JP2016155236A - Filling liquid for ink jet recorder, ink jet recorder and method for using ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a filling liquid which is excellent in filling performance and can reduce the occurrences of discharge failures, the filling liquid being used by being filled into an ink jet recorder with a silicone-based adhesive used therein.SOLUTION: According to this embodiment, the filling liquid is used be being filled into an ink channel and a head of an ink jet recorder provided with the head for discharging an aqueous ink composition. A silicone-based adhesive is used in at least a portion of a member brought into contact with an aqueous ink composition in at least any one in the ink channel and in the head, and the filling liquid contains 1,2-alkane diol of a carbon number being 4 to 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a filling liquid for an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink jet recording apparatus, and a method of using the ink jet recording apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, so-called inkjet recording apparatuses (printers) are known that record images and characters with fine ink composition droplets ejected from nozzles of an inkjet recording head. There are various types of ink compositions. For example, water-based ink compositions using water as a main solvent are known.

  When a printer that discharges an aqueous ink composition is shipped to a customer, the head is filled with a delivery liquid so that the inside of the head is not dried (Patent Document 1). This is because there is a problem that the head characteristics change when dried. In addition, for example, when foreign ink particles are stuck in the head, the inside of the head may be once cleaned and filled with a cleaning liquid and then refilled with ink.

  In these cases, the ink is filled without air being mixed into the head by directly replacing the filling liquid such as the supply liquid and the cleaning liquid filled in the head with the ink.

JP2013-158918A

  However, when the ink is discharged after replacing the filling liquid with the ink, foaming may occur in the head, resulting in a discharge failure. It has been found that this phenomenon is observed in the case of a head using a silicone-based adhesive as an adhesive used for bonding an ink flow path in contact with ink when the head is manufactured.

  One aspect of the present invention provides a filling liquid that is used by filling an ink jet recording apparatus in which a silicone-based adhesive is used, which has excellent filling performance and can reduce the occurrence of defective discharge. .

  The present inventors diligently studied to solve the above problems. As a result, the inventors have found that the above problems can be solved by using a filling liquid containing a specific water-soluble organic solvent as the filling liquid, and completed the present invention.

That is, the present invention is as follows.
[1]
An ink flow path of an ink jet recording apparatus including a head for discharging a water-based ink composition and a filling liquid used by filling the head, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus includes the ink flow path in at least one of the ink flow path and the head. A silicone-based adhesive is used for at least a part of the member that contacts the water-based ink composition, and the filling liquid contains 1,2-alkanediol having 4 to 8 carbon atoms.
Filling liquid for ink jet recording apparatus.
[2]
Further containing an acetylene glycol surfactant,
The filling liquid for an ink jet recording apparatus according to the above [1].
[3]
The content of the 1,2-alkanediol having 4 to 8 carbon atoms with respect to the filling liquid is 5 to 15% by mass,
The filling liquid for an ink jet recording apparatus according to the above [1] or [2].
[4]
The silicone adhesive is used for at least a part of a member that contacts at least the water-based ink composition in the head.
The filling liquid for an ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of [1] to [3].
[5]
The content of the permeable organic solvent in the water-based ink composition is 5% by mass or less.
The filling liquid for an ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of [1] to [4].
[6]
The inkjet recording apparatus filled with the filling liquid is filled with the water-based ink composition,
The filling liquid for an ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of [1] to [5].
[7]
The filling liquid for an ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is shipped in a state where the filling liquid is filled.
[8]
The inkjet recording apparatus performs recording on a fabric.
The filling liquid for an inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of [1] to [7].
[9]
The water contact angle of the silicone-based adhesive is 60 ° or more,
The filling liquid for an ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of [1] to [8].
[10]
An inkjet recording apparatus filled with the filling liquid according to any one of [1] to [9].
[11]
A method for using an ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus filled with the filling liquid according to any one of [1] to [9] is replaced with a water-based ink composition.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a recording head according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a recording head according to the present embodiment. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail. In addition, this invention is not restrict | limited to the following embodiment, A various deformation | transformation can be implemented within the range of the summary.

[Filling liquid]
The filling liquid according to the present embodiment is a filling liquid used by filling the ink flow path and the head of an ink jet recording apparatus including a head that discharges a water-based ink composition. The “filling liquid” is a liquid that fills the head and the ink flow path instead of the ink, such as a cleaning liquid or a delivery liquid. The “ink channel” refers to a path for supplying ink to the head. In the ink jet recording apparatus, a silicone-based adhesive is used for at least a part of a member that contacts at least one of the ink compositions in the ink flow path and the head.

  Silicone adhesives (silicone-based adhesives) are adhesives mainly composed of silicone resins, and good adhesive strength can also be obtained for fluororesins, silicone rubbers, polyimides, and the like that are difficult to bond with other adhesives. The silicone adhesive is an adhesive having excellent heat resistance, cold resistance, water resistance, and electrical insulation properties of the silicone resin. Depending on the cross-linking curing reaction, it is divided into an addition curing type and a peroxide curing type, and there are a methyl type and a phenyl type depending on the organic group. Silicone adhesives are more advantageous than other adhesives because the cured product is more flexible and absorbs errors when there is a slight error in the size and thickness of components. In addition, the durability of the bonding surface of the member is excellent and adopted by absorbing the impact when an impact is applied during use of the bonded member and absorbing the change in the size and thickness of the member due to temperature change. Yes. On the other hand, the silicone adhesive has high water repellency, and when the filling liquid is filled, the portion of the adhesive cured product in the head that comes into contact with the filling liquid repels the cleaning liquid and air bubbles tend to remain and remain. If air bubbles remain even after being replaced with ink, there arises a problem that ejection failure occurs.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the filling liquid according to the present embodiment contains 1,2-alkanediol having 4 to 8 carbon atoms and water.

  Filling solution containing 1,2-alkanediol having 4 to 8 carbon atoms has excellent wettability with silicone adhesives, and fills ink channels and heads well without eroding silicone adhesives it can. This is presumed that the presence of the hydroxyl group of 1,2-alkanediol biased toward one end of the molecule contributed to the good wettability with the silicone resin. When the carbon number is 3 or less, the wettability with respect to the silicone-based adhesive is lowered, and when the carbon number is 9 or more, it becomes insoluble in water.

  Preferably, the content of the 1,2-alkanediol having 4 to 8 carbon atoms with respect to the filling liquid is 5 to 15% by mass. When it is less than 5% by mass, the filling property tends to be inferior. When it exceeds 15% by mass, the silicone adhesive tends to be eroded.

  It is preferable to use pure water or ultrapure water such as ion exchange water, ultrafiltration water, reverse osmosis water, or distilled water. In particular, water obtained by sterilizing these waters by ultraviolet irradiation or addition of hydrogen peroxide is preferable because generation of mold and bacteria is prevented for a long period of time.

  The filling liquid according to this embodiment preferably further contains an acetylene glycol surfactant. This is because the acetylene glycol surfactant has less foaming and does not cause discharge failure.

  As acetylene glycol surfactants, for example, Surfinol 104, 104E, 104H, 104A, 104BC, 104DPM, 104PA, 104PG-50, 104S, 420, 440, 465, 485, SE, SE-F, 504, 61, DF37 , CT111, CT121, CT131, CT136, TG, GA, DF110D (all trade names, manufactured by Air Products and Chemicals Inc.), Olfin B, Y, P, A, STG, SPC, E1004, E1010, PD- 001, PD-002W, PD-003, PD-004, EXP. 4001, EXP. 4036, EXP. 4051, AF-103, AF-104, AK-02, SK-14, AE-3 (all trade names, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), acetylenol E00, E00P, E40, E100 (all trade names, Kawaken Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.). When the acetylene glycol surfactant is contained, the content thereof is preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less with respect to the total mass of the filling liquid.

  The filling liquid according to the present embodiment may contain an organic solvent in order to improve the filling property between the head and the ink flow path and the replacement property with the ink, and for example, may be contained as a humectant. Therefore, a plurality of organic solvents can be contained depending on the purpose. The organic solvent is preferably water-soluble from the viewpoint of compatibility with water-based ink containing water.

  Examples of the humectant include glycerin, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, , 2-hexanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, trimethylolpropane, or polyols such as pentaerythritol, and derivatives such as ethers or esters thereof, Lactols such as 2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, or ε-caprolactam, ureas such as urea, thiourea, ethylene urea, or 1,3-dimethylimidazolidinone, maltitol, Rubitoru, gluconolactone, sugars trehalose or the like, there may be mentioned trimethyl glycine, can be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof. The content of the humectant is preferably 4 to 40% by mass with respect to the total mass of the ink composition.

[Ink composition]
The ink composition according to this embodiment is an ink composition ejected from a nozzle, and is not particularly limited as long as the main solvent is water-based ink. Hereinafter, additives (components) that are or may be included in the ink of the present embodiment will be described.

(Color material)
The ink of this embodiment may include a color material. The color material is selected from pigments and dyes.

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

  The inorganic pigment is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include carbon black, iron oxide, titanium oxide, and silica oxide. An inorganic pigment may be used individually by 1 type, and may be used in combination of 2 or more type.

  The organic pigment is not particularly limited. Examples include perylene pigments, diketopyrrolopyrrole pigments, perinone pigments, quinophthalone pigments, anthraquinone pigments, thioindigo pigments, benzimidazolone pigments, isoindolinone pigments, azomethine pigments, and azo pigments. . Specific examples of the organic pigment include the following.

  Although it does not specifically limit as a pigment used for black ink, For example, carbon black is mentioned. Although it does not specifically limit as carbon black, For example, furnace black, lamp black, acetylene black, and channel black (CI pigment black 7) are mentioned. Moreover, although it does not specifically limit as a commercial item of carbon black, For example, it is No. 2300, 900, MCF88, no. 20B, no. 33, no. 40, no. 45, no. 52, MA7, MA8, MA100, no. 2200B (all trade names, manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation), color black FW1, FW2, FW2V, FW18, FW200, S150, S160, S170, Pretex 35, U, V, 140U, Special Black 6, 5, 4A, 4, 250 (all trade names, manufactured by Degussa AG), Conductex SC, Raven 1255, 5750, 5250, 5000, 3500, 1255, 700 (all trade names, Columbia Carbon ( Manufactured by Columbian Carbon Japan Ltd.), Regal 400R, 330R, 660R, Mogul L, Monarch 700, 800, 880, 900, 1000, 1100, 1300, 1400, Elfte Scan 12 (all trade name, Cabot Corporation (Cabot Corporation), Ltd.), and the like.

Examples of pigments used for cyan ink include C.I. I. Pigment Blue 1, 2, 3, 15, 15: 1, 15: 2, 15: 3, 15: 4, 15: 6, 15:34, 16, 18, 22
, 60, 65, 66, C.I. I. Bat Blue 4 and 60 are listed. Among them, C.I. I. At least one of Pigment Blue 15: 3 and 15: 4 is preferable.

Examples of pigments used in magenta ink include C.I. I. Pigment Red 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48: 2, 48: 4, 57, 57: 1, 88, 112, 114, 122, 123, 144,
146, 149, 150, 166, 168, 170, 171, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 184, 185, 187, 202, 209, 219, 224, 245, 254, 264, C.I. I. Pigment violet 19, 23, 32, 33, 36, 38, 43, 50. Among them, C.I. I. Pigment red 122, C.I. I. Pigment red 202, and C.I. I. One or more selected from the group consisting of Pigment Violet 19 is preferred.

  Examples of pigments used in yellow ink include C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 24, 34, 35, 37, 53, 55, 65, 73, 74, 75, 81, 83, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98, 99, 108, 109, 110, 113, 114, 117, 120, 124, 128, 129, 133, 138, 139, 147, 151, 153, 154, 155, 167, 172, 180, 185, 213. Among them, C.I. I. One or more selected from the group consisting of CI Pigment Yellow 74, 155, and 213 are preferred.

  In addition, as a pigment used for inks of colors other than the above, such as green ink and orange ink, conventionally known pigments can be used.

  In the present embodiment, a dye can be used as the color material. The dye is not particularly limited, and acid dyes, direct dyes, reactive dyes, and basic dyes can be used.

  The content of the color material is preferably 0.4 to 12% by mass and more preferably 2 to 5% by mass with respect to the total mass (100% by mass) of the ink.

(resin)
The ink according to the present embodiment may contain a resin. By containing the resin, the adhesion between the ink and the recording medium can be improved, so that the abrasion resistance of the image formed with the ink can be improved.

  The resin contained in the ink is preferably an emulsion from the viewpoint of improving the abrasion resistance and adhesion of the film and the storage stability of the ink. The resin contained in the ink may be a self-emulsifying type into which a hydrophilic component necessary for stable dispersion in water is introduced, or may be water-dispersible by using an external emulsifier. From the viewpoint of making it difficult to inhibit the reaction between the treatment liquid and the ink, a self-emulsifying dispersion (self-emulsifying emulsion) containing no emulsifier is preferable.

  Examples of the resin include acrylic resins, styrene acrylic resins, fluorene resins, urethane resins, polyolefin resins, rosin modified resins, terpene resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, epoxy resins, vinyl chloride resins. Resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene vinyl acetate resin and the like can be used. These resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, it is preferable to use at least one selected from urethane-based resins and acrylic-based resins because the degree of freedom in design is high and therefore desired film properties (the above-mentioned film elongation) are easily obtained. It is more preferable to use a urethane resin.

  The urethane-based resin is not particularly limited as long as it has a urethane skeleton and has water dispersibility. For example, Superflex 460, 460s, 840 (trade name, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.), Resamine D -1060, D-2020, D-4080, D-4200, D-6300, D-6455 (trade name, manufactured by Dainichi Seika Kogyo Co., Ltd.), Takerak WS-6021, W-512-A-6 (trade name) , Mitsui Chemicals Polyurethane Co., Ltd.), Sancure 2710 (trade name, manufactured by LUBRIZOL), etc. may be used.

  In addition, the urethane-based resin is a carboxy group, a sulfo group, from the viewpoint of material compatibility with an inkjet head, and from the viewpoint of improving reactivity with a pretreatment agent to be described later when a polyvalent metal compound is included. An anionic urethane-based resin having an anionic functional group such as a hydroxy group is preferred. Among the above-mentioned commercially available products, as anionic urethane resins, Superflex 460, 460s, 840 manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd .; Takelac WS-6021, W-512 manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals Polyurethanes Co., Ltd. A-6 etc. are mentioned.

  In addition to urethane bonds, as urethane resins, polyether-type urethane resins containing ether bonds in the main chain, polyester-type urethane resins containing ester bonds in the main chain, polycarbonate-type urethane resins containing carbonate bonds in the main chain, etc. Can be used. These urethane resins can be used in combination of multiple types.

  As the acrylic resin, polymers of acrylic monomers such as acrylic acid and acrylate esters, copolymers of acrylic monomers with other monomers, and the like can be used. Examples of the monomer include vinyl monomers such as styrene. Commercially available products may be used as the acrylic resin, and examples thereof include mobile 702, 7502, 7525, 7320 (manufactured by Nippon Synthetic Chemical Co., Ltd.).

  The content of the resin in the ink is preferably 1% by mass or more and 25% by mass or less, more preferably 5% by mass or more and 25% by mass or less in terms of solid content with respect to the total mass of the ink. More preferably, it is 8 mass% or more and 25 mass% or less. Since the resin content in the ink is within the above-mentioned range, particularly not lower than the lower limit, the resin can sufficiently exhibit the effect of improving the fixing property of the ink, and thus the rub resistance of the recorded image is improved. . Moreover, since it does not exceed the upper limit, the generation of aggregates due to the resin can be suppressed, so that the storage stability and ejection stability of the ink are excellent.

(emulsifier)
The ink may contain at least one emulsifier selected from an anionic emulsifier and a nonionic emulsifier (hereinafter also referred to as “emulsifier B”).

  The emulsifier has a function of suppressing the generation of aggregates caused by the resin. Although the detailed mechanism has not been clarified yet, the emulsifier is adsorbed to the resin to delay the resin film formation (particularly the resin film formation at the gas-liquid interface) that causes the formation of aggregates. It is presumed that the generation of aggregates (foreign matter) due to the above can be suppressed.

  The content of the emulsifier contained in the ink is preferably 0.03% by mass or more and 0.3% by mass or less, and 0.04% by mass or more and 0.29% by mass or less with respect to the total mass of the ink. It is more preferable that the content is 0.1% by mass or more and 0.29% by mass or less. When the content of the emulsifier contained in the ink is within the above range, particularly not below the lower limit, it is possible to sufficiently suppress the generation of aggregates due to the resin. Moreover, since it does not exceed the upper limit, the penetrating power of the ink with respect to the image made of the first ink can be suppressed, so that an image with less bleeding can be obtained.

  Commercially available products can be used as the anionic emulsifier, and examples include Latem WX, Lebenol WX (above, trade name, manufactured by Kao Corporation) and the like.

  As the nonionic emulsifier, commercially available products can be used, and examples thereof include New Coal 1860, New Coal 1210 (trade names, manufactured by Nippon Emulsifier Co., Ltd.) and the like.

(Surfactant)
The ink of this embodiment may contain a surfactant. The surfactant is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include acetylene glycol surfactants, fluorine surfactants, and silicone surfactants. When the ink composition contains these surfactants, the ink storage stability and ejection stability are further improved, and high-speed printing is possible.

  The acetylene glycol-based surfactant is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol and 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5- Selected from alkylene oxide adducts of decyne-4,7-diol and alkylene oxide adducts of 2,4-dimethyl-5-decyn-4-ol and 2,4-dimethyl-5-decyn-4-ol One or more are preferred. Although it does not specifically limit as a commercial item of an acetylene glycol type surfactant, For example, E series (A product made by Air Products Japan (Inc)) (Surfinol 104, etc.), such as Olfine 104 series and Olfine E1010, 465, 61 (trade name manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry CO., Ltd.). One acetylene glycol surfactant may be used alone, or two or more acetylene glycol surfactants may be used in combination.

  The fluorosurfactant is not particularly limited. For example, perfluoroalkyl sulfonate, perfluoroalkyl carboxylate, perfluoroalkyl phosphate, perfluoroalkyl ethylene oxide adduct, perfluoroalkyl betaine, perfluoroalkyl betaine, A fluoroalkylamine oxide compound is mentioned. Although it does not specifically limit as a commercial item of a fluorochemical surfactant, For example, S-144, S-145 (made by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.); FC-170C, FC-430, Fluorard-FC4430 (made by Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd.) FSO, FSO-100, FSN, FSN-100, FS-300 (manufactured by Dupont); FT-250, 251 (manufactured by Neos Co., Ltd.) and the like. A fluorine-type surfactant may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

  Examples of silicone surfactants include polysiloxane compounds and polyether-modified organosiloxanes. Although it does not specifically limit as a commercial item of a silicone type surfactant, Specifically, BYK-306, BYK-307, BYK-333, BYK-341, BYK-345, BYK-346, BYK-347, BYK-348, BYK-349 (above trade name, manufactured by Big Chemie Japan Co., Ltd.), KF-351A, KF-352A, KF-353, KF-354L, KF-355A, KF-615A, KF- 945, KF-640, KF-642, KF-643, KF-6020, X-22-4515, KF-6011, KF-6012, KF-6015, KF-6017 (all trade names, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) Etc.

  Surfactant may be used individually by 1 type, and 2 or more types may be mixed and used for it.

  The surfactant content is further improved in the storage stability and ejection stability of the ink. Therefore, the content of the surfactant is from 0.1% by mass to 3% by mass with respect to the total mass (100% by mass) of the ink. A range is preferable.

(water)
Water is the main medium of ink. Examples of water include water from which ionic impurities have been removed as much as possible, such as pure water such as ion exchange water, ultrafiltration water, reverse osmosis water, and distilled water, and ultrapure water. Further, when water sterilized by ultraviolet irradiation or addition of hydrogen peroxide is used, generation of mold and bacteria can be prevented when the pigment dispersion and ink using the same are stored for a long period of time.

  The water content is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately determined as necessary.

(Organic solvent)
The ink according to the present embodiment may contain an organic solvent for imparting a predetermined performance. For example, the ink may be contained as a moisturizing agent from the viewpoint of improving the ejection stability from the nozzle, or to the fabric. From the viewpoint of enhancing the wettability of the ink and increasing the permeability of the ink, it may be contained as a permeable organic solvent. Therefore, a plurality of organic solvents can be contained depending on the purpose. The organic solvent is preferably water-soluble in order to stably exist in water-based ink containing water.

  Examples of the humectant include glycerin, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, trimethylolpropane, or pentane. Polyols such as erythritol, and derivatives thereof such as ethers or esters thereof, lactams such as 2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, or ε-caprolactam, urea, thiourea, ethylene urea, or 1,3-dimethyl Examples include ureas such as imidazolidinones, saccharides such as maltitol, sorbitol, gluconolactone, and trehalose, and trimethylglycine. One or more of these are used. Door can be. The content of the humectant is preferably 4 to 40% by mass with respect to the total mass of the ink composition.

  As the permeable organic solvent, the permeable organic solvent preferably contains at least one selected from alkanediols and glycol ethers.

  Examples of the alkanediol include 1,2-butanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-heptanediol, 1,2-octanediol, 2-Alkanediol is preferred. Of these, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-heptanediol, and 1,2-octanediol having 6 to 8 carbon atoms are more preferred because of their particularly high permeability to recording media.

  As glycol ethers, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, triethylene glycol Mention may be made of lower alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols such as monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether and tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether. Among these, when triethylene glycol monobutyl ether is used, good recording quality can be obtained.

  When used for recording on a fabric, the content of the permeable organic solvent in the water-based ink composition is preferably 5% or less, preferably 3% or less, 2% or less, 1% or less, 0.5% or less, 0 % Or more is more preferable. If it exceeds 5%, the penetration of the ink into the fabric is promoted, and the color development becomes worse. When the water-based ink composition contains 5% or less of a penetrating organic solvent, it is preferable to refill with ink after filling with a filling liquid because bubbles tend to remain in the head or flow path when filling with ink. .

(Other ingredients)
In addition to the above components, the ink according to the present embodiment includes various additives such as a pH adjuster, a dissolution aid, a viscosity adjuster, an antioxidant, an antiseptic, an antifungal agent, an antifoaming agent, and a corrosion inhibitor. An agent can also be added as appropriate.

  The ink of the present embodiment can be obtained by mixing the above-described components (materials) in an arbitrary order, performing filtration or the like as necessary, and removing impurities. Here, it is preferable to prepare the pigment in a state of being uniformly dispersed in a solvent before mixing, because the handling becomes simple.

  As a method for mixing each material, a method in which materials are sequentially added to a container equipped with a stirring device such as a mechanical stirrer or a magnetic stirrer and stirred and mixed is preferably used. As a filtration method, for example, centrifugal filtration or filter filtration can be performed as necessary.

〔recoding media〕
Examples of the recording medium include an absorptive or non-absorbable recording medium. In particular, the present invention can be widely applied to recording media having various absorption performances, from non-absorbing recording media in which ink penetration is difficult to absorbent recording media in which ink penetration is easy.

  The absorbent recording medium is not particularly limited, but is preferably a highly absorbent recording medium such as a fabric. Examples of the cloth include, but are not limited to, natural fibers or synthetic fibers such as silk, cotton, wool, nylon, polyester, and rayon.

  The non-absorbent recording medium is not particularly limited. For example, plastic films and plates such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and plates of metals such as iron, silver, copper, and aluminum Or a metal plate produced by vapor deposition of these various metals, a plastic film, a plate made of an alloy such as stainless steel or brass, and the like. In addition, as the non-absorbing recording medium, an ink absorbing layer composed of silica particles or alumina particles or an ink absorbing layer composed of a hydrophilic polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) is formed. What is not done is preferable.

[Inkjet recording device]
The ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment includes a head that discharges a water-based ink composition, and a silicone-based adhesive is formed on at least a part of a member that is in contact with the ink composition in the ink flow path or in the head. If it is used, there will be no limitation in particular. An example of such an ink jet recording apparatus will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of an ink jet recording head according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ′ of FIG. 1. The flow path forming substrate 10 is made of a silicon single crystal substrate having a plane orientation (110). As shown in the drawing, an elastic film 50 made of silicon dioxide and having a thickness of 0.5 to 2 μm is formed on one surface thereof. ing. The flow path forming substrate 10 is provided with two rows in which a plurality of pressure generating chambers 12 are arranged in parallel along the width direction. In addition, communication portions 13 are formed on the outside of the row of the pressure generation chambers 12 of the flow path forming substrate 10. The communicating portion 13 and each pressure generating chamber 12 communicate with each other via an ink supply path 14 formed with a narrower width than the pressure generating chamber 12. The communication portion 13 communicates with a reservoir portion of a reservoir forming substrate, which will be described later, and constitutes a part of a reservoir that serves as a common ink chamber for the pressure generation chambers 12. The ink supply path 14 keeps the flow path resistance of the ink flowing into the pressure generating chamber 12 from the communication portion 13 constant.

  A nozzle plate 20 in which a nozzle opening 21 communicating with the vicinity of the end of each pressure generating chamber 12 opposite to the ink supply path 14 is formed on the surface of the flow path forming substrate 10 opposite to the elastic film 50. Is fixed via an adhesive or a heat-welded film. The nozzle plate 20 is made of, for example, glass, ceramics, a silicon single crystal substrate, stainless steel (SUS), or the like. For example, in this embodiment, the nozzle plate 20 is formed of stainless steel.

  On the other hand, as described above, the elastic film 50 having a thickness of, for example, about 1.0 μm is formed on the side opposite to the opening surface of the flow path forming substrate 10. An insulator film 55 made of zirconium (ZrO 2) and having a thickness of, for example, about 0.4 μm is formed. Further, on the insulator film 55, the lower electrode film 60 made of platinum (Pt) and iridium (Ir) and having a thickness of about 0.2 μm, for example, and lead zirconate titanate (PZT) are used. For example, a piezoelectric layer 70 having a thickness of about 1.0 μm and an upper electrode film 80 made of iridium (Ir) and having a thickness of about 0.05 μm, for example, are laminated by a process described later to form the piezoelectric element 300. It is composed.

  Here, the piezoelectric element 300 refers to a portion including the lower electrode film 60, the piezoelectric layer 70, and the upper electrode film 80. In general, one electrode of the piezoelectric element 300 is used as a common electrode, and the other electrode and the piezoelectric layer 70 are patterned for each pressure generating chamber 12. In the present embodiment, the lower electrode film 60 is used as a common electrode of the piezoelectric element 300 and the upper electrode film 80 is used as an individual electrode of the piezoelectric element 300. However, there is no problem even if this is reversed for convenience of a drive circuit and wiring. In addition, a lead electrode 90 is connected to each upper electrode film 80 that is an individual electrode of the piezoelectric element 300, and a voltage is applied to each piezoelectric element 300 via the lead electrode 90. .

  Here, in the present embodiment, the lower electrode film 60 that is a common electrode of the piezoelectric element 300 is formed in a region facing the pressure generation chamber 12 in the longitudinal direction of the pressure generation chamber 12. In the direction, it is provided continuously over a region corresponding to the plurality of pressure generating chambers 12. Further, the lower electrode film 60 extends to the outside of the row of the pressure generation chambers 12 in the direction in which the pressure generation chambers 12 are arranged. In this embodiment, the lower electrode film 60 includes a plurality of the piezoelectric elements 300 and the lead electrodes 90 arranged in parallel. It is continuously provided around. Such a lower electrode film 60 is formed for each row of the pressure generating chambers 12. On the other hand, the piezoelectric layer 70 and the upper electrode film 80 constituting the piezoelectric element 300 are basically provided in a region facing the pressure generating chamber 12, but in the longitudinal direction of the pressure generating chamber 12, the lower electrode The film 60 extends to the outside of the end portion.

  A protective substrate 30, which is an example of a bonded substrate, is bonded to the surface of the flow path forming substrate 10 on the piezoelectric element 300 side. The protective substrate 30 has a piezoelectric element holding portion 31 for protecting the piezoelectric element 300. Since each piezoelectric element 300 is formed in the piezoelectric element holding portion 31, it is hardly affected by the external environment. Protected. The piezoelectric element holding portion 31 may be sealed, but may not be sealed. Further, the protective substrate 30 is provided with a reservoir portion 32 in a region corresponding to the communication portion 13 of the flow path forming substrate 10. In this embodiment, the reservoir portion 32 is provided along the direction in which the pressure generating chambers 12 are arranged so as to penetrate the protective substrate 30 in the thickness direction, and as described above, the communication portion of the flow path forming substrate 10. A reservoir 100 that communicates with the pressure generation chamber 12 and serves as a common ink chamber for the pressure generation chambers 12 is configured. Further, in the central region of the protective substrate 30, that is, the region opposite to the reservoir portion 32 of the piezoelectric element holding portion 31, an exposure hole that penetrates in the thickness direction and exposes the lead electrode 90 and the lower electrode film 60. 33 is formed. Although not shown, the drive IC mounted on the protective substrate 30 is electrically connected to the lead electrode 90 and the lower electrode film 60 by connection wiring extending in the exposure hole 33.

  Examples of the material of the protective substrate 30 include glass, ceramics, metal, and resin, but it is more preferable that the protective substrate 30 is formed of substantially the same material as the thermal expansion coefficient of the flow path forming substrate 10. In this embodiment, the silicon single crystal substrate made of the same material as the flow path forming substrate 10 is used.

  Here, such a protective substrate 30 is joined to the flow path forming substrate 10 by an adhesive layer 35 made of, for example, a silicone-based adhesive. When a silicone adhesive is used to bond the flow path forming substrate 10 (flow path member) of the head, since the adhesive force is excellent and flexible, the adhesive (cured product) when subjected to vibration during use of the head Is superior in that it does not deteriorate and peel and stress relaxation.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an adhesive layer 35 made of a silicone-based adhesive is used on at least a part of a member that comes into contact with at least the ink composition in the head. Silicone adhesives generally have a high water contact angle, for example, a water contact angle of 60 ° or more, preferably 70 ° or more, 90 ° or more, and 110 ° or less.

  Such an ink jet recording head of this embodiment is filled with a filling liquid at the time of shipment. At the time of use, the filling liquid is replaced with ink from an external ink supply means (not shown), the interior from the reservoir 100 to the nozzle opening 21 is filled with ink, and then a driving IC (not shown) mounted on the protective substrate 30 In accordance with the recording signal from, a voltage is applied between each of the lower electrode film 60 and the upper electrode film 80 corresponding to the pressure generating chamber 12, and the elastic film 50, the insulator film 55, the lower electrode film 60, and the piezoelectric layer. By bending and deforming 70, the pressure in each pressure generating chamber 12 is increased, and ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle openings 21.

  By using the filling liquid of the present embodiment, the ink flow path and the head can be satisfactorily filled without eroding the silicone-based adhesive, and further, ejection failure due to the generation of bubbles after the filling liquid is replaced with ink is suppressed. can do. In addition, the same effect can be obtained by using a silicone adhesive similarly in the ink flow path from the ink container to the head in addition to the members in the head.

  The ink jet recording head according to the above-described embodiment constitutes a part of a recording head unit including an ink flow path communicating with an ink cartridge or the like, and is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of the ink jet recording apparatus. As shown in FIG. 3, in the recording head units 1A and 1B having the ink jet recording head, cartridges 2A and 2B constituting ink supply means are detachably provided, and a carriage 3 on which the recording head units 1A and 1B are mounted. Is provided on a carriage shaft 5 attached to the apparatus body 4 so as to be movable in the axial direction. The recording head units 1A and 1B, for example, are configured to eject a black ink composition and a color ink composition, respectively. The driving force of the driving motor 6 is transmitted to the carriage 3 via a plurality of gears and timing belt 7 (not shown), so that the carriage 3 on which the recording head units 1A and 1B are mounted is moved along the carriage shaft 5. The On the other hand, the apparatus body 4 is provided with a platen 8 along the carriage shaft 5, and a recording sheet S, which is a recording medium such as paper fed by a paper feed roller (not shown), is conveyed on the platen 8. It is like that.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, not only the inside of the head but also the path for sending ink from the ink container to the head (ink path) is filled with the filling liquid at the time of shipment. By using the filling liquid according to this embodiment, there are advantages as described in the head.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example of the recording head and the ink jet recording apparatus has been described. However, the basic configuration of the recording head ink jet recording apparatus is not limited to the above. The present invention includes a head that widely discharges a water-based ink composition, and a silicone-based adhesive is used for at least part of a member that contacts at least one of the ink composition in the ink flow path and the head. It is intended for general use.

(Example)
EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example and a comparative example demonstrate this invention further more concretely, this invention is not limited to these Examples.

[Filling evaluation]
An ink pack containing a filling liquid having the composition shown in Table 1 was mounted on a modified EPSON SC-F2000 equipped with the head, and the head was filled with the filling liquid. Next, the ink pack was replaced with an ink pack containing ink 1, and the head 1 was replaced with ink 1 to perform initial filling. A head manufactured using an adhesive described later was attached. The head has the structure shown in FIG. One nozzle row consisting of 360 nozzles was used for the evaluation. After being left for 24 hours from the initial filling, the printing was performed and fabric printing was performed to print a 20 × 20 cm solid pattern on a T-shirt (L size). After printing, a nozzle discharge inspection was performed and evaluated based on the degree of nozzle non-discharge. The evaluation criteria are as follows. In Example 8, ink 2 was used.
A: No non-ejecting nozzles O: Level 1 to 3 non-ejecting nozzles with no problem in image quality ×: 4 to 10 or more non-ejecting nozzles XX: 11 or more non-ejecting nozzles

Table 1 shows the composition of the filling liquid used in Examples and Comparative Examples. In Table 1, the components described other than the compound names are as follows.
<Surfactant>
E1010 (trade name, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., acetylene glycol surfactant)
BYK-348 (trade name, manufactured by BYK, silicone surfactant)

(Head adhesive)
In Examples and Comparative Examples, the adhesive for the adhesive layer 35 of the head shown in FIG.
Example: Silicone adhesive (manufactured by TSE358 Momentive)
Comparative example: Epoxy adhesive (Cemedine)

  The water contact angle of the silicone-based adhesive was measured at 25 ° C. using an automatic contact angle meter CA-V type [manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd.]. A sample on a plane on which the adhesive was cured was prepared and measured. The water contact angle of the silicone adhesive used in the examples was about 90 °.

(Ink 1 and 2)
Table 2 shows the compositions of inks 1 and 2 used in the filling evaluation.

In Table 2, components described other than the compound names are as follows.
<Pigment>
-Magenta pigment (CI Pigment Red 122)
<Resin>
-Takelac WS-6021 (trade name, manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals Polyurethane Co., Ltd., anionic ether-based urethane resin emulsion, self-emulsifying type, solid content 30%, film elongation 750%)
<Emulsifier>
Newcol 1860 (trade name, manufactured by Nippon Emulsifier Co., Ltd., polyoxyethylene stearyl ether, HLB value: 18.1, nonionic emulsifier)
<Surfactant>
BYK-348 (trade name, manufactured by BYK, silicone surfactant)

(Wetted contact evaluation)
The liquid contact evaluation was carried out by performing a liquid contact test assuming an excessive temperature environment during delivery when each filling solution was used as a process cleaning solution and a delivery solution. For each example, 0.3 g of a sample piece obtained by curing the same adhesive as the head used for the head was prepared, and this was completely immersed in a glass container filled with a filling solution, covered, and placed in a 60 ° C. environment. Left for 5 days. After leaving, the adhesive piece was taken out and the liquid was thoroughly washed out, and then the weight was measured. And the swelling rate was computed from the following formula | equation.
Weight change rate (%) = {(weight after charging−weight before charging) / weight before charging} × 100
The evaluation criteria are as follows. When the swelling rate is low, it is preferable that a part bonded with an adhesive such as a head does not peel off during use of the printer and cause deterioration or breakage of the head.
○ Less than 50% △ 50% or more and less than 60% × 60% or more

As shown in Table 1, compared with the comparative example, in the example, good results were obtained in both the filling evaluation and the liquid contact evaluation. Hereinafter, the results shown in Table 1 will be supplementarily described.
In Example 3, the silicon surfactant had good foaming and bubbles were sometimes generated.
In Comparative Example 1, since the residual stress of the used adhesive was large and the head member was peeled off, the filling evaluation could not be performed.
In Comparative Example 3, since the alkyldiol used was insoluble in water, neither filling evaluation nor liquid contact evaluation could be performed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A ... Recording head unit, 2A ... Cartridge, 3 ... Carriage, 4 ... Apparatus main body, 5 ... Carriage shaft, 6 ... Drive motor, 7 ... Timing belt, 8 ... Platen, 10 ... Channel formation board, 12 ... Pressure generation chamber , 13 ... communication part, 14 ... ink supply path, 20 ... nozzle plate, 21 ... nozzle opening, 30 ... protective substrate, 31 ... piezoelectric element holding part, 32 ... reservoir part, 33 ... exposure hole, 35 ... adhesive layer, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Elastic film, 55 ... Insulator film, 60 ... Lower electrode film, 70 ... Piezoelectric layer, 80 ... Upper electrode film, 90 ... Lead electrode, 100 ... Reservoir, 300 ... Piezoelectric element

Claims (11)

An ink flow path of an ink jet recording apparatus including a head for discharging a water-based ink composition and a filling liquid used by filling the head, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus includes the ink flow path in at least one of the ink flow path and the head. A silicone-based adhesive is used for at least a part of the member that contacts the water-based ink composition, and the filling liquid contains 1,2-alkanediol having 4 to 8 carbon atoms.
Filling liquid for ink jet recording apparatus. Further containing an acetylene glycol surfactant,
The filling liquid for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. The content of the 1,2-alkanediol having 4 to 8 carbon atoms with respect to the filling liquid is 5 to 15% by mass,
The filling liquid for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The silicone adhesive is used for at least a part of a member that contacts at least the water-based ink composition in the head.
The filling liquid for inkjet recording apparatuses according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The content of the permeable organic solvent in the water-based ink composition is 5% by mass or less.
The filling liquid for inkjet recording apparatuses of any one of Claims 1-4. The inkjet recording apparatus filled with the filling liquid is filled with the water-based ink composition,
The filling liquid for inkjet recording devices according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   The filling liquid for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is shipped in a state where the filling liquid is filled. The inkjet recording apparatus performs recording on a fabric.
The filling liquid for inkjet recording apparatuses according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The water contact angle of the silicone-based adhesive is 60 ° or more,
The filling liquid for inkjet recording apparatuses according to any one of claims 1 to 8.   An ink jet recording apparatus filled with the filling liquid according to claim 1.   A method for using an ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus filled with the filling liquid according to claim 1 is replaced with a water-based ink composition.

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