JP2014188787A - Ink jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink jet recording apparatus having excellent recording continuity and capable of recording a good image.SOLUTION: An ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention includes a supporting unit supporting a recording medium, and a moving unit including multiple storage bodies storing ink having the same composition and a head discharging the ink supplied from any one of the multiple storage bodies. When recording an image on the recording medium, the head performs a main scanning for discharging the ink while changing a position in a first direction, whereas the moving unit performs a sub-scanning for moving to a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus that records an image or the like on a recording medium with fine ink droplets ejected from nozzles of an ink jet recording head is known. Such an ink jet recording apparatus has various structures depending on the type and size of the recording medium used.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a so-called serial type ink jet recording apparatus. Such a serial type ink jet recording apparatus has a head movable in a first direction (width direction of the recording surface of the recording medium), and the recording medium is moved to the first direction while the head is reciprocated in the first direction. The image is recorded by moving in a second direction intersecting the direction.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a flatbed ink jet recording apparatus. Such a flatbed type ink jet recording apparatus is movable in, for example, a panel for fixing a recording medium, a first direction of the recording surface of the recording medium (a width direction of the recording medium), and a second direction intersecting the first direction. And an image is recorded by moving the head in a first direction and a second direction with respect to a fixed recording medium. Such a flat bed type ink jet recording apparatus is often used for recording on a hard and heavy recording medium such as a glass plate, an acrylic plate, and a metal plate, and the size of the recording medium is often large.

JP 2012-45909 A JP 2010-264624 A

  The flat bed type ink jet recording apparatus as described above may have a moving unit that can move at least in the second direction, and the head can be moved in the second direction by mounting the head on the moving unit. .

  On the other hand, an ink cartridge (container) for supplying ink to the head may be connected to the head via a supply pipe. In such a case, as the length of the supply pipe becomes longer, there is a tendency that problems such as air mixing and sediment due to ink increase. Therefore, it is preferable to make the length of the supply pipe as short as possible. . Therefore, in order to shorten the length of the supply pipe, an ink cartridge may be mounted on the moving unit in the same manner as the head.

  When the ink cartridge is mounted on the moving unit, if the ink contained in the ink cartridge is used up during image recording, it is necessary to interrupt the image recording and replace the ink cartridge. However, when recording is resumed, the image color may change before and after the resumption, or the position of the moving unit may be shifted when the ink cartridge is replaced, and a good image may not be obtained. In particular, in a flatbed type ink jet recording apparatus, recording is often performed using an expensive material (recording medium such as an acrylic plate or ultraviolet curable ink). large.

  Some aspects of the present invention provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of recording a good image while achieving excellent recording continuity by solving at least a part of the above-described problems.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following aspects or application examples.

[Application Example 1]
One aspect of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is:
A support unit for supporting the recording medium;
A moving unit including a plurality of containers that store ink of the same composition, and a head that discharges the ink supplied from any one of the plurality of containers;
Have
When recording an image on the recording medium, the head performs main scanning for discharging the ink while changing the position in the first direction, and the moving unit moves in a second direction that intersects the first direction. Scan.

[Application Example 2]
In application example 1,
When the amount of ink stored in one container among the plurality of containers is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, ink stored in another container may be supplied to the head.

[Application Example 3]
In application example 1 or application example 2,
The total initial capacity of the ink stored in the plurality of containers may be 3500 ml or less, and the initial capacity of the ink stored in each of the plurality of containers may be 500 ml or more,
The recording surface may be used for recording an image on a recording medium having an area of 0.1 m ² or more and 7 m ² or less.

[Application Example 4]
In any one of Application Examples 1 to 3,
The moving unit can be equipped with one or more maintenance means for maintaining the head.

[Application Example 5]
In any one of Application Examples 1 to 4,
In order to obtain a viscosity suitable for ejection, it is possible to have no heating means for heating the ink.

[Application Example 6]
In any one of Application Examples 1 to 5,
The ink may be an ultraviolet curable ink that is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays,
The moving unit may be equipped with an irradiation unit including an ultraviolet light emitting diode for curing the ultraviolet curable ink.

[Application Example 7]
In any one of Application Examples 1 to 6, the ink may be an ultraviolet curable ink that is cured by ultraviolet irradiation, and may contain an acylphosphine oxide compound as a photopolymerization initiator.

[Application Example 8]
In any one of Application Examples 1 to 7,
The moving unit can be equipped with an input means for inputting image data to be recorded on the recording medium.

[Application Example 9]
In application example 4,
The total mass of the maintenance means mounted on the moving unit may be 5 kg or less.

[Application Example 10]
In Application Example 4 or Application Example 9,
The initial mass of the ink stored per one of the plurality of containers may be smaller than the total mass of the maintenance means mounted on the moving unit.

[Application Example 11]
In any one of Application Examples 1 to 10,
Each of the plurality of containers and the head may be connected via a supply pipe,
The supply pipe may have a length of 3.5 m or less.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration for supplying ink from a container to a head in an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. Embodiment described below demonstrates an example of this invention. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and includes various modifications that are implemented within a range that does not change the gist of the present invention.

1. Inkjet recording apparatus An inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a support unit including a panel that supports a recording medium, a plurality of containers that store ink of the same composition, and any one of the plurality of containers. And a head unit for discharging the ink supplied from the head, and the head discharges the ink while changing the position in the first direction when recording an image on the recording medium. The main scanning is performed, and the moving unit performs sub-scanning that moves in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus and the ink used for the same will be described in detail.

1.1. Apparatus Configuration The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is a so-called flat bed type ink jet recording apparatus, in which the head intersects the first direction (specifically, the width direction on the recording surface of the recording medium) and the second direction. It is a recording medium that moves in a direction (specifically, a direction orthogonal to the first direction on the recording surface of the recording medium) and records an image on a supported recording medium.

  The structure of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the scale may be appropriately changed in order to facilitate understanding of the structure of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus 1 (hereinafter also referred to as “printer 1”) according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. A first direction (main scanning direction) in FIG. 2 is the width direction of the recording surface of the recording medium P placed on the panel 11 and coincides with the direction in which the moving unit 20 extends. 2 is a direction that intersects the first direction on the recording surface of the recording medium P, and coincides with the direction in which the moving unit 20 moves during recording.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a support unit 10, a moving unit 20, a detector group 100, and a controller 110. The printer 1 that has received the image data from the input unit 120 for inputting the image data controls each unit by the controller 110. The controller 110 controls each unit based on the image data received from the input unit 120 and records an image on the recording medium P. The situation in the printer 1 is monitored by the detector group 100, and the detector group 100 outputs the detection result to the controller 110. The controller 110 controls each unit based on the detection result output from the detector group 100. The image data received by the printer 1 from the input unit 120 may be image data obtained by performing processing such as data conversion on the image data input from another device (not shown) to the input unit 120. Good.

  More specifically, the controller 110 is a control unit (control unit) for controlling the printer 1, and includes an interface unit 112, a CPU 114, a memory 116, and a unit control circuit 118. The interface unit 112 transmits and receives data between the input unit 120 and the printer 1. The CPU 114 is an arithmetic processing device for controlling the entire printer 1. The memory 116 is for securing an area for storing a program of the CPU 114 and a work area, and includes storage elements such as a RAM and an EEPROM. The CPU 114 controls each unit via the unit control circuit 118 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 116.

  The input unit 120 is a unit for inputting image data to be recorded on the recording medium P, and examples thereof include a PC and a touch panel type input device. A function of converting data to image data input from another device may be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the input unit 120 may be mounted on the moving unit 20. Thereby, there exists an advantage that the wiring cords which connect the input means 120 and the movement unit 20 can be shortened. Thus, it is preferable that the moving unit 20 can mount the input means 120. Specifically, it is preferable to include a fixing unit for fixing the input unit 120 and a terminal for inputting image data output from the input unit 120. In addition, the input unit 120 may be mounted in advance on the mobile unit 20, and a form in which the input unit 120 is mounted is also a form in which the input unit 120 can be mounted.

<Support unit>
In the example of FIG. 2, the support unit 10 includes a panel 12 that supports the recording medium P, and supports the recording medium P. During recording, the panel 12 of the support unit 10 is connected to the head 4 of the recording medium P.
The recording medium P is supported from the opposite side to the head 40 so that an unintended change in position in the direction opposite to 0 does not occur. In the example of FIG. 2, it further includes a support base 14 that supports the panel 12, and suction means 16 (for example, a vacuum pump) installed at the lower part of the panel 12. The panel 12 is provided with a plurality of suction holes 13 connected to the suction means 16. By operating the suction means 16, the recording medium P installed on the panel 12 is not unintentionally displaced in the surface direction during recording on the panel 12. In the example of FIG. 2, the recording medium P is a transparent plate-shaped medium having a size that covers an area including all of the plurality of suction holes 13 of the panel 12. Although the case where the suction means 16 is used as a means for preventing unintended displacement in the surface direction of the recording medium P of the panel 12 is shown, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the recording medium P is attached to the panel 12 with an adhesive tape or the like. The recording medium P may be pressed by a pressing member from above or from the side of the recording medium P, or an unintentional displacement in the plane direction on the panel 12 occurs due to the weight of the recording medium P. The recording medium P may be any recording medium P that does not cause an unintended displacement in the surface direction on the panel 12 during recording. It is preferable that the position of the support unit 10 does not move relative to the place where the inkjet recording apparatus is installed. The recording medium P may be conveyed on the panel 12.

<Mobile unit>
In the example of FIG. 2, the moving unit 20 is installed on both sides of the container 30 (ink cartridge) that stores ink, the head 40 that discharges ink supplied from the container 30, and the head 40 in the main scanning direction. And an irradiating means 50, a cap member 60 covering the ejection surface of the head 40, an ink receiving member 65 for receiving ink discharged during the flushing operation of the head 50, and an input means 120 for inputting image data. Yes. The cap member 60 and the ink receiving member 65 are one mode of maintenance means used for maintaining the head as will be described later.

  The moving unit 20 performs sub-scanning that moves in the second direction when an image is recorded on the recording medium P. The movement of the moving unit 20 in the second direction can be performed by driving means (not shown) such as a driving belt provided along the end of the panel 12, for example. It can be done using means.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the moving unit 20 includes a housing 22, and the head 40, the irradiation unit 50, the cap member 60, and the ink receiving member 65 are accommodated in the housing 22. When UV curable ink, which will be described later, is used as the ink, if the head 40 is accommodated in the housing 22, it is possible to suppress the ink adhering to the nozzle surface of the head 40 from being cured by external light. It is preferable in that it can be reduced.

<Container>
The container 30 is a so-called ink cartridge that stores ink therein, and is mounted on the moving unit 20 in a detachable state.

  The container 30 and the head 40 can be connected via a supply pipe (not shown). In this case, the ink in the container 30 is supplied to the head 40 via the supply pipe. The supply pipe is provided for each container 30 and, for example, a tube-like flexible member (for example, rubber, elastomer, etc.) can be used.

As the length of the supply pipe increases, there is a tendency for air to enter the supply pipe, to increase sediment due to ink, and to increase the amount of cleaning liquid required for cleaning. Is preferably 4 m or less, more preferably 3.5 m or less, and even more preferably 3.0 m or less. Further, in order to increase the moving distance of the head 40 and increase the area of the recordable recording medium, 1.0 m or more is preferable, 1.5 m or more is more preferable, and 2
m or more is more preferable.

  The container 30 can be mounted on the moving unit 20 by being inserted into a cartridge holder 32 provided in the moving unit 20. In the example of FIG. 2, the case where the container 30 is provided on the end side in the first direction of the moving unit 20 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided at any position of the moving unit 20. In the example of FIG. 2, the container 30 is inserted in the second direction. However, the cartridge holder 32 may be provided at a position where the container 30 is inserted in the first direction.

  The container 30 may be mounted on a carriage 70 (described later). However, in the example of FIG. 2, the container 30 is not mounted on a carriage 70 (described later), but is mounted in a state of being fixed to the moving unit 20. When mounted on a place other than the carriage 70 (described later), the load applied to the movement of the carriage 70 can be reduced by the weight of the container 30, so that the container 30 has the head 40 mounted on the moving unit in the first direction. It is preferably mounted at a place other than a carriage 70 (described later) that reciprocally moves.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the case where ten containers 30 are arranged in a line along the main scanning direction is shown, but the arrangement of the containers 30 is not particularly limited.

  Here, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention needs to include a plurality of containers that store ink of the same composition, and any one of a plurality of containers that store ink of the same composition during recording. Is supplied to the head. In this way, even if the ink stored in one container is used up among the plurality of containers that store ink of the same composition, the ink stored in the other container can be supplied to the head. The recording can be continued without interrupting the recording and replacing the container. Thereby, image recording can be continuously performed for a long time, specifically, until image recording on one recording medium is completed. In addition, since the color tone of the image is different before and after the resumption of recording, and the occurrence of problems such as image displacement caused by the displacement of the moving unit when the ink cartridge is replaced can be suppressed, a good image can be obtained. It is done.

  In the present invention, the ink having the same composition means an ink having the same components and the same content. Note that inks having the same composition may be used even when the ink names are the same.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration for supplying ink to the head 40A using a plurality of containers (containers 30A and 30B) that store ink of the same composition. As shown in FIG. 3, the containers 30A and 30B are connected to the head 40A via the supply pipe 34A and the supply pipe 34B. The supply pipes 34A and 34B are provided with communication valves 35A and 35B for restricting the flow of ink. The supply pipe 34A and the supply pipe 35B are connected on the downstream side (head 40A side) where the communication valves 35A and 35B are provided, whereby the flow paths of the supply pipes 34A and 35B merge. Further, a liquid feed pump 36 is provided on the downstream side (head 40A side) of the junction point of each supply pipe.

  When recording an image, first, after opening the communication valve 35A, the liquid feed pump 36 is operated to supply ink in the container 30A to the head 40A. At this time, the communication valve 35B is closed so that ink is not supplied from the container 30B. Thereafter, when the amount of ink in the container 30A becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount (for example, the remaining amount is 2% or less) during image recording, the communication valve 35B is opened while the communication valve 35A is closed, and the container 30B. The ink inside is supplied to the head 40A. In this way, even if the remaining amount of ink in one container decreases during image recording, ink can be supplied from the other container without interrupting recording.

  In this specification, when the remaining amount of ink in one container is low during image recording, the fact that ink can be supplied from the other container without interruption is sometimes referred to as a hot swap function. is there.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the case where there are two containers that store ink of the same composition is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same operation is performed even when there are three or more containers that store ink of the same composition. Can do.

The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is preferably used for recording an image on a recording medium having an area of 0.1 m ² or more and 7 m ² or less as a recording surface, and the area is more preferably 1 m ² or more and 7 m ² or less. More preferably, it is ² or more and 6 m ² or less. When the area is within the above range, the recording material is excellent in visibility when used for applications such as display, and the amount of ink necessary for recording on one recording medium increases, and the present invention is particularly useful. In the case where the area is in the above range, the plurality of containers that store ink of the same composition preferably have an initial capacity of 500 ml or more, more preferably 600 ml or more, and more preferably 700 ml or more. Further preferred. In addition, the total initial volume of ink stored in each container is preferably 3500 ml or less, more preferably 3000 ml or less, and even more preferably 2000 ml or less. By setting the initial capacity of the ink stored in each container to 500 ml or more, even when a recording medium having a recording surface with the above-described area is used, the image on one recording medium is not interrupted. Can finish the record. Moreover, since the weight of the moving unit can be reduced by setting the total amount of ink stored in each container to be 3500 ml or less, the load during movement of the moving unit can be reduced.

  The upper limit of the initial capacity of each container is not limited, but is preferably 1750 ml or less, preferably 1500 ml or less, and more preferably 1000 ml or less. The lower limit of the total initial capacity of each container is not limited, but is preferably 1000 ml or more, more preferably 1200 ml or more, and further preferably 1400 ml or more. In the present invention, the initial capacity refers to the capacity of ink stored in the container before the use of the container is started.

<Head>
The head 40 has a nozzle surface (not shown) provided at a position facing the recording surface of the recording medium P, and droplets are formed from a plurality of nozzles (not shown) provided on the nozzle surface. Ink is ejected to adhere to the recording surface of the recording medium P.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the head 40 is mounted on the carriage 70. The carriage 70 is attached in a state of being supported by a guide rod 72 that is a support member installed in the first direction, and is moved in the first direction along the guide rod 72 by a carriage moving mechanism (not shown). It reciprocates. As the carriage 70 moves, the head 40 mounted on the carriage 70 reciprocates in the first direction. That is, recording in the first direction of the recording medium P is performed by ejecting ink from the head 40 as the carriage 70 moves.

  In the example of FIG. 2, as a method of moving the head 40 in the first direction, a mode in which the carriage 70 is used (that is, a mode in which the head 40 moves relative to the moving unit 20) is shown. The moving unit 20 itself may move in the first direction in addition to the second direction (that is, the head 40 does not move relative to the moving unit 20).

In the example of FIG. 3, a mode in which ink is supplied to one head 40 </ b> A using a plurality of containers (housing bodies 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> B) that store ink of the same composition is shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the same composition It is good also as an aspect which provides a head for every some accommodating body which accommodates this ink. In this case, after the ink supply to the first head corresponding to the container 30A is completed, recording can be continued using the second head corresponding to the container 30B.

  As the ink jet recording method of the head 40, any method may be used. For example, a strong electric field is applied between the nozzle and the acceleration electrode placed in front of the nozzle, and droplet ink is continuously discharged from the nozzle. A method in which a printing information signal is applied to the polarizing electrode and recorded while the ink droplets are ejected between the deflection electrodes, or a method in which the ink droplets are ejected in response to the printing information signal without being deflected (static Electrosuction method), pressure is applied to the ink liquid with a small pump, and the nozzle is mechanically vibrated with a crystal oscillator, etc., forcibly ejecting ink droplets, pressure and printing with ink using a piezoelectric element A method that simultaneously applies information signals to eject and record ink droplets (piezo method), and a method that heats and foams ink with microelectrodes according to print information signals and ejects and records ink droplets (supports) It is possible to use a multi-jet system), and the like.

<Irradiation means>
The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment preferably has an irradiating means when using an ultraviolet curable ink that is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the irradiation unit 50 is provided on the carriage 70 mounted on the moving unit 20 and installed at both ends in the first direction of the head 40, but is not limited thereto, and recording on the recording medium P is not limited thereto. As long as the ink adhering to the surface can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays, it may be provided at any position. For example, the head 40 may be provided on the second direction side so as to be able to irradiate in the width direction (first direction) of the recording medium, and this is used in combination with the irradiation means 50 provided at the position shown in FIG. May be.

  The irradiation unit 50 includes a light source (not shown) and a light source control circuit (not shown) that controls light emission and extinction of the light source. As the light source, an ultraviolet light emitting diode is preferably used. Thereby, compared with the case where a mercury lamp lamp, a metal halide lamp, and other lamps are used as a light source, the enlargement and weight increase of a light source can be avoided.

  In addition, when an ultraviolet light emitting diode is used as the light source, the wavelength of the emitted ultraviolet light may be set in the range of about 360 to 420 nm.

Irradiation intensity of the irradiation means, the viewpoint and of improving the curing speed, the viewpoint and the cured wrinkle suppression, from the viewpoint of reducing the power consumption, is preferably 500 mW / cm ² or more 2000 mW / cm ² or less, 700 mW / More preferably, it is not less than cm ^{2 and not} more than 2000 mW / cm ² .

Further, the irradiation energy of the curing step of irradiating with the irradiation means to cure the ink is preferably 100 mJ / cm ² or more and 2000 mJ / cm ² or less, from the viewpoint of sufficient curing and reduced power consumption, and 200 mJ / cm 2. more preferably ² or more 1500 mJ / cm ² or less, more preferably 200 mJ / cm ² or more 1000 mJ / cm ² or less, 200 mJ / cm ² or more 800 mJ / cm ² or less is particularly preferred.

<Maintenance measures>
The ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment preferably has a maintenance unit. The maintenance means is a mechanism used for head maintenance, and can prevent problems such as nozzle clogging. The maintenance means is preferably mounted on the moving unit, whereby the head can be maintained when the moving unit is driven.

  The maintenance of the head 40 includes a moisturizing operation for capping the head 40 with the cap member 60 in addition to the recording operation to suppress ink evaporation, and discharging the ink from the nozzles of the head 40 to the ink receiving member 65 to increase the viscosity of the ink. Flushing operation to prevent nozzle clogging and adjust the meniscus of the nozzle to normally eject ink from the head 40. After capping the head 40 with the cap member 60, the suction pump (not shown) is driven to make the viscosity from the nozzle. Forcibly sucking up ink and attached dust etc. to adjust the meniscus, sucking operation (head cleaning) to discharge ink normally from the head 40, and wiping the nozzle surface of the head 40 with a wipe member (not shown) (Wiping) Ink adhering to the vicinity of the nozzle or ink with increased viscosity Or removed, such as wiping operation it can be mentioned readjusted to thereby purging the meniscus to destroy the meniscus of the nozzle.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cap member 60 is provided at one end in the first direction of the moving unit 20, and the ink receiving member 65 is provided at the other end in the first direction. As long as it is mounted on the moving unit 20 and does not interfere with the recording operation of the head 40, it may be provided at any position.

  In order to reduce the burden on the movement of the moving unit 20, it is preferable to reduce the mass of the maintenance means mounted on the moving unit 20, for example, the mass of the maintenance means is preferably 5 kg or less, preferably 3 kg or less. It is more preferable. The lower limit is not limited, but is preferably 0.5 kg or more, more preferably 1 kg or more.

  In addition, it is preferable that the initial mass of ink stored per one of the containers is smaller than the mass of the maintenance means mounted on the moving unit 20. By doing so, the influence of an increase in the mass of the moving unit 20 due to an increase in the number of containers is reduced compared to the mass of the maintenance means. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of containers mounted on the moving unit 20. In this embodiment, the specific gravity of the ink is about 1, for example, when the initial volume of the ink in the container is 700 ml, the initial mass is 700 g, but when the specific gravity of the ink is other than 1, the specific gravity of the container is The initial mass of the ink is obtained by multiplying the initial capacity of the ink by the specific gravity of the ink.

  The maintenance means is one or more of a cap member 60, a suction pump (not shown), an ink receiving member 65, and a wipe member (not shown). It corresponds to the total mass.

<Others>
The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment may have a heating means (so-called electric heater or the like) for heating the ink to reduce the viscosity of the ink so that the viscosity is suitable for ejection. From the viewpoint of weight reduction of the moving unit 20, it is preferable not to have a heating means.

  The viscosity of the ink during ejection is preferably 13 mPa · s or less. When the ink jet recording apparatus does not have a heating means, the temperature of the ink at the time of ejection changes depending on the environment in which the ink jet recording apparatus is installed, but the temperature range in which the ink jet recording apparatus is usually installed is about 20 ° C. to 30 ° C., It is preferable that the viscosity of the ink in this temperature range can be discharged as it is, specifically, it is preferably 13 mPa · s or less at 20 ° C., more preferably 4 mPa · s or more and 13 mPa · s or less, and further preferably 7 mPa · s. -It is preferable that it is s or more and 13 mPa * s or less from the point of being able to discharge favorably and curling wrinkle suppression. The viscosity of the ink can be measured using an E-type viscometer.

In addition, the viscosity of the ink can be adjusted to the above value by appropriately adjusting the blending ratio of the components contained in the ink. For example, when using an ultraviolet curable ink described later, It can be adjusted by the mixing ratio.

1.2. Ink As the ink used in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, any ordinary ink jet ink can be used, but UV curing is possible because it can be satisfactorily recorded on a recording medium such as glass, acrylic or metal. It is preferable to use type ink. In addition, ultraviolet curable inks are often more expensive than ordinary inkjet inks. However, by using the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, recording failures can be reduced, so that wasteful consumption of ink is reduced. Can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, the composition will be described in detail, taking as an example the case of using an ultraviolet curable ink as the ink used in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

1.2.1. Polymerizable Compound The ink according to the present embodiment can contain a polymerizable compound. The polymerizable compound can be polymerized at the time of light irradiation alone or by the action of a photopolymerization initiator described later to cure the recorded ink. The polymerizable compound preferably contains at least a vinyl ether group-containing (meth) acrylic acid ester represented by the general formula (I) and / or other monofunctional (meth) acrylate. In the present invention, (meth) acrylic acid means both acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, and (meth) acrylate means both acrylate and methacrylate.

  Hereinafter, the polymerizable compound will be described in detail with a focus on these (meth) acrylates.

<Vinyl ether group-containing (meth) acrylic acid esters>
The ink according to the present embodiment preferably includes a vinyl ether group-containing (meth) acrylic acid ester represented by the following general formula (I).

_{^{CH 2 = CR 1 -COOR 2 -O}} -CH = CH-R 3 ··· (I)
In the above formula (I), R ¹ is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R ² is a divalent organic residue having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and R ³ is a hydrogen atom or 1 to 11 carbon atoms. It is a monovalent organic residue.

  By containing the vinyl ether group-containing (meth) acrylic acid ester, the curability of the ink can be improved, and the viscosity of the ink can be lowered. In addition, it is better to use a compound having both a vinyl ether group and a (meth) acryl group in one molecule than to use a compound having a vinyl ether group and a compound having a (meth) acryl group separately. It is preferable for improving curability.

In the above general formula (I), the divalent organic residue having 2 to 20 carbon atoms represented by R ² is linear, branched or cyclic substituted having 2 to 20 carbon atoms. An alkylene group which may be substituted, an alkylene group having an oxygen atom by an ether bond and / or an ester bond in the structure, an optionally substituted alkylene group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and a substituted group having 6 to 11 carbon atoms Good divalent aromatic groups are preferred. Among these, an alkylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, such as an ethylene group, an n-propylene group, an isopropylene group, and a butylene group, an oxyethylene group, an oxy n-propylene group, an oxyisopropylene group, and an oxybutylene group An alkylene group having 2 to 9 carbon atoms and having an oxygen atom due to an ether bond in the structure is suitably used.

In the general formula (I), the monovalent organic residue having 1 to 11 carbon atoms represented by R ³ is linear, branched or cyclic substituted having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. An alkyl group which may be substituted, and an optionally substituted aromatic group having 6 to 11 carbon atoms are preferred. Among these, an alkyl group having 6 to 8 carbon atoms such as an alkyl group having 1 to 2 carbon atoms, such as a methyl group or an ethyl group, a phenyl group, and a benzyl group is preferably used.

  When each of the organic residues is an optionally substituted group, the substituent is divided into a group containing a carbon atom and a group not containing a carbon atom. First, when the substituent is a group containing a carbon atom, the carbon atom is counted in the carbon number of the organic residue. Examples of the group containing a carbon atom include, but are not limited to, a carboxyl group and an alkoxy group. Next, examples of the group not containing a carbon atom include, but are not limited to, a hydroxyl group and a halo group.

  Examples of the vinyl ether group-containing (meth) acrylates include, but are not limited to, for example, 2-vinyloxyethyl (meth) acrylate, 3-vinyloxypropyl (meth) acrylate, 1-methyl-2 (meth) acrylate -Vinyloxyethyl, 2-vinyloxypropyl (meth) acrylate, 4-vinyloxybutyl (meth) acrylate, 1-methyl-3-vinyloxypropyl (meth) acrylate, 1-vinyloxymethylpropyl (meth) acrylate, 2-methyl-3-vinyloxypropyl (meth) acrylate, 1,1-dimethyl-2-vinyloxyethyl (meth) acrylate, 3-vinyloxybutyl (meth) acrylate, 1-methyl-2- (meth) acrylate Vinyloxypropyl, (meth) acrylic acid 2-vinyloxybutyl, (meth) acrylic 4-vinyloxycyclohexyl, 6-vinyloxyhexyl (meth) acrylate, 4-vinyloxymethylcyclohexylmethyl (meth) acrylate, 3-vinyloxymethylcyclohexylmethyl (meth) acrylate, 2- (meth) acrylic acid 2- Vinyloxymethylcyclohexylmethyl, p-vinyloxymethylphenylmethyl (meth) acrylate, m-vinyloxymethylphenylmethyl (meth) acrylate, o-vinyloxymethylphenylmethyl (meth) acrylate, (meth) acrylic acid 2- (vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl, 2- (vinyloxyisopropoxy) ethyl (meth) acrylate, 2- (vinyloxyethoxy) propyl (meth) acrylate, 2- (vinyloxyethoxy) (meth) acrylate Isopropyl, (meth) acrylic acid 2- (vinyl Xyisopropoxy) propyl, (meth) acrylic acid 2- (vinyloxyisopropoxy) isopropyl, (meth) acrylic acid 2- (vinyloxyethoxyethoxy) ethyl, (meth) acrylic acid 2- (vinyloxyethoxyisopropoxy) Ethyl, 2- (vinyloxyisopropoxyethoxy) ethyl (meth) acrylate, 2- (vinyloxyisopropoxyisopropoxy) ethyl (meth) acrylate, 2- (vinyloxyethoxyethoxy) propyl (meth) acrylate, 2- (vinyloxyethoxyisopropoxy) propyl (meth) acrylate, 2- (vinyloxyisopropoxyethoxy) propyl (meth) acrylate, 2- (vinyloxyisopropoxyisopropoxy) propyl (meth) acrylate, ( 2-methacrylic acid (vinyloxy) Toxiethoxy) isopropyl, (meth) acrylic acid 2- (vinyloxyethoxyisopropoxy) isopropyl, (meth) acrylic acid 2- (vinyloxyisopropoxyethoxy) isopropyl, (meth) acrylic acid 2- (vinyloxyisopropoxyiso) Propoxy) isopropyl, (meth) acrylic acid 2- (vinyloxyethoxyethoxyethoxy) ethyl, (meth) acrylic acid 2- (vinyloxyethoxyethoxyethoxyethoxy) ethyl, (meth) acrylic acid 2- (isopropenoxyethoxy) Ethyl, (meth) acrylic acid 2- (isopropenoxyethoxyethoxyethoxy) ethyl, (meth) acrylic acid 2- (isopropenoxyethoxyethoxyethoxy) ethyl, (meth) acrylic acid 2- (isopropenoxyethoxyethoxyethoxyethoxy) ) Ethyl, (meth) acrylic acid polyethylene glycol monovinyl ether, and (meth) acrylic acid polypropylene glycol monovinyl ether.

Among these, since the viscosity of the ink can be further lowered, the flash point is high, and the curability of the ink is excellent, 2- (vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl (meth) acrylate, that is, 2- (vinyloxy) acrylate At least one of ethoxy) ethyl and 2- (vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate is preferable, and 2- (vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate is more preferable. In particular, since 2- (vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate and 2- (vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate have a simple structure and a small molecular weight, the viscosity of the ink can be significantly reduced. Examples of 2- (vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl (meth) acrylate include 2- (2-vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl (meth) acrylate and 2- (1-vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl (meth) acrylate. Examples of 2- (vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate include 2- (2-vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate and 2- (1-vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate. Incidentally, 2- (vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate is superior in terms of curability compared to 2- (vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate.

  A vinyl ether group containing (meth) acrylic acid ester may be used individually by 1 type, and may be used in combination of 2 or more type.

  The vinyl ether group-containing (meth) acrylic acid esters, in particular, the content of 2- (vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl (meth) acrylate is 20% by mass to 90% by mass with respect to the total mass (100% by mass) of the ink. % Or less is preferable, 40 mass% or more and 80 mass% or less are more preferable, and 50 or more and 75 mass% or less are more preferable. When the content is not less than the above lower limit, the viscosity of the ink can be lowered and the curability of the ink can be further improved. On the other hand, when the content is not more than the above upper limit value, the storage stability of the ink can be maintained in a good state, and the generation of curing wrinkles can be more effectively prevented.

  The method for producing the vinyl ether group-containing (meth) acrylic acid esters is not limited to the following, but is a method of esterifying (meth) acrylic acid and a hydroxyl group-containing vinyl ether (Production Method B), (meth) acrylic acid halide. And esterification of (meth) acrylic anhydride and hydroxyl group-containing vinyl ether (production method D), esterification of (meth) acrylic acid ester and hydroxyl group-containing vinyl ether Method of exchange (Production method E), Method of esterifying (meth) acrylic acid and halogen-containing vinyl ether (Method of production F), Method of esterifying alkali (earth) metal salt of (meth) acrylic acid and halogen-containing vinyl ether (Production G), hydroxyl group-containing (meth) acrylic acid ester and carboxylic acid vinyl ester How to vinyl exchange and Le (Procedure H), hydroxyl group-containing (meth) How to ether exchange and acrylic acid ester and an alkyl vinyl ether (Process I).

  Among these, since the desired effect can be further exhibited in this embodiment, the production method E is preferable.

<Monofunctional (meth) acrylate>
The ink according to the present embodiment preferably contains other monofunctional (meth) acrylate instead of or in addition to the vinyl ether group-containing (meth) acrylic acid esters. When the ink contains the monofunctional (meth) acrylate, the ink has a low viscosity, is excellent in solubility of a photopolymerization initiator and other additives, is easy to obtain ejection stability at the time of inkjet recording, and is further coated. Increases toughness, heat resistance, and chemical resistance.

Examples of the monofunctional (meth) acrylate include phenoxyethyl (meth) acrylate, isoamyl (meth) acrylate, stearyl (meth) acrylate, lauryl (meth) acrylate, octyl (meth) acrylate, decyl (meth) acrylate, Myristyl (meth) acrylate, isostearyl (meth) acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl-diglycol (meth) acrylate, 2-hydroxybutyl (meth) acrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl (meth) acrylate, butoxyethyl (meth) acrylate, ethoxy Diethylene glycol (meth) acrylate, methoxydiethylene glycol (meth) acrylate, methoxypolyethylene glycol (meth) acrylate, methoxypropylene glycol ( Acrylate), tetrahydrofurfuryl (meth) acrylate, isobornyl (meth) acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl (meth) acrylate, 2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl (meth) acrylate, lactone Modified flexible (meth) acrylate, t-butylcyclohexyl (meth) acrylate, dicyclopentanyl (meth) acrylate, dicyclopentenyloxyethyl (meth) acrylate, benzyl (meth) acrylate, ethoxylated nonylphenyl (meth) Examples include acrylate, alkoxylated nonylphenyl (meth) acrylate, and p-cumylphenol EO-modified (meth) acrylate.

  Among these, monofunctional (meth) acrylates having an aromatic ring skeleton in the molecule are preferable because they are more excellent in curability, storage stability, and solubility of the photopolymerization initiator. Examples of monofunctional (meth) acrylates having an aromatic ring skeleton include, but are not limited to, phenoxyethyl (meth) acrylate, benzyl (meth) acrylate, 2-hydroxyphenoxypropyl (meth) acrylate, and phenoxydiethylene glycol (meth) ) Acrylate is preferred. Among these, since the viscosity of the ink can be reduced and the curability, abrasion resistance, adhesion, and solubility of the photopolymerization initiator can be excellent, phenoxyethyl ( At least one of meth) acrylate and benzyl (meth) acrylate is preferable, and phenoxyethyl (meth) acrylate is more preferable.

  Monofunctional (meth) acrylates other than the vinyl ether group-containing (meth) acrylic acid esters may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The content of the monofunctional (meth) acrylate other than the vinyl ether group-containing (meth) acrylic acid esters is preferably 10% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less with respect to the total mass (100% by mass) of the ink. 20 mass% or less and 40 mass% or less are more preferable. When the content is not less than the above lower limit value, the solubility of the photopolymerization initiator is further improved in addition to the curability. On the other hand, when the content is not more than the above upper limit value, in addition to curability, adhesion is further improved.

  In addition, the content of monofunctional (meth) acrylates other than the vinyl ether group-containing (meth) acrylic acid esters and / or the vinyl ether group-containing (meth) acrylic acid esters is curable, curative wrinkle-suppressed, and photopolymerization started. In terms of solubility of the agent, it is preferably 40% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, more preferably 55% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, and more preferably 60% by mass or more and 80% by mass with respect to the total weight (100% by mass) of the ink. The following is more preferable.

<Polymerizable compounds other than the above>
The ink according to the present embodiment may further include a polymerizable compound other than the above (hereinafter referred to as “other polymerizable compound”). As other polymerizable compounds, conventionally known various monomers and oligomers such as monofunctional, bifunctional, and trifunctional or more polyfunctional can be used. Examples of the monomer include unsaturated carboxylic acids such as (meth) acrylic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, isocrotonic acid and maleic acid, salts or esters thereof, urethane, amide and anhydride thereof, acrylonitrile, styrene, various types Unsaturated polyesters, unsaturated polyethers, unsaturated polyamides, and unsaturated urethanes. Moreover, as said oligomer, for example, an oligomer formed from the above monomer such as a linear acrylic oligomer, epoxy (meth) acrylate, oxetane (meth) acrylate,
Aliphatic urethane (meth) acrylates, aromatic urethane (meth) acrylates and polyester (meth) acrylates may be mentioned.

  Among other polymerizable compounds, an ester of (meth) acrylic acid having 2 or more functions, that is, (meth) acrylate having 2 or more functions is preferable, and (meth) acrylate having 2 to 6 functions is more preferable.

  Examples of the bifunctional (meth) acrylate include diethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, triethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, tetraethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, polyethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, and dipropylene glycol di (meth). ) Acrylate, tripropylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, polypropylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, 1,4-butanediol di (meth) acrylate, 1,6-hexanediol di (meth) acrylate, 1,9-nonanediol Di (meth) acrylate, neopentyl glycol di (meth) acrylate, dimethylol-tricyclodecane di (meth) acrylate, bisphenol A EO (ethylene oxide) adduct di (meth) ) Acrylate, PO (propylene oxide) adduct di (meth) acrylate of bisphenol A, neopentyl glycol di (meth) acrylate hydroxypivalate, and polytetramethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate.

  Examples of the trifunctional or higher polyfunctional (meth) acrylate include trimethylolpropane tri (meth) acrylate, EO-modified trimethylolpropane tri (meth) acrylate, pentaerythritol tri (meth) acrylate, and pentaerythritol tetra (meth) acrylate. Dipentaerythritol hexa (meth) acrylate, ditrimethylolpropane tetra (meth) acrylate, glycerin propoxytri (meth) acrylate, cowprolactone-modified trimethylolpropane tri (meth) acrylate, pentaerythritol ethoxytetra (meth) acrylate, and Examples include caprolactam-modified dipentaerythritol hexa (meth) acrylate.

  Other polymerizable compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  When other polymerizable compounds are contained in the ink, the content thereof is 5 masses with respect to the total mass (100 mass%) of the ink in terms of curability, curling wrinkle suppression, solubility of the photopolymerization initiator, and the like. % To 45% by mass, preferably 5% to 35% by mass, more preferably 5% to 30% by mass. Among other polymerizable compounds, when a trifunctional or higher polyfunctional (meth) acrylate is contained in the ink, the content thereof is 5% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less with respect to the total mass (100% by mass) of the ink. Is preferably 5% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less, and more preferably 5% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the curing wrinkles are generated due to the deformation of the ink surface accompanying the curing of the ink when the curing of the ink inside is delayed compared to the curing of the ink surface. When bifunctional or higher functional (meth) acrylic acid ester is included, it is preferable in terms of suppression of curing wrinkles.

  Although it is possible to omit the addition of a photopolymerization initiator by using a photopolymerizable compound as the polymerizable compound, the use of a photopolymerization initiator can easily adjust the start of polymerization. Can be preferred.

1.2.2. Photopolymerization Initiator The ink according to this embodiment may further contain a photopolymerization initiator. The photopolymerization initiator is used for forming a print by curing the ink attached to the recording surface of the recording medium by photopolymerization by ultraviolet irradiation. By using ultraviolet rays (UV) among the light rays, the safety is excellent and the cost of the light source lamp can be reduced. The photopolymerization initiator that can be used is not limited as long as it generates active species such as radicals and cations by the energy of ultraviolet rays and initiates polymerization of the polymerizable compound. Cationic polymerization initiators can be used, and among them, it is preferable to use a radical photopolymerization initiator.

  Examples of the photo radical polymerization initiator include aromatic ketones, acylphosphine oxide compounds, aromatic onium salt compounds, organic peroxides, thio compounds (thioxanthone compounds, thiophenyl group-containing compounds, etc.), hexaarylbiimidazoles, and the like. Examples include compounds, ketoxime ester compounds, borate compounds, azinium compounds, metallocene compounds, active ester compounds, compounds having a carbon halogen bond, and alkylamine compounds. Among these, an acylphosphine oxide compound is preferable because the curability of the ink can be further improved particularly when an ultraviolet light emitting diode is used.

  Specific examples of photo radical polymerization initiators include acetophenone, acetophenone benzyl ketal, 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone, xanthone, fluorenone, benzaldehyde, fluorene, anthraquinone, triphenylamine, carbazole 3-methylacetophenone, 4-chlorobenzophenone, 4,4′-dimethoxybenzophenone, 4,4′-diaminobenzophenone, Michler's ketone, benzoin propyl ether, benzoin ethyl ether, benzyldimethyl ketal, 1- (4-isopropylphenyl)- 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-1-one, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-1-one, thioxanthone, diethylthio Xanthone, 2-isopropylthioxanthone, 2-chlorothioxanthone, 2-methyl-1- [4- (methylthio) phenyl] -2-morpholino-propan-1-one, bis (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) -phenyl Examples include phosphine oxide, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl-diphenyl-phosphine oxide, 2,4-diethylthioxanthone, and bis- (2,6-dimethoxybenzoyl) -2,4,4-trimethylpentylphosphine oxide.

Examples of commercially available photo radical polymerization initiators include IRGACURE 651 (2,2-dimethoxy-1,2-diphenylethane-1-one), IRGACURE 184 (1-hydroxy-cyclohexyl-phenyl-ketone), DAROCUR 1173. (2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-1-one), IRGACURE 2959 (1- [4- (2-hydroxyethoxy) -phenyl] -2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-propane- 1-one), IRGACURE 127 (2-hydroxy-1- {4- [4- (2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propionyl) -benzyl] phenyl] -2-methyl-propan-1-one}, IRGACURE 907 (2-Methyl-1- (4-methylthiophenyl) -2-morpholino Propan-1-one), IRGACURE 369 (2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-1- (4-morpholinophenyl) -butanone-1), IRGACURE 379 (2- (dimethylamino) -2-[(4- Methylphenyl) methyl] -1- [4- (4-morpholinyl) phenyl] -1-butanone), DAROCUR TPO (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl-diphenyl-phosphine oxide), IRGACURE 819 (bis (2,4 , 6-trimethylbenzoyl) -phenylphosphine oxide), IRGACURE 784 (bis (η5-2,4-cyclopentadien-1-yl) -bis (2,6-difluoro-3- (1H-pyrrol-1-yl)) -Phenyl) titanium), IRGACURE OXE 01 (1,2-o Tandione, 1- [4- (phenylthio)-, 2- (O-benzoyloxime)]), IRGACURE OXE 02 (ethanone, 1- [9-ethyl-6- (2-methylbenzoyl) -9H-carbazole-3) -Yl]-, 1- (O-acetyloxime)), IRGACURE 754 (oxyphenylacetic acid, 2- [2-oxo-2-phenylacetoxyethoxy] ethyl ester and oxyphenylacetic acid, 2- (2-hydroxyethoxy) Mixture of ethyl esters) (above, product name manufactured by BASF), KAYACURE DETX-S (2,4-diethylthioxanthone) (product name manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.), Speedcure TPO (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) -Diphenyl-phosphine oxide), Speedcure DETX (2, -Diethylthioxanthen-9-one) (above, Lambson, trade name), Lucirin TPO, LR8883, LR8970 (above, BASF, trade name), Ubekril P36 (UCB, trade name), etc. Can be mentioned.

  A photoinitiator may be used individually by 1 type and may be used in combination of 2 or more type.

  The content of the photopolymerization initiator can improve the ultraviolet curing rate and have excellent curability, and in order to avoid undissolved photopolymerization initiator and coloring derived from the photopolymerization initiator, It is preferably 20% by mass or less with respect to the total mass (100% by mass) of the ink. In particular, when the photopolymerization initiator includes an acylphosphine oxide compound, the content is more preferably 5% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less, and 7% by mass with respect to the total mass (100% by mass) of the ink. More preferably, the content is from 13% to 13% by mass. When the content is not less than the above lower limit, the curability is further improved. More specifically, the curability is further improved because a sufficient curing rate can be obtained when curing with an ultraviolet light emitting diode (preferable emission peak wavelength: 360 nm to 420 nm). On the other hand, when the content is not more than the above upper limit value, the solubility of the photopolymerization initiator is further improved.

1.2.3. Color Material The ink according to the present embodiment may further include a color material. As the color material, at least one of a pigment and a dye can be used.

  By using a pigment as the color material, the light resistance of the ink can be improved. As the pigment, both inorganic pigments and organic pigments can be used.

  As the inorganic pigment, carbon black (CI pigment black 7) such as furnace black, lamp black, acetylene black and channel black, iron oxide, and titanium oxide can be used.

  Organic pigments include insoluble azo pigments, condensed azo pigments, azo lakes, chelate azo pigments, etc., phthalocyanine pigments, perylene and perinone pigments, anthraquinone pigments, quinacridone pigments, dioxane pigments, thioindigo pigments, isoindolinone pigments, quinophthalone pigments, etc. Polycyclic pigments, dye chelates (eg basic dye chelates, acid dye chelates, etc.), dye rakes (basic dye rakes, acid dye rakes), nitro pigments, nitroso pigments, aniline black, daylight A fluorescent pigment is mentioned.

  The said pigment may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

  When using the above pigment, the average particle size is preferably 300 nm or less, and more preferably 50 nm or more and 200 nm or less. When the average particle diameter is in the above range, the ink can be more excellent in reliability such as ejection stability and dispersion stability, and an image with excellent image quality can be formed. Here, the average particle diameter in this specification can be measured by a dynamic light scattering method.

  The dye is not particularly limited, and acid dyes, direct dyes, reactive dyes, and basic dyes can be used. A dye may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

1.2.4. Dispersant When the ink according to the present embodiment includes a pigment, a dispersant may be further included in order to improve pigment dispersibility. Although it does not specifically limit as a dispersing agent, For example, the dispersing agent currently used for preparing pigment dispersion liquids, such as a polymer dispersing agent, is mentioned. Specific examples include polyoxyalkylene polyalkylene polyamines, vinyl polymers and copolymers, acrylic polymers and copolymers, polyesters, polyamides, polyimides, polyurethanes, amino polymers, silicon-containing polymers, sulfur-containing polymers, fluorine-containing polymers, and epoxies. The thing which has 1 or more types of resin as a main component is mentioned. Commercially available polymer dispersants are Ajinomoto Fine Techno's Ajisper series (trade name), Avecia
Co. Solsperse series (Solsperse 32000, 36000, etc. [above, trade name]), Dispersic series (trade name) manufactured by BYK Chemie, and Disparon series (trade name) manufactured by Enomoto Kasei.

  A dispersing agent may be used individually by 1 type, and may be used in combination of 2 or more type. The content of the dispersant is not particularly limited, and a preferable amount may be added as appropriate.

1.2.5. Polymerization inhibitor The ink according to this embodiment may further contain a polymerization inhibitor. When the ink contains a polymerization inhibitor, the polymerization reaction of the polymerizable compound before curing can be prevented.

  Although it does not restrict | limit especially as a polymerization inhibitor, For example, a phenol type polymerization inhibitor is mentioned. Examples of the phenol-based polymerization inhibitor include, but are not limited to, for example, p-methoxyphenol, cresol, t-butylcatechol, di-t-butylparacresol, hydroquinone monomethyl ether, α-naphthol, 3,5-di- t-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene, 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol, 2,2'-methylene-bis (4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 2,2'-methylene -Bis (4-ethyl-6-butylphenol) and 4,4'-thio-bis (3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol).

  Examples of commercially available phenolic polymerization inhibitors include p-methoxyphenol (trade name, p-methoxyphenol, manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), non-flex MBP (trade name, 2,2′-, manufactured by Seiko Chemical Co., Ltd.). Methylene-bis (4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol)), BHT Swanox (trade name, 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol, manufactured by Seiko Chemical Co., Ltd.).

  A polymerization inhibitor may be used individually by 1 type, and may be used in combination of 2 or more type. The content of the polymerization inhibitor is not particularly limited, and a preferable amount may be added as appropriate.

1.2.6. Surfactant The ink according to this embodiment may further contain a surfactant. The surfactant is not particularly limited. For example, polyester-modified silicone or polyether-modified silicone can be used as the silicone-based surfactant, and polyether-modified polydimethylsiloxane or polyester-modified polydimethylsiloxane can be used. Particularly preferred. Examples of commercially available slip agents include BYK-347, BYK-348, BYK-UV3500, 3510, 3530, and 3570 (manufactured by BYK).

Surfactant may be used individually by 1 type and may be used in combination of 2 or more type. The content of the surfactant is not particularly limited, and a preferable amount may be added as appropriate.

1.2.7. Other Additives The ink of the present embodiment may contain additives (components) other than the additives listed above. Such components are not particularly limited, and may include, for example, conventionally known polymerization accelerators, penetration enhancers, wetting agents (humectants), and other additives. Examples of the other additives include conventionally known fixing agents, antifungal agents, preservatives, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, chelating agents, pH adjusting agents, and thickeners.

1.2.8. Irradiation energy When using the ultraviolet curable ink described above, it is preferable to use one that cures with an irradiation energy of 1000 mJ / cm ² or less from the viewpoint of reducing the power consumption of the irradiation means. more preferably those that cure at cm ² or less, more preferably those which cure at 200 mJ / cm ² or less, and which cure at 100 mJ / cm ² or less is particularly preferred.

1.3. Recording medium The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is any recording medium (for example, paper, woven fabric, knitted fabric, non-woven fabric, leather, resin film, resin plate, glass, metal, etc.) used in the flat bed type ink jet recording apparatus. Even if any of these recording media is used, it is possible to obtain a recorded material on which a good image is recorded with little image displacement and color change. Therefore, it can be preferably used for recording on an expensive recording medium (metal, acrylic, glass, etc.) that is highly damaged when recording fails.

  The recording medium used in the flat bed type ink jet recording apparatus is a single sheet, and for example, a recording medium having a recording surface length of 4 m or less in the second direction when supported on the panel of the support unit 10 is used. Especially, a thing of 3 m or less is used. Moreover, the thing of 0.5 m or more is used, and the thing of 1 m or more is used especially.

2. Examples Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described more specifically by way of examples. However, the present embodiments are not limited to these examples.

2.1. Ink evaluation 2.1.1. Preparation of Ink Each component shown in Table 1 was added so as to have the content shown in Table 1, and this was stirred with a high-speed water-cooled stirrer, whereby an ultraviolet curable ink (hereinafter also simply referred to as “ink”). 1-10 were obtained. The components shown in Table 1 are as follows.

<Polymerizable compound>
VEEA (trade name, 2- (2-vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate, manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd., monofunctional (meth) acrylate, hereinafter referred to as “VEEA”)
Biscoat # 192 (trade name, phenoxyethyl acrylate, manufactured by Osaka Organic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., monofunctional (meth) acrylate, hereinafter referred to as “PEA”)
V # 160 (trade name, benzyl acrylate, manufactured by Osaka Organic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., monofunctional (meth) acrylate, hereinafter referred to as “BZA”)
IBXA (trade name, isobornyl acrylate, manufactured by Osaka Organic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., monofunctional (meth) acrylate, hereinafter referred to as “IBX”)
SR508 (trade name, dipropylene glycol diacrylate, bifunctional (meth) acrylate, manufactured by Sartomer)
A-DPH (trade name, dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate, hexafunctional (meth) acrylate, manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd., hereinafter referred to as “A-DPH”)
<Polymer>
Biscote # 1000 (trade name, manufactured by Osaka Organic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., hyperbranched polymer, viscosity 273 mPa · s, acrylic group number 14, hereinafter referred to as “V # 1000”)
Note that biscoat # 1000 is a hyperbranched polymer having a functional group branched with dipentaerythritol as a core, and contains ethylene glycol diacrylate as a dilution monomer.
<Photopolymerization initiator>
IRGACURE 819 (trade name, manufactured by BASF, solid content 100%, hereinafter referred to as “819”)
DAROCUR TPO (trade name, manufactured by Lambson, hereinafter referred to as “TPO”)
IRGACURE 369 (trade name, manufactured by BASF, hereinafter referred to as “369”)
<Surfactant>
BYK-UV3500 (trade name, manufactured by BYK, polyether-modified polydimethylsiloxane, hereinafter referred to as “BYK3500”)
<Color material>
・ C. I. Pigment Black 7 (Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Mitsubishi Carbon MA11, hereinafter referred to as “PB-7”)
<Dispersant>
Solsperse 32000 (trade name, manufactured by Avicia, hereinafter referred to as “SOL32000”)
<Polymerization inhibitor>
P-methoxyphenol (trade name, manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., p-methoxyphenol, hereinafter referred to as “MEHQ”)

2.1.2. Ink Evaluation Test <Viscosity Evaluation (Ink Viscosity Rank at 20 ° C.)>
Using a DVM-E type rotational viscometer (manufactured by Tokyo Keiki Co., Ltd.), the viscosity at 20 ° C. of each ink prepared above was measured. As the rotor, a DVM-E type cone having a cone angle of 1 ° 34 ′ and a cone radius of 2.4 cm was used. The rotation speed was 10 rpm. The evaluation criteria are as follows, and the evaluation results are shown in Table 1.
It was less than 1: 7 mPa · s.
2: 7 mPa · s or more and 13 mPa · s or less.
3: More than 13 mPa · s.

<Storage stability evaluation>
Each ink prepared above was put into a 50 cc glass bottle and sealed, and then the glass bottle was put into a thermostat at 60 ° C. and left for 7 days. After taking out after 7 days and sufficiently returning to room temperature, the viscosity was measured at 20 ° C. in the same manner as the above-mentioned “ink viscosity rank at 20 ° C.”. And the viscosity increase rate of the viscosity after standing for 7 days with respect to the initial viscosity (immediately after preparation) was calculated. The evaluation criteria are as follows. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1.
A: + 5% or less.
B: More than + 5%.

<Ink curability evaluation>
Each of the inks described above was applied to Lumirror # 125-E20 (trade name, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc., PET film) using a bar coater manufactured by Tester Sangyo Co., Ltd. The film thickness after curing of the coating film was 10 μm. Next, the coated ink was irradiated with ultraviolet rays having an illuminance of 1,000 mW / cm ² from a LED having a peak at a wavelength of 395 nm (Firefly [trade name], manufactured by Phoseon) and cured for a predetermined time. Got. After irradiation, the surface of the ink coating film was rubbed 20 times with a Johnson & Johnson cotton swab under the condition of a load of 130 g, and the irradiation energy required until scratch marks were not measured was measured. The evaluation criteria are as follows. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1.
A: It was 200 mJ / cm ² or less.
B: 200mJ / cm ² Beyond was 300 mJ / cm ² or less.
C: 300 mJ / cm ² was exceeded.

2.1.3. Ink Evaluation Results The above ink evaluation results are also shown in Table 1.

  As shown in Table 1, vinyl ether group-containing (meth) acrylic acid esters represented by the general formula (I) and monofunctional (meth) acrylates other than the vinyl ether group-containing (meth) acrylic acid esters, It was found that the inks 1, 2, 8 and 9 which were contained and had a viscosity at 20 ° C. of 7 mPa · s or more were excellent in both storage stability and curability.

  Further, as shown in Table 1, the ink 2 was shown to have a high viscosity at 20 ° C., and the inks 3 and 5 were shown to have a low viscosity at 20 ° C. Thus, it was found that the viscosity of the ink changes depending on the blending ratio of each polymerizable compound.

  Moreover, from the evaluation results of the curability of ink 1 and ink 9 in Table 1, it was found that the curability of the ink was improved by using an acylphosphine oxide compound as the photopolymerization initiator.

2.2. Evaluation of inkjet recording apparatus 2.2.1. Preparation of recording apparatus In conducting the test of the recording apparatus, the following recording apparatuses 1 to 6 were prepared. The recording devices 1 to 3 have a moving unit in which wheels and driving means are attached to the remaining portion of the GS6000 (trade name, manufactured by Seiko Epson Corporation, large format printer) stand and the recording medium transport device removed. This is a modification that mounts this on the support unit in a movable manner. The moving unit is moved in the second direction on the support unit by the wheel by driving of the driving means. The moving unit is provided with maintenance means (a cap member for sealing the head, a suction pump for sucking the ink of the head, a wiper for wiping the nozzle surface of the head) at one end in the head moving direction (first direction), and at the other end. Provided with an ink receiving member for receiving the flushed ink, and the total mass of the maintenance means mounted on the moving unit was 3 kg (excluding the recording devices 4 and 5 below). A notebook PC for creating print data was mounted on the casing of the mobile unit (see FIG. 2).

  The length of the supply pipe (ink supply pipe) connecting the ink cartridge and the head was 6 m in the recording apparatus 3 and 3 m in other recording apparatuses.

<Recording apparatus 1>
In the recording apparatus 1, two ink cartridges of the same color are mounted on the moving unit (that is, having a hot swap function).

<Recording device 2>
In the recording apparatus 2, one ink cartridge of the same color is mounted on the moving unit (that is, it does not have a hot swap function).

<Recording device 3>
In the recording apparatus 3, two ink cartridges of the same color are attached to the support unit (that is, the ink cartridge does not move together with the moving unit although it has a hot swap function).

<Recording device 4>
The recording device 4 is an ordinary large format printer that uses two GS6000 ink cartridges having the same color (that is, a hot-swap function but no moving unit or support unit). ).

<Recording device 5>
In the recording apparatus 1, the maintenance means was removed from the moving unit and attached outside the first direction of the support unit.

<Recording device 6>
In the recording apparatus 1, a notebook PC for creating print (image) data is not mounted on the moving unit, but is placed on a desk provided beside the support unit, and a wiring cord (USB cable) for connecting the moving unit and the notebook PC is connected. ) Was made longer than the recording device 1 and connected.

<Irradiation means>
In addition, the following irradiation units 1 to 3 were selected and mounted on the recording apparatuses 1 to 6 so as to have combinations of Tables 2 and 3.

Irradiation means 1 includes provisional curing irradiation means A at both ends in the first direction of the head, and main curing irradiation means B capable of irradiation in the width direction of the recording medium on the second direction side of the head. Provided. In each of the irradiation means A and B, the irradiation intensity was 1000 mW / cm ² and the light source was an ultraviolet light emitting diode.

The irradiation unit 2 has the same configuration as the irradiation unit 1 except that the irradiation intensity is 500 mW / cm ² .

  The irradiation unit 3 has the same configuration as the irradiation unit 1 except that a metal halide lamp is used instead of the ultraviolet light emitting diode.

<Ink>
Each ink prepared as described above was accommodated in an ink cartridge and mounted in each recording apparatus as shown in Tables 2 and 3.

2.3.2. Evaluation of recording device <Continuation of printing>
Ink was supplied to the head from an ink cartridge mounted on each recording apparatus. As described above, two ink cartridges of the same color were attached to the recording apparatuses 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and one ink cartridge was attached to the recording apparatus 2. And the recording medium which is an acrylic board of the area of Table 2 and 3 was set to the panel of the support unit.

Thereafter, recording was started, and a 1.1 × 2.3 m ² solid pattern image was recorded. However, in the example of area 2.1 × 3.5 m ² of the recording medium was recorded solid pattern image of 2.0 × 3.5 m ^2. In the example using the recording device 4, a soft vinyl roll paper was set, and a continuous pattern of 1.1 × 6.9 m ² was recorded. In addition, the film thickness of the ink coating film after printing the solid pattern was 10 μm. After recording the solid pattern image, a new recording medium of the same type was set again on the stage, and the same recording was repeated for 50 recording media. When setting a new recording medium, if one of the cartridges was empty, the empty cartridge was replaced with a new cartridge. In this way, the possibility of continuation of printing was evaluated. The evaluation criteria are as follows, and the evaluation results are shown in Tables 2 and 3.

  Note that a “solid pattern image” is a dot recording on all pixels of the minimum recording unit area defined by the recording resolution, and the recording area of the recording medium is usually covered with ink and the recording medium It means an image pattern that should be an image in which the ground is not visible.

A: Recording can be performed without replacing the first mounted cartridge until recording on the 30th recording medium. In addition, thanks to the hot swap function, there was no case where ink was used up during recording on one recording medium.
B: The cartridge was replaced before recording on the recording medium of less than 30th sheet. However, due to the hot swap function, the ink did not run out during recording on one recording medium.
C: The ink in the cartridge was exhausted during recording on one recording medium, and it was necessary to interrupt printing to replace the cartridge.

<Cleanability>
After supplying ink to the head from the ink cartridge mounted on each recording device and filling the head with ink, the cartridge is removed, the ink is sucked from the head and the ink supply tube is emptied once, and then the cleaning liquid (diethylene glycol) A cartridge filled with ethyl ether acetate) was mounted, and the cleaning liquid was sucked and discharged from the head. For the cleaning liquid discharged from the head, the transmittance is measured for every 5 cc of the discharged amount, and the amount of the cleaning liquid discharged when the transmittance of the discharged cleaning liquid becomes 98% or more of the cleaning liquid in the cartridge before cleaning is determined. confirmed. In this way, the cleaning property was evaluated. The transmittance was measured using a spectrophotometer (product name “U-3300”, manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.) after adding distilled water to the discharged cleaning liquid and diluting it 1000 times. The evaluation criteria are as follows, and the evaluation results are shown in Tables 2 and 3.
○: 300cc or less ×: More than 300cc

<Solid pattern image fillability (filling evaluation)>
A recording resolution of 720 dpi × 720 dpi and a size (size) of 20 cm are formed by forming 11 ng / pixel dots on each pixel on a recording medium, PET film (trade name “Lumirror 125E20”, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.) and curing it. A solid pattern image of × 20 cm was recorded. A pixel is a minimum recording unit area defined by the recording resolution. At the time of recording, the irradiation energy of the ink adhering to the recording medium when the main scanning (pass) in which the carriage on which the head is mounted moves in the first direction and ejects ink from the head is performed once is 50 mJ / cm. ² and after the main scanning, the carriage was further moved in the first direction to irradiate a plurality of times, and the total irradiation energy per unit area of the recording medium was set to 1000 mJ / cm ² . Then, it was visually evaluated at a position 30 cm away from the recording medium whether or not a recording surface not covered with dots can be seen in the area of the solid pattern image. The evaluation criteria are as follows, and the evaluation results are shown in Table 2 and Table 3 below.
A: The recording surface could not be seen.
B: The recording surface was visible.

<Hardening wrinkles>
Each of the solid pattern images obtained in the above “Evaluation of Fillability of Solid Pattern Image” was used. The root mean square height (Rq value) of each solid pattern image was measured using a laser microscope VK-9700 (manufactured by KEYENCE). Furthermore, the surface of each solid pattern image was observed visually. The evaluation criteria are as follows, and the evaluation results are shown in Tables 2 and 3.
A: Rq was 4 or less. Gloss was seen on the surface of the solid pattern image.
B: Rq was more than 4 and 6 or less. Some gloss was observed on the surface of the solid pattern image.
C: Rq exceeded 6. There was no gloss on the surface of the solid pattern image.

2.3.3. Results of evaluation of recording apparatus Tables 2 and 3 show the results of evaluation tests of the recording apparatus.

  As shown in the evaluation results in Table 2, it was shown that the recording apparatus according to the example had a hot swap function and good printing (recording) continuity. In addition, since the hot swap function is provided, it is possible to obtain an image with little image shift or color difference. Furthermore, since the recording apparatus according to the example has the ink cartridge mounted on the moving unit, the length of the ink supply pipe connecting the head and the ink cartridge can be shortened. As a result, the amount of cleaning liquid used could be reduced.

  More specifically, in Example 2, since the capacity of the used ink cartridge was small, the replacement frequency of the ink cartridge increased. However, thanks to the hot swap function, there was no ink during recording on one recording medium. There was no end to it.

  Moreover, in Example 3, since the capacity | capacitance of the used ink cartridge was large, it turned out that the movement is burdened by the weight increase of a movement unit.

In Example 4, since the area of the recording surface of the used recording medium was large, it was found that the replacement frequency of the ink cartridge was increased.

  In Example 5, since ink with high viscosity was heated with a heater and used, it was found that the movement of the moving unit was burdened by an increase in the weight of the moving unit. Note that the decrease in embedding property is considered to be due to an increase in the viscosity of the ink after ejection from the head.

  In Example 6, since the metal halide lamp was used as the irradiation device, it was found that the movement was burdened by the increase in the weight of the moving unit by the cooling device. In addition, the recording medium was heated by the metal halide lamp, so that the recording medium was thermally deformed.

  In Examples 13 and 14, since ink having a low viscosity was used, generation of cured wrinkles tended to be remarkable.

  In Example 15, since the irradiation intensity was low, the occurrence of hardening wrinkles tended to be remarkable.

  In Example 16, since the moving unit was not provided with maintenance means, the flushing operation could not be executed during recording on one recording medium. Further, since there was no maintenance means in the gantry casing and the environment was always exposed to light, the discharged ink adhering to the cap member and the ink receiving member was thickened and it was difficult to remove ink stains.

  It should be noted that, in the case where the maintenance unit is switched over, the maintenance unit is switched so that the head can be maintained, and a spare maintenance unit is further mounted on the moving unit. Although the mass became 6 kg, the load of the moving unit increased and the moving unit did not move.

  In Example 17, since the notebook PC was not mounted on the mobile unit, the wiring cord (USB cable) connecting the mobile unit and the notebook PC became long, and it was necessary to secure a wiring position that facilitated the work. .

  As shown in Table 3, since the recording apparatuses according to Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 did not have a hot swap function, they were not excellent in printing (recording) continuity. In addition, the recorded image was misaligned and the color was different.

  Although the recording apparatus according to Comparative Example 3 has a hot swap function, since the ink cartridge is not mounted on the moving unit, the length of the ink supply pipe connecting the head and the ink cartridge is increased. As a result, as shown in Table 3, a large amount of cleaning liquid was required to clean the ink supply path.

  In the recording apparatus according to Reference Example 1, it was not possible to print on a hard recording medium such as an acrylic plate.

  In Reference Example 2 and Reference Example 3, there was no problem in the performance of the recording apparatus used, but various evaluations could not be performed due to the ink used. That is, in Reference Example 2, the ink was not cured, and in Reference Example 3, the ink had a high viscosity and could not be ejected.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible. For example, the present invention includes substantially the same configuration (for example, a configuration having the same function, method and result, or a configuration having the same purpose and effect) as the configuration described in the embodiment. In addition, the invention includes a configuration in which a non-essential part of the configuration described in the embodiment is replaced. In addition, the present invention includes a configuration that exhibits the same operational effects as the configuration described in the embodiment or a configuration that can achieve the same object. In addition, the invention includes a configuration in which a known technique is added to the configuration described in the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer, 10 ... Support unit, 12 ... Panel, 13 ... Suction hole, 14 ... Support stand, 16 ... Suction means, 20 ... Moving unit, 22 ... Housing, 30, 30A, 30B ... Housing, 34A, 34B ... Supply pipe, 35A, 35B ... Communication valve, 36 ... Liquid feed pump, 40, 40A ... Head, 50 ... Irradiation means, 60 ... Cap member, 65 ... Ink receiving member, 70 ... Carriage, 72 ... Guide rod, 100 ... Detector group, 110 ... Controller, 120 ... Input device, 112 ... Interface unit, 114 ... CPU, 116 ... Memory, 118 ... Unit control circuit, P ... Recording medium

Claims (11)

A support unit for supporting the recording medium;
A moving unit including a plurality of containers that store ink of the same composition, and a head that discharges the ink supplied from any one of the plurality of containers;
Have
When recording an image on the recording medium, the head performs main scanning for discharging the ink while changing the position in the first direction, and the moving unit moves in a second direction that intersects the first direction. An inkjet recording apparatus that performs scanning. In claim 1,
An ink jet recording apparatus in which, when the amount of ink stored in one container among the plurality of containers is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, ink stored in another container is supplied to the head. In claim 1 or claim 2,
The total initial capacity of the ink contained in the plurality of containers is 3500 ml or less, and the initial capacity of the ink contained in each of the plurality of containers is 500 ml or more,
An ink jet recording apparatus used for recording an image on a recording medium having an area of 0.1 m ² or more and 7 m ² or less as a recording surface. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
The moving unit is an ink jet recording apparatus equipped with one or more maintenance means for maintaining the head. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
An ink jet recording apparatus that does not have a heating means for heating the ink in order to obtain a viscosity suitable for ejection. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5,
The ink is an ultraviolet curable ink that is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays,
The moving unit is an ink jet recording apparatus in which an irradiation unit including an ultraviolet light emitting diode for curing the ultraviolet curable ink is mounted. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ink is an ultraviolet curable ink that is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays, and contains an acylphosphine oxide compound as a photopolymerization initiator. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7,
The ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the moving unit can be equipped with input means for inputting image data to be recorded on the recording medium. In claim 4,
An inkjet recording apparatus, wherein a total mass of maintenance means mounted on the moving unit is 5 kg or less. In claim 4 or claim 9,
An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein an initial mass of ink stored per one of the plurality of containers is smaller than a total mass of maintenance means mounted on the moving unit. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 10,
Each of the plurality of containers and the head are connected via a supply pipe,
The length of the said supply pipe | tube is an inkjet recording device which is 3.5 m or less.

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