JP2001063202A - Method and device for ink recording - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the bleeding of inks on a recording medium and stably obtain a good image even at a high speed by quickly drying the inks on the recording medium in the case of feeding the inks and forming the image on the recording medium. SOLUTION: When an image is formed by feeding inks 1b, 1c, 1r and 1y containing a coloring matter and a vehicle from ink feed means 10b, 10c, 10r and 10y onto a recording medium 3, inks fed from the ink feed means onto the recording medium are mixed with a heating agent to generate heat by being brought into contact with the vehicle in the inks.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink recording method and an ink recording apparatus for supplying an ink onto a recording medium and forming an image using the ink on the recording medium. It is characterized in that a good image is stably formed even when the ink is dried quickly and an image is formed at a high speed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an ink recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer, ink is ejected from an ink ejection head onto a recording medium to form an image on the recording medium using ink.

Here, when the ink is ejected onto the recording medium and the ink is supplied to the recording medium as described above, it takes a certain time for the supplied ink to dry on the recording medium. Met.

Therefore, there is a problem that before the ink dries on the recording medium, the ink bleeds on the recording medium, and a phenomenon called bleeding or feathering occurs. Is formed, inks of different colors are mixed with each other to cause a phenomenon called color bleeding, or the ink supplied to the previous recording medium is dried before the ink supplied to the previous recording medium is dried. Next, the next recording medium is discharged, and the ink supplied to the previous recording medium comes into contact with the next recording medium, whereby the ink on the previous recording medium adheres to the back surface of the next recording medium, There has been such a problem that the ink supplied to the recording medium is rubbed by the next recording medium, and the image formed on the previous recording medium is disturbed.

Here, conventionally, in order to quickly dry the ink ejected on the recording medium, warm air or the like is blown onto the recording medium from which the ink has been ejected,
There is one in which a recording medium from which ink has been ejected is heated.

However, in order to blow warm air or the like onto the recording medium on which the ink has been ejected, or to heat the recording medium on which the ink has been ejected, a blower or a heating device is required. There has been a problem that the size of the ink recording apparatus is increased and the cost is high.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems in a case where an ink is supplied onto a recording medium such as paper to form an image using the ink on the recording medium. Things.

That is, according to the present invention, when the ink is supplied onto the recording medium to form an image with the ink on the recording medium as described above, the ink is quickly dried on the recording medium. Prevents the ink from bleeding on the recording medium.Especially, even when performing image formation at a high speed, a phenomenon called color bleeding occurs or the ink on the previous recording medium is applied to the back of the next recording medium. Attached or the ink supplied to the previous recording medium is rubbed by the next recording medium, and the image formed on the previous recording medium is not disturbed. It is an object of the present invention to be able to obtain it.

[0009]

In the ink recording method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, ink containing a color material and a vehicle is supplied from an ink supply unit onto a recording medium. In the ink recording method for forming an image by mixing the ink, the ink supplied from the ink supply unit to the recording medium is mixed with a heating agent which generates heat in contact with the vehicle of the ink.

In the ink recording apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problems, an ink containing a coloring material and a vehicle is supplied from an ink supply unit onto a recording medium to form an image. In the ink recording apparatus to be formed, the ink supplied from the ink supply means to the recording medium is mixed with a heating agent which generates heat in contact with the vehicle of the ink.

Then, as in the present invention, when the ink supplied from the ink supply means to the recording medium is mixed with a heating agent which generates heat in contact with the vehicle in the ink, the heating agent generates heat, and The ink supplied on the recording medium by heat is quickly dried.

For this reason, when an image is formed on a recording medium by supplying ink onto the recording medium, the ink is prevented from bleeding on the recording medium, and particularly, image formation is performed at high speed. Even in the case, a phenomenon called color bleeding occurs, ink on the previous recording medium adheres to the back surface of the next recording medium, ink supplied to the previous recording medium is rubbed by the next recording medium, The image formed on the previous recording medium is prevented from being disturbed.

In the present invention, when the ink supplied from the ink supply means to the recording medium and the heating agent which generates heat in contact with the vehicle in the ink, the ink is supplied from the ink supply means onto the recording medium. After the supply, the heating agent is supplied to the ink on the recording medium, or after the heating agent is supplied to the recording medium, the ink is supplied from the ink supply unit to the recording medium, Before the ink is supplied from the ink supply unit to the recording medium, a heating agent can be supplied to the ink.

The exothermic agent used in the present invention may be a solid such as powder or a liquid, but as described above, the ink is supplied from the ink supply means to the recording medium. Before supplying the exothermic agent to the recording medium, when using a solid exothermic agent such as powder,
This exothermic agent is scattered on the recording medium, and the formed image is disturbed when ink is supplied onto the recording medium to form an image. In the case of a solid exothermic agent such as powder, the exothermic agent is scattered on the recording medium. Since it is necessary to collect the exothermic agent that has not been used in the above, it is preferable to use a liquid exothermic agent as described in claim 2.

Further, in mixing the exothermic agent with the ink, it is preferable to mix the exothermic agent with the ink while heating the exothermic agent in order to speed up drying of the ink on the recording medium.

Here, the ink used in the present invention may be either water-based or oil-based ink. However, from the viewpoint of easy handling and environmental safety, the ink of the vehicle according to the present invention is preferably used. It is preferable to use an aqueous ink whose main component is an aqueous medium.

Here, when using an aqueous ink in which the main component of the vehicle is an aqueous medium as described above,
As the exothermic agent, various inorganic and organic compounds can be used. However, it is preferable to use an exothermic agent that does not exhibit color when mixed with ink.

When mixed with the ink, the color
As inorganic exothermic agents, for example, perchloric acid and
And its hydrate HClO_Four, HClO_Four・ H_TwoO, peroxide
Hydrogen H_TwoO_Two, Nitric acid HNO_Three, Sulfuric acid H_TwoSO_Four, Hydra
Jin N_TwoH_FourInorganic compounds that are liquid at room temperature, such as
Minium AlCl_Three, Aluminum sulfate Al_Two(S
O _Four)_Three, Ammonium aluminum sulfate NH_FourAl
(SO_Four)_Two, Zinc chloride ZnCl_Two, Zinc fluoride ZnF
_Two, Zinc sulfate ZnSO_Four, Zinc nitrate Zn (NO_Three)_Two,
ZnSeO_Four, Silver fluoride AgF, silver perchlorate ammonia
Complex Ag (NH_Three)_TwoClO_Four, Silver bromide AgBr, Li
OH, NaOH, KOH, RbOH, CsOH, LiO
H ・ H_TwoO, KOH ・ H_TwoO, NaOH ・ H_TwoO, Rb
OH ・ H_TwoO, CsOH ・ H_TwoO, KOH 3 / 2H_Two
Hydroxides and hydrates of alkali metals such as O,
Lithium LiCl, lithium bromide LiBr, lithium iodide
LiI, lithium nitrite LiNO_Two, Lithium nitrate L
iNO_Three, LiBr.H_TwoO, LiBr.2H_TwoO, L
iCl ・ H_TwoO, LiI ・ H_TwoO, LiI.2H_TwoO etc.
Lithium compound and hydrate thereof, sodium bromide Na
Sodium compounds such as Br and sodium iodide NaI;
Potassium fluoride KF, ammonium sulfite (NH_Four)_Two
SO_Three, Ammonium phosphate (NH_Four)_ThreePO_Four, Sc
Cl_Three, ScCl_Two, TiCl_Four, YCl_Three, HfCl
_Four, SnCl_Four, Phosphoric acid H_ThreePO_Four, H_FourP _TwoO₇, H
PO_Three, H_TwoSeO_Four, NH_FourInorganic solid at room temperature such as F
Compounds can be used. In addition, mix with ink
As an exothermic agent of an inorganic compound that is colored when
CdCl_Two, CdF_Two, CdSO_Four, CoCl_Two, Co
SO_Four, CuSO_Four, FeCl_Two, FeCl_Three, FeS
O_Four, FeBrCl_Two, FeBr_Two, FeBr_Three, Fe
I_Two, Fe_Two(SO_Four)_Three, MnCl_Two, MnSO_Four,
NiCl_Two, NiSO_Four, NiBr_Two, NiI_Two, Ni
(NO_Three)_Two, MnBr _Two, Mn (NO_Three)_Two, Cd
(NO_Three)_Two, CoBr_Two, CoF_Two, CoI_Two, Co
(NO_Three)_Two, CuCl_Two, Cu (NO_Three)_TwoUsing
Color, but when mixed with ink,
It is preferable to use the above.

Examples of the heat generating agent of an organic compound which does not produce a color when mixed with ink include methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, ethylenediamine, chloral CCl ₃ CHO, dimethyl sulfoxide and the like. Organic compounds that are liquid at room temperature and organic compounds that are solid at room temperature such as zinc formate, zinc acetate, potassium acetate, sodium acetate anhydride, lead acetate, dichloroacetic acid, and trichloroacetic acid can be used. In addition, as a heat generating agent of an organic compound that exhibits a color when mixed with ink, for example, cobalt (II) oxalate, nickel oxalate, and manganese oxalate can be used. It is preferable to use the above that does not color.

When the above-mentioned exothermic agent forms a salt, it is preferable to use an anhydrous salt rather than a hydrated salt in order to effectively utilize the heat generated when mixed with the vehicle in the ink for drying the ink. Is preferred.

As the ink whose main component of the above-mentioned vehicle is an aqueous medium, an ink in which a water-soluble dye is dissolved in an aqueous medium, an ink in which a pigment is dispersed in an aqueous medium, and the like can be used. Can, and as the above dyes and pigments,
Known ones generally used conventionally can be used.

Here, as the aqueous medium, water alone can be used, or a mixed solvent of water and an aqueous organic solvent can be used.

The above-mentioned aqueous organic solvent includes
In order to enhance the drying property of the ink and speed up the fixing of the ink to the recording medium, for example, aliphatic alcohols having 1 to 5 carbon atoms such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol are preferably used. And an aliphatic alcohol having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

As the coloring material to be added to the above-mentioned aqueous medium, known water-soluble dyes such as acidic dyes, direct dyes and reactive dyes, oil-soluble dyes and pigments which have been generally used can be used. Can be.

Here, as the above-mentioned dye, for example,
C. I. Acid Yellow 17, 23, 42, 44, 7
9, 142; I. Acid Red 1,8,13,1
4,18,26,27,35,37,42,52,8
7, 89, 92, 97, 106, 111, 114, 11
5,186,249,254,289; I. Acid blue 9, 29, 45, 92, 249; I. Acid Black 1, 2, 7, 24, 26, 94; C.I. I.
Direct Yellow 1,12,24,26,33,4
4, 50, 86, 120, 132, 142, 144;
C. I. Direct Red 1,4,9,13,17,2
0, 28, 31, 39, 80, 81, 83, 89, 22
5,227; C.I. I. Direct Blue 1, 2, 6, 1
5,22,25,71,76,79,86,87,9
0, 98, 163, 165, 199, 202; I.
Direct Black 19, 22, 32, 38, 51, 5
6,71,74,75,77,154,168,17
1; I. Basic Yellow 1, 2, 11, 13,
14, 15, 19, 21, 23, 24, 25, 28, 2
9, 32, 36, 40, 41, 45, 49, 53, 6
3,64,65,67,70,73,77,87,9
1; I. Basic Red 2,12,13,14,
15, 18, 22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 35, 3
6,38,39,46,49,51,52,68,7
0, 73, 78, 82, 102, 104, 109, 11
2; I. Basic Blue 1,3,5,7,9,2
1,22,26,35,41,45,47,54,6
2,65,66,67,69,75,77,89,9
2,93,105,117,120,122,124,
129, 137, 141, 155; I. Basic black 2, 8; I. Reactive Yellow 1,
5,11,13,14,20,21,22,25,4
0, 47, 51, 55, 65, 67; I. Reactive Red 1,14,17,25,26,32,37,
44, 46, 55, 60, 66, 74, 79, 96, 9
7; I. Reactive Blue 1,2,7,14,1
5,23,32,35,38,41,63,80,9
5; I. Reactive Black 3,4,7,11,
12, 17 etc. can be used.

Examples of the above pigments include carbon black, insoluble azo pigments, soluble azo pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, isoindolinone high-grade pigments, quinacridone red ear class pigments, dioxane violet, and perinone / perylene high pigments. Organic pigments can be used.
Further, as a coloring material classified into this pigment, a so-called dyeing lake in which a dye is dyed on an extender can be used.

The above-mentioned carbon black is, for example, N black which is a carbon black manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation.
o. 2300, no. 900, MCF88, No. Three
3, No. 40, no. 45, no. 52, MA7, M
A8, $ 2200B, Columbia Carbon Rav
en1255, Raven 1060, Regal 330R, Regal 660R, Mog manufactured by Cabot Corporation
ul L, Color Blac manufactured by DEGUSSA
k FW18, Printex 35, Printex
U or the like can be used, and those obtained by subjecting the surface of these carbon blacks to oxidation treatment or plasma treatment can also be used.

It is also possible to use coloring material fine particles in which the dye is made water-insoluble by binding a dye to the surface of the organic fine particles having a core / shell structure.

With respect to the amount of the coloring material to be added to the aqueous medium, if the amount is too small, the ink will not be given a sufficient color, while if the amount is too large, the dye will be insufficient. In general, it is preferable to add these dyes and pigments in the range of 0.1 to 5% by weight, since they are not dissolved in the dye or the pigment cannot be sufficiently dispersed.

In the ink used in the present invention, in order to improve the properties of the ink, a viscosity modifier, a surface tension regulator, a pH regulator, a humectant, a chelating agent, a penetrant, a fungicide, a quick drying agent, It is preferable to add an agent, a stabilizer, a fixing agent and the like.

Here, the viscosity adjusting agent is used for adjusting the viscosity of the ink to improve the ejection property of the ink and for adjusting the permeability of the ink into a recording medium such as plain paper. Polyalkylene glycols such as glycol and polypropylene glycol can be used, and polyethylene glycol is particularly preferable. When the viscosity modifier is added to the ink, the amount of the viscosity modifier is 0 to 10% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 8% by weight, more preferably 1 to 10% by weight.
It should be in the range of 5% by weight.

The surface tension adjusting agent is used for adjusting the surface tension of the ink to improve the ejection property of the ink and for adjusting the permeability of the ink to the recording medium. Agents, various surfactants such as silicon-based, fluorine-based, and acetylene-based surfactants, and anionic and cationic surfactants can be used. Preferably, nonionic surfactants are used.
When the surface tension adjuster is added to the ink, the amount of addition is in the range of 0.1 to 5% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 3% by weight, more preferably 0.2 to 1% by weight. To be.

Also, the pH adjuster adjusts the pH of the ink to an appropriate value.
The dispersion stability of the pigment is maintained by changing the pH.
It is used to suppress the decrease, for example, NaH
CO _Three, Na_TwoB_FourO₇, Na_TwoCO_Three, KHCO_Three,
K_TwoCO_Three, NaOH, CH _ThreeCOONa, N (CH_Two
CH_TwoOH)_ThreeEtc., and particularly, NaHC
O_ThreeIt is preferable to use And such pH
When adding a modifier to the ink, the amount
Is 0.1-1% by weight, preferably 0.1-0.5% by weight
%, More preferably in the range of 0.2-0.5% by weight
To do.

The humectant is used to prevent the concentration, viscosity, etc. of the ink from changing due to the evaporation of water, which is a main component of the aqueous medium, and to prevent the ejection stability of the ink from deteriorating. 1,2-ethanediol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, , 5-pentanediol, 1,7-heptanediol, 2-methyl-
2,4-pentanediol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, glycerin, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol 200, dipropylene glycol, 2,2′-thiodiethanol, 1,2,2 Alkylene glycols such as 6-hexanetriol; 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 1,2-diethoxyethane, 1,2-
Dibutoxyethane, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, diethylene glycol dibutyl ether, 2-methoxyethanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, 2- (methoxymethoxy) ethanol, 2-butoxyethanol, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether , Triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monoethyl ether, 1-
Use of lower alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols such as methoxy-2-propanol, 1-ethoxy-2-propanol, dipropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, and tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether. In particular, it is preferable to use diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, glycerin and the like. When such a humectant is added to the ink, the added amount is 1 to 10% by weight,
It is preferably in the range of 3 to 10% by weight, more preferably 5 to 8% by weight.

The chelating agent is used to trap metal ions present in the ink and to prevent the loss of dispersion stability of carbon black due to the metal ions. , Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, sodium nitrile triacetate, sodium hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetate, sodium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate, sodium uramil diacetate, and the like. When such a chelating agent is added to the ink, the added amount is 0.1 to 1% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 0.5% by weight, more preferably 0.2 to 0.5% by weight.
% By weight.

The penetrating agent is used to enhance the permeability of the ink into the recording medium. Examples of the penetrating agent include lower alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols such as diethylene glycol monobutyl ether and triethylene glycol monobutyl ether. , Nonionic, anionic,
Various surfactants such as cationic and fluorine-based surfactants can be used.

Here, examples of the nonionic surfactant include polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ethers,
Polyoxyethylene alkyl esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl sorbitan esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl amines, glycerin fatty acid esters,
Sorbitan fatty acid esters, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, and the like can be used.

Examples of the above-mentioned anionic surfactant include alkyl sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether acetates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, N-acyl amino acid salts, and alkyl sulfo succinates. Acid salts, alkyl phosphates and the like can be used.

As the cationic surfactant, quaternary amines such as benzalkonium salts can be used.

The above-mentioned fluorine-based surfactants include, for example, perfluoroalkyl phosphates,
Perfluoroalkyl carboxylate, perfluoroalkyl betaine and the like can be used.

In particular, the above-mentioned penetrant has a great effect of enhancing the permeability of the ink to the recording medium, such as diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monophenyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, and fluorine-based surfactant. It is preferred to use agents.

When such a penetrant is added to the ink, the amount added is 1 to 10% by weight, preferably 3 to 10% by weight, more preferably 4 to 8% by weight.
Range.

The antifungal agent is used to prevent the occurrence of mold and the like in the ink. For example, imidazole-based agents such as thiabenzol (manufactured by Merck) and Melgar (manufactured by Hoechst) are used. Or isothiazoline-based ones such as Proxel (manufactured by Zeneca) and Amorden (manufactured by Daiwa Chemical Industry), Preventol series (manufactured by Bayer), sodium omazine, dioxin, sodium dihydroacetate, water glass, etc. be able to. When the antifungal agent is added to the ink, the amount of the antifungal agent is 0.01 to 0.5% by weight, preferably 0.05 to 0.4% by weight, and more preferably 0.1 to 0% by weight. To be in the range of 4% by weight.

The quick-drying agent is used to prevent the ink from drying or penetrating quickly after the ink has adhered to the recording medium, and to prevent the ink from adhering to another recording medium and becoming dirty. For example, lower alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, and 2-butanol are used.

The stabilizer is used to prevent the dispersion stability of the pigment from decreasing in an aqueous medium. Examples thereof include alcohol amines such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine; 2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone,
Cyclic amide compounds such as 1,3-dimethylimidazolidinone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, sulfolane, dimethyl sulfoxide, ε-caprolactam; imide compounds such as succinimide; formamide;
Sorbit, 1,3-bis (β-hydroxyethyl) urea and the like are used, and preferably triethanolamine is used. When such a stabilizer is added to the ink, the amount of the stabilizer is 0.1 to 1% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 0.5% by weight, more preferably 0.2 to 0.5% by weight. % Range.

The fixing agent improves the fixing property of the ink to the recording medium. Examples of the fixing agent include water-soluble polyesters, polyurethanes, polyamides, polyimides, polyacryls, and polyvinyl alcohols. Preferably, poly (meth) acrylates are used. When the fixing agent is added to the ink, the amount of the fixing agent is 0.1 to 1
It should be in the range of 5% by weight, preferably 1-10% by weight, more preferably 4-8% by weight.

[0047]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an ink recording apparatus and an ink recording method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1) In this embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 1, in order from the tip side in the moving direction of the head,
Blue ink ejection head 10 for ejecting blue ink 1c
c, a red ink ejection head 10r for ejecting red ink 1r, a yellow ink ejection head 10y for ejecting yellow ink 1y, and a black ink ejection head 10b for ejecting black ink 1b, and these ink ejection heads 10c, 10r, After 10y and 10b, there is provided an ejection head 20 for ejecting the heat generating agent 2 which generates heat in contact with the vehicle in the ink.

The ink ejection heads 10
The necessary inks 1c, 1r, 1y, and 1b are sequentially recorded from the ink ejection heads 10c, 10r, 10y, and 10b so as to correspond to the image to be formed by moving the c, 10r, 10y, and 10b and the ejection head 20. The ink 1c, 1
The exothermic agent 2 is discharged from the discharge head 20 to the portion where r, 1y, and 1b are discharged.

The necessary inks 1c, 1r, 1
The ejection head 2 is attached to the portion of the recording medium 3 where the y and 1b have been ejected.
When the heating agent 2 is discharged from 0, the heating agent 2 is mixed with the vehicle of the ink to generate heat, and the heat of the heating agent 2 causes the inks 1c, 1r, and 1c supplied to the recording medium 3 to be heated.
1y and 1b are quickly dried on the recording medium 3 to prevent the inks 1c, 1r, 1y and 1b from bleeding on the recording medium 3, and even when an image is formed at high speed, the color A phenomenon called bleeding occurs, or the inks 1c, 1r, 1
This prevents y and 1b from adhering to the back surface of the next recording medium 3 and disturbing the image formed on the previous recording medium 3.

(Embodiment 2) In this embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 2, a discharge head 20 for discharging a heating agent 2 that generates heat by mixing with a vehicle in the ink is provided at the front end side in the moving direction of the head.
, A black ink ejection head 10b for ejecting the black ink 1b, a yellow ink ejection head 10y for ejecting the yellow ink 1y, a red ink ejection head 10r for ejecting the red ink 1r, and a blue ink ejection head for ejecting the blue ink 1c. 10c is provided.

Then, the ejection head 20 and the ink ejection heads 10b, 10y, 10r, and 10c are moved,
The heating agent 2 is applied to the recording medium 3 from the ejection head 20.
Are ejected, and the ink ejection heads 10b, 10y, and 10 are applied to the portion of the recording medium 3 from which the exothermic agent 2 is ejected in such a manner as to correspond to the image to be formed.
required inks 1b, 1y, 1r,
1c is discharged.

Then, necessary inks 1b and 1b are applied to the portion of the recording medium 3 from which the exothermic agent 2 is discharged.
When 1y, 1r, and 1c are ejected, the above-mentioned exothermic agent 2 ejected earlier is mixed with a vehicle of ink to generate heat, and the heat of the exothermic agent 2 causes the inks 1b, 1y, and 1c supplied to the recording medium 3 to be heated. 1r and 1c are quickly dried on the recording medium 3 to prevent the inks 1b, 1y, 1r and 1c from bleeding on the recording medium 3 and to perform color printing even when an image is formed at a high speed. A phenomenon called bleeding occurs, or the ink 1
This prevents b, 1y, 1r, and 1c from adhering to the back surface of the next recording medium 3 and disturbing the image formed on the previous recording medium 3.

[0054]

Next, the ink recording apparatus and the ink recording method according to the present invention will be described with reference to specific examples. According to the embodiments of the present invention, the ink is quickly dried on the recording medium. The improvement of the print quality of the formed image will be clarified with reference to comparative examples.

(Examples 1 to 20 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2) In these Examples 1 to 20 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, aqueous inks of four colors of black, yellow, red and blue were used as inks. It was used.

Here, as the black ink, distilled water was used.
2.5% by weight, black dye (manufactured by Bayer: B / BK-S
P) was 4.6% by weight, diethylene glycol was 3.0% by weight, glycerin was 5.3% by weight, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether was 4.0% by weight, and a surfactant (Nippon Chemical Industries, Ltd .: Olfin E1010) ) Is 0.2
% By weight, 0.2% by weight of NaHCO _{3 as} a pH adjuster, 0.2% by weight of triethanolamine as a stabilizer
As a yellow ink, 82.5% by weight of distilled water and a yellow dye (manufactured by Bayer: B / CA-
Y): 2.5% by weight, diethylene glycol: 3.0% by weight, glycerin: 6.6% by weight, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether: 4.0% by weight, a surfactant (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industries: Olfin E1010) ) Is 1.0
% By weight, 0.2% by weight of NaHCO _{3 as} a pH adjuster, 0.2% by weight of triethanolamine as a stabilizer
As a red ink, distilled water was 82.5% by weight, a red dye (manufactured by BASF: F / R-F).
F3282) of 2.5% by weight, diethylene glycol of 3.0% by weight, glycerin of 7.4% by weight, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether of 4.0% by weight, and a surfactant (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd .: Olfin E1010) ) Is 0.2% by weight, and NaHCO _{3 as} a pH adjuster is 0.2% by weight.
% By weight, 0.2% by weight of a stabilizer, triethanolamine; 82.5% by weight of distilled water, a blue dye (manufactured by Bayer: B / C
Y-BG) is 3.0% by weight, diethylene glycol is 3.0% by weight, glycerin is 6.9% by weight, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether is 4.0% by weight, and a surfactant (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industries: Olfin E1010) was 0.2% by weight, and NaHCO _{3 as} a pH adjuster was 0.2% by weight.
%, And 0.2% by weight of triethanolamine as a stabilizer was used.

Then, heat is generated in contact with the vehicle in the ink.
As shown in Table 1 below, Example 1
In Examples 11 to 11, a powder exothermic agent was used.
NH _FourAl (SO_Four)_TwoIn Example 2, ZnCl
_TwoIn Example 3, CsOH was used. In Example 4, LiCl was used.
In Example 5, LiCl.H_TwoO in Example 6 and N in Example 6.
aI, KF in Example 7, and (NH_Four)
_TwoSO_ThreeIn Example 9, H_ThreePO_FourIn Example 10
Uses zinc formate, and in Example 11, sodium acetate is used.
And in Examples 12 to 20, the heat generation of the liquid
In Example 12, dichloroacetic acid was used in Example 12,
Then H_TwoO_TwoIn Example 14, H_TwoSO_FourThe example
15 for NH_TwoNH_TwoIn Example 16, trimethyl alcohol was used.
Mine, in Example 17 diethylamine, Example 18
In Example 19, ethylenediamine was used. In Example 19, chloral was used.
In Example 20, dimethyl sulfoxide was used.
I made it.

On the other hand, as shown in Table 1 below, Comparative Example 1
In Comparative Example 2, no exothermic agent was used.
In the above, NH ₄ Br, which is a heat absorbing agent that absorbs heat when mixed with a vehicle in the ink, is used.

As a recording medium, a commercially available recording paper (EP paper, manufactured by Minolta Co., Ltd.) was used.

In the first to twentieth examples, as described in the first embodiment, after each of the above-described inks is ejected from the ink ejection head onto the recording paper, the ink is ejected in this manner. Each of the above-mentioned exothermic agents was supplied from the ejection head to the portion thus formed.

On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, only the above-described ink was ejected from the ink ejection head to the recording paper. In Comparative Example 2, as described in Embodiment 1 described above, After the above ink is ejected from the ink ejection head to the recording paper, NH ₄ B as a heat absorbing agent is applied from the ejection head to a portion where the ink is ejected in this manner.
r was supplied.

Then, as shown in Examples 1 to 20 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, images were formed on the recording paper, and the formed images were evaluated for the ink drying property and print quality. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

Here, regarding the drying property of the ink, after printing a solid image on the recording paper as described above, this is allowed to stand, and when another blank recording paper is overlaid on this recording paper, The solid image was not transferred to the back side of another stacked white recording paper, and the standing time at which no stain was generated was measured. If the standing time was less than 10 seconds from the end of printing, 、 is printed. 1 from the end of
The case where the time is 0 second or longer is indicated by x.

Regarding the print quality, a straight line having a width of 3 dots is printed on the recording paper as described above, and TEP (Tangenti) indicating the rattling degree of the straight line is printed.
alEdge Profile) was examined using a dot analyzer DA-5000S (manufactured by Oji Scientific Instruments), and when TEP was less than 60 μm, ○, TEP was 60 μm.
m, less than 100 μm, TEP is 100 μm
The above cases are indicated by x. Note that TEP indicates the backlash of a straight line as the amount of displacement from the originally expected straight line, and indicates the standard deviation value.

[0065]

[Table 1]

As is apparent from the results, after the above-described ink was ejected from the ink ejection head onto the recording paper, the exothermic agent was supplied to the portion where the ink was ejected. In Comparative Example 1, the exothermic agent was not supplied to the portion where the ink was ejected,
In comparison with the comparative example 2 in which the heat absorbing agent NH ₄ Br is supplied to the portion where the ink is ejected, the ink ejected on the recording paper is dried more quickly on the recording paper and the ink is discharged. Straight backlash due to bleeding was also suppressed, and the print quality of the formed image was improved.

(Embodiments 21 to 30) Embodiment 21
30 to 30, the inks of Examples 1 to 2
0, and black, yellow, red,
Four blue water-based inks were used.

As a heat generating agent which generates heat upon contact with the vehicle in the ink, as shown in Table 2 below, Example 2
In Examples 1 to 29, the same exothermic liquid as that used in Examples 12 to 20 was used. In Example 21, dichloroacetic acid was used. In Example 22, H ₂ O ₂ was used.
3 for H ₂ SO ₄ , Example 24 for NH ₂ NH ₂ ,
In Example 25, trimethylamine, Example 26, diethylamine, Example 27, ethylenediamine,
In Example 28, chloral was used in Example 29, and dimethyl sulfoxide was used in Example 29. In Example 30, ZnCl ₂ which was the same powder exothermic agent as used in Example ₂ was used.

Here, in Examples 21 to 30, as described in Embodiment 2 above, after each of the exothermic agents is supplied from the discharge head to the recording paper, the recording paper is supplied to the recording paper. On the other hand, each of the above-described inks was ejected from an ink ejection head to form an image on recording paper.

In Examples 21 to 30, evaluations of the drying property and print quality of the ink in the formed images were performed in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 20 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

[0071]

[Table 2]

As is apparent from the results, after the respective exothermic agents are supplied onto the recording paper, the above-described ink is ejected from the ink ejection head to the portion to which the exothermic agents are supplied. In the case of No. 30, as in the case of Examples 1 to 20, the ink was quickly dried on the recording paper.

When the above-described ink is ejected from the ink ejection head to the portion where the exothermic agent is supplied after the exothermic agent is supplied onto the recording paper as described above, a powder exothermic agent is used. In Example 30, the ink was supplied onto the recording medium in which the exothermic agent was scattered, and the print quality of the formed image was lower than that of Examples 21 to 29 using the liquid exothermic agent. Decreased compared to.

[0074]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the ink supplied from the ink supply means to the recording medium and the heating agent which generates heat in contact with the vehicle in the ink are mixed. As a result, the exothermic agent generates heat, and the heat causes the ink supplied on the recording medium to be quickly dried.

As a result, when an image using ink is formed on a recording medium as in the present invention, the ink is prevented from bleeding on the recording medium, and a good image can be obtained. In particular, even when image formation is performed at high speed, a phenomenon called color bleeding occurs, ink on the previous recording medium adheres to the back surface of the next recording medium, or is supplied to the previous recording medium. This prevents the image formed on the previous recording medium from being disturbed by the rubbed ink by the next recording medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an ink recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view of an ink recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1b, 1y, 1r, 1c Ink 2 Heating agent 3 Recording medium 10c, 10r, 10y, 10b Ink discharge head (ink supply means) 20 Discharge head

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C056 FC01 HA42 2H086 BA02 BA53 BA59 4J039 BA10 BA12 BA14 BA15 BA17 BA18 BA19 BA29 BA31 BA32 BA37 BA38 BA39 BC05 BC06 BC07 BC08 BC16 BC19 BC34 BC38 BC54 BE01 BE03 BE04 BE06 BE07 BE12 CA03 EA10 EA44 EA47

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An ink recording method for forming an image by supplying an ink containing a coloring material and a vehicle from an ink supply unit onto a recording medium, wherein the ink supplied from the ink supply unit to the recording medium is provided. An ink recording method, comprising mixing a vehicle in the ink with a heating agent that generates heat in contact with the vehicle. 2. The ink recording method according to claim 1, wherein the exothermic agent that generates heat in contact with the vehicle in the ink is a liquid. 3. The ink recording method according to claim 1, wherein a main component of the vehicle is an aqueous medium. 4. An ink recording apparatus for forming an image by supplying an ink containing a color material and a vehicle from an ink supply means onto a recording medium, wherein the ink supplied from the ink supply means to the recording medium is provided. An ink recording apparatus, wherein a heating agent that generates heat in contact with a vehicle in the ink is mixed.