink-jet recording sheet. The thickness of the glossy layer was 1 ⁇ m.
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 1, except that the coating amount of the crosslinking agent was changed to 0.3 g/m 2 .
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 1, except that the coating amount of the crosslinking agent was changed to 0.3 g/m 2 , and the coating amount of the ink-receiving layer was changed to 15 g/m 2 .
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 1, except that a crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid composed of an aqueous solution containing 5% borax, the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid being free from any acetylene glycol-based surfactants, was applied on the support B.
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 1, except that the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid was applied on the support B using a Mayer bar, and then, before the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid was dried, the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid was applied thereon in accordance with a wet-on-wet process, followed by drying the resultant.
• the inside-ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid B was applied in a coating amount of 10 g/m 2 in solid basis using a wire bar to form an inside ink-receiving layer. Then, on the inside ink-receiving layer, an aqueous solution containing 3% borax was applied in a wet coating amount of 15 g/m 2 , and then, before the applied face was dried, the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid A was applied thereon in a coating amount of 15 g/m 2 in solid basis using a wire bar, followed by drying to form an outside ink-receiving layer. Thus, an ink-jet recording sheet was formed. The total thickness of the ink-receiving layer formed on the support was 35 ⁇ m. The viscosity of the borax aqueous solution (crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid) was 1 mPa ⁇ s.
• aqueous solution containing 5% borax 20 parts of an aqueous solution containing 2% cationized cellulose (with a polymerization degree of 1,500) (manufactured by KAO CORPORATION under the trade name of POIZ C-154L), and 2 parts of an aqueous solution containing 0.1% acetylene glycol-based surfactant (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd., under the trademark of Olfin E1004) were mixed and stirred to prepare a crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid with a viscosity of 5 mPa ⁇ s.
• the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid was applied on the support B using a Mayer bar in an amount of 16 g/m 2 and then dried at a drying temperature of 100°C and a line rate of 50 m/min to form a crosslinking-agent-containing layer.
• the coating amount of the crosslinking agent was 0.7 g/m 2 in solid basis.
• the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid A was applied on the crosslinking-agent-containing layer using a die coater so that the coating amount thereof was 22 g/m 2 , and then dried to form an ink-receiving layer.
• the total thickness of the ink-receiving layer was 37 ⁇ m.
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 11, except that a commercially available polypropylene synthetic paper (manufactured by Yupo Corporation under the trademark of YUPO GWG-140) was used instead of the support B.
• the total thickness of the ink-receiving layer was 37 ⁇ m.
• the mass change of the polypropylene synthetic paper used as a support was 0.1 g or less.
• the polypropylene synthetic paper was an impermeable support.
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 11, except that 100 parts of an aqueous solution containing 10% borax heated at 60°C was used instead of 80 parts of the aqueous solution containing 5% borax.
• the viscosity of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid was 8 mPa ⁇ s.
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 11, except that 20 parts of an aqueous solution containing 2% hydroxyethyl cellulose (with a polymerization degree of 1,000) (manufactured by Sansho Co., Ltd., under the trade name of SANHECK H) was used instead of 20 parts of the aqueous solution containing 2% cationized cellulose.
• the viscosity of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid was 5 mPa ⁇ s.
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a similar way to that of Example 11, except that 20 parts of an aqueous solution containing 2% hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (with a polymerization degree of 1,500) (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., under the trade name of 60SH-15) was used instead of 20 parts of the aqueous solution containing 2% cationized cellulose.
• the viscosity of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid was 4 mPa ⁇ s.
• the aqueous solution containing 2% hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose was prepared as follows. Specifically, 2 parts of hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose was added to 98 parts of hot water heated at 90°C while stirring, and dispersed therein, followed by gradually cooling to prepare the aqueous solution containing 2% hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose.
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 11, except that 20 parts of an aqueous solution containing 2% carboxymethyl cellulose (with a polymerization degree of 1,000) (manufactured by DAI-ICHI KOGYO SEIYAKU CO., LTD., under the trademark of CELOGEN WSA) was used instead of 20 parts of the aqueous solution containing 2% cationized cellulose.
• the viscosity of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid was 6 mPa ⁇ s.
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 13 (where the aqueous solution containing 10% borax was used), except that 100 parts of an aqueous solution containing 10% gelatin (manufactured byMiyagi Chemical Industrial, CO., Ltd., under the trade name of Inert gelatin P-100) was used instead of 20 parts of the aqueous solution containing 2% cationized cellulose.
• the viscosity of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid was 10 mPa ⁇ s.
• the aqueous solution containing 10% gelatin was prepared as follows. Specifically, 10 parts of gelatin was added to cold water while stirring to disperse it, and then heated at 60°C followed by hold the resultant for an hour. Then, the resultant was cooled at 40°C to prepare the aqueous solution containing 10% gelatin.
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 11, except that 170 parts of an aqueous solution containing 3% boric acid was used instead of 80 parts of the aqueous solution containing 5% borax.
• the viscosity of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid was 3 mPa ⁇ s.
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 11, except that the alumina sol A was used instead of the silica sol A.
• Example 8 In a way similar to that of Example 8, a glossy layer was formed on the ink-receiving layer of the ink-jet recording sheet prepared in Example 11.
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 11, except that the coating amount of the crosslinking agent was changed to 0.3 g/m 2 .
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 11, except that the coating amount of the crosslinking agent was changed to 0.3 g/m 2 , and the coating amount of the ink-receiving layer was changed to 15 g/m 2 .
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 11, except that a crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid composed of an aqueous solution containing 5% borax, the coating-fluid being free from cationized cellulose and acetylene glycol-based surfactants, was applied on the support B.
• the viscosity of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid was 1 mPa ⁇ s.
• An ink-jet recording sheet was prepared in a way similar to that of Example 11, except that a 4% crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid composed of borax and cationized cellulose, the coating-fluid being free from acetylene glycol-based surfactants, was applied on the support B.
• the viscosity of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid was 5 mPa ⁇ s.
• cissing The degree of cissing in which the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid was repelled on the support (hereinafter, abbreviated as cissing) was visually evaluated.
• the surface-quality of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid applied on each support was visually evaluated.
• the die-coating suitability of the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid was visually evaluated at the time of application thereof.
• the degree of cracking in each ink-receiving layer was visually evaluated.
• the 75° surface glossiness of the ink-receiving layer in each ink-jet recording sheet was measured in accordance with a method described in JIS-P8142.
• Solid printing with a green color was performed using an ink-jet printer manufactured by Canon Inc., under the trade name of PIXUS iP4100 and the degree of ink-absorptivity at the solidly-printed portion was visually evaluated.
• ink cartridges BCI-7Bk, BCI-7C, BCI-7M, BCI-7Y, and BCI-3eBk, manufactured by Canon Inc., were used.
• Solid-printing with a black color was performed using an ink-jet printer manufactured by Canon Inc., under the trade name of PIXUS iP8600, and the print density at the solidly-printed portion was measured using a Greta Macbeth reflection densitometer (manufactured by Greta Macbeth under the trade name of RD-19I). Each value shown in the following table is an average of results obtained by repeatedly performing the measurement five times.
• ink cartridges BCI-7Bk, BCI-7C, BCI-7M, BCI-7Y, BCI-7PC, BCI-7PM, BCI-7R, and BCI-7G, manufactured by Canon Inc., were used.
• Each image solidly-printed with a black, cyan, magenta, yellow, red, green, or blue color was formed, and then water at 25°C was dropped on the image. After the image was air-dried, the degree of discoloration and color fading of the image was visually observed to evaluate the water resistance thereof.
• each process for producing an ink-jet recording sheet of Examples 1 to 10 in which each crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid containing the crosslinking agent and the surfactant was applied on the support and then dried, followed by applying each ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid thereon no cissing of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid on the support was recognized, and the ink-receiving-layer-formable coating-fluid exhibited excellent coating-suitability.
• each obtained ink-jet recording sheet was excellent in terms of the preventability of cracking, glossiness, ink-absorptivity, print density (image-quality), and water resistance. More specifically, the obtained ink-jet recording sheet exhibited the same performance as that of the ink-jet recording sheet prepared in accordance with the production process of Comparative Example 3 in which two-layered ink-receiving layer was formed, which requires time and labor.
• Example 11 Viscosity Cissing on coating face Surface quality of coating face Coating suitability Cracking 75° glossiness Ink absorptivity Print density Water resistance
• Example 12 5 mPa ⁇ s ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 63 ⁇ 2.55 ⁇
• Example 12 5 mPa ⁇ s ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 61 ⁇ 2.50 ⁇
• Example 13 8 mPa ⁇ s ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 62 ⁇ 2.55 ⁇
• Example 14 5 mPa ⁇ s ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 60 ⁇ 2.54 ⁇
• Example 15 4 mPa ⁇ s ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 64 ⁇ 2.53 ⁇
• Example 16 6 mPa ⁇ s ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 59 ⁇ 2.54 ⁇
• Example 17 10 mPa ⁇ s ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 50 ⁇ 2.49 ⁇
• Example 18 3 Viscosity Cissing on coating face Surface quality of coating face Coating suitability
• Example 13 and 17 revealed that the formulation of the gelatin as the viscosity modifier excellently contributed to the uniform application of the crosslinking-agent-containing coating-fluid, and the formulation of the cellulose derivative as the viscosity modifier excellently contributed to make the ink-receiving layer have preventability of cracking, glossiness, and printing-suitability.

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