JP2010089306A - Image recording composition, ink set for image recording, and recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording composition with which an image is obtained with less bleeding, and to provide a recording device. <P>SOLUTION: The image recording composition 12A contains an anionic liquid absorbing material (more preferably, copolymer of at least either an acrylic acid or a methacrylic acid, and a hydrophobic monomer) and a curing resin precursor which hardens by external stimulation, and furthermore preferably contains a nonionic surfactant. The recording device 101 includes: an intermediate transfer body 10; a means for supplying the image recording composition onto the intermediate transfer body; a means for discharging ink onto a curing layer 12B formed on the intermediate transfer body with the image recording composition provided on the intermediate transfer body; a means for transferring the curing layer with the ink discharged thereon from the intermediate transfer body to the recording medium P; and a means for providing stimulus which causes the curing layer to harden. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording composition, an image recording ink set, and a recording apparatus.

In the recording system using ink, in order to perform recording on various recording media such as a permeation medium and a non-penetration medium, a system of recording on an intermediate transfer body and then transferring to a recording medium has been proposed.
For example, a recording method has been proposed in which a holding layer is formed on an intermediate, ink is supplied into the holding layer, and only an ink image is transferred to a recording material (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, before the ink or flying ink droplets on the printing plate are transferred to the intermediate transfer member, a liquid is attached to the surface of the intermediate transfer member, the ink is attached to the liquid, and then the ink on the intermediate transfer member. A recording method has been proposed in which ink is transferred to a printing medium together with a liquid (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Furthermore, a step of applying a first material for reducing the fluidity of the colored ink to the intermediate transfer member, and a coloring ink is applied from the recording head to the intermediate transfer member to which the first material has been applied, and an ink image And a transfer process for transferring an ink image to a recording medium, and an ink jet recording method for applying a second material for improving the scratch resistance of the image to the intermediate transfer member before the transfer process. (For example, see Patent Document 3).
JP-A-5-229112 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-212956 JP 2005-170036 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording composition, an image recording ink set, and a recording apparatus that can obtain an image in which the occurrence of bleeding is suppressed.

The above problem is solved by the following means. That is,
The invention according to claim 1
An image recording composition comprising an anionic liquid-absorbing material and a curable resin precursor that is cured by an external stimulus.

The invention according to claim 2
2. The image recording composition according to claim 1, wherein the liquid absorbing material is a copolymer of at least one selected from acrylic acid and methacrylic acid and a hydrophobic monomer.

The invention according to claim 3
3. The image recording composition according to claim 1 or 2, which contains a surfactant.

The invention according to claim 4
The image recording composition according to claim 3, wherein the surfactant is a nonionic surfactant.

The invention according to claim 5
The image recording composition according to claim 1, wherein the curable resin precursor is cured by a radical reaction when irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

The invention according to claim 6
An image recording ink set comprising: the image recording composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and an ink.

The invention according to claim 7 provides:
An intermediate transfer member;
Supply means for supplying the image recording composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5 onto the intermediate transfer member;
Discharging means for discharging ink to a cured layer formed of the image recording composition supplied on the intermediate transfer member;
Transfer means for transferring the cured layer from which the ink has been discharged from the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium;
A stimulus supply means for supplying a stimulus for curing the cured layer;
Is a recording apparatus.

The invention according to claim 8 provides:
Supply means for supplying the image recording composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5 onto a recording medium;
Discharge means for discharging ink to a cured layer formed by the image recording composition supplied on the recording medium;
A stimulus supply means for supplying a stimulus for curing the cured layer;
Is a recording apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image recording composition capable of obtaining an image in which the occurrence of bleeding is suppressed as compared with the case of containing only a nonionic liquid absorbing material.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the liquid-absorbing material is not a copolymer of at least one selected from acrylic acid and methacrylic acid and a hydrophobic monomer, image deterioration occurs due to environmental fluctuations. It is suppressed.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 3, compared with the case where surfactant is not contained, the image by which the image nonuniformity was suppressed can be obtained.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, compared with the case where surfactant is not nonionic, the image by which the image nonuniformity was suppressed can be obtained.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 5, compared with the case where the curable resin precursor is not hardened | cured by radical reaction by irradiating with an ultraviolet-ray, hardening reaction advances at high speed.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image recording ink set capable of obtaining an image in which the occurrence of bleeding is suppressed as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus capable of obtaining an image in which the occurrence of bleeding is suppressed as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 8, compared with the case where it does not have this structure, the recording apparatus which can obtain the image by which generation | occurrence | production of the bleeding was suppressed can be provided.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.
<Image recording composition>
The image recording composition according to this embodiment contains an anionic liquid-absorbing material and a curable resin precursor that is cured by an external stimulus.
By using an anionic liquid-absorbing material as the liquid-absorbing material, hydrated ions are generated at the anion site when ink is ejected onto the cured layer formed by the curable resin precursor according to the present embodiment. Further, it is considered that the anion sites in the liquid-absorbing material repel each other, thereby increasing the intermolecular distance and forming a space for receiving ink, thereby improving the ink-absorbing property.

  Next, each component constituting the image recording composition according to this embodiment will be described.

(Liquid absorbing material)
As described above, the image recording composition according to this embodiment contains an anionic liquid-absorbing material. The liquid absorbing material may be anything as long as it is anionic and absorbs an aqueous solvent.

Here, “absorbing an aqueous solvent” means that the liquid absorption is 100 ml / 100 g or more. The “liquid absorption amount” means the amount (ml) of liquid absorbed by 100 g of the liquid absorption material, and is measured as follows.
Specifically, after allowing the liquid absorbing material to stand in the aqueous layer, wait until water penetrates the entire sample, pull up the water absorbing sample, leave it on the mesh for 5 minutes, measure the weight, The difference was taken as the amount of liquid absorption. Moreover, the method according to JISK5101-13-1 may be used.
Specifically, for example, a liquid absorption amount of the liquid absorption material with respect to the aqueous solvent is selected to be 200 ml / 100 g or more.

  Examples of the anionic liquid-absorbing material include sulfonic acid or a salt thereof, carboxylic acid or a salt thereof, phosphoric acid or a salt thereof, sulfuric acid or a salt thereof, nitric acid or a salt thereof as a monomer component. Homopolymer or copolymer.

  Examples of a polymer composed of sulfonic acid or a salt thereof as a monomer component include a polymer of styrene sulfonic acid or a salt thereof, a polymer of naphthalene sulfonic acid or a salt thereof, and a sulfonic acid or a salt thereof as a functional group. Examples thereof include (meth) acrylic acid ester polymer having, and (meth) acrylamide polymer having sulfonic acid or a salt thereof as a functional group.

  Examples of a polymer composed of carboxylic acid or a salt thereof as a monomer component include a polyacrylic acid resin, a polymethacrylic acid resin, a (meth) acrylic acid ester polymer having a carboxylic acid or a salt thereof as a functional group, Examples thereof include (meth) acrylamide polymers having carboxylic acid or a salt thereof as a functional group.

The polymer as the anionic liquid-absorbing material may be a copolymer further containing a hydrophobic monomer as a monomer component.
Examples of the hydrophobic monomer include styrene, (meth) acrylic acid ester, (meth) acrylamide, and butadiene.

  In particular, the anionic liquid-absorbing material is preferably a copolymer of at least one selected from the acrylic acid and the methacrylic acid and the hydrophobic monomer from the viewpoint of suppressing image deterioration due to environmental changes. . Examples of the copolymer include a copolymer of styrene- (meth) acrylic acid and a salt thereof, a copolymer of styrene- (meth) acrylic acid ester- (meth) acrylic acid and a salt thereof, and the like.

  These liquid-absorbing materials are produced by suspension polymerization, emulsion polymerization, solution polymerization, etc., and can be used as they are, or subjected to a grinding process such as ball milling, sand milling, freeze grinding, or reprecipitation using a solvent. Good.

  The liquid absorbent material has a particle diameter (volume average particle diameter) in the range of 0.5 μm or more and 5 μm or less in this embodiment.

The weight average molecular weight of the liquid-absorbing material is usually used in the range of 5000 to 200,000 in this embodiment.
The weight average molecular weight is measured under the following conditions. GPC uses “HLC-8120GPC, SC-8020 (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation)”, and the column uses two “TSKgel, SuperHM-H (6.0 mm ID × 15 cm, manufactured by Tosoh Corporation)” THF (tetrahydrofuran) was used as an eluent. As experimental conditions, the sample concentration was 0.5%, and the flow rate was 0.6 ml / min. The experiment was conducted using a sample injection amount of 10 μl, a measurement temperature of 40 ° C., and an IR detector. The calibration curve is “polystylen standard sample TSK standard” manufactured by Tosoh Corporation: “A-500”, “F-1”, “F-10”, “F-80”, “F-380”, “A-2500”. ”,“ F-4 ”,“ F-40 ”,“ F-128 ”, and“ F-700 ”.

  In the image recording composition according to the present embodiment, the content of the liquid absorbing material is used in the present embodiment in the range of 10% by mass to 60% by mass.

(Curable resin precursor and polymerization initiator)
The image recording composition according to the present embodiment contains a curable resin precursor as described above.
Examples of the curable resin precursor include an ultraviolet curable resin precursor, an electron beam curable resin precursor, and a thermosetting resin precursor. Note that the curable resin precursor is not limited to these, and for example, a curable resin precursor that is cured by moisture, oxygen, or the like may be used.

-UV curable resin precursor Examples of the "UV curable resin" obtained by curing the UV curable resin precursor include acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, urethane resin, polyester resin, maleimide resin, epoxy resin, oxetane. Examples thereof include resins, polyether resins, and polyvinyl ether resins.
Examples of the ultraviolet curable resin precursor that is the precursor of the ultraviolet curable resin include an ultraviolet curable monomer, an ultraviolet curable macromer, an ultraviolet curable oligomer, and an ultraviolet curable prepolymer.

  Here, examples of the ultraviolet curable monomer include alcohol / polyhydric alcohol / amino alcohol acrylic ester, alcohol / polyhydric alcohol methacrylate, acrylic aliphatic amide, acrylic alicyclic amide, acrylic aromatic Radical curable resin precursors such as group amides; cation curable resin precursors such as epoxy monomers, oxetane monomers, vinyl ether monomers; and the like. Examples of the ultraviolet curable macromer, the ultraviolet curable oligomer, and the ultraviolet curable prepolymer include those obtained by polymerizing these monomers at a predetermined polymerization degree, epoxy, urethane, polyester, polyether skeleton, acryloyl group, Examples include radical curable resin precursors such as epoxy acrylate, urethane acrylate, polyester acrylate, acrylic acrylate, polyether acrylate, urethane methacrylate, and polyester methacrylate to which a methacryloyl group is added.

  Among these, radical curable curable resin precursors are preferable from the viewpoint of curing speed.

  Oil-based silicone-modified resins are preferred, and specific examples include silicone-based acrylic prepolymers, dimethylsiloxane side chain polyether acrylics, dimethylsiloxane side chain alkyl acrylic esters, and linear acrylic modified silicone acrylates.

  Further, the image recording composition may contain an ultraviolet polymerization initiator for advancing the ultraviolet curing reaction. Furthermore, the composition for image recording may contain a reaction aid, a polymerization accelerator and the like for further proceeding the polymerization reaction, if necessary.

When the curing reaction is a type that proceeds by radical reaction, examples of the ultraviolet polymerization initiator include benzophenone, thioxanthone, benzyl dimethyl ketal, α-hydroxyketone, α-hydroxyalkylphenone, α-aminoketone, α-aminoalkyl. Examples include phenone, monoacylphosphine oxide, bisacylphosphine oxide, hydroxybenzophenone, aminobenzophenone, titanocene type, oxime ester type, and oxyphenylacetate type.
When the curing reaction is a type that proceeds by a cationic reaction, examples of the ultraviolet polymerization initiator include arylsulfonium salts, aryldiazonium salts, diaryliodonium salts, triarylsulfonium salts, allene-ion complex derivatives, and triazine-based initiators. Etc.

-Electron beam curable resin precursor As "electron beam curable resin" obtained by curing an electron beam curable resin precursor, for example, acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, urethane resin, polyester resin, polyether resin, Examples include silicone resins.
Examples of the electron beam curable resin precursor that is the precursor of the electron beam curable resin include an electron beam curable monomer, an electron beam curable macromer, an electron beam curable oligomer, and an electron beam curable prepolymer. Is mentioned.

  Here, examples of the electron beam curable monomer, the electron beam curable macromer, the electron beam curable oligomer, and the electron beam curable prepolymer include those described as ultraviolet curable materials.

-Thermosetting resin precursor Examples of the "thermosetting resin" obtained by curing the thermosetting resin precursor include epoxy resins, polyester resins, phenol resins, melamine resins, urea resins, alkyd resins, and the like. Can be mentioned.
Examples of the thermosetting resin precursor that is the precursor of the thermosetting resin include thermosetting monomers, thermosetting macromers, thermosetting oligomers, and thermosetting prepolymers.

Here, examples of the thermosetting monomer include polyalcohols such as phenol, formaldehyde, bisphenol A, epichlorohydrin, cyanuric amide, urea and glycerin, acids such as phthalic anhydride, maleic anhydride, and adipic acid. It is done. Examples of the thermosetting macromer, thermosetting oligomer, and thermosetting prepolymer include those obtained by polymerizing these monomers at a predetermined polymerization degree, epoxy prepolymers, and polyester prepolymers.
Further, a curing agent may be added during the polymerization.

  The image recording composition may also contain a thermal polymerization initiator for advancing the thermosetting reaction. Examples of the thermal polymerization initiator include acids such as protonic acid / Lewis acid, alkali catalysts, and metal catalysts.

  The curable resin precursor may be modified with Si, fluorine, or the like in consideration of wettability with an intermediate transfer member or the like. The curable resin precursor may contain a polyfunctional prepolymer in consideration of the curing speed and the curing degree.

  The amount of the curable resin precursor is 5% by mass to 90% by mass of the image recording composition.

  In the image recording composition according to this embodiment, the mass ratio of the curable resin precursor to the liquid absorbing material is 100: 1 to 5:95.

(Surfactant)
The image recording composition according to this embodiment may contain a surfactant.

  Nonionic surfactants include polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid esters, glycerin fatty acid esters, poly Oxyethylene glycerin fatty acid ester, polyglycerin fatty acid ester, sucrose fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene alkylamine, polyoxyethylene fatty acid amide, alkyl alkanolamide, polyethylene glycol polypropylene glycol block copolymer, acetylene glycol, polyoxyethylene adduct of acetylene glycol Etc.

  Examples of the anionic surfactant include alkyl benzene sulfonate, alkyl phenyl sulfonate, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, higher fatty acid salt, sulfate of higher fatty acid ester, sulfonate of higher fatty acid ester, higher alcohol ether. Sulfate esters and sulfonates, higher alkyl sulfosuccinates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether carboxylates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl phosphates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphates, etc. Desirably, dodecylbenzenesulfonate, isopropylnaphthalenesulfonate, monobutylphenylphenol monosulfonate, monobutylbiphenylsulfonate, dibutylphenylphenol disulfonate, etc. It is below.

  The surfactant is used in the present embodiment in the range of 0.01% by mass to 10% by mass with respect to the image recording composition.

  In addition, the image recording composition according to this embodiment may be mixed with wax or rubber-like substances.

(Immobilized component)
In addition to the curable resin precursor and the liquid-absorbing material, the image recording composition according to the present embodiment includes a component that fixes the ink component on or inside the cured layer (hereinafter referred to as “fixed component”). May be further included).

  Examples of the immobilization component include, but are not limited to, a component that adsorbs an ink component (for example, a coloring material) and a component that aggregates or thickens an ink component (for example, a coloring material). .

  Further, the image recording composition may contain water or an organic solvent for dissolving or dispersing the main components (curable resin precursor, polymerization initiator, etc.) contributing to the curing reaction.

  The image recording composition may contain various color materials for the purpose of controlling the coloring of the cured layer.

  The image recording composition may contain a thermoplastic resin for the purpose of adjusting the viscosity. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include acrylic resin, polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, polyurethane resin, polystyrene, polyether resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polystyrene and its acrylic monomer copolymer and blends thereof. It is done.

The image recording composition is used in this embodiment with a viscosity of 5 mPa · s to 30000 mPa · s, and the viscosity of the image recording composition is preferably higher than the viscosity of the ink.
The viscosity is a value measured by the following method, and the viscosity described in the present specification is a value measured by the following method.
As a viscometer, TV-22 (manufactured by Toki Sangyo Co., Ltd.) was used, and the viscosity (mPa · s) at 15 ° C. was measured at a shear rate = 2.25 to 750 (1 / s). In addition, it is a thing of the description speed 10s ^-1 in this specification.

  The image recording composition is preferably low-volatile or non-volatile at room temperature (25 ° C.). Here, low volatility means that the boiling point is 200 ° C. or higher under atmospheric pressure. Nonvolatile means that the boiling point is 300 ° C. or higher under atmospheric pressure.

Ink Next, the ink used in the present embodiment will be described in detail.
The ink can be used for both water-based ink and oil-based ink, but water-based ink is used from the viewpoint of environment. Aqueous ink (hereinafter simply referred to as ink) contains an ink solvent (for example, water, a water-soluble organic solvent) in addition to the recording material. In addition, other additives may be included as necessary.

  First, the recording material will be described. As the recording material, a color material is mainly used. As the color material, either a dye or a pigment can be used, but a pigment is preferable. As the pigment, either an organic pigment or an inorganic pigment can be used. Examples of the black pigment include carbon black pigments such as furnace black, lamp black, acetylene black, and channel black. In addition to black, cyan, magenta and yellow primary pigments, special color pigments such as red, green, blue, brown and white, metallic luster pigments such as gold and silver, colorless or light body pigments, plastic pigments, etc. May be used. In addition, a newly synthesized pigment may be used for the present embodiment.

  Further, particles having silica, alumina, polymer beads or the like as a core and having a dye or pigment fixed on the surface thereof, an insoluble raked product of a dye, a colored emulsion, a colored latex, or the like can also be used as a pigment.

  Specific examples of the black pigment include Raven7000 (manufactured by Columbian Carbon), Regal400R (manufactured by Cabot), and Color Black FW1 (manufactured by Degussa), but are not limited thereto.

  Specific examples of the cyan pigment include C.I. I. Pigment Blue-1, -2, -3, -15, -15: 1, -15: 2, -15: 3, -15: 4, -16, -22, -60, and the like. It is not limited.

  Specific examples of the magenta color pigment include C.I. I. Pigment Red-5, -7, -12, -48, -48: 1, -57, -112, -122, -123, -146, -168, -177, -184, -202, C.I. I. Pigment Violet-19 etc. are mentioned, However, It is not limited to these.

  Specific examples of yellow pigments include C.I. I. Pigment Yellow-1, -2, -3, -12, -13, -14, -16, -17, -73, -74, -75, -83, -93, -95, -97, -98, -114, -128, -129, -138, -151, -154, -180, and the like, but are not limited thereto.

  Here, when a pigment is used as the color material, a pigment dispersant can be used together. Examples of the pigment dispersant that can be used include a polymer dispersant, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant.

  As the polymer dispersant, a polymer having a hydrophilic structure portion and a hydrophobic structure portion is preferably used. As the polymer having a hydrophilic structure portion and a hydrophobic structure portion, a condensation polymer and an addition polymer can be used. Examples of the condensation polymer include known polyester dispersants. Examples of the addition polymer include addition polymers of monomers having an α, β-ethylenically unsaturated group. Desired polymer dispersion by copolymerizing a monomer having an α, β-ethylenically unsaturated group having a hydrophilic group and a monomer having an α, β-ethylenically unsaturated group having a hydrophobic group An agent is obtained. A homopolymer of a monomer having an α, β-ethylenically unsaturated group having a hydrophilic group can also be used.

  These pigment dispersants may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The amount of the pigment dispersant added varies greatly depending on the pigment, so it cannot be generally stated. However, in general, the total amount is 0.1% by mass or more and 100% by mass or less based on the pigment.

  A pigment that can be self-dispersed in water can also be used as the color material. A pigment that can be self-dispersed in water refers to a pigment that has many water-solubilizing groups on the surface of the pigment and disperses in water without the presence of a polymer dispersant. Specifically, it can be self-dispersed in water by subjecting ordinary so-called pigments to surface modification treatments such as acid / base treatment, coupling agent treatment, polymer graft treatment, plasma treatment, oxidation / reduction treatment, etc. Pigments are obtained.

  Further, as pigments that can be self-dispersed in water, in addition to pigments obtained by subjecting the above pigments to surface modification treatment, Cab-o-jet-200, Cab-o-jet-300, IJX- manufactured by Cabot Corporation Commercially available self-dispersing pigments such as 157, IJX-253, IJX-266, IJX-273, IJX-444, IJX-55, Cabot 260, Microjet Black CW-1, CW-2 manufactured by Orient Chemical Co., etc. can also be used.

  As the self-dispersing pigment, a pigment having at least sulfonic acid, sulfonate, carboxylic acid, or carboxylate as a functional group on the surface thereof can be used.

  Furthermore, a pigment coated with a resin can also be used. This is called a microcapsule pigment, and not only a commercially available microcapsule pigment made by Dainippon Ink Chemical Co., Ltd., Toyo Ink, etc., but also a microcapsule pigment or the like produced for this embodiment. You can also.

  Further, a resin-dispersed pigment in which a high molecular substance is physically adsorbed or chemically bonded to the pigment can also be used.

  Other recording materials include hydrophilic anionic dyes, direct dyes, cationic dyes, reactive dyes, dyes such as polymer dyes and oil-soluble dyes, wax powders / resin powders and emulsions colored with dyes, Fluorescent dyes and fluorescent pigments, infrared absorbers, ultraviolet absorbers, magnetic materials such as ferromagnetic materials represented by ferrite and magnetite, semiconductors and photocatalysts represented by titanium oxide and zinc oxide, and other organic and inorganic electrons Examples include material particles.

  Among these recording materials, an anionic dispersant (for example, the anionic property described above) is used as a recording material from the viewpoint of suppressing ink spreading by the cationic resin contained in the image recording composition and effectively suppressing ink bleeding. Most desirable are pigments using a surfactant), self-dispersing pigments having an anionic functional group (for example, the sulfonic acid, sulfonate, carboxylic acid, or carboxylate), and anionic dyes.

  The content (concentration) of the recording material is, for example, in the range of 5% by mass to 30% by mass with respect to the ink.

  Examples of the volume average particle diameter of the recording material include a range of 10 nm to 1000 nm.

  The volume average particle diameter of the recording material refers to the particle diameter of the recording material itself, or the particle diameter to which the additive has adhered when an additive such as a dispersant is attached to the recording material. A Microtrac UPA particle size analyzer 9340 (manufactured by Leeds & Northrup) was used as the volume average particle diameter measuring apparatus. The measurement was performed according to a predetermined measurement method with 4 ml of ink placed in a measurement cell. As input values at the time of measurement, the viscosity of the ink was used as the viscosity, and the density of the dispersed particles was used as the density of the recording material.

  Next, the water-soluble organic solvent will be described. As the water-soluble organic solvent, polyhydric alcohols, polyhydric alcohol derivatives, nitrogen-containing solvents, alcohols, sulfur-containing solvents and the like are used.

  One or more water-soluble organic solvents may be used. The content of the water-soluble organic solvent is, for example, in the range of 1% by mass to 70% by mass.

  Next, water will be described. As water, it is desirable to use ion-exchanged water, ultrapure water, distilled water, and ultrafiltered water from the viewpoint of preventing impurities from being mixed.

  Next, other additives will be described. A surfactant can be added to the ink.

  Examples of these surfactants include various anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and the like. Desirably, anionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants are used. An activator is used.

  In addition, the ink has other properties such as penetrants for adjusting penetrability, polyethyleneimine, polyamines, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, ethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, etc. In order to adjust pH, compounds of alkali metals such as potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, etc., pH buffer, antioxidant, antifungal agent, viscosity adjuster, conductive agent as necessary UV absorbers, chelating agents, and the like can also be added.

  Next, preferred characteristics of the ink will be described. First, the surface tension of the ink is, for example, in the range of 20 mN / m to 45 mN / m.

  Here, as the surface tension, a value measured in an environment of 23 ° C. and 55% RH using a Wilhelmy type surface tension meter (manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd.) was adopted.

  Examples of the viscosity of the ink include a range of 1.5 mPa · s to 30 mPa · s.

Here, as the viscosity, a value measured using a rheomat 115 (manufactured by Contraves) as a measuring device under the conditions of a measurement temperature of 23 ° C. and a shear rate of 1400 s ⁻¹ was adopted.

  The ink is not limited to the above configuration. In addition to the recording material, for example, a functional material such as a liquid crystal material or an electronic material may be included.

  Also, in any of the above-described embodiments, a mode in which ink droplets are selectively ejected from the inkjet recording heads of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan colors based on image data and a full color image is recorded on the recording medium will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to recording characters and images on a recording medium. In other words, the present embodiment is applied to all droplet discharge (ejection) apparatuses used industrially.

<Recording device>
The recording apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an intermediate transfer member, supply means for supplying the above-described image recording composition onto the intermediate transfer member, and the image recording composition supplied onto the intermediate transfer member. A discharge unit that discharges the ink to the formed cured layer, a transfer unit that transfers the cured layer onto which the ink has been discharged from the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium, and the cured layer are cured. Stimulating means for supplying stimuli.
Note that a means for heating the intermediate transfer member may be provided.

  Another aspect of the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is formed by a supply unit that supplies the above-described image recording composition onto a recording medium, and the image recording composition that is supplied onto the recording medium. The above-described cured layer includes ejection means for ejecting the ink, and stimulus supply means for supplying a stimulus for curing the cured layer.

  Next, the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is provided to the member which has the same function through all the drawings, and the overlapping description may be abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment includes, for example, an intermediate transfer drum (intermediate transfer member) 10, an anionic liquid absorbing material on the intermediate transfer drum 10, and external stimulation (energy). A solution supply device 12 for supplying the image recording composition 12A containing at least a curable resin precursor that is cured by the above-described method to form a cured layer 12B formed of the image recording composition 12A; and a cured layer 12B An ink jet recording head 14 for ejecting ink droplets 14 </ b> A to form an image T, and a cured layer 12 </ b> B on which the image T is formed by applying a pressure by superimposing the recording medium P on the intermediate transfer drum 10 is disposed on the recording medium P. And a stimulus supply device 18 that supplies a stimulus for curing the layer to be cured 12B transferred onto the recording medium P.

  Further, downstream of the transfer device 16 in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer drum 10, removal of the residue of the cured layer 12B remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer drum 10 and foreign matters other than the residue (paper dust of the recording medium P, etc.) A cleaning device 20 for removing the deposits such as) is disposed.

The intermediate transfer drum 10 may have a configuration including, for example, a cylindrical substrate and a surface layer coated on the surface of the substrate. The intermediate transfer drum 10 has a width (length in the axial direction) equal to or greater than the width of the recording medium P.
Examples of the material of the cylindrical base include aluminum, stainless steel (SUS), and copper.
Examples of the material for the surface layer include various resins [for example, polyimide, polyamideimide, polyester, polyurethane, polyamide, polyethersulfone, fluorine resin, etc.], various rubbers (for example, nitrile rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, Chloroprene rubber, isoprene rubber, styrene rubber, butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, urethane rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, acrylic rubber, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, etc.). The surface layer may have a single layer structure or a stacked structure.

  The solution supply device 12 includes, for example, a supply roller 12D that supplies the image recording composition 12A to the intermediate transfer drum 10 in a housing 12C that stores the image recording composition 12A, and the supplied image recording composition. And a blade 12E that defines the layer thickness of the layer to be cured 12B formed by the object 12A.

  The solution supply device 12 may be configured such that the supply roller 12 </ b> D continuously contacts the intermediate transfer drum 10 or is separated from the intermediate transfer drum 10. Alternatively, the solution supply device 12 may supply the image recording composition 12A to the housing 12C from an independent solution supply system (not shown) so that the supply of the image recording composition 12A is not interrupted.

  The solution supply device 12 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and a known supply method (coating method: for example, bar coater coating, spray coating, ink jet coating, air knife coating, blade coating, roll coating) An apparatus using a method such as application) is applied.

  The inkjet recording head 14 includes, for example, a recording head 14K for discharging black ink, a recording head 14C for discharging cyan ink, and a magenta ink from the upstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer drum 10. The recording head 14 </ b> M and the recording head 14 </ b> Y for ejecting yellow ink are configured to include recording heads for each color. Of course, the configuration of the recording head 14 is not limited to the above configuration, and may be configured by only the recording head 14K, or may be configured by only the recording head 14C, the recording head 14M, and the recording head 14Y.

  For example, a line type ink jet recording head having a width equal to or larger than the width of the recording medium P is used for each recording head 14, but a conventional scanning ink jet recording head may be used. The ink ejection method of each recording head 14 is not limited as long as it is a method capable of ejecting ink, such as a piezoelectric element driving type and a heating element driving type.

  For example, the recording heads 14 are arranged in series in the order of the recording head 14K, the recording head 14C, the recording head 14M, and the recording head 14Y from the upstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer drum 10.

  Each recording head 14 is arranged such that the distance between the surface of the intermediate transfer drum 10 and the nozzle surface of the head is, for example, about 0.3 to 0.7 mm. Each recording head 14 is disposed, for example, such that its longitudinal direction intersects (preferably orthogonally intersects) the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer drum.

  The transfer device 16 includes a pressure roll 16 </ b> A disposed so as to be pressed against the intermediate transfer drum 10. The pressure roll 16 </ b> A is configured as in the material configuration of the intermediate transfer drum 10, for example.

  The stimulus supply device 18 is selected according to the type of the curable resin precursor contained in the image recording composition 12A to be applied. Specifically, for example, when an ultraviolet curable resin precursor that is cured by ultraviolet irradiation is applied, the stimulus supply device 18 applies ultraviolet light to the image recording composition 12A (the cured layer 12B formed thereby). An ultraviolet irradiation device for irradiation is applied. Further, when an electron beam curable resin precursor that is cured by irradiation with an electron beam is applied, an electron for irradiating the image recording composition 12 </ b> A (the cured layer 12 </ b> B formed thereby) with an electron beam as the stimulus supply device 18. Apply a line irradiation device. Further, when a thermosetting resin precursor that is cured by application of heat is applied, a heat applying device that applies heat to the image recording composition 12A (the cured layer 12B formed thereby) is used as the stimulus supply device 18. Apply.

  Here, as the ultraviolet irradiation device, for example, a metal halide lamp, a high pressure mercury lamp, an ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp, a deep ultraviolet lamp, a lamp that uses a microwave to excite a mercury lamp from the outside without an electrode, an ultraviolet laser, a xenon lamp, a UV-LED, etc. Applies.

  Here, the irradiation condition of ultraviolet rays is not particularly limited as long as the image recording composition 12A containing the ultraviolet curable resin precursor (cured layer 12B formed thereby) is cured. Although it can be selected according to the kind of the curable resin precursor, the thickness of the layer to be cured 12B, etc., for example, irradiation with 2s at a high-pressure mercury lamp 120 W / cm output density is performed.

  Further, as an electron beam irradiation device, for example, there are a scanning type / curtain type, etc. The curtain type draws thermoelectrons generated in a filament by a grid in a vacuum chamber, and further, by a high voltage (for example, 70 to 300 kV), It is a device that accelerates at once, becomes an electron flow, passes through the window foil, and is released to the atmosphere side. The wavelength of an electron beam is generally smaller than 1 nm and has a large energy and ranges up to several MeV, but energy of several tens to several hundreds keV is applied when the wavelength of the electron beam is on the order of pm.

  Here, the electron beam irradiation conditions are not particularly limited as long as the image recording composition 12A containing the electron beam curable resin precursor (cured layer 12B formed thereby) is cured. The electron dose may be selected according to the type of the electron beam curable resin precursor, the thickness of the cured layer 12B, and the like. For example, the electron dose is 5 to 100 kGy level or the like.

  Moreover, as a heat provision apparatus, a halogen lamp, a ceramic heater, a nichrome wire heater, a microwave heating, an infrared lamp etc. are applied, for example. As the heat applying device, an electromagnetic induction heating device can also be applied.

  Here, the heat application condition is not particularly limited as long as the image recording composition 12A containing the thermosetting resin precursor (cured layer 12B formed thereby) can be cured. However, it can be selected according to the thermosetting resin precursor species, the thickness of the layer to be cured 12B, and the like. For example, in air, it is 5 min in a 200 ° C. environment.

  Each cured state refers to a state in which the curable paper 12B is superposed on the cured layer cured by the stimulus supply device 18 and permeable paper (plain paper) is superimposed, and transfer does not occur even when a load of 200 g is applied. .

  As the recording medium P, a permeation medium (for example, plain paper, coated paper, etc.) and a non-penetration medium (for example, art paper, resin film, etc.) are applied. The recording medium is not limited to these, and includes other industrial products such as semiconductor substrates.

  Hereinafter, an image recording process of the recording apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the recording apparatus 101 according to this embodiment, the intermediate transfer drum 10 is rotationally driven, and first, the image recording composition 12A is supplied to the surface of the intermediate transfer drum 10 by the solution supply apparatus 12 to form the cured layer 12B. To do.

  Here, the thickness of the curable layer 12B is not particularly limited, but is controlled in the range of 1 μm or more and 50 μm or less, for example.

  Further, for example, if the thickness of the cured layer 12B is set such that the ink droplet 14A does not reach the lowermost layer of the cured layer 12B, the ink droplet 14A exists in the cured layer 12B after transfer to the recording medium P. The area where the area is not exposed and the ink droplet 14A does not exist functions as a protective layer after curing.

  Next, the ink droplets 14 </ b> A are ejected by the inkjet recording head 14, and the ink droplets 14 </ b> A are applied to the cured layer 12 </ b> B supplied on the intermediate transfer drum 10. The ink jet recording head 14 applies ink droplets 14A to predetermined positions of the cured layer 12B based on predetermined image information.

  At this time, the ink droplets 14 </ b> A are ejected by the inkjet recording head 14 on the intermediate transfer drum 10. That is, the ink droplets 14A are ejected to the cured layer 12B in a state where the drum surface is not bent.

  Next, the recording medium P is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer drum 10 by the transfer device 16 and pressure is applied to the cured layer 12B, so that the cured layer 12B on which the image is formed by the ink droplets 14A is formed on the recording medium P. Transcribed.

  Next, the target layer 12B is cured by the stimulus supply device 18 so that the image T formed by the ink droplets 14A is fixed on the recording medium P by the curable resin. Thereby, a curable resin layer (image layer) including the image T by the ink droplet 14A is formed on the recording medium P.

  Then, the residue and foreign matter of the cured layer 12B remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer drum 10 after the cured layer 12B is transferred to the recording medium P are removed by the cleaning device 20, and again on the intermediate transfer drum 10, The image recording composition 12A is supplied from the solution supply device 12 to form the cured layer 12B, and the image recording process is repeated.

  As described above, the recording apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment performs image recording.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a recording apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording apparatus 102 according to the second embodiment has a configuration in which an intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer member) 22 is disposed instead of the intermediate transfer drum 10 in the first embodiment.

  For example, the intermediate transfer belt 22 is rotatably supported by two support rolls 22A and a pressure roll 16B (transfer device 16) while applying tension from the inner peripheral surface side.

The intermediate transfer belt 22 has a width (length in the axial direction) equal to or greater than the width of the recording medium P.
The intermediate transfer belt 22 includes, for example, various resins [for example, polyimide, polyamideimide, polyester, polyurethane, polyamide, polyethersulfone, fluorine resin, and the like] and various rubbers (for example, nitrile rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, chloroprene). Rubber, isoprene rubber, styrene rubber, butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, urethane rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, acrylic rubber, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, etc.). The intermediate transfer belt 22 may be made of a metal material such as stainless steel. The intermediate transfer belt 22 may have a single layer configuration or a stacked configuration. Further, the intermediate transfer belt 22 may have a surface layer made of a releasable material such as a fluororesin or silicone rubber.

  Each recording head 14 has a non-bending region in the intermediate transfer belt that is rotated and supported by tension, and the distance between the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 22 and the nozzle surface of the head is, for example, about 0.7 to 1.5 mm. Are arranged.

  The transfer device 16 includes a pair of pressure rolls 16A and 16B arranged to face each other with the intermediate transfer belt 22 interposed therebetween.

  In the recording apparatus 102 according to the present embodiment, ink droplets 14 </ b> A are ejected by the inkjet recording head 14, and the ink droplets 14 </ b> A are applied to the cured layer 12 </ b> B formed on the intermediate transfer belt 22.

  At this time, the ejection of the ink droplets 14A by the ink jet recording head 14 is performed on a non-bent region in the intermediate transfer belt 22 that is rotated and supported by tension. That is, the ink droplets 14A are ejected to the cured layer 12B with the belt surface not deflected.

  Other than these, the aspects described in the first embodiment can be applied, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a recording apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the recording apparatus 103 according to the third embodiment is configured so that, in the first embodiment, before the layer to be cured 12 </ b> B formed with the ink droplets 14 </ b> A is transferred to the recording medium P, A second stimulus supply device 24 for supplying a stimulus for semi-curing the layer 12B is further arranged.

  For example, the second stimulus supply device 24 is disposed downstream of the inkjet recording head 14 in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer drum 10 and upstream of the transfer device 16.

  As with the stimulus supply device 18, the second stimulus supply device 24 is selected according to the type of the curable resin precursor contained in the applied image recording composition 12 </ b> A. Specifically, for example, when an ultraviolet curable resin precursor is applied, the second stimulus supply device 24 is an ultraviolet ray that irradiates the image recording composition 12A (the cured layer 12B formed thereby) with ultraviolet rays. Apply irradiation equipment. In addition, when an electron beam curable resin precursor is applied, an electron beam irradiation device that irradiates the image recording composition 12A (the cured layer 12B formed thereby) with an electron beam as the second stimulus supply device 24. Apply. In addition, when a thermosetting resin precursor is applied, a heat applying device that applies heat to the image recording composition 12 </ b> A (the cured layer 12 </ b> B formed thereby) is applied as the second stimulus supply device 24.

  The ultraviolet irradiation condition, the electron beam irradiation condition, and the heat application condition in the second stimulus supply device 24 are as follows: the cured layer 12B on the intermediate transfer drum 10 to which the ink droplets 14A are applied by the inkjet recording head 14 is semi-cured. As long as the transfer conditions are transferred to the recording medium P by the transfer device 16, there is no particular limitation, and the conditions can be selected according to the type of the curable resin precursor, the thickness of the layer to be cured, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the second stimulus supply device 24 is arranged on the downstream side of the ink jet recording head 14 and the upstream side of the transfer device 16, but the second stimulus supply device 24 is arranged on the ink jet recording head. You may arrange | position upstream from 14. When the second stimulus supply device 24 is disposed on the upstream side of the ink jet recording head 14, after the cured layer 12 </ b> B is semi-cured to increase the viscosity, the ink droplet 14 </ b> A is ejected to the cured layer 12 </ b> B by the ink jet recording head 14. The Accordingly, since the diffusion of the ink droplets 14A in the cured layer 12B is further suppressed, a higher definition image is formed.

  Here, the “semi-cured state” means that the curable resin precursor has not reached the “cured state”, but is cured and not in a completely liquid state than when it is supplied to the intermediate transfer body. State. One method for confirming the “semi-cured state” is as follows. Specifically, when permeable paper (for example, plain paper) is superimposed on the cured layer 12B, the cured layer 12B is not transferred to the paper side at all when no load is applied, and when a 200 g load is applied. When a part of the image is transferred, it is determined as a “semi-cured state”.

  In the recording apparatus 103 according to the present embodiment described above, the ink droplets 14A are ejected by the ink jet recording head 14, and the ink droplets 14A are applied to the cured layer 12B supplied onto the intermediate transfer drum 10, and then the second. The stimulus supply device 24 semi-cures the layer 12B to be cured. Then, the cured layer 12B is transferred to the recording medium P by the transfer device 16. During this transfer, the cured layer 12B is transferred to the recording medium P in a semi-cured state, that is, in a state having some rigidity.

  Other than these, the aspects described in the first embodiment can be applied, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating a recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the recording apparatus 104 according to the fourth embodiment has a form (direct recording method) in which an image is directly formed on a recording medium P.

  The recording apparatus 104 supplies an image recording composition 12A containing, for example, an anionic liquid-absorbing material and a curable resin precursor that is cured by an external stimulus (energy) onto the recording medium P to record an image. Solution supply device 12 for forming cured layer 12B formed of composition 12A, inkjet recording head 14 for ejecting ink droplets 14A on cured layer 12B to form image T, and cured layer 12B And a stimulus supply device 18 for supplying the stimulus to be performed.

  The recording apparatus 104 includes a conveyance belt 13 that conveys the recording medium P. As the conveyance belt 13, for example, an endless belt described as the intermediate transfer belt 22 in the second embodiment is used. For example, the transport belt 13 is rotatably supported by three support rolls 13A while applying tension from the inner peripheral surface side. The conveyor belt 13 conveys the recording medium P sent from a storage container (not shown) or the like in the direction of the arrow by rotating.

  In the recording device 104, first, the solution supply device 12 supplies the image recording composition 12 </ b> A onto the surface of the recording medium P being conveyed by the conveyance belt 13 to form the cured layer 12 </ b> B. Next, based on predetermined image information, the ink droplets 14A are ejected by the ink jet recording head 14, and the image T is formed by applying the ink droplets 14A to the cured layer 12B formed on the recording medium P. Finally, the curable resin layer (image layer) including the image T formed by the ink droplets 14 </ b> A is formed on the recording medium P by curing the curable layer 12 </ b> B by the stimulus supply device 18.

  Other than these, the aspects described in the first embodiment can be applied, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In the recording apparatus according to any of the embodiments described above, the image recording composition 12A is applied to the intermediate transfer drum 10, the intermediate transfer belt 22, or the recording medium P to form the cured layer 12B. Then, after applying the ink droplets 14A to the cured layer 12B to form the image T (in the first to third embodiments, after being further transferred to the recording medium P), the image T was formed. The cured layer 12B is completely cured. At this time, the curable resin precursor contained in the curable layer 12 </ b> B is cured to become a “curable resin”. Therefore, regardless of whether the recording medium P is a non-penetrable medium or a permeable medium, image formation is performed on various recording media P.

  In particular, since the recording apparatus according to the first to third embodiments employs an intermediate transfer method, the object to be cured on the intermediate transfer body (intermediate transfer drum 10 and intermediate transfer belt 22) on which the image T is formed is used. The layer 12B undergoes a process of being transferred to the recording medium P. Therefore, for example, when the thickness of the curable layer 12B is set to such an extent that the ink droplets 14A do not reach the lowermost layer of the curable layer 12B, the curable layer 12B transferred to the recording medium P has a region where the ink droplets 14A exist ( The area where the image T is not exposed and the area where the ink droplets 14A are not present functions as a protective layer after curing, thereby improving the image storage stability. In contrast, the recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment employs a method (direct recording method) in which the image recording composition 12A is directly supplied to the recording medium P. Image formation is performed at low cost.

  Hereinafter, an example is given and it demonstrates more concretely. However, it is not particularly limited by these examples. In the following, “part” is based on mass unless otherwise specified.

[Example 1]
"Image recording composition"
・ UV curable, radical reactive curable resin precursor Polyurethane acrylate (manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.) and 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (manufactured by Daicel Cytec Co., Ltd.)
61 parts photopolymerization initiator 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-1-one 2 parts anionic liquid absorbing material (copolymer of acrylic acid and hydrophobic monomer)
Styrene-butyl acrylate-acrylic acid Na salt copolymer partially crosslinked product 35 parts (polymerization ratio (mass ratio) = 3: 2: 5, average molecular weight = 45000)
Anionic polymer surfactant Disperbyk-111 (manufactured by Big Chemie) 2 parts The above composition was mixed / dispersed in a roll mill to obtain an image recording composition.

"Bk ink"
・ Carbon black 5 parts ・ Styrene-acrylic acid-butyl acrylate ester 1.5 parts ・ Glycerin 25 parts ・ Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether 6 parts ・ Oxyethylene oleyl ether 0.5 parts Then, after adjusting by adding NaOH, it was filtered through a 2 μm filter to obtain Bk ink.

"Cyan ink"
Copper phthalocyanine pigment 4 parts (CI Pigment Blue 15: 3)
・ 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate-acrylic acid copolymer 1.5 parts ・ Diethylene glycol 10 parts ・ Glycerin 15 parts ・ Tetramethyldecynedioloxyethylene adduct 1.8 parts ・ 1,3-butanediol 4 parts Further, after adjusting by adding pure water and NaOH, it was filtered through a 2 μm filter to obtain Cyan ink.

"Magenta ink"
-Quinacridone-based magenta pigment 5 parts (CI Pigment Red 122)
-Styrene-methacrylic acid-butyl methacrylate copolymer 4 parts-Propylene glycol 8 parts-Glycerol 17 parts-Dipropylene glycol 5 parts-Tetramethyldecynediol oxyethylene adduct 2.5 parts After adjusting by adding pure water and NaOH, it was filtered through a 2 μm filter to obtain Magenta ink.

"Yellow ink"
・ Azo yellow pigment 5 parts (CI Pigment Yellow 74)
-Styrene-acrylic acid-acrylic acid ethyl ester copolymer 3 parts-Diethylene glycol 15 parts-Triethylene glycol monobutyl ether 8 parts-1,2-hexanediol 5 parts-Oxyethylene lauryl ether 0.5 parts Further, it was adjusted by adding pure water and NaOH, and filtered through a 2 μm filter to obtain a Yellow ink.

≪Evaluation≫
The image recording composition was supplied onto art paper (OK Kanfuji, Oji Paper Co., Ltd.) using a bar coater to form a cured layer having a thickness of 7 μm. Next, the above four types of ink were each printed on the cured layer with a piezo head (resolution 600 dpi (dpi: number of dots per inch)). Thereafter, UV irradiation was performed with a metal halide lamp having an output of 1.5 kW to form an image.
The image was evaluated as follows. The results are shown in Table 1.

(1) Occurrence of blurring of 2 dot lines The image of 2 dots lines obtained as described above was visually evaluated for occurrence of bleeding according to the following evaluation criteria.
○: Line disturbance (feathering) is not observed.
Δ: Although there is a line disturbance, it is sufficiently acceptable as an image.
×: Variations in the linearity of the line are clearly observed.

(2) Image unevenness The image obtained above was visually evaluated for the occurrence of image unevenness according to the following evaluation criteria.
(Double-circle): The solid image from which the part from which image density differs cannot be observed visually was obtained.
○: Although a portion with a high image density and a portion with a low image density are visible, it is sufficiently acceptable as an image.
(Triangle | delta): There exists a part with a high image density and a low part, and it looks like the image with unevenness.
X: The difference in image density is clearly noticeable in one solid image, which is not acceptable.

(3) Progress of curing The curing rate of the image recording composition by UV irradiation was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria.
○: No deformation or stickiness with respect to the film 1 second after UV irradiation of the image recording composition.
(Triangle | delta): Although it does not deform | transform about the film | membrane 1 second after UV irradiation to the composition for image recording, there exists a sticky feeling.

(4) Printing durability The cured image was rubbed with a finger and the peeled state from the art paper was observed, and an evaluation test was conducted on the printing durability of the obtained image. The test results were evaluated according to the following criteria.
○: No peeling of the image.
X: The part rubbed with a finger peeled off and image distortion occurred.

(5) Image deterioration due to environmental fluctuations The obtained images are stored in a high humidity environment (80% RH or more), and the images one day later are observed, and an evaluation test is performed on the obtained images with respect to environmental fluctuations. It was. The test results were evaluated according to the following criteria.
A: No change before and after storage in a high humidity environment.
○: Although cloudiness occurs in a high humidity environment, it returns to its original state when returned to a 50% RH environment.
(Triangle | delta): In addition to the cloudiness of the image, the bleeding of the image occurred slightly.
×: Obvious blurring of the image occurred and the image was disturbed.

[Example 2]
"Image recording composition"
・ UV curable, radical-reactive curable resin precursor 35 parts of urethane acrylate (tetrafunctional) (manufactured by Daicel Cytec)
25 parts of glycerin propoxytriacrylate (trifunctional) (manufactured by Sartomer)
Photoinitiator 2-methyl-1- (4-methylthiophenyl) -2-morpholinopropan-1-one
1.5 parts, anionic liquid-absorbing material, polyacrylic acid partial sodium salt, 35 parts, nonionic polymer surfactant, modified acrylic block copolymer, 3.5 parts (trade name: Solsperse, manufactured by Lubrizol)
1,6-hexanediol diacrylate and PEG400 diacrylate (Daicel Cytec) were added to the above composition, and the viscosity was adjusted to 550 mPas to obtain an image recording composition.

≪Evaluation≫
The image recording composition was supplied onto art paper (OK Kanfuji, Oji Paper Co., Ltd.) using a bar coater to form a cured layer having a thickness of 7 μm. Next, the four types of ink used in Example 1 were printed on the cured layer with a piezo head (resolution 600 dpi (dpi: number of dots per inch)). Thereafter, UV irradiation was performed with a metal halide lamp having an output of 1.5 kW to form an image.
The image was evaluated as described in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1.

Example 3
"Image recording composition"
・ UV curable, radical reactive curable resin precursor, 40 parts of polyester acrylate (tetrafunctional) (Sartomer)
30 parts of acryloylmorpholine (monofunctional) (manufactured by Kojinsha)
-Photopolymerization initiator 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-1-one 1.5 parts-Anionic liquid-absorbing material (copolymer of acrylic acid and hydrophobic monomer)
25 parts of a partially crosslinked styrene-butyl acrylate-Na acrylate copolymer (polymerization ratio (mass ratio) = 4: 4: 2)
1,6-hexanediol diacrylate and PEG400 diacrylate (Daicel Cytec) were added to the above composition, and the viscosity was adjusted to 550 mPas to obtain an image recording composition.

≪Evaluation≫
The image recording composition was supplied onto an intermediate transfer belt (fluorine-coated resin belt) by a bar coater to form a cured layer having a thickness of 12 μm. Next, the four types of ink used in Example 1 were printed on the cured layer with a piezo head (resolution 600 dpi (dpi: number of dots per inch)). Thereafter, the transfer layer transferred the cured layer onto a recording medium (art paper (OK Kanfuji, Oji Paper Co., Ltd.)) and irradiated with UV with a metal halide lamp with an output of 1.5 kW to form an image. .
The image was evaluated as described in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1.

Example 4
"Image recording composition"
・ UV curable, radical-reactive curable resin precursor 20 parts urethane acrylate (hexafunctional) (manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.)
20 parts of polyester acrylate (tetrafunctional) (manufactured by Sartomer)
20 parts of trimethylolpropane ethoxytriacrylate (trifunctional) (manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.)
Photopolymerization initiator 1.2-octanedione, 1- [4- (phenylthio)-, 2-
(O-benzoyloxime)] 2 parts, anionic liquid-absorbing material (copolymer of acrylic acid and hydrophobic monomer)
Styrene-acrylic acid copolymer 40 parts NaOH is added to the above composition, 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate and PEG300 diacrylate (manufactured by Daicel Cytec Co., Ltd.) are added, and the viscosity is adjusted to 1200 mPas to prepare an image recording composition. It was a thing.

≪Evaluation≫
The image recording composition was supplied onto art paper (OK Kanfuji, Oji Paper Co., Ltd.) using a bar coater to form a cured layer having a thickness of 7 μm. Next, the four types of ink used in Example 1 were printed on the cured layer with a piezo head (resolution 600 dpi (dpi: number of dots per inch)). Thereafter, UV irradiation was performed with a metal halide lamp having an output of 1.5 kW to form an image.
The image was evaluated as described in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1.

[Comparative Example 1]
"Image recording composition"
・ UV curable, radical-reactive curable resin precursor polyester acrylate (Sartomer) and
Mixture with acryloylmorpholine (manufactured by Kojin Co., Ltd.) 65 parts Photopolymerization initiator 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone 2 parts Nonionic liquid-absorbing material Polyvinyl alcohol 25 parts The above composition is mixed / dispersed in a ball mill, and image A recording composition was obtained.

≪Evaluation≫
The image recording composition was supplied onto an intermediate transfer belt (fluorine-coated resin belt) by a bar coater to form a cured layer having a thickness of 8 μm. Next, the four types of ink used in Example 1 were printed on the cured layer with a piezo head (resolution 600 dpi (dpi: number of dots per inch)). Thereafter, the transfer layer transferred the cured layer onto a recording medium (art paper (OK Kanfuji, Oji Paper Co., Ltd.)) and irradiated with UV with a metal halide lamp with an output of 1.5 kW to form an image. .
The image was evaluated as described in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1.

Example 5
"Image recording composition"
-UV curable, cationic curable reactive curable resin precursor (3 ', 4'-epoxycyclohexane) methyl-3,4-epoxy
Cyclohexane carboxylate 40 parts 1,2,8,9-diepoxy limonene 20 parts Photopolymerization initiator Triallylsulfonium hexafluorophosphate 5 parts Anionic liquid absorbing material Polyacrylic acid partial sodium salt 35 parts・ Nonionic polymer surfactant Modified acrylic block copolymer 3.5 parts (Lubrisol, trade name: Solsperse)
4-Vinylcyclohexene-1,2-epoxide was added to the above composition, and the viscosity was adjusted to 750 mPas to obtain an image recording composition.

≪Evaluation≫
The image recording composition was supplied onto an intermediate transfer belt (fluorine-coated resin belt) by a bar coater to form a cured layer having a thickness of 12 μm. Next, the four types of ink used in Example 1 were printed on the cured layer with a piezo head (resolution 600 dpi (dpi: number of dots per inch)). Thereafter, the transfer layer transferred the cured layer onto a recording medium (art paper (OK Kanfuji, Oji Paper Co., Ltd.)) and irradiated with UV with a metal halide lamp with an output of 1.5 kW to form an image. .
The image was evaluated as described in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1.

[Comparative Example 2]
Of the composition of “image recording composition” in Example 5, except for polyacrylic acid partial sodium salt (anionic liquid-absorbing material) and modified acrylic block copolymer (nonionic polymer surfactant), the viscosity was adjusted. The composition was adjusted to 650 mPas to obtain an image recording composition capable of cationic curing reaction.

≪Evaluation≫
The image recording composition was supplied onto an intermediate transfer belt (fluorine-coated resin belt) by a bar coater to form a cured layer having a thickness of 12 μm. Next, the four types of ink used in Example 1 were printed on the cured layer with a piezo head (resolution 600 dpi (dpi: number of dots per inch)). Thereafter, the transfer layer transferred the cured layer onto a recording medium (art paper (OK Kanfuji, Oji Paper Co., Ltd.)) and irradiated with UV with a metal halide lamp with an output of 1.5 kW to form an image. .
The image was evaluated as described in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the recording device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the recording device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the recording device which concerns on 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Intermediate transfer drum (intermediate transfer member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Solution supply apparatus 12A Image recording composition 12B Curing layer 12C Case 12D Supply roller 12E Blade 13 Conveying belt 13A Support roll 14 Inkjet recording head 16 Transfer apparatus 16A Pressure roll 16B Pressure roll 18 Stimulation supply apparatus 20 Cleaning apparatus 22 Intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer member)
22A Support roll 24 Second stimulus supply device 101 Recording device 102 Recording device 103 Recording device 104 Recording device

Claims (8)

  An image recording composition comprising an anionic liquid-absorbing material and a curable resin precursor that is cured by an external stimulus.   2. The image recording composition according to claim 1, wherein the liquid-absorbing material is a copolymer of at least one selected from acrylic acid and methacrylic acid and a hydrophobic monomer.   The image recording composition according to claim 1, which contains a surfactant.   The image recording composition according to claim 3, wherein the surfactant is a nonionic surfactant.   The image recording composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the curable resin precursor is cured by a radical reaction when irradiated with ultraviolet rays.   An image recording ink set comprising the image recording composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and an ink. An intermediate transfer member;
Supply means for supplying the image recording composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5 onto the intermediate transfer member;
Discharging means for discharging ink to a cured layer formed of the image recording composition supplied on the intermediate transfer member;
Transfer means for transferring the cured layer from which the ink has been discharged from the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium;
A stimulus supply means for supplying a stimulus for curing the cured layer;
A recording apparatus. Supply means for supplying the image recording composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5 onto a recording medium;
Discharge means for discharging ink to a cured layer formed by the image recording composition supplied on the recording medium;
A stimulus supply means for supplying a stimulus for curing the cured layer;
A recording apparatus.