JP2004115553A - Cleaning liquid, method for cleaning, cleaning liquid set, cleaning liquid cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaning liquid readily recovering clogging even when the clogging is caused in an image-forming apparatus having a step of reacting two liquids on a recording medium and forming an image. <P>SOLUTION: The cleaning liquid is used for the image-forming apparatus having the step of reacting the two liquids in which at least a fine particle component is contained in either thereof and forming the image. The cleaning liquid contains a component for redispersing aggregate formed in the image-forming apparatus and containing the fine particles. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

（Ｒは分岐していても良い炭素数６〜１４の炭化水素鎖、ｋ：５〜２０）
【００５７】
【化４】

（ｍ、ｎ≦２０、０＜ｍ＋ｎ≦４０）
【００５８】
【化５】

（Ｒは分岐してもよい炭素数６〜１４の炭化水素鎖）
【００５９】
【化６】

（Ｒは炭素数６〜１４の炭化水素鎖、ｍ、ｎは２０以下の数）
【００６０】
前記式（Ｉ）〜（ＩＶ）の化合物以外では、例えばジエチレングリコールモノフェニルエーテル、エチレングリコールモノフェニルエーテル、エチレングリコールモノアリルエーテル、ジエチレングリコールモノフェニルエーテル、ジエチレングリコールモノブチルエーテル、プロピレングリコールモノブチルエーテル、テトラエチレングリコールクロロフェニルエーテル等の多価アルコールのアルキル及びアリールエーテル類、ポリオキシエチレンポリオキシプロピレンブロック共重合体等のノニオン系界面活性剤、フッ素系界面活性剤、エタノール、２−プロパノール等の低級アルコール類を用いることができるが、特にジエチレングリコールモノブチルエーテルが好ましい。
【００６１】
前記界面活性剤としては前記洗浄液に添加する場合、処理液ヘッドを洗浄する場合は含有する処理液中の微粒子や界面活性剤と同極性に帯電するものが望ましく、該微粒子として色材との凝集効果が高いカチオン性微粒子を採用した際、カチオン性界面活性剤が望ましい。同様にインクヘッドを洗浄する場合は、記録液中の色材や界面活性剤と同極性に帯電する界面活性剤が望ましい。すなわちアニオン性の色材を用いるときはアニオン性界面活性剤が望ましい。
【００６２】
具体例として例えば、カチオン性界面活性剤として第４級アンモニウム塩、ピリジニウム塩、イミダゾリン型化合物等のカチオン性界面活性剤を用いても良い。具体的には、ラウリルトリメチルアンモニウムクロライド、ラウリルジメチルベンジルアンモニウムクロライド、ベンジルトリブチルアンモニウムクロライド、塩化ベンザルコニウム、セチルピリジニウムクロライド、２−ヘプタデセニルヒドロキシエチルイミダゾリン等が挙げられる。
【００６３】
また、カチオン性界面活性剤として市販品のカチオンＧ５０（三洋化成（株）社製）等も使用することができる。
【００６４】
本発明の洗浄液は防腐防黴剤を含有することができる。防腐防黴剤を含有することによって、菌の繁殖を押さえることができ、保存安定性、画質安定性を高めることができる。防腐防黴剤としてはデヒドロ酢酸ナトリウム、ソルビン酸ナトリウム、２−ピリジンチオール−１−オキサイドナトリウム、イソチアゾリン系化合物、安息香酸ナトリウム、ペンタクロロフェノールナトリウム等が使用できる。
また、市販品の防腐防黴剤としてＰＲＯＸＥＬＬＶ（Ｓ）〔アビシア（株）社製；（主成分：１，２−ベンゾチアゾリン−３−オン／水酸化ナトリウム）〕を使用することもできる。
【００６５】
その他機能向上のため、必要に応じて洗浄液には粘度調整剤、ｐＨ調整剤、防腐剤、防カビ剤、酸化剤、還元剤、防錆剤、酸化防止剤などを含有することができる。
【００６６】
本発明の洗浄方法について説明する。本発明の洗浄方法においては、前述した洗浄液が用いられる。該洗浄液は凝集物の再分散をする機能を持つため、これを用いる洗浄方法は効果が高く、微粒子を含む凝集物が原因の目詰まりを容易に回復することができる。
【００６７】
本発明の洗浄方法においては、二液を記録媒体上で反応させる画像記録方法に用いられる洗浄液で二液の吐出面を洗浄するとき、各々の吐出する液体組成物の組成に対応して用いる必要がある。又、二液を記録媒体上で反応させる画像記録方法に用いられる洗浄液は二液が逆の極性を持つとき、それぞれの液体組成物の吐出面に合わせて使い分けられる２種類以上の洗浄液からなる洗浄液セットであることが望ましい。使い分け方としてはアニオン性成分を含有する液体組成物を吐出するノズルヘッドにはノニオン性又はアニオン性の成分を含有する洗浄液が望ましく、カチオン性成分を含有する液体組成分を吐出するノズルヘッドにはノニオン性又はカチオン性の成分を含有する洗浄液が望ましい。
【００６８】
即ち、凝集物がカチオン性微粒子とアニオン性微粒子で構成されるとき、凝集物を構成する微粒子の割合としてカチオン性微粒子過多ならば酸をふくむ洗浄液で、アニオン性微粒子過多ならば塩基をふくむ洗浄液で再分散を行うと再分散が容易である。ここではアニオン性成分過多の状態とは混合物のｐＨが等電点となるｐＨよりも十分に塩基性よりになっている状態を示す。逆にカチオン性成分過多の状態とは混合物のｐＨが混合物の等電点となるｐＨよりも十分に酸性よりになっている状態を示す。凝集しているカチオン性の微粒子とアニオン性の微粒子の割合が偏っている場合、電気的中性となる点を超えてｐＨを変化させると電気的中性となる点付近で凝集がさらに進み、より大きな凝集物が生じるため逆効果になる事がある。
【００６９】
凝集物の微粒子成分がカチオン性微粒子のみ、又はアニオン性微粒子のみのときはそれぞれ酸を含有した洗浄液、塩基を含有した洗浄液で洗浄することが有効である。
したがって酸、もしくは塩基を含有した洗浄液は洗浄する対象である微粒子の状態を考慮して使い分ける必要がある。具体的には処理液を吐出するインクジェット記録ヘッドに記録液が付着したときは処理液に含まれる微粒子が過多になり、逆に記録液を吐出するインクジェット記録ヘッドに処理液が付着した場合は記録液に含まれる微粒子が過多になると考えられる。
【００７０】
凝集物が付着しているのがカチオンを含有する液体組成物を吐出するヘッドかアニオンを含有する液体組成物を吐出するヘッドかという凝集物の付着している場所の条件は重要である。同じ２液による凝集物でもカチオンを含有する液体組成物を吐出するヘッドにできた凝集物は処理液に含有される微粒子の等電点よりもｐＨは酸性よりになり酸を含有する洗浄液の方が洗浄が容易で、アニオンを含有する液体組成物を吐出するヘッドにできた凝集物は処理液に含有される微粒子の等電点よりもｐＨが塩基性よりになり、塩基を含有する洗浄液の方が洗浄が容易になる。それぞれの条件下での凝集物の模式図を図１、図２に示す。
【００７１】
また、インクヘッドから吐出する液体組成物の各々のｐＨや極性を考慮して、液体組成物に対し中和反応を起こしたり、逆極性の含有物を含まない洗浄液を選択的に使い分けることは、二液を記録媒体上で反応させる画像形成方法において、二液のうち一方に微粒子が含まれる場合に限らず有効である。
【００７２】
本発明の洗浄方法は、二液を記録媒体上で反応させる画像記録方法に前記洗浄液を用いる方法であり、２液の吐出面を一方が酸性又は中性の洗浄液で、もう一方をアルカリ性又は中性の洗浄液で洗浄することが好ましい。即ち、二液が酸性の液体組成物と塩基性の液体組成物の組み合わせならば、酸性の液体組成物を吐出するノズルヘッドに対しては酸性または中性の洗浄液を、塩基性の液体組成物を吐出するノズルヘッドに対しては塩基性または中性の洗浄液を用いることで、吐出される液体組成物が凝集したり増粘したりしてノズルヘッドの目詰まりを悪化させること無く、目詰まりを回復することができる。
【００７３】
又、２液の吐出面を一方が少なくともカチオン性成分又はノニオン成分を含有する洗浄液で、もう一方をアニオン性成分又はノニオン成分を含有する洗浄液で洗浄することが好ましい。即ち、二液がカチオン性の成分を含有する液体組成物とアニオン性の成分を含有する液体組成物の組み合わせならば、カチオン性の成分を含有する液体組成物を吐出するノズルヘッドに対してはカチオン性またはノニオン性の成分を含有する洗浄液で、アニオン性成分を含有する液体組成物を吐出するノズルヘッドに対してはアニオン性またはノニオン性の成分を含有する洗浄液を用いることで吐出される液体組成物が凝集したり増粘したりしてノズルヘッドの目詰まりを悪化させること無く目詰まりを回復することができる。
【００７４】
又、二液のいずれか一方に少なくとも成分として微粒子が含まれている場合であっても、同様にノズルヘッドが吐出する液体組成物の条件に合う物を使い分けて用いると効果的に洗浄することができる。
【００７５】
次に、本発明の洗浄液セットについて説明する。本発明の洗浄液セットは、二液を記録媒体上で反応させて画像を記録する装置に対して前記洗浄方法を行なうにあたって、二液の構成に対応し構成を有する二種類以上の洗浄液からなる洗浄液セットである。
【００７６】
該洗浄液セットの一は、二液を記録媒体上で反応させる画像記録方法に用いられる洗浄液であり、二液のうちカチオン成分を含む液体組成物を吐出するノズル面を酸性の洗浄液で洗浄し、アニオン成分を含む液体組成物を吐出するノズル面をアルカリ性の洗浄液で洗浄することに使用されるものである。洗浄液セットの他の一は、二液のうちカチオン成分を含む液体組成物を吐出するノズル面を中性の洗浄液で洗浄し、アニオン成分を含む液体組成物を吐出するノズル面をアルカリ性の洗浄液で洗浄することに使用されるものである。洗浄液セットの他の一は、二液のうちカチオン成分を含む液体組成物を吐出するノズル面を酸性の洗浄液で洗浄し、アニオン成分を含む液体組成物を吐出するノズル面を中性の洗浄液で洗浄することに使用されるものである。洗浄液セットの他の一は、二液のうちカチオン成分を含む液体組成物を吐出するノズル面をカチオン成分含有洗浄液で洗浄し、アニオン成分を含む液体組成物を吐出するノズル面をアニオン成分含有洗浄液で洗浄することに使用されるものである。洗浄液セットの他の一は、二液のうちカチオン成分を含む液体組成物を吐出するノズル面をノニオン成分含有洗浄液で洗浄し、アニオン成分を含む液体組成物を吐出するノズル面をアニオン成分含有洗浄液で洗浄することに使用されるものである。洗浄液セットの他の一は、二液のうちカチオン成分を含む液体組成物を吐出するノズル面をカチオン成分含有洗浄液で洗浄し、アニオン成分を含む液体組成物を吐出するノズル面をノニオン成分含有洗浄液で洗浄することに使用されるものである。洗浄液セットの他の一は、二液の成分のいずれか一方に少なくとも微粒子が含まれる場合に使用されるものである。
【００７７】
本発明の洗浄液セットは、次の基準で適宜選択して用いることが好ましい。
カチオン性の成分を含有する液体組成物の吐出面にできた凝集物を洗浄するとき、洗浄液は酸性であることが望ましく、中性であってもよい。また洗浄液にカチオン性成分、特にカチオン性界面活性剤を含有することが望ましいがノニオン成分を含有することもできる。アニオン成分を含有する液体組成物の吐出面にできた凝集物を洗浄するとき、洗浄液はアルカリ性が好ましく、中性であってもよい。アニオン性成分、特にアニオン性界面活性剤を含有することが望ましいが、ノニオン性の成分を含有することもできる。
したがって、二液がカチオン性とアニオン性の逆極性の成分を含有している場合、酸性−塩基性、酸性−中性、中性−塩基性の洗浄液セットの組み合わせにすることで凝集物の目詰まりを回復することができる。また、カチオン性−アニオン性、カチオン性−ノニオン性、ノニオン性−アニオン性の成分を含有する洗浄液セットの組み合わせにすることで凝集物の目詰まりを回復することができる。
【００７８】
本発明の洗浄液カートリッジは、前記洗浄液が充填されたものである。洗浄液はカートリッジに充填されているので、装置に容易に取り付けることができる。また、インクカートリッジの互換カートリッジを用いることにより、インクカートリッジと交換してすることでノズルヘッドの内部から洗浄することが可能になる。
【００７９】
本発明の洗浄液カートリッジの外観図の一例を図４、にその断面図を図５に示本発明の洗浄ユニットは、前記洗浄方法を行なう機能を有し、前記洗浄液セットを用いるものである。かかる洗浄ユニットは、従来存在しなかったものである。該洗浄ユニットを用いると、記録媒体上で反応させて画像を形成する画像記録装置において、ノズルヘッドに凝集物が生じても洗浄により目詰まりを回復できる。
【００８０】
本発明の洗浄方法の対象となる洗浄ユニットについて、その一例を図３を用いて説明する。ただし本発明は図３に示す装置図によって限定されない。
凝集物が紙詰まり等などを原因として処理液用吐出部４に生じた場合、処理液用洗浄液カートリッジ２２に充填された処理液用洗浄液で処理液要吐出部４を外部から洗浄する。また処理液カートリッジ２を処理液用洗浄液カートリッジ２４と交換することにより、流路に残った液を置換して処理液吐出部を内部から洗浄することも有効である。処理液用洗浄カートリッジ２２と２４は同じ物でも異なるものでも良い。概処理液用洗浄液は処理液がカチオン性成分を含有している場合、アニオン性の成分を含まない酸性、又は中性の洗浄液が望ましい。同様に凝集物が記録液用吐出部５に生じた場合、記録液用洗浄液カートリッジ２３に充填された記録液用洗浄液で洗浄する。また、記録液カートリッジ３を記録液用洗浄液カートリッジ２５と交換して流路に残った液を置換して流路内部から洗浄することも有効である。記録液用洗浄カートリッジ２３と２５は同じ物でも異なるものでも良い。概記録液用洗浄液は記録液がアニオン性の成分を含有する場合、カチオン性の成分を含まないアルカリ性又は中性の洗浄液が望ましい。このように吐出する液体組成物にあわせて同極又はノニオン性の成分を含有する洗浄液で洗浄する。
【００８１】
また、洗浄により生じた廃液はノズルキャップ１２から廃液流路１６、１８を通して廃液タンク１３、１４に貯める。このとき処理液吐出部を洗浄した廃液と記録液吐出部を洗浄した廃液は混合により凝集物を新たに生じさせて廃液流路１６、１８を詰まらせないように、別々の経路で廃液タンクに導くことが望ましい。また廃液も凝集物を生じてフォーム体の吸収性を下げたりしない用に別々の廃液タンク１３、１４に吸収させると良い。
【００８２】
また、インクジェット記録ヘッドを外部から洗浄する洗浄方法と内部から洗浄する方法に用いられる処理液洗浄用洗浄液カートリッジと記録液洗浄用洗浄液カートリッジに充填された洗浄液はそれぞれ同一であっても異なっていても良い。
【００８３】
本発明の洗浄液が用いられる画像形成装置においては、いずれか一方に少なくとも微粒子成分が含まれる二液を記録媒体上で反応させて画像を形成する工程を有する。該工程を構成する二液は、逆の極性を持つものであってもよい。該二液が逆極性を持つ場合、二液の反応物である凝集物は粒径が大きくなり、さらに目詰まりの回復が難しくなるが、本発明の洗浄液は二液が逆極性を持つ場合においても凝集物を再分散させる機能により、目詰まりを回復させることができる。
【００８４】
本発明においては、上記二液は通常記録液と処理液からなる。かかる場合であっても、本発明の洗浄液は凝集物を再分散する機能を有するため目詰まりの回復ができる。
【００８５】
本発明においては、前記処理液のｐＨが１〜７であり、記録液のｐＨが７〜１本発明の洗浄剤は凝集物を再分散させる機能を有するので、前記処理液がカチオン性の成分を含有する場合であっても、該記録液がアニオン性の成分を含有する場合であっても、目詰まりの回復ができる。
【００８６】
本発明の洗浄剤は凝集物を再分散させる機能を有するので、前記処理液が微粒子を含有していても、ポリマーを含有していても、処理液が微粒子とポリマーの両方を含有した混合物でも、目詰まりを回復することができる。又、微粒子の中でも特に凝集しやすいコロイダルシリカであっても本発明の洗浄液により凝集物を再分散する機能により目詰まりの回復ができる。
【００８７】
本発明の洗浄剤は凝集物を再分散させる機能を有するので、前記記録液の色材が顔料でも、染料でも、記録液が顔料と染料の混合物でも目詰まりの回復ができる。
【００８８】
本発明の洗浄剤は凝集物を再分散させる機能を有するので、生じる凝集物の成分が処理液に含有された成分の単体（処理液の濃縮物）でも、記録液に含有された色材の単体（記録液の濃縮物）でも、処理液に含有された成分と記録液に含有された色材の反応物でも、目詰まりを回復することができる。
【００８９】
本発明の洗浄剤は凝集物を再分散させる機能を有するので、前記二液が共に記録液の場合においても、目詰まりを回復することができる。
【００９０】
本発明の洗浄剤は凝集物を再分散させる機能を有するので、前記二液が共に記録液の場合において、一方の記録液のｐＨが１〜７であり、他方の記録液のｐＨがｐＨ７〜９であっても、目詰まりを回復することができる。
【００９１】
本発明の洗浄剤は凝集物を再分散させる機能を有するので、一方の記録液がカチオン性の成分を含有し、もう一方の記録液がアニオン性の成分を含有している場合、凝集物の粒径が大きくなり目詰まりの回復が困難になるが、このような場合においても目詰まりを回復できる。
【００９２】
本発明の洗浄剤は凝集物を再分散させる機能を有するので、前記二液が共に記録液の場合において、二液の色材が共に顔料でも、目詰まりの回復ができる。
【００９３】
本発明の洗浄剤は凝集物を再分散させる機能を有するので、前記二液を反応することによって生じた凝集物の成分が、それぞれの記録液に含有される色材の単体でも、それぞれの記録液に含有される色材同士の反応物であっても、目詰まりの回復ができる。
【００９４】
次に、前記記録液について詳しく説明する。
該記録液に用いる色材としては顔料が用いられ、二液を混合する画像形成方法において一方が微粒子を含有する液体組成物ならば、もう一方の液体組成物は極性が反対の色材が用いられる。微粒子がカチオン性である場合にはアニオン性の染料、あるいは顔料が、電気的に中和され凝集するので画質向上の点で好ましく用いられる。
【００９５】
前記記録液に用いられる顔料としては、有機顔料としてアゾ系、フタロシアニン系、アントラキノン系、キナクリドン系、ジオキサジン系、インジゴ系、チオインジゴ系、ペリレン系、イソインドレノン系、アニリンブラツク、アゾメチン系、ローダミンＢレーキ顔料、カーボンブラック等が挙げられ、無機顔料として酸化鉄、酸化チタン、炭酸カルシウム、硫酸バリウム、水酸化アルミニウム、バリウムイエロー、紺青、カドミウムレッド、クロムイエロー、金属粉が挙げられる。
【００９６】
アニオン性基を有する顔料分散剤の例として、ポリアクリル酸、ポリメタクリル酸、スチレンアクリル樹脂、スチレンマレイン酸樹脂、水溶性ビニルナフタレンアクリル樹脂、水溶性ビニルナフタレンマレイン酸樹脂、β−ナフタレンスルホン酸ホルマリン縮合物、カルボキシメチルセルロース、デンプングリコール酸、アルギン酸ナトリウム、ペクチン酸、ヒアルロン酸などを挙げることができる。これらのアニオン系分散剤は、酸の形でも用いられ、ナトリウム、カリウムなどのアルカリ金属塩も用いられる。
【００９７】
表面にアニオン性基を有する顔料の例としては、カルボキシル基やスルホン酸基を有するカーボン・ブラックがその代表例として挙げられる。その他、フタロシアニン系顔料や、アントラキノン系顔料を酸化処理したり、発煙硫酸で処理したりして、顔料粒子の一部にカルボキシル基やスルホン酸基を導入したものもその例として挙げられる。
【００９８】
前記染料としては、カラーインデックスにおいて酸性染料、直接性染料、塩基性染料、反応性染料、食用染料に分類される染料で耐水、耐光性が優れたものが用いられる。これら染料は複数種類を混合して用いられたり、あるいは必要に応じて顔料等の他の色素と混合して用いられる。
【００９９】
（ａ）酸性染料及び食用染料として
Ｃ．Ｉ．アシッド・イエロー１７，２３，４２，４４，７９，１４２
Ｃ．Ｉ．アシッド・レッド１，８，１３，１４，１８，２６，２７，３５，３７，４２，５２，８２，８７，８９，９２，９７，１０６，１１１，１１４，１１５，１３４，１８６，２４９，２５４，２８９
Ｃ．Ｉ．アシッド・ブルー９，２９，４５，９２，２４９
Ｃ．Ｉ．アシッド・ブラック１，２，７，２４，２６，９４
Ｃ．Ｉ．フード・イエロー３，４
Ｃ．Ｉ．フード・レッド７，９，１４
Ｃ．Ｉ．フード・ブラック１，２
【０１００】
（ｂ）直接染料として
Ｃ．Ｉ．ダイレクト・イエロー１，１２，２４，２６，３３，４４，５０，８６，１２０，１３２，１４２，１４４
Ｃ．Ｉ．ダイレクト・レッド１，４，９，１３，１７，２０，２８，３１，３９，８０，８１，８３，８９，２２５，２２７
Ｃ．Ｉ．ダイレクト・オレンジ２６，２９，６２，１０２
Ｃ．Ｉ．ダイレクト・ブルー１，２，６，１５，２２，２５，７１，７６，７９，８６，８７，９０，９８，１６３，１６５，１９９，２０２
Ｃ．Ｉ．ダイレクト・ブラック１９，２２，３２，３８，５１，５６，７１，７４，７５，７７，１５４，１６８，１７１
【０１０１】
（ｃ）塩基性染料として
Ｃ．Ｉ．ベーシック・イエロー１，２，１１，１３，１４，１５，１９，２１，２３，２４，２５，２８，２９，３２，３６，４０，４１，４５，４９，５１，５３，６３，６４，６５，６７，７０，７３，７７，８７，９１
Ｃ．Ｉ．ベーシック・レッド２，１２，１３，１４，１５，１８，２２，２３，２４，２７，２９，３５，３６，３８，３９，４６，４９，５１，５２，５４，５９，６８，６９，７０，７３，７８，８２，１０２，１０４，１０９，１１２
Ｃ．Ｉ．ベーシック・ブルー１，３，５，７，９，２１，２２，２６，３５，４１，４５，４７，５４，６２，６５，６６，６７，６９，７５，７７，７８，８９，９２，９３，１０５，１１７，１２０，１２２，１２４，１２９，１３７，１４１，１４７，１５５
Ｃ．Ｉ．ベーシック・ブラック２，８
【０１０２】
（ｄ）反応性染料として
Ｃ．Ｉ．リアクティブ・ブラック３，４，７，１１，１２，１７
Ｃ．Ｉ．リアクティブ・イエロー１，５，１１，１３，１４，２０，２１，２２，２５，４０，４７，５１，５５，６５，６７
Ｃ．Ｉ．リアクティブ・レッド１，１４，１７，２５，２６，３２，３７，４４，４６，５５，６０，６６，７４，７９，９６，９７
Ｃ．Ｉ．リアクティブ・ブルー１，２，７，１４，１５，２３，３２，３５，３８，４１，６３，８０，９５等が使用できる。
【０１０３】
前記記録液には、乾燥による記録ヘッドのノズルの詰まりを防止するためなどの目的で、色材の他に、水溶性有機溶媒が使用される。水溶性有機溶媒には湿潤剤、浸透剤が含まれる。湿潤剤は乾燥による記録ヘッドのノズルの詰まりを防止することを目的に添加される。湿潤剤の具体例としては、エチレングリコール、ジエチレングリコール、トリエチレングリコール、テトラエチレングリコール、ポリエチレングリコール、プロピレングリコール、１，３−ブタンジオール、１，３−プロパンジオール、２−メチル−１，３−プロパンジオール、１，４−ブタンジオール、１，５−ペンタンジオール、１，６−へキサンジオール、グリセリン、１，２，６−へキサントリオール、２−エチル−１，３−ヘキサンジオール、１，２，４−ブタントリオール、１，２，３−ブタントリオール、ペトリオール等の多価アルコール類、エチレングリコールモノエチルエーテル、エチレングリコールモノブチルエーテル、ジエチレングリコールモノメチルエーテル、ジエチレングリコールモノエチルエーテル、ジエチレングリコールモノブチルエーテル、トリエチレングリコールモノブチルエーテル、テトラエチレングリコールモノメチルエーテル、プロピレングリコールモノエチルエーテル等の多価アルコールアルキルエーテル類、エチレングリコールモノフェニルエーテル、エチレングリコールモノベンジルエーテル等の多価アルコールアリールエ−テル額；Ｎ−メチル−２−ピロリドン、Ｎ−ヒドロキシエチル−２−ピロリドン、２−ピロリドン、１，３−ジメチルイミダゾリジノン、ε−カプロラクタム等の含窒素複素環化合物；ホルムアミド、Ｎ−メチルホルムアミド、ホルムアミド、Ｎ，Ｎ−ジメチルホルムアミド等のアミド類；モノエタノールアミン、ジエタノールアミン、トリエタノールアミン、モノエチルアミン、ジエチルアミン、トリエチルアミン等のアミン類、ジメチルスルホキシド、スルホラン、チオジエタノ−ル等の含硫黄化合物類、プロピレンカーボネート、炭酸エチレン、γ−ブチロラクトン等である。これらの溶媒は、水とともに単独もしくは複数混合して用いられる。
【０１０４】
また、浸透剤は記録液と被記録材の濡れ性を向上させ、浸透速度を調整する目的で添加される。浸透剤としては、下記式（Ｉ）〜（ＩＶ）で表されるものが好ましい。すなわち、下記式（Ｉ）のポリオキシエチレンアルキルフェニルエーテル系界面活性剤、式（ＩＩ）のアセチレングリコール系界面活性剤、下記式（ＩＩＩ）のポリオキシエチレンアルキルエーテル系界面活性剤ならびに式（ＩＶ）のポリオキシエチレンポリオキシプロピレンアルキルエーテル系界面活性剤は、液の表面張力を低下させることができるので、濡れ性を向上させ、浸透速度を高めることができる。
【０１０５】
【化７】

（Ｒは分岐していても良い炭素数６〜１４の炭化水素鎖、ｋ：５〜２０）
【０１０６】
【化８】

（ｍ、ｎは０〜４０）
（ｍ、ｎ≦２０，０＜ｍ＋ｎ≦４０）
【０１０７】
【化９】

（Ｒは分岐してもよい炭素数６〜１４の炭化水素鎖）
【０１０８】
【化１０】

（Ｒは炭素数６〜１４の炭化水素鎖、ｍ、ｎは２０以下の数）
【０１０９】
前記式（Ｉ）〜（ＩＶ）の化合物以外では、例えばジエチレングリコールモノフェニルエーテル、エチレングリコールモノフェニルエーテル、エチレングリコールモノアリルエーテル、ジエチレングリコールモノフェニルエーテル、ジエチレングリコールモノブチルエーテル、プロピレングリコールモノブチルエーテル、テトラエチレングリコールクロロフェニルエーテル等の多価アルコールのアルキル及びアリールエーテル類、ポリオキシエチレンポリオキシプロピレンブロック共重合体等のノニオン系界面活性剤、フッ素系界面活性剤、エタノール、２−プロパノール等の低級アルコール類が用いられ、特にジエチレングリコールモノブチルエーテルが用いられる。
【０１１０】
次に、前記処理液について説明する。該処理液は記録液中の色材と反応するポリマーを含有することがある。粒子形についても特に限定はなく、球状、数珠状、不定形のいずれも用いられる。
【０１１１】
例えばポリアリルアミン、ポリビニルアミン、ポリイミン、ポリビニルピロリドン、ポリエチレンイミン、ポリビニルピリジン、アミノアセタール化ポリビニルアルコール、イオネンポリマー、ポリビニルイミダゾール、ポリビニルベンジルホスホニウム、ポリアルキルアリルアンモニウム、ポリアミジン、ポリアミンスルホン、カチオンでん粉などのカチオン性高分子化合物が挙げられる。また、カチオン性高分子化合物として、高級アルキルアミン、高級アルキルアンモニウム化合物または多価アミン化合物も用いられる。
【０１１２】
前記アルキルアミンまたは級アルキルアンモニウム化合物の例として、ラウリルアミン、ステアリルアミン、セチルアミン、ベヘニルアミン、ジメチルステアリルアミン、ラウリルトリメチルアンモニウム、セチルトリメチルアンモニウム、ステアリルトリメチルアンモニウム、ベヘニルトリメチルアンモニウム、ジオクチルジメチルアンモニウム、ジステアリルジメチルアンモニウム、ステアリルジメチルベンジルアンモニウム、などが挙げられる。また、これらのエチレンオキシド付加物も用いられる。
【０１１３】
前記多価アミン化合物の具体例としては、エチレンジアミン、ヘキサメチレンテトラミン、ピペラジン、ヘキサメチレンイミン、ヘキサメチレンジアミン、ジエチレントリアミン、テトラエチレンペンタミン、ヘプタエチレンオクタミン、ナノエチレンデカミン、トリエチレンテトラミン、トリエチレン−ビス（トリメチレン）ヘキサミン、ビス（３−アミノエチル）アミンメチレンジアミン、Ｎ，Ｎ‘−ビス−（３−アミノプロピル）プトレッシン、１，４−ジアザシクロヘプタン、１，５−ジアザシクロオクタン、１，４，１１，１４−テトラアザトクロエイコサン、１，２−ジアミノプロパン−３−オール、フェニレンジアミン、トリアミノベンゼン、テトラアミノベンゼン、ペンタアミノベンゼン、などが挙げられる。
【０１１４】
前記処理液は記録液中の色材と反応する微粒子を含有することがある。微粒子は有機微粒子であることがあり、無機微粒子であることがあり、有機無機複合微粒子であることもある。粒子形についても特に限定はなく、球状、数珠状、不定形のいずれも用いられる。
【０１１５】
前記有機微粒子としては、ポリスチレン、スチレン−アクリル共重合体、ポリメチルメタクリレート、メラミン樹脂、エポキシ樹脂、シリコン樹脂、ベンゾグアナミン樹脂、ポリアミド樹脂、弗素系樹脂、α，β−不飽和エチレン性単量体をエマルジョン重合等により得られる重合体等が挙げられる。
無機微粒子としては、炭酸カルシウムなどの無機塩と、シリカ（ＳｉＯ_２）などの無機酸化物に大別される。
【０１１６】
前記無機塩の具体例としては、炭酸カルシウム、硝酸カルシウム、塩化カルシウム、硫酸カルシウム、硝酸アルミニウム、塩化アルミニウム、硫酸アルミニウム、硫酸鉄などが挙げられる。水系処理液として用いる場合には、炭酸カルシウム、硝酸カルシウム、硫酸鉄などの水に溶解度が低いものが用いられる。また、これらはカチオン化処理することでさらに色材の吸着能力、凝集能力を高められる。
前記無機微粒子の具体例としては、シリカ（ＳｉＯ_２）、シリカのカチオン化物、二酸化チタン、アルミナ（Ａｌ_２Ｏ_３）等が挙げられる。
【０１１７】
無機微粒子の中では反応性の点でカチオン性シリカが特に用いられている。カチオン性シリカは、シリカの表面がカチオン化処理されたものであれば用いられている。カチオン化するには、シリカ表面に化学的、物理的にカチオン性化合物を導入すれば良い。例えば、シリカのシラノール基にアミノ化合物をカップリングすることで、あるいはアルミニウム化合物を反応させることで化学的に表面処理される。また、シリカとカチオン性化合物を溶剤中で混合し、カチオン性化合物を物理的に吸着させた後に溶剤を除去することで物理的に表面処理される。その際、核材として用いるアニオン性シリカの具体例としては、ＳＴ−ＺＬ、ＳＴ−２０、ＳＴ−３０、ＳＴ−４０、ＳＴ−Ｃ、ＳＴ−Ｎ、ＳＴ−Ｏ、ＳＴ−Ｓ、ＳＴ−５０、ＳＴ−２０Ｌ、ＳＴ−ＯＬ、ＳＴ−ＸＳ、ＳＴ−ＹＬ、ＳＴ−ＸＬ、ＳＴ−ＵＰ、ＳＴ−ＯＵＰ（以上、日産化学製）、Ｃａｔａｌｏｉｄ　ＳＩ−３５０、ＳＩ−５００（以上、デュポン製）、Ｎｉｐｇｅｌ　ＡＹ−２２０、ＡＹ−４２０、ＡＹ−４６０（以上、日本シリカ製）等が挙げられる。
【０１１８】
具合的には、シリカのカチオン化物としては、ＳＴ−ＡＫ（日産化学製）が挙げられる。アルミナとしては、アルミナゾル１００、２００、５２０（以上、日産化学製）等が挙げられる。二酸化チタンとしてはチタニアシリーズ（出光興産製）が挙げられる。これらの微粒子の中には既に水分散体として入手できるものも存在する。
【０１１９】
また、コロイダルシリカ、特にカチオン性コロイダルシリカも用いられる。該カチオン性コロイダルシリカは該無機微粒子の中でも色材との反応性が特に高く、これを用いた処理液とインクを組み合わせたインクセットにおいて、より高い画像品質が得られるからである。
【０１２０】
上記微粒子はカチオン性無機有機複合微粒子も用いられ、粒子状のカチオン性無機有機複合微粒子であればいずれも用いられる。
【０１２１】
カチオン性無機有機複合微粒子は、無機微粒子の表面にカチオン性有機化合物を吸着させたり、逆に有機化合物の表面にカチオン性無機化合物を吸着させることで得られる。例えば、カチオン性高分子で被覆された無機有機複合微粒子は、無機微粒子を水等の溶媒中に分散させておき、これにカチオン性高分子を水、あるいは、水溶性有機溶媒の溶液の状態で徐々に加えることで得られる。
【０１２２】
カチオン性高分子の具体例としては、ポリアリルアミン、ポリビニルアミン、ポリイミン、ポリビニルピロリドン、ポリエチレンイミン、ポリビニルピリジン、アミノアセタール化ポリビニルアルコール、イオネンポリマー、ポリビニルイミダゾール、ポリビニルベンジルホスホニウム、ポリアルキルアリルアンモニウム、ポリアミジン、ポリアミンスルホン、カチオンでん粉などのカチオン性高分子化合物を挙げることができる。
【０１２３】
微粒子の添加量は処理液に対しての１０ｗｔ％を超えて加えられ、１５ｗｔ％以上加えられることもある。含有率が１０ｗｔ％以下の場合、画質改善効果が充分に得られない。なお、複数の微粒子を併用して用いられることもある。色材と反応性を有する微粒子としては、無機微粒子が用いられる。該無機微粒子は色材との反応性が微粒子の中でも特に高く、該無機微粒子を用いた処理液とインクを組み合わせたインクセットにおいて、より高い画像品質が得られるので用いられる。
【０１２４】
微粒子の平均粒子径は５００ｎｍ以下であり、２００ｎｍ以下のものが吐出安定性の観点から用いられる。５００ｎｍ以上である場合、吐出ヘッドの目詰まりが生じやすくなり、吐出不良が生じやすくなる。
平均粒子径は光学式粒度分布計で測定することができ、粒子数５０％の粒子径をもって表わす。
【０１２５】
微粒子は水を主成分とするビヒクルに分散処理されて処理液となる。分散する際には分散を安定化させるために解膠剤が用いられる。解膠剤とは帯電性粒子表面に電気二重層を形成し、電気二重層が静電的に反発して粒子の接近を防止し、分散を安定化させるものである。カチオン性微粒子は中性から酸性にかけては正に帯電するため、陰イオン源である酢酸、硝酸、塩酸、蟻酸、乳酸、及び、これらのアルカリ金属塩、オキシ塩化ジルコニウム水和物等のジルコニウム化合物、ピロリン酸ナトリウム、ヘキサメタリン酸ナトリウム、タウリン等が解膠剤として用いられる。
【０１２６】
前記処理液は次の方法によって製造することができる。微粒子と水と解膠剤を混合し、分散液を調合する。必要に応じて水溶性溶剤を添加し、解膠機によって解膠する。この際使用される解膠機としては、高速回転高せん断型攪拌解膠機、デゾルバー、コロイドミル、ホモジナイザー、超音波式解膠機などを挙げられ、より具体的には、Ｔ．Ｋ．オートホモミキサー、Ｔ．Ｋ．ホモミックラインフロー、ウルトラホモミキサー、ＮＮＫコロイドミルなどが挙げられる。解膠時の回転数は、解膠機の種類、構造によって変わるが、通常５００〜１００００ｒｐｍであり、２０００〜８０００ｒｐｍであることもある。解膠時の温度は５〜１００℃である。解膠時間は解膠機の種類、構造によって変わるが、０．０１〜４８時間である。
【０１２７】
前記処理液には水溶性有機溶媒も含有される。水溶性有機溶媒には湿潤剤、浸透剤が含まれる。湿潤剤は乾燥による記録ヘッドのノズルの詰まりを防止することを目的に添加される。湿潤剤の具体例としては、エチレングリコール、ジエチレングリコール、トリエチレングリコール、テトラエチレングリコール、ポリエチレングリコール、プロピレングリコール、１，３−ブタンジオール、１，３−プロパンジオール、２−メチル−１，３−プロパンジオール、１，４−ブタンジオール、１，５−ペンタンジオール、１，６−へキサンジオール、グリセリン、１，２，６−へキサントリオール、２−エチル−１，３−ヘキサンジオール、１，２，４−ブタントリオール、１，２，３−ブタントリオール、ペトリオール等の多価アルコール類、エチレングリコールモノエチルエーテル、エチレングリコールモノブチルエーテル、ジエチレングリコールモノメチルエーテル、ジエチレングリコールモノエチルエーテル、ジエチレングリコールモノブチルエーテル、トリエチレングリコールモノブチルエーテル、テトラエチレングリコールモノメチルエーテル、プロピレングリコールモノエチルエーテル等の多価アルコールアルキルエーテル類、エチレングリコールモノフェニルエーテル、エチレングリコールモノベンジルエーテル等の多価アルコールアリールエ−テル額；Ｎ−メチル−２−ピロリドン、Ｎ−ヒドロキシエチル−２−ピロリドン、２−ピロリドン、１，３−ジメチルイミダゾリジノン、ε−カプロラクタム等の含窒素複素環化合物；ホルムアミド、Ｎ−メチルホルムアミド、ホルムアミド、Ｎ，Ｎ−ジメチルホルムアミド等のアミド類；モノエタノールアミン、ジエタノールアミン、トリエタノールアミン、モノエチルアミン、ジエチルアミン、トリエチルアミン等のアミン類、ジメチルスルホキシド、スルホラン、チオジエタノ−ル等の含硫黄化合物類、プロピレンカーボネート、炭酸エチレン、γ−ブチロラクトン等である。これらの溶媒は、水とともに単独もしくは複数混合して用いられる。
【０１２８】
これらの中で特に用いられるものは、ジエチレングリコール、チオジエタノール、ポリエチレングリコール２００〜６００、トリエチレングリコール、グリセロール、１，２，６−ヘキサントリオール、１，２，４−ブタントリオール、ペトリオール、１，５−ペンタンジオール、Ｎ−メチル−２−ピロリドン、Ｎ−ヒドロキシエチルピロリドン、２−ピロリドン、１，３−ジメチルイミダゾリジノンであり、特にＮ−ヒドロキシエチル−２−ピロリドン等のピロリドン誘導体が用いられる。これらは、高い溶解性と水分蒸発により噴射特性不良の防止に対して優れた効果を得るために用いられる。
【０１２９】
また、浸透剤は処理液と被記録材の濡れ性を向上させ、浸透速度を調整する目的で添加される。浸透剤としては、下記式（Ｉ）〜（ＩＶ）で表されるものが好ましい。すなわち、下記式（Ｉ）のポリオキシエチレンアルキルフェニルエーテル系界面活性剤、式（ＩＩ）のアセチレングリコール系界面活性剤、下記式（ＩＩＩ）のポリオキシエチレンアルキルエーテル系界面活性剤ならびに式（ＩＶ）のポリオキシエチレンポリオキシプロピレンアルキルエーテル系界面活性剤は、液の表面張力を低下させることができるので、濡れ性を向上させ、浸透速度を高めるために添加される。
【０１３０】
【化１１】

（Ｒは分岐していても良い炭素数６〜１４の炭化水素鎖、ｋ：５〜２０）
【０１３１】
【化１２】

（ｍ、ｎは０〜４０）
（ｍ、ｎ≦２０、０＜ｍ＋ｎ≦４０）
【０１３２】
【化１３】

（Ｒは分岐してもよい炭素数６〜１４の炭化水素鎖）
【０１３３】
【化１４】

（Ｒは炭素数６〜１４の炭化水素鎖、ｍ、ｎは２０以下の数）
【０１３４】
前記式（Ｉ）〜（ＩＶ）の化合物以外では、例えばジエチレングリコールモノフェニルエーテル、エチレングリコールモノフェニルエーテル、エチレングリコールモノアリルエーテル、ジエチレングリコールモノフェニルエーテル、ジエチレングリコールモノブチルエーテル、プロピレングリコールモノブチルエーテル、テトラエチレングリコールクロロフェニルエーテル等の多価アルコールのアルキル及びアリールエーテル類、ポリオキシエチレンポリオキシプロピレンブロック共重合体等のノニオン系界面活性剤、フッ素系界面活性剤、エタノール、２−プロパノール等の低級アルコール類が用いられ、特にジエチレングリコールモノブチルエーテルが用いられる。
【０１３５】
また、界面活性剤も処理液に添加され、よくカチオン性化合物が用いられる。カチオン性界面活性剤は、表面張力を下げて被記録材との濡れ性を高めて微粒子層を速やかに形成すると共に、アニオン性色材を凝集する作用があり、画質改善に効果があるので添加される。
【０１３６】
具体例として例えば、前記カチオン性化合物として第４級アンモニウム塩、ピリジニウム塩、イミダゾリン型化合物等のカチオン性界面活性剤を用いても良い。具体的には、ラウリルトリメチルアンモニウムクロライド、ラウリルジメチルベンジルアンモニウムクロライド、ベンジルトリブチルアンモニウムクロライド、塩化ベンザルコニウム、セチルピリジニウムクロライド、２−ヘプタデセニルヒドロキシエチルイミダゾリン等が挙げられる。
【０１３７】
また、カチオン性界面活性剤として市販品のカチオンＧ５０（三洋化成（株）社製）等も添加される。
【０１３８】
前記処理液の表面張力は、通常２０〜６０ｄｙｎｅ／ｃｍであり、被記録材との濡れ性と液滴の粒子化の両立を考慮する場合は３０〜５０ｄｙｎｅ／ｃｍである。
【０１３９】
前記処理液の粘度は、通常１．０〜２０．０ｃＰであり、吐出安定性を考慮する場合は３．０〜１０．０ｃＰである。
【０１４０】
前記処理液の表面張力は、通常２０〜６０ｄｙｎｅ／ｃｍであり、被記録材との濡れ性と液滴の粒子化の両立を考慮する場合は３０〜５０ｄｙｎｅ／ｃｍである。
【０１４１】
前記処理液、及び／又は記録液は、防腐防黴剤を含有することがある。防腐防黴剤を含有することによって、菌の繁殖を押さえることができ、保存安定性、画質安定性を高めることができる。防腐防黴剤としてはデヒドロ酢酸ナトリウム、ソルビン酸ナトリウム、２−ピリジンチオール−１−オキサイドナトリウム、イソチアゾリン系化合物、安息香酸ナトリウム、ペンタクロロフェノールナトリウム等が挙げられる。
尚、市販品の防腐防黴剤としてＰＲＯＸＥＬＬＶ（Ｓ）〔アビシア（株）社製；（主成分：１，２−ベンゾチアゾリン−３−オン／水酸化ナトリウム）〕が挙げられる。
【０１４２】
前記処理液、及び／又は記録液は、ｐＨ調整剤を含有することがある。
ｐＨ調整剤としては、水酸化リチウム、水酸化ナトリウム、水酸化カリウム等のアルカリ金属元素の水酸化物、水酸化アンモニウム、第４級アンモニウム水酸化物、第４級ホスホニウム水酸化物、炭酸リチウム、炭酸ナトリウム、炭酸カリウム等のアルカリ金属の炭酸塩、ジエタノールアミン、トリエタノ−ルアミン等のアミン類、硼酸、塩酸、硝酸、硫酸、酢酸等が挙げられる。
【０１４３】
本発明の洗浄液が用いられる画像形成装置について、図３を用いて説明する。図３の画像形成装置は、処理液および記録液をカートリッジ２、３に収納し、処理液および記録液がカートリッジから記録ヘッドに供給させる。
ここで、カートリッジ２，３は処理液用、色毎の記録液用が分離された状態で取り付けられている。
【０１４４】
記録ヘッドは、キャリッジ６に搭載され、主走査モータ９で駆動されるタイミングベルト８によってガイドシャフト７にガイドされて移動する。一方、被記録材１０はプラテンによって記録ヘッド４、５と対面する位置に置かれる。
【０１４５】
処理液が吐出される処理液用吐出ヘッド４がキャリッジの記録液吐出ヘッド５の並びの端、又は両端に設けられ、記録液吐出ヘッド５からはそれぞれイエロー記録液、マゼンタ記録液、シアン記録液、そしてブラック記録液が吐出される。
【０１４６】
このような態様の記録ヘッドにおいては、処理液の吐出ノズルが左右の端に設けられているため、記録ヘッドがキャリッジ上を往復する往路、復路いずれにおいても印字が可能である。すなわち、往路、復路のいずれにおいても処理液を先に付着させて、その上からカラー記録液を付着させること、あるいは、その逆が可能であり、記録ヘッドの移動方向の違いによる画像濃度差が生じない。
【０１４７】
上記画像形成装置においては、カートリッジを取り替えることで、処理液、記録液を補充することができる。また、このカートリッジは記録ヘッドと一体化されたものであってもよい。
【０１４８】
【実施例】
以下本発明について実施例に基づき詳細に説明する。但し、これらの実施例は本発明をなんら限定するものではない。尚、以下の配合における部数は全て重量部である。
【０１４９】
成分の極性が逆極性である二液の組合せを２種類用いて、これら反応によって生じる凝集物を用意した。即ち、カチオン性成分を含有する処理液とアニオン成分を含有する記録液、またはカチオン成分を含有する記録液とアニオン成分を含有する記録液を用いて、これら反応によって生じる凝集物を用意した。
【０１５０】
上記凝集物は処理液を吐出するインクジェット記録ヘッドに記録液が付着して生じる場合と、記録液を吐出するインクジェット記録ヘッドに処理液が付着して生じる場合の二通りを想定した。具体的には、カチオン成分過多の場合を想定して反応性を有する成分の重量比（カチオン性成分：アニオン性成分）が３：２になるように混合して凝集物を作成し、アニオン成分過多の場合を想定して重量比（カチオン性成分：アニオン性成分）が２：３になるように混合して凝集物を作成した。これらの凝集物に対してそれぞれ以下に挙げる洗浄液を用いて凝集物を希釈し、得られた凝集物の再分散液の粘度、粒径等を測定し、再分散力を比較評価した。
【０１５１】
また、実際にインクジェットプリンターを使って、処理液を吐出するインクジェット記録ヘッド、記録液を吐出するインクヘッドにそれぞれ記録液、処理液を付着させて凝集物による目詰まりを故意に生じさせ、洗浄液による吐出の回復を試みた。
【０１５２】
次に実施例、比較例で使用した処理液、記録液、洗浄液の成分について説明する。
【０１５３】

【０１５４】

【０１５５】

【０１５６】

【０１５７】
顔料分散液
ポリ−Ｎ，Ｎ′−ジメチル−３，５−メチレンピペリジニウム塩（Ｍｗ＝３７００）を２部、ジエチレングリコール５部、イオン交換水７８部を混合し、ウォーターバスで７０℃に加温し、樹脂分を完全に溶解させた。この溶液に比表面積が１８０ｍ２／ｇ、ＤＢＰＡが１２２ｍ１／１００ｇのカーボンブラックを１５部加え、３０分間プレミキシングを行った後、下記の条件で分散処理を行った。
【０１５８】
分散機：サンドグラインダー（五十嵐機械製）
粉砕メディア：ジルコニアビーズｌｍｍ径
粉砕メディア充填率：５０％（体積）
粉砕時間：３時間
さらに、遠心分離処理（１２０００ｒｐｍ、２０分）を行い、粗大粒子を除去して分散液３とした。これはカチオン性の樹脂分散型カーボンブラックである。
【０１５９】

【０１６０】

ＬｉＯＨ水溶液でｐＨ１０．５に調整して用いた。
【０１６１】

【０１６２】
酸性洗浄液
＜洗浄液２＞
洗浄液１を溶媒として０．１Ｎに調整した酢酸水溶液。
＜洗浄液３＞
洗浄液１を溶媒として０．１Ｎに調整した硝酸水溶液。
【０１６３】
塩基性洗浄液
＜洗浄液４＞
洗浄液１を溶媒として０．１Ｎに調整したジエタノールアミン水溶液。
＜洗浄液５＞
洗浄液１を溶媒として０．１Ｎに調整した水酸化ナトリウム水溶液。
【０１６４】
カチオン性界面活性剤を含有する洗浄液
＜洗浄液６＞
ノニオン性界面活性剤（日本油脂（株）：ディスパノールＴＯＣ）２．０部の代わりにカチオン性界面活性剤（三洋化成（株）製：カチオンＧ５０）２．０部を用いた以外は洗浄液１と同様に作製したビヒクルを溶媒として、０．１Ｎに調整した硝酸水溶液。
【０１６５】
アニオン性界面活性剤を含有する洗浄液
＜洗浄液７＞
ノニオン性界面活性剤（日本油脂（株）：ディスパノールＴＯＣ）２．０部の代わりにアニオン性界面活性剤（日光ケミカルズ（株）：ＮＩＫＫＯＬＥＣＴＤ−３ＮＥＸ）２．０部を用いた以外は洗浄液１と同様に作製したビヒクルを溶媒として、０．１Ｎに調整した水酸化ナトリウム水溶液。
【０１６６】
＜比較洗浄液１＞
水　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　１００．０部
【０１６７】
＜比較洗浄液２＞
２−ピロリドン　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　１０．０部
水　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　残量
【０１６８】
記録液１〜４、処理液１〜２のｐＨ、粘度、粒径を表１に、洗浄液１〜７、比較洗浄液１〜２のｐＨ、粘度を表２に示す。
【０１６９】
【表１】

【０１７０】
【表２】

【０１７１】
＜実施例１＞
処理液を吐出するヘッドにインクが付着して出来る凝集物を想定して、処理液１：６．０ｇと記録液１：６．０ｇを混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物（カチオン性シリカ微粒子：アニオン性顔料＝３：２）に洗浄液１を３０ｍｌ加えて前後の粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０１７２】
＜実施例２＞
洗浄液１の代わりに洗浄液２を用いた他は実施例１と同様にして、処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０１７３】
＜実施例３＞
洗浄液１の代わりに洗浄液３を用いた他は実施例１と同様にして、処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０１７４】
＜実施例４＞
洗浄液１の代わりに洗浄液６を用いた他は実施例１と同様にして、処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０１７５】
＜比較例１＞
洗浄液１の代わりに比較洗浄液１を用いた他は実施例１と同様にして、処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０１７６】
＜比較例２＞
洗浄液１の代わりに比較洗浄液２を用いた他は実施例１と同様にして、処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０１７７】
実施例１〜４、比較例１〜２で粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した結果を一覧表にして表３に示す。
【０１７８】
【表３】

【０１７９】
比較例２と実施例１の比較により、界面活性剤には粘度を低下させ粒径を減少させる効果があることがわかる。
【０１８０】
実施例１と実施例２の比較により、カチオン過多の凝集物に対して実施例２の方が粘度を低下させ、粒径を減少させる効果があることから、有機酸を含有することにより洗浄効果が向上することがわかった。同様に実施例１と実施例３の比較によりカチオン過多の凝集物に対して実施例３の方が粘度を低下させ、粒径を減少させる効果があることから、有機酸を含有することにより洗浄効果が向上することがわかった。以上の実験事実によりカチオン過多の凝集物に対して酸を含有する洗浄液は洗浄効果がより高くなることがわかった。
【０１８１】
実施例３と実施例４の比較により、カチオン過多の凝集物に対して実施例４の方が粘度を低下させ、粒径を減少させる効果があることから、洗浄液にカチオン性界面活性剤を含有させることによりノニオン性界面活性剤よりも洗浄効果が向上することがわかった。
【０１８２】
＜実施例５＞
記録液を吐出するヘッドに処理液が付着して出来る凝集物を想定して、処理液１：４．０ｇと記録液１：９．０ｇを混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物（カチオン性シリカ微粒子：アニオン性顔料＝２：３）に洗浄液１を３０ｍｌ加えて前後の粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０１８３】
＜実施例６＞
洗浄液１の代わりに洗浄液４を用いた他は実施例５と同様に、処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の前後の粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０１８４】
＜実施例７＞
洗浄液１の代わりに洗浄液５を用いた他は実施例５と同様に、処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０１８５】
＜実施例８＞
洗浄液１の代わりに洗浄液７を用いた他は実施例５と同様に、処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０１８６】
＜比較例３＞
洗浄液１の代わりに比較洗浄液１を用いた他は実施例５と同様に、処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０１８７】
＜比較例４＞
洗浄液１の代わりに比較洗浄液２を用いた他は実施例５と同様に、処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０１８８】
実施例５〜８、比較例３〜４で粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した結果を一覧表にして表４に示す。
【０１８９】
【表４】

【０１９０】
実施例５と実施例６の比較によりアニオン過多の凝集物に対して実施例６の方が粘度を減少させ、粒径を減少させる効果があることから、有機塩基を含有することで洗浄液はアニオン過多の凝集物に対してより高い洗浄効果を得られることがわかった。
さらに実施例７と実施例８の比較からアニオン過多の凝集物に対して実施例７より実施例８の方が粘度を減少増加させ、粒径を減少させる効果があることから、アニオン性界面活性剤を含有する洗浄液はアニオン過多の凝集物に対してより高い洗浄効果を得られることがわかった。
【０１９１】
＜実施例９＞
処理液１をヘッドに充填したインクジェットプリンター《リコー社製：ＩｐｓｉｏＪｅｔ３００改造機・ピエゾヘッド》に対し、インクジェット記録ヘッドに記録液１を吹き付け故意に目詰まりを生じさせた。次に処理液１を充填したインクカートリッジを、洗浄液１を充填した洗浄液カートリッジと取り替え、インクジェット記録ヘッドに洗浄液１を吹き付けて洗浄を行った後、インクジェット記録ヘッドを洗浄液１に浸漬させた。次に吸引によるインクジェット記録ヘッドのクリーニングを行った後、このインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、処理液を吐出するインクジェット記録ヘッドに生じた凝集物による目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０１９２】
＜実施例１０＞
洗浄液１の代わりに洗浄液２を用いた他は実施例９と同様にしてインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０１９３】
＜実施例１１＞
洗浄液１の代わりに洗浄液３を用いた他は実施例９と同様にしてインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０１９４】
＜実施例１２＞
洗浄液１の代わりに洗浄液６を用いた他は実施例９と同様にしてインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０１９５】
＜比較例５＞
洗浄液１の代わりに比較洗浄液１を用いた他は実施例９と同様にしてインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０１９６】
＜比較例６＞
洗浄液１の代わりに比較洗浄液２を用いた他は実施例９と同様にしてインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０１９７】
実施例９〜１２、比較例５〜６で目詰まりの評価を行った結果を一覧表にして表５に示す。
【０１９８】
【表５】

【０１９９】
表５の目詰まり評価基準
処理液を紙に印字し（５ｃｍ×５ｃｍのベタ画像）、処理液の吐出状態を観察した。評価は以下の基準で行なった。
○……吐出不良無し。全面均一なベタ印字がなされている。
△……一部ノズルで吐出不良を起こしている。
×……すべてのノズルで吐出不良を起こしている。
とした。
インクジェット記録ヘッドの回復液への浸漬時間０、０．０５、０．１、０．５、１．０、３．０、６．０、１２、２４、４８、７２、１２０［ｈ］時間ごとにそれぞれヘッド吸引の後、吐出を試みた。
【０２００】
五日間の実験期間で、比較例５、６の洗浄液はインクジェット記録ヘッドの目詰まりの回復は出来なかった。
【０２０１】
比較例６と実施例９の比較によりノニオン性界面活性剤を用いる事で２液混合による反応で生じた凝集物の洗浄効果は増すことがわかった。
【０２０２】
実施例１１と実施例１０の比較により有機酸を用いる事で２液混合による反応で生じた凝集物の洗浄効果は増すことがわかった。
【０２０３】
実施例１１と実施例１２の比較によりカチオン過多の凝集物に対し、カチオン性界面活性剤を用いる事でノニオン性界面活性剤よりも２液混合による反応で生じた凝集物の洗浄効果は増すことがわかった。
【０２０４】
＜実施例１３＞
記録液１をヘッドに充填したインクジェットプリンター《リコー社製：ＩｐｓｉｏＪｅｔ３００改造機・ピエゾヘッド》に対し、インクジェット記録ヘッドに処理液１を吹き付け故意に目詰まりを生じさせた。次に記録液１を充填したインクカートリッジを、洗浄液１を充填した洗浄液カートリッジと取り替え、インクジェット記録ヘッドに洗浄液１を吹き付けて洗浄を行った後、インクジェット記録ヘッドを洗浄液１に浸漬させた。次に吸引によるインクジェット記録ヘッドのクリーニングを行った後、このインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、処理液を吐出するインクジェット記録ヘッドに生じた凝集物による目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０２０５】
＜実施例１４＞
実施例１３で洗浄液１の代わりに洗浄液４を用いた他は実施例１３と同様にしてインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０２０６】
＜実施例１５＞
実施例１３で洗浄液１の代わりに洗浄液５を用いた他は実施例１３と同様にしてインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０２０７】
＜実施例１６＞
実施例１３で洗浄液１の代わりに洗浄液７を用いた他は実施例１３と同様にしてインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０２０８】
＜比較例７＞
実施例１３で洗浄液１の代わりに比較洗浄液１を用いた他は実施例１３と同様にしてインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０２０９】
＜比較例８＞
実施例１３で洗浄液１の代わりに比較洗浄液２を用いた他は実施例１３と同様にしてインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０２１０】
実施例１３〜１６、比較例７〜８で目詰まりの評価を行った結果を一覧表にして表６に示す。
【０２１１】
【表６】

【０２１２】
表６の目詰まり評価基準
処理液を紙に印字し（５ｃｍ×５ｃｍのベタ画像）、処理液の吐出状態を観察した。評価は以下の基準で行なった。
○……吐出不良無し。全面均一なベタ印字がなされている。
△……一部ノズルで吐出不良を起こしている。
×……すべてのノズルで吐出不良を起こしている。
とした。
インクジェット記録ヘッドの回復液への浸漬時間０、０．０５、０．１、０．５、１．０、３．０、６．０、１２、２４、４８、７２、１２０［ｈ］時間ごとにそれぞれヘッド吸引の後、吐出を試みた。
【０２１３】
比較例８と実施例１３の比較によりノニオン性界面活性剤を用いる事で２液混合による反応で生じた凝集物の洗浄効果は増すことがわかった。
【０２１４】
実施例１３と実施例１４、１５、１６の比較により塩基を用いる事で２液混合による反応で生じたアニオン成分過多の凝集物に対する洗浄効果は増すことがわかった。
【０２１５】
実施例１５と実施例１６の比較により、アニオン性界面活性剤を用いる事でノニオン性界面活性剤よりも２液混合による反応で生じたアニオン成分過多の凝集物に対する洗浄効果は増すことがわかった。
【０２１６】
＜実施例１７＞
処理液を吐出するヘッドにインクが付着して出来る凝集物を想定して処理液１：６．０ｇと記録液２：６．０ｇを混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物（カチオン性シリカ微粒子：アニオン性染料＝３：２）に洗浄液２を３０ｍｌ加えて前後の粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を観察した。
【０２１７】
＜実施例１８＞
処理液を吐出するヘッドにインクが付着して出来る凝集物を想定して処理液２：６．０ｇと記録液１：６．０ｇを混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物（カチオン性ポリマー：アニオン性顔料＝３：２）に洗浄液２を３０ｍｌ加えて前後の粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２１８】
＜実施例１９＞
極性が異なるインクが付着して出来る凝集物を想定して処理液３：６．０ｇと記録液１：６．０ｇを混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物（カチオン性顔料：アニオン性顔料＝３：２）に洗浄液２を３０ｍｌ加えて前後の粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２１９】
＜実施例２０＞
極性が異なるインクが付着して出来る凝集物を想定して記録液３：６．０ｇと記録液２：６．０ｇを混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物（カチオン性顔料：アニオン性染料＝３：２）に洗浄液２を３０ｍｌ加えて前後の粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２２０】
＜実施例２１＞
極性が異なるインクが付着して出来る凝集物を想定して記録液４：６．０ｇと記録液１：６．０ｇを混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物（カチオン性染料：アニオン性顔料＝３：２）に洗浄液２を３０ｍｌ加えて、洗浄液２を加える前後の粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２２１】
＜比較例９＞
洗浄液２の代わりに比較洗浄液２を用いた他は実施例１９と同様にして処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２２２】
＜比較例１０＞
洗浄液２の代わりに比較洗浄液２を用いた他は実施例２０と同様にして処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２２３】
＜比較例１１＞
洗浄液２の代わりに比較洗浄液２を用いた他は実施例１９と同様にして処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２２４】
＜比較例１２＞
洗浄液２の代わりに比較洗浄液２を用いた他は実施例２０と同様にして処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２２５】
＜比較例１３＞
洗浄液２の代わりに比較洗浄液２を用いた他は実施例２１と同様にして処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２２６】
実施例１７〜２１、比較例９〜１３で粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した結果を一覧表にして表７に示す。
【０２２７】
【表７】

【０２２８】
いずれのカチオン成分を含む液体組成物とカチオン成分を含む液体組成物の凝集において、３：２の混合では混合により凝集を生じたとき増粘をする。比較例と実施例の粒径の比較から、いずれの場合においても凝集物はビヒクルを洗浄液とした時に比べて酸を含む洗浄液で再分散をし、塩基を含む洗浄液でより凝集が大きくなることが明らかとなった。
【０２２９】
＜実施例２２＞
処理液を吐出するヘッドにインクが付着して出来る凝集物を想定して処理液１：４．０ｇと記録液２：９．０ｇを混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物（カチオン性シリカ微粒子：アニオン性染料＝２：３）に洗浄液５を３０ｍｌ加えて、洗浄液を加える前後の粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２３０】
＜実施例２３＞
処理液を吐出するヘッドにインクが付着して出来る凝集物を想定して処理液２：４．０ｇと記録液１：９．０ｇを混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物（カチオン性ポリマー：アニオン性顔料＝２：３）に洗浄液５を３０ｍｌ加えて、洗浄液を加える前後の粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２３１】
＜実施例２４＞
極性が異なるインクが付着して出来る凝集物を想定して記録液３：４．０ｇと記録液１：９．０ｇを混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物（カチオン性顔料：アニオン性顔料＝２：３）に洗浄液５を３０ｍｌ加えて、洗浄液を加える前後の粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２３２】
＜実施例２５＞
極性が異なるインクが付着して出来る凝集物を想定して記録液３：４．０ｇと記録液２：９．０ｇを混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物（カチオン性顔料：アニオン性染料＝２：３）に洗浄液５を３０ｍｌ加えて、洗浄液を加える前後の粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２３３】
＜実施例２６＞
極性が異なるインクが付着して出来る凝集物を想定して記録液４：４．０ｇと記録液１：９．０ｇを混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物（カチオン性染料：アニオン性顔料＝２：３）に洗浄液５を３０ｍｌ加えて、洗浄液を加える前後の粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２３４】
＜比較例１４＞
洗浄液５の代わりに比較洗浄液２を用いた他は実施例２２と同様に、処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２３５】
＜比較例１５＞
洗浄液５の代わりに比較洗浄液２を用いた他は実施例２３と同様に、処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２３６】
＜比較例１６＞
洗浄液５の代わりに比較洗浄液２を用いた他は実施例２４と同様に、処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２３７】
＜比較例１７＞
洗浄液５の代わりに比較洗浄液２を用いた他は実施例２５と同様に、処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２３８】
＜比較例１８＞
洗浄液５の代わりに比較洗浄液２を用いた他は実施例２６と同様に、処理液と記録液を混合して反応させた微粒子凝集物の、洗浄液を加える前後における粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した。
【０２３９】
実施例２２〜２６、比較例１４〜１８で粘度変化、ｐＨ変化、粒径変化を測定した結果を一覧表にして表８に示す。
【０２４０】
【表８】

【０２４１】
いずれのカチオン成分を含む液体組成物とアニオン成分を含む液体組成物の凝集において、２：３の混合では混合により凝集を生じたとき増粘をした。比較例と実施例の粒径の比較から、いずれの場合においても凝集物はビヒクルを洗浄液とした時に比べて酸を含む洗浄液で凝集が大きくなり、塩基を含む洗浄液で再分散することが明らかとなった。
【０２４２】
＜実施例２７＞
処理液１をヘッドに充填したインクジェットプリンター《リコー社製：ＩｐｓｉｏＪｅｔ３００改造機・ピエゾヘッド》に対し、インクジェット記録ヘッドに記録液２を吹き付け故意に目詰まりを生じさせた。次に処理液１を充填したインクカートリッジを、洗浄液２を充填した洗浄液カートリッジと取り替え、インクジェット記録ヘッドに洗浄液２を吹き付けて洗浄を行った後、インクジェット記録ヘッドを洗浄液２に浸漬させた。次に吸引によるインクジェット記録ヘッドのクリーニングを行った後、このインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、処理液を吐出するインクジェット記録ヘッドに生じた凝集物による目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０２４３】
＜実施例２８＞
処理液１の代わりに処理液２を用い、記録液２の代わりに記録液１を用いた他は実施例２７と同様にしてインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０２４４】
＜実施例２９＞
処理液１の代わりに記録液３を用いたほかは実施例２７と同様にしてインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０２４５】
＜実施例３０＞
実施例２７で処理液１の代わりに記録液３を用い、記録液２の代わりに記録液１を用いた他は実施例２７と同様にしてインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０２４６】
＜実施例３１＞
処理液１の代わりに記録液４を用い、記録液２の代わりに記録液１を用いた他は実施例２７と同様にしてインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０２４７】
実施例２７〜３１で目詰まりの評価を行った結果を、実施例１０の結果とあわせて表９に示す。
【０２４８】
【表９】

【０２４９】
表９の目詰まり評価基準
処理液を紙に印字し（５ｃｍ×５ｃｍのベタ画像）、処理液の吐出状態を観察した。評価は以下の基準で行なった。
○……吐出不良無し。全面均一なベタ印字がなされている。
△……一部ノズルで吐出不良を起こしている。
×……すべてのノズルで吐出不良を起こしている。
【０２５０】
いずれのカチオン成分を含む液体組成物とアニオン成分を含む液体組成物の組み合わせにおいても、二液の反応によって生じた凝集によるカチオン成分を吐出する処理液ヘッドの吐出不良を、いずれの場合においても凝集物は酸を含む洗浄液で吐出不良を回復させることが出来た。
【０２５１】
＜実施例３２＞
記録液２をヘッドに充填したインクジェットプリンター《リコー社製：ＩｐｓｉｏＪｅｔ３００改造機・ピエゾヘッド》に対し、インクジェット記録ヘッドに処理液１を吹き付け故意に目詰まりを生じさせた。次に記録液２を充填したインクカートリッジを、洗浄液５を充填した洗浄液カートリッジと取り替え、インクジェット記録ヘッドに洗浄液５を吹き付けて洗浄を行った後、インクジェット記録ヘッドを洗浄液５に浸漬させた。次に吸引によるインクジェット記録ヘッドのクリーニングを行った後、このインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、処理液を吐出するインクジェット記録ヘッドに生じた凝集物による目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０２５２】
＜実施例３３＞
処理液１の代わりに処理液２を用い、記録液２の代わりに記録液１を用いた他は実施例３２と同様にしてインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０２５３】
＜実施例３４＞
処理液１の代わりに記録液３を用いた他は実施例３２と同様にしてインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０２５４】
＜実施例３５＞
処理液１の代わりに記録液３を用い、記録液２の代わりに記録液１を用いた他は実施例３２と同様にしてインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０２５５】
＜実施例３６＞
処理液１の代わりに記録液４を用い、記録液２の代わりに記録液１を用いた他は実施例３２と同様にしてインクジェットプリンターの印字試験を行ない、目詰まりの評価を行った。
【０２５６】
実施例３２〜３６で目詰まりの評価を行った結果を、実施例１５の結果とあわせて表１０に示す。
【０２５７】
【表１０】

【０２５８】
表１０の目詰まり評価基準
処理液を紙に印字し（５ｃｍ×５ｃｍのベタ画像）、処理液の吐出状態を観察した。評価は以下の基準で行なった。
○……吐出不良無し。全面均一なベタ印字がなされている。
△……一部ノズルで吐出不良を起こしている。
×……すべてのノズルで吐出不良を起こしている。
【０２５９】
いずれのカチオン成分を含む液体組成物とアニオン成分を含む液体組成物の組み合わせにおいても、二液の反応によって生じた凝集によるアニオン成分を吐出するの記録液ヘッドの吐出不良を、いずれの場合においても凝集物は塩基を含む洗浄液で吐出不良を回復させることが出来た。
【０２６０】
【発明の効果】
本発明の洗浄液は、いずれか一方に少なくとも微粒子成分が含まれる二液を記録媒体上で反応させて画像を形成する工程を有する画像形成装置に用いられる洗浄液であって、前記画像形成装置に生じた前記微粒子を含む凝集物を再分散する成分を含有するので、凝集物が画像形成装置の液吐出部に付着して目詰まりを起こした場合であっても、効果的に目詰まりを回復させることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】記録液と処理液が混合して出来る凝集物が記録液を吐出するインクヘッドに出来たときに生じる記録液含有微粒子過多な凝集物。
【図２】記録液と処理液が混合して出来る凝集物が処理液を吐出するインクヘッドに出来たときに生じる処理液含有微粒子過多な凝集物。
【図３】洗浄ユニットの図面である。
【図４】カートリッジの外観図。
【図５】カートリッジの断面図。
【符号の説明】
１．吸引ポンプ
２．処理液カートリッジ
３．記録液カートリッジ
４．処理液用吐出ヘッド
５．記録液吐出ヘッド
６．キャリッジ
７．ガイドシャフト
８．キャリッジ駆動ベルト
９．キャリッジ駆動モータ
１０．被記録体
１１．被記録体搬送ベルト
１２．ノズルキャップ
１３．廃液吸収体（インク用）
１４．廃液吸収体（処理液要）
１５．洗浄液流路
１６．廃液流路
１７．キャップユニット
１８．廃液流路
１９．洗浄液流路用の栓
２０．廃液流路用の栓
２１．洗浄液供給ポンプ
２２．処理液用洗浄液カートリッジ
２３．記録駅用洗浄液カートリッジ
２４．処理液用洗浄液カートリッジ（処理液カートリッジ２の互換ケース使用）
２５．記録液用洗浄液カートリッジ（記録液カートリッジ３の互換ケース使用）
２６．記録液・処理液・洗浄液共通カートリッジ
４１．カートリッジ筐体
４２．液吸収体
４３．ケース
４４．上蓋部材
４５．液供給口
４６．シールリング
４７．大気解放口
４８．溝
５０．キャップ部材
５１．液漏れ防止用突部
５３．キャップ部材
５５．シール部材
７１．カートリッジ位置決め部
８１．カートリッジ着脱用突状部
８１ａ．カートリッジ着脱用指掛け部
８２．カートリッジ着脱用窪み部
Ａ．空間[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cleaning liquid for an inkjet recording head, a cleaning liquid set using the cleaning liquid, a cleaning liquid cartridge, and a method for cleaning an inkjet recording head.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An ink jet recording method for recording an image by using a recording liquid containing a colorant as droplets is excellent in that the printing mechanism is simple and no noise is generated.
However, this inkjet recording method has a problem that image defects typified by character bleeding (hereinafter, referred to as feathering) are likely to occur depending on the combination with a recording medium, and image quality is greatly reduced. Attempts have been made to reduce feathering by reducing the permeability of the recording liquid to address this problem.However, the recording liquid with reduced permeability has poor drying properties. And the problem of image smearing newly arises.
[0003]
Further, when printing a color image, recording liquids of different colors are successively superimposed, so that color ink bleeds or mixes at a color boundary portion (hereinafter referred to as color bleed), and the image quality is reduced. There is also a problem that it is greatly reduced. Attempts have been made to reduce color bleed by increasing the permeability of the recording liquid to solve this problem.However, coloring materials with increased permeability may enter the interior of the recording medium, resulting in lower image density. In addition, a new problem has arisen in that the seepage of the recording liquid to the back side of the recording material is increased, and two-sided printing cannot be performed satisfactorily.
Therefore, an image forming method that solves these problems at the same time and improves the image quality has been desired.
[0004]
To solve this problem, a method has been proposed in which a processing liquid containing a component that forms an aggregate with a coloring material in the recording liquid is used together with the recording liquid. JP-A-6-12814 discloses a method in which a processing liquid containing a water-soluble resin having one or more carboxyl groups or anhydrides or sulfonic acid groups and a recording liquid are used in combination. Further, Japanese Patent No. 2667401 discloses a colorless or pale liquid containing a compound having two or more cationic groups per molecule. JP-A-8-81611 discloses a liquid composition containing polyallylamine and glycerin.
[0005]
However, in these prior arts, since a reactive component of a polymer is contained in a dissolved state, if added in a large amount, the viscosity is increased, and ejection failure from a recording head occurs. For this reason, the content of the reactive component must be reduced, and the change in viscosity due to the reaction with the coloring material is reduced, and the effect of suppressing feathering is reduced.
[0006]
Further, Japanese Patent No. 2675001 discloses that a colorless or pale liquid containing a polyvalent metal salt is used as a treatment liquid. Japanese Patent No. 2711098 discloses that a colorless or pale liquid containing a quaternary ammonium salt or an amine salt is used as a treatment liquid. Japanese Patent No. 3026487 discloses that a colorless or pale liquid containing a quaternary ammonium salt or an amine salt and containing a polyhydric alcohol is used as a treatment liquid.
[0007]
However, in these conventional techniques, polyvalent metal salts and amine compounds can be added in large amounts, but the size of one molecule is small, and it is difficult to form large aggregates even when reacting with the coloring material. For this reason, there is a problem in that the change in viscosity becomes small even if it reacts with the coloring material, and the effect of suppressing feathering becomes small.
[0008]
As a method for further improving image quality, a method using a processing liquid containing fine particles as a component for forming an aggregate with a coloring material in a recording liquid has been proposed.
JP-A-4-259590 discloses an ink jet recording method in which a colorless liquid containing fine silica particles is adhered to a recording material, and then a non-aqueous recording liquid containing oil black is adhered. WO 00/06390 discloses a reaction solution containing a cationic emulsion containing a site having an ultraviolet absorbing ability and / or a light stabilizing ability. JP-A-6-92010 discloses a solution containing fine particles or fine particles and a binder polymer. JP-A-11-228890 discloses a substantially colorless liquid composition containing an anionic metal oxide colloid. JP-A-2000-34432 discloses a liquid composition containing light-colored or white water-insoluble fine particles, a water-soluble organic solvent, and water. JP 2001-171095 A discloses a translucent white ink composition containing an inorganic oxide pigment as a main component. JP-A-2001-199149 discloses a liquid composition containing fine particles reactive with a coloring material. JP-A-2001-199150 (Patent Document 1) and JP-A-2001-199151 (Patent Document 2) disclose a liquid composition containing fine particles whose surface is charged to a polarity opposite to that of a recording liquid in a dispersed state. Is disclosed.
[0009]
Since the liquid containing these fine particles contains reactive fine particles in a dispersed state, it is possible to add a large amount of reaction components while suppressing an increase in the liquid viscosity as compared with the above-described processing solution in which the polymer is dissolved. In addition, since the fine particles are originally large particles as compared with a polyvalent metal salt or the like, a large aggregate can be formed when the fine particles react with the coloring material and the dispersion is lost. As a result, a large increase in viscosity occurs, and the flowability of the coloring material is suppressed, so that the effect of improving image quality such as improving feathering is great.
[0010]
On the other hand, however, it is very difficult to remove large agglomerates if they adhere to objects other than the recording medium due to paper jams or the like. In particular, if the recording liquid or the fine particles adhere to the ink jet recording head that discharges the ink, it causes clogging. Therefore, there is a need for a method for eliminating clogging due to the reacted aggregates of such fine particles.
[0011]
As a method for eliminating the clogging of the ink jet recording head, a mechanical cleaning method such as a method of combining wiping and suction, a method of recovering by applying ultrasonic vibration as disclosed in JP-A-04-039055, and JP-A-272827 and JP-A-11-222568, a method for preventing aggregation by including a component that redissolves both reactants in a recording liquid or a processing liquid, and a washing liquid as disclosed in JP-A-04-115954. There is a way to recover by using.
[0012]
In the method combining wiping and suction, aggregates resulting from the reaction of the two liquids containing fine particles in at least one of the recording liquid and the aggregate generated by the reaction of the two liquids have a smaller particle size and viscosity than those of the processing liquid alone. It is difficult to remove this because it is so high.
[0013]
Further, in a mechanical cleaning method in which recovery is performed by applying ultrasonic vibration as disclosed in JP-A-04-039055, a large apparatus must be added to the ink head.
[0014]
In JP-A-10-272827, when the compound contained in the recording liquid and the compound contained in the processing liquid are compounds having different polarities, the recording liquid or the processing liquid contains a solvent capable of re-dissolving the reactants of both. And In JP-A-11-222568 (Patent Document 3), at least two types of recording liquids having different polarities are used in an ink set, and a solvent for re-dissolving an insolubilized substance by the liquid is used as either a recording liquid or a processing liquid. Or, by including in both, it is said that a formulation in which insolubilized substances are less likely to be generated in advance.
However, in these methods, although consideration is given to agglomerates generated by the reaction due to the mixing of the two liquids, there is a problem in that the reaction is weakened due to the presence of a solvent that re-dissolves the insolubilized substance, and the image quality is sacrificed. .
[0015]
As a method of using a cleaning-dedicated liquid separately from a recording liquid and a processing liquid, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-39260 discloses a method of cleaning by replacing a cleaning liquid cartridge with an ink cartridge. However, the cleaning effect of this method is insufficient.
[0016]
As a cleaning component contained in the cleaning liquid, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 04-115954 (Patent Document 4) discloses that at least an organic solvent, a surfactant and water are mixed. JP-A-9-300637 discloses the use of a cleaning solution containing at least one or more polar solvents and at least one or more surfactants.
[0017]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-234191 discloses that the cleaning agent contains a group consisting of an organic acid, a salt of an organic acid, an organic acid ester, and a salt of an organic acid ester.
JP-A-2000-127419 discloses a cleaning solution having at least a surfactant, a basic compound, and water and having a pH of 9 or more. JP-A-2001-049292 discloses a cleaning solution in which the cleaning solution contains a compound having an oxidizing power.
[0018]
However, in these conventional techniques, no consideration is given to aggregates generated by the reaction by mixing the two liquids, so that the cleaning effect is insufficient. Agglomerates generated by the reaction due to the mixing of the two liquids have a larger adsorption force between the particles than the aggregates agglomerated by the fine particles alone, and when the nozzle head is clogged, the cleaning solution has a greater redispersion force of the aggregates. Required.
[0019]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-151759 discloses a means and an apparatus for applying a dissolving solution for re-dissolving an insolubilized substance in an ink jet apparatus for performing printing by discharging a recording liquid and a processing liquid for insolubilizing the recording liquid.
Here, the components of the solution include polar solvents such as formaldehyde, 2-pyrrolidone, hexylene glycol, EG monoethyl ether, triethanolamine, 1.2.6 hexanetriol, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, and magnesium hydroxide, and a base. Are listed as inclusions. However, although it is described that the insoluble material can be redissolved by the cleaning liquid, re-dispersion of the aggregate of fine particles is not considered, so that the cleaning effect is insufficient.
[0020]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-199150 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-199151 A
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-11-222568
[Patent Document 4]
JP-A-04-115954
[0021]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention provides an image forming apparatus having a process of forming an image by reacting two liquids on a recording medium, and even if clogging occurs, a cleaning liquid that can easily recover clogging. The purpose is to provide.
[0022]
According to the present invention, the following cleaning liquid, cleaning method, cleaning liquid set, and cleaning liquid cartridge are provided.
(1) A cleaning liquid used in an image forming apparatus having a step of forming an image by reacting two liquids each containing at least a fine particle component on a recording medium, wherein the fine particles generated in the image forming apparatus are used. A cleaning solution comprising a component for redispersing an aggregate containing:
(2) The cleaning liquid according to (1), wherein the component for redispersing the aggregate containing the fine particles is an acid.
(3) The cleaning solution according to (2), wherein the acid is an organic acid.
(4) The cleaning solution according to (2), wherein the acid is an inorganic acid.
(5) The cleaning liquid according to (1), wherein the component for redispersing the aggregate containing the fine particles is a cation donor.
(6) The cleaning liquid according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the cleaning liquid has a pH of 1 to 7.
(7) The cleaning liquid according to (1), wherein the component for redispersing the aggregate containing the fine particles is a base.
(8) The cleaning solution according to (7), wherein the base is an inorganic base.
(9) The cleaning solution according to (8), wherein the base is an organic base.
(10) The cleaning liquid according to the above (1), wherein the component for redispersing the aggregate containing the fine particles is an anion supplier.
(11) The cleaning liquid according to any one of (7) to (10), wherein the pH is 7-14.
(12) The cleaning liquid according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the cleaning liquid contains an organic solvent.
(13) The cleaning liquid according to (12), wherein the organic solvent is a polar solvent.
(14) The cleaning liquid according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the cleaning liquid contains a surfactant.
(15) The cleaning liquid according to (14), wherein the surfactant is an anionic surfactant.
(16) The cleaning solution according to (14), wherein the surfactant is a cationic surfactant.
(17) The cleaning liquid according to (14), wherein the surfactant is a nonionic surfactant.
(18) The cleaning solution according to (14), wherein the surfactant is an amphoteric surfactant.
(19) The cleaning liquid according to any one of (1) to (18), wherein the two liquids have opposite polarities.
(20) The cleaning liquid according to any one of (1) to (19), wherein the two liquids are a recording liquid and a processing liquid.
(21) The cleaning liquid according to (20), wherein the treatment liquid has a pH of 1 to 7.
(22) The cleaning liquid according to the above (20), wherein the recording liquid has a pH of 7 to 14.
(23) The cleaning liquid according to any one of (20) to (22), wherein the treatment liquid contains a cationic component.
(24) The cleaning liquid according to any of (20) to (23), wherein the recording liquid is a recording liquid containing an anionic component.
(25) The cleaning liquid according to any one of (20) to (24), wherein the processing liquid contains fine particles.
(26) The cleaning liquid according to (25), wherein the fine particles are colloidal silica.
(27) The cleaning liquid according to any of (20) to (26), wherein the treatment liquid contains a polymer.
(28) The cleaning liquid according to any one of (20) to (27), wherein the coloring material of the recording liquid is a pigment.
(29) The cleaning liquid according to any one of (20) to (27), wherein a coloring material of the recording liquid is a dye.
(30) The cleaning liquid according to any one of (20) to (22), wherein the aggregate is a concentrate of a processing liquid.
(31) The cleaning liquid according to any of (20) to (22), wherein the aggregate is a concentrate of a recording liquid.
(32) The cleaning liquid according to any one of (20) to (22), wherein the aggregate is a reaction product of a recording liquid and a processing liquid.
(33) The cleaning liquid according to any one of (1) to (18), wherein the two liquids are both recording liquids.
(34) The cleaning liquid according to (33), wherein one of the recording liquids has a pH of 1 to 7, and the other recording liquid has a pH of 7 to 14.
(35) The cleaning liquid according to (33) or (34), wherein one of the recording liquids contains a cationic component, and the other recording liquid contains an anionic component.
(36) The cleaning liquid according to any one of (33) to (35), wherein at least one of the two liquids is a recording liquid using a pigment as a coloring material.
(37) The cleaning liquid according to any one of (33) to (35), wherein at least one of the two liquids is a recording liquid using a dye as a coloring material.
(38) The cleaning liquid according to any one of (33) to (37), wherein the aggregate is a recording liquid.
(39) The cleaning liquid according to any one of (33) to (37), wherein the aggregate is a reaction product of a recording liquid and a recording liquid.
(40) A cleaning method using the cleaning liquid according to any one of (1) to (39).
(41) In a cleaning liquid used in an image recording method in which two liquids react on a recording medium, one of the ejection surfaces of the two liquids is cleaned with an acidic or neutral cleaning liquid and the other is cleaned with an alkaline or neutral cleaning liquid. A cleaning method characterized by the above-mentioned.
(42) In a cleaning liquid used in an image recording method in which two liquids react on a recording medium, one of the ejection surfaces of the two liquids is a cleaning liquid containing at least a cationic component or a nonionic component, and the other is an anionic component or a nonionic liquid. A washing method comprising washing with a washing liquid containing components.
(43) The cleaning method according to the above (41 or 42), wherein at least one of the two liquids contains fine particles as a component.
(44) The cleaning method according to (43), wherein the cleaning liquid is the cleaning liquid according to any one of (1) to (39).
(45) In a cleaning liquid used in an image recording method in which two liquids react on a recording medium, a nozzle surface for discharging a liquid composition containing a cation component of the two liquids is cleaned with an acidic cleaning liquid, and a liquid containing an anion component is removed. A cleaning liquid set comprising an alkaline cleaning liquid and an acidic cleaning liquid, wherein the nozzle surface for discharging the composition is cleaned with an alkaline cleaning liquid.
(46) In a cleaning liquid used in an image recording method in which two liquids react on a recording medium, a nozzle surface for discharging a liquid composition containing a cation component of the two liquids is cleaned with a neutral cleaning liquid and contains an anion component. A cleaning liquid set comprising a neutral cleaning liquid and an alkaline cleaning liquid, wherein the nozzle surface for discharging the liquid composition is cleaned with an alkaline cleaning liquid.
(47) In a cleaning liquid used in an image recording method in which two liquids are reacted on a recording medium, a nozzle surface for discharging a liquid composition containing a cation component of the two liquids is cleaned with an acidic cleaning liquid, and a liquid containing an anionic component is removed. A cleaning liquid set of an acidic cleaning liquid and a neutral cleaning liquid, wherein the nozzle surface for discharging the composition is cleaned with a neutral cleaning liquid.
(48) In a cleaning liquid used in an image recording method in which two liquids are reacted on a recording medium, a nozzle surface for discharging a liquid composition containing a cation component of the two liquids is washed with a cation component-containing cleaning liquid and contains an anion component. A cleaning liquid set comprising a cation component-containing cleaning liquid and an anion component-containing cleaning liquid, wherein a nozzle surface for discharging a liquid composition is cleaned with an anion component-containing cleaning liquid.
(49) In a cleaning liquid used in an image recording method in which two liquids are reacted on a recording medium, a nozzle surface for discharging a liquid composition containing a cation component of the two liquids is cleaned with a nonionic component-containing cleaning liquid and contains an anion component. A cleaning liquid set comprising a nonionic component-containing cleaning liquid and an anion component-containing cleaning liquid, wherein the nozzle surface for discharging the liquid composition is cleaned with an anion component-containing cleaning liquid.
(50) In a cleaning liquid used in an image recording method in which two liquids are reacted on a recording medium, a nozzle surface for discharging a liquid composition containing a cation component of the two liquids is washed with a cation component-containing cleaning liquid and contains an anion component. A cleaning liquid set comprising a cation component-containing cleaning liquid and a nonionic component-containing cleaning liquid, wherein a nozzle surface for discharging a liquid composition is cleaned with a nonionic component-containing cleaning liquid.
(51) The cleaning liquid set according to any one of (45) to (50), wherein at least one of the two liquid components contains fine particles.
(52) A cleaning liquid cartridge filled with the cleaning liquid according to any one of (1) to (39).
(53) A cleaning unit having a function of performing the cleaning method according to any of (40) to (44).
(54) A cleaning unit using the cleaning liquid set according to any one of (45) to (51).
(55) An image forming apparatus incorporating the cleaning unit according to (53) or (54).
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The cleaning liquid of the present invention is used for cleaning an image forming apparatus including a step of forming an image by reacting two liquids each containing at least a fine particle component on a recording medium. In such an image forming apparatus, clogging occurs because the aggregates adhere to the liquid discharge unit. In particular, when fine particles are contained in at least one of the two liquids, since aggregates formed by the reaction of the two liquids or aggregates of the fine particles alone have a large particle size, severe clogging occurs in the liquid discharge portion. The cleaning liquid of the present invention contains a component for redispersing aggregates containing fine particles generated in the image forming apparatus, and has a function of redispersing the aggregates, so that clogging can be effectively recovered.
[0024]
As will be described later, the cleaning liquid of the present invention can recover clogging by a function of redispersing aggregates even when the two liquids have opposite polarities. In other words, when the two liquids have opposite polarities, the aggregates, which are the reactants of the two liquids, in particular, have a large particle size, and it is difficult to recover the clogging. The object can be redispersed.
[0025]
Examples of the component for redispersing the aggregate containing the fine particles used in the present invention include an acid, a base, an inorganic or organic basic compound, and as an effective component for redispersing the dried aggregate. Include water, organic solvents and polar solvents. Next, components for redispersing these aggregates will be described in detail.
[0026]
The acid and the base are appropriately used depending on whether the aggregate containing the fine particles to be redispersed is excessive in cationic fine particles or excessive in anionic fine particles. That is, the aggregate containing fine particles is usually composed of cationic fine particles and anionic fine particles. If the proportion of the fine particles constituting the aggregate is too large, the redispersion is facilitated by redispersing with a washing liquid containing an acid if the amount of the cationic fine particles is excessive, and with a washing liquid containing a base if the amount of the anionic fine particles is too large. Here, the state in which the anionic component is excessive indicates a state in which the pH of the mixture is sufficiently basic than the pH at which the mixture has an isoelectric point. Conversely, a state in which the amount of the cationic component is excessive refers to a state in which the pH of the mixture is sufficiently acidic than the pH at which the mixture has the isoelectric point.
[0027]
When the fine particle component of the aggregate is only cationic fine particles or only anionic fine particles, it is effective to wash with a cleaning liquid containing an acid and a cleaning liquid containing a base, respectively.
Therefore, it is necessary to use different washing liquids containing an acid or a base in consideration of the state of the fine particles to be washed. Specifically, when the recording liquid adheres to the ink jet recording head that discharges the processing liquid, the amount of fine particles contained in the processing liquid becomes excessive, and when the processing liquid adheres to the ink jet recording head that discharges the recording liquid, recording is performed. It is considered that the liquid contains an excessive amount of fine particles.
[0028]
The condition of the place where the aggregate is attached is important, whether the aggregate is attached to the head for discharging the liquid composition containing cations or the head for discharging the liquid composition containing anions. Even in the same two-liquid aggregate, the aggregate formed on the head that discharges the liquid composition containing cations has a pH more acidic than the isoelectric point of the fine particles contained in the treatment liquid, and the cleaning liquid containing the acid has Agglomerates formed in the head that discharges the liquid composition containing anions are easier to clean, and the pH becomes more basic than the isoelectric point of the fine particles contained in the treatment liquid, and the cleaning liquid containing a base is used. Is easier to clean. FIGS. 1 and 2 show schematic diagrams of the aggregate under each condition.
[0029]
The cleaning liquid of the present invention separates agglomerates falling near the isoelectric point from the isoelectric point as a feature of the agglomerates of the fine particles by containing an appropriate amount of an acid or a base, and loses its charge and loses its self-dispersing power. The washing liquid is characterized in that the charge is generated again to enable the re-dispersion of the aggregate generated by the reaction of the two liquids. It is considered that there is a great effect not only on the aggregate formed by the reaction of the cation and the anion but also on the aggregate of the cation alone and the anion alone.
[0030]
The cause of the redispersion due to the inclusion of the acid is that the fine particles that have become close to the isoelectric point due to the two-liquid mixing or have lost the charge due to the electrical neutral condition, This is probably because the surface has a positive charge and the Ζ potential increases. That is, when the absolute value of the zeta potential of the cationic component increases, the aggregates of the cationic fine particles alone, and the aggregates formed by the reaction of the cationic component and the anionic component in which either component having an excessive amount of the cationic component is at least fine particles Can be redispersed, and clogging can be recovered. Regardless of whether the acid is an organic acid or an inorganic acid, the aggregate can be redispersed and clogging can be recovered.
[0031]
Similarly, the cause of redispersion due to the inclusion of a base is that the base gives an anion, because the two-component mixture is near the isoelectric point or the charge lost by aggregation due to electrical neutral conditions It is considered that, due to this, the fine particles have a negative charge on the surface and the absolute value of the Ζ potential increases. That is, as the absolute value of the Ζ potential increases, the redispersibility of the anion component increases. Therefore, an aggregate of the anionic fine particles alone, and either component having an excessive amount of the anionic component can be redispersed at least for the aggregate formed by the reaction between the cationic component and the anionic component, which are fine particles, Clogging can be recovered. Regardless of whether the base is an organic base or an inorganic base, the aggregate can be re-dispersed and clogging can be recovered.
[0032]
As the acid contained in the cleaning liquid, a strong acid such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid or phosphoric acid is effective for redispersion of the fine particle aggregate. Many organic acids are weak acids, and have a higher pH than inorganic acids, so that their redispersibility is inferior to inorganic acids.
In order to at least effectively re-disperse the fine particle aggregates, the washing liquid needs to have a pH lower than the isoelectric point of the cations forming the fine particle aggregates. At this time, the pH is preferably from 1 to 7, more preferably from 2 to 5. The cleaning liquid having a lower pH as far as the liquid contact allows allows the fine particle aggregates to be re-dispersed more effectively. That is, when a washing solution having a pH of 1 to 7 is used, the effect of increasing the zeta potential of the cation component in the aggregate is obtained, and the redispersibility of the cation component is increased. Therefore, it is possible to redisperse the aggregate of the cationic fine particles alone, or the aggregate in which the cationic component is excessive with respect to the aggregate of the cationic component and the anionic component in which either component is at least the fine particles. , Can recover clogging.
[0033]
Similarly, when the washing liquid contains a base, it must be higher than the isoelectric point of the anion from which the fine particle aggregate is formed in order to at least effectively redisperse the fine particle aggregate.
An inorganic base, which is a strong base, is effective for redispersion of fine particle aggregates. Organic bases are often weaker than inorganic bases, but have better wettability than inorganic bases. The cleaning liquid having a higher pH as far as the liquid contact allows allows the fine particle aggregates to be effectively re-dispersed.
At this time, the pH is preferably from 7 to 14, more preferably from 9 to 13. In other words, the use of a washing solution having a pH of 7 to 14 has the effect of increasing the absolute value of the zeta potential of the anion component in the aggregate, thereby increasing the redispersibility of the anion component. For this reason, the aggregates of the anionic fine particles alone, or the aggregate of the cationic component and the anionic component in which either component is at least fine particles, can increase the redispersibility with respect to the aggregate in which the anionic component is excessive. And can easily recover the clogging.
[0034]
As the acid to be contained in the washing solution of the present invention, a cation donor such as a protonic acid that changes pH and donates a proton is preferable. The cleaning liquid of the present invention contains a cation donor as a redispersion component, and thus an aggregate of cationic fine particles alone, or a cationic component of an aggregate of a cationic component and an anionic component in which either component is at least fine particles. It is possible to redisperse the excessive aggregates and recover clogging.
[0035]
Further, as the base to be contained in the cleaning solution of the present invention, an anion supplier that changes the pH is preferable. The cleaning liquid of the present invention contains an anion donor as a redispersion component, and an aggregate of anionic fine particles alone, or an anion component of an aggregate of a cationic component and an anionic component in which either component is at least fine particles. The redispersibility of the excessive aggregate can be increased, and the clogging can be more easily recovered.
[0036]
Next, the acid contained in the cleaning liquid of the present invention, that is, the acid as a component for redispersing the aggregate containing fine particles will be specifically described.
Examples of the inorganic acid include hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like.
Examples of the organic acid include carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids, and phenols. Among them, carboxylic acids or salts thereof are preferable, and carboxylic acids having a hydroxyl group or salts thereof are more preferable.
[0037]
Examples of the carboxylic acid include monocarboxylic acids such as formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, and benzoic acid; oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, and phthalic acid. Dicarboxylic acids such as acid, isophthalic acid and terephthalic acid; and polycarboxylic acids such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.
[0038]
Examples of the sulfonic acid include ethanesulfonic acid and the like. Examples of the phenols include phenol (carbonic acid), 4-phenolsulfonic acid, 1-naphthol, 2-naphthol, 1-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid, 2-naphthol-6-sulfonic acid, and the like. Examples of the carboxylic acid having a hydroxyl group include lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid and the like.
[0039]
In the present invention, organic acids can also be preferably used. Particularly preferred organic acids include, for example, aldonic acid, γ-aldonolactone, δ-aldonolactone, aldonates, aldanic acids and aldanates. First, aldonic acid, γ-aldonolactone, δ-aldonolactone, and aldonates will be described. Aldonic acid is a polyoxycarboxylic acid corresponding to one obtained by oxidizing an aldehyde group of aldose to a carboxyl group, and represented by the general formula
Embedded image
HOCH ₂ (C * HOH) _n COOH
(However, n represents an integer of 0 or more, and C * represents an asymmetric carbon atom.)
Is represented by As described above, aldonic acid has an asymmetric carbon atom represented by C *, and thus has many optical isomers.
[0040]
Aldonic acids having 5 or more carbon atoms (n = 3 or more in the above general formula) rarely exist alone in an aqueous solution. Aldonic acids having 5 or more carbon atoms form a lactone ring with a part of the γ-position or the δ-position hydroxyl group, and become γ-aldonolactone and δ-aldonolactone, respectively. It is said to exist as an equilibrium mixture of γ-aldonolactone and δ-aldonolactone. Also, aldonic acids having 4 carbon atoms (n = 2 in the above general formula) rarely exist alone in an aqueous solution. Aldonic acid having 4 carbon atoms partially forms a lactone ring with the hydroxyl group at the γ-position to become γ-aldonolactone, respectively, and is an equilibrium mixture of two aldonic acids and γ-aldonolactone. It is said to exist as.
[0041]
The aldonic acid will be described in more detail. Aldonic acids are classified by the number of carbon atoms. Those having 4 carbon atoms (n = 2 in the above general formula) are tetronic acids; those having 5 carbon atoms (n = 3 in the above general formula) are pentonic acid; Those of several six (n = 4 in the above general formula) are collectively referred to as hexonic acids. Specific examples of the aldonic acid include, for example, glycolic acid having 2 carbon atoms (n = 0 in the above general formula) (alias: hydroxyacetic acid); glyceric acid having 3 carbon atoms (n = 1 in the above general formula); Eritronic acid and threonic acid having 4 carbon atoms (n = 2 in the above general formula); Ribonic acid, arabonic acid, xylonic acid, and lyxonic acid having 5 carbon atoms (n = 3 in the above general formula); Gluconic acid, allonic acid, altronic acid, mannonic acid, gulonic acid, idonic acid, galactonic acid, and taronic acid (in the above general formula, n = 4); glucoheptonic acid having 7 carbon atoms (n = 4 in the above general formula) Etc., each of which has a D-form, an L-form and a DL-form.
[0042]
Among aldonic acids, particularly preferred is gluconic acid having 6 carbon atoms. Gluconic acid alone is rarely present in aqueous solutions. Normally, gluconic acid partially forms a lactone ring with a γ-position or a δ-position hydroxyl group, and becomes γ-gluconolactone or δ-gluconolactone, respectively, gluconic acid, γ-gluconolactone And δ-gluconolactone are said to exist as an equilibrium mixture. As gluconic acid, there are D-form, L-form and DL-form, and any of them may be used. Generally, D-gluconic acid of D-form can be easily obtained. Also, as optical isomers of gluconic acid, for example, allonic acid, altronic acid, mannonic acid, gulonic acid, idonic acid, galactonic acid, talonic acid and the like are present, since these show properties similar to gluconic acid, These may be used.
[0043]
Examples of the gluconate include lithium gluconate, sodium gluconate, potassium gluconate, magnesium gluconate, calcium gluconate, barium gluconate, iron (II) gluconate, copper (II) gluconate and the like. Can be Among them, it is preferable to use lithium gluconate, sodium gluconate, and potassium gluconate. These gluconic acids and their salts can be used alone or in combination of two or more.
[0044]
Next, aldanic acid and aldanates will be described. Aldanic acid (also referred to as aldaric acid) is a polyoxydicarboxylic acid corresponding to a compound obtained by oxidizing an aldehyde group and a primary alcohol group of aldose together to form a carboxyl group, and having the general formula
Embedded image
HOOC (C * HOH) _n COOH
(However, n represents an integer of 0 or more, and C * represents an asymmetric carbon atom.)
Is represented by Aldanic acid has an asymmetric carbon atom represented by C *, and therefore has many optical isomers. Aldanic acid having 5 or more carbon atoms (n = 3 or more in the above general formula) forms mono- and dilactone rings through intramolecular dehydration, although there is a difference in difficulty. Monolactone is also referred to as lactone acid, and depending on the conditions, two types of monolactones are produced, one based on a carboxyl group and the other based on a carboxyl group.
[0045]
Aldanic acid is classified according to the number of carbon atoms. Those having 3 carbon atoms (n = 1 in the general formula) are trialial acids; those having 4 carbon atoms (n = 2 in the general formula) are tetralic acid; Those having 5 (n = 3 in the above general formula) include pentalic acid (pentasaccharide acid); those having 6 carbon atoms (n = 4 in the above general formula) include hexalic acid (hexosaccharide acid). Collectively. Specific examples of aldanic acid include, for example, tartronic acid having 3 carbon atoms (n = 1 in the above general formula); tartaric acid having 4 carbon atoms (n = 2 in the above general formula); and 5 carbon atoms (the above general formula). Xylosaccharic acid, ribosaccharic acid, arabosaccharic acid with n = 3 in the formula; Glucosic acid, mannosaccharic acid, idosaccharic acid, mucus acid, taro mucus having 6 carbon atoms (n = 4 in the above general formula) Acids, allo-mucous acids, etc., each of which has a D-form, an L-form, a meso-form and a DL-form.
[0046]
Particularly preferred among the aldanic acids is tartaric acid. Tartaric acid has D-form, L-form, DL-form and meso-form, and any of them may be used. In general, L-form L-tartaric acid can be easily obtained. Examples of the tartrate include lithium tartrate, sodium tartrate, potassium tartrate, magnesium tartrate, calcium tartrate, barium tartrate, iron (II) tartrate, copper (II) tartrate, and ammonium tartrate. Among them, it is preferable to use lithium tartrate, sodium tartrate, potassium tartrate and sodium potassium tartrate. These tartaric acids or salts thereof can be used alone or in combination of two or more.
[0047]
Next, the base contained in the cleaning liquid of the present invention, that is, the base as a component for redispersing the aggregate containing fine particles will be specifically described. Examples of the base include an inorganic or organic basic compound. Preferred examples of the inorganic base compound include alkali metal hydroxides (eg, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, etc.), and particularly preferred are sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.
[0048]
Examples of the organic basic compound include mono-, di-, or tri-lower alkylamines, mono-, di-, or tri-lower alkanolamines, cyclic amines, and diamines.
[0049]
Examples of the mono-, di- or tri-lower alkylamine include mono-, di- or tri-methylamine and mono-, di- or tri-ethylamine, mono-, di- or tri-alkanolamine. Is mono-, di-, or tri-methanolamine or mono-, di-, or tri-ethanolamine.
[0050]
Examples of the cyclic amine include piperidine or pyrrolidine, and examples of the diamine include ethylenediamine or trimethylenediamine.
[0051]
In addition, examples of components of the cleaning liquid effective for redispersing the aggregate include water, an organic solvent, a polar solvent, and a surfactant. These enhance the dispersibility of the fine particles as a solvent. In particular, polar solvents are highly effective. That is, by containing the organic solvent in the cleaning liquid, the dispersibility of the aggregate in the cleaning liquid is increased as compared with the case where the solvent of the cleaning liquid is only water, so that the effect of re-dispersing the aggregate is increased and clogging can be more easily recovered. . Among organic solvents, polar solvents in particular have a high dispersing effect and a higher cleaning effect can be obtained, and clogging can be more easily recovered by including this in a cleaning solution.
[0052]
Surfactants also have the effect of reducing the tension of the cleaning solution and increasing permeability. Further, it also functions to enhance the dispersibility of the fine particles by being adsorbed and emulsified by the fine particles. That is, the use of the surfactant increases the permeability of the cleaning liquid to the aggregates, and has a higher redispersibility, so that a cleaning effect can be obtained.
As for the surfactant, the cleaning liquid containing an anionic surfactant has a high redispersing effect on anionic fine particles, and the cleaning liquid containing a cationic surfactant has a redispersing effect on cationic fine particles. Is high. The cleaning liquid containing a nonionic surfactant or an amphoteric surfactant can enhance the cleaning effect without depending on the components of the aggregate. By using these surfactants, the redispersibility of aggregates increases, and clogging can be more easily recovered.
[0053]
The water-soluble organic solvent includes a wetting agent and a penetrating agent. The wetting agent is added for the purpose of eliminating nozzle clogging of the recording head due to drying. Specific examples of the wetting agent include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,3-propanediol, and 2-methyl-1,3-propane. Diol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, glycerin, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 1,2 Polyhydric alcohols such as 1,4-butanetriol, 1,2,3-butanetriol, petriol, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethyl Polyhydric alcohol alkyl ethers such as glycol monobutyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, tetraethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and propylene glycol monoethyl ether; polyhydric alcohol aryl ethers such as ethylene glycol monophenyl ether and ethylene glycol monobenzyl ether Forehead; nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-hydroxyethyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethylimidazolidinone, ε-caprolactam; formamide, N-methylformamide; Amides such as formamide and N, N-dimethylformamide; monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monoethylamine, diethylamine, triethyl Amines such as ruamine; sulfur-containing compounds such as dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane and thiodiethanol; propylene carbonate; ethylene carbonate; and γ-butyrolactone. These solvents are used alone or in combination with water.
[0054]
Of these, particularly preferred are diethylene glycol, thiodiethanol, polyethylene glycol 200 to 600, triethylene glycol, glycerol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, 1,2,4-butanetriol, petriol, 1,5 -Pentanediol, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-hydroxyethylpyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone, and 1,3-dimethylimidazolidinone. By using these, high solubility of the present compound and jetting characteristics due to water evaporation are obtained. An excellent effect can be obtained for the elimination of defects. Particularly, in the present invention, a preferable solvent for obtaining the dispersion stability of the compound is a pyrrolidone derivative such as N-hydroxyethyl-2-pyrrolidone.
[0055]
The penetrant is preferably represented by the following formulas (I) to (IV). That is, a polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether-based surfactant of the following formula (I), an acetylene glycol-based surfactant of the formula (II), a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether-based surfactant of the following formula (III), and a formula (IV) The polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl ether surfactant of the type) can reduce the surface tension of the liquid, so that the wettability can be improved and the penetration rate can be increased.
[0056]
Embedded image

(R is an optionally branched hydrocarbon chain having 6 to 14 carbon atoms, k: 5 to 20)
[0057]
Embedded image

(M, n ≦ 20, 0 <m + n ≦ 40)
[0058]
Embedded image

(R is a hydrocarbon chain having 6 to 14 carbon atoms which may be branched)
[0059]
Embedded image

(R is a hydrocarbon chain having 6 to 14 carbon atoms, m and n are numbers of 20 or less)
[0060]
Other than the compounds of the formulas (I) to (IV), for example, diethylene glycol monophenyl ether, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, ethylene glycol monoallyl ether, diethylene glycol monophenyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, tetraethylene glycol chlorophenyl Use of alkyl and aryl ethers of polyhydric alcohols such as ethers, nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymers, fluorine surfactants, and lower alcohols such as ethanol and 2-propanol. However, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether is particularly preferred.
[0061]
When the surfactant is added to the cleaning liquid, when the processing liquid head is washed, it is desirable that the surfactant be charged to the same polarity as the fine particles and the surfactant in the processing liquid contained therein. When employing cationic fine particles having a high effect, a cationic surfactant is desirable. Similarly, when cleaning the ink head, a surfactant that is charged to the same polarity as the colorant and the surfactant in the recording liquid is desirable. That is, when using an anionic coloring material, an anionic surfactant is desirable.
[0062]
As a specific example, a cationic surfactant such as a quaternary ammonium salt, a pyridinium salt, and an imidazoline compound may be used as the cationic surfactant. Specific examples include lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, benzyltributylammonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, 2-heptadecenylhydroxyethylimidazoline and the like.
[0063]
As the cationic surfactant, commercially available cation G50 (manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd.) or the like can also be used.
[0064]
The cleaning solution of the present invention can contain an antiseptic / antifungal agent. By containing an antiseptic / antifungal agent, the growth of bacteria can be suppressed, and storage stability and image quality stability can be enhanced. Examples of the preservative and fungicide include sodium dehydroacetate, sodium sorbate, sodium 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide, isothiazoline compounds, sodium benzoate, sodium pentachlorophenol, and the like.
PROXELLV (S) (manufactured by Avicia Co., Ltd .; (main component: 1,2-benzothiazolin-3-one / sodium hydroxide)) can also be used as a commercially available antiseptic / fungicide.
[0065]
In order to improve the other functions, the cleaning liquid may contain a viscosity adjusting agent, a pH adjusting agent, a preservative, a fungicide, an oxidizing agent, a reducing agent, a rust inhibitor, an antioxidant, and the like, if necessary.
[0066]
The cleaning method of the present invention will be described. In the cleaning method of the present invention, the above-described cleaning liquid is used. Since the washing liquid has a function of re-dispersing aggregates, a washing method using the same is highly effective and can easily recover clogging caused by aggregates containing fine particles.
[0067]
In the cleaning method of the present invention, when cleaning the discharge surface of the two liquids with the cleaning liquid used in the image recording method of reacting the two liquids on the recording medium, it is necessary to use the cleaning liquid corresponding to the composition of each liquid composition to be discharged. There is. Further, when the two liquids have opposite polarities, the cleaning liquid used in the image recording method in which the two liquids react on the recording medium is a cleaning liquid comprising two or more types of cleaning liquids that can be selectively used according to the discharge surface of each liquid composition. Desirably a set. As a proper usage, a nozzle head that discharges a liquid composition containing an anionic component is preferably a cleaning liquid containing a nonionic or anionic component, and a nozzle head that discharges a liquid composition containing a cationic component is A washing solution containing a nonionic or cationic component is desirable.
[0068]
That is, when the aggregate is composed of cationic fine particles and anionic fine particles, the ratio of the fine particles constituting the aggregate is a cleaning liquid containing an acid if the amount of the cationic fine particles is excessive, and a cleaning liquid containing a base if the amount of the anionic fine particles is excessive. When re-dispersion is performed, re-dispersion is easy. Here, the state in which the amount of the anionic component is excessive indicates a state in which the pH of the mixture is sufficiently basic than the pH at which the mixture has an isoelectric point. Conversely, a state in which the amount of the cationic component is excessive refers to a state in which the pH of the mixture is sufficiently acidic than the pH at which the mixture has the isoelectric point. When the ratio of the cationic fine particles and the anionic fine particles that are aggregated is biased, the aggregation further proceeds near the point where the neutrality is reached when the pH is changed beyond the point where the electrical neutrality is achieved, Larger aggregates can be produced, which can be counterproductive.
[0069]
When the fine particle component of the aggregate is only cationic fine particles or only anionic fine particles, it is effective to wash with a cleaning liquid containing an acid and a cleaning liquid containing a base, respectively.
Therefore, it is necessary to use different washing liquids containing an acid or a base in consideration of the state of the fine particles to be washed. Specifically, when the recording liquid adheres to the ink jet recording head that discharges the processing liquid, the amount of fine particles contained in the processing liquid becomes excessive, and when the processing liquid adheres to the ink jet recording head that discharges the recording liquid, recording is performed. It is considered that the liquid contains an excessive amount of fine particles.
[0070]
The condition of the place where the aggregate is attached is important, whether the aggregate is attached to the head for discharging the liquid composition containing cations or the head for discharging the liquid composition containing anions. Even in the same two-liquid aggregate, the aggregate formed in the head that discharges the cation-containing liquid composition has a pH that is more acidic than the isoelectric point of the fine particles contained in the processing liquid, and the cleaning liquid containing the acid has a higher pH. Is easy to clean, the aggregates formed in the head that ejects the liquid composition containing anions become more basic than the isoelectric point of the fine particles contained in the treatment liquid, and the cleaning liquid containing the base Cleaning is easier. FIGS. 1 and 2 show schematic diagrams of the aggregate under each condition.
[0071]
In addition, taking into account the pH and polarity of each of the liquid compositions ejected from the ink head, it is possible to cause a neutralization reaction to the liquid compositions or to selectively use a cleaning liquid that does not contain a substance having the opposite polarity. In an image forming method in which two liquids react on a recording medium, the present invention is effective not only when one of the two liquids contains fine particles.
[0072]
The cleaning method of the present invention is a method using the cleaning liquid for an image recording method in which two liquids are reacted on a recording medium. One of the discharge surfaces of the two liquids is an acidic or neutral cleaning liquid, and the other is an alkaline or neutral cleaning liquid. It is preferable to wash with a cleaning solution of a nature. That is, if the two liquids are a combination of an acidic liquid composition and a basic liquid composition, an acidic or neutral cleaning liquid is applied to the nozzle head for discharging the acidic liquid composition, and the basic liquid composition is used. By using a basic or neutral cleaning liquid for the nozzle head that discharges the liquid, the discharged liquid composition is not aggregated or thickened, and the nozzle head is not clogged. Can be recovered.
[0073]
It is preferable that one of the two liquid ejection surfaces is washed with a cleaning liquid containing at least a cationic component or a nonionic component, and the other is washed with a cleaning liquid containing an anionic component or a nonionic component. That is, if the two liquids are a combination of a liquid composition containing a cationic component and a liquid composition containing an anionic component, for a nozzle head that discharges a liquid composition containing a cationic component, A cleaning liquid containing a cationic or nonionic component, and a liquid discharged by using a cleaning liquid containing an anionic or nonionic component for a nozzle head that discharges a liquid composition containing an anionic component. The clogging can be recovered without aggravating or thickening the composition to worsen the clogging of the nozzle head.
[0074]
Further, even when one of the two liquids contains fine particles as at least a component, it is possible to effectively clean the liquid by appropriately using the liquid composition discharged from the nozzle head. Can be.
[0075]
Next, the cleaning liquid set of the present invention will be described. The cleaning liquid set of the present invention is a cleaning liquid comprising two or more types of cleaning liquids having a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the two liquids, when performing the cleaning method for an apparatus that records an image by reacting the two liquids on a recording medium. It is a set.
[0076]
One of the cleaning liquid sets is a cleaning liquid used in an image recording method in which two liquids are reacted on a recording medium, and a nozzle surface for discharging a liquid composition containing a cation component among the two liquids is cleaned with an acidic cleaning liquid, It is used for cleaning a nozzle surface for discharging a liquid composition containing an anionic component with an alkaline cleaning liquid. The other of the cleaning liquid sets is such that the nozzle surface for discharging the liquid composition containing the cation component of the two liquids is washed with a neutral cleaning liquid, and the nozzle surface for discharging the liquid composition containing the anion component is washed with an alkaline cleaning liquid. It is used for cleaning. Another one of the cleaning liquid sets is such that the nozzle surface for discharging the liquid composition containing the cation component of the two liquids is washed with an acidic cleaning liquid, and the nozzle surface for discharging the liquid composition containing the anion component is washed with a neutral cleaning liquid. It is used for cleaning. Another one of the cleaning liquid sets is such that the nozzle surface for discharging the liquid composition containing the cation component of the two liquids is washed with the cleaning liquid containing the cation component, and the nozzle surface for discharging the liquid composition containing the anion component is the cleaning liquid containing the anion component. It is used for cleaning with. The other of the cleaning liquid sets is such that the nozzle surface for discharging the liquid composition containing the cation component of the two liquids is washed with the nonionic component-containing cleaning liquid, and the nozzle surface for discharging the liquid composition containing the anion component is the cleaning liquid containing the anion component. It is used for cleaning with. Another one of the cleaning liquid sets is such that the nozzle surface for discharging the liquid composition containing the cation component of the two liquids is cleaned with the cleaning liquid containing the cation component, and the nozzle surface for discharging the liquid composition containing the anion component is the cleaning liquid containing the nonionic component. It is used for cleaning with. The other one of the cleaning liquid sets is used when at least fine particles are contained in one of the two liquid components.
[0077]
It is preferable that the cleaning liquid set of the present invention is appropriately selected and used based on the following criteria.
When cleaning the aggregate formed on the discharge surface of the liquid composition containing a cationic component, the cleaning liquid is desirably acidic and may be neutral. Further, it is desirable that the washing liquid contains a cationic component, particularly a cationic surfactant, but it may contain a nonionic component. When cleaning the aggregate formed on the discharge surface of the liquid composition containing an anionic component, the cleaning liquid is preferably alkaline and may be neutral. It is desirable to contain an anionic component, especially an anionic surfactant, but it is also possible to contain a nonionic component.
Therefore, when the two liquids contain cationic and anionic components of opposite polarities, a combination of acidic-basic, acidic-neutral, and neutral-basic washing liquid sets can be used to form aggregates. The clog can be recovered. In addition, clogging of aggregates can be recovered by using a combination of a washing liquid set containing a cationic-anionic, cationic-nonionic, or nonionic-anionic component.
[0078]
The cleaning liquid cartridge of the present invention is filled with the cleaning liquid. Since the cleaning liquid is filled in the cartridge, it can be easily attached to the apparatus. Further, by using a compatible ink cartridge, it is possible to clean the inside of the nozzle head by replacing the ink cartridge with the ink cartridge.
[0079]
An example of an external view of the cleaning liquid cartridge of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4 and a sectional view thereof is shown in FIG. 5. The cleaning unit of the present invention has a function of performing the above-mentioned cleaning method and uses the above-mentioned cleaning liquid set. Such a washing unit has not existed conventionally. When the cleaning unit is used, in an image recording apparatus that forms an image by reacting on a recording medium, clogging can be recovered by cleaning even if aggregates are generated in the nozzle head.
[0080]
An example of a cleaning unit to which the cleaning method of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. However, the present invention is not limited by the device diagram shown in FIG.
When the aggregates are generated in the processing liquid discharge unit 4 due to a paper jam or the like, the processing liquid required discharge unit 4 is washed from the outside with the processing liquid cleaning liquid filled in the processing liquid cleaning liquid cartridge 22. It is also effective to replace the liquid remaining in the flow path and wash the processing liquid discharge section from the inside by replacing the processing liquid cartridge 2 with the processing liquid cleaning liquid cartridge 24. The processing liquid cleaning cartridges 22 and 24 may be the same or different. When the treatment liquid contains a cationic component, the washing liquid for the treatment liquid is preferably an acidic or neutral cleaning liquid containing no anionic component. Similarly, when aggregates are generated in the recording liquid discharge unit 5, the recording liquid is washed with the recording liquid cleaning liquid filled in the recording liquid cleaning liquid cartridge 23. It is also effective to exchange the recording liquid cartridge 3 with the cleaning liquid cartridge 25 for recording liquid to replace the liquid remaining in the flow path and wash the inside of the flow path. The recording liquid cleaning cartridges 23 and 25 may be the same or different. When the recording liquid contains an anionic component, an alkaline or neutral cleaning liquid that does not contain a cationic component is desirably used. Cleaning is performed with a cleaning liquid containing the same polar or nonionic component in accordance with the liquid composition to be discharged in this manner.
[0081]
The waste liquid generated by the washing is stored in the waste liquid tanks 13 and 14 from the nozzle cap 12 through the waste liquid flow paths 16 and 18. At this time, the waste liquid which has washed the processing liquid discharge section and the waste liquid which has washed the recording liquid discharge section are separately mixed into the waste liquid tank so that aggregates are newly generated and the waste liquid flow paths 16 and 18 are not clogged. It is desirable to guide. Further, it is preferable that the waste liquid is absorbed in separate waste liquid tanks 13 and 14 so that aggregates are not generated and the absorbability of the foam body is not reduced.
[0082]
Further, the cleaning liquids used for the cleaning method for cleaning the inkjet recording head from the outside and the method for cleaning from the inside may be the same or different, respectively. good.
[0083]
The image forming apparatus using the cleaning liquid of the present invention includes a step of forming an image by reacting two liquids each containing at least a fine particle component on a recording medium. The two components constituting the process may have opposite polarities. When the two liquids have opposite polarities, the aggregates, which are the reactants of the two liquids, have a large particle size, and it is difficult to recover the clogging.However, the cleaning liquid of the present invention is used when the two liquids have the opposite polarities. In addition, clogging can be recovered by the function of re-dispersing aggregates.
[0084]
In the present invention, the above two liquids usually comprise a recording liquid and a processing liquid. Even in such a case, the cleaning liquid of the present invention has a function of redispersing aggregates, so that clogging can be recovered.
[0085]
In the present invention, the pH of the processing liquid is 1 to 7, and the pH of the recording liquid is 7 to 1. The cleaning agent of the present invention has a function of redispersing aggregates. Clogging can be recovered even when the recording liquid contains an anionic component.
[0086]
Since the cleaning agent of the present invention has a function of redispersing aggregates, even if the treatment liquid contains fine particles, even if it contains a polymer, even if the treatment liquid is a mixture containing both fine particles and a polymer. , Can recover clogging. In addition, even among colloidal silica particles that are particularly likely to aggregate among the fine particles, clogging can be recovered by the function of re-dispersing aggregates with the cleaning liquid of the present invention.
[0087]
Since the cleaning agent of the present invention has a function of redispersing aggregates, clogging can be recovered even if the coloring material of the recording liquid is a pigment or a dye, or the recording liquid is a mixture of a pigment and a dye.
[0088]
Since the cleaning agent of the present invention has a function of re-dispersing aggregates, the components of the aggregates generated can be used alone as a component (concentrate of the processing liquid) contained in the processing liquid, or as a coloring material contained in the recording liquid. The clogging can be recovered by a simple substance (a concentrate of the recording liquid) or a reaction product of the component contained in the processing liquid and the coloring material contained in the recording liquid.
[0089]
Since the cleaning agent of the present invention has a function of redispersing aggregates, clogging can be recovered even when the two liquids are both recording liquids.
[0090]
Since the cleaning agent of the present invention has a function of redispersing aggregates, when the two liquids are both recording liquids, the pH of one recording liquid is 1 to 7 and the pH of the other recording liquid is pH 7 to 7. Even with 9, the clogging can be recovered.
[0091]
Since the cleaning agent of the present invention has a function of re-dispersing aggregates, when one recording liquid contains a cationic component and the other recording liquid contains an anionic component, the Although the particle size increases and it becomes difficult to recover the clogging, the clogging can be recovered even in such a case.
[0092]
Since the cleaning agent of the present invention has a function of redispersing aggregates, clogging can be recovered even when the two liquids are both recording liquids, even if the two liquids are both pigments.
[0093]
Since the cleaning agent of the present invention has a function of redispersing the aggregates, the components of the aggregates generated by reacting the two liquids can be used for the individual recording materials even if the colorants contained in the respective recording liquids alone. Clogging can be recovered even with a reaction product between the coloring materials contained in the liquid.
[0094]
Next, the recording liquid will be described in detail.
A pigment is used as a coloring material used in the recording liquid, and in an image forming method of mixing two liquids, if one is a liquid composition containing fine particles, the other liquid composition uses a coloring material having an opposite polarity. Can be When the fine particles are cationic, an anionic dye or pigment is electrically neutralized and agglomerated, so that it is preferably used from the viewpoint of improving image quality.
[0095]
Examples of the pigment used in the recording liquid include azo, phthalocyanine, anthraquinone, quinacridone, dioxazine, indigo, thioindigo, perylene, isoindolenone, aniline black, azomethine, and rhodamine B as organic pigments. Lake pigments, carbon black, and the like, and inorganic pigments include iron oxide, titanium oxide, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, aluminum hydroxide, barium yellow, navy blue, cadmium red, chrome yellow, and metal powder.
[0096]
Examples of the pigment dispersant having an anionic group include polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, styrene acrylic resin, styrene maleic resin, water-soluble vinyl naphthalene acrylic resin, water-soluble vinyl naphthalene maleic resin, and β-naphthalene sulfonic acid formalin Condensates, carboxymethylcellulose, starch glycolic acid, sodium alginate, pectic acid, hyaluronic acid and the like can be mentioned. These anionic dispersants are used in the form of an acid, and alkali metal salts such as sodium and potassium are also used.
[0097]
Typical examples of the pigment having an anionic group on its surface include carbon black having a carboxyl group or a sulfonic acid group. Other examples include phthalocyanine-based pigments and anthraquinone-based pigments that have been oxidized or treated with fuming sulfuric acid to introduce carboxyl groups or sulfonic groups into some of the pigment particles.
[0098]
As the dye, a dye classified into an acid dye, a direct dye, a basic dye, a reactive dye and an edible dye in a color index and having excellent water resistance and light resistance is used. These dyes may be used as a mixture of a plurality of types, or may be used as a mixture with other dyes such as pigments as necessary.
[0099]
(A) As acid dyes and food dyes
C. I. Acid Yellow 17, 23, 42, 44, 79, 142
C. I. Acid Red 1, 8, 13, 14, 18, 26, 27, 35, 37, 42, 52, 82, 87, 89, 92, 97, 106, 111, 114, 115, 134, 186, 249, 254 , 289
C. I. Acid Blue 9, 29, 45, 92, 249
C. I. Acid Black 1, 2, 7, 24, 26, 94
C. I. Food Yellow 3,4
C. I. Food Red 7, 9, 14
C. I. Food black 1,2
[0100]
(B) Direct dye
C. I. Direct Yellow 1,12,24,26,33,44,50,86,120,132,142,144
C. I. Direct Red 1,4,9,13,17,20,28,31,39,80,81,83,89,225,227
C. I. Direct Orange 26, 29, 62, 102
C. I. Direct Blue 1,2,6,15,22,25,71,76,79,86,87,90,98,163,165,199,202
C. I. Direct Black 19, 22, 32, 38, 51, 56, 71, 74, 75, 77, 154, 168, 171
[0101]
(C) As a basic dye
C. I. Basic Yellow 1, 2, 11, 13, 14, 15, 19, 21, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 32, 36, 40, 41, 45, 49, 51, 53, 63, 64, 65 , 67, 70, 73, 77, 87, 91
C. I. Basic Red 2, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 35, 36, 38, 39, 46, 49, 51, 52, 54, 59, 68, 69, 70 , 73, 78, 82, 102, 104, 109, 112
C. I. Basic Blue 1,3,5,7,9,21,22,26,35,41,45,47,54,62,65,66,67,69,75,77,78,89,92,93 , 105, 117, 120, 122, 124, 129, 137, 141, 147, 155
C. I. Basic Black 2,8
[0102]
(D) As a reactive dye
C. I. Reactive Black 3,4,7,11,12,17
C. I. Reactive Yellow 1,5,11,13,14,20,21,22,25,40,47,51,55,65,67
C. I. Reactive Red 1,14,17,25,26,32,37,44,46,55,60,66,74,79,96,97
C. I. Reactive Blue 1, 2, 7, 14, 15, 23, 32, 35, 38, 41, 63, 80, 95, etc. can be used.
[0103]
A water-soluble organic solvent is used as the recording liquid, in addition to the coloring material, for the purpose of preventing clogging of nozzles of the recording head due to drying. The water-soluble organic solvent includes a wetting agent and a penetrating agent. The wetting agent is added for the purpose of preventing clogging of the nozzles of the recording head due to drying. Specific examples of the wetting agent include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,3-propanediol, and 2-methyl-1,3-propane. Diol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, glycerin, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 1,2 Polyhydric alcohols such as 1,4-butanetriol, 1,2,3-butanetriol, petriol, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethyl Polyhydric alcohol alkyl ethers such as glycol monobutyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, tetraethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and propylene glycol monoethyl ether; polyhydric alcohol aryl ethers such as ethylene glycol monophenyl ether and ethylene glycol monobenzyl ether Forehead; nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-hydroxyethyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethylimidazolidinone, ε-caprolactam; formamide, N-methylformamide; Amides such as formamide and N, N-dimethylformamide; monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monoethylamine, diethylamine, triethyl Amines such as ruamine; sulfur-containing compounds such as dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane and thiodiethanol; propylene carbonate; ethylene carbonate; and γ-butyrolactone. These solvents are used alone or in combination with water.
[0104]
The penetrant is added for the purpose of improving the wettability between the recording liquid and the recording material and adjusting the penetration speed. As the penetrant, those represented by the following formulas (I) to (IV) are preferable. That is, a polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether-based surfactant of the following formula (I), an acetylene glycol-based surfactant of the formula (II), a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether-based surfactant of the following formula (III), and a formula (IV) The polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl ether surfactant of the type) can reduce the surface tension of the liquid, so that the wettability can be improved and the penetration rate can be increased.
[0105]
Embedded image

(R is an optionally branched hydrocarbon chain having 6 to 14 carbon atoms, k: 5 to 20)
[0106]
Embedded image

(M and n are 0 to 40)
(M, n ≦ 20, 0 <m + n ≦ 40)
[0107]
Embedded image

(R is a hydrocarbon chain having 6 to 14 carbon atoms which may be branched)
[0108]
Embedded image

(R is a hydrocarbon chain having 6 to 14 carbon atoms, m and n are numbers of 20 or less)
[0109]
Other than the compounds of the formulas (I) to (IV), for example, diethylene glycol monophenyl ether, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, ethylene glycol monoallyl ether, diethylene glycol monophenyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, tetraethylene glycol chlorophenyl Alkyl and aryl ethers of polyhydric alcohols such as ethers, nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymers, fluorine surfactants, lower alcohols such as ethanol and 2-propanol are used. In particular, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether is used.
[0110]
Next, the treatment liquid will be described. The processing liquid sometimes contains a polymer that reacts with the coloring material in the recording liquid. There is no particular limitation on the particle shape, and any of a spherical shape, a bead shape, and an amorphous shape can be used.
[0111]
For example, cations such as polyallylamine, polyvinylamine, polyimine, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethyleneimine, polyvinylpyridine, aminoacetalized polyvinyl alcohol, ionene polymer, polyvinylimidazole, polyvinylbenzylphosphonium, polyalkylallylammonium, polyamidine, polyamine sulfone, and cationic starch Polymer compounds. As the cationic polymer compound, a higher alkylamine, a higher alkylammonium compound or a polyvalent amine compound is also used.
[0112]
Examples of the alkylamine or lower alkylammonium compound include laurylamine, stearylamine, cetylamine, behenylamine, dimethylstearylamine, lauryltrimethylammonium, cetyltrimethylammonium, stearyltrimethylammonium, behenyltrimethylammonium, dioctyldimethylammonium, distearyldimethyl Ammonium, stearyldimethylbenzylammonium, and the like. These ethylene oxide adducts are also used.
[0113]
Specific examples of the polyvalent amine compound include ethylenediamine, hexamethylenetetramine, piperazine, hexamethyleneimine, hexamethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, tetraethylenepentamine, heptaethyleneoctamine, nanoethylenedecamine, triethylenetetramine, triethylene -Bis (trimethylene) hexamine, bis (3-aminoethyl) aminemethylenediamine, N, N'-bis- (3-aminopropyl) putrescine, 1,4-diazacycloheptane, 1,5-diazacyclooctane , 1,4,11,14-tetraazatocroeicosane, 1,2-diaminopropan-3-ol, phenylenediamine, triaminobenzene, tetraaminobenzene, pentaaminobenzene, and the like.
[0114]
The processing liquid may contain fine particles that react with the coloring material in the recording liquid. The fine particles may be organic fine particles, may be inorganic fine particles, or may be organic-inorganic composite fine particles. There is no particular limitation on the particle shape, and any of a spherical shape, a bead shape, and an amorphous shape can be used.
[0115]
Examples of the organic fine particles include polystyrene, styrene-acryl copolymer, polymethyl methacrylate, melamine resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, benzoguanamine resin, polyamide resin, fluorine resin, and α, β-unsaturated ethylenic monomer. Examples include polymers obtained by emulsion polymerization and the like.
As the inorganic fine particles, inorganic salts such as calcium carbonate and silica (SiO ₂ ) And the like.
[0116]
Specific examples of the inorganic salt include calcium carbonate, calcium nitrate, calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, aluminum nitrate, aluminum chloride, aluminum sulfate, and iron sulfate. When used as an aqueous treatment liquid, those having low solubility in water, such as calcium carbonate, calcium nitrate, and iron sulfate, are used. These can be further subjected to cationization treatment to further enhance the adsorbing ability and the aggregating ability of the coloring material.
As a specific example of the inorganic fine particles, silica (SiO ₂ ), Cationized silica, titanium dioxide, alumina (Al ₂ O ₃ ) And the like.
[0117]
Among inorganic fine particles, cationic silica is particularly used in terms of reactivity. Cationic silica is used as long as the surface of the silica has been subjected to a cationization treatment. For cationization, a cationic compound may be chemically and physically introduced into the silica surface. For example, the surface is chemically treated by coupling an amino compound to a silanol group of silica or by reacting with an aluminum compound. In addition, silica is mixed with a cationic compound in a solvent, and the surface is physically treated by removing the solvent after physically adsorbing the cationic compound. At that time, specific examples of the anionic silica used as the core material include ST-ZL, ST-20, ST-30, ST-40, ST-C, ST-N, ST-O, ST-S, and ST-ZL. 50, ST-20L, ST-OL, ST-XS, ST-YL, ST-XL, ST-UP, ST-OUP (all manufactured by Nissan Chemical), Cataloid SI-350, SI-500 (all manufactured by DuPont) ), Nipgel AY-220, AY-420, AY-460 (all manufactured by Nippon Silica) and the like.
[0118]
Specifically, examples of the cationized product of silica include ST-AK (manufactured by Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd.). Examples of the alumina include alumina sols 100, 200, and 520 (all manufactured by Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd.). Examples of the titanium dioxide include a titania series (made by Idemitsu Kosan). Some of these fine particles are already available as an aqueous dispersion.
[0119]
Further, colloidal silica, in particular, cationic colloidal silica is also used. This is because the cationic colloidal silica has particularly high reactivity with the coloring material among the inorganic fine particles, and higher image quality can be obtained in an ink set in which a processing liquid and an ink using the same are used.
[0120]
As the fine particles, cationic inorganic-organic composite fine particles can be used, and any fine particles of cationic inorganic-organic composite fine particles can be used.
[0121]
The cationic inorganic-organic composite fine particles are obtained by adsorbing a cationic organic compound on the surface of the inorganic fine particles or conversely adsorbing a cationic inorganic compound on the surface of the organic compound. For example, inorganic-organic composite fine particles coated with a cationic polymer are prepared by dispersing inorganic fine particles in a solvent such as water, and adding the cationic polymer to water or a solution of a water-soluble organic solvent. Obtained by slowly adding.
[0122]
Specific examples of the cationic polymer include polyallylamine, polyvinylamine, polyimine, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethyleneimine, polyvinylpyridine, aminoacetalized polyvinyl alcohol, ionene polymer, polyvinylimidazole, polyvinylbenzylphosphonium, polyalkylallylammonium, and polyamidine. , Polyamine sulfone, and cationic polymer compounds such as cationic starch.
[0123]
The added amount of the fine particles is more than 10 wt% with respect to the processing solution, and may be 15 wt% or more. When the content is 10 wt% or less, the effect of improving image quality cannot be sufficiently obtained. Note that a plurality of fine particles may be used in combination. As the fine particles reactive with the coloring material, inorganic fine particles are used. The inorganic fine particles are used because the reactivity with the coloring material is particularly high among the fine particles, and a higher image quality can be obtained in an ink set in which a treatment liquid using the inorganic fine particles is combined with an ink.
[0124]
The average particle diameter of the fine particles is 500 nm or less, and those having a diameter of 200 nm or less are used from the viewpoint of ejection stability. If the thickness is 500 nm or more, clogging of the discharge head is likely to occur, and discharge failure is likely to occur.
The average particle diameter can be measured with an optical particle size distribution meter, and is expressed as a particle diameter of 50% of the number of particles.
[0125]
The fine particles are subjected to dispersion treatment in a vehicle containing water as a main component to form a treatment liquid. When dispersing, a deflocculant is used to stabilize the dispersion. The deflocculant forms an electric double layer on the surface of the charged particles, and the electric double layer electrostatically repels to prevent the particles from approaching and stabilize the dispersion. Since the cationic fine particles are positively charged from neutral to acidic, acetic acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, formic acid, lactic acid, which are anion sources, and their alkali metal salts, zirconium compounds such as zirconium oxychloride hydrate, Sodium pyrophosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, taurine and the like are used as peptizers.
[0126]
The treatment liquid can be manufactured by the following method. Fine particles, water and a deflocculant are mixed to prepare a dispersion. If necessary, a water-soluble solvent is added, and the mixture is peptized by a peptizer. Examples of the peptizer used in this case include a high-speed rotating high-shear type agitator / peptizer, a dissolver, a colloid mill, a homogenizer, an ultrasonic peptizer and the like. K. Auto homomixer, T.I. K. Homomic line flow, ultra homomixer, NNK colloid mill and the like can be mentioned. The number of revolutions during peptization varies depending on the type and structure of the peptizer, but is usually 500 to 10000 rpm, and may be 2000 to 8000 rpm. The temperature at the time of peptization is 5 to 100C. The peptizing time varies depending on the type and structure of the peptizer, but is 0.01 to 48 hours.
[0127]
The treatment liquid also contains a water-soluble organic solvent. The water-soluble organic solvent includes a wetting agent and a penetrating agent. The wetting agent is added for the purpose of preventing clogging of the nozzles of the recording head due to drying. Specific examples of the wetting agent include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,3-propanediol, and 2-methyl-1,3-propane. Diol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, glycerin, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 1,2 Polyhydric alcohols such as 1,4-butanetriol, 1,2,3-butanetriol, petriol, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethyl Polyhydric alcohol alkyl ethers such as glycol monobutyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, tetraethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and propylene glycol monoethyl ether; polyhydric alcohol aryl ethers such as ethylene glycol monophenyl ether and ethylene glycol monobenzyl ether Forehead; nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-hydroxyethyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethylimidazolidinone, ε-caprolactam; formamide, N-methylformamide; Amides such as formamide and N, N-dimethylformamide; monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monoethylamine, diethylamine, triethyl Amines such as ruamine; sulfur-containing compounds such as dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane and thiodiethanol; propylene carbonate; ethylene carbonate; and γ-butyrolactone. These solvents are used alone or in combination with water.
[0128]
Among these, diethylene glycol, thiodiethanol, polyethylene glycol 200 to 600, triethylene glycol, glycerol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, 1,2,4-butanetriol, petriol, 5-pentanediol, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-hydroxyethylpyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone, and 1,3-dimethylimidazolidinone; in particular, pyrrolidone derivatives such as N-hydroxyethyl-2-pyrrolidone are used. . These are used for obtaining an excellent effect on prevention of poor jetting characteristics due to high solubility and water evaporation.
[0129]
The penetrant is added for the purpose of improving the wettability between the processing liquid and the recording material and adjusting the penetration speed. As the penetrant, those represented by the following formulas (I) to (IV) are preferable. That is, a polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether-based surfactant of the following formula (I), an acetylene glycol-based surfactant of the formula (II), a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether-based surfactant of the following formula (III), and a formula (IV) The polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl ether surfactant of the type) can reduce the surface tension of the liquid, and is added to improve the wettability and increase the penetration rate.
[0130]
Embedded image

(R is an optionally branched hydrocarbon chain having 6 to 14 carbon atoms, k: 5 to 20)
[0131]
Embedded image

(M and n are 0 to 40)
(M, n ≦ 20, 0 <m + n ≦ 40)
[0132]
Embedded image

(R is a hydrocarbon chain having 6 to 14 carbon atoms which may be branched)
[0133]
Embedded image

(R is a hydrocarbon chain having 6 to 14 carbon atoms, m and n are numbers of 20 or less)
[0134]
Other than the compounds of the formulas (I) to (IV), for example, diethylene glycol monophenyl ether, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, ethylene glycol monoallyl ether, diethylene glycol monophenyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, tetraethylene glycol chlorophenyl Alkyl and aryl ethers of polyhydric alcohols such as ethers, nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymers, fluorine surfactants, lower alcohols such as ethanol and 2-propanol are used. In particular, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether is used.
[0135]
Further, a surfactant is also added to the treatment liquid, and a cationic compound is often used. The cationic surfactant is added because it has the effect of lowering the surface tension and increasing the wettability with the recording material to quickly form the fine particle layer, and has the effect of aggregating the anionic colorant and improving the image quality. Is done.
[0136]
As a specific example, a cationic surfactant such as a quaternary ammonium salt, a pyridinium salt, and an imidazoline compound may be used as the cationic compound. Specific examples include lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, benzyltributylammonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, 2-heptadecenylhydroxyethylimidazoline and the like.
[0137]
Further, a commercially available cation G50 (manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Co., Ltd.) or the like is also added as the cationic surfactant.
[0138]
The surface tension of the treatment liquid is usually from 20 to 60 dyne / cm, and from 30 to 50 dyne / cm in consideration of both wettability with the recording material and dropletization.
[0139]
The viscosity of the treatment liquid is usually 1.0 to 20.0 cP, and is 3.0 to 10.0 cP in consideration of ejection stability.
[0140]
The surface tension of the treatment liquid is usually from 20 to 60 dyne / cm, and from 30 to 50 dyne / cm in consideration of both wettability with the recording material and dropletization.
[0141]
The treatment liquid and / or recording liquid may contain an antiseptic / antifungal agent. By containing an antiseptic / antifungal agent, the growth of bacteria can be suppressed, and storage stability and image quality stability can be enhanced. Examples of the preservative and fungicide include sodium dehydroacetate, sodium sorbate, sodium 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide, isothiazoline compounds, sodium benzoate, sodium pentachlorophenol and the like.
In addition, PROXELLV (S) [manufactured by Avicia Co., Ltd .; (main component: 1,2-benzothiazolin-3-one / sodium hydroxide)] is a commercially available antiseptic / fungicide.
[0142]
The treatment liquid and / or the recording liquid may contain a pH adjuster.
Examples of the pH adjuster include hydroxides of alkali metal elements such as lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, quaternary ammonium hydroxide, quaternary phosphonium hydroxide, lithium carbonate, Examples thereof include carbonates of alkali metals such as sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate, amines such as diethanolamine and triethanolamine, boric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and acetic acid.
[0143]
An image forming apparatus using the cleaning liquid of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3 stores the processing liquid and the recording liquid in the cartridges 2 and 3, and supplies the processing liquid and the recording liquid from the cartridge to the recording head.
Here, the cartridges 2 and 3 are mounted in a state where the cartridges for the processing liquid and the recording liquid for each color are separated.
[0144]
The recording head is mounted on a carriage 6 and moves while being guided by a guide shaft 7 by a timing belt 8 driven by a main scanning motor 9. On the other hand, the recording material 10 is placed at a position facing the recording heads 4 and 5 by the platen.
[0145]
A discharge head 4 for processing liquid from which the processing liquid is discharged is provided at one or both ends of a row of the recording liquid discharge heads 5 of the carriage, and a yellow recording liquid, a magenta recording liquid, and a cyan recording liquid are respectively output from the recording liquid discharge heads 5. , And the black recording liquid is discharged.
[0146]
In the print head of such an embodiment, since the processing liquid ejection nozzles are provided at the left and right ends, printing can be performed on both the forward path and the return path where the print head reciprocates on the carriage. That is, it is possible to apply the processing liquid first and apply the color recording liquid from above, or vice versa, in both the forward path and the return path, and the image density difference due to the difference in the moving direction of the recording head is possible. Does not occur.
[0147]
In the above image forming apparatus, the processing liquid and the recording liquid can be replenished by replacing the cartridge. The cartridge may be integrated with the recording head.
[0148]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples. However, these examples do not limit the present invention at all. All parts in the following formulations are parts by weight.
[0149]
Aggregates produced by these reactions were prepared using two combinations of two liquids whose components had opposite polarities. That is, using a treatment liquid containing a cationic component and a recording liquid containing an anion component, or a recording liquid containing a cation component and a recording liquid containing an anion component, an aggregate produced by these reactions was prepared.
[0150]
It is assumed that the above-mentioned aggregates are generated when the recording liquid adheres to the inkjet recording head that discharges the processing liquid, and when the processing liquid adheres to the inkjet recording head that discharges the recording liquid. Specifically, assuming that the cation component is excessive, the weight ratio of the components having reactivity (cationic component: anionic component) is mixed to be 3: 2 to form an aggregate, and the anion component is prepared. Aggregates were prepared by mixing such that the weight ratio (cationic component: anionic component) was 2: 3, assuming an excessive amount. Each of these aggregates was diluted with the washing liquid described below, and the viscosity, particle size, and the like of the obtained redispersion liquid of the aggregate were measured, and the redispersion power was comparatively evaluated.
[0151]
Also, actually using an inkjet printer, the recording liquid and the processing liquid are respectively attached to the ink jet recording head that discharges the processing liquid and the ink head that discharges the recording liquid, and clogging due to aggregates is intentionally caused, and the cleaning liquid is used. An attempt was made to recover the ejection.
[0152]
Next, components of the processing liquid, the recording liquid, and the cleaning liquid used in Examples and Comparative Examples will be described.
[0153]

[0154]

[0155]

[0156]

[0157]
Pigment dispersion
2 parts of poly-N, N'-dimethyl-3,5-methylenepiperidinium salt (Mw = 3700), 5 parts of diethylene glycol and 78 parts of ion-exchanged water were mixed and heated to 70 ° C. in a water bath. The resin was completely dissolved. To this solution, 15 parts of carbon black having a specific surface area of 180 m2 / g and a DBPA of 122 m1 / 100 g were added, premixed for 30 minutes, and then subjected to a dispersion treatment under the following conditions.
[0158]
Disperser: Sand grinder (made by Igarashi Kikai)
Grinding media: zirconia beads lmm diameter
Grinding media filling rate: 50% (volume)
Grinding time: 3 hours
Furthermore, a centrifugal separation treatment (12000 rpm, 20 minutes) was performed to remove coarse particles to obtain a dispersion liquid 3. This is a cationic resin-dispersed carbon black.
[0159]

[0160]

The pH was adjusted to 10.5 with an aqueous LiOH solution before use.
[0161]

[0162]
Acid cleaning solution
<Cleaning liquid 2>
An aqueous acetic acid solution adjusted to 0.1 N using the washing liquid 1 as a solvent.
<Cleaning liquid 3>
A nitric acid aqueous solution adjusted to 0.1 N using the washing liquid 1 as a solvent.
[0163]
Basic cleaning solution
<Cleaning liquid 4>
A diethanolamine aqueous solution adjusted to 0.1 N using the washing liquid 1 as a solvent.
<Cleaning liquid 5>
A sodium hydroxide aqueous solution adjusted to 0.1 N using the washing liquid 1 as a solvent.
[0164]
Cleaning solution containing cationic surfactant
<Cleaning liquid 6>
Cleaning liquid 1 except that 2.0 parts of a cationic surfactant (Cation G50, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Co., Ltd.) was used instead of 2.0 parts of the nonionic surfactant (Nippon Oil & Fats Co., Ltd .: Dispanol TOC) A nitric acid aqueous solution adjusted to 0.1 N using a vehicle prepared in the same manner as described above as a solvent.
[0165]
Cleaning liquid containing anionic surfactant
<Cleaning liquid 7>
Washing liquid 1 except that 2.0 parts of anionic surfactant (Nikko Chemicals: NIKKOLEDTD-3NEX) was used instead of 2.0 parts of nonionic surfactant (Nippon Yushi Co., Ltd .: Dispanol TOC) A sodium hydroxide aqueous solution adjusted to 0.1 N using the vehicle prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 as a solvent.
[0166]
<Comparative cleaning liquid 1>
Water 100.0 parts
[0167]
<Comparative cleaning liquid 2>
2-pyrrolidone 10.0 parts
Water remaining
[0168]
Table 1 shows the pH, viscosity and particle size of the recording liquids 1 to 4 and the processing liquids 1 and 2, and Table 2 shows the pH and viscosity of the cleaning liquids 1 to 7 and the comparative cleaning liquids 1 and 2.
[0169]
[Table 1]

[0170]
[Table 2]

[0171]
<Example 1>
Assuming an aggregate formed by the ink adhering to the head that ejects the processing liquid, a processing liquid 1: 6.0 g and a recording liquid 1: 6.0 g were mixed and reacted to form a fine particle aggregate (cationic silica fine particles). : Anionic pigment = 3: 2), 30 ml of the washing liquid 1 was added, and the change in viscosity, pH and particle size before and after were measured.
[0172]
<Example 2>
In the same manner as in Example 1 except that the cleaning liquid 2 was used in place of the cleaning liquid 1, a change in viscosity, a change in pH, and a particle diameter of the fine particle aggregate obtained by mixing and reacting the processing liquid and the recording liquid before and after adding the cleaning liquid were performed. The change was measured.
[0173]
<Example 3>
In the same manner as in Example 1 except that the cleaning liquid 3 was used instead of the cleaning liquid 1, a change in viscosity, a change in pH, and a change in particle diameter of the fine particle aggregate obtained by mixing and reacting the processing liquid and the recording liquid before and after the addition of the cleaning liquid were performed. The change was measured.
[0174]
<Example 4>
In the same manner as in Example 1 except that the cleaning liquid 6 was used in place of the cleaning liquid 1, a change in viscosity, a change in pH, and a change in particle size of the fine particle aggregate obtained by mixing and reacting the processing liquid and the recording liquid before and after adding the cleaning liquid were performed. The change was measured.
[0175]
<Comparative Example 1>
In the same manner as in Example 1 except that the comparative cleaning liquid 1 was used in place of the cleaning liquid 1, the change in viscosity, pH, and particle size of the fine particle aggregate obtained by mixing and reacting the processing liquid and the recording liquid before and after the addition of the cleaning liquid. The diameter change was measured.
[0176]
<Comparative Example 2>
In the same manner as in Example 1 except that the comparative cleaning liquid 2 was used in place of the cleaning liquid 1, the change in viscosity, pH, and particle size of the fine particle aggregates obtained by mixing and reacting the processing liquid and the recording liquid before and after adding the cleaning liquid. The diameter change was measured.
[0177]
Table 3 shows the measurement results of the viscosity change, pH change, and particle size change in Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2.
[0178]
[Table 3]

[0179]
A comparison between Comparative Example 2 and Example 1 shows that the surfactant has the effect of reducing the viscosity and reducing the particle size.
[0180]
Comparison between Example 1 and Example 2 reveals that Example 2 has the effect of reducing the viscosity and reducing the particle size of the aggregates with an excess of cations. Was found to improve. Similarly, from the comparison between Example 1 and Example 3, Example 3 has the effect of reducing the viscosity and reducing the particle size of the aggregates with an excess of cations. It was found that the effect was improved. From the above experimental facts, it was found that the washing solution containing an acid with respect to the aggregates with an excessive amount of cation had a higher washing effect.
[0181]
Comparison between Example 3 and Example 4 reveals that Example 4 has the effect of lowering the viscosity and reducing the particle size of the aggregates with an excessive amount of cation, so that the cleaning liquid contains a cationic surfactant. It was found that the cleaning effect was more improved than that of the nonionic surfactant.
[0182]
<Example 5>
Assuming an aggregate formed by the treatment liquid adhering to the head for discharging the recording liquid, a fine particle aggregate (cationic silica) prepared by mixing and reacting the treatment liquid 1: 4.0 g and the recording liquid 1: 9.0 g 30 ml of the washing liquid 1 was added to the fine particles: anionic pigment (2: 3), and the viscosity change, pH change and particle size change before and after were measured.
[0183]
<Example 6>
In the same manner as in Example 5, except that the cleaning liquid 4 was used in place of the cleaning liquid 1, the change in viscosity, the change in pH, and the change in particle diameter before and after the aggregate of the fine particles produced by mixing and reacting the processing liquid and the recording liquid were measured.
[0184]
<Example 7>
A change in viscosity, a change in pH, and a change in particle size of fine particle aggregates obtained by mixing and treating a processing liquid and a recording liquid before and after the addition of the cleaning liquid, as in Example 5, except that the cleaning liquid 5 was used instead of the cleaning liquid 1. Was measured.
[0185]
Example 8
A change in viscosity, a change in pH, and a change in particle size before and after the addition of the cleaning liquid of fine particle aggregates obtained by mixing and treating the processing liquid and the recording liquid, as in Example 5, except that the cleaning liquid 7 was used instead of the cleaning liquid 1. Was measured.
[0186]
<Comparative Example 3>
Except that the comparative cleaning liquid 1 was used in place of the cleaning liquid 1, the viscosity change, pH change, and particle size of the fine particle aggregates obtained by mixing and reacting the processing liquid and the recording liquid before and after adding the cleaning liquid were the same as in Example 5. The change was measured.
[0187]
<Comparative Example 4>
Except that the comparative cleaning liquid 2 was used in place of the cleaning liquid 1, in the same manner as in Example 5, the viscosity change, the pH change, and the particle size of the fine particle aggregate obtained by mixing and reacting the processing liquid and the recording liquid before and after the addition of the cleaning liquid. The change was measured.
[0188]
Table 4 shows the results of measurement of the change in viscosity, the change in pH, and the change in particle size in Examples 5 to 8 and Comparative Examples 3 and 4.
[0189]
[Table 4]

[0190]
The comparison between Example 5 and Example 6 shows that Example 6 has the effect of reducing the viscosity and reducing the particle size of the aggregates with an anion-rich content. It has been found that a higher cleaning effect can be obtained against excessive aggregates.
Further, from the comparison between Example 7 and Example 8, since Example 8 has an effect of decreasing and increasing the viscosity and reducing the particle size with respect to the aggregates having an anion excess, compared with Example 7, the anionic surfactant It has been found that the cleaning solution containing the agent can obtain a higher cleaning effect on aggregates with anion excess.
[0191]
<Example 9>
The recording liquid 1 was sprayed on the ink jet recording head against an ink jet printer (manufactured by Ricoh: IpsioJet300 modified piezo head) in which the processing liquid 1 was filled in the head, thereby causing clogging intentionally. Next, the ink cartridge filled with the processing liquid 1 was replaced with a cleaning liquid cartridge filled with the cleaning liquid 1, and the cleaning liquid 1 was sprayed on the inkjet recording head to perform cleaning. Then, the inkjet recording head was immersed in the cleaning liquid 1. Next, after cleaning the ink jet recording head by suction, a printing test of the ink jet printer was performed to evaluate clogging caused by aggregates generated in the ink jet recording head for discharging the processing liquid.
[0192]
<Example 10>
The printing test of the ink jet printer was performed in the same manner as in Example 9 except that the cleaning liquid 2 was used instead of the cleaning liquid 1, and the clogging was evaluated.
[0193]
<Example 11>
The printing test of the ink jet printer was performed in the same manner as in Example 9 except that the cleaning liquid 3 was used instead of the cleaning liquid 1, and the clogging was evaluated.
[0194]
<Example 12>
The printing test of the ink jet printer was performed in the same manner as in Example 9 except that the cleaning liquid 6 was used instead of the cleaning liquid 1, and the clogging was evaluated.
[0195]
<Comparative Example 5>
The printing test of the ink jet printer was performed in the same manner as in Example 9 except that the comparative cleaning liquid 1 was used instead of the cleaning liquid 1, and the clogging was evaluated.
[0196]
<Comparative Example 6>
The printing test of the ink jet printer was performed in the same manner as in Example 9 except that the comparative cleaning liquid 2 was used in place of the cleaning liquid 1, and the clogging was evaluated.
[0197]
Table 5 shows the results of evaluation of clogging in Examples 9 to 12 and Comparative Examples 5 to 6.
[0198]
[Table 5]

[0199]
Clogging evaluation criteria in Table 5
The processing liquid was printed on paper (solid image of 5 cm × 5 cm), and the discharge state of the processing liquid was observed. The evaluation was performed according to the following criteria.
…: No discharge failure. Uniform solid printing is performed on the entire surface.
Δ: ejection failure occurred in some nozzles.
×: Insufficient ejection occurred in all nozzles.
And
Immersion time of the ink jet recording head in the recovery liquid Every 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 6.0, 12, 24, 48, 72, 120 [h] hours After each head suction, ejection was attempted.
[0200]
In the experiment period of five days, the cleaning liquids of Comparative Examples 5 and 6 could not recover the clogged ink jet recording head.
[0201]
Comparison between Comparative Example 6 and Example 9 showed that the use of a nonionic surfactant increased the effect of washing the aggregates generated by the reaction by mixing the two liquids.
[0202]
Comparison between Example 11 and Example 10 showed that the use of the organic acid increased the effect of washing the aggregates generated by the reaction by mixing the two liquids.
[0203]
Comparison between Example 11 and Example 12 shows that the use of a cationic surfactant for agglomerates with a large amount of cations increases the effect of washing the aggregates generated by the reaction of mixing two liquids, as compared with a nonionic surfactant. I understood.
[0204]
<Example 13>
The processing liquid 1 was sprayed on the inkjet recording head against an inkjet printer (manufactured by Ricoh: IpsioJet300 modified piezo head) in which the recording liquid 1 was filled in the head to intentionally cause clogging. Next, the ink cartridge filled with the recording liquid 1 was replaced with a cleaning liquid cartridge filled with the cleaning liquid 1, and the cleaning liquid 1 was sprayed on the ink jet recording head to perform cleaning. Then, the ink jet recording head was immersed in the cleaning liquid 1. Next, after cleaning the ink jet recording head by suction, a printing test of the ink jet printer was performed to evaluate clogging caused by aggregates generated in the ink jet recording head for discharging the processing liquid.
[0205]
<Example 14>
The printing test of the ink jet printer was performed in the same manner as in Example 13 except that the cleaning liquid 4 was used instead of the cleaning liquid 1 in Example 13, and the clogging was evaluated.
[0206]
<Example 15>
The printing test of the ink jet printer was performed in the same manner as in Example 13 except that the cleaning liquid 5 was used instead of the cleaning liquid 1 in Example 13, and the clogging was evaluated.
[0207]
<Example 16>
A printing test of an ink jet printer was performed in the same manner as in Example 13 except that the cleaning liquid 7 was used in place of the cleaning liquid 1 in Example 13, and clogging was evaluated.
[0208]
<Comparative Example 7>
A printing test of an ink jet printer was performed in the same manner as in Example 13 except that Comparative Cleaning Solution 1 was used instead of Cleaning Solution 1 in Example 13, and clogging was evaluated.
[0209]
<Comparative Example 8>
A printing test of an ink jet printer was performed in the same manner as in Example 13 except that Comparative Cleaning Solution 2 was used instead of Cleaning Solution 1 in Example 13, and clogging was evaluated.
[0210]
Table 6 shows the results of evaluation of clogging in Examples 13 to 16 and Comparative Examples 7 to 8.
[0211]
[Table 6]

[0212]
Clogging evaluation criteria in Table 6
The processing liquid was printed on paper (solid image of 5 cm × 5 cm), and the discharge state of the processing liquid was observed. The evaluation was performed according to the following criteria.
…: No discharge failure. Uniform solid printing is performed on the entire surface.
Δ: ejection failure occurred in some nozzles.
×: Insufficient ejection occurred in all nozzles.
And
Immersion time of the ink jet recording head in the recovery liquid Every 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 6.0, 12, 24, 48, 72, 120 [h] hours After each head suction, ejection was attempted.
[0213]
Comparison between Comparative Example 8 and Example 13 showed that the use of the nonionic surfactant increased the effect of washing the aggregates generated by the reaction by mixing the two liquids.
[0214]
A comparison between Example 13 and Examples 14, 15, and 16 showed that the use of a base increased the effect of washing the agglomerates with an excess of anionic components generated by the reaction of the two-liquid mixing.
[0215]
A comparison between Example 15 and Example 16 shows that the use of an anionic surfactant increases the cleaning effect on aggregates with an anionic component excess generated by the reaction of two-liquid mixing, compared to a nonionic surfactant. .
[0216]
<Example 17>
Assuming that the ink adheres to the head that discharges the processing liquid, the processing liquid 1: 6.0 g and the recording liquid 2: 6.0 g are mixed and reacted assuming the aggregation formed by ink adhesion (cationic silica fine particles: 30 ml of the washing solution 2 was added to the anionic dye (3: 2), and changes in viscosity, pH, and particle size before and after were observed.
[0217]
<Example 18>
Assuming that the ink adheres to the head which discharges the processing liquid, the processing liquid 2: 6.0 g and the recording liquid 1: 6.0 g are mixed and reacted assuming the aggregation formed by the ink (cationic polymer: anion (Synthetic pigment = 3: 2), 30 ml of the washing liquid 2 was added, and the change in viscosity, the change in pH, and the change in particle size before and after were measured.
[0218]
<Example 19>
Fine particle aggregates (cationic pigment: anionic pigment = 3) were prepared by assuming an aggregate formed by the attachment of inks having different polarities and mixing and reacting treatment liquid 3: 6.0 g and recording liquid 1: 6.0 g. : 2) 30 ml of the washing solution 2 was added, and the change in viscosity, pH and particle size before and after were measured.
[0219]
<Example 20>
Fine particle aggregates (cationic pigment: anionic dye = 3) were prepared by mixing and reacting recording liquid 3: 6.0 g and recording liquid 2: 6.0 g assuming aggregates formed by inks having different polarities. : 2) 30 ml of the washing solution 2 was added, and the change in viscosity, pH and particle size before and after were measured.
[0220]
<Example 21>
Fine particle aggregates (cationic dye: anionic pigment = 3) were prepared by mixing and reacting recording liquid 4: 6.0 g and recording liquid 1: 6.0 g assuming aggregates formed by inks having different polarities. : 2), 30 ml of the washing solution 2 was added, and a change in viscosity, a change in pH, and a change in particle size before and after adding the washing solution 2 were measured.
[0221]
<Comparative Example 9>
Except for using the comparative cleaning liquid 2 in place of the cleaning liquid 2, the same procedure as in Example 19 was carried out to mix and treat the processing liquid and the recording liquid. The change was measured.
[0222]
<Comparative Example 10>
Except that the comparative cleaning liquid 2 was used in place of the cleaning liquid 2, a change in viscosity, a change in pH, and a change in particle size before and after the addition of the cleaning liquid of the fine particle aggregates obtained by mixing and reacting the processing liquid and the recording liquid in the same manner as in Example 20 The change was measured.
[0223]
<Comparative Example 11>
Except for using the comparative cleaning liquid 2 in place of the cleaning liquid 2, the same procedure as in Example 19 was carried out to mix and treat the processing liquid and the recording liquid. The change was measured.
[0224]
<Comparative Example 12>
Except that the comparative cleaning liquid 2 was used in place of the cleaning liquid 2, a change in viscosity, a change in pH, and a change in particle size before and after the addition of the cleaning liquid of the fine particle aggregates obtained by mixing and reacting the processing liquid and the recording liquid in the same manner as in Example 20 The change was measured.
[0225]
<Comparative Example 13>
Except that the comparative cleaning solution 2 was used in place of the cleaning solution 2, the viscosity change, pH change, and particle size of the fine particle aggregate obtained by mixing and treating the processing liquid and the recording liquid before and after the addition of the cleaning liquid were performed in the same manner as in Example 21. The change was measured.
[0226]
Table 7 shows a list of the results of measurement of the change in viscosity, the change in pH, and the change in particle size in Examples 17 to 21 and Comparative Examples 9 to 13.
[0227]
[Table 7]

[0228]
In the aggregation of any of the liquid composition containing the cation component and the liquid composition containing the cation component, in the 3: 2 mixture, the viscosity increases when the aggregation is caused by the mixing. From the comparison of the particle diameters of the comparative example and the example, in any case, the aggregates are re-dispersed in the cleaning liquid containing the acid compared to when the vehicle is used as the cleaning liquid, and the aggregation is larger in the cleaning liquid containing the base. It became clear.
[0229]
<Example 22>
Assuming that the ink adheres to the head which discharges the processing liquid, the processing liquid 1: 4.0 g and the recording liquid 2: 9.0 g were mixed and reacted assuming the aggregation formed by the ink (cationic silica fine particles: 30 ml of the washing solution 5 was added to the anionic dye (2: 3), and the viscosity change, pH change, and particle size change before and after the addition of the washing solution were measured.
[0230]
<Example 23>
Assuming that the ink adheres to the head which discharges the processing liquid, the processing liquid 2: 4.0 g and the recording liquid 1: 9.0 g were mixed and reacted assuming the aggregation formed by the ink (cationic polymer: anion (30: 30) of the washing liquid 5 was added to the (active pigment = 2: 3), and a change in viscosity, a change in pH, and a change in particle size before and after the addition of the washing liquid were measured.
[0231]
<Example 24>
Fine particle aggregates (cationic pigment: anionic pigment = 2) were prepared by assuming an aggregate formed by the attachment of inks having different polarities and mixing and reacting recording liquid 3: 4.0 g and recording liquid 1: 9.0 g. : 3), 30 ml of the washing liquid 5 was added, and a change in viscosity, a change in pH, and a change in particle size before and after adding the washing liquid were measured.
[0232]
<Example 25>
Fine particle aggregates (cationic pigment: anionic dye = 2) prepared by mixing and reacting recording liquid 3: 4.0 g and recording liquid 2: 9.0 g, assuming aggregates formed by the attachment of inks having different polarities. : 3), 30 ml of the washing liquid 5 was added, and a change in viscosity, a change in pH, and a change in particle size before and after adding the washing liquid were measured.
[0233]
<Example 26>
Fine particle aggregates (cationic dye: anionic pigment = 2) were prepared by assuming an aggregate formed by the attachment of inks having different polarities and mixing and reacting 4: 4.0 g of the recording liquid and 1: 9.0 g of the recording liquid. : 3), 30 ml of the washing liquid 5 was added, and a change in viscosity, a change in pH, and a change in particle size before and after adding the washing liquid were measured.
[0234]
<Comparative Example 14>
Except that the comparative cleaning liquid 2 was used in place of the cleaning liquid 5, in the same manner as in Example 22, the change in viscosity, pH, and particle size of the fine particle aggregate obtained by mixing and reacting the processing liquid and the recording liquid before and after the addition of the cleaning liquid. The change was measured.
[0235]
<Comparative Example 15>
Except that the comparative cleaning liquid 2 was used in place of the cleaning liquid 5, in the same manner as in Example 23, the viscosity change, pH change, and particle size of the fine particle aggregates obtained by mixing and reacting the processing liquid and the recording liquid before and after adding the cleaning liquid were performed. The change was measured.
[0236]
<Comparative Example 16>
Except that the comparative cleaning liquid 2 was used in place of the cleaning liquid 5, in the same manner as in Example 24, a change in viscosity, a change in pH, and a particle diameter of the fine particle aggregates obtained by mixing and reacting the processing liquid and the recording liquid before and after adding the cleaning liquid were performed. The change was measured.
[0237]
<Comparative Example 17>
Except that the comparative cleaning liquid 2 was used in place of the cleaning liquid 5, in the same manner as in Example 25, the viscosity change, pH change, and particle size of the fine particle aggregates obtained by mixing and reacting the processing liquid and the recording liquid before and after the addition of the cleaning liquid. The change was measured.
[0238]
<Comparative Example 18>
Except that the comparative cleaning liquid 2 was used in place of the cleaning liquid 5, in the same manner as in Example 26, the change in viscosity, pH, and particle size of the fine particle aggregates obtained by mixing and reacting the processing liquid and the recording liquid before and after the addition of the cleaning liquid. The change was measured.
[0239]
Table 8 shows the results of measurement of the change in viscosity, the change in pH, and the change in particle size in Examples 22 to 26 and Comparative Examples 14 to 18.
[0240]
[Table 8]

[0241]
In the aggregation of any of the liquid composition containing the cation component and the liquid composition containing the anion component, in the 2: 3 mixture, the viscosity was increased when the aggregation was caused by the mixing. From the comparison of the particle diameters of the comparative example and the example, it is clear that in each case, the aggregates are larger in the cleaning solution containing the acid than in the case where the vehicle is used as the cleaning solution, and are redispersed in the cleaning solution containing the base. became.
[0242]
<Example 27>
The recording liquid 2 was sprayed on the ink jet recording head to an ink jet printer (manufactured by Ricoh: IpsioJet300 modified piezo head) in which the processing liquid 1 was filled in the head, thereby causing clogging intentionally. Next, the ink cartridge filled with the processing liquid 1 was replaced with a cleaning liquid cartridge filled with the cleaning liquid 2, and the cleaning liquid 2 was sprayed on the inkjet recording head to perform cleaning. Then, the inkjet recording head was immersed in the cleaning liquid 2. Next, after cleaning the ink jet recording head by suction, a printing test of the ink jet printer was performed to evaluate clogging caused by aggregates generated in the ink jet recording head for discharging the processing liquid.
[0243]
<Example 28>
The printing test of the ink jet printer was performed in the same manner as in Example 27 except that the processing liquid 2 was used instead of the processing liquid 1 and the recording liquid 1 was used instead of the recording liquid 2, and the clogging was evaluated.
[0244]
<Example 29>
The printing test of the ink jet printer was performed in the same manner as in Example 27 except that the recording liquid 3 was used instead of the processing liquid 1, and the clogging was evaluated.
[0245]
<Example 30>
The printing test of the ink jet printer was performed in the same manner as in Example 27 except that the recording liquid 3 was used instead of the processing liquid 1 and the recording liquid 1 was used instead of the recording liquid 2 in Example 27, and the evaluation of clogging was performed. went.
[0246]
<Example 31>
The printing test of the ink jet printer was performed in the same manner as in Example 27 except that the recording liquid 4 was used instead of the processing liquid 1 and the recording liquid 1 was used instead of the recording liquid 2, and the clogging was evaluated.
[0247]
The results of the evaluation of clogging in Examples 27 to 31 are shown in Table 9 together with the results of Example 10.
[0248]
[Table 9]

[0249]
Clogging evaluation criteria in Table 9
The processing liquid was printed on paper (solid image of 5 cm × 5 cm), and the discharge state of the processing liquid was observed. The evaluation was performed according to the following criteria.
…: No discharge failure. Uniform solid printing is performed on the entire surface.
Δ: ejection failure occurred in some nozzles.
×: Insufficient ejection occurred in all nozzles.
[0250]
Regardless of the combination of the liquid composition containing the cation component and the liquid composition containing the anion component, the discharge failure of the treatment liquid head that discharges the cation component due to the cohesion caused by the reaction of the two liquids causes the coagulation in any case. The ejection failure was able to be recovered by the cleaning liquid containing the acid.
[0251]
<Example 32>
The processing liquid 1 was sprayed on the inkjet recording head against an inkjet printer (manufactured by Ricoh: IpsioJet300, modified piezo head) in which the recording liquid 2 was filled in the head to intentionally cause clogging. Next, the ink cartridge filled with the recording liquid 2 was replaced with a cleaning liquid cartridge filled with the cleaning liquid 5, and the cleaning liquid 5 was sprayed on the inkjet recording head to perform cleaning. Then, the inkjet recording head was immersed in the cleaning liquid 5. Next, after cleaning the ink jet recording head by suction, a printing test of the ink jet printer was performed to evaluate clogging caused by aggregates generated in the ink jet recording head for discharging the processing liquid.
[0252]
<Example 33>
The printing test of the ink jet printer was performed in the same manner as in Example 32 except that the processing liquid 2 was used instead of the processing liquid 1 and the recording liquid 1 was used instead of the recording liquid 2, and clogging was evaluated.
[0253]
<Example 34>
The printing test of the ink jet printer was performed in the same manner as in Example 32 except that the recording liquid 3 was used instead of the processing liquid 1, and the clogging was evaluated.
[0254]
<Example 35>
The printing test of the ink jet printer was performed in the same manner as in Example 32 except that the recording liquid 3 was used instead of the processing liquid 1 and the recording liquid 1 was used instead of the recording liquid 2, and the clogging was evaluated.
[0255]
<Example 36>
The printing test of the ink jet printer was performed in the same manner as in Example 32 except that the recording liquid 4 was used instead of the processing liquid 1 and the recording liquid 1 was used instead of the recording liquid 2, and the clogging was evaluated.
[0256]
Table 10 shows the results of evaluation of clogging in Examples 32 to 36, together with the results of Example 15.
[0257]
[Table 10]

[0258]
Clogging evaluation criteria in Table 10
The processing liquid was printed on paper (solid image of 5 cm × 5 cm), and the discharge state of the processing liquid was observed. The evaluation was performed according to the following criteria.
…: No discharge failure. Uniform solid printing is performed on the entire surface.
Δ: ejection failure occurred in some nozzles.
×: Insufficient ejection occurred in all nozzles.
[0259]
In any combination of the liquid composition containing the cation component and the liquid composition containing the anion component, the ejection failure of the recording liquid head for ejecting the anion component due to aggregation caused by the reaction of the two liquids, in any case, Aggregates were able to recover defective ejection with a cleaning solution containing a base.
[0260]
【The invention's effect】
The cleaning liquid of the present invention is a cleaning liquid used in an image forming apparatus having a step of forming an image by reacting two liquids each containing at least a fine particle component on a recording medium. Since it contains a component that redisperses the aggregate containing the fine particles, even if the aggregate adheres to the liquid discharge portion of the image forming apparatus and causes clogging, the clogging is effectively recovered. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an agglomerate containing a large amount of fine particles containing a recording liquid, which is generated when an aggregate formed by mixing a recording liquid and a processing liquid is formed in an ink head that discharges the recording liquid.
FIG. 2 is an agglomerate containing a large amount of fine particles containing a processing liquid, which is generated when an aggregate formed by mixing a recording liquid and a processing liquid is formed on an ink head that discharges the processing liquid.
FIG. 3 is a drawing of a cleaning unit.
FIG. 4 is an external view of a cartridge.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the cartridge.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Suction pump
2. Processing liquid cartridge
3. Recording liquid cartridge
4. Discharge head for processing liquid
5. Recording liquid ejection head
6. carriage
7. Guide shaft
8. Carriage drive belt
9. Carriage drive motor
10. Object to be recorded
11. Recording medium transport belt
12. Nozzle cap
13. Waste liquid absorber (for ink)
14． Waste liquid absorber (requires treatment liquid)
15. Cleaning liquid flow path
16. Waste liquid flow path
17. Cap unit
18. Waste liquid channel
19. Stopper for cleaning liquid flow path
20. Plug for waste liquid passage
21. Cleaning liquid supply pump
22. Cleaning liquid cartridge for processing liquid
23. Cleaning station cartridge for recording station
24. Cleaning solution cartridge for processing solution (using a compatible case for processing solution cartridge 2)
25. Cleaning liquid cartridge for recording liquid (using a compatible case for recording liquid cartridge 3)
26. Common cartridge for recording liquid, processing liquid and cleaning liquid
41. Cartridge housing
42. Liquid absorber
43. Case
44. Upper lid member
45. Liquid supply port
46. Seal ring
47. Atmosphere opening
48. groove
50. Cap member
51. Liquid leakage prevention protrusion
53. Cap member
55. Seal member
71. Cartridge positioning section
81. Projecting part for attaching / detaching cartridge
81a. Finger mount for attaching / detaching cartridge
82. Indent for cartridge removal
A. space

Claims (55)

A cleaning liquid used in an image forming apparatus having a step of forming an image by reacting two liquids each containing at least a fine particle component on a recording medium, wherein the aggregation liquid includes the fine particles generated in the image forming apparatus. A cleaning liquid comprising a component for redispersing an object. The cleaning solution according to claim 1, wherein the component for redispersing the aggregate containing the fine particles is an acid. The cleaning solution according to claim 2, wherein the acid is an organic acid. The cleaning solution according to claim 2, wherein the acid is an inorganic acid. The cleaning liquid according to claim 1, wherein the component for redispersing the aggregate containing the fine particles is a cation donor. The cleaning solution according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pH is 1 to 7. The cleaning liquid according to claim 1, wherein a component for redispersing the aggregate containing the fine particles is a base. The cleaning solution according to claim 7, wherein the base is an inorganic base. The cleaning solution according to claim 8, wherein the base is an organic base. The cleaning liquid according to claim 1, wherein the component for redispersing the aggregate containing the fine particles is an anion donor. The cleaning solution according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the pH is 7-14. The cleaning solution according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cleaning solution contains an organic solvent. The cleaning solution according to claim 12, wherein the organic solvent is a polar solvent. 14. The cleaning solution according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning solution contains a surfactant. The cleaning solution according to claim 14, wherein the surfactant is an anionic surfactant. The cleaning solution according to claim 14, wherein the surfactant is a cationic surfactant. The cleaning solution according to claim 14, wherein the surfactant is a nonionic surfactant. The cleaning solution according to claim 14, wherein the surfactant is an amphoteric surfactant. 19. The cleaning liquid according to claim 1, wherein the two liquids have opposite polarities. 20. The cleaning liquid according to claim 1, wherein the two liquids are a recording liquid and a processing liquid. The cleaning solution according to claim 20, wherein the treatment solution has a pH of 1 to 7. The cleaning liquid according to claim 20, wherein the recording liquid has a pH of 7 to 14. The cleaning solution according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the processing solution contains a cationic component. The cleaning liquid according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the recording liquid is a recording liquid containing an anionic component. The cleaning liquid according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the processing liquid contains fine particles. The cleaning liquid according to claim 25, wherein the fine particles are colloidal silica. The cleaning liquid according to any one of claims 20 to 26, wherein the processing liquid contains a polymer. The cleaning liquid according to any one of claims 20 to 27, wherein the coloring material of the recording liquid is a pigment. The cleaning liquid according to any one of claims 20 to 27, wherein the coloring material of the recording liquid is a dye. 23. The cleaning liquid according to claim 20, wherein the aggregate is a concentrate of a processing liquid. 23. The cleaning liquid according to claim 20, wherein the aggregate is a concentrate of a recording liquid. 23. The cleaning liquid according to claim 20, wherein the aggregate is a reaction product of a recording liquid and a processing liquid. 19. The cleaning liquid according to claim 1, wherein the two liquids are both recording liquids. The cleaning liquid according to claim 33, wherein one of the recording liquids has a pH of 1 to 7, and the other recording liquid has a pH of 7 to 14. 35. The cleaning liquid according to claim 33, wherein one recording liquid contains a cationic component and the other recording liquid contains an anionic component. The cleaning liquid according to any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein at least one of the two liquids is a recording liquid using a pigment as a coloring material. The cleaning liquid according to any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein at least one of the two liquids is a recording liquid using a dye as a coloring material. The cleaning liquid according to any one of claims 33 to 37, wherein the aggregate is a recording liquid. The cleaning liquid according to any one of claims 33 to 37, wherein the aggregate is a reaction product of a recording liquid and a recording liquid. A cleaning method using the cleaning liquid according to claim 1. In a cleaning liquid used for an image recording method in which two liquids are reacted on a recording medium, one of an ejection surface of the two liquids is washed with an acidic or neutral cleaning liquid, and the other is washed with an alkaline or neutral cleaning liquid. How to wash. In a cleaning liquid used in an image recording method in which two liquids are reacted on a recording medium, one of the ejection surfaces of the two liquids is a cleaning liquid containing at least a cationic component or a nonionic component, and the other contains an anionic component or a nonionic component. A washing method characterized by washing with a washing solution. 43. The cleaning method according to claim 41, wherein at least one of the two liquids contains fine particles as at least a component. The cleaning method according to claim 43, wherein the cleaning liquid is the cleaning liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 39. In the cleaning liquid used in the image recording method in which the two liquids are reacted on the recording medium, the nozzle surface for discharging the liquid composition containing the cation component of the two liquids is washed with an acidic cleaning liquid, and the liquid composition containing the anion component is removed. A cleaning liquid set of an alkaline cleaning liquid and an acidic cleaning liquid, wherein a discharge nozzle surface is cleaned with an alkaline cleaning liquid. In a cleaning liquid used in an image recording method in which two liquids are reacted on a recording medium, a nozzle surface for discharging a liquid composition containing a cation component of the two liquids is washed with a neutral cleaning liquid, and a liquid composition containing an anion component A cleaning liquid set comprising a neutral cleaning liquid and an alkaline cleaning liquid, wherein the nozzle surface for discharging the liquid is cleaned with an alkaline cleaning liquid. In the cleaning liquid used in the image recording method in which the two liquids are reacted on the recording medium, the nozzle surface for discharging the liquid composition containing the cation component of the two liquids is washed with an acidic cleaning liquid, and the liquid composition containing the anion component is removed. A cleaning liquid set of an acidic cleaning liquid and a neutral cleaning liquid, wherein a discharge nozzle surface is cleaned with a neutral cleaning liquid. In a cleaning liquid used for an image recording method in which two liquids are reacted on a recording medium, a nozzle surface for discharging a liquid composition containing a cation component of the two liquids is washed with a cleaning liquid containing a cation component, and a liquid composition containing an anion component A cleaning liquid set comprising a cleaning liquid containing a cation component and a cleaning liquid containing an anion component, wherein the nozzle surface for discharging the liquid is cleaned with a cleaning liquid containing an anion component. In a cleaning liquid used in an image recording method in which two liquids react on a recording medium, a nozzle surface for discharging a liquid composition containing a cation component of the two liquids is washed with a nonionic component-containing cleaning liquid, and a liquid composition containing an anion component A cleaning liquid set comprising a nonionic component-containing cleaning liquid and an anion component-containing cleaning liquid, characterized in that the nozzle surface for discharging the liquid is cleaned with an anion component-containing cleaning liquid. In a cleaning liquid used for an image recording method in which two liquids are reacted on a recording medium, a nozzle surface for discharging a liquid composition containing a cation component of the two liquids is washed with a cleaning liquid containing a cation component, and a liquid composition containing an anion component A cleaning liquid set comprising a cleaning liquid containing a cation component and a cleaning liquid containing a nonionic component, wherein the nozzle surface discharging the liquid is cleaned with a cleaning liquid containing a nonionic component. The cleaning liquid set according to any one of claims 45 to 50, wherein at least one of the two liquid components contains fine particles. A cleaning liquid cartridge filled with the cleaning liquid according to claim 1. A cleaning unit having a function of performing the cleaning method according to claim 40. A cleaning unit using the cleaning liquid set according to claim 45. An image forming apparatus incorporating the cleaning unit according to claim 53.

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