JP2022064145A - Idle ejection receiver, liquid ejecting device and printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an idle ejection receiver that enables maintenance performance to improve and can prevent pollution from being generated in work for exchanging a stored absorbing member.SOLUTION: An idle ejection receiver, which receives liquid that is idly ejected from liquid ejecting means, comprises: an absorbing member 81 that absorbs liquid; a receiving member 83 that stores the absorbing member 81; and a plurality of holding means 22 that hold the absorbing member 81. The holding means 22 can move in a vertical direction with respect to a bottom surface of the receiving member 83, and can hold the absorbing member 81 so that the member can contact and separate from the bottom surface of the receiving member 83. The absorbing member 81 is divided into a plurality of blocks 810 at least in a longitudinal direction of a surface on which idly ejected liquid impacts, which are held by the holding means 22 for each block 810.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 19

Description

The present invention relates to an empty ejection receiver, a device for ejecting a liquid, and a printing apparatus.

In a device that discharges liquid (for example, a printing device, etc.), as maintenance of the liquid discharge head, it is called empty discharge (flushing, purging, etc.) that discharges liquid that does not contribute to printing to an empty discharge receiver in which an absorbent member is arranged. (Including the operation) is performed.

Conventionally, there is known that flushing is performed on an empty discharge receiver such as a waste liquid tank containing an absorbing member such as a melamine foam (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which an absorbent member has a two-layer structure as a liquid discharge recording device and a liquid recovery method capable of reducing the generation of volatile organic compounds.

As an example of a device that discharges liquid, in a line type printing device that prints on a sheet material such as continuous paper, an empty discharge receiver is arranged below the transfer path of the sheet material so as to face the liquid discharge head. .. Then, when the empty discharge is performed, the empty discharge droplet is discharged onto the sheet material, and the empty discharge drop is received by the absorbing member accommodated in the empty discharge receiver in the region where the sheet material is removed.
In such an embodiment, when the absorbing member of the empty ejection receiver reaches the acceptance limit over time and the absorbing member is replaced, the absorbing member must be replaced including the region where the impact of the empty ejection droplet is small. Further, even when the absorbing member is impregnated with the moisturizing liquid, there is a problem that the moisturizing liquid must be impregnated including the region where the empty droplets do not land.
On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for improving the maintainability of the empty discharge receiver by dividing the absorbing member housed in the empty discharge receiver into a plurality of blocks.

By using the absorbing member divided into a plurality of blocks as in Patent Document 2, only the block in the region where the amount of liquid adhered is large can be replaced.
However, in the work of exchanging only the target block, an operation such as holding an adjacent block is required, which may reduce workability.
Further, in the configuration in which a plurality of absorbing members are laminated as in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to replace the absorbing members having different replacement timings at each timing, which may complicate the maintenance work.

By the way, in a line-type printing apparatus or the like that prints on a sheet material such as continuous paper, the printing speed is high, so that the sheet material moves at high speed in the vicinity of the absorbent member. For this reason, the individual absorbent members that have been reduced in weight by being divided into a plurality of blocks may float or fall off. The block that has absorbed the ink may rise or fall off, which may contaminate the sheet material or the inside of the device.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an empty discharge receiver that can improve maintainability and prevent the occurrence of contamination in the replacement work of the accommodated absorbent member.

In order to solve the above problems, the empty discharge receiver of the present invention is an empty discharge receiver that receives the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge means, and accommodates the absorption member that absorbs the liquid and the absorption member. A receiving member and a plurality of holding means for holding the absorbing member are provided, and the holding means can move in the vertical direction with respect to the bottom surface of the receiving member, and the absorbing member is attached to the bottom surface of the receiving member. On the other hand, it is characterized in that it is held in contact with each other.

Further, the empty discharge receiver of the present invention is an empty discharge receiver that receives the liquid discharged empty from the liquid discharge means, and has an absorbing member that absorbs the liquid, a receiving member that accommodates the absorbing member, and the absorption. A liquid holding member laminated on the member and in contact with the bottom surface of the receiving member, and a plurality of holding means for holding the absorbing member are provided, and the absorbing member is provided with at least a length of a surface on which the liquid discharged in the air lands. Divided into a plurality of blocks in the direction, the plurality of holding means can move in the vertical direction with respect to the bottom surface of the receiving member, and the absorbing member is brought into contact with the liquid holding member for each block. It is characterized by holding as much as possible.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an empty discharge receiver that can improve maintainability and prevent the occurrence of contamination in the replacement work of the accommodated absorbent member.

It is a schematic block diagram of an example of the printing apparatus as the apparatus which discharges a liquid which concerns on this invention. It is a plane explanatory view of an example of the head unit of the printing apparatus of FIG. It is a side side explanatory view of the part of the printing means of the printing apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the conventional empty discharge receiver together with a head and a sheet material. It is a perspective explanatory drawing which shows an example of the empty discharge receiver to which this invention is applied. It is a perspective explanatory drawing which shows an example of the empty discharge receiver to which this invention is applied. It is a perspective explanatory view which shows the empty discharge receiver of FIG. 6 together with a sheet material. It is a plane explanatory view which shows an example of the positional relationship between the empty discharge receiver of FIG. 6 and a head and a sheet material. It is a front explanatory view which shows an example of the positional relationship between the empty discharge receiver of FIG. 6 and a head and a sheet material. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically an example of the aspect of exchanging a part of a block of an absorption member. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically an example of the aspect of impregnating an absorption member with a moisturizer. It is an exploded perspective view which shows an example of the empty discharge receiver to which this invention is applied. It is an exploded perspective view which shows an example of the empty discharge receiver to which this invention is applied. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the empty discharge receiver to which this invention is applied. It is a front explanatory view which shows an example of the positional relationship between the empty discharge receiver of FIG. 14 and a head and a sheet material. It is a plane explanatory view which shows an example of the positional relationship between the empty discharge receiver of FIG. 14 and a head and a sheet material. It is a front explanatory view which shows an example of the positional relationship between the empty discharge receiver of FIG. 14 and a head and a sheet material. It is an exploded perspective view which shows an example of the empty discharge receiver to which this invention is applied. It is an external perspective view which shows an example of the empty discharge receiver which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 19 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which a part of the block of the absorbing member of the empty discharge receiver of FIG. 19 is moved by the holding means. It is a perspective view which shows typically the state which the absorption member of the empty discharge receiver of FIG. 19 was moved by the holding means. It is a perspective explanatory drawing which shows an example of the mechanism part which concerns on the movement of a holding means. It is sectional drawing which shows the example of the movement of a holding means and an absorption member. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the movement of the absorbing member of the empty discharge receiver of FIG. 19 by the holding means. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the mode of exchanging a liquid holding member in the empty discharge receiver of FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the measuring method of the absorption rate of the absorption member. It is a graph which shows the measurement result by the measurement method of FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the method of measuring the capillary force of an absorption member. It is a graph which shows the measurement result by the measurement method of FIG.

Hereinafter, an empty discharge receiver, a device for discharging liquid, and a liquid discharge head for a printing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and can be modified within the range conceivable by those skilled in the art, such as other embodiments, additions, modifications, and deletions. However, as long as the action and effect of the present invention are exhibited, it is included in the scope of the present invention.
The device for discharging the liquid includes, but is not limited to, a device in which the liquid discharge head and the device to which the liquid can adhere move relatively. Specific examples include a serial type device that moves the liquid discharge head, a line type device that does not move the liquid discharge head, and the like.
Further, in the terms of the present application, image formation, recording, printing, printing, printing, etc. are all synonymous.

(Device for discharging liquid, printing device)
An example of a printing device as a device for discharging a liquid according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an example of a printing device, FIG. 2 is a plan explanatory view of an example of a head unit of the printing device, and FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the printing means of the printing device.

The device for discharging the liquid according to the present invention includes an empty discharge receiver according to the present invention described later.
Further, the printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus that ejects and prints a liquid on a sheet material, and includes a liquid ejection means including a plurality of liquid ejection heads and an empty ejection receiver according to the present invention described later. , Equipped with. The air discharge receiver includes an absorbing member, and the air discharged liquid lands on the absorbing member outside the region facing the region through which the sheet material passes.

The printing device 500, which is a device for ejecting the liquid shown in FIG. 1, has a carry-in means 501 for carrying in a sheet material (recorded medium) 510 such as continuous paper, and a printing means 505 for carrying in the sheet material 510 carried in from the carry-in means 501. The guide transport means 503 that guides and conveys the sheet material 510, the printing means 505 that discharges a liquid to the sheet material 510 to form an image (prints), the drying means 507 that dries the sheet material 510, and the sheet material 510. It is equipped with a carrying-out means 509 and the like for carrying out.

The sheet material 510 is sent out from the original winding roller 511 of the carrying-in means 501, guided and conveyed by the rollers of the carrying-in means 501, the guiding and transporting means 503, the drying means 507, and the carrying-out means 509, and is guided and conveyed by the winding roller 591 of the carrying-out means 509. It is wound up at.

The sheet material 510 is conveyed facing the head unit 550 and the head unit 555 in the printing means 505, an image is formed by the liquid discharged from the head unit 550, and the processing liquid discharged from the head unit 555 is used later. Processing is done.

Here, for example, a full-line head array 551 (551A, 551B, 551C, 551D) for four colors is arranged in the head unit 550 from the upstream side in the transport direction.

Each head array 551 is a liquid discharging means, and discharges, for example, black K, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y liquids to the conveyed sheet material 510, respectively. The types and numbers of colors are not limited to this.

The head array 551 is, for example, a liquid discharge head (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “head”) 100 in which a plurality of nozzles 104 for discharging liquid are arranged in two rows in a staggered manner, arranged in a staggered manner on a base member 552. However, it is not limited to this.

A maintenance unit 561 (561A to 561D) for performing maintenance of the head 100 is arranged between the head arrays 551. The maintenance unit 561 includes a cap 563 that caps the nozzle surface 101a of the head 100.

The maintenance unit 561 is arranged so as to be reciprocally movable in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 (left-right direction in the figure). The head array 551 is arranged so as to be able to move up and down in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 (vertical direction in the figure), and when capping is performed, the head array 551 rises and the maintenance unit 561 moves below the head 100. Then, the head array 551 is lowered and the nozzle surface 101a of the head 100 is capped by the cap 563.

Below the head array 551, an empty discharge receiver 80 according to the present invention, which receives empty discharge droplets discharged from the nozzle 104 of the head 100, is arranged. Hereinafter, the empty discharge receiver will be described.

(Empty discharge receiver)
First, the conventional empty discharge receiver will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a front explanatory view illustrating the empty discharge receiver 80 together with the head 100 and the sheet material 510. One absorbing member 81 is arranged in the empty discharge receiver 80.
The liquid 42 discharged in the air lands only on the regions at both ends in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the sheet material 510 on the absorbing member 81. Even if it is partially contaminated, it is necessary to replace or clean the entire absorbing member 81. Therefore, there is a problem that the maintenance workability of the empty discharge receiver is low. Further, even when the absorbing member 81 is impregnated with the moisturizing liquid and used, there is a problem that the consumption of the absorbing member 81 and the moisturizing liquid increases, which leads to waste because the step of immersing the whole in the moisturizing liquid is required. rice field.

On the other hand, the empty discharge receiver of the present invention is provided with (1) a holding means for holding the absorbing member 81 so as to be movable, and (2) at least in the longitudinal direction (of the sheet material 510) of the surface on which the empty discharged liquid lands. An absorption member 81 divided into a plurality of blocks in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction) is used. As a result, it is possible to improve maintainability and prevent the occurrence of contamination in the replacement work of the accommodated absorbent member 81.
The absorbing member 81 is preferably divided into at least three blocks, both ends and a center, in the longitudinal direction.

As an empty discharge receiver to which the present invention can be applied, first, an embodiment in which the absorbing member 81 to be accommodated is divided into a plurality of blocks will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 18.

FIG. 5 is a perspective explanatory view showing an example of an empty discharge receiver 80 to which the present invention can be applied.
The empty discharge receiver 80 includes an absorption member 81 and a receiver member (tray) 83 for accommodating the absorption member 81.

The absorbing member 81 housed in the receiving member 83 is composed of a block (block body, segment) 810 divided into five in the longitudinal direction of the surface on which the air-discharged liquid lands.
By using the absorbing member 81 divided into a plurality of blocks 810, replacement and impregnation of the moisturizing liquid can be performed in units of the blocks 810, so that the maintainability of the empty discharge receiver 80 is improved, and the absorbent member 81 can be replaced. It is possible to reduce the amount of consumption and the amount of moisturizer consumed.

6 to 9 are perspective explanatory views showing another example of the empty discharge receiver 80 to which the present invention can be applied.
6 is a perspective explanatory view of the empty discharge receiver 80, FIG. 7 is a perspective explanatory view showing the empty discharge receiver 80 of FIG. 6 together with the sheet material 510, and FIG. 8 is a perspective explanatory view showing the positional relationship between the head 100 and the sheet material 510. It is a plan explanatory view which shows, and FIG. 9 is a front explanatory view.
Further, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an example of a mode in which a part of the block 810 of the absorbing member 81 is replaced.
Similar to FIG. 5, the empty discharge receiver 80 includes an absorption member 81 and a receiver member (tray) 83 for accommodating the absorption member 81.

The absorption member 81 in the present embodiment is individualized into a plurality of blocks 810 (810a to 810j), and each block 810 is arranged so that its side surfaces are in contact with each other. Specifically, the absorption member 81 is composed of 10 blocks, and 5 blocks (810a to 810e, 810f to 810j) are arranged side by side in two rows in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction.
It is preferable that the absorption member 81 is divided in the lateral direction (direction along the transport direction of the sheet material) according to the number of heads 100 in the transport direction.

As a result, each block 810 of the absorbing member 81 faces either the head 100 on the upstream side or the head 100 on the downstream side, and the region separated from the sheet material 510 is more than simply divided in the longitudinal direction. However, the area of one block 810 is smaller than that of the liquid (empty discharge droplet) landed by the empty discharge, and the blocks to be maintained such as replacement can be further limited.

In a device such as the printing device 500 of FIG. 1 that prints on a sheet material 510 such as a continuous paper, empty ejection is performed with the sheet material 510 facing the head 100. Therefore, the liquid (empty droplet) produced by empty ejection lands on the sheet material 510 in the region where the sheet material 510 is interposed between the sheet material 510 and the empty ejection receiver 800 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the sheet material 510 Lands on the empty discharge receiver 80 only in the area where is not intervening.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the length L1 in the longitudinal direction of the absorption member 81 of the empty discharge receiver 80 is longer than the length L2 in the arrangement direction of the heads 100 (the direction orthogonal to the transport direction). The empty discharge receiver 80 is arranged so that both ends of the absorbing member 81 protrude from the arrangement of the heads 100. Further, assuming that the sheet material 510 has a width W1 and is conveyed with reference to the center, the liquid discharged in the air will land only on both ends of the air discharge receiver 80.

If a liquid that is easily dried and deposited, such as a highly viscous liquid, is used as the liquid due to repeated empty discharge, the absorption member 81 may be deposited at both ends, and replacement or the like is required. become.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the absorption member 81 is divided into a plurality of blocks (810a to 810e, 810f to 810j) in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Therefore, it is divided into a block 810 in which the liquid is landed by the empty discharge and a block 810 in which the liquid is not landed by the empty discharge, depending on the opposition to the head 100 and the presence or absence of the intervention of the sheet material 510.

Similarly, the absorption member 81 is also divided into two rows of block groups (a group consisting of 810a to 810e and a group consisting of 810f to 810j) in the transport direction. Therefore, it is divided into a block 810 in which the liquid is landed by the empty discharge and a block 810 in which the liquid is not landed by the empty discharge, depending on the opposition to the head 100 and the presence or absence of the intervention of the sheet material 510.

Here, it is assumed that the block 810 of the absorption member 81 of the head 100, the sheet material 510, and the empty discharge receiver 80 is in the positional relationship shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this case, the blocks 810 on which the liquid discharged from the head 100 lands are only the block 810a on the upstream side and the block 810j on the downstream side.

Therefore, when exchanging the absorbing member 81, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, by exchanging the block 810j in which the liquid due to the empty discharge lands with the block 810d in which the liquid due to the empty discharge does not land, the block 810j is newly replaced. It can be an absorbent member.
In addition, a new block can be separately attached in place of the other block 810 of the same empty discharge receiver 80.

As the absorbing member 81, a porous body having a high liquid permeation rate and a low capillary force, for example, a melamine foam can be used. Since the liquid permeation rate is high, the liquid that has landed on the absorbing member 81 quickly permeates into the inside and is unlikely to remain near the surface of the absorbing member 81, so that the growth of deposits can be suppressed.

The melamine foam (melamine foam) is prepared by mixing melamine and formaldehyde, which are the main raw materials, or a precondensate thereof with a foaming agent, a catalyst, an emulsifier, etc., and then injecting them into a mold and heating them. The foamed material can be heated, foamed, cured, and further compressed to increase the foamed volume and increase the liquid absorption capacity to a desired level.
As the melamine foam, for example, it is preferable that the absorption rate is larger than 10 ln / ms and the capillary force is less than 10 mm.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of impregnating the block 810 of the absorbing member 81 housed in the empty discharge receiver 80 with the moisturizer 86.
The absorbent member 81 is preferably impregnated with the moisturizer 86. By impregnating the moisturizing liquid 86, it is possible to suppress the drying of the air-discharged liquid that has landed on the surface of the absorbing member 81 and suppress the growth of deposits.
Further, when the density of the liquid discharged in the air is lower than the density of the moisturizing liquid 86, the permeation of the liquid into the absorption member 81 is promoted, and the growth of deposits in the vicinity of the surface of the absorption member 81 can be suppressed.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the blocks 810 on which the liquid discharged from the head 100 lands are only the block 810a on the upstream side and the block 810j on the downstream side. Therefore, for example, these blocks are moisturized. It can be replaced with a new block 810 impregnated with the liquid 86 or another block to be replaced.
At least, the block 810 including the region outside the region through which the sheet material 510 passes is preferably impregnated with the moisturizer 86.

In the present embodiment, since the absorbent member 81 can be impregnated with the moisturizer 86 in units of blocks 810, the consumption of the moisturizer 86 can be reduced and the operation is easy.

As the moisturizing liquid 86, for example, a cleaning liquid for an inkjet recording device may be used.
Examples of the organic solvent added to the cleaning liquid include polyhydric alcohols having an equilibrium water content of 30% by mass or more in an environment of 23 ° C. and 80% RH, and specifically 1,2,3-butanetriol. (38% by mass), 1,2,4-butanetriol (41% by mass), glycerin (49% by mass), diglycerin (38% by mass), triethylene glycol (39% by mass), tetraethylene glycol (37% by mass) %), Diethylene glycol (43% by mass), 1,3-butanediol (35% by mass) and the like.
Among these, glycerin and 1,3-butanediol are particularly preferable because they can reduce the viscosity when they contain water.
When such a water-soluble organic solvent is used in an amount of 20% by mass or more of the whole, it is preferable because it is excellent in preventing the liquid (waste ink) discharged from the air from sticking.

12 to 15 are perspective explanatory views showing another example of the empty discharge receiver 80 to which the present invention can be applied.
12 and 13 are exploded perspective views showing an example of an empty discharge receiver 80 to which the present invention can be applied, FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional explanatory view, and FIG. 15 is a positional relationship between the head 100 and the sheet material 510. It is a front explanatory drawing which shows an example.

The empty discharge receiver 80 includes an upper layer absorbing member 81, a lower layer liquid holding member 82, and a receiving member (tray) 83 for accommodating these. The lower layer of the absorption member 81 may be composed of two or more layers.

The liquid holding member 82 may not be divided as shown in FIG. 12, or may be divided into a plurality of blocks 829 at least in the longitudinal direction of the surface facing the absorbing member 81 as shown in FIG. May be. It is preferable that the area of one block 820 obtained by dividing the liquid holding member 82 is larger than the area of one block 810 of the absorbing member 81.

Further, it is preferable that the absorbing member 81 has a higher permeability of the liquid discharged in the air than the liquid holding member 82, and the liquid holding member 82 has a higher capillary force than the absorbing member 81. That is, the liquid holding member 82 is preferably a member having a higher liquid holding property than the absorbing member 81.

For example, a porous material such as a melamine foam can be used as the absorbing member 81, and a material made of a fiber material such as polyester felt can be used as the liquid holding member 82.
By such a combination, the empty discharged liquid (empty discharged droplet: waste liquid) is prevented from drying and accumulating on the absorbing member 81, and the empty discharged liquid is quickly permeated into the lower part of the absorbing member 81 to be a liquid. It can be flowed to the holding member 82 side.
Then, the liquid holding member 82 can diffuse the liquid received from the absorbing member 81 in the in-plane direction, and make the liquid to be contained uniform in the in-plane direction of the liquid holding member 82.
With respect to the liquid holding member 82, for example, by setting the fiber direction of the material to the in-plane direction, it is possible to improve the capillary force and the diffusing force in the in-plane direction.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the liquid discharged and landed on the block 810j rapidly permeates in the direction indicated by the arrow, flows toward the liquid holding member 82, and diffuses into the liquid holding member 82.
In this way, the amount of printing until the liquid storage limit of the absorption member 81 and the liquid holding member 82 is reached can be increased, and the frequency of replacement of the absorption member 81 can be reduced.

In addition, this embodiment is the same as the example shown in FIG. 6 above except that the liquid holding members 82 are laminated. The positional relationship between the head 100 and the sheet material 510, the position where the liquid landed due to the empty discharge, and the like can be the same. In this case, it is preferable that at least the block 810a on the upstream side and the block 810j on the downstream side at both ends of the absorbing member 81 are impregnated with the moisturizing liquid 86.

On the other hand, an example in which the positional relationship with the sheet material 510 is different will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. When the transport area of the sheet material 510 is different, it is preferable to change the arrangement of the block impregnated with the moisturizer 86.
FIG. 16 is a plan explanatory view showing the positional relationship between the empty discharge receiver 80, the head 100, and the sheet material 510, and FIG. 17 is a front explanatory view.

In the example of FIG. 16, as in FIG. 6, the length L1 in the longitudinal direction of the absorption member 81 and the liquid holding member 82 of the empty discharge receiver 80 is the length L2 in the arrangement direction of the heads 100 (the direction orthogonal to the transport direction). Is longer than. The empty discharge receiver 80 is arranged so that both ends of the absorbing member 81 and the liquid holding member 82 protrude from the arrangement of the heads 100.
Further, it is assumed that the sheet material 510 has a width W2 (W2 <W1) and is conveyed based on the end portion.

Here, even when the sheet material 510 is conveyed based on the end portion, the end portion of the sheet material 510 is conveyed so as to be inside the end portion of the head 100.
Therefore, in addition to the blocks 810a and 810b on the upstream side, the block 810j at the end on the downstream side and the block 810g facing the head 100 due to the narrow width will be landed by the liquid due to empty discharge.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the blocks 810a and 810b on the upstream side and the blocks 810j and 810 g on the downstream side are impregnated with the moisturizer 806.

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of the empty discharge receiver 80 to which the present invention can be applied.
The empty discharge receiver 80 shown in FIG. 18 includes an upper layer absorbing member 81, a lower layer liquid holding member 82, and a receiving member (tray) 83 for accommodating these, and the absorbing member 81 and the liquid holding member 82 are provided with each other. Concavo-convex fitting is performed on the surfaces facing each other.

In the example of FIG. 18, one or more concave portions 81a are provided on the bottom surface of the absorbing member 81, and the liquid holding member 82 is provided with a convex portion 82a corresponding to the concave portion 81a of the absorbing member. The combination of the unevenness is not limited to the example of FIG. 18, and for example, the absorbing member 81 may have a convex portion and the liquid holding member may have a concave portion. Further, the number of irregularities and the direction of the rows may be either the sheet transporting direction or the direction orthogonal to the sheet transporting direction.

When the absorbing member 81 and the liquid holding member 82 are fitted to each other at the uneven portion, the contact area between the absorbing member 81 and the liquid holding member 82 is increased, and the efficiency of transferring the liquid from the absorbing member 81 to the liquid holding member 82 is improved. improves.
Further, the absorbing member 81 and the liquid holding member 82 are unevenly fitted to each other, so that the installation position in the receiving member 83 is stabilized. This facilitates the installation work and prevents the absorption member 81 from being displaced due to the influence of the air flow generated in the printing apparatus.

(Holding means)
The empty discharge receiver according to the present invention includes a holding means for holding the absorbing member 81 so as to be movable with respect to the above-mentioned empty discharge receiver 80 to which the present invention can be applied.
Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 25.

FIG. 19 is an external perspective view showing an example of an empty discharge receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 20 shows a state in which a block 810 of a part of the absorption member 81 is moved by the holding means 22. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a state in which the entire absorbing member 81 is moved by the holding means 22.
Further, FIG. 22 is a perspective explanatory view showing an example of a mechanism portion related to the movement of the holding means 22.
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of movement of the holding means 22 and the absorbing member 81 (block 810), and FIGS. 24 and 25 show movement of the absorbing member 81 by the holding means 22 and replacement of the liquid holding member 82. It is sectional drawing to explain.

The empty discharge receiver according to the present invention is an empty discharge receiver 80 that receives the liquid 42 that is emptyly discharged from the liquid discharge means (head) 100, and is a receiver that houses the absorbing member 81 that absorbs the liquid and the absorbing member 81. A member 83 and a plurality of holding means 22 for holding the absorbing member 81 are provided, and the holding means 22 is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the bottom surface of the receiving member 83, and the bottom surface of the absorbing member 81 is provided. Hold it so that it can be attached to and detached from.
Further, the absorbing member 81 is divided into a plurality of blocks 810 at least in the longitudinal direction of the surface on which the air-discharged liquid 42 lands, and is held by the plurality of holding means 22 for each block 810.

Further, the empty discharge receiver according to the present invention is an empty discharge receiver 80 that receives the liquid 42 discharged from the liquid discharge means (head) 100, and includes an absorption member 81 that absorbs the liquid 42 and an absorption member 81. A receiving member 83 to be accommodated, a liquid holding member 82 laminated on the absorbing member 81 and in contact with the bottom surface of the receiving member 83, and a plurality of holding means 22 for holding the absorbing member 81 are provided, and the absorbing member 81 is discharged empty. The liquid 42 is divided into a plurality of blocks 810 at least in the longitudinal direction of the surface on which the liquid 42 is landed, and the plurality of holding means 22 are movable in the vertical direction with respect to the bottom surface of the receiving member 83, and the absorbing member 81 is blocked 810. Each time, the liquid holding member 82 is held in contact with and detachable from the liquid holding member 82.

The empty discharge receiver 80 of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 to 21 has the same configuration as that of FIG. 6 except that it includes a mechanism having a holding means 22 corresponding to each block 810 of the absorbing member 81.
The holding means 22 is not limited to the mode in which the holding means 22 is provided corresponding to each block 810 as shown in FIGS. 19 to 22, and for example, a plurality of holding means 22 may be provided in one block 810. ..

The holding means 22 can be moved in the vertical direction indicated by an arrow in FIGS. 20 and 21 with respect to the bottom surface of the receiving member 83, and the absorbing member 81 can be held for each block 810 and moved in the vertical direction. .. As a result, the block 810 can be brought into contact with and detached from the liquid holding member 82 laminated on the bottom surface or below the receiving member 83.

The receiving member 83 includes a guide member 21 that supports the holding means 22 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction with respect to the bottom surface of the receiving member 83 on the side surface.
The holding means 22 is slidably supported in a gap portion between the side surface of the receiving member 83 and the guide member 21.
Further, the holding means 22 is engaged and fixed to the guide member 21 at a predetermined stop position (a normal holding position and a position where the block 810 is raised).

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the holding means 22 is extended from the guide 21, and the held block 810 is raised. Then, the block 810 can be removed from the holding means 22 and replaced at the raised position.
This facilitates the work of removing only the target block 810, and can reduce the risk of contamination of the operator and the surroundings by the contaminated block 810.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a configuration of a mechanism portion that receives the holding means 22 and is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the bottom surface of the member 83. A guide member 21 that supports the holding means 22 so as to be slidable is arranged on the side surface of the receiving member 83. The guide member 21 has an engaging hole (upper engaging hole 23, lower engaging hole 24) that engages with the protrusion 27 of the holding means 22. The upper engaging hole 23 is provided at a position where the holding means 22 is engaged and fixed at a position where the holding means 22 is raised when the block 810 is replaced, and the lower engaging hole 24 is a holding means at a normal position for holding the block 810 which receives an empty discharge. It is provided at a position where the 22 is fixed.

Two slits 25 are formed on the surface of the holding means 22 in contact with the guide member 21, a flap 26 is formed between the two slits 25, and an engaging hole of the guide member 21 is formed at the lower end of the flap 26. A protrusion 27 that engages with is provided.

23 (A) to 23 (C) are cross-sectional explanatory views showing an example of movement of the holding means 22 and the absorbing member 81 (block 810). As shown in FIG. 23, the holding means 22 is a member having an L-shaped cross section. As long as the holding means 22 can hold the absorbing member 81 (block 810) in a movable and detachable manner, the holding mechanism thereof is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the holding means 22 is provided with a needle-shaped locking portion 29, and the locking portion 29 is held by inserting it into the absorbing member 81 (block 810).

FIG. 23A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the block 810 is in an elevated position. The holding means 22 that has moved upward is fixed by the protrusion 27 engaging with the upper engaging hole 23 of the guide member 21.

Further, the holding means 22 is urged by the spring member 28 arranged below, and the posture is maintained even when the holding means 22 is not engaged with the engaging hole.

FIG. 23 (B) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the block 810 is being moved downward from the state of FIG. 23 (A). By pressing the top surface of the holding means 22, the flap 26 that receives the urging force of the spring member 28 bends in the gap between the guide member 21 and the side surface of the receiving member 83. When the holding means 22 is continuously pressed, the protrusion 27 provided at the tip of the flap 26 engages with the lower engaging hole 24, and the bending of the flap 26 is eliminated. This state is shown in FIG. 23 (C).

FIG. 23C is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the block 810 is in a normal position to receive an empty discharge. By holding the block 810 by the holding means 22 in this way, it is possible to prevent the block 810 from floating or falling off during printing. When moving the block 810 upward for replacement, first, the engagement is released by pressing the protrusion 27 of the holding means 22 engaged with the lower engagement hole 24 from the outside. The holding means 22 whose engagement and fixing state is released moves upward while holding the block 810 by the urging force of the spring member 28.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the movement of the absorbing member 81 (block 810) by the holding means 22. Further, FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a mode in which the liquid holding member 82 is replaced after the absorption member 81 shown in FIG. 24 is moved.

FIG. 24A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the absorbing member 81 is held by the holding means 22 at a normal position where the absorbing member 81 receives an empty discharge. The liquid holding member 82 is laminated below the absorbing member 81 and is in contact with the bottom surface 83a of the receiving member 83. FIG. 24B shows a state in which all the blocks 810 of the absorbing member 81 are moved upward as in the example shown in FIG. 21, but in the configuration of the present embodiment, the blocks 810 are individually moved. be able to. When the absorbing member 81 moves upward so as to be separated from the liquid holding member 82, the liquid holding member 82 is exposed and becomes accessible.

The combination of the absorbing member 81 and the liquid holding member 82 can have the same configuration as that described in FIGS. 12 to 17 described above, but is not limited thereto. For example, the absorbing member 81 and the liquid holding member 82 may be made of the same material.
Aiming at the effect of suppressing the accumulation of the liquid discharged in the air, the absorption rate, the capillary force, and the like can be made different between the absorption member 81 and the liquid holding member 82.
If there is a difference in capillary force or liquid holding amount between the absorbing member 81 and the liquid holding member 82, a difference also occurs in the timing of replacement. When replacing only the liquid holding member 82 arranged below the absorbing member 81, it is necessary to raise all of the absorbing member 81 to access the liquid holding member 82 as shown in FIG. 24 (B).

The removal of the liquid holding member 82 to be replaced is performed by pulling out the accessible liquid holding member 82 in the direction of arrow D as shown in FIG. 25.
When the liquid holding member 82 is divided into two blocks 820 as shown in FIG. 13, each block 820 can be pulled out from the direction of arrow D in FIG. 25 and the opposite direction.

By the method shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, only the lower liquid holding member 82 can be efficiently replaced without attaching / detaching the absorbing member 81, and the generation of contamination due to the work can be suppressed. ..

The method shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 can also be applied to a mode in which the absorbing member 81 is not fragmented into a plurality of blocks 810 (a mode in which the absorbing member 81 is a continuous member).

(Absorbent member)
A melamine foam is preferable as the absorbing member 81 constituting the empty discharge receiver 80 of the present embodiment. By using the melamine foam, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of the liquid discharged in the air. This is because the melamine foam has a higher absorption rate and a lower capillary force than other porous bodies.
The characteristics (absorption rate, capillary force) when the melamine foam was used as the absorbing member 81 were evaluated as follows.

1) Absorption rate The measurement of the absorption rate of the absorption member 81 will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27.
FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of a method for measuring the absorption rate of the absorption member 81, and FIG. 27 is a graph showing the measurement results.

<Evaluation procedure (see Fig. 26)>
(1) Set a syringe filled with the target liquid in the contact angle measuring device.
(2) A 3.5 to 3.8 μl droplet 41 is formed at the tip of the injection needle 50.
(3) The absorbing member 81 to be measured is brought into contact with the droplet 41 from below on the manual stage.
(4) The behavior of the droplet 41 being absorbed by the absorbing member 81 at that time is photographed by a high-speed camera.
(5) The elapsed time from the moment when the droplet 41 and the absorbing member 81 come into contact with each other and the amount of absorption are plotted, and the absorption rate is calculated from the inclination thereof. Assuming that the initial droplet volume is P and the unabsorbed droplet volume at a certain point in time is Q, the absorption amount at a certain point in time is calculated by PQ.

<Evaluation device>
[Contact angle measuring instrument]
Manufacturer: DataPhysics Manufacturer model number: OCA200H
〔Syringe〕
Measuring instrument No .: 02-0144-T
Injection needle: SNS052 / 206 Dosing needle (Outer: 0.52 mm / Inner: 0.26 mm / Length: 51 mm)

<Evaluation conditions>
Liquid: Ink with a resin content of 5% by mass or more (details of the components will be described later)
Measurement environment: 23 ° C, 50% RH
Measurement video: 127 fps

<Calculation of droplet volume>
From the captured image, the volume V of the droplets that have not been absorbed (not absorbed) by the absorbing member 81 is calculated. Here, the shape of the droplet 41 is assumed to be a truncated cone, and the calculation is performed by the following formula.
Volume V = (1/3) · πh (r1 ² + r1 · r2 + r2 ² )

Since the graph of the absorption amount with respect to the time shown in FIG. 27 is obtained by the above steps, the absorption rate of the liquid was calculated from the slope.

2) Capillary force Next, the measurement of the capillary force (capillary force) will be described with reference to FIG. 28.
FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of a method for measuring the absorption rate of the absorption member 81.

<Evaluation procedure (see Fig. 28)>
(1) A plurality of absorbing members 81 are suspended from the support member 51 so that the lower end positions are aligned.
(2) The pool 40 containing the liquid 41 is raised.
(3) The pool 40 is fixed at a position where the lower end 5 mm of the absorbing member 81 is immersed in the liquid 41.
(4) The position of the absorbed liquid in the absorbing member 81 5 minutes after the liquid 41 begins to immerse in the lower end of the absorbing member 81 is measured as the absorption height.
(5) The measured absorption height [mm] is defined as capillary force.

<Evaluation conditions>
Liquid: Ink with a resin content of 5% by mass or more (details of the components will be described later)
Measurement environment: 23 ° C, 50% RH
Cross section of absorbent member: 50 mm ²
Pool depth: 10 mm

As the absorbing member 81, 1) absorption rate and 2) capillary force were measured for the following absorbers A to E made of different materials. The results are shown in FIG.
Absorber A: Urethane absorber Absorber B: Urethane absorber Absorber C: Polyurethane absorber (Product name 5000AZ-P, manufactured by Fujiko Co., Ltd.)
Absorber D: Melamine absorber (melamine sponge; product number FU491-000X-MB, made by Condor)
Absorber E: Melamine absorber (Bassotect (W), manufactured by Inoac Co., Ltd.)

Further, it was confirmed whether or not the above absorbers A to E were deposited by using the liquid used for the measurement (ink having a resin content of 5% by weight or more).
As a result, liquid deposition occurred in the absorber A, the absorber B, and the absorber C, and no liquid deposition occurred in the absorber D and the absorber E.

From the above results, by using an absorber having an absorption rate of more than 10 ln / ms and a capillary force of less than 10 mm as an absorbent member, a liquid having a resin content of 5% by weight or more having a high deposition tendency (for example, for example). It was found that the liquid did not deposit even when the ink) was used.
When the capillary force (suction height) is large, the liquid is diffused inside the absorber, the liquid is solidified (filmed) inside the absorber, and the liquid adhering to the surface of the absorber is difficult to permeate into the inside. Therefore, the capillary force is preferably less than 10 mm.

The absorber having such a property can quickly absorb the liquid landing on the surface inward and spread it downward (directly below) without spreading in the in-plane direction. As a result, drying near the surface does not proceed, and deposition on the surface of the absorber is suppressed.
By using such an absorber as the absorbing member 81, it is possible to extend the periodic replacement cycle, and it is possible to suppress the increase in the cost of parts for replacement and the cost for work.

(Liquid) An example of a liquid discharged from the liquid discharge means to the empty discharge receiver 80 according to the present invention will be described below. The liquid is, for example, an ink used in a device for ejecting a liquid according to the present invention, specifically, a printing device.

The liquid of the present embodiment (hereinafter, also referred to as “ink”) contains a coloring material, a resin, a first organic solvent, and a second organic solvent, and if necessary, contains other components.
By using the ink of the present embodiment, there is an advantage that the ink is less likely to be deposited even when the ink is discharged to the absorbing member 81.

[First organic solvent]
The first organic solvent is preferably an alkyl alkane diol having an alkane diol having 3 to 6 carbon atoms as a main chain and an alkyl group having 1 to 2 carbon atoms as a branched chain. Since the alkylalkanediol has a good balance of hydrophilic groups and hydrophobic groups, is water-soluble and is rich in hydrophobic groups, it can promote penetration into a recording medium. Particularly preferred as the alkylalkanediol are 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (bp214 ° C.), 3-methyl-1,3-butanediol (bp203 ° C.), and 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol. (Bp250 ° C.), 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol (bp243.2 ° C.).

[Second organic solvent]
The second organic solvent is preferably a polyhydric alcohol having an equilibrium water content of 30% by mass or more at a relative humidity of 80% and a saturated vapor pressure of 20 mmHg or more at 100 ° C.
Since the polyhydric alcohol has a high equilibrium water content, the moisturizing property of the ink can be improved, the viscosity at the time of water evaporation can be kept low, and the accumulation of liquid can be suppressed. Further, since the saturated vapor pressure at 100 ° C. is 20 mmHg or more, it is difficult to prevent the printed matter from drying. Particularly preferred are 1,2-propanediol (49% / 23 mmHg) and 1,3-butanediol (35% / 20 mmHg). The numerical values in parentheses represent the equilibrium water content at a relative humidity of 80% and the saturated vapor pressure at 100 ° C.

Here, for the equilibrium water content at a relative humidity of 80%, a saturated aqueous solution of potassium chloride / sodium chloride is used to keep the temperature and humidity in the desiccator at a temperature of 23 ± 1 ° C. and a relative humidity of 80 ± 3%, and each organic solvent is contained in the desiccator. It can be obtained from the following formula (1) by storing a shale weighed in 1 g increments.

Further, the saturated vapor pressure of the compound at 100 ° C. can be measured by, for example, the DSC method (differential scanning calorimetry method).

The mass ratio (A / B) of the content A (mass%) of the first organic solvent and the content B (mass%) of the second organic solvent is preferably 1 or less.
When the mass ratio (A / B) is 1 or less, the moisturizing property of the liquid can be improved, so that the drying and solidification of the empty discharged liquid can be suppressed.
The content A (mass%) of the first organic solvent and the content B (mass%) of the second organic solvent in the liquid are preferably 1% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less in total, and 5% by mass or more and 40. More preferably, it is by mass or less.

[Third organic solvent]
The liquid of the present embodiment can further improve the wettability to the sheet material (recording medium) by further containing a third organic solvent having a solubility parameter of 9 or more and 11 or less. Further, the liquid component permeates into commercial printing paper such as coated paper which has a coating layer and has poor liquid absorption, so that the image quality can be improved. Further, the third organic solvent and the above-mentioned first organic solvent and the second organic solvent have high compatibility between the compounds when they are mixed and do not interfere with each other's functions.

When the water evaporates from the liquid and the third organic solvent has a rich composition, the hydrophobicity becomes high, the dispersion stability of the pigment and the resin is deteriorated, and the deposition may be accelerated. In consideration of these, the content of the third organic solvent in the liquid is preferably 1% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less. By setting the content of the third organic solvent in a preferable range, it is possible to improve the image quality while suppressing the drying and solidification of the liquid.

The solubility parameter (SP value) is generally widely used as an index of affinity and solubility of a material such as a solvent, a resin or a pigment, which is used by being dissolved or dispersed in water or a solvent.
Various methods have been proposed for obtaining the SP value, such as a method of measuring by experiment, a method of calculating from the measurement of physical properties such as immersion heat, and a method of calculating from the molecular structure. In this embodiment, Fedors is used. The method calculated from the proposed molecular structure is used. This calculation method is effective in that the SP value can be calculated if the molecular structure is known and the difference between the measured value by the experiment is small.

In the Fedors method, the SP value can be obtained by substituting the evaporation energy Δei and the molar volume Δvi at 25 ° C. of each atom or atomic group into the following mathematical formula (2). In this embodiment, the SP value at 25 ° C. is used, and temperature conversion or the like is not performed. As the calculation method, the data of the evaporation energy Δei and the molar volume Δvi of each atomic group, the data described in "Basic Theory of Adhesion" (written by Minoru Imoto, published by Polymer Publishing Association, Chapter 5) can be used. can. In addition, regarding those not shown in the above-mentioned "basic theory of adhesion", R. F. Fedors, Polym. Eng. Sci. 14,147 (1974) can be referred to.

However, in the above formula (2), ΔE represents the evaporation energy, V represents the molar volume, Δei represents the evaporation energy of the atom or the atomic group, and ΔVi represents the molar volume of the atom or the atomic group.

Examples of the compound having an SP value of 9 or more and 11 or less include N, N-dimethyl-β-butoxypropionamide (SP value 9.8) and N, N-dimethyl-β-ethoxypropionamide (SP value 9.8). ), 3-Ethyl-3-hydroxymethyloxetane (SP value 10.7) and the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The structural formulas of N, N-dimethyl-β-butoxypropionamide, N, N-dimethyl-β-ethoxypropionamide, and 3-ethyl-3-hydroxymethyloxetane are shown below. Structural formula (1) represents N, N-dimethyl-β-butoxypropionamide, structural formula (2) represents N, N-dimethyl-β-ethoxypropionamide, and structural formula (3) represents 3-ethyl-. Represents 3-hydroxymethyloxetane.

[Copolymer having a specific structure]
A copolymer having a specific structure, which is preferable to be used in the liquid of the present embodiment, will be described.
As the water evaporates from the empty discharged liquid, it changes to a hydrophobic composition, and the balance between hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity changes, which impairs the dispersion stability of the pigment contained in the liquid. There is a problem that it will end up. When the dispersion stability of the pigment is impaired, the liquid becomes thicker and more likely to deposit.

On the other hand, the liquid of the present embodiment preferably contains a copolymer having a structural unit represented by the following general formula (1).
The copolymer having the structural unit represented by the following general formula (1) can stably disperse the pigment in the ink even in such a hydrophobic ink solvent as compared with the general copolymer. can. It is presumed that the reason why the excellent solvent resistance as described above is exhibited is that the naphthalene group of the side chain of the following general formula (1) in the copolymer is strongly adsorbed by the hydrophobic interaction with the pigment.

(In the general formula (1), R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and L represents an alkylene group having 2 or more and 18 or less carbon atoms.)

The content of the structural unit represented by the general formula (1) in the copolymer is preferably 10 mol% or more and 90 mol% or less, and more preferably 30 mol% or more and 70 mol% or less. When the content of the structural unit represented by the general formula (1) is 30 mol% or more and 70 mol% or less, the dispersion stability of the pigment in the liquid is improved, and the deposition of the liquid can be further suppressed.

The content of the copolymer having the structural unit represented by the general formula (1) in the liquid is preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 10.0% by mass or less, preferably 0.5% by mass. It is more preferably 5.0% by mass or less. When the content of the copolymer is in a preferable range, the viscosity at the time of evaporation of water can be kept low, and the deposition of liquid can be further suppressed.

The copolymer polymerizes a monomer represented by the following general formula (2), for example, a polymerizable monomer having an anionic hydrophilic functional group, a polymerizable hydrophobic monomer, a polymerizable surfactant, and the like. It can be obtained by. If necessary, a polymerizable monomer having a hydrophilic functional group other than anionic, for example, a polymerizable monomer having a cationic hydrophilic functional group or a polymerizable monomer having a nonionic hydrophilic functional group is added. You may.

(In the general formula (2), R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and L represents an alkylene group having 2 or more and 18 or less carbon atoms.)

The monomer represented by the general formula (2) can be synthesized by using a conventionally known monomer such as 1-vinylnaphthalene and 2-vinylnaphthalene. Further, by reacting a reactive compound having a naphthyl group in the molecule with a polymerizable monomer, the monomer represented by the general formula (2) can be obtained.

Examples of the reactive compound having a naphthyl group in the molecule include naphthalenecarboxylic acid hydroxyethyl ester, naphthalenecarboxylic acid hydroxypropyl ester, naphthalenecarboxylic acid hydroxybutyl ester and the like. Examples of the monomer that reacts with these reactive compounds include 2-acroyloxyethyl isocyanate and 2-methacryloyloxyethyl isocyanate.

Examples of the polymerizable monomer having an anionic hydrophilic functional group include unsaturated carboxylic acids such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid and itaconic acid, 2-methequyloxyethyl acid phosphoate and 2-acryloyl. Unsaturated phosphates such as oxyethyl acid phosphoate, acid phosphoxypolyoxyethylene glycol methacrylate, acid phosphoxypolyoxyethylene glycol methacrylate, acid phosphoxypoly (oxyethylene oxypropylene) glycol methacrylate, vinyl sulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid , 4-styrene sulfonic acid, 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, unsaturated sulfonic acid such as 2-hydroxy-3-allyloxy-1-propanesulfonic acid, or phosphoric acid, phosphonic acid, alendronic acid or ethidron. Examples thereof include anionic unsaturated ethylene monomers such as unsaturated ethylene monomers containing an acid.

Further, the copolymer preferably contains an anionic hydrophilic functional group. Examples of the anionic hydrophilic functional group include, but are not limited to, the following.

Examples of anionic hydrophilic possible groups:
-COO-, -SO _3- , -PO ₃ H- ^, -PO ₃ ^2- , _-CON ^2- , -SO ₃ N ^2- , -NHC ₆ H ₄ -COO- ^, -NH ^- C ₆ H ^4- SO _3- ^, -NH-C ₆ H ₄ -PO ₃ H- ^, -NH-C ₆ H ₄ -PO ₃ ^2- , -NH-C ₆ H ₄ -CON ^2- , -NH-C ₆ H _4- SO ₃ N ^2-

Among these anionic hydrophilic functional groups, a carboxyl group is particularly preferable. When the anionic hydrophilic functional group is a carboxyl group, the dispersion stability of the pigment is improved and the ink deposition property is improved.

As will be described later, the copolymer is preferably a salt, and when a base is added to neutralize the copolymer, the added base exists as a cation.

Examples of the polymerizable hydrophobic monomer include unsaturated ethylene monomers having an aromatic ring such as α-methylstyrene, 4-t-butylstyrene, and 4-chloromethylstyrene; methyl (meth) acrylate, (meth). Ethyl acrylate, -n-butyl (meth) acrylate, dimethyl maleate, dimethyl itaconate, dimethyl fumarate, lauryl (meth) acrylate (C12), tridecyl (meth) acrylate (C13), (meth) acrylic Tetradecyl acid (C14), pentadecyl (meth) acrylate (C15), hexadecyl (meth) acrylate (C16), heptadecyl (meth) acrylate (C17), nonadecil (meth) acrylate (C19), (meth) acrylic Alkyl (meth) acrylates such as eikosyl acid (C20), henicosyl (meth) acrylate (C21), docosyl (meth) acrylate (C22); 1-hexene, 3,3-dimethyl-1-pentene, 4, 4-Dimethyl-1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-hexene, 5-methyl-1-hexene, 1-octene, 3,3-dimethyl-1-hexene, 3,4- Dimethyl-1-hexene, 4,4-dimethyl-1-hexene, 1-nonene, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexene, 1-decene, 1-undecene, 1-dodecene, 1-tridecene, 1- Examples thereof include unsaturated ethylene monomers having an alkyl group such as tetradecene, 1-pentadecene, 1-hexadecene, 1-heptadecene, 1-octadecene, 1-nonadecene, 1-eicosene and 1-dococene. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The polymerizable surfactant is an anionic or nonionic surfactant having at least one radically polymerizable unsaturated double bond group in the molecule.

Examples of the anionic surfactant include a hydrocarbon compound having a sulfate base such as an ammonium sulfate base (-SO ₃ ^- NH ₄ ⁺ ) and an allyl group (-CH ₂ ^- CH = CH ₂ ), and an ammonium sulfate base (-SO _3-- ). Hydrocarbon compounds having a sulfate base such as NH ₄ ⁺ ) and a methacrylic group [-CO-C (CH ₃ ) = CH ₂ ], or a sulfate base such as an ammonium sulfate base (-SO ₃ ^- NH ₄ ⁺ ) and 1- Examples thereof include aromatic hydrocarbon compounds having a propenyl group (-CH = CH ₂ CH ₃ ).

Specific examples thereof include Eleminor JS-20 and RS-300 manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd., Aqualon KH-10 manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd., Aqualon KH-1025, Aqualon KH-05, Aqualon HS-10, and Aqualon HS. -1025, Aqualon BC-0515, Aqualon BC-10, Aqualon BC-1025, Aqualon BC-20, Aqualon BC-2020 and the like.

Nonionic surfactants include hydrocarbon compounds or aromatic hydrocarbons having a 1-propenyl group (-CH = CH ₂ CH ₃ ) and a polyoxyethylene group [-(C ₂ H ₄ O) _n -H]. Examples include hydrogen compounds. Specific examples thereof include Aqualon RN-20, Aqualon RN-2025, Aqualon RN-30, and Aqualon RN-50 manufactured by Dai-ichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd., Latemul PD-104, Latemul PD-420, and Latemul PD manufactured by Kao Corporation. 430, Latemul PD-450 and the like can be mentioned.

The polymerizable surfactant may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Examples of the polymerizable monomer having a nonionic hydrophilic functional group include (meth) acrylate-2-hydroxyethyl, diethylene glycol mono (meth) acrylate, triethylene glycol mono (meth) acrylate, and tetraethylene glycol mono (meth). Examples thereof include meth) acrylate and polyethylene glycol mono (meth) acrylate. Examples of the polymerizable monomer having a cationic hydrophilic functional group include (meth) acrylamide, N-methylol (meth) acrylamide, N-vinylformamide, N-vinylacetamide, N-vinylpyrrolidone, and acrylamide. , N, N-dimethylacrylamide, Nt-butylacrylamide, N-octylacrylamide, Nt-octylacrylamide and the like.

As a method for synthesizing the copolymer, various known synthesis methods such as solution polymerization, suspension polymerization, bulk polymerization, and emulsion polymerization can be used, but since the polymerization operation and the adjustment of the molecular weight are easy, the radical A method using a polymerization initiator is preferable.

As the radical polymerization initiator, a commonly used agent can be used.
Specifically, peroxyketal, hydroperoxide, dialkyl peroxide, diacyl peroxide, peroxydicarbonate, peroxyester, cyano-based azobisisobutyronitrile, azobis (2-methylbutyronitrile), Examples thereof include azobis (2,2'-isovaleronitrile) and non-cyano dimethyl-2,2'-azobisisobutyrate. Of these, organic peroxides and azo compounds, which are easy to control the molecular weight and have a low decomposition temperature, are preferable, and azo compounds are more preferable.
The amount of the polymerization initiator used is preferably 1 to 10% by mass with respect to the total mass of the polymerizable monomer.

The weight average molecular weight of the copolymer is preferably 5,000 or more and 40,000 or less.

In the ink of the present embodiment, the copolymer is preferably a salt.
In the ink, the base added to neutralize the copolymer is present as a cation. The amount of cation added is 1 to 2 times the number of moles of anionic hydrophilic functional groups contained in the copolymer in order to further improve the storage stability of the pigment dispersion and the storage stability of the ink. Is preferable.
The cation is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include sodium ion, potassium ion, lithium ion, and organic ammonium ion. Organic ammonium ions are preferred because they provide better ink storage stability.

Examples of the organic ammonium ion include tetramethylammonium ion, tetraethylammonium ion, tetrapropylammonium ion, tetrabutylammonium ion, tetrapentylammonium ion, tetrahexylammonium ion, triethylmethylammonium ion, tributylmethylammonium ion, and trioctylmethylammonium ion. , 2-Hydroxyethyl trimethylammonium ion, Tris (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium ion, propyltrimethylammonium ion, hexyltrimethylammonium ion, octyltrimethylammonium ion, nonyltrimethylammonium ion, decyltrimethylammonium ion, dodecyltrimethylammonium ion, Tetradecyltrimethylammonium ion, hexadecyltrimethylammonium ion, octadecyltrimethylammonium ion didodecyldimethylammonium ion, ditetradecyldimethylammonium ion, dihexadecyldimethylammonium ion, dioctadecyldimethylammonium ion, ethylhexadecyldimethylammonium ion, ammonium Ion, dimethylammonium ion, trimethylammonium ion, monoethylammonium ion, diethylammonium ion, triethylammonium ion, monoethanolammonium ion, diethanolammonium ion, triethanolammonium ion, methylethanolammonium ion, methyldiethanolammonium ion, dimethylethanolammonium Examples thereof include ions, monopropanol ammonium ion, dipropanol ammonium ion, tripropanol ammonium ion, isopropanol ammonium ion and the like.

[Other organic solvents]
Organic solvents other than the above-mentioned organic solvents can also be used.
As the other organic solvent, for example, a water-soluble organic solvent can be used.
Examples of other organic solvents include ethers such as polyhydric alcohols, polyhydric alcohol alkyl ethers and polyhydric alcohol aryl ethers, nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, amides, amines and sulfur-containing compounds. Be done.

Specific examples of polyhydric alcohols include, for example, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, and 1,4-butane. Diol, 2,3-butanediol, 3-methyl-1,3-butanediol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, 1,2-pentanediol, 1,3-pentanediol, 1,4-pentanediol , 2,4-Pentanediol, 1,5-Pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,3-hexanediol, 2,5-hexanediol, 1,5-hexanediol, Glycerin, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, ethyl-1,2,4-butanediol, 1,2,3-butanetriol, 2,2,4-trimethyl- Examples thereof include 1,3-pentanediol and petriol.

Examples of the polyhydric alcohol alkyl ethers include ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, tetraethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and propylene glycol monoethyl ether.

Examples of polyhydric alcohol aryl ethers include ethylene glycol monophenyl ether and ethylene glycol monobenzyl ether.

Examples of the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound include 2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-hydroxyethyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, ε-caprolactam, and γ-butyrolactone. Can be mentioned.

Examples of the amides include formamide, N-methylformamide, N, N-dimethylformamide, 3-methoxy-N, N-dimethylpropionamide, 3-butoxy-N, N-dimethylpropionamide and the like.

Examples of amines include monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethylamine and the like.

Examples of sulfur-containing compounds include dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane, and thiodiethanol.

Examples of the organic solvent include propylene carbonate and ethylene carbonate. It is preferable to use an organic solvent having a boiling point of 250 ° C. or lower because it not only functions as a wetting agent but also has good drying properties.

Further, as the organic solvent, a polyol compound having 8 or more carbon atoms and a glycol ether compound are also preferably used. Specific examples of the polyol compound having 8 or more carbon atoms include 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol.

Specific examples of the glycol ether compound include polyhydric alcohol alkyls such as ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, tetraethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and propylene glycol monoethyl ether. Ethers; Examples thereof include polyhydric alcohol aryl ethers such as ethylene glycol monophenyl ether and ethylene glycol monobenzyl ether.

A polyol compound having 8 or more carbon atoms and a glycol ether compound can improve the permeability of ink when paper is used as a recording medium.

The content of the organic solvent in the ink is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably 10% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less from the viewpoint of ink drying property and ejection reliability. , 20% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less are more preferable.

[water]
The content in the ink is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably 10% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, preferably 20% by mass, from the viewpoint of ink drying property and ejection reliability. % Or more and 60% by mass or less are more preferable.

[Color material]
The coloring material is not particularly limited, and pigments and dyes can be used.

As the pigment, an inorganic pigment or an organic pigment can be used. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Further, a mixed crystal may be used as the pigment. As the pigment, for example, a black pigment, a yellow pigment, a magenta pigment, a cyan pigment, a white pigment, a green pigment, an orange pigment, a glossy color pigment such as gold or silver, a metallic pigment, or the like can be used.

As inorganic pigments, carbon black produced by known methods such as contact method, furnace method, thermal method, in addition to titanium oxide, iron oxide, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, aluminum hydroxide, barium yellow, cadmium red, and chrome yellow. Can be used.

Examples of organic pigments include azo pigments, polycyclic pigments (for example, phthalocyanine pigments, perylene pigments, perinone pigments, anthraquinone pigments, quinacridone pigments, dioxazine pigments, indigo pigments, thioindigo pigments, isoindolinone pigments, quinophthalone pigments, etc.) and dyes. Chelate (for example, basic dye type chelate, acid dye type chelate, etc.), nitro pigment, nitroso pigment, aniline black and the like can be used. Among these pigments, those having a good affinity with a solvent are preferably used. In addition, resin hollow particles and inorganic hollow particles can also be used.

As a specific example of the pigment, for black, carbon black (CI pigment black 7) such as furnace black, lamp black, acetylene black, channel black, or copper, iron (CI pigment black 11) , Metals such as titanium oxide, and organic pigments such as aniline black (CI pigment black 1).

Further, for color, C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 1, 3, 12, 13, 14, 17, 24, 34, 35, 37, 42 (yellow iron oxide), 53, 55, 74, 81, 83, 95, 97, 98, 100, 101, 104 , 108, 109, 110, 117, 120, 138, 150, 153, 155, 180, 185, 213, C.I. I. Pigment Orange 5, 13, 16, 17, 36, 43, 51, C.I. I. Pigment Red 1, 2, 3, 5, 17, 22, 23, 31, 38, 48: 2, 48: 2 (Permanent Red 2B (Ca)), 48: 3, 48: 4, 49: 1, 52: 2, 53: 1, 57: 1 (Brilliant Calcium 6B), 60: 1, 63: 1, 63: 2, 64: 1, 81, 83, 88, 101 (Bengara), 104, 105, 106, 108 ( Cadmium Red), 112, 114, 122 (Quinacridone Magenta), 123, 146, 149, 166, 168, 170, 172, 177, 178, 179, 184, 185, 190, 193, 202, 207, 208, 209, 213, 219, 224, 254, 264, C.I. I. Pigment Violet 1 (Rhodamine Lake), 3, 5: 1, 16, 19, 23, 38, C.I. I. Pigment Blue 1, 2, 15 (phthalocyanine blue), 15: 1, 15: 2, 15: 3, 15: 4 (phthalocyanine blue), 16, 17: 1, 56, 60, 63, C.I. I. Pigment Greens 1, 4, 7, 8, 10, 17, 18, 36, etc.

The dye is not particularly limited, and acid dyes, direct dyes, reactive dyes, and basic dyes can be used, and one type may be used alone or two or more types may be used in combination. As a dye, for example, C.I. I. Acid Yellow 17, 23, 42, 44, 79, 142, C.I. I. Acid Red 52,80,82,249,254,289, C.I. I. Acid Blue 9,45,249, C.I. I. Acid Black 1,2,24,94, C.I. I. Hood Black 1, 2, C.I. I. Direct Yellow 1,12,24,33,50,55,58,86,132,142,144,173, C.I. I. Direct Red 1,4,9,80,81,225,227, C.I. I. Direct Blue 1,2,15,71,86,87,98,165,199,202, C.I. I. Dilekdo Black 19,38,51,71,154,168,171,195, C.I. I. Reactive Red 14, 32, 55, 79, 249, C.I. I. Reactive Black 3, 4, 35 can be mentioned.

The content of the coloring material in the ink is preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less, preferably 1% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less, from the viewpoint of improving the image density, good fixing property and ejection stability. More preferred.

As a method of dispersing the pigment to obtain an ink, a method of introducing a hydrophilic functional group into the pigment to obtain a self-dispersible pigment, a method of coating the surface of the pigment with a resin and dispersing it, and a method of dispersing using a dispersant are used. The method, etc. can be mentioned. As a method of introducing a hydrophilic functional group into a pigment to obtain a self-dispersing pigment, for example, a method of adding a functional group such as a sulfone group or a carboxyl group to a pigment (for example, carbon) so that the pigment can be dispersed in water. Can be mentioned. Examples of the method of coating the surface of the pigment with a resin and dispersing the pigment include a method of encapsulating the pigment in microcapsules so that the pigment can be dispersed in water. This can be rephrased as a resin-coated pigment. In this case, it is not necessary that all the pigments blended in the ink are coated with the resin, and the uncoated pigments and the partially coated pigments are dispersed in the ink as long as the effect of the present invention is not impaired. May be. Examples of the method of dispersing using a dispersant include a method of dispersing using a known low-molecular-weight dispersant and high-molecular-weight dispersant represented by a surfactant. As the dispersant, for example, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, a nonionic surfactant and the like can be used depending on the pigment. As the dispersant, RT-100 (nonionic surfactant) manufactured by Takemoto Oil & Fat Co., Ltd. and a naphthalene sulfonic acid Na formalin condensate can also be suitably used as the dispersant. The dispersant may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[Pigment dispersion]
It is possible to obtain an ink by mixing a material such as water or an organic solvent with the pigment. It is also possible to produce an ink by mixing a material such as water or an organic solvent with a pigment dispersion obtained by mixing a pigment and other water or a dispersant. The pigment dispersion is obtained by mixing and dispersing water, a pigment, a pigment dispersant, and other components as necessary, and adjusting the particle size. It is good to use a disperser for dispersion. The particle size of the pigment in the pigment dispersion is not particularly limited, but the maximum frequency is 20 nm or more in terms of the maximum number because the dispersion stability of the pigment is good and the image quality such as ejection stability and image density is also high. It is preferably 500 nm or less, and more preferably 20 nm or more and 150 nm or less. The particle size of the pigment can be measured using a particle size analyzer (Nanotrack Wave-UT151, manufactured by Microtrac Bell Co., Ltd.). The content of the pigment in the pigment dispersion is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is 0.1% by mass from the viewpoint of obtaining good ejection stability and increasing the image density. 50% by mass or more is preferable, and 0.1% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less is more preferable. It is preferable to degas the pigment dispersion by filtering the coarse particles with a filter, a centrifuge, or the like, if necessary.

[resin]
The type of resin contained in the ink is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, urethane resin, polyester resin, acrylic resin, vinyl acetate resin, styrene resin, butadiene resin, etc. Examples thereof include resins, styrene-butadiene resins, vinyl chloride resins, acrylic styrene resins, and acrylic silicone resins. Resin particles made of these resins may be used. It is possible to obtain ink by mixing resin particles with a material such as a coloring material or an organic solvent in the state of a resin emulsion in which water is used as a dispersion medium. As the resin particles, those synthesized as appropriate may be used, or commercially available products may be used. Further, these may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds of resin particles.

The volume average particle size of the resin particles is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. However, from the viewpoint of obtaining good fixability and high image hardness, 10 nm or more and 1,000 nm or less are preferable. More than 200 nm is more preferable, and 10 nm or more and 100 nm or less is particularly preferable. The volume average particle size can be measured using, for example, a particle size analyzer (Nanotrack Wave-UT151, manufactured by Microtrac Bell Co., Ltd.).

The content of the resin is 5% by mass or more, more preferably 5% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less, based on the total amount of the ink, from the viewpoint of fixability and storage stability of the ink.

The particle size of the solid content in the ink is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. From the viewpoint of improving image quality such as ejection stability and image density, the maximum frequency of the particle size of the solid content in the ink is preferably 20 nm or more and 1000 nm or less in terms of the maximum number, and more preferably 20 nm or more and 150 nm or less. The solid content includes resin particles, pigment particles, and the like. The particle size can be measured using a particle size analyzer (Nanotrack Wave-UT151, manufactured by Microtrac Bell Co., Ltd.).

[Additive]
If necessary, a surfactant, an antifoaming agent, an antiseptic / antifungal agent, a rust preventive agent, a pH adjuster and the like may be added to the ink.

<Surfactant>
As the surfactant, any of a silicone-based surfactant, a fluorine-based surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and an anionic surfactant can be used.

The silicone-based surfactant is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Of these, those that do not decompose even at high pH are preferable. Examples of the silicone-based surfactant include side chain modified polydimethylsiloxane, double-ended modified polydimethylsiloxane, single-ended modified polydimethylsiloxane, and side chain double-ended modified polydimethylsiloxane. Those having a polyoxyethylene group and a polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene group as the modifying group are particularly preferable because they exhibit good properties as an aqueous surfactant. Further, as the silicone-based surfactant, a polyether-modified silicone-based surfactant can also be used, and examples thereof include compounds in which a polyalkylene oxide structure is introduced into the Si portion side chain of dimethylsiloxane.

Examples of the fluorine-based surfactant include a perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid compound, a perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid compound, a perfluoroalkyl phosphate ester compound, a perfluoroalkyl ethylene oxide adduct, and a perfluoroalkyl ether group in the side chain. Polyoxyalkylene ether polymer compounds are particularly preferred because they have low foaming properties. Examples of the perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid compound include perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid and perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid salt. Examples of the perfluoroalkylcarboxylic acid compound include perfluoroalkylcarboxylic acid and perfluoroalkylcarboxylic acid salt. Examples of the polyoxyalkylene ether polymer compound having a perfluoroalkyl ether group in the side chain include a sulfate ester salt of a polyoxyalkylene ether polymer having a perfluoroalkyl ether group in the side chain and a poly having a perfluoroalkyl ether group in the side chain. Examples thereof include salts of oxyalkylene ether polymers. The counter ions of the salts in these fluorine-based surfactants include Li, Na, K, NH ₄ , NH ₃ CH ₂ CH ₂ OH, NH ₂ (CH ₂ CH ₂ OH) ₂ , and NH (CH ₂ CH ₂ OH). ₃ etc. can be mentioned.

Examples of the amphoteric tenside include laurylaminopropionate, lauryl dimethyl betaine, stearyl dimethyl betaine, and lauryl dihydroxyethyl betaine.

Examples of the nonionic surfactant include polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl ester, polyoxyethylene alkyl amine, polyoxyethylene alkyl amide, polyoxyethylene propylene block polymer, sorbitan fatty acid ester, and polyoxyethylene sorbitan. Examples thereof include a fatty acid ester and an ethylene oxide adduct of acetylene alcohol.

Examples of the anionic surfactant include polyoxyethylene alkyl ether acetate, dodecylbenzene sulfonate, lauryl salt, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate salt and the like.
These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The silicone-based surfactant is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, side-chain modified polydimethylsiloxane, double-ended modified polydimethylsiloxane, one-ended modified polydimethylsiloxane, side chain. Examples thereof include both-terminal modified polydimethylsiloxane, and a polyether-modified silicone-based surfactant having a polyoxyethylene group and a polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene group as modifying groups is particularly preferable because it exhibits good properties as an aqueous surfactant. ..
As such a surfactant, an appropriately synthesized one may be used, or a commercially available product may be used. As commercially available products, for example, they can be obtained from Big Chemie Co., Ltd., Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd., Nippon Emulsion Co., Ltd., Kyoeisha Chemical Co., Ltd. and the like.
The above-mentioned polyether-modified silicone-based surfactant is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, a polyalkylene oxide structure represented by the general formula (S-1) is dimethylpoly. Examples thereof include those introduced into the Si part side chain of siloxane.

(However, in the general formula (S-1), m, n, a, and b each independently represent an integer, R represents an alkylene group, and R'represents an alkyl group.) As the polyether-modified silicone-based surfactant of the above, commercially available products can be used, for example, KF-618, KF-642, KF-643 (Shinetsu Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), EMALEX-SS-5602, SS-1906EX. (Nippon Emulsion Co., Ltd.), FZ-2105, FZ-2118, FZ-2154, FZ-2161, FZ-2162, FZ-2163, FZ-2164 (Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd.), BYK-33, BYK -387 (Big Chemie Co., Ltd.), TSF4440, TSF4452, TSF4453 (Toshiba Silicon Co., Ltd.) and the like can be mentioned.

As the fluorine-based surfactant, a compound having 2 to 16 carbon atoms substituted with fluorine is preferable, and a compound having 4 to 16 carbon atoms substituted with fluorine is more preferable.
Examples of the fluorine-based surfactant include a perfluoroalkyl phosphate ester compound, a perfluoroalkylethylene oxide adduct, and a polyoxyalkylene ether polymer compound having a perfluoroalkyl ether group in the side chain.
Among these, the polyoxyalkylene ether polymer compound having a perfluoroalkyl ether group in the side chain is preferable because it has less foaming property, and is particularly a fluorine-based compound represented by the general formula (F-1) and the general formula (F-2). Surfactants are preferred.

In the compound represented by the general formula (F-1), m is preferably an integer of 0 to 10 and n is preferably an integer of 0 to 40 in order to impart water solubility.

In the compound represented by the above general formula (F-2), Y is H or C _m F _{2 m + 1} and m is an integer of 1 to 6, or CH ₂ CH (OH) CH ₂ -C _m F _{2 m + 1} and m is An integer of 4 to 6 or an integer of C _p H _{2p + 1} and p is an integer of 1 to 19. n is an integer of 1 to 6. a is an integer of 4 to 14.

Commercially available products may be used as the above-mentioned fluorine-based surfactant. Examples of this commercially available product include Surflon S-111, S-112, S-113, S-121, S-131, S-132, S-141, and S-145 (all manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.); Full Lard FC-93, FC-95, FC-98, FC-129, FC-135, FC-170C, FC-430, FC-431 (all manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd.); Megafuck F-470, F -1405, F-474 (all manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Co., Ltd.); Zonyl TBS, FSP, FSA, FSN-100, FSN, FSO-100, FSO, FS-300, UR, Capstone FS-30, FS-31, FS-3100, FS-34, FS-35 (all manufactured by The Chemours Company); FT-110, FT-250, FT-251, FT-400S, FT-150, FT- 400SW (all manufactured by Neos Co., Ltd.), Polyfox PF-136A, PF-156A, PF-151N, PF-154, PF-159 (manufactured by Omniova), Unidyne DSN-403N (manufactured by Daikin Industries Co., Ltd.) Among these, FS-3100, FS-34, FS- of The Chemours Co., Ltd. from the viewpoint of remarkably improving good print quality, particularly color development, permeability to paper, wettability, and leveling property. 300, FT-110, FT-250, FT-251, FT-400S, FT-150, FT-400SW manufactured by Neos Co., Ltd., Polyfox PF-151N manufactured by Omninova, and Unidyne DSN-manufactured by Daikin Industries Co., Ltd. 403N is particularly preferable.

The content of the surfactant in the ink is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. However, from the viewpoint of excellent wettability and ejection stability and improvement in image quality, 0.001 mass is used. % Or more and 5% by mass or less are preferable, and 0.05% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less are more preferable.

<Defoamer>
The defoaming agent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a silicone-based defoaming agent, a polyether-based defoaming agent, and a fatty acid ester-based defoaming agent. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, a silicone-based defoaming agent is preferable because it has an excellent defoaming effect.

<Preservatives and fungicides>
The antiseptic and antifungal agent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one and the like.

<Rust inhibitor>
The rust preventive is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include acidic sulfites and sodium thiosulfate.

<pH adjuster>
The pH adjusting agent is not particularly limited as long as the pH can be adjusted to 7 or more, and examples thereof include amines such as diethanolamine and triethanolamine.

(Example of liquid prescription)
Hereinafter, an example of prescribing the liquid according to this embodiment will be shown. In addition, "part" represents "mass part".

<Synthesis of copolymer CP-1>
[Monomer M-1] of the following structural formula (4) was synthesized based on the synthesis example of JP-A-2016-196621. A monomer solution was prepared by dissolving 1.20 g (16.7 mmol) of acrylic acid (manufactured by Aldrich) and 7.12 g (16.7 mmol) of [monomer M-1] in 40 mL of dry methyl ethyl ketone. After heating 10% of the monomer solution to 75 ° C. under an argon stream, 0.273 g (1.67 mmol) of 2,2'-azoiso (butyronitrile) (manufactured by Tokyo Kasei Co., Ltd.) was dissolved in the remaining monomer solution. Was added dropwise over 1.5 hours, and the mixture was stirred at 75 ° C. for 6 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the obtained reaction solution was dropped into hexane. The precipitated copolymer was separated by filtration and dried under reduced pressure to obtain 8.23 g of [copolymer CP-1] (weight average molecular weight (Mw): 9500, number average molecular weight (Mn): 3400). ..

<Preparation of pigment dispersion>
-Preparation of pigment dispersion PD-1-
The obtained 4.0 parts of [copolymer CP-1] was dissolved in 80.0 parts of a diethanolamine aqueous solution so that the pH became 8.0. To 84.0 parts of the obtained copolymer aqueous solution, 16.0 parts of carbon black (NIPEX150, manufactured by Orion Engineered Carbons) was added and stirred for 12 hours. The obtained mixture was circulated and dispersed for 1 hour at a peripheral speed of 10 m / s using a disk-type bead mill (KDL type, media: using zirconia balls having a diameter of 0.1 mm) manufactured by Symmulenterprises, and then the average pore size was averaged. The mixture was filtered through a 1.2 μm membrane filter, and an adjusted amount of ion-exchanged water was added to obtain 97.0 parts by mass of [Pigment Dispersion PD-1] (pigment solid content concentration: 16% by mass).

-Preparation of pigment dispersion PD-2-
The obtained 4.0 parts of [copolymer CP-1] was dissolved in 76.0 parts of a diethanolamine aqueous solution so that the pH became 8.0. To 80.0 parts of the obtained copolymer aqueous solution, 20.0 parts of Pigment Blue 15: 3 (Chromofine Blue A-220JC, manufactured by Dainichiseika Co., Ltd.) was added and stirred for 12 hours. The obtained mixture was circulated and dispersed for 1 hour at a peripheral speed of 10 m / s using a disk-type bead mill (KDL type, media: using zirconia balls having a diameter of 0.1 mm) manufactured by Symmulenterprises, and then the average pore size was averaged. The mixture was filtered through a 1.2 μm membrane filter, and an adjusted amount of ion-exchanged water was added to obtain 97.0 parts by mass of [Pigment Dispersion PD-2] (pigment solid content concentration: 20% by mass).

-Preparation of pigment dispersion PD-3-
The obtained 4.0 parts of [copolymer CP-1] was dissolved in 76 parts of a diethanolamine aqueous solution so that the pH became 8.0. To 80.0 parts of the obtained copolymer aqueous solution, 20.0 parts of Pigment Red 122 (Toner Magenta EO02, manufactured by Clariant) was added and stirred for 12 hours. The obtained mixture was circulated and dispersed for 1 hour at a peripheral speed of 10 m / s using a disk-type bead mill (KDL type, media: using zirconia balls having a diameter of 0.1 mm) manufactured by Symmulenterprises, and then the average pore size was averaged. The mixture was filtered through a 1.2 μm membrane filter, and an adjusted amount of ion-exchanged water was added to obtain 97.0 parts by mass of [Pigment Dispersion PD-3] (pigment solid content concentration: 20% by mass).

-Preparation of pigment dispersion PD-4-
The obtained 2 parts [copolymer CP-1] was dissolved in 78 parts of a potassium hydroxide aqueous solution so that the pH became 8.0. To 80.0 parts of the obtained copolymer aqueous solution, 20.0 parts of Pigment Yellow 74 (First Yellow 531 manufactured by Dainichiseika Co., Ltd.) was added and stirred for 12 hours. The obtained mixture was circulated and dispersed for 1 hour at a peripheral speed of 10 m / s using a disk-type bead mill (KDL type, media: using zirconia balls having a diameter of 0.1 mm) manufactured by Symmulenterprises, and then the average pore size was averaged. The mixture was filtered through a 1.2 μm membrane filter, and an adjusted amount of ion-exchanged water was added to obtain 97.0 parts by mass of [Pigment Dispersion PD-4] (pigment solid content concentration: 20% by mass).

<Preparation of resin fine particle dispersion 1>
After sufficiently substituting nitrogen gas in a 1 L flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, a thermometer, a nitrogen gas introduction tube, a reflux tube, and a dropping funnel, 8.0 g of Latemul S-180 (Kao) was added to 350 g of ion-exchanged water. (Manufactured by the company, reactive anionic surfactant) was added and mixed, and the temperature was raised to 65 ° C.
Next, 3.0 g of the reaction initiator t-butyl peroxobenzoate and 1.0 g of sodium isoascorbate were added, and after 5 minutes, 45 g of methyl methacrylate, 160 g of -2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, 5 g of acrylic acid, and 45 g of butyl methacrylate were added. , 30 g of cyclohexyl methacrylate, 15 g of vinyltriethoxysilane, 8.0 g of Latemul S-180.
, And a mixture of 340 g of ion-exchanged water was added dropwise over 3 hours.
Then, after aging by heating at 80 ° C. for 2 hours, the mixture was cooled to room temperature, and the pH was adjusted to 7 to 8 with sodium hydroxide.
Then, ethanol was distilled off by an evaporator and the water content was adjusted to obtain 730 g of an acrylic-silicone polymer fine particle dispersion ([resin fine particle dispersion 1]) having a solid content of 40%. The volume average particle size (D50) of the polymer fine particles in the dispersion was measured with a particle size distribution measuring device (Nanotrack UPA-EX150 manufactured by Nikkiso Co., Ltd.) and found to be 125 nm.

(Prescription example 1)
-Making ink GJ-1-
40 parts by mass [pigment dispersion PD-1], 13 parts by mass [resin fine particle dispersion 1], 7 parts by mass 3-methyl-1,3-butanediol, 16 parts by mass 1,2-propanediol 4, 4 parts by mass of 3-ethyl-3-hydroxymethyloxetane, 5 parts by mass of N, N-dimethyl-β-ethoxypropionamide, 2 parts by mass of Unidyne DSN-403N (manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.), and 13 parts by mass. The ion-exchanged water of the above was mixed, stirred for 1 hour, and then filtered through a membrane filter having an average pore size of 1.2 μm to prepare [Ink GJ-1] of Formulation Example 1.

(Prescription examples 2 to 5)
-Making ink GJ-2-5-
[Ink GJ-2 to 5] of Formulation Examples 2 to 5 were prepared in the same manner as in Formulation Example 1 except that the ink formulation shown in Table 1 was changed in Formulation Example 1.

Table 1 shows the formulations of [Inks GJ-1 to 5] in Formulation Examples 1 to 5.

In Table 1, TEGO Wet-270 is a polyether-modified siloxane compound surfactant manufactured by Evonik Industries.

<Evaluation of ink deposition>
The inks of Formulation Examples 1 to 5 were evaluated for depositability on the absorber by the method shown below. The results are shown in Table 2.

〔Evaluation methods〕
Disposable syringes (Terumo Syringe SS-20ESZP) were filled with the inks of Formulation Examples 1 to 5, and an injection needle (attached to Terumo Syringe SS-01T2613S) was attached to drain air. In an environment adjusted to 32 ° C and 30% RH, a disposable syringe filled with ink was set in a syringe pump so that the ejection direction of the syringe was horizontal to the laboratory table, and the dropping condition was 0.5 μl / min. Ink was dropped onto the above-mentioned absorber D and absorber E for 15 hours.

The presence or absence of deposition on the absorber after dropping was confirmed, and the sedimentability was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria.
"△" and above are practically acceptable levels.

[Evaluation criteria]
〇: Ink is absorbed by the absorber and is not deposited Δ: Some ink remains on the absorber but has fluidity and is not deposited ×: Ink fluidity on the absorber Is almost nonexistent and is accumulating

As shown in Table 2, when the inks of Formulation Examples 1 to 4 are used for the absorbers D and E, which are melamine foams having an absorption rate of more than 10 ln / ms and a capillary force of less than 10 m. It was found that no deposition occurred in the ink, and it was difficult to deposit even when the ink of Formulation Example 5 was used.

In the empty discharge receiver 80 according to the present invention, a melamine foam having an absorption rate of more than 10 nl / ms and a capillary force of less than 10 m is applied as the absorbing member 81, and the formulation of the liquid discharged empty is the above-mentioned formulation example. If it complies with 1 to 5, it is possible to more reliably prevent the occurrence of contamination in the replacement work of the absorbent member 81 without causing accumulation, and it is possible to further improve the maintainability.

21 Guide member 22 Holding means 23 Upper engaging hole 24 Lower engaging hole 25 Slit 26 Flap 27 Protrusion part 28 Spring member 29 Locking part (needle part)
42 Empty discharge liquid 80 Empty discharge receiver 81 Absorbing member 81a Recessed 810 block (absorbing member)
82 Liquid holding member 82a Convex part 83 Receiving member (tray)
86 Moisturizer 100 head (liquid discharge head)
500 Printing equipment (device that discharges liquid)
510 Sheet material 550 Head unit 551 Head array

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-208472 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-44826

Claims (19)

An empty discharge receiver that receives the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge means.
An absorbing member that absorbs the liquid, a receiving member that accommodates the absorbing member, and a plurality of holding means for holding the absorbing member are provided.
The holding means is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the bottom surface of the receiving member, and is characterized by holding the absorbing member in contact with and detaching from the bottom surface of the receiving member. The first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the absorbing member is divided into a plurality of blocks at least in the longitudinal direction of the surface on which the liquid discharged in the air is landed, and is held for each block by the plurality of holding means. Empty discharge receiver. An empty discharge receiver that receives the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge means.
An absorbing member that absorbs the liquid, a receiving member that accommodates the absorbing member, a liquid holding member that is laminated on the absorbing member and abuts on the bottom surface of the receiving member, and a plurality of holding means for holding the absorbing member. Equipped with
The absorbent member is divided into a plurality of blocks at least in the longitudinal direction of the surface on which the air-discharged liquid lands.
The plurality of holding means are movable in the vertical direction with respect to the bottom surface of the receiving member, and the absorbing member is held in contact with and detachable from the liquid holding member for each block. Empty discharge receiver. The liquid holding member is divided into a plurality of blocks at least in the longitudinal direction and at least in the longitudinal direction of the surface facing the absorbing member.
The empty discharge receiver according to claim 3, wherein the area of one block of the liquid holding member is larger than the area of one block of the absorbing member. The absorbing member has a higher permeability of the liquid than the liquid holding member.
The empty discharge receiver according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the liquid holding member has a higher capillary force than the absorbing member. The empty discharge receiver according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the absorbing member and the liquid holding member are unevenly fitted on the surfaces facing each other. The empty discharge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a guide member is provided on the side surface of the receiving member so as to support the holding means so as to be slidably movable in the vertical direction with respect to the bottom surface of the receiving member. received. The empty discharge receiver according to claim 7, wherein the holding means is engaged and fixed to the guide member at a stop position. The empty discharge receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the absorbing member is a melamine foam. The empty discharge receiver according to claim 9, wherein the melamine foam has an absorption rate of more than 10 ln / ms and a capillary force of less than 10 mm. The empty discharge receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the absorbing member is impregnated with a moisturizing liquid. The empty discharge according to claim 11, wherein the moisturizing liquid contains polyhydric alcohols having an equilibrium water content of 30% by mass or more in 80% RH at 23 ° C. as a water-soluble organic solvent to be added. received. The empty discharge receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the liquid has a resin content of 5% by mass or more. The liquid contains a coloring material, a resin, a first organic solvent and a second organic solvent.
The first organic solvent is an alkyl alkane diol having an alkane diol having 3 to 6 carbon atoms as a main chain and an alkyl group having 1 to 2 carbon atoms as a branched chain.
The second organic solvent is a polyhydric alcohol having an equilibrium water content of 30% by mass or more at a relative humidity of 80% and a saturated vapor pressure of 20 mmHg or more at 100 ° C., according to claims 1 to 13. Empty discharge receiver described in either. The characteristic is that the mass ratio (A / B) of the content A (mass%) of the first organic solvent and the content B (mass%) of the second organic solvent in the liquid is 1 or less. The empty discharge receiver according to claim 14. The empty discharge receiver according to claim 14, wherein the liquid further contains a third organic solvent having a solubility parameter of 9 or more and 11 or less. The empty discharge receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the liquid contains a copolymer having a structural unit represented by the following general formula (1).

A device for discharging a liquid, which comprises the empty discharge receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 17. A printing device that discharges liquid onto a sheet material to print.
A liquid discharge means including a plurality of liquid discharge heads,
The empty discharge receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 17 is provided.
The absorbing member of the empty discharge receiver is a printing apparatus characterized in that the liquid discharged in the air lands on the outside of a region facing a region through which the sheet material passes.

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