JP2002129075A - Water-based ink and method for ink-jet recording - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a magenta ink excellent in color reproducibility and light resistance. SOLUTION: The magenta ink is characterized by blending magenta dyes essentially having structures represented by general formulas (A) and (B).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magenta ink suitable for use in an ink jet recording method for performing recording by attaching small ink droplets to a recording material, an ink set containing the magenta ink, and the magenta ink. Also, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for recording using the ink set, and a recorded matter recorded using the magenta ink or the ink set.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a color image is formed by using an ink jet recording method, at least a yellow ink, a magenta ink and a cyan ink are generally used.
These inks provide images that are vivid and have good color development, light fastness, excellent fastness such as water resistance, excellent storage stability, low clogging, etc. Performance is required. However, in the prior art, in particular, magenta ink is inferior in light fastness, and as a result, the image may be deteriorated. Among the dyes used in ink-jet inks, magenta has a low hue level that is suitable for obtaining a wide range of compound colors and a sharp hue, while a high hue level has a high hue level to produce a wide range of hue. There is a problem that it is insufficient or lacks sharpness.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a magenta ink which has good hue and sharpness, and is characterized by having excellent light resistance of a recorded article using the same.

[0004]

By mixing a dye A represented by the following general formula and a dye B represented by the following general formula as coloring agents, the magenta ink has good hue and sharpness. In addition, a recorded matter using the same exhibits excellent light fastness and can achieve the above object. The present inventors have completed the present invention based on such findings.

[0005]

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Embedded image That is, the magenta ink of the present invention contains at least a colorant,
In a magenta ink containing water and a water-soluble organic solvent, a dye A represented by the above general formula is used as the coloring agent.
And the dye B represented by the above general formula in a weight ratio of 10:
It is characterized in that it is contained at a ratio of 1-1: 10.

In the magenta ink of the present invention, the total content of the dye A and the dye B is 0.5 to 1% of the total weight of the ink.
0% by weight.

The magenta ink of the present invention is characterized in that the content of the water-soluble organic solvent is 3 to 50% by weight based on the total weight of the ink.

The magenta ink of the present invention is characterized in that the water-soluble organic solvent contains a lower alkyl glycol ether.

Further, the magenta ink of the present invention is characterized in that it contains an acetylene glycol-based nonionic surfactant.

Further, the magenta ink of the present invention is characterized in that it is an ink jet ink.

Further, an ink set according to the present invention includes any one of the above magenta inks.

A recording method according to the present invention is characterized in that recording is performed using the magenta ink or the ink set described above.

Further, according to the recording method of the present invention, the above-mentioned recording
It is characterized by being based on an ink jet recording method.

Further, a recording apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that it has means for recording using any of the above magenta inks or ink sets.

Further, the recorded matter of the present invention is characterized by being described by the above recording method.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The magenta ink of the present invention is characterized by containing the dyes represented by the above general formulas (A) and (B).

The magenta dye represented by the general formula (A) is characterized by having excellent light fastness. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, the following dyes.

[0018]

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Embedded image The magenta dye represented by the general formula (B) is characterized by having excellent sharpness. Further, it is also characterized in that there is little catalyst fading in a mixed color portion with another ink. Catalytic fading means that lightfastness in a mixed color portion with another ink is inferior to that of a single ink color.For example, compared to lightfastness in a magenta single color portion, in a mixed color portion such as a gray portion where ink other than magenta ink is also ejected. This is the case where the light resistance is extremely poor. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, the following dyes.

[0019]

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Embedded image The ink of the present invention containing at least one of these dyes shows superior performance with respect to the above-mentioned various properties as compared with conventionally known inks.

The content of the dyes (A) and (B) in the present invention is preferably in the range of 10: 1 to 1:10 by weight.
More preferably, it is in the range of 7: 3 to 3: 7. By controlling the content of the dyes (A) and (B) in the range of 10: 1 to 1:10 by weight, the performance of the dye (A) having excellent light resistance and the dye (B) having excellent color tone are improved. Performance and compatibility can be achieved.

The amount of the dye to be added is appropriately determined depending on the reliability and required characteristics of the ink.
A range of 0% by weight is preferred. That is, when the content is within this range, the reliability of the inkjet ink such as print density, clearness, ink clogging property, and ejection stability can be ensured. It is preferable to use two dyes in combination, but it is also possible to use them in combination with other direct dyes or acid dyes.

Next, in the present invention, it is preferable to use a mixture of water and a water-soluble organic solvent as a liquid medium for dissolving the above-mentioned dyes. The water is preferably not deionized water but general water containing various ions. As the water-soluble organic solvent, a low-volatile solvent is preferable from the viewpoint of suppressing clogging. For example, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether,
Glycol ethers such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, and dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether;
Ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2,6-
Polyhydric alcohols such as hexanetriol and glycerin, formamide, dimethylformamide, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, 1,3-dimethyl-
2-imidazolidinone, 2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-
Examples thereof include a nitrogen-containing solvent such as 2-pyrrolidone and a sulfur-containing solvent such as thiodiglycol and dimethyl sulfoxide. However, the present invention is not limited to these compounds, and may contain a plurality of types of water-soluble organic solvents. The content thereof is in the range of 3 to 50% by weight, and preferably in the range of 5 to 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the ink. If the content is less than 3% by weight,
This is because clogging at the nozzle tip is likely to occur, and if it exceeds 50% by weight, phenomena such as a decrease in dryness of a recorded image and a blur of the image to cause a decrease in print quality occur.

It is effective to contain the above-mentioned lower alkyl glycol ethers for the drying property and bleeding of the ink. Particularly preferred are diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether,
The content is desirably selected in the range of 3 to 30 wt%. If it is less than 3 wt%, little effect on drying properties and bleeding can be obtained, and if it is 30 wt% or more, bleeding will be rather large and the print quality will be degraded, so it is preferable to use within the described range.

In addition, with respect to the drying property and bleeding of the ink,
An acetylene glycol-based nonionic surfactant is also effective. Specifically, Olfin E1010, Olfin STG, Surfynol 104E (Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd.)
Products). The content is preferably in the range of 0.01 to 3% by weight based on the total weight of the ink. If the content is less than 0.01% by weight, sufficient drying properties cannot be obtained,
On the other hand, if it exceeds 3% by weight, bleeding occurs in the image and the image quality deteriorates, which is not preferable.

More preferably, a clear image without blurring can be obtained by using the acetylene glycol-based nonionic surfactant and a glycol ether in combination.

In addition to the above components, the ink of the present invention may further comprise a viscosity modifier such as sodium alginate or polyvinyl alcohol, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, water, etc. Additives such as pH adjusters such as hydroxides of alkali metals such as lithium oxide and pH buffers such as ammonium phosphate, and additives such as preservatives, rust inhibitors, antioxidants, fungicides and chelating agents. May be. The ink set of the present invention includes a cyan ink and a yellow ink in addition to the magenta ink, and may further include a black ink.

The recording method of the present invention is characterized by using the above-mentioned magenta ink of the present invention as an ink in the conventional recording method. That is, the recording method of the present invention is characterized in that the magenta ink of the present invention is used as an ink in a conventional ink jet recording method, a recording method using a writing instrument such as a pen, and other various printing methods. .

Further, the recording method of the present invention is a recording method for printing by attaching ink to a recording medium, and particularly, ink jet recording for ejecting ink droplets and attaching the droplets to the recording medium to perform printing. In the method, the ink set of the present invention is used.

A recording apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the above-described magenta ink according to the present invention is loaded in an ink container in a conventional recording apparatus. That is, the recording apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the above-described magenta ink of the present invention is loaded in an ink container in a conventional ink jet recording apparatus, a writing instrument such as a pen, and other various printing apparatuses.

Further, the recording apparatus of the present invention is a recording apparatus for performing printing by adhering ink to a recording medium, and particularly an ink jet recording apparatus for ejecting ink droplets and adhering the droplets to the recording medium to perform printing. An apparatus is provided with the ink set of the present invention.

The recorded matter of the present invention is a recorded matter recorded by the recording method of the present invention.

[0032]

Next, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples and comparative examples. The inks of Examples and Comparative Examples were mixed and dissolved at the compounding ratios shown in Table 1, and filtered under pressure with a membrane filter having a pore size of 1 μm to prepare inks of Examples and Comparative Examples. In addition, each component of the ink shown in the table indicates the weight% of each component based on the total amount of the ink, and the remaining amount is water.
In Examples 1 to 3, using the ink composition of the present invention,
In Comparative Examples 1 to 4, C.I. which are conventionally studied as magenta dyes in place of the composition of the present invention. I. Acid Re
d 52, C.I. I. Acid Red 249, C.I. I. A
The evaluation was performed using an ink composition containing only Cid Red 254 and M-1.

[0033]

[Table 1]

(Evaluation Test) The above Examples and Comparative Examples 1-4
Was filled in place of the magenta ink of the color cartridge for MJ-930C (manufactured by Seiko Epson), and printing was performed with an ink jet printer, MJ-930C (manufactured by Seiko Epson). The cyan ink and yellow ink of the black cartridge and the color cartridge used for MJ-930C were used as they were. Printing was performed using a photo print paper 2 (manufactured by Seiko Epson) as a recording medium. Tests 1 to 3 shown below were evaluated using the obtained samples, and the evaluation results are shown in Table 3.

<Test 1 (Saturation Test)> For each of the inks of Examples and Comparative Examples, solid printing (fill-in printing) was performed on the above-described recording medium, and the saturation c was measured with a Gretag densitometer (manufactured by Gretag Corporation). * Was measured. Saturation c * was obtained from the following equation (ii), and from the results, judgment was made based on the following evaluation criteria. The saturation c * is the CIE (Commission International del
irage) and adopted in JIS (that is, JIS Z 8729).

C * = [(a *) ² + (b *) ² ] ^1/2 (ii) (Evaluation criteria) A: When c * is 70 or more B: When 65 or more and 70 or less C: When it is 60 to 65

[0037]

[Table 2]

<Test 2 (Lightfastness test)> For each of the inks of Examples and Comparative Examples, a magenta and gray patch pattern was printed on the recording medium, and a Xenon weatherometer Ci5000 (manufactured by Atlas Electric Devices Co., Ltd.) ), A light fastness test was performed for 6 days, and the light fastness of a portion where the OD value of each of magenta and gray was closest to 1.0 was evaluated and measured using a Gretag densitometer (manufactured by Gretag). When printing a gray patch pattern, cyan ink other than magenta ink and MJ-930C ink were used as yellow ink. In addition, the color difference before and after the test ΔE *
ab was obtained from the following equation (i), and the result was determined based on the following evaluation criteria. Color difference ΔE * ab is CIE (Commission I
nternational del ・ clarirage)
(That is, JIS Z 8729).

ΔE * ab = [(ΔL *) ² + (Δa *) ² + (Δb *) ² ] ^1/2 (i) (Evaluation criteria) A: Color difference ΔE * is 20 or less In some cases B: more than 20 and less than 30 C: more than 30

[0040]

[Table 3]

As described above, the magenta ink of the present invention has good hue and sharpness, and has an effect that recorded articles using the same have excellent light fastness.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) C09B 67/22 B41J 3/04 101Y F-term (Reference) 2C056 EA04 EA13 FC02 2H086 BA01 BA52 BA53 BA57 BA59 BA62 4J039 BA29 BA39 BC06 BC09 BC13 BC15 BC19 BC33 BC40 BC50 BC52 BC54 BC59 BC65 BC69 BC74 BC79 BE12 BE22 CA03 EA15 EA35 GA24

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A magenta ink containing at least a colorant, water and a water-soluble organic solvent, wherein a weight ratio of a dye A represented by the following general formula to a dye B represented by the following general formula is used as the colorant. Magenta ink, wherein the magenta ink is contained in a ratio of 10: 1 to 1:10. Embedded image Embedded image 2. The magenta ink according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the dye A to the dye B is 7: 3 to 3: 7 by weight. 3. The magenta ink according to claim 1, wherein the total content of the dye A and the dye B is 0.5 to 10% by weight based on the total weight of the ink. 4. The magenta ink according to claim 1, wherein the content of the water-soluble organic solvent is 3 to 50% by weight based on the total weight of the ink. 5. The magenta ink according to claim 1, wherein said water-soluble organic solvent contains a lower alkyl glycol ether. 6. The lower alkyl glycol ether according to claim 1,
The magenta ink according to claim 5, wherein the magenta ink contains at least one selected from diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, and dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether. 7. The magenta ink according to claim 5, wherein the content of the lower alkyl glycol ether is 3 to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the ink. 8. The magenta ink according to claim 1, further comprising an acetylene glycol-based nonionic surfactant. 9. The magenta ink according to claim 8, wherein the content of the acetylene glycol-based nonionic surfactant is 0.01 to 3% by weight based on the total weight of the ink. 10. The magenta ink according to claim 1, which is an ink jet ink. 11. An ink set comprising the magenta ink according to claim 1. 12. A recording method using the magenta ink according to claim 1 or the ink set according to claim 11. 13. The recording method according to claim 12, wherein said recording is performed by an ink jet recording method. 14. A recording apparatus comprising means for recording using the magenta ink according to claim 1 or the ink set according to claim 11. 15. A recorded matter described by the recording method according to claim 12.