JP2005231318A - Liquid discharge device and cleaning method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce costs, in a liquid discharge device and a cleaning method. <P>SOLUTION: A liquid absorbing body 66, which is used for wiping and cleaning a discharge face 24a when an ink 2 containing at least a specified polyhydric alcohol or an adduct of the specified polyhydric alcohol with alkylene oxide is discharged from the discharge face 24a, is made of a resin composition having an I/O value of not more than 1.7. so that the liquid absorber is enhanced in affinity with the ink 2. The body 66 is provided with an increased ink retaining capacity. Thus, the frequency of replacing the liquid absorber 66 is reduced, and cost is also reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid discharge apparatus including a discharge surface protective cover capable of cleaning a discharge surface provided with a discharge port that discharges liquid into liquid droplets and discharges the discharge surface using the discharge surface protective cover. The present invention relates to a cleaning method for cleaning.

  As an apparatus for ejecting liquid, there is an ink jet type printer that records an image or characters by ejecting a recording liquid, so-called ink, from an ink ejection head onto a recording paper as an object. This ink jet printer has advantages such as low running cost, miniaturization of the apparatus, and easy colorization of printed images.

  Ink jet recording methods for ejecting ink from the ink ejection head include, for example, a deflection method, a cavity method, a thermo jet method, a thermal ink jet method, a slit jet method, a spark jet method, and various operations represented by these. According to the principle, the ink is made into fine droplets and ejected from the ejection port of the ink ejection head, so-called nozzle, and landed on the recording paper to record images, characters, and the like.

  By the way, for the recording liquid used in such an ink jet recording system, it is required that the nozzles are not clogged. For example, when the printing operation is not performed continuously for a long time, the ink adhering to the vicinity of the nozzle may dry and thicken or solidify, and this solidified ink causes nozzle clogging. It is considered as one of

  For this reason, in an ink jet printer device, a blade made of a slightly hard rubber or the like is moved in a plane substantially parallel to the ejection surface while the blade is in contact with the ink ejection surface of the ink ejection head. Thus, the blade wipes away and removes the ink adhering to the ejection surface, that is, cleans the nozzles to prevent clogging. As a technique related to cleaning of such a discharge surface, Patent Document 1 proposes, for example, increasing a cleaning effect by attaching a plurality of blades to a rotation shaft and rotating the blade. Patent Document 2 proposes, for example, sucking and removing ink, dust, and the like in the nozzle using a suction pump.

  However, in the method proposed in Patent Document 1, when the ejection surface is cleaned using a blade or the like, the blade may press the ejection surface and scratch the ejection surface. Further, in this method, there is a possibility that the ink having increased viscosity or solidified may remain in the nozzle when the blade is cleaned.

  On the other hand, in the method proposed in Patent Document 2, when the ink or dust in the nozzle is sucked and removed using a suction pump, it is necessary to suck the ink in the nozzle excessively. There is a problem that wastefully consumes.

  As a method for solving these problems, for example, Patent Document 3, Patent Document 4, Patent Document 5, and the like have proposed a method of cleaning the discharge surface by wiping with a cleaning member formed of a foam of thermoplastic resin. ing. Specifically, for example, the ink adhered to the ejection surface by wiping the ejection surface while rotating the cleaning member about the axis while the outer peripheral surface of the cleaning member formed in a columnar shape is in contact with the ejection surface Is sucked to the outer peripheral surface of the cleaning member to clean the discharge surface.

  That is, in this method, when a cleaning member formed of a thermoplastic resin bubble comes into contact with the ejection surface, the ink is sucked into the bubble to perform cleaning, so the ink in the nozzle is also sucked. Remove. Therefore, according to this method, the cleaning effect in the vicinity of the nozzle and in the nozzle is improved without damaging the discharge surface.

  However, in an ink jet printer apparatus that can perform color printing proposed in Patent Document 6, Patent Document 7, and the like, a plurality of nozzles that eject inks of different colors such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are provided on the ejection surface. Since the discharge surface provided with such a nozzle is cleaned, each color ink permeates into the cleaning member every time the discharge surface is cleaned.

  For this reason, in this printer apparatus, as shown in FIG. 22, for example, if the ink absorption and retention of the cleaning member 201 are not sufficient, the ink is absorbed only by the surface layer portion 202 of the outer peripheral surface 201a of the cleaning member 201. In some cases, the ink of each color overflows from the cleaning member 201 in a mixed state, and the overflowed mixed color ink is transferred from the cleaning member 201 to the discharge surface and remains on the discharge surface 203a of the ink discharge head 203. .

  In this case, for example, if the mixed color ink remains in the vicinity of the nozzle 204 that discharges the yellow ink, a droplet in which the mixed color ink is mixed with the yellow ink is landed on the recording paper or the like, which may cause deterioration in image quality. There is.

  In this case, since the ink is absorbed only by the surface layer portion 202 of the cleaning member 201, the ink sucked by the cleaning member 201 immediately overflows, making it difficult to clean the ejection surface 203a. For this reason, it is necessary to frequently replace the cleaning member 201, which increases the running cost of the printer device.

JP 57-34969 A JP-A-56-101866 JP 2003-266712 A JP 2003-266717 A JP 2003-266746 A JP 2001-315385 A JP 2001-301199 A

  The present invention provides a liquid ejecting apparatus and a cleaning method capable of appropriately cleaning without damaging the ejection surface with a liquid-absorbing liquid that can absorb liquid without remaining on the ejection surface.

  The liquid discharge apparatus according to the present invention that achieves the above-described object includes a liquid discharge head unit having a discharge surface on which discharge ports for discharging liquid, landing on an object, and discharging liquid are formed, and a liquid discharge head unit When the liquid is discharged more, it moves in a plane substantially parallel to the discharge surface, and retreats from the discharge port area where the discharge port of the discharge surface is formed so that the discharge port faces the object. The cover cap portion has a liquid absorption provided on the surface of the cover cap portion facing the discharge surface, and the cover cap portion is substantially parallel to the discharge surface in a state where the liquid absorption is in contact with the discharge port region. And a discharge surface protective cover having a cleaning unit for cleaning the discharge surface by moving within the surface, the liquid being a dye, a solvent for dissolving or dispersing the dye, and an inorganic value with respect to the organic value (OV) (IV) A polyhydric alcohol having a ratio (I / O) in the range of 1.18 or more and 2.5 or less and having a carbon number of 9 or less, and the liquid absorption has an organic value (OV). ) Containing a resin composition having a ratio (I / O) of the inorganic value (IV) to 1.7 or less.

  The liquid discharge apparatus according to the present invention has a liquid discharge head portion having a discharge surface on which a discharge port for discharging a liquid, landing on an object, and discharging the liquid is formed, and the liquid is discharged from the liquid discharge head portion. A cover cap portion that retreats from a discharge port area in which a discharge port of the discharge surface is formed so as to move in a plane substantially parallel to the discharge surface and face the discharge port with respect to an object It has liquid absorption provided on the surface opposite to the discharge surface of the cap portion, and the cover cap portion is moved in a plane substantially parallel to the discharge surface in a state where the liquid absorption is in contact with the discharge port region. And a discharge surface protective cover having a cleaning section for cleaning the discharge surface, and the liquid is a dye, a solvent for dissolving or dispersing the dye, and the ratio of the inorganic value (IV) to the organic value (OV). (I / O) is 1 And an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol having a carbon hydrogen group having a carbon number of 9 or less in the range of 1.33 or less, and the liquid absorption is an inorganic value relative to the organic value (OV). It contains a resin composition having a ratio (I / O) of (IV) of 1.7 or less.

  In the cleaning method according to the present invention, cleaning is performed by wiping the discharge surface formed with the discharge port for discharging the liquid of the liquid discharge head unit provided in the liquid discharge device for discharging the liquid and landing on the object with the liquid absorption. The ratio (I / O) of the inorganic value (IV) to the organic value (OV) is 1.18 or more, and the dye, the solvent for dissolving or dispersing the dye in the liquid, The ratio of the inorganic value (IV) to the organic value (OV) (I / O) when a polyhydric alcohol having a carbon hydrogen group having a carbon number of 9 or less and having a carbon number of 9 or less is contained. ) Is cleaned with a liquid-absorbing liquid containing a resin composition having a viscosity of 1.7 or less, and a discharge port region in which a discharge port on the discharge surface is formed is cleaned.

  In the cleaning method according to the present invention, cleaning is performed by wiping the discharge surface formed with the discharge port for discharging the liquid of the liquid discharge head unit provided in the liquid discharge apparatus for discharging the liquid and landing on the object with the liquid absorption. And the ratio of the inorganic value (IV) to the organic value (OV) (I / O) is 1 or more and 1.33 or less. And the ratio of the inorganic value (IV) to the organic value (OV) (I) when an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol having a carbon hydrogen group having 9 or less carbon atoms is contained. The discharge port region where the discharge port on the discharge surface is formed is cleaned with a liquid absorption containing a resin composition having a / O) of 1.7 or less.

  According to the present invention, at least in the liquid, the ratio (I / O) of the inorganic value (IV) to the organic value (OV) is in the range of 1.18 to 2.5, and the number of carbon atoms is 9 The following polyhydric alcohol having a carbon hydrogen group or the ratio (I / O) of the inorganic value (IV) to the organic value (OV) is in the range of 1 or more and 1.33 or less, and the carbon number is 9 An alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol having the following carbon hydrogen group is contained, and at least the liquid absorption has a ratio (I / O) of an inorganic value (IV) to an organic value (OV) of 1.7 or less. By containing the made resin composition, the affinity of the liquid absorbing liquid to the liquid is improved.

  According to the present invention, at least a liquid contains a polyhydric alcohol having an I / O value in a predetermined range or an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol, and at least the liquid absorption has an I / O value set to a predetermined value. By containing the resin composition, the affinity of the liquid absorbing liquid to the liquid can be increased, so that the liquid holding capacity of the liquid absorbing liquid can be improved.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the liquid that has remained on the discharge surface from properly absorbing the liquid that has permeated into the liquid absorption surface and transferring the liquid that has penetrated into the liquid absorption surface to the discharge surface. Degradation of image quality caused by liquid can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the liquid holding capacity of the liquid absorption is improved, the life of the liquid absorption can be extended, and the cost can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, a liquid ejection apparatus and a cleaning method to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to an ink jet printer apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a printer apparatus) 1 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printer 1 prints images and characters by ejecting ink 2 and the like onto a recording paper P traveling in a predetermined direction. In addition, the printer device 1 is a so-called line in which ink discharge ports (nozzles) are arranged in a substantially line shape in the width direction of the recording paper P, that is, in the direction of the arrow W in FIG. Type inkjet printer device. Then, the printer device 1 ejects ink 2 as a liquid onto the recording paper P that is the object, and makes it land on the recording paper P, for example, to character data or image data input from an information processing device such as a personal computer. An image, a character, or the like composed of the corresponding ink dot is recorded, that is, printed.

  The printer apparatus 1 includes a printer head cartridge (hereinafter referred to as a head cartridge) 3 that is a liquid discharge head, and a printer body 4 that is an apparatus body to which the head cartridge 3 is mounted.

  In this printer apparatus 1, the head cartridge 3 is handled as a consumable item, and the head cartridge 3 can be easily attached to and detached from the printer main body 4, so that the head cartridge 3 can be easily replaced. It has become.

  First, the ink 2 that is printed by landing on the recording paper P will be described. The ink 2 is stored in an ink tank 11 (described later) provided in the head cartridge 3, supplied to an ink discharge head 24 (described later) of the head cartridge 3, and recorded from a nozzle 52 a of a head chip 43 (described later) provided in a plurality of the ink discharge heads 24. It is discharged onto the paper P.

  The ink 2 is composed of a coloring material such as a water-soluble dye or various pigments serving as a pigment, a solvent in which the coloring material is dispersed, and a ratio of an inorganic value (IV) to at least an organic value (OV) (hereinafter referred to as I / O value)) in the range of 1.18 or more and 2.5 or less, and a polyhydric alcohol having a carbon hydrogen group having 9 or less carbon atoms, or an I / O value of 1 or more and 1.33 or less. And an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol having a carbon hydrogen group having 9 or less carbon atoms.

  As the coloring material contained in the ink 2, conventionally known dyes, pigments, colored polymer fine particles and the like can be used alone or in combination, but a water-soluble dye is particularly preferably used. Here, the water-soluble dye may be any of acid dyes, direct dyes, basic dyes, reactive dyes, and food dyes, but is preferably selected from the viewpoints of solubility in water, color developability, fastness, and the like. .

  Specifically, examples of yellow water-soluble dyes include C.I. I. Acid Yellow 17, 23, 42, 44, 79, 142, C.I. I. Food Yellow 3, 4 and C.I. I. Direct Yellow 1, 12, 24, 26, 33, 44, 50, 86, 120, 132, 142, 144, C.I. I. Direct Orange 26, 29, 62, 102, C.I. I. Basic Yellow 1, 2, 11, 11, 14, 15, 19, 21, 21, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 32, 36, 40, the same 41, 45, 49, 51, 53, 63, 64, 65, 67, 70, 73, 77, 87, 91, C.I. I. Reactive Yellow 1, 5, 11, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 25, 40, 47, 51, 55, 65, 67, etc. Can do.

  Examples of magenta water-soluble dyes include C.I. I. Acid Red 1, 8, 13, 13, 18, 26, 27, 35, 37, 42, 52, 82, 87, 89, 92, 97, 106, 111, 114, 115, 134, 186, 249, 254, 289, C.I. I. Food Red 7, 9 and 14, C.I. I. Direct Red 1, 4, 9, 13, 17, 20, 28, 31, 39, 80, 81, 83, 89, 225, 227, C.I. I. Basic Red 2, 12, 12, 13, 15, 18, 22, 22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 35, 36, 38, 39, 46, the same 49, 51, 52, 54, 59, 68, 69, 70, 73, 78, 82, 102, 104, 109, 112, C.I. I. Reactive Red 1, 14, 17, 17, 25, 26, 32, 37, 44, 46, 55, 60, 66, 74, 79, 96, 97, etc. Can be mentioned.

  Examples of cyan water-soluble dyes include C.I. I. Acid Blue 9, 29, 45, 92, 249, C.I. I. Direct Blue 1, 2, 6, 15, 25, 71, 76, 79, 86, 87, 90, 98, 163, 165, 199, 202, C.I. I. Basic Blue 1, 3, 5, 7, 21, 21, 22, 26, 35, 41, 45, 47, 54, 62, 65, 66, the same 67, 69, 75, 77, 78, 89, 92, 93, 105, 117, 120, 122, 124, 129, 137, 141, 147, 151, C.I. I. Reactive blue 1, 2, 7, 14, 15, 23, 32, 35, 38, 41, 63, 80, 95, and the like.

  Examples of black water-soluble dyes include C.I. I. Acid Black 1, 2, 2, 7, 24, 26, 94, C.I. I. Food Black 1, 2 and C.I. I. Direct black 19, 22, 32, 38, 51, 56, 71, 74, 75, 77, 154, 168, 171, C.I. I. Basic Black 2, 8 and C.I. I. Reactive black 3, the same 4, the same 7, the same 11, the same 12, the same 17, etc. can be mentioned.

  The amount of the colorant added to the ink 2 is, for example, in the range of 1% by weight to 10% by weight, more preferably in the range of 3% by weight to 5% by weight with respect to the total weight of the ink 2. It is determined in consideration of drying property, ejection stability, color development property, storage stability of printed matter, and the like.

  Ink 2 uses water as a solvent. For the purpose of imparting desired physical properties to ink 2, improving the solubility and dispersibility of the coloring material in water, and preventing drying of ink 2. A known organic solvent can be used in combination with the organic compound that brings the 0-second dynamic surface tension into a predetermined range.

  Specifically, examples of the organic solvent that can be used as the solvent include polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, and polyethylene glycol, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and diethylene glycol. Polyethyl alcohol alkyl ethers such as monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, tetraethylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, polyhydric alcohol allyl ethers such as ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, ethylene glycol monobenzyl ether, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-hydroxyethyl-pyrrolidone, 1, -Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds such as dimethylimidazolidinone, ε-caprolactam, γ-butyrolacton, amides such as formamide, N-methylformamide, N, N-dimethylformamide, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine And amines such as triethanolamine, monoethylamine, diethylamine and triethylamine, and sulfur-containing compounds such as dimethylsulfoxide and sulfolane.

  The amount of the organic solvent added in the ink 2 is in the range of 5 to 50% by weight, more preferably in the range of 10 to 35% by weight with respect to the total weight of the ink 2, and is the same as in the case of the color material. It is determined in consideration of the viscosity, drying property, ejection stability and the like of the ink 2.

  Examples of the polyhydric alcohol having a I / O value in the range of 1.18 or more and 2.5 or less and having a hydrocarbon group having 9 or less carbon atoms include, for example, Chemical Formula 1 to Chemical Formula 5. An organic compound etc. are mentioned, Any 1 type or multiple types of these can be used.

  Here, the I / O value will be described. Inorganic value (IV) and organic value (OV) are, for example, “Organic Conceptual Diagram-Fundamentals and Applications” by Yoshio Koda, Sankyo Publishing (1984), “Systematic Organic Qualitative Analysis (mixture)” by Fujita and Akatsuka. Kazama Shobo (1974), "Dye Theoretical Chemistry" by Kuroki Nobuhiko, Tsuji Shoten (1966), "Fine Chemicals" Tobita, Uchida, Maruzen (1982), "Organic Compound Separation", Inoue, Uehara, Minami, Sakai Hanafusa (1990) Can be obtained from the organic conceptual diagram described in the above. This organic conceptual diagram refers to the physical and chemical properties of organic compounds, the degree of physical properties due to electrical affinity is called “inorganic”, the degree of physical properties due to VanDerWalals force is called “organic”, and a combination of these This is a method to capture the physical characteristics of the compound.

  That is, in the I / O value, when the inorganic value (IV) of a certain compound is increased, polarization is facilitated and the solubility in water is increased, and when the organic value (OV) of a certain compound is increased, the lipophilicity is increased. Increased, the solubility in water decreases and the solubility in organic solvents increases.

  In view of this, when the I / O value of the polyhydric alcohol contained in the ink 2 is less than 1.18, the hydrophilicity is poor and the ink 2 is separated in the ink 2 to become oil droplets, and the nozzle 52a is formed. There is a possibility that the discharge stability may be deteriorated such as clogging. On the other hand, if the I / O value of the polyhydric alcohol exceeds 2.5, the hydrophobicity becomes poor and minute bubbles are likely to be generated in the ink 2, which may also deteriorate the ejection stability.

  The polyhydric alcohol is preferably contained in the range of 0.1% by weight to 10% by weight, more preferably in the range of 0.5% by weight to 3% by weight with respect to the total weight of the ink 2. When the content of polyhydric alcohol is less than 0.1% by weight with respect to ink 2, it is difficult to obtain the above-described effects. On the other hand, when the content of polyhydric alcohol is more than 10% by weight with respect to the ink 2, the viscosity of the ink 2 is increased and the permeability of the ink 2 to the recording paper P may be deteriorated.

  In polyhydric alcohols, when an organic compound having a carbon number exceeding 9 is used, the viscosity of the ink 2 increases and the permeability of the ink 2 to the recording paper P depends on the content in the ink 2. There is a risk of deterioration. In polyhydric alcohols, the number of carbons is naturally determined by the I / O value.

  As described above, when the ink 2 contains polyhydric alcohol, the wettability of the ink 2 with respect to the recording paper P is increased. Thus, it is possible to improve ejection stability by preventing ejection failure due to bubbles, and to prevent boundary bleeding and the like where inks of different colors that have landed on the recording paper P do not bleed or fall out.

  Table 1 below shows the inorganic value (IV), organic value (IO), and I / O value in the polyhydric alcohol in which the number of the hydrocarbon groups (R) represented by the chemical formulas 1 to 5 is changed. . The I / O here is calculated based on the above-mentioned “Organic Conceptual Diagram—Basics and Applications—” on page 13 of Yoshio Koda, Table 1.1.

  In the polyhydric alcohols A to AM shown in Table 1, the I / O value is in the range of 1.18 to 2.5, and when contained in the ink 2, the inner peripheral side surface of the nozzle 52a to be described later In addition, the wettability with respect to the nozzle sheet 52 and the like is enhanced and the occurrence of oil droplets and minute bubbles in the ink 2 is suppressed, so that ejection failures such as non-ejection and ejection bending can be prevented.

  In addition, although the organic compound which changed the number of the hydrocarbon groups of Chemical formula 1-Chemical formula 5 as a polyhydric alcohol was mentioned as a specific example here, it is not limited to these organic compounds, I / O value Is a polyhydric alcohol having a hydrocarbon group having a carbon number of 9 or less and a range of 1.18 or more and 2.5 or less. The same effect as the compound can be obtained.

  In the ink 2, it is possible to improve the wettability of the ink 2 with respect to the recording paper P, the nozzle sheet 52, and the like by appropriately adding the above-described polyhydric alcohol. The effect obtained from the monohydric alcohol can be further enhanced.

  Specifically, as the surfactant, for example, an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol having an I / O value of 1 to 1.33 and having a hydrocarbon group of 9 or less carbon atoms, It is preferable that the ink 2 contains an ethylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol.

  Examples of the alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol having an I / O value of 1 to 1.33 and a hydrocarbon group having 9 or less carbon atoms include organic compounds represented by chemical formulas 6 to 10, and the like. Use one of these or a mix of review species.

  Ink 2 contains an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol as described above, but the reason is not clear, but the static surface tension can be in an appropriate range, and fine bubbles in the liquid are generated. In addition, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of boundary bleeding when printed on the recording paper P.

  Furthermore, as the alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol, for example, an alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol having an iso-branched or tert-branched hydrocarbon group represented by Chemical Formula 11 to Chemical Formula 18 is contained. Further, since the three-dimensional chemical structure of the alkylene oxide adduct of these polyhydric alcohols becomes an obstacle and further suppresses the generation of minute bubbles, further excellent discharge stability can be obtained.

  In particular, in ink 2, it is preferable to contain compounds represented by chemical formulas 13 to 18 as alkylene oxide adducts of polyhydric alcohols, and these compounds can be used alone or in combination to provide more remarkable effects. Can be obtained.

  In the alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol contained in the ink 2, when it becomes an organic compound having more than 9 carbon atoms, the viscosity of the ink 2 is increased, and depending on the content in the ink 2. There is a possibility that the permeability of the ink 2 to the recording paper P is deteriorated. In addition, in the alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol, the number of carbons is naturally determined by the I / O value.

  The alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol is preferably contained in the range of 0.1 to 5% by weight, more preferably in the range of 0.5 to 3% by weight, based on the total weight of the ink 2.

  When the content of the alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol with respect to ink 2 is less than 0.1% by weight, it becomes difficult to obtain the above-described effects. On the other hand, when the content of the alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol with respect to ink 2 is more than 5% by weight, the viscosity of ink 2 may be increased and the permeability of ink 2 to recording paper P may be deteriorated.

  In addition, in the alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol contained in the ink 2, when the I / O value is less than 1, the hydrophilicity is poor and the ink 52 is separated in the ink 2 and becomes oil droplets to form the nozzle 52a. There is a possibility that the discharge stability is deteriorated such as clogging. On the other hand, if the I / O value exceeds 1.33, the hydrophobicity is poor and fine bubbles are likely to be generated in the ink 2, which may also deteriorate the ejection stability.

  Table 2 below shows the inorganic value (IV), the organic value (IO), and the I / O value in the alkylene oxide adduct of the polyhydric alcohol represented by Chemical Formula 6 to Chemical Formula 18 described above. The I / O here is also calculated based on the above-mentioned “Organic Conceptual Diagram—Basics and Applications—” on page 13 of Yoshio Koda, Table 1.1.

  From the I / O values shown in Table 2, in the alkylene oxide adducts of polyhydric alcohols shown in Chemical Formula 6 to Chemical Formula 18, the I / O values are in the range of 1 to 1.33 and are contained in Ink 2. As a result, the occurrence of oil droplets and minute bubbles in the ink 2 is suppressed, so that it becomes possible to prevent ejection failures such as non-ejection and ejection bending.

  Here, as the alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol having a hydrocarbon group having 9 or less carbon atoms and an I / O value in the range of 1 to 1.33, specifically, the chemical formula 6 to Although the organic compound shown in Chemical Formula 18 is shown, it is not limited to these organic compounds, and is a hydrocarbon group having an I / O value in the range of 1 to 1.33 and a carbon number of 9 or less. Any of the polyhydric alcohol alkylene oxide adducts having the following formula can be used as the surfactant of ink 2, and the same effects as those of the compounds represented by Chemical Formulas 6 to 18 can be obtained.

  In addition, the polyhydric alcohol and the alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol described above can obtain the above-described effects as long as either one is contained in the ink 2. By containing, the effect can be further enhanced.

  In addition, in the ink 2, for example, the adjustment of the surface tension or the like basically adjusts the kind of the above-described polyhydric alcohol alkylene oxide adduct and the amount of the polyhydric alcohol alkylene oxide adduct contained in the ink 2. This can be done appropriately. However, when it is difficult to satisfactorily adjust the surface tension, conventionally known surfactants can be added within a range that does not impair the effects of the above-described polyhydric alcohol alkylene oxide adduct.

  Specifically, conventionally known surfactants include special phenol type nonionic surfactants such as polycyclic phenol ethoxylates, ethylene oxide adducts of glycerite, polyethylene glycol oleate, polyoxyalkylene taroates, sorbitan lauryl. Ester-type nonionic surfactants such as esters, sorbitan oleyl esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan oleyl esters, amide-type nonionic surfactants such as coconut oil fatty acid diethanolamide, polyoxyethylene coconut oil fatty acid monoethanolamide, and acetylene Glycol and its ethylene oxide adducts, alcohol sulfate sodium salt, higher alcohol sulfate sodium salt, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether sulfate ester Anionic surfactants such as monium salt and sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate, cationic surfactants such as mono-long chain alkyl cation, di-long chain alkyl cation, and alkylamine oxide, laurylamidopropyl acetate betaine, laurylaminoacetic acid Amphoteric surfactants such as betaine can be used, and any one or a combination of these can be used.

  The above-mentioned conventionally known surfactant is added in an amount of 30% by weight or less, more preferably 20% by weight or less, based on the total alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol contained in the ink 2. If a conventionally known surfactant is added in an amount of more than 30% by weight based on the alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol, the optical density is lowered, and there is a risk of boundary bleeding.

  In addition to the above-described polyhydric alcohol, polyhydric alcohol alkylene oxide adduct, coloring material, solvent, conventionally known surfactant, etc., the ink 2 includes, for example, a pH adjuster, a chelating reagent, a preservative, It is also possible to add a rust inhibitor or the like.

  Specific examples of pH adjusters include amines such as diethanolamine and triethanolamine, hydroxides of alkali metal elements such as lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, and quaternary ammonium. Examples thereof include hydroxides, quaternary phosphonium hydroxides, carbonates of alkali metals such as lithium carbonate, sodium carbonate, and potassium carbonate. These can be used alone or in combination. Examples of the chelating reagent include sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, sodium nitrilotriacetate, sodium hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetate, sodium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate, sodium uramil diacetate and the like, which can be used alone or in combination. Examples of the preservative include sodium dehydroacetate, sodium sorbate, sodium 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide, sodium benzoate, sodium pentachlorophenol and the like, and these can be used alone or in combination. Examples of the rust preventive include acidic sulfites, sodium thiosulfate, ammonium thiodiglycolate, diisopropylammonium nitrite, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, dicyclohexylammonium nitrite and the like, and these can be used alone or in combination. In addition, for example, an ultraviolet absorber as proposed in JP-A-9-227811 can be appropriately added to the ink 2.

  When preparing the ink 2 having the above configuration, the polyhydric alcohol, the alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol, a coloring material, a solvent, a conventionally known surfactant, and the like are mixed at a predetermined blending ratio. It can be prepared by stirring and dispersing with a screw or the like while heating to room temperature or about 40 ° C to 80 ° C.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink 2 described above has a yellow color in the ink tank 11 y, a magenta color in the ink tank 11 m, and a cyan color ink. What is stored in the tank 11c and exhibits black is stored in the ink tank 11k.

  Next, the head cartridge 3 will be described. The head cartridge 3 is a so-called line-type printer head in which a plurality of nozzles 52a, which are ejection openings for ejecting ink 2, are arranged in a substantially straight line with a length corresponding to the width of the recording paper P.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the head cartridge 3 includes a cartridge main body 21 in which an ink tank 11 for containing ink is mounted. The cartridge main body 21 has yellow, cyan, and color printing corresponding to color printing. Ink tanks 11y, 11m, 11c, and 11k composed of four colors of magenta and black are detachable.

  These four ink tanks 11y, 11m, 11c, and 11k are containers formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape by, for example, injection molding of a resin material or the like, and contain ink 2 corresponding to each color inside. Yes. In addition, these four ink tanks 11y, 11m, 11c, and 11k have an inner surface that is in contact with ink with a surface roughness that is smaller than that of the outer surface so that minute foreign matters such as dust can be easily removed when the inside is cleaned. It is getting smaller. The four ink tanks 11y, 11m, 11c, and 11k have a long shape corresponding to the long side direction of the cartridge main body 21 in order to accommodate as much ink 2 as possible. The ink tanks 11y, 11m, 11c, and 11k are arranged side by side in the short side direction of the cartridge body 21. The four ink tanks 11y, 11m, 11c, and 11k have a larger capacity than the other ink tanks 11y, 11m, and 11c, and the thickness of the black ink tank 11k that consumes the largest amount of ink. It has the same structure except having. Therefore, the configuration of these ink tanks 11y, 11m, 11c, and 11k will be collectively described as the ink tank 11 below. The ink tank 11 is formed by injection molding a resin material such as polypropylene having strength and ink resistance.

  The ink tank 11 includes an ink storage unit 12 that stores the ink 2, an ink supply unit 13 that supplies the ink 2 from the ink storage unit 12 to the cartridge body 21 of the head cartridge 3, and air from the outside into the ink storage unit 12. The ink 2 is temporarily transferred between the external communication hole 14 to be taken in, the air introduction path 15 for introducing the air taken in from the external communication hole 14 into the ink storage portion 12, and the external communication hole 14 and the air introduction path 15. And a storage unit 16 for storage.

  The ink storage unit 12 forms a space for storing the ink 2 with a highly airtight material. The ink storage portion 12 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and is formed so that the longitudinal dimension thereof is substantially the same in the width direction of the recording paper P to be used, that is, in the arrow W direction in FIG.

  The ink supply unit 13 is provided at a substantially central portion below the ink storage unit 12. The ink supply unit 13 is a substantially projecting nozzle that communicates with the ink storage unit 12, and the tip of the nozzle is fitted into a connection unit 23 of the head cartridge 3 to be described later, whereby a cartridge container of the ink tank 11 is formed. 11 and the cartridge main body 21 of the head cartridge 3 are connected. Then, the ink 2 is supplied from the ink tank 11 which is an ink storage unit via the ink supply unit 14 to the cartridge main body 21 including the ejection unit.

  The external communication hole 14 is a vent for taking air into the ink storage unit 12 from the outside of the ink tank 11, so that it can be exposed to the outside even when it is attached to the tank mounting unit 22 of the head cartridge 3. The ink tank 11 is provided at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the ink tank 11, which is a position facing the outside when mounted on the tank mounting portion 22, here in the approximate center of the upper surface. The external communication hole 14 corresponds to a decrease in the ink 2 in the ink container 12 when the ink tank 11 is attached to the cartridge body 21 and the ink 2 flows from the ink container 12 to the cartridge body 21 side. Minute air is taken into the ink tank 11 from the outside.

  The air introduction path 15 communicates the ink storage portion 12 with the external communication hole 14 and introduces the air taken in from the external communication hole 14 into the ink storage portion 12. As a result, when the ink tank 11 is mounted on the cartridge main body 21, the ink 2 is supplied to the cartridge main body 21 of the head cartridge 3, the ink 2 in the ink containing portion 12 is reduced, and the internal pressure is reduced. In addition, since air is introduced into the ink containing portion 12 through the air introduction path 15, the internal pressure is maintained in an equilibrium state and the ink 2 can be appropriately supplied to the cartridge body 21. it can.

  The storage section 16 is provided between the external communication hole 14 and the air introduction path 15, and does not suddenly flow out to the outside when the ink 2 leaks from the air introduction path 15 communicating with the ink storage section 12. Thus, the ink 2 is temporarily stored. The storage portion 16 is formed in a substantially rhombus having the longer diagonal line in the longitudinal direction of the ink containing portion 12 and is formed at the top of the lowermost portion of the ink containing portion 12, that is, on the lower side of the shorter diagonal line. An air introduction path 15 is provided so that the ink 2 that has entered from the ink container 12 can be returned to the ink container 12 again. In addition, the reservoir 16 is provided with an external communication hole 14 at the lowermost apex on the shorter diagonal line so that the ink 2 that has entered from the ink container 12 is less likely to leak to the outside through the external communication hole 14.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the ink tank 11 configured as described above includes, for example, a remaining amount detection unit for detecting the remaining amount of the ink 2 in the ink storage unit 12 and the ink tanks 11y, 11m, 11c, and 11k. And an identification unit for identifying.

  Next, the head cartridge 3 in which the ink tanks 11y, 11m, 11c, and 11k containing the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks 2 configured as described above are mounted will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the head cartridge 3 includes the ink tank 11 and the cartridge main body 21 described above. The cartridge main body 21 includes tank mounting portions 22y, 22m, 22c, to which the ink tank 11 is mounted. 22k (hereinafter also simply referred to as the tank mounting portion 22), a connection portion 23 connected to the ink supply portion 13 and supplied with the ink 2, and an ink discharge head 24 for discharging the ink 2. doing.

  The tank mounting portion 22 to which the ink tank 11 is mounted is formed in a substantially concave shape with the upper surface as an insertion / removal opening of the ink tank 11 so that the ink tank 11 is mounted. Here, the four ink tanks 11 include the recording paper P. Are stored side by side in a direction substantially orthogonal to the width direction of the recording paper P, that is, in the running direction of the recording paper P. Since the ink tank 11 is accommodated in the tank mounting portion 22, the tank mounting portion 22 is provided long in the direction of the printing width as with the ink tank 11. The ink tank 11 is accommodated in the cartridge body 21.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the tank mounting portion 22 is a portion where the ink tank 11 is mounted. The portion where the yellow ink tank 11y is mounted is a tank mounting portion 22y, and the magenta ink tank 11m is mounted. The portion where the ink tank 11c for cyan is mounted is the tank mounting portion 22c, the portion where the ink tank 11k for black is mounted is the tank mounting portion 22k, and each tank mounting portion is the tank mounting portion 22m. 22y, 22m, 22c, and 22k are each divided by a partition wall 22a. As described above, since the black ink tank 11k is generally used in a large amount, the ink tank 11k is formed thick so that the internal volume of the ink 2 is large. It is larger than 11c. For this reason, the tank mounting part 22k is wider than the other tank mounting parts 22y, 22m, and 22c in accordance with the thickness of the ink tank 11k.

  Ink tanks 11y, 11m, 11c, and 11k are mounted in the tank mounting portions 22y, 22m, 22c, and 22k at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction of each tank mounting portion 22y, 22m, 22c, and 22k. , 11c, and 11k are provided with connection portions 23 to which the ink supply portions 13 are connected. The connecting portion 23 is an ink supply path that supplies the ink 2 to the ink discharge head 24 that discharges the ink 2 provided on the bottom surface of the cartridge main body 21 from the ink supply portion 13 of the ink tank 11 mounted on the tank mounting portion 22. It becomes.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the connection portion 23 includes an ink reservoir portion 31 that stores the ink 2 supplied from the ink tank 11 and a seal member 32 that seals the ink supply portion 13 connected to the connection portion 23. And a filter 33 for removing impurities in the ink 2 and a valve mechanism 34 for opening and closing the supply path to the ink discharge head 24 side.

  The ink reservoir 31 is a space that is connected to the ink supply unit 13 and stores the ink 2 supplied from the ink tank 11. The seal member 32 is a member provided at the upper end of the ink reservoir 31 so that the ink 2 does not leak to the outside when the ink supply unit 13 of the ink tank 11 is connected to the ink reservoir 31 of the connection unit 23. The space between the ink reservoir 31 and the ink supply unit 13 is sealed. Specifically, the seal member 32 is, for example, an O-ring made of rubber or the like. The filter 33 removes dust such as dust and dirt mixed in the ink 2 when the ink tank 11 is attached and detached, and is provided downstream of the ink reservoir 31.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the valve mechanism 34 includes an ink inflow path 41 to which the ink 2 is supplied from the ink reservoir 31 and an ink chamber into which the ink 2 flows from the ink inflow path 41. 42, an ink outflow passage 43 through which the ink 2 flows out of the ink chamber 42, an opening 44 provided between the ink inflow passage 41 and the ink outflow passage 43, and the opening 44 opened and closed. , A urging member 46 that urges the valve 45 in the direction of closing the opening 44, a negative pressure adjusting screw 47 that adjusts the strength of the urging member 46, and a valve shaft connected to the valve 45 48 and a diaphragm 49 connected to the valve shaft 48.

  The ink inflow path 41 is a supply path that is connected to the ink container 12 so that the ink 2 in the ink container 12 of the ink tank 11 can be supplied to the ink discharge head 24 via the ink reservoir 31. The ink inflow path 41 is provided from the bottom surface side of the ink reservoir 31 to the ink chamber 42. The ink chamber 42 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped space formed integrally with the ink inflow path 41, the ink outflow path 43, and the opening 44, and the ink 2 flows in from the ink inflow path 41 and passes through the opening 44. Then, the ink 2 flows out from the ink outflow passage 43. The ink outflow path 43 is a supply path to which the ink 2 is supplied from the ink chamber 42 through the opening 44 and is further connected to the ink discharge head 24. The ink outflow path 43 extends from the bottom surface side of the ink chamber 42 to the ink discharge head 24.

  The valve 45 is a valve that closes the opening 44 and divides the ink inflow path 41 side and the ink outflow path 43 side, and is disposed in the ink chamber 42. The valve 45 moves up and down by the urging force of the urging member 46, the restoring force of the diaphragm 49 connected via the valve shaft 48, and the negative pressure of the ink 2 on the ink outflow path 43 side. When the valve 45 is located at the lower end, the valve 44 closes the opening 44 so as to separate the ink chamber 42 from the ink inflow path 41 side and the ink outflow path 43 side, thereby blocking the supply of the ink 2 to the ink outflow path 43. . When the valve 45 is positioned at the upper end against the urging force of the urging member 46, the ink 2 is supplied to the ink discharge head 24 without blocking the ink chamber 42 from the ink inflow path 41 side and the ink outflow path 43 side. It is possible to supply In addition, although the material which comprises the valve 45 does not ask | require the kind, in order to ensure high obstruction | occlusion property, it forms with a rubber elastic body, what is called an elastomer, etc., for example.

  The urging member 46 is, for example, a compression coil spring or the like, and connects the negative pressure adjusting screw 47 and the valve 45 between the upper surface of the valve 45 and the upper surface of the ink chamber 42, and the valve 45 is connected to the opening 44 by the urging force. Energize in the closing direction. The negative pressure adjusting screw 47 is a screw that adjusts the urging force of the urging member 46, and the urging force of the urging member 46 can be adjusted by adjusting the negative pressure adjusting screw 47. As a result, the negative pressure adjusting screw 47 can adjust the negative pressure of the ink 2 that operates the valve 45 that opens and closes the opening 44, as will be described in detail later.

  The valve shaft 48 is a shaft provided so as to move by connecting a valve 45 connected to one end and a diaphragm 49 connected to the other end. The diaphragm 49 is a thin elastic plate connected to the other end of the valve shaft 48. The diaphragm 49 is composed of one main surface of the ink chamber 42 on the ink outflow path 43 side and the other main surface in contact with the outside air, and elastically moves to the outside air side and the ink outflow path 43 side due to the atmospheric pressure and the negative pressure of the ink 2. Displace.

  In the valve mechanism 34 as described above, the valve 45 is pressed so as to close the opening 44 of the ink chamber 42 by the urging force of the urging member 46 and the urging force of the diaphragm 49 as shown in FIG. Has been. When the ink 2 is ejected from the ink ejection head 24, if the negative pressure of the ink 2 in the ink chamber 42 on the ink outflow path 43 side divided by the opening 44 increases, the state shown in FIG. Thus, the diaphragm 49 is pushed up by the atmospheric pressure by the negative pressure of the ink 2, and the valve 45 is pushed up against the urging force of the urging member 46 together with the valve shaft 48. At this time, the opening 44 between the ink inflow path 41 side and the ink outflow path 43 side of the ink chamber 42 is opened, and the ink 2 is supplied from the ink inflow path 41 side to the ink outflow path 43 side. Then, the negative pressure of the ink 2 decreases, the diaphragm 49 returns to its original shape by the restoring force, and the valve 45 together with the valve shaft 48 is pulled down by the biasing force of the biasing member 46 so that the ink chamber 42 is closed. As described above, the valve mechanism 34 repeats the above-described operation when the negative pressure of the ink 2 increases every time the ink 2 is ejected.

  In addition, in the connection portion 23, when the ink 2 in the ink storage portion 12 is supplied to the ink chamber 42, the ink 2 in the ink storage portion 12 decreases. It enters the tank 11. The air that has entered the ink tank 11 is sent above the ink tank 11. As a result, the ink droplet i returns to a state before being ejected from a nozzle 52a, which will be described later, and is in an equilibrium state. At this time, an equilibrium state is reached with almost no ink 2 in the air introduction path 15.

  In the connection portion 23, the valve mechanism 34 and the like have a complicated structure as described above, and the ink 2 moves in the complicated flow path. The ink 2 includes the above-described polyhydric alcohol or polyhydric alcohol. In addition, the wettability of the ink 2 with respect to the inner wall of the flow path is improved, and minute bubbles are generated in the ink 2 due to the opening / closing operation of the valve 34e, the movement of the flow path of the ink 2, and the like. As a result, the ink 2 free from minute bubbles can be supplied to the ink discharge head 24.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ink discharge head 24 is an ink discharge port that is disposed along the bottom surface of the cartridge body 21 and discharges the ink 2 supplied from the connection portion 23 as ink droplets i. Nozzle 52a, which will be described later, is provided for each color so as to form a substantially line shape in the width direction of recording paper P, that is, in the direction of arrow W in FIG.

  The ink discharge head 24 is positioned above the discharge surface 24a, and the ink supply port 41 to which the ink 2 is supplied from the ink supply unit 14 described above and the ink 2 supplied from the ink supply port 41 to each nozzle. And an ink flow path 42 leading to 52a.

  The ink supply port 41 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the ink flow path 42 and communicates with the valve mechanism 34 described above. The ink flow path 42 is provided so as to form a substantially line shape over a length corresponding to the width of the recording paper so that the ink 2 is supplied to each color nozzle 52a described later.

  In the ink discharge head 24, head chips 43 each having a predetermined number of nozzles 52a, which will be described later, are arranged in a staggered manner for each color. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the head chips 43 are arranged so as to be alternately arranged in the width direction of the recording paper P with the ink flow path 42 interposed between the colors.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the head chip 43 divides the circuit board 51 as a base, the nozzle sheet 52 formed with a plurality of nozzles 52a, and the circuit board 51 and the nozzle sheet 52 for each nozzle 52a. The film 53 includes an ink liquid chamber 54 that pressurizes the ink 2 supplied through the ink flow path 42, and a heating resistor 55 that heats the ink 2 supplied to the ink liquid chamber 54.

  The circuit board 51 is formed with a control circuit made up of a logic IC (Integrated Circuit), a driver transistor, etc. on a board made of a silicon-containing material such as a silicon wafer or a glass substrate, and an upper surface portion of the ink liquid chamber 54. In addition, a part of the ink flow path 42 and the like are formed. That is, the circuit board 51 is a semiconductor circuit board.

  The nozzle sheet 52 is formed with a nozzle 52a having a reduced diameter toward the discharge surface 24a and is disposed to face the circuit board 51 and the film 53 so as to form a lower surface portion of the ink liquid chamber 54. ing.

  The film 53 is made of, for example, an exposure curable dry film resist, and is formed so as to surround each nozzle 52a except for the portion communicating with the ink flow path 42 described above. Further, the film 53 is interposed between the circuit board 51 and the nozzle sheet 52, thereby forming a side surface portion of the ink liquid chamber 54.

  The ink liquid chamber 54 is surrounded by the circuit board 51, the nozzle sheet 52, and the film 53 described above, thereby forming a pressurizing space that pressurizes the ink 2 supplied from the ink flow path 42 for each nozzle 52a.

  The heating resistor 55 is disposed on the circuit board 51 facing the ink liquid chamber 54 and is electrically connected to the control circuit of the circuit board 51. The heating resistor 55 heats the ink 2 in the ink liquid chamber 54 by being controlled by the control circuit.

  In the head chip 43 having such a configuration, the control circuit of the circuit board 51 controls the heating resistor 55 and supplies a pulse current to the selected heating resistor 55 only for about 1 to 3 microseconds, for example. To do.

  Thereby, the heating resistor 55 is rapidly heated. Then, bubbles are generated in the ink 2 in the ink liquid chamber 54 that is in contact with the heating resistor 55. Then, in the in-pressurizing chamber 47, the ink 2 is pressurized while the bubbles expand, and the ink 2 droplet that has been pushed away is ejected from the nozzle 52a. Further, after the ink 2 droplets are ejected, the ink 2 is supplied to the ink liquid chamber 54 through the ink flow path 42 to return to the state before ejection again.

  Specifically, when the ink 2 is rapidly heated by the heating resistor 55, the temperature of the ink 2 rapidly exceeds the boiling point. Then, when the ink temperature is heated to about 300 ° C. and reaches the spontaneous nucleation temperature, an ink bubble b is generated on the heating resistor 55 instantaneously. Then, in the ink liquid chamber 54, as shown in FIG. 8, excess energy in the ink 2 is released at once, and the internal pressure of the ink bubble b rises.

  The ink bubbles b grow rapidly. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the ink 2 in the ink liquid chamber 54 jumps out of the nozzle 52a with the momentum of the growth of the ink bubble b, and the ink bubble b is depressurized and contracts along with its expansion. The ink 2 that has ejected from the nozzle 52a has its tail extended outside the nozzle 52a due to its inertia and the contraction of the ink bubbles b, that is, the ink 2 is ejected from the nozzle 52a in the state of the ink droplet i.

  The ink bubbles b in the ink liquid chamber 54 collapse on the heating resistor 55. Then, the same amount of ink 2 as the amount discharged from the nozzle 52a by the capillary force of the nozzle 52a trying to return to the original meniscus (the liquid level of the nozzle 52a) is supplied from the ink flow path 42 to the ink liquid chamber 54. Is done. In this way, the head chip 43 ejects the ink droplet i from the nozzle 52a.

  In the head chip 43 described above, the film 53 is formed over the entire main surface of the circuit board 51, and after the film 53 is formed into a shape corresponding to the ink liquid chamber 54 using a photolithography technique, It is formed by laminating a nozzle sheet 52 thereon. Further, the above-described head chip 43 employs an electrothermal conversion method in which the ink 2 is ejected while being heated by the heating resistor 55, but is not limited to such a method, for example, an electromechanical conversion such as a piezoelectric element. An electromechanical conversion method in which droplets of ink 2 are ejected electromechanically by an element may be employed.

  An ink discharge head 24 is provided below the ink supply unit 14 corresponding to each color described above. The bottom surface of the cartridge main body 21 is provided with discharge surfaces 24a of the ink discharge heads 24 of the respective colors side by side in the short direction of the cartridge main body 21, and these form a continuous discharge surface 24a. . That is, the head cartridge 3 has a so-called multi-line head in which the ink discharge heads 24 corresponding to the respective colors are integrated to form a continuous discharge surface 24a. The ink discharge head 24 is provided with about 100 to 5000 nozzles 52a for each color, and the entire discharge surface 24a is provided with about 400 to 20000 nozzles 52a. The ink discharge head 24 can perform so-called high-speed discharge, in which the ink droplets i are discharged from the nozzles 52a at intervals of about 1/7000 second.

  In the ink discharge head 24 having the above-described configuration, the heat generating portions 55 of the plurality are provided as described above, and the heat generating portions of the ink 2 are increased, and minute bubbles are easily generated. Since the polyhydric alcohol or the alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol is contained at least, the wettability of the ink 2 with respect to the inner wall of the flow path is enhanced, and the generation of minute bubbles in the ink 2 is suppressed. For example, it is possible to prevent a problem such as non-ejection of ink caused by a minute bubble generated in the ink liquid chamber 57 blocking the nozzle 52a.

  In addition to the configuration described above, the head cartridge 3 described above has a guide groove 25 described later, a remaining amount detection unit (not shown) that detects the remaining amount of ink 2 in the ink storage unit 12, and ink tanks 11y and 11m. , 11c, 11k, an ink tank identification unit (not shown) is provided.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bottom surface of the cartridge body 21 in the head cartridge 3, that is, the discharge surface 24a protects the discharge surface 24a and exposes the ink 2 exposed from the nozzle 52a of the discharge surface 24a. And a discharge surface protective cover 61 for cleaning the ink 2 adhered to the region other than the nozzle 52a of the discharge surface 24a and the ink thickened or solidified in the nozzle 27a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge surface protective cover 61 includes a substantially rectangular plate-like cover cap portion 62 corresponding to the discharge surface 24a, a cap holding piece 63 that is detachably held with respect to the cartridge body 21, and a cover. A cleaning unit 64 is provided on the surface of the cap unit 62 facing the cartridge main body 21 and cleans the ink 2 attached to the ejection surface 24a.

  In the discharge surface protective cover 61, the cover cap portion 62 moves in a plane substantially parallel to the discharge surface 24a when the ink droplet i is discharged from the discharge surface 24a, and at least on the recording paper P. On the other hand, the nozzle 52a of the discharge surface 24a is retracted from the nozzle region 24b shown in FIG. 6 so as to face the nozzle 52a.

  In addition, the cover cap portion 62 serves as a tray when the ink 2 drops from the ink discharge head 24 in a state where the cover cap portion 62 is held by the cartridge main body 21 and closes the discharge surface 24 a, and the cartridge main body 21 is detached from the printer main body 4. This prevents the ink 2 on the ejection surface 24a from adhering to the other.

  The cap holding pieces 63 are a pair of protrusions that protrude upward on both sides in the long side direction of the cover cap portion 62 and whose front ends are bent at substantially right angles toward the outside, and are attached to and detached from the cartridge main body 21. It protrudes over the direction, that is, the short side direction of the cover cap portion 62.

  The cap holding piece 63 is engaged with a pair of guide grooves 25 provided on the discharge surface 24a of the cartridge body 21, thereby holding the cover cap portion 62 so as to be substantially parallel to the discharge surface 24a. .

  The cleaning unit 64 includes a substantially cylindrical rod-shaped shaft portion 65 and a liquid absorption 66 provided over the entire outer peripheral side surface of the shaft portion 65. The cleaning unit 64 removes ink satellites such as minute ink droplets attached as extra ink 2 around the nozzles 27a on the ejection surface 24a when the ink ejection head 24 ejects ink droplets i. This is a so-called cleaning roller that cleans the discharge surface 24a by wiping or sucking it from the discharge surface 24a.

  The shaft 65 has a length in the axial direction that is at least longer than the width of the nozzle region 24b in the width direction of the recording paper P indicated by the arrow W in FIG. 2 on the ejection surface 24a. The shaft portion 65 is held on a surface facing the discharge surface 24a of the cover cap portion 62 by a holding portion described later so that the shaft is along the end portion of the cover cap portion 62 on the side where the cartridge body 21 is mounted. The shaft is rotatable around the axis in the circumferential direction.

  The liquid absorption 66 is made of a resin composition having an I / O value of 1.7 or less, and is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 65 with a predetermined thickness. As shown in FIG. 6, the liquid absorption 66 is made larger than the width in the same direction as the width direction W of the recording paper P in the nozzle region 24b of the discharge surface 24a, and when the discharge surface 24a is cleaned, its outer peripheral surface 66a. Is brought into contact with and pressed against the nozzle region 24b without a gap.

  The liquid absorption 66 is a so-called open-cell type resin foam in which one or more adjacent pores are connected, a so-called closed-cell type resin foam in which adjacent pores are substantially independent, and the like is discharged into the pores. The ink 2 remaining on the surface 24a is appropriately taken in and appropriately penetrates into the bubble body.

  Examples of the resin composition that becomes the liquid absorption 66 include polyolefins such as polyethylene (IV = 0, OV = 40, I / O = 0) and polypropylene (IV = 0, OV = 50, I / O = 0). And modified products thereof, polystyrene (IV = 15, OV = 160, I / O = 0.09) and copolymers thereof, polyethylene oxide (IV = 20, OV = 40, I / O = 0.5) Polyolefin oxides such as polypropylene oxide (IV = 20, OV = 50, I / O = 0.04), ethylene / vinyl acetate: ethylene / vinyl acetate: 4/6 (I / O = 1.7) Copolymer and modified products thereof, nylon 6 (IV = 200, OV = 120, I / O = 1.67), nylon 66 (IV = 400, OV = 240, I / O = 1.67), nylon 610 IV = 400, OV = 320, I / O = 1.25), nylon 612 (IV = 400, OV = 360, I / O = 1.11), nylon 11 (IV = 200, OV = 220, I / O) O = 0.91), nylon 12 (IV = 200, OV = 240, I / O = 0.83) and other copolymer nylons, polyethylene terephthalate (IV = 160, OV = 200, I / O = 0) .8), polycarbonate (IV = 0, OV = 50, I / O = 0), polybutene terephthalate (IV = 160, OV = 240, I / O = 0.67), polymethylpentene (IV = 0, OV) = 80, I / O = 0), polyparamethylstyrene (IV = 15, OV = 180, I / O = 0.08), polyphenylene sulfide (IV = 35, OV = 160, I / O = 0.22). ) Polyether sulfone (IV = 220, OV = 280, I / O = 0.79) polysulfone such as and the like, using a mixture of any one or more of these.

  In addition to the resin compositions listed above, the following resin compositions can also be used as constituents of the liquid absorption 66 if the I / O value is 1.7 or less. Specifically, for example, urethane resin, methacrylic resin and modified product thereof, polyphenylene ether resin, modified polyphenylene ether resin, polyvinyl formal and modified product thereof, polyvinyl butyral and modified product thereof, polyether ether ketone resin, heat Plastic polyimides, polyetherimides, polyarylate resins, polyamideimide resins, polyacetal resins, phenoxy resins, butadiene resins, various polyvinyl ethers, ketone resins, coumarone resins, vinylidene chloride resins, etc. Any one or a combination of these may be used.

  When forming the foam which becomes the liquid absorption 66, any conventionally known formation method can be used. Specifically, for example, a thermal foaming method, a chemical foaming method, a mechanical foaming method, a decalcium carbonate method, a desalting method. It can be formed by a forming method such as a wet sintering method.

  Further, the liquid absorbing liquid 66 made of bubbles has an average pore diameter of 1 μm or more and 500 μm or less, more preferably 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less. If the average diameter of each pore is smaller than 1 μm, it becomes difficult to take the ink 2 into the pore, and if the average diameter of each pore is larger than 500 μm, the suction force for sucking the ink 2, so-called capillary force is weakened. It becomes difficult to permeate 2 into the bubble body.

  Therefore, in the liquid absorption 66, by setting the average diameter of each pore to a range of 1 μm or more and 500 μm or less, the ink 2 can be appropriately taken into the bubbles and appropriately penetrated into the bubbles.

  The liquid-absorbing liquid 66 has a porosity of a bubble of 20% or more and 95% or less, more preferably 30% or more and 95% or less. When the porosity of the foam is less than 20%, the number of pores for taking up the ink is small or small, so that the capacity capable of taking up the ink 2 is reduced, and the life of the liquid absorption 66 is shortened. Become. On the other hand, when the porosity of the bubble body exceeds 95%, the elasticity of the bubble body becomes low, that is, when the bubble body becomes weak and pressed against the discharge surface 24a, the bubble body is excessively crushed and the discharge surface 24a. The contact area of the outer peripheral surface 66a with respect to the surface becomes large, and it becomes difficult to properly clean the discharge surface 24a.

  Therefore, in the liquid absorption 66, by setting the porosity of the bubble body to the range of 20% or more and 95% or less, the ink holding capacity can be increased and the outer peripheral surface 66a can be appropriately pressed against the ejection surface 24a. The discharge surface 24a can be appropriately cleaned.

  In the cleaning unit 64 configured as described above, when the cover cap unit 62 moves in a substantially parallel plane with the guide groove 25 as a guide with respect to the discharge surface 24a, that is, when the discharge surface protective cover 61 is opened and closed. The liquid absorption 66 rotates around the shaft portion 65 with the discharge surface 24a in contact with and pressed against the discharge surface 24a in the width direction W of the recording paper P so that the liquid absorption 66 rolls on the discharge surface 24a. The excess ink 2 adhering to the discharge surface 24a is wiped off or absorbed to clean the discharge surface 24a.

  At this time, the cleaning section 64 contains at least the above-described polyhydric alcohol or polyhydric alcohol alkylene oxide adduct because the liquid absorption 66 is composed of a resin composition having an I / O value of 1.7 or less. Since the affinity 2 for the ink 2 is increased and the thickened or solidified ink 2 attached to the discharge surface 24a is appropriately wiped or absorbed, the liquid absorption 66 for cleaning the discharge surface 24a with the liquid absorption 66 is provided. The cleaning ability has been improved.

  In the cleaning unit 64, since the affinity of the liquid absorption 66 to the ink 2 is enhanced, the ink 2 taken in from the outer peripheral surface 66a of the liquid absorption 66 is deeply inside the bubble body, specifically, the shaft 65 It can penetrate to the vicinity.

  Therefore, in the cleaning unit 64, the ink holding capacity of the liquid absorption 66 is greatly improved, resulting in a longer life and cost reduction, as compared with the conventional liquid absorption that can absorb ink only on the outer peripheral surface layer. be able to.

  That is, in the cleaning unit 64, the shaft portion 65 can be attached and detached from the surface of the cover cap portion 62 that faces the discharge surface 24 a, and the amount of ink 2 wiped or absorbed by the liquid absorbing liquid 66 is increased. The liquid absorption 66 can be exchanged together with the shaft portion 65 when the cleaning ability of the liquid is reduced, but the exchange frequency can be reduced.

  Further, in the printer device 1, when clogging or bubble mixing occurs in the nozzle 52 a of the discharge surface 24 a, the ink 2 is forcibly discharged from the ink discharge head 24 to eliminate clogging or bubble mixing. At this time, the discharge surface protective cover 61 functions as a tray for receiving the ink 2 forcibly discharged from the nozzle 52 a by the cover cap portion 62.

  In the cover cap portion 62, an ink absorber 67 such as a sponge for absorbing the ink 2 is provided on the bottom surface of the cover cap portion 62, thereby preventing the ink 2 accumulated on the bottom surface from leaking to the outside. By doing so, the capacity for storing the ink 2 can be increased.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of cap holding pieces 63 provided on the cover cap portion 62 are arranged in the short side direction on the bottom surface portion of the cartridge body 21 to which the discharge surface protection cover 61 is attached, that is, the discharge surface 24a. A pair of guide grooves 25 that are engaged from one end side are formed. The pair of guide grooves 25 correspond to the pair of cap holding pieces 63 and form recesses that are cut from the bottom surface of the cartridge main body 21 at a predetermined depth and cut outward at substantially right angles. ing. The pair of guide grooves 25 are located on both sides in the long side direction of the cartridge body 21 and are formed in parallel over the short side direction of the cartridge body 21.

  Accordingly, the discharge surface protection cover 61 is configured such that the pair of cap holding pieces 63 are engaged with the pair of guide grooves 25, and the cartridge is slid in the short side direction of the cartridge body 21 using the guide grooves 25 as a guide. The discharge surface 24a of the main body 21 is moved to the closing position where the cover cap portion 62 is closed. Further, the discharge surface protective cover 61 slides the cover cap portion 62 blocking the discharge surface 24a of the cartridge main body 21 toward the outside along the pair of guide grooves 25 in the short side direction of the cartridge main body 21. Thus, the cartridge body 21 can be removed from one end side in the short side direction.

  Further, the discharge surface 24a has a portion where at least a region facing the cleaning unit 64 is recessed on the ink tank 11 side at a position facing the cleaning unit 64 when the discharge surface protective cover 61 is closed. Is provided with an escape portion 26 (see FIG. 10) for preventing the liquid absorption 66 from coming into contact with the discharge surface 24a when the cleaning unit 64 does not perform the cleaning operation of the discharge surface 24a.

  Thereby, in the cleaning part 64, it is contact | abutted to the discharge surface 24a only when the liquid absorption 66 performs cleaning operation, and it suppresses that the elastic force which presses the discharge surface 24a of the liquid absorption 66 deteriorates. it can.

  In the head cartridge 3 having the above-described configuration, the discharge surface protection cover 61 can be easily attached to and detached from the cartridge body 21, so that the cleaning unit 64 having a reduced cleaning ability can be easily replaced with a new cleaning unit 64. . That is, the replacement work of the cleaning unit 64 can be easily performed.

  In the above description, a bubble is taken as an example of the liquid absorption 66. However, if the excess ink 2 adhering to the ejection surface 24a can be appropriately cleaned, the above-described I / O value for the liquid absorption 66 is obtained. A woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, or the like made of a resin composition of 1.7 or less can be used.

  By the way, when the cover cap part 62 is in the outward path where the cover cap part 62 is retracted from the ejection surface 24a, the cleaning part 64 comes into contact with the ejection surface 24a and sucks and removes the ink 2 attached to the ejection surface 24a and the ink 2 in the nozzle 55a. When closing the discharge surface 24a, the discharge surface 24a is not cleaned without contacting the discharge surface 24a.

  This is because the affinity of the liquid absorption 66 for the ink 2 in the cleaning unit 64 is enhanced, the discharge surface 24a can be appropriately cleaned only by the forward path, and the time during which the liquid absorption 66 is pressed against the discharge surface 24a is reduced. This is because the deterioration of the elastic force of the liquid absorption 66 is suppressed.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 10, the discharge surface protective cover 61 has an elevating mechanism for moving the cleaning unit 64 up and down to the main surface facing the discharge surface 24 a of the cover cap unit 62, that is, the bottom surface of the cover cap unit 62. 68 is provided.

  The elevating mechanism 68 includes an elevating guide 81 that holds the cleaning unit 64 and an elevating control lever 82 that controls the elevating of the cleaning unit 64.

  The elevating guide 81 has a guide hole 81a that serves as a guide for moving the cleaning unit 64 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the cover cap unit 62, that is, elevating and lowering, and the shaft portion of the cleaning unit 64 is provided in the guide hole 81a. By engaging the end portion of 65, the cleaning unit 64 is held so as to be movable in the direction of arrow A or the direction of counter arrow A in FIG.

  Then, when the liquid absorption 66 moves in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 10 close to the discharge surface 24a, the cleaning unit 64 locks the end portion of the shaft portion 65 to the inner peripheral surface of the guide hole 81a on the discharge surface 24a side. As a result, movement in the direction approaching the ejection surface 24a is restricted.

  In the lifting guide 81, an elastic body 83 such as a coil spring is disposed between the shaft portion 65 of the cover cap portion 62 and the bottom surface of the cover cap portion 62 in the guide hole 81a. The elastic body 83 constantly urges the cleaning unit 64 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 10 close to the ejection surface 24a.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the elevation control lever 82 is formed in a substantially L shape, one piece is a control piece 82 a, and the other piece presses the end of the shaft portion 65 of the cleaning unit 64. It is a pressing piece 82b.

  The up / down control lever 82 includes, in a corner portion, a rotation support piece 82c formed on the bottom surface of the cover cap portion 62 and a support shaft 82d formed on either the rotation support piece 82c or the corner portion. It is attached so as to be rotatable in the middle arrow B direction and the counter arrow B direction.

  The control piece 82a is formed such that the end surface in the moving direction of the cover cap portion 62 is an inclined surface and the tip thereof is substantially sharp. The control piece 82a is urged in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 10 by a pulling member 82e such as a coil spring. That is, the elevation control lever 82 is urged around the support shaft 82 d in a direction in which the pressing piece 82 b does not press the end portion of the shaft portion 65 of the cleaning unit 64.

  The lifting mechanism 68 as described above is in a state as shown in FIG. 10 when the cover surface 62a closes the ejection surface 24a. That is, the cleaning unit 64 is located in the escape portion 26 of the discharge surface 24a, and the elevation control lever 82 rotates in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 10 by the pulling force of the pulling member 82e around the support shaft 82d. The control piece 82a is in a non-contact state with respect to the discharge surface 24a by the escape portion 26, and the pressing piece 82b is not pressing the end portion of the shaft portion 65 of the cleaning portion 64. It is in. Therefore, the cleaning unit 64 is in a state of being moved in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 10 close to the ejection surface 24a by the urging force of the elastic body 83.

  And when the cover cap part 62 is the outward path which retracts | saves from the discharge surface 24a, as shown in FIG. 11, the control piece 82a moves to the discharge surface 24a from the escape part 26. FIG. And when the front-end | tip of the control piece 82a is pressed by the discharge surface 24a, the raising / lowering control lever 82 rotates to the opposite arrow B direction in FIG. 11 centering on the spindle 82d. Therefore, the pressing piece 82b of the elevation control lever 82 does not yet press the end portion of the shaft portion 65 of the cleaning unit 64.

  Then, the cleaning unit 64 urged in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 11 by the elastic body 83 wipes away the excess ink 2 adhering to the discharge surface 24a when the outer peripheral surface 66a of the liquid absorption 66 is pressed against the discharge surface 24a. Then, the discharge surface 24a is cleaned.

  When the cover cap portion 62 is in the return path to close the discharge surface 24a, as shown in FIG. 12, the tip of the control piece 82a of the elevation control lever 82 that is in contact with the discharge surface 24a is pressed by the discharge surface 24a, It rotates in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 12 about the support shaft 82d against the pulling force of the pulling member 82e. Then, the pressing piece 82 b of the elevation control lever 82 presses the end portion of the shaft portion 65 of the cleaning unit 64.

  Accordingly, the cleaning portion 64 is separated from the discharge surface 24a while being guided by the guide hole 81a against the urging force of the elastic body 83 when the end portion of the shaft portion 65 is pressed by the pressing piece 82b. It moves in the direction of the center arrow A. Accordingly, during the return path, the cleaning unit 64 moves to the escape unit 26 without wiping off the ink 2 adhering to the ejection surface 24a in a state where the liquid absorption 66 is separated from the ejection surface 24a.

  In the above-described head cartridge 3, maintenance such as cleaning of the ejection surface 24 a and ejection of discarded ink can be performed in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the cover cap portion 62. Further, as described above, the cleaning unit 64 and the ink absorber 67 can be easily replaced when the cleaning capability, the ink absorption capability, and the like are deteriorated due to maintenance work such as cleaning of the ejection surface 24a and ejection of discarded ink.

  Accordingly, since the cleaning unit 64, the ink absorber 67, and the like are replacement parts in the printer device 1, for example, when these cleaning ability, ink absorption ability, etc. deteriorate, only the replacement part is replaced with a new one. Only the cleaning effect can be restored and the life of the apparatus itself can be extended.

  Next, the printer body 4 to which the head cartridge 3 configured as described above is mounted will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer main body 4 has a structure assembled inside an outer casing 91 composed of an upper casing 91a and a lower casing 91b in order to prevent dust and the like from entering the inside. doing.

  Further, in the printer main body 4, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the front side of the outer casing 91 is a pair of supports provided on both side surfaces of the upper casing 91a on a frame (not shown) in the lower casing 91b. By supporting the shaft 92, the upper casing 91a can be opened and closed with respect to the lower casing 91b.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a paper supply / discharge port 93 through which the recording paper P is supplied / discharged is provided on the front surface of the outer casing 91. The storage tray 94 for storing the recording paper P is attached to the paper supply / discharge port 93 to enable paper feeding. The recording paper P passes through the paper supply / discharge port 93 and is out of the open end of the storage tray 94. The paper is discharged onto a lid tray 95 that closes the front side.

  The upper housing 91a is provided with a head mounting portion 96 to which the above-described head cartridge 3 is mounted. The head mounting portion 96 includes an opening 97 corresponding to the head cartridge 3 and a holding frame 98 that holds the outer periphery of the head cartridge 3 so as to surround the opening 97. When the head cartridge 3 is mounted on the head mounting portion 96, the ejection surface 24a of the head cartridge 3 faces a printing position in the lower housing 91b described later. As shown in FIG. 2, a handle 99 is attached to the head cartridge 3. Thereby, the head cartridge 3 can be easily attached to and detached from the head mounting portion 96 at the time of replacement.

  A lid 91c that closes the opening 97 of the head mounting portion 96 is attached to the upper housing 91a so as to be openable and closable. The lid body 91c forms an upper surface portion continuous with the upper housing 91a when the opening 97 of the head mounting portion 96 is closed. Further, the lid 91 c can close the opening 97 even when the head cartridge 3 is mounted on the head mounting portion 96.

  Further, the upper casing 91a is positioned on the front side where the recording paper P, which will be described later, is supplied and discharged, and the operation button 100 for performing various operations, the printing state, and the like are displayed. A display panel 101 and the like are provided.

  Furthermore, a head cartridge holding mechanism 102 that detachably holds the head cartridge 3 with respect to the head mounting portion 96 when the head cartridge 3 is mounted on the head mounting portion 96 is provided on the upper surface portion of the upper housing 91a. ing. Specifically, the head cartridge holding mechanism 102 locks the knob 102a provided on the head cartridge 3 to a biasing member such as a spring (not shown) provided in the locking hole 102b of the holding frame 98 of the upper housing 91a. By doing so, the reference surface 3a provided at the upper end of the holding frame 98 in the printer main body 4 and the outer peripheral surface 2a opposite to the reference surface 3a of the head cartridge 3 are pressure-bonded to the upper housing 91a. The head cartridge 3 is positioned so that it can be held and fixed.

  Thereby, the ejection surface 24a of the cartridge main body 21 and the main surface of the recording paper P conveyed to the printing position by the conveyance belt 154 described later can be arranged opposite to each other at a predetermined interval.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, when the head cartridge 3 is mounted on the head mounting portion 96, the upper surface 91a opens and closes the discharge surface protective cover 61 attached to the discharge surface 24a of the head cartridge 3. A cover opening / closing mechanism 103 to be operated is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the cover opening / closing mechanism 103 protects the discharge surface at a closed position that closes the discharge surface 24 a and an open position that opens the discharge surface 24 a and is located above the discharge surface 24 a. A guide mechanism 111 that guides the cover 61 and a drive mechanism 112 that drives the discharge surface protection cover 61 guided by the guide mechanism 111 between a closed position and an open position are provided.

  The guide mechanism 111 includes a slider 121 that holds the discharge surface protective cover 61 and a pair of guide portions 122 that guide the slider 121 between the open position and the closed position of the discharge surface protective cover 61. ing.

  The slider 121 is formed of a substantially rectangular frame corresponding to the discharge surface protection cover 61 so as to hold the outer peripheral portion of the discharge surface protection cover 61. Further, the slider 121 is provided with a pair of front and rear guide pins 123a and 123b projecting outward from both long side frame portions. Of these guide pins 123a and 123b, the length of the front-side guide pin 123a is longer than the length of the back-side guide pin 123b.

  The slider 121 is formed with a pair of front and rear engaging projections 124a and 124b that project inward from both long side frame portions. On the other hand, a pair of front and rear engaging recesses 125a and 125b are formed on the bottom surface portion of the discharge surface protective cover 61 to which the pair of front and rear engaging protrusions 124a and 124b are engaged. Further, between the pair of front and rear engaging projections 124a and 124b, a pair of support pieces 126 that support the bottom surface portion of the discharge surface protection cover 61 are formed to project inward from both long side frame portions. Has been.

  The slider 121 has a pair of front and rear engaging projections 124 a and 124 b that engage with the pair of front and rear engaging recesses 125 a and 125 b of the discharge surface protection cover 61 when the head cartridge 3 is mounted on the head mounting portion 96. At the same time, the pair of support pieces 126 support the cover cap portion 62 of the discharge surface protection cover 61, thereby holding the outer peripheral portion of the discharge surface protection cover 61.

  The pair of guide portions 122 is formed of a frame formed integrally with the holding frame 98 of the head mounting portion 96 described above, and is positioned outside the slider 121 described above to form side plate portions parallel to each other. The pair of guide portions 122 are respectively provided with a pair of front and rear guide holes 127a and 127b with which the pair of front and rear guide pins 123a and 123b of the slider 121 are engaged.

  Specifically, the pair of front and rear guide holes 127a and 127b are formed so that the discharge surface protection cover 61 is directed from the closed position where the discharge surface protection cover 61 closes the discharge surface 24a of the cartridge body 21 toward the front side of the upper housing 91a. The horizontal portion 128a that slides the pair of front and rear guide pins 123a and 123b in the horizontal direction to the attachment / detachment position where the cartridge is attached / detached to / from the cartridge body 21, and the cartridge further from the attachment / detachment position toward the front side of the upper housing 91a. The main body 21 includes an inclined portion 128b that slides the pair of front and rear guide pins 123a and 123b obliquely upward to an open position that opens the discharge surface 24aa of the main body 21 and is positioned above the discharge surface 24a.

  Therefore, the pair of guide portions 122 engages the pair of front and rear guide pins 123a and 123b with the pair of front and rear guide holes 127a and 127b, thereby moving the slider 121 between the open position and the closed position of the discharge surface protection cover 61. It is slidably supported in the front-rear direction.

  As described above, in the guide mechanism 111, the discharge surface protective cover 61 that is detachably attached to the cartridge main body 21 is held by the slider 121, and the closed position that closes the discharge surface 24a of the cartridge main body 21 is provided. Further, it is possible to guide between the discharge surface 24a of the cartridge main body 21 and an open position positioned above the discharge surface 24a.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the drive mechanism 112 includes a drive motor 131, a worm gear 132 attached to the rotation shaft of the drive motor 131, and a pinion gear 133 meshed with the worm gear 132 on the lower housing 91 b side. On the upper housing 91a side, there is a rack plate 134 that meshes with the pinion gear 133 and slides in the front-rear direction.

  Of these, the rack plate 134 is formed of a substantially rectangular flat plate member arranged outside the guide portion 122 described above, and a rack gear 135 that meshes with the pinion gear 133 is formed at the lower end portion thereof in the front-rear direction. Has been.

  A pair of front and rear guide pins 136a and 136b are formed on the upper side of the rack plate 134 so as to protrude toward the guide portion. On the other hand, in the pair of guide portions 122, horizontal holes 137 with which the pair of front and rear guide pins 136a and 136b are engaged are formed linearly in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the rack plate 134 is slidable in the front-rear direction by sliding the pair of front and rear guide pins 136a, 136b in the horizontal hole 137.

  Further, on the front side of the rack plate 134, a vertical hole 138 is formed in a straight line extending in the vertical direction to engage the front-side guide pin 123a penetrating the front-side guide hole 127a. .

  In the drive mechanism 112, when the drive motor 131 is driven to rotate, the rack plate 134 is driven to displace in the front-rear direction by the engagement of the pinion gear 133 and the rack gear 135 while the worm gear 132 and the pinion gear 133 that are engaged with each other rotate. Is done. Accordingly, the pair of front and rear guide pins 123a and 123b of the slider 121 are moved in the vertical direction in the vertical hole 138 of the rack plate 134 while the guide pins 123a on the front surface side of the slider 121 are slid in the vertical direction. The guide holes 127a and 127b slide in the front-rear direction. Thereby, the slider 121 can be driven to be displaced between the open position and the closed position.

  On the other hand, inside the lower casing 91b, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 18, the recording paper P is supplied to the head cartridge 3, and the recording paper P printed by the head cartridge 3 is discharged to the outside. A paper discharge mechanism 141 is provided. Specifically, the paper feed / discharge mechanism 141 includes a paper feed unit 142 that feeds the recording paper P from the storage tray 94 and a transport unit that transports the recording paper P fed by the paper feed unit 142 to the printing position. 143 and a paper discharge unit 144 that discharges the recording paper P conveyed by the conveyance unit 143, and these parts are assembled to a frame (not shown) in the lower housing 91b.

  The paper feeding unit 142 serves as a paper feeding unit for feeding the recording paper P from the storage tray 94 to the transport unit 143, a paper feed roller 151 that feeds the recording paper P in the storage tray 94 to the transport unit 143, A pair of separation rollers 152a and 152b for sending the recording paper P sent out by the paper feed roller 151 to the transport unit 143 one by one are provided, and these are driving units provided in the lower casing 91b. While being interlocked with each other by a mechanism (not shown), they are rotationally driven in the directions of arrows D1, D2, and D3 in FIG.

  The paper feed roller 151 is disposed above the recording paper P facing the opening end on the back side of the storage tray 94, and the outer peripheral surface thereof is a paper push-up mechanism (not shown) provided in the storage tray 94. ) Can be brought into contact with the recording paper P pushed up.

  The pair of separation rollers 152 a and 152 b are positioned in the vicinity of the back side of the paper feed roller 151, and are rotationally driven in the same direction while sandwiching the recording paper P fed by the paper feed roller 151. Thus, even when the paper feed roller 151 mistakenly feeds two sheets of recording paper P at the same time, one separation roller 152a feeds one sheet of recording paper P in contact with the outer peripheral surface to the back side, and the other side When the separation roller 152b sends back another sheet of recording paper P in contact with the outer peripheral surface thereof to the storage tray 94 on the front side, only one sheet can be sent to the back side.

  The conveying unit 143 is a reversing roller 153 that reverses the feeding direction of the recording paper P as a conveying unit for conveying the recording paper P from the paper feeding unit 142 to the paper discharging unit 144, and is reversed by the reversing roller 153. A conveyance belt 154 that conveys the recording paper P to the printing position is provided.

  The reversing roller 153 is disposed on the back side in the outer casing 91 and is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 18 by a driving mechanism (not shown) provided in the lower casing 91b. Further, on the back side of the reversing roller 153, a plurality of pressing rollers 155 a, 155 b, 155 c that press the recording paper P reversed along the outer circumferential surface of the reversing roller 153, and the outer circumferential surface of the reversing roller 153 are opposed. A curved first regulating plate 156 that regulates the movement of the recording paper P is provided.

  Further, a first guide plate 157 for guiding the recording paper P is provided between the reversing roller 153 and the pair of separation rollers 152a and 152b on the lower housing 91b side. Further, between the reverse roller 153 and the conveying belt 154, a second guide plate 158 that guides the recording paper P, and a plane that faces the second guide plate 158 and restricts the movement of the recording paper P. A second restriction plate 159 is provided on the upper housing 91a side.

  The conveyor belt 154 is an endless drive belt wound between a drive pulley 160a and a driven pulley 160b, and the drive pulley 160a is rotationally driven by a drive mechanism (not shown) provided in the lower housing 91b. As a result, it is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow F in FIG. Thereby, the recording paper P can be conveyed to the front side of the printer apparatus 1.

  The transport belt 154 is provided with a platen plate 161 that allows the recording paper P transported to the printing position to face the ejection surface 24 a of the head cartridge 3. Further, the conveyance belt 154 is pushed down by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the platen plate 161 by a pair of pinch rollers 162a and 162b at the front and rear of the platen plate 161. Further, the platen plate 161 is arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined distance from the ejection surface 24a of the head cartridge 3 described above at the printing position shown in FIG.

  Further, the lower casing 91b has a transport position for performing a transport operation at the time of printing shown in FIG. 18, and a retreat position that is located below the transport position and is retracted when not driven as shown in FIGS. A belt elevating mechanism 163 that elevates and lowers the above-described conveyance belt 154 is provided.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the belt lifting mechanism 163 moves up and down the driven pulley 160b side of the conveying belt 154 wound between the driving pulley 160a and the driven pulley 160b. The first rotating member 171 rotated around the support shaft 164, the first rotating member 171 and the tension coil spring 165 are provided on both side surfaces of a frame (not shown) in the lower housing 91b. And a second rotating member 172 that is rotated about a support shaft 164 and a slide member 173 that is slid in the front-rear direction by a drive mechanism (not shown).

  The first rotating member 171 is a flat plate member disposed on the front side of the head mounting portion 96 described above, and a support shaft whose end on the front side is attached to a frame (not shown) in the lower housing 91b. A hole 174 that rotatably supports the driven pulley 160b described above is provided at an end on the back surface side thereof, which is rotatably supported by 164. Further, the first rotating member 171 has a locking piece 175 protruding upward from the intermediate portion on the upper end side, and one end of the tension coil spring 165 is locked to the locking piece 175. A hole 175a is provided. The first rotating member 171 is provided with a stopper for restricting the first rotating member 171 from being rotated upward from the conveying position when the first rotating member 171 is rotated to the conveying position.

  The second rotating member 172 is a flat plate member disposed on the front side of the first rotating member 171 described above, and is located on the outer side of the first rotating member 171 and is disposed on the back side thereof. The end portion is rotatably supported by the support shaft 164. The second rotating member 172 includes a first arm 176 extending upward from an intermediate portion on the upper end side, and a second arm 177 extending upward from an end portion on the front surface side. have.

  The first arm 176 has a locking piece 178 that protrudes toward the back side at the tip, and the locking piece 178 is provided with a notch 178 a that locks the other end of the tension coil spring 165. It has been.

  Therefore, one end of the tension coil spring 165 is locked in the hole 175 a of the locking piece 175 provided in the first rotating member 171, and the other end is locked in the second rotating member 172. The first rotating member 171 and the second rotating member 172 are connected by being locked to the notch 178a of the piece 178.

  The second arm 177 has a contact surface 177a that comes into contact with an operating protrusion 179 of a slide member 173, which will be described later, and this contact surface 177a is provided in a predetermined length in the vertical direction. .

  The slide member 173 is made of a long flat plate member, and is supported on a frame (not shown) in the lower housing 91b so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, positioned on the inner side of the first rotating member 171. . A rack gear 173a meshed with a pinion gear of a drive mechanism (not shown) is formed at the lower end portion of the slide member 173 in the front-rear direction, and is driven to be displaced in the front-rear direction by this drive mechanism.

  The drive mechanism has, on the lower housing 91b side, a drive motor, a worm gear attached to the rotation shaft of the drive motor, and a pinion gear meshed with the worm gear, and the pinion gear is a slide member 173. The slide member 173 is displaced in the front-rear direction by the driving force of the driving motor.

  Further, on one main surface side of the slide member 173, an operation protrusion 179 that is in contact with the second arm 177 of the second rotating member 172 described above is provided so as to protrude outward. The operating protrusion 179 rotates about the second rotation member 172 about the support shaft 164 while contacting the contact surface 177 a of the second arm 177 by sliding the slide member 173 in the front-rear direction. I will let you.

  In the belt lifting mechanism 163, when the slide member 173 is slid in the front-rear direction by the drive mechanism, the operating protrusion 179 is in sliding contact with the contact surface 177a of the second arm 177, and the second rotating member. 172 is rotated about the support shaft 164. Then, the first rotation member 171 connected to the second rotation member 172 via the tension coil spring 165 rotates around the support shaft 164 and is rotatably held in the hole 174. The pulley 160b is moved up and down. As a result, the conveyor belt 154 wound between the drive pulley 160a and the driven pulley 160b described above can be raised and lowered between the conveyance position and the retracted position.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 18, the paper discharge unit 144 is disposed so as to face the driven pulley 160 b via the transport belt 154 as a paper discharge unit for discharging the recording paper P transported by the transport unit 143. The recording paper P is fed out from between the spur 166 and the conveying belt 154 toward the paper supply / discharge port 93 side.

  Next, the printing operation of the printer apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is executed by arithmetic processing of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) based on a processing program stored in a storage means such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown) provided in the apparatus. is there.

  First, the user operates the operation button 100 provided on the printer main body 4 to instruct the printer device 1 to execute the printing operation.

  When performing a printing operation, in step S1, the drive mechanisms 103, 141, and 163 are driven to move the recording paper P to a printable position. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, the drive motor constituting the cover opening / closing mechanism 103 is driven to move the ejection surface protection cover 61 toward the storage tray 94 with respect to the head cartridge 3, so that the ink ejection head 24 The nozzle 52a is exposed.

  Further, the paper supply / discharge mechanism 141 drives a drive motor (not shown) to convey the recording paper P. Specifically, in the paper supply / discharge mechanism 141, the recording paper P is pulled out from the storage tray 94 by the paper supply roller 151, and one sheet of the recording paper P pulled out by the pair of separation rollers 152a and 152b rotating in the same direction is reversed. After transporting to the roller 153 and reversing the transport direction, the recording paper P is transported to the transport belt 154, and the platen number 161 holds the recording paper P transported to the transport belt 154 at a predetermined position. In this way, the paper supply / discharge mechanism 141 transports the recording paper P to the position where the ink 2 is landed.

  At this time, the discharge surface protective cover 61 cleans the discharge surface 24a in step S2. As shown in FIG. 11, the discharge surface protective cover 61 is at least provided so that the cleaning unit 64 provided in the cover cap unit 62 does not contaminate the recording paper P with excess ink 2 attached to the discharge surface 24a before printing. The ejection surface 24a is cleaned by sliding the nozzle region 24b in the direction opposite to the arrow C in FIG. 11 while rotating the nozzle region 24b on the front side of the printer 1, that is, the cleaning unit 64 about the axis.

  Specifically, when the discharge surface protective cover 61 closes the discharge surface 24a, as shown in FIG. 10, the cleaning unit 64 is located in the escape portion 26 of the discharge surface 24a, and the elevation control lever 82 is The control piece 82a is in a state of being rotated in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 10 by the pulling force of the pulling member 82e around the support shaft 82d. In the contact state, the pressing piece 82b is not pressing the end of the shaft portion 65 of the cleaning unit 64. Therefore, the cleaning 64 is in a state of being moved in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 10 close to the ejection surface 24a by the urging force of the elastic body 83.

  When the discharge surface protection cover 61 is retracted from the discharge surface 24a, the control piece 82a moves from the escape portion 26 to the discharge surface 24a as shown in FIG. As a result, the tip of the control piece 82a is pressed by the discharge surface 24a, and the elevation control lever 82 rotates in the counter arrow B direction about the support shaft 82d. Therefore, the pressing piece 82b of the elevation control lever 82 does not yet press the end portion of the shaft portion 65 of the cleaning unit 64. Then, the liquid absorption 66 of the cleaning unit 64 urged by the elastic body 83 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 11 slides on the discharge surface 24a in a pressed state and removes excess ink 2 attached to the discharge surface 24a. Wiping is performed and the discharge surface 24a is cleaned.

  At this time, in the cleaning part 64, since the liquid absorption 66 is formed of a resin composition having an I / O value of 1.7 or less, it contains at least the polyhydric alcohol or the alkylene oxide adduct of the polyhydric alcohol described above. The affinity for the ink 2 to be increased is increased, and the thickened or solidified ink 2 attached to the ejection surface 24a can be appropriately cleaned.

  Next, when the cleaning of the ejection surface 24a is completed, in step S3, a pulse current of a predetermined frequency is supplied to the heating resistor 55 of the head chip 43 in the ink ejection head 24, and the recording paper P conveyed to the printing position. In contrast, ink droplets i are ejected and landed from the nozzles 52a, and images, characters, and the like made up of ink dots are recorded.

  Next, when printing on the recording paper P is completed, in step S4, the recording paper P for which printing has been completed is driven from the space between the conveying belt 154 and the spur 146 by driving the conveying belt 154. The sheet is fed to the back side indicated by the middle arrow G, and discharged from the paper supply / discharge port 93 onto the lid tray 95. When printing on the recording paper P is finished, the belt lifting mechanism 163 is driven to lower the transport belt 154 from the transport position to the retracted position.

  At this time, in step S5, the discharge surface protective cover 61 drives the cover opening / closing mechanism 103 to close the discharge surface 24a. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the discharge surface protective cover 61 moves the cover cap portion 62 together with the slider 121 to the closed position on the back side of the printer apparatus 1, that is, in the direction of arrow C in FIG. In the middle of closing the discharge surface 24a, as shown in FIG. 12, the cleaning unit 64 provided in the cover cap unit 62 is such that the tip of the control piece 82a of the elevation control lever 82 contacting the discharge surface 24a is covered by the discharge surface 24a. It is pressed and rotates in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 12 around the support shaft 82d against the pulling force of the pulling member 82e. Thereby, the pressing piece 82 b of the elevation control lever 82 presses the end portion of the shaft portion 65 of the cleaning unit 64.

  The cleaning unit 64 discharges the liquid absorption 66 while the shaft 65 is guided to the guide hole 81a against the urging force of the elastic body 83 by the end of the shaft 65 being pressed by the pressing piece 82b. It moves in a direction opposite to the arrow A in FIG.

  Therefore, during the return path, the liquid absorption 66 of the cleaning unit 64 moves to the escape unit 26 without wiping off the excess ink 2 adhering to the ejection surface 24a while being separated from the ejection surface 24a. Return to the 10 state. As described above, the printing operation ends.

  Here, the case where one recording sheet P is printed has been described as an example. However, when printing on a plurality of recording sheets P, at least the discharge surface 24a should be cleaned before the first printing. The ejection surface 24a may be cleaned every recording sheet P or every predetermined number of recording sheets P. The opportunity to clean the ejection surface 24a is controlled by a CPU (not shown) based on a processing program stored in a storage means such as a ROM (not shown).

  As described above, in this printer device 1, the liquid absorption 66 of the cleaning unit 64 that cleans the ejection surface 24 a is made of a resin composition having an I / O value of 1.7 or less, and at least the above-described polyhydric alcohol or polyhydric alcohol. Since the affinity for the ink 2 containing an alkylene oxide adduct of a monohydric alcohol is enhanced, the thickened or solidified ink 2 attached to the ejection surface 24a can be appropriately wiped or absorbed by the liquid absorbing liquid 66, and the liquid absorbing liquid can be absorbed. The cleaning ability of 66 is improved.

  In this printer apparatus 1, the affinity of the liquid absorption 66 for the ink 2 in the cleaning unit 64 is enhanced. Therefore, specifically, the ink 2 taken from the outer peripheral surface 66 a of the liquid absorption 66 is deep inside the bubble body, specifically. The ink can be penetrated to the vicinity of the shaft portion 65, the ink holding capacity of the liquid absorption 66 is increased, the replacement frequency of the liquid absorption 66 is reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

  In the head cartridge 3 described above, the ink tank 11 can be attached to and detached from the cartridge main body 21, but it is not necessarily limited to such a configuration. That is, since the head cartridge 3 itself is handled as a consumable and can be attached to and detached from the printer main body 4, the ink tank 11 can be integrated with the cartridge main body 21. .

  The above is an example in which the present invention is applied to a printer apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to the above example, and can be widely applied to other liquid ejection apparatuses that eject liquid. . For example, a facsimile, a copying machine, a discharge device for a DNA chip in liquid (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-34560), a liquid discharge device that discharges a liquid containing conductive particles for forming a wiring pattern of a printer wiring board, and the like It is also applicable to.

  In the above description, the ink ejection head 24 that heats and ejects the ink 2 by one heating resistor 55 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a structure, and includes a plurality of pressure generating elements. The present invention can also be applied to a liquid ejection apparatus including ejection means that can control the ejection direction by supplying different energy to each pressure generating element or energy at different timings.

  In the above description, the electrothermal conversion method in which the ink 2 is heated from one nozzle 52a while being heated by one heating resistor 55 is adopted, but the present invention is not limited to this method. For example, an electric device such as a piezoelectric element such as a piezoelectric element is used. An electromechanical conversion method in which ink is electromechanically ejected from a nozzle by a mechanical conversion element or the like may be used.

  In the above, the line type printer apparatus 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a serial type liquid in which the ink head moves in a direction substantially orthogonal to the running direction of the recording paper P is described. The present invention can also be applied to a discharge device.

  Hereinafter, the Example for demonstrating this invention mentioned above and the comparative example for comparing with an Example are demonstrated.

<Example 1>
In Example 1, first, a yellow ink was prepared. When preparing a yellow ink, 3 parts by weight of Acid Yellow 142 as a coloring material, 77.5 parts by weight of water as a solvent, 10 parts by weight of glycerin as another solvent, 5 parts by weight of diethylene glycol, Mixing 3 parts by weight of 2-pyrrolidone and 1.5 parts by weight of an organic compound having an I / O value of 1.18 shown in Table 1 above as polyhydric alcohol, a pore size of 0.22 μm manufactured by Millipore Corporation. Were filtered through a main blanc filter (trade name: Millex-0.22) to prepare a yellow ink.

  Next, a magenta ink was prepared. When preparing a magenta-based ink, 4 parts by weight of Acid Red 186 as a coloring material, 76.5 parts by weight of water as a solvent, 10 parts by weight of glycerin as another solvent, 5 parts by weight of diethylene glycol, Mixing 3 parts by weight of 2-pyrrolidone and 1.5 parts by weight of an organic compound having an I / O value of 1.18 shown in Table 1 above as polyhydric alcohol, a pore size of 0.22 μm manufactured by Millipore Corporation. The product was filtered through a main blanc filter (trade name: Millex-0.22) to prepare a magenta ink.

  Next, cyan ink was prepared. When preparing a cyan-based ink, 2.5 parts by weight of direct blue 199 as a coloring material, 78.5 parts by weight of water as a solvent, 10 parts by weight of glycerin as another solvent, and 5 parts by weight of diethylene glycol 3 parts by weight of 2-pyrrolidone and 1 part by weight of an organic compound having an I / O value of 1.18 shown in C in Table 1 described above as a polyhydric alcohol were mixed to obtain a pore size of 0.22 μm manufactured by Millipore. Were filtered through a main blanc filter (trade name: Millex-0.22) to prepare a cyan ink.

  Next, a black ink was prepared. When preparing a black-based ink, 4 parts by weight of food black 2 as a coloring material, 76.5 parts by weight of water as a solvent, 10 parts by weight of glycerin as another solvent, 5 parts by weight of diethylene glycol, Mixing 3 parts by weight of 2-pyrrolidone and 1.5 parts by weight of an organic compound having an I / O value of 1.18 shown in Table 1 above as polyhydric alcohol, a pore size of 0.22 μm manufactured by Millipore Corporation. Were filtered through a main bran filter (trade name: Millex-0.22) to prepare a black ink.

  Then, each color ink prepared as described above was filled in an ink tank and mounted on a line-type inkjet printer apparatus having an ink ejection head with a resolution of 600 dpi and an A4 size width. Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper (A4 size, product name: Mitsubishi PPC) manufactured by Mitsubishi Paper Industries, which was transported to the printing position, while cleaning the ejection surface. Continuous printing was performed in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black in the order of a strip of about 5 cm in the width direction of the recording paper in an environment of 25 ° C. and 50% RH. Cleaning is performed on the entire outer periphery of a stainless steel shaft (diameter 5 mm) in which a liquid-absorbing material made of polypropylene open cell (I / O = 0, average pore size 20 μm, porosity 60%) is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape. A discharge surface protective cover having a cleaning portion provided with a thickness of about 2.5 mm was used to clean the discharge surface for each recording sheet.

<Example 2>
In Example 2, except that an organic compound having an I / O value of 1.25 indicated by F in Table 1 was used as the polyhydric alcohol, yellow, magenta, Cyan and black inks were prepared. Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface in the same manner as in Example 1 except that these inks were used.

<Example 3>
In Example 3, yellow, magenta, and the like in the same manner as in Example 1 except that an organic compound having an I / O value of 1.25 indicated by O in Table 1 was used as the polyhydric alcohol. Cyan and black inks were prepared. Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface in the same manner as in Example 1 except that these inks were used.

<Example 4>
In Example 4, yellow, magenta, and the like in the same manner as in Example 1 except that an organic compound having an I / O value of 1.67 indicated by U in Table 1 was used as the polyhydric alcohol. Cyan and black inks were prepared. Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface in the same manner as in Example 1 except that these inks were used.

<Example 5>
In Example 5, yellow, magenta, and the like similar to Example 1 except that an organic compound having an I / O value of 1.33 indicated by Z in Table 1 was used as the polyhydric alcohol. Cyan and black inks were prepared. Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface in the same manner as in Example 1 except that these inks were used.

<Example 6>
In Example 6, yellow, magenta, and the like in the same manner as in Example 1 except that an organic compound having an I / O value of 1.43 indicated by AL in Table 1 was used as the polyhydric alcohol. Cyan and black inks were prepared. Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface in the same manner as in Example 1 except that these inks were used.

<Example 7>
In Example 7, yellow, magenta, and cyan were used in the same manner as in Example 1 except that an organic compound having an I / O value of 2.5 shown in Table 1 above was used as the polyhydric alcohol. And black inks were prepared. Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface in the same manner as in Example 1 except that these inks were used.

<Example 8>
In Example 8, first, a yellow ink was prepared. When preparing a yellow ink, 3 parts by weight of acid yellow 142 as a color material, 78 parts by weight of water as a solvent, 10 parts by weight of glycerin as another solvent, 5 parts by weight of diethylene glycol, 2- 3 parts by weight of pyrrolidone and 1 part by weight of an organic compound having an I / O value of 1.1 shown in the above chemical formula 6 as an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol were mixed, and a pore size of 0.22 μm manufactured by Millipore was used. The mixture was filtered through a main blanc filter (trade name: Millex-0.22) to prepare a yellow ink.

  Next, a magenta ink was prepared. When preparing a magenta-based ink, 4 parts by weight of acid red 186 as a coloring material, 77 parts by weight of water as a solvent, 10 parts by weight of glycerin as another solvent, 5 parts by weight of diethylene glycol, 2- 3 parts by weight of pyrrolidone and 1 part by weight of an organic compound having an I / O value of 1.1 shown in the above chemical formula 6 as an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol were mixed, and a pore size of 0.22 μm manufactured by Millipore was used. The ink was filtered through a main blanc filter (trade name: Millex-0.22) to prepare a magenta ink.

  Next, cyan ink was prepared. When preparing a cyan-based ink, 2.5 parts by weight of direct blue 199 as a coloring material, 78.5 parts by weight of water as a solvent, 10 parts by weight of glycerin as another solvent, and 5 parts by weight of diethylene glycol 3 parts by weight of 2-pyrrolidone and 1 part by weight of an organic compound having an I / O value of 1.1 shown in the above chemical formula 6 as an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol are mixed, and a pore size manufactured by Millipore The mixture was filtered through a 0.22 μm main bran filter (trade name: Millex-0.22) to prepare a cyan ink.

  Next, a black ink was prepared. When preparing a black ink, 4 parts by weight of food black 2 as a coloring material, 77 parts by weight of water as a solvent, 10 parts by weight of glycerin as another solvent, 5 parts by weight of diethylene glycol, 2- 3 parts by weight of pyrrolidone and 1 part by weight of an organic compound having an I / O value of 1.1 shown in the above chemical formula 6 as an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol were mixed, and a pore size of 0.22 μm manufactured by Millipore was used. The mixture was filtered through a main blanc filter (trade name: Millex-0.22) to prepare a black ink.

  Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface in the same manner as in Example 1 except that each color ink prepared as described above was used.

<Example 9>
In Example 9, a yellow-based or magenta-based material was used in the same manner as in Example 8 except that an organic compound having an I / O value of 1 shown in Chemical Formula 13 was used as the alkylene oxide adduct of the polyhydric alcohol. , Cyan and black inks were prepared. Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface in the same manner as in Example 1 except that these inks were used.

<Example 10>
In Example 10, a yellow series was obtained in the same manner as in Example 8 except that an organic compound having an I / O value of 1.33 shown in Chemical Formula 14 was used as the alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol. Magenta, cyan, and black inks were prepared. Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface in the same manner as in Example 1 except that these inks were used.

<Example 11>
In Example 11, yellow and magenta systems were used in the same manner as in Example 8 except that an organic compound having an I / O value of 1 shown in Chemical Formula 17 was used as the alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol. , Cyan and black inks were prepared. Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface in the same manner as in Example 1 except that these inks were used.

<Example 12>
In Example 12, a yellow series was obtained in the same manner as in Example 8 except that an organic compound having an I / O value of 1.33 shown in Chemical Formula 18 was used as the alkylene oxide adduct of the polyhydric alcohol. Magenta, cyan, and black inks were prepared. Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface in the same manner as in Example 1 except that these inks were used.

<Example 13>
In Example 13, discharge was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 described above except that a liquid-absorbing liquid composed of polystyrene open cell (I / O = 0.09, average pore diameter 20 μm, porosity 60%) was used. Continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the surface.

<Example 14>
In Example 14, the above-described implementation was performed except that a liquid-absorbing liquid composed of an open cell of an ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer (I / O = 1.7, average pore size of 20 μm, porosity of 60%) was used. In the same manner as in Example 1, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface.

<Comparative example 1>
In Comparative Example 1, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks were prepared in the same manner as Sample 1 described above, except that the polyhydric alcohol and the alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol were not added. did. Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface in the same manner as in Example 1 except that these inks were used.

<Comparative example 2>
In Comparative Example 2, instead of polyhydric alcohol and alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol, acetylene glycol (trade name: Olphine E1010) manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. having an I / O value of 1.34 as a surfactant was used. Except for the addition, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks were prepared in the same manner as Sample 1 described above. Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface in the same manner as in Example 1 except that these inks were used.

<Comparative Example 3>
In Comparative Example 3, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black were the same as Sample 1 described above except that 1,9-nonanediol (I / O = 1.11) was added as a polyhydric alcohol. Each of the system inks was prepared. Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface in the same manner as in Example 1 except that these inks were used.

<Comparative example 4>
In Comparative Example 4, yellow, magenta, and cyan are the same as Sample 1 described above except that 1,2,4-butanetriol (I / O = 3.75) is added as a polyhydric alcohol. Black inks were prepared. Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface in the same manner as in Example 1 except that these inks were used.

<Comparative Example 5>
In Comparative Example 5, a yellow series, a magenta series, and the like, similar to Sample 1 described above, except that an organic compound having an I / O value of 0.92 shown in Chemical Formula 19 as an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol was used. Cyan and black inks were prepared. Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface in the same manner as in Example 1 except that these inks were used.

<Comparative Example 6>
In Comparative Example 6, a yellow series, a magenta series, and the like in the same manner as Sample 1 described above, except that an organic compound having an I / O value of 1.38 shown in Chemical Formula 20 was used as an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol. Cyan and black inks were prepared. Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface in the same manner as in Example 1 except that these inks were used.

<Comparative Example 7>
In Comparative Example 7, the same procedure as in Example 1 described above was used, except that a liquid-absorbing liquid composed of an open cell body of urethane elastomer (I / O = 2.5, average pore size 20 μm, porosity 60%) was used. Then, continuous printing was performed on the recording paper while cleaning the ejection surface.

  For these examples and comparative examples, it was confirmed how many sheets could be printed continuously without the occurrence of color mixing. Specifically, the ink holding capacity of the liquid absorption in the cleaning unit becomes full, and the ink overflowing from the liquid absorption is transferred to the discharge surface, and the excess ink adhering to the discharge surface and the ink discharged from the nozzle are mixed. The mixed color ink landed on the recording paper, and it was confirmed at what number in continuous printing that the image quality deteriorated. Since it is easiest to confirm, it was determined that color mixing occurred when other colors were mixed in the yellow print area.

  Table 3 below shows the results of measurement of the number of sheets in which color mixing occurred in each example and each comparative example.

  From the measurement results shown in Table 3, the ejection surface to which the ink to which the polyhydric alcohol or the alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol was attached is composed of an open cell body of a resin composition having an I / O value of 1.7 or less. In Examples 1 to 14 cleaned with a liquid absorbing material, the number of sheets that could be printed without color mixing was higher than that in Comparative Example 1 using an ink to which polyhydric alcohol or an alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol was not added. I understand that there are many.

  In Comparative Example 1, since the polyhydric alcohol or the alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol was not added to the ink, the surface of the liquid absorbent comprising an open cell body of a resin composition having an I / O value of 1.7 or less The ink holding capacity of the liquid absorption soon became full, and the ink overflowing from the liquid absorption was transferred to the ejection surface and color mixing occurred on about 600 sheets. That is, the ink is not added with polyhydric alcohol or an alkylene oxide adduct of polyhydric alcohol, and the discharge surface is cleaned with a liquid-absorbing liquid composed of continuous cells of a resin composition having an I / O value of 1.7 or less. When it is performed, it is understood that the compatibility between the ink and the liquid absorption is poor, and it is difficult to soak the ink deeply into the liquid absorption, and it is necessary to replace the liquid absorption after printing about 600 sheets.

  In addition, from the evaluation results shown in Table 3, in Examples 1 to 14 using an ink to which a polyhydric alcohol having 9 or less carbon atoms or an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol was added, carbon was used as the surfactant. It can be seen that the number of sheets that could be printed without color mixing was larger than that in Comparative Example 2 using the ink to which the number of acetylene glycol of 34 was added.

  In Comparative Example 2, as in Comparative Example 1 described above, the compatibility between the ink and the liquid absorption is poor, and it is difficult to soak the ink deeply into the liquid absorption, and the ink holding capacity of the liquid absorption is less than in each Example. The ink overflowed from the liquid-absorbing liquid in a smaller number than in each example, and color mixing occurred in printing about 700 sheets.

  Furthermore, from the evaluation results shown in Table 3, in Examples 1 to 7 using an ink to which a polyhydric alcohol having an I / O value in the range of 1.18 to 2.5 was added, Comparative Example 3 using an ink added with 1,9-nonanediol having an I / O value of 1.11 and an ink added with 1,2,4-butanetriol having an I / O value of 3.75 It can be seen that the number of sheets that can be printed without mixing colors is larger than that of Comparative Example 4 used.

  In Comparative Example 3 and Comparative Example 4, as in Comparative Example 1 described above, the compatibility between the ink and the liquid absorption is poor and it is difficult to soak the ink deep into the liquid absorption. The ink holding capacity of the liquid absorption is smaller, the ink overflows from the liquid absorption when the number of sheets is smaller than that of the first to seventh embodiments, and color mixing occurs when printing about 600 sheets in the comparative example 3 and about 700 sheets in the comparative example 4. I have.

  Furthermore, from the evaluation results shown in Table 3, in Examples 8 to 14 using the ink to which an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol having an I / O value in the range of 1 to 1.33 was added, Comparative Example 5 using an ink to which an organic compound represented by Chemical Formula 19 having an I / O value of 0.92 was added as an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol and an organic material represented by Chemical Formula 20 having an I / O value of 1.38 It can be seen that compared to Comparative Example 6 using the ink to which the compound was added, the number of sheets that could be printed without color mixing was large.

  In Comparative Example 5 and Comparative Example 6, as in Comparative Example 1 described above, the compatibility between the ink and the liquid absorption is poor and it is difficult to soak the ink deep into the liquid absorption. The ink holding capacity of the liquid absorption is smaller, and the ink overflows from the liquid absorption in a smaller number than in Examples 8 to 14, and color mixing occurs in printing about 800 sheets in Comparative Example 5 and about 600 sheets in Comparative Example 4. I have.

  Furthermore, from the evaluation results shown in Table 3, in Examples 1 to 14 in which the discharge surface was cleaned with a liquid absorbent composed of an open cell body of a resin composition having an I / O value of 1.7 or less, It can be seen that the number of sheets that could be printed without color mixing was larger than that of Comparative Example 7 in which the discharge surface was cleaned with a liquid absorbent composed of an open cell of a resin composition having a value of 2.5.

  In Comparative Example 7, as in Comparative Example 1 described above, the compatibility between the ink and the liquid absorption is poor, and it is difficult to soak the ink deeply into the liquid absorption. It is necessary to replace the liquid-absorbing liquid that causes a color mixture by printing about 700 sheets, which is less than in each of the embodiments, and the ink overflows from the liquid-absorbing liquid.

  In contrast to these comparative examples, in each example, the compatibility between the ink and the liquid absorption is good, that is, the affinity of the liquid absorption for the ink is increased. Ink can be infiltrated to the vicinity, and the ink holding capacity of the liquid absorption is larger than in each comparative example, and 1000 or more sheets can be printed without causing color mixing. In each embodiment, since the ink holding capacity of the liquid absorption is increased, the life of the liquid absorption can be extended as compared with each comparative example, and the cost can be reduced.

  From the above, when printing on recording paper, at least carbon number is 9 or less, polyhydric alcohol having an I / O value in the range of 1.18 to 2.5, or carbon number is 9 or less and I / O When an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol having an O value in the range of 1-1.33 is added to the ink, the ejection surface is cleaned with a resin composition having an I / O value of 1.7 or less. It can be seen that the use of liquid absorption can be very important for improving the yield and reducing the cost because it is possible to suppress the occurrence of color mixing and the frequency of replacement of the liquid absorption.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing an inkjet printer apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the printer head cartridge with which the same inkjet printer apparatus is equipped. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the printer head cartridge. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the printer head cartridge. The valve mechanism in the connection part of the same printer head cartridge is shown. FIG. 4A is a sectional view showing a state where the valve is closed, and FIG. 4B is a sectional view showing a state where the valve is opened. . FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a part of the ejection surface of the printer head cartridge with a perspective view. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a head chip provided in the printer head cartridge. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the state which the bubble generate | occur | produced on the heating resistor of the head chip. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the state by which the ink droplet was discharged from the nozzle of the head chip. FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of a lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers a cleaning unit that cleans the ejection surface of the printer head cartridge. It is a side view which shows the state which the raising / lowering mechanism pushed up the cleaning part and contacted the discharge surface. It is a side view which shows the state which the raising / lowering mechanism lowered the cleaning part. It is a see-through | perspective side view which shows the structure of the inkjet printer apparatus. It is a see-through | perspective side view which shows the state by which the upper housing | casing of the inkjet printer apparatus was open | released with respect to the lower housing | casing. It is a side view which shows typically the structure of the cover opening / closing mechanism of the inkjet printer apparatus. It is a top view which shows the structure of the slider with which the cover opening / closing mechanism is equipped. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a part of the configuration of a drive mechanism of the ink jet printer apparatus. It is a see-through | perspective side view for demonstrating the printing operation of the inkjet printer apparatus. FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing a state in which the transport belt is lowered to a retracted position by a belt lifting mechanism provided in the ink jet printer apparatus. It is a side view which shows typically the state which the conveyance belt raised to the conveyance position by the belt raising / lowering mechanism. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a printing operation of the inkjet printer apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the conventional cleaning member is cleaning the discharge surface.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet printer apparatus (liquid discharge apparatus), 2 ink, 3 printer head cartridge, 4 printer main body, 11 ink tank, 21 cartridge main body, 23 connection part, 24 ink discharge head, 24a discharge surface, 24b nozzle area, 25 guide groove , 26 Escape part, 34 Valve mechanism, 43 Head chip, 52a Nozzle, 61 Discharge surface protection cover, 62 Cover cap part, 63 Cap holding piece, 64 Cleaning part, 65 Shaft part, 66 Liquid absorption, 68 Lifting mechanism, 91 Outside Case, 103 Cover opening / closing mechanism, 141 Feed / discharge mechanism, 163 Belt raising / lowering mechanism

Claims (12)

In a liquid ejection device for ejecting liquid and landing on an object,
A liquid discharge head portion having a discharge surface on which a discharge port for discharging the liquid is formed;
When the liquid is discharged from the liquid discharge head unit, the discharge port of the discharge surface moves in a plane substantially parallel to the discharge surface and faces the discharge port with respect to the object. A cover cap portion that is retracted from the discharge port region where the liquid crystal is formed, and a liquid absorption provided on a surface of the cover cap unit that faces the discharge surface, and the liquid absorption is brought into contact with the discharge port region. A discharge surface protective cover having a cleaning portion for cleaning the discharge surface by moving the cover cap portion in a plane substantially parallel to the discharge surface in a state where
The liquid has a pigment, a solvent for dissolving or dispersing the pigment, and a ratio (I / O) of the inorganic value (IV) to the organic value (OV) in the range of 1.18 or more and 2.5 or less. And a polyhydric alcohol having a carbon hydrogen group having 9 or less carbon atoms,
The liquid-absorbing device, wherein the liquid-absorbing liquid contains a resin composition having a ratio (I / O) of an inorganic value (IV) to an organic value (OV) of 1.7 or less. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid contains any one or a plurality of organic compounds represented by the following chemical formulas 1 to 5 as the polyhydric alcohol.

  The liquid absorbent is a bubble containing any one or more of polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer, polystyrene, polyolefin elastomer, polyurethane elastomer, polystyrene elastomer, polyacetal, and nylon as the resin composition. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is a body. In a liquid ejection device for ejecting liquid and landing on an object,
A liquid discharge head portion having a discharge surface on which a discharge port for discharging the liquid is formed;
When the liquid is discharged from the liquid discharge head unit, the discharge port of the discharge surface moves in a plane substantially parallel to the discharge surface so that the discharge port faces the object. A cover cap portion that is retracted from the discharge port region where the liquid crystal is formed, and a liquid absorption provided on a surface of the cover cap unit that faces the discharge surface, and the liquid absorption is brought into contact with the discharge port region. A discharge surface protective cover having a cleaning portion for cleaning the discharge surface by moving the cover cap portion in a plane substantially parallel to the discharge surface in a state where
The liquid has a pigment, a solvent for dissolving or dispersing the pigment, and a ratio (I / O) of the inorganic value (IV) to the organic value (OV) in the range of 1 to 1.33, And an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol having a carbon hydrogen group having 9 or less carbon atoms,
The liquid-absorbing device, wherein the liquid-absorbing liquid contains a resin composition having a ratio (I / O) of an inorganic value (IV) to an organic value (OV) of 1.7 or less. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the liquid contains any one or a plurality of organic compounds represented by the following chemical formulas 6 to 8 as an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol. .

  The liquid absorbent is a bubble containing any one or more of polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer, polystyrene, polyolefin elastomer, polyurethane elastomer, polystyrene elastomer, polyacetal, and nylon as the resin composition. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is a body. A cleaning method for cleaning a liquid discharge head unit provided in a liquid discharge device for discharging a liquid and landing on an object by wiping the discharge surface formed with a discharge port for discharging the liquid with liquid absorption,
In the liquid, the pigment, the solvent for dissolving or dispersing the pigment, and the ratio (I / O) of the inorganic value (IV) to the organic value (OV) are in the range of 1.18 or more and 2.5 or less. And the ratio (I / O) of the inorganic value (IV) to the organic value (OV) is 1.7 or less when a polyhydric alcohol having a carbon hydrogen group having 9 or less carbon atoms is contained. A cleaning method comprising: cleaning a discharge port region in which the discharge port of the discharge surface is formed with the liquid absorption containing the resin composition formed. The cleaning method according to claim 7, wherein the liquid contains one or more of organic compounds represented by the following chemical formulas 1 to 5 as the polyhydric alcohol.

  The liquid absorbent contains one or more of polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer, polystyrene, polyolefin elastomer, polyurethane elastomer, polystyrene elastomer, polyacetal, and nylon as the resin composition. 8. A cleaning method according to claim 7, wherein a bubble is used. A cleaning method for cleaning a liquid discharge head unit provided in a liquid discharge device for discharging a liquid and landing on an object by wiping the discharge surface formed with a discharge port for discharging the liquid with liquid absorption,
In the liquid, the pigment, the solvent for dissolving or dispersing the pigment, and the ratio (I / O) of the inorganic value (IV) to the organic value (OV) are in the range of 1 to 1.33, In addition, when an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyhydric alcohol having a carbon hydrogen group having 9 or less carbon atoms is contained, the ratio (I / O) of the inorganic value (IV) to the organic value (OV) is 1. A cleaning method comprising: cleaning a discharge port region in which the discharge port of the discharge surface is formed with the liquid absorption containing the resin composition of 7 or less. The cleaning method according to claim 10, wherein the liquid contains one or more of organic compounds represented by the following chemical formulas 6 to 8 as an alkylene oxide adduct of the polyhydric alcohol.

The liquid absorbent contains one or more of polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer, polystyrene, polyolefin elastomer, polyurethane elastomer, polystyrene elastomer, polyacetal, and nylon as the resin composition. The cleaning method according to claim 10, wherein an air bubble is used.

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