JP4086437B2 - Recording method - Google Patents

Description

【００１４】
【式２】

【００１５】
請求項２の発明は、請求項１の発明において、ポリマーと水素結合を形成し得るアルキル化合物を吸水性ポリマーに１５〜６０％含ませた粉体からなることを特徴とするものである。
【００１６】
請求項３の発明は、請求項１の発明において、粉体の粒径が０．１μｍ〜１０μｍの粒子であることを特徴とするものである。
【００１７】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明は、インクに対し吸水性かつ増粘性を示す粉体を用いることにより、転写媒体上での濃縮時間を要することなく、はじきによる画像の滲みをおさえ、その転写画像においては裏映りを抑える。さらに、多価金属塩やポリアリルアミンやその誘導体、タンニン酸、没食子酸やその誘導体を含有させることで、インク組成物と接触することでインク着色剤が凝集、不溶化するため耐水性がある印刷物が形成される。その際、インク組成物と反応し、不溶化する物質が印字のときインクタンク中になく、吸水増粘剤の側に含有させているため、その吐出安定性の問題がない。よって、反応物のインクに対する付与率を多くできるため、耐水の効果をより大きくできる。
【００１８】
さらに、水素結合を形成して含有されているアルキル化合物は親油性であり、撥水性であるため、吸水ポリマーの耐湿性を著しく向上させることができるが、結合が水素結合であるため、インク滴のごとき大量の水に対して簡単にこのアルキル化合物はポリマーから離れる性質があり、吸インク性はアルキル化合物を含有させない吸水性ポリマーと同じ性質に戻る性質があり、耐湿性能、吸インク性が良く、したがって、画像の転写性能が良い粉体となる。これを利用することにより、長期間の安定した稼動ができる新たな中間転写記録装置を提供することができる。
【００１９】
転写体上に吸インク性が良く、増粘性の良い粉体を用いた転写型インクジェット記録方式において、本発明者は、前記粉体に、インク組成物と反応して不溶物を形成する物質を含有させることにより、転写後の画像が耐水性に優れることを確認した。転写体上の粉体に、不溶化させる物質を含有させることにより、インク組成物の紙繊維への浸透が制御されるため、より鮮明な画像が得られ、かつ、水に不溶であるため耐水性を示す。液状の反応液を噴射する方式に比べ、含有量を多くでき、その効果は大きい。さらに、反応液を噴射する方式では安定吐出のため組成、試料の制約が多いことに比べ、本発明では、選択性が広くなる。よって、効果の大きい材料を用いて信頼性のある装置を提供できる方式となる。
【００２０】
前記粉体が多価金属塩、ポリアリルアミン、もしくは、その誘導体をもちいることで、インクの着色剤と反応して不溶化するため、印字後の画像が耐水性を持つ。反応剤としての多価金属は、二価以上の多価金属イオンとこれら多価金属イオンに結合する陰イオンから構成される。多価金属イオンの具体的な例としては、Ｃａ２＋、Ｃｕ２＋、Ｎｉ２＋、Ｍｇ２＋、Ｚｎ２＋、Ｂａ２＋などの二価金属イオンと、Ａｌ３＋、Ｆｅ３＋、Ｃｒ３＋などの三価金属イオンが挙げられる。またポリルアミンとその誘導体は、水中でカチオン性を示す高分子であり、アニオン性染料に対して反応性がより良い。また吸インク性粉体がアニオン性を示すため、着色剤と共に不溶化するのに効果的である。アリルアミン、ジアリルアミン、それらの共重合体や、それらの塩化物イオン、臭化物イオン、ヨウ化物イオン、硝酸イオン、硫酸イオン、酢酸イオンなどの形態をとるがこれにかぎられたものではない。これら、反応物質の含有量は吸インク性粉体の０.１〜５０重量％が好ましく、効果的である。耐水性の評価は、目視による色調、さらに、滲み具合を評価するために、１０ｍｍ四方のべたを印字転写し、２０℃の水に１分間浸した後の面積の滲みによる変化率を、（変化後の面積−１００／１００ｍｍ）×１００＝変化率［％］により測定し、この時の変化率が２０％以下のものを耐水性があると判定した。
【００２１】
粉体がタンニン酸、没食子酸またはその誘導体を含有しているときインク組成物中の着色剤を不溶化するため、耐水性がある効果と共に、水性剥離液を塗布ことによって着色剤を除去することができる。水性剥離液に対して、着色剤が不溶化しているため溶け出すことがなく、着色剤を含有している吸インクポリマーを界面活性剤と共に効果的に紙面から剥離する。剥離液を、画像上に付与した後、樹脂が膨潤したところを拭き取ると顔料と共に拭き取ることができる。剥離液としてカルボン酸エステルが用いられる。一塩基酸エステル、二塩基酸ジエステルなどが用いられる。たとえば、パルミチン酸ブチル、ステアリン酸ブチル、ステアリン酸オクチル、アジピン酸ジプロピル、ドデカン酸ジオクチルなどがある。
【００２２】
吸水性ポリマー粉体は湿気に対して非常に弱く、湿度の高い雰囲気にさらされると粉性を保てなくなる。すなわち、これにより、画像形成を長期間安定に繰り返し形成させることができなくなる。よって、耐湿性があり、しかも、吸インク性の良いポリマー粉体を開発することが必要な課題となる。本発明者らは、この課題解決のため、種々検討した結果、画像形成に影響を与えないで耐湿性を向上させる方法として、吸水性ポリマーにそのポリマーと水素結合を形成することのできる原子団を有する、ある大きさの分子量をもつアルキル分子を含ませると、画像品質や、耐湿性の良い吸水性ポリマー粉体を作ることができることを発見した。その結果、環境変化に強い長期間の安定利用に耐えられる、記録方法及び装置を提供することができるようになった。
【００２３】
改質をおこなう吸水性ポリマーは、ポリアクリル酸、ポリアクリルアミド、ポリアクリル酸ソーダーであり、また、各々の誘導体、および、それらの共重合体ポリマーである。いずれも、水素結合を形成することのできる原子団をもっており、このものは、水と作用して増粘し、適当量の水を含んだものは他の支持体に非常に接着しやすくなり、水を含んだポリマーの転写性能は非常に良い。
【００２４】
吸水性ポリマーと水素結合を形成し得る原子団として、アルコール基、ジオール基、カルボキシル基、エステル基、エーテル基、アミド基、ベンゼンカルボン酸基があり、これらの原子団に炭素数の多いアルキル化合物を結合させたものは、そのアルキル基の性質により撥水性を示すようになり、この化合物元素が付加した吸水性ポリマーは前記撥水性により湿気が吸水性ポリマー粉体の水素結合能力を持つ原子団と付加するのを防ぐ。このため、湿気に対して非常に抵抗力が大きくなり、耐湿性を大幅に向上させることができる。そして、この付加の結合様式が、水素結合であるために大量の水と接すると、水素結合で結合している原子団は簡単に水分子が付加する状態に置き換わるため、改質前の吸水性ポリマーとなり、吸水性、増粘性、画像転写性はアルキル化合物を付加する前と同じ性質になる。すなわち、耐湿性が良く、吸水、増粘性が良い、高品質な転写画像がえられる吸水性ポリマー粉体を作成できる。
また、この結合がイオン結合様式とか共有結合様式であると、耐湿性は良くなるが、大量の水による作用に対して処理前のポリマーに戻らず吸水性は悪い。したがって、増粘性も悪く、転写性能も悪いという結果になることを発見した。
【００２５】
吸水性ポリマーと水素結合を形成し得るアルキル化合物を吸水性ポリマーに対して１５％〜６０％含ませた粉体を作ると画像転写性、耐湿性能の良い、吸水性粉体になることを発見した。１５％以下であると湿気に対して抵抗が弱くなる。すなわち、耐湿性が悪くなる。また、６０％以上含有させると、画像転写性が悪くなり、望ましくない。
【００２６】
粉体の粒子が０.１μｍ〜１０μｍの範囲において適当であることを発見した。すなわち、粉体の粒径が前述のごとき範囲にあると、粉体の比表面積が大きいため該液滴と接触性が良く、このため、すばやく該液滴と反応、高粘度化し、画像転写性の良い状態になる。当該粉体の粒径は大きすぎると該液滴との接触性が劣るため、液滴との反応が遅く、増粘効果が瞬時にえられず、転写体上での画像精度が保たれない。また、小さすぎると人体に取り込まれるなどの環境安全性が問題となる。
【００２７】
図１は、本発明による記録方法が適用された記録装置の一例を説明するための装置概略図で、最初に、図１により本発明の動作概略を説明する。インクジェット記録ヘッド１で画像信号に応じてインク液体を中間転写媒体が最表面に形成している中間転写体ベルト２に付与する。該中間転写体ベルト２は３本のローラ３，４，５の間をエンドレスに駆動搬送されている。前記中間転写体ベルト２上に形成されているインク液体による画像及びエンボシング効果粉体付着可能な画像を形成している中間転写媒体が、被記録体トレイ６から給紙ローラ７，８，９，１０，１１及びレジストローラ１２，１３によって搬送された被記録体に転写加圧ローラ１４で転写される。ついで、前記インク液体による画像及び該画像を形成している中間転写媒体が転写された被記録体は排紙ローラ１５，１６によって排紙トレイ１７に排紙される。中間転写体ベルト２の最表面には、中間転写媒体容器１８内の中間転写媒体が塗布量制御ブレード１９で塗布量を制御した塗布補助ローラ２０及び塗布ローラ２１で塗布される。前記中間転写体ベルト２上に形成されているインク液体による画像及び該画像を形成している中間転写媒体の被記録体への転写後の中間転写体ベルトの最表面に残存している中間転写媒体は必要に応じてクリーニングローラ２２、クリーニングブレード２３，２４によってクリーニングされ、再び中間転写媒体の塗布が行なわれる。
【００２８】
以下に実施例を挙げて本発明を説明する。なお、以下の実施において、液体による記録装置として、請求項１の記載の方法による中間転写型インクジェットプリンター、
インクとして、ＩＰＳｉＯ ＪＥＴ３００用；
記録紙として、上質紙（リコーＰＰＣ用紙）
を用いた。
耐水性試験は、１０ｍｍ×１０ｍｍの画像面積が、２０℃の水に１分浸した後、滲みにより変化した変化率を見た。
例えば、一辺が１１ｍｍに滲み広がっている場合、２１％増加と考える。この変化率が２０％以上のとき×、２０〜５％であるとき○、５％以下である時◎とした。
湿度環境における試験は、６ヶ月連続使用、２７℃、８０％の環境に２週間放置後の粉体の様子(流動性)を目視した。
【００２９】
（比較例１）
吸インク性粉体：ポリアクリル酸 ８０重量部
処理剤：ポリアリルアミン ２０重量部
結果：印字物の耐水性があり、湿度環境下においても連続運転の際、高画質が得られた。
【００３０】
（比較例２）
吸インク性粉体：ポリアクリル酸とポリメタクリル酸の共重合体 ７５重量部
処理剤：硝酸マグネシウム １５重量部
結果：印字物の滲みは抑えられたが、湿度環境での連続運転時に吸インク性ポリマーが流動性を失ったため、均一な画質を提供できなくなった。
【００３１】
（比較例３）
吸インク性粉体：ポリアクリル酸 ７０重量部
処理剤：ドデカンアミン ３０重量部
結果：印字物の滲みは抑えられなかったが、湿度環境下において連続運転が可能であった。
【００３２】
（実施例１）
吸インク性粉体：ポリメタクリル酸 ８０重量部
処理剤：ポリアリルアミン １０重量部、ブチルアルコール１０重量部
結果：印字物の滲みが抑えられ、かつ湿度環境においても連続運転が可能であった。
【００３３】
（実施例２）
吸インク性粉体：吸水性、増粘性粉体である請求項１の（ｄ）のポリアクリル酸とポリアクリルアミドの共重合体化合物 ６５重量部
処理剤：ポリアリルアミン １０重量部、水素結合を形成するステアリン酸アミド化合物２５重量部
結果：高品質な画像が形成でき、耐水性があった。６ヶ月以上の連続使用、放置後の使用においても、初期と同等の転写画像を得ることができた。
【００３４】
（実施例３）
吸インク性粉体：比較例３と同様 ７０重量部
処理剤：没食子酸 ３０重量部
結果：高品質な画像が形成でき、耐水性があった。６ヶ月以上の連続使用、放置後の使用においても、初期と同等の転写画像を得ることができた。
【００３５】
（実施例４）
実施例３の処理した吸インク性粉体で画像を形成し、画像上に以下の剥離液を塗布し、拭き取った。
剥離液；ステアリン酸セチル１８重量部、ノニオン系界面活性剤 ２重量部、水８０重量部
結果：剥離後の紙面に着色が見られず再利用可能な状態になった。
【００３６】
（実施例５）
実施例４と同様
剥離液：水 １００重量部
結果：着色剤が紙面に残り、再利用できない。
【００３７】
表１は、上記実施例の結果をまとめたものである。
【００３８】
【表１】

【００３９】
【発明の効果】
液体の付与により溶解または膨潤し、かつ該液体の粘度を上昇させ、中間転写体からの剥離性を向上させる特性を備えた粉体を予め前記中間転写体面に層状に付与したあとに、前記粉体の上に前記液体を付与して、中間転写体上に画像信号に応じた画像を形成し、当該画像を被記録媒体に転写する記録方法において、前記粉体は、インクに対する吸インク性及び増粘性をもつ吸水性ポリマー、水に不溶な形態となるポリアリルアミン、没食子酸のいずれかを含有し、さらに、湿気に対して低吸湿性を備えた粉体であって、前記吸水性ポリマーと水素結合を形成し得る下記アルキル化合物とを含有するので、転写型インクジェット画像において、転写画像の品質がよく、さらに、耐水性が向上した。
【００４１】
粉体に含有する物質がタンニン酸、没食子酸またはその誘導体のいずれかであるので、転写画像の耐水性があり、着色剤が不溶化されているので、剥離液に対して転写媒体に浸透することなく、効果的に剥離できる。
【００４２】
インクに対して吸インク性かつ増粘性をもち、水気、湿気に対して吸湿性をほとんどもたない部材の組成が、吸水性ポリマーとそのポリマーの水素結合を形成し得るアルキル化合物を含ませた粉体からなるので、湿気に対して強い抵抗力があり、長期間の使用においても初期と同じ品質の良い画像を得ることができるようになった。
【００４３】
吸水性ポリマーと水素結合を形成し得るアルキル化合物を含有させることによる長期間の使用において、品質の良い画像形成のできる記録方法、装置を提供できる。
【００４４】
吸水性ポリマーにそれと水素結合を形成し得るアルキル化合物を含有させることにより吸水性粉体を作り、その粉体の利用により、長期間の使用においても品質の良い画像形成のできる記録方法及び装置を提供することができる。
【００４５】
吸水性ポリマーにそれと水素結合を形成し得るアルキル化合物を１５％〜６０％の比率で含有させることにより耐湿性の良い画像形成と、その画像の記録媒体への転写性の良い性能が得られ、長期間の使用においても品質の良い画像形成のできる記録方法及び装置を提供することができる。
【００４６】
粉体の粒径が０.１μｍ〜１０μｍの微粒子であるので、液滴より小さい径の該粉体を用いることにより画像解像度を損なわずに、速度の速い吸水(吸インク)を達成し、高速画像形成のできる方法、及び装置を提供できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 本発明による記録方法が適用される記録装置の一例を説明するための要部概略構成図である。
【符号の説明】
１…インクジェット記録ヘッド、２…中間転写体ベルト、３，４，５…ローラ、６…被記録体トレイ、７，８，９，１０，１１…給紙ローラ、１２，１３…レジストローラ、１４…転写加圧ローラ、１５，１６…排紙ローラ、１７…排紙トレイ、１８…中間転写媒体容器、１９…塗布量制御ブレード、２０…塗布補助ローラ、２１…塗布ローラ、２２…クリーニングローラ、２３，２４…クリーニングブレード。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording method for a transfer-type inkjet printer that ejects ink droplets from a recording head to form an ink image on a transfer medium, and then transfers the ink image to the recording medium to obtain the ink image on the recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
JP-A-5-202328 proposes a method of applying an ink composition containing a dye having at least one carboxyl group after applying a polyvalent metal salt solution to a recording medium as water resistance of an image by an ink jet recording method. Has been. In this method, an insoluble complex is formed from a polyvalent metal ion and a dye, and the presence of this complex is said to provide a high-quality image having water resistance and no color bleeding.
[0003]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-106735 uses a combination of a color ink containing at least a surfactant or a penetrating solvent that imparts penetrability and a salt with a black ink that thickens or aggregates due to the action of the salt. Proposed in the gazette. In addition, several ink jet recording methods for printing two liquids have been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-240557).
[0004]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-63185 proposes a technique for applying a colorless ink that eliminates the need for a dye onto a recording paper using an ink jet recording head.
[0005]
In any method, in addition to ink droplets, in order to apply an appropriate amount of a reaction solution, a reaction solution having storability that does not change in quality has been developed.
In the field of textile printing, the above substances can be added to the carboxylic acid-containing polymer ink. However, there is a problem that the nozzle of the head is clogged during long-term storage. In addition, there are many restrictions on the dye structure and ink PH, and the problem cannot be solved sufficiently.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention was made in high-speed recording using an intermediate transfer type ink-jet recording that imparts ink-thickening powder on a transfer medium. It is to realize a method for forming an excellent transfer image. Furthermore, a new intermediate transfer recording apparatus capable of stable operation over a long period of time is provided by using a powder having moisture resistance, good ink absorption, and good transfer performance as a member of the transfer image. Furthermore, the present invention provides a material that imparts recyclability by erasing ink.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a powder having a property of being dissolved or swollen by application of a liquid and increasing the viscosity of the liquid and improving the peelability from the intermediate transfer member is previously layered on the surface of the intermediate transfer member. In the recording method, after the application, the liquid is applied onto the powder, an image corresponding to an image signal is formed on the intermediate transfer member, and the image is transferred to a recording medium. powder water-absorbing polymer having absorption ink resistance and thickening with respect to the ink, polyallylamine comprising a a water insoluble form, contain any of deaths Shokuko acid, furthermore, having a low hygroscopicity relative humidity And a recording method comprising the following alkyl compound capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the water-absorbing polymer; the water-absorbing polymer is represented by formulas (a) to (e): Of the powder represented by the chemical structural formula (Where n and p are integers of 50 or more, m, o, m ′, and m ″ are integers of 1 or more), and the alkyl compound is represented by formulas (A) to (E) It is characterized by being any of the materials represented by the chemical structural formulas shown (where n is 6 to 22, and R1 is CH ₃ , C ₂ H ₅ , C ₃ H ₇ ).
[0012]
[Formula 1 ]

[0014]
[Formula 2 ]

[0015]
The invention of claim 2 is the invention of claim 1 and is characterized in that it consists of the powder moistened 15-60% of the alkyl compound capable of forming a port Rimmer hydrogen bonds in the water-absorbing polymer.
[0016]
The invention of claim 3 is the invention of claim 1, in which the particle size of the powder is characterized in that it is a grain terminal of 0.1 m to 10 m.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, by using a powder that absorbs water and thickens the ink, it is possible to suppress blurring of the image due to the repelling without requiring a concentration time on the transfer medium, and to suppress the show-through in the transferred image. . Furthermore, by containing a polyvalent metal salt, polyallylamine or a derivative thereof, tannic acid, gallic acid or a derivative thereof, the ink colorant aggregates and insolubilizes when it comes into contact with the ink composition. It is formed. At this time, since the substance that reacts with the ink composition and becomes insoluble is not present in the ink tank at the time of printing and is contained on the side of the water-absorbing thickener, there is no problem of its ejection stability. Therefore, since the application rate of the reactant to the ink can be increased, the water resistance effect can be further increased.
[0018]
Furthermore, since the alkyl compound contained by forming a hydrogen bond is lipophilic and water-repellent, the moisture resistance of the water-absorbing polymer can be remarkably improved. However, since the bond is a hydrogen bond, This alkyl compound has the property of leaving the polymer easily with a large amount of water, and the ink absorption has the property of returning to the same property as the water-absorbing polymer that does not contain an alkyl compound, and has good moisture resistance and ink absorption. Therefore, the powder has a good image transfer performance. By utilizing this, it is possible to provide a new intermediate transfer recording apparatus capable of stable operation over a long period of time.
[0019]
Rolling good absorption ink-on Utsushitai, the transfer ink jet recording method using a good powder of thickening, the present inventor has said powder to form the insoluble matter by reacting with the ink composition material It was confirmed that the image after transfer was excellent in water resistance by containing. By containing a substance to be insolubilized in the powder on the transfer body, the penetration of the ink composition into the paper fiber is controlled, so that a clearer image is obtained and the water resistance is insoluble in water. Indicates. Compared to the method of injecting a liquid reaction liquid, the content can be increased and the effect is great. Further, in the method of injecting the reaction liquid, selectivity is widened in the present invention as compared with many restrictions on the composition and sample for stable ejection. Therefore, a system that can provide a reliable apparatus using a material having a large effect is obtained.
[0020]
Before Kikotai polyvalent metal salt, polyallylamine or, By using a derivative thereof, to insolubilization by reacting with the ink colorant, the image after printing has water resistance. The polyvalent metal as the reactant is composed of a divalent or higher polyvalent metal ion and an anion that binds to the polyvalent metal ion. Specific examples of the polyvalent metal ions include divalent metal ions such as Ca 2+, Cu 2+, Ni 2+, Mg 2+, Zn 2+, and Ba 2+, and trivalent metal ions such as Al 3+, Fe 3+, and Cr 3+. Polyamine and its derivatives are polymers that are cationic in water and are more reactive with anionic dyes. Also, since the ink-absorbing powder exhibits anionic property, it is effective for insolubilization with the colorant. Allylamine, diallylamine, copolymers thereof, and their chloride ions, bromide ions, iodide ions, nitrate ions, sulfate ions, acetate ions and the like are not limited thereto. The content of these reactive substances is preferably 0.1 to 50% by weight of the ink-absorbing powder and is effective. The water resistance is evaluated by the color change by visual observation and the rate of change due to the bleeding of the area after printing and printing a 10 mm square solid and immersing it in water at 20 ° C. for 1 minute. Subsequent area−100 / 100 mm) × 100 = change rate [%], and those having a change rate of 20% or less at this time were determined to have water resistance.
[0021]
Powder tannic acid, in order to insolubilize the coloring agent in the ink composition when containing a gallic acid or a derivative thereof, with the effect that there is a water resistance, the removal of the colorant by applying the aqueous stripping solution it can. Since the colorant is insoluble in the aqueous stripping solution, the colorant is not dissolved out, and the ink-absorbing polymer containing the colorant is effectively peeled off from the paper surface together with the surfactant. After the release liquid is applied on the image, the place where the resin is swollen can be wiped off together with the pigment. Carboxylic acid esters are used as the stripping solution. Monobasic acid esters and dibasic acid diesters are used. Examples include butyl palmitate, butyl stearate, octyl stearate, dipropyl adipate, dioctyl dodecanoate, and the like.
[0022]
Water absorbent polymer powder is very weak to moisture, when exposed to a humid atmosphere can not be maintained powder properties. That is, this makes it impossible to form images repeatedly and stably over a long period of time. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a polymer powder that is moisture resistant and has good ink absorption. As a method for improving the moisture resistance without affecting image formation, the present inventors have made various studies for solving this problem. As a method for improving moisture resistance, an atomic group capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the polymer in a water-absorbing polymer. It has been found that the inclusion of an alkyl molecule having a certain molecular weight having a molecular weight can produce a water-absorbing polymer powder having good image quality and moisture resistance. As a result, it has become possible to provide a recording method and apparatus that can withstand long-term stable use that is resistant to environmental changes.
[0023]
Reforming Oko Do cormorants water absorbent polymer, polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid soda, also, each of the derivatives, and copolymers thereof polymer. Both have atomic groups capable of forming hydrogen bonds, which act with water to thicken, and those containing an appropriate amount of water are very easy to adhere to other supports, The transfer performance of the polymer containing water is very good.
[0024]
As atomic group capable of forming a water absorbent polymer and hydrogen bonding, alcohol group, a diol group, a carboxyl group, an ester group, an ether group, an amide group, there is a benzene carboxylic acid group, often an alkyl compound having a carbon number of these atomic groups The water-absorbing polymer to which this compound element is added has a water-absorbing polymer that has moisture bonding ability of the water-absorbing polymer powder due to the water-repellent property. And prevent adding. For this reason, resistance with respect to moisture becomes very large, and moisture resistance can be greatly improved. The binding mode of this added, when in contact with large amounts of water because of the hydrogen bonding, since atomic group bonded with hydrogen bonds to replace state easily added water molecules, before modification of the water The water-absorbing property, viscosity increase, and image transfer properties are the same as before adding the alkyl compound. That is, it is possible to create a water-absorbing polymer powder having good moisture resistance, good water absorption and thickening, and a high-quality transfer image.
Moreover, when this bond is an ionic bond mode or a covalent bond mode, the moisture resistance is improved, but the water absorption is poor because the polymer does not return to the pre-treatment polymer due to the action of a large amount of water. Therefore, it has been found that the thickening is poor and the transfer performance is also poor.
[0025]
Image transferability when making absorption was an aqueous polymer and the alkyl compound capable of forming a hydrogen bond was approximately 15% to 60% relative to the water-absorbing polymer powder, good moisture resistance, found to be a water-absorbing powder did. When it is 15% or less, resistance to moisture becomes weak. That is, moisture resistance deteriorates. On the other hand, if the content is 60% or more, the image transferability is deteriorated, which is not desirable.
[0026]
Particles of the powder was found to be suitable in the range of 0.1 m to 10 m. That is, when the particle diameter of the powder is in the range as described above, the specific surface area of the powder is large, so that the contact with the droplet is good. Will be in good condition. If the particle size of the powder is too large, the contact with the droplet is poor, the reaction with the droplet is slow, the thickening effect cannot be obtained instantaneously, and the image accuracy on the transfer body cannot be maintained. . Moreover, if it is too small, environmental safety such as being taken into the human body becomes a problem.
[0027]
FIG. 1 is an apparatus schematic diagram for explaining an example of a recording apparatus to which a recording method according to the present invention is applied. First, an outline of the operation of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. An ink liquid is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 2 formed on the outermost surface of the intermediate transfer medium in accordance with the image signal by the inkjet recording head 1. The intermediate transfer belt 2 is driven and conveyed between the three rollers 3, 4 and 5 in an endless manner. The intermediate transfer medium on which the image formed by the ink liquid and the image on which the embossing effect powder can be adhered is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 2 is fed from the recording medium tray 6 to the feed rollers 7, 8, 9, The image is transferred by a transfer pressure roller 14 to a recording medium conveyed by the rollers 10 and 11 and the registration rollers 12 and 13. Subsequently, the recording medium onto which the image by the ink liquid and the intermediate transfer medium forming the image are transferred are discharged to a discharge tray 17 by discharge rollers 15 and 16. The intermediate transfer medium in the intermediate transfer medium container 18 is applied to the outermost surface of the intermediate transfer belt 2 by a coating auxiliary roller 20 and a coating roller 21 whose coating amount is controlled by a coating amount control blade 19. Intermediate transfer remaining on the outermost surface of the intermediate transfer belt after transfer of the image formed by the ink liquid formed on the intermediate transfer belt 2 and the intermediate transfer medium forming the image onto the recording medium The medium is cleaned by the cleaning roller 22 and the cleaning blades 23 and 24 as necessary, and the intermediate transfer medium is applied again.
[0028]
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to examples. In the following implementation, as a liquid recording apparatus, an intermediate transfer ink jet printer according to the method of claim 1,
As an ink, for IPSiO JET300;
High quality paper (Ricoh PPC paper) as recording paper
Was used.
In the water resistance test, an image area of 10 mm × 10 mm was immersed in water at 20 ° C. for 1 minute, and the rate of change due to bleeding was observed.
For example, if one side spreads to 11 mm, it is considered that the increase is 21%. When this rate of change is 20% or more, × when it is 20 to 5%, ◎ when it is 5% or less.
In the test in the humidity environment, the appearance (flowability) of the powder after standing for 2 weeks in an environment of 27 ° C. and 80% was visually observed for 6 months.
[0029]
( Comparative Example 1)
Ink-absorbing powder: 80 parts by weight of polyacrylic acid Treatment agent: 20 parts by weight of polyallylamine Result: Water resistance of the printed matter, and high image quality was obtained during continuous operation even in a humidity environment.
[0030]
( Comparative Example 2)
Ink-absorbing powder: Copolymer of polyacrylic acid and polymethacrylic acid 75 parts by weight Treatment agent: 15 parts by weight of magnesium nitrate Result: Bleeding of printed matter was suppressed, but ink-absorbing property during continuous operation in a humidity environment The polymer lost fluidity and could not provide a uniform image quality.
[0031]
( Comparative Example 3)
Ink-absorbing powder: polyacrylic acid 70 parts by weight Treatment agent: dodecanamine 30 parts by weight Result: Although bleeding of the printed matter was not suppressed, continuous operation was possible in a humidity environment.
[0032]
Example 1
Absorption ink-powder poly methacrylic acid 80 parts by weight treatment agent: 10 parts by weight polyallylamine, blanking chill alcohol 10 parts by weight Results: the printed matter bleeding is suppressed, and also was possible continuous operation under humidity environment .
[0033]
(Example 2 )
Absorption ink-powder: water absorption, increasing viscous powder is according to claim 1 of polyacrylic acid and polyacrylamide (d) the copolymer compound 65 parts by weight treatment agent: polyallylamine 10 parts by weight, the hydrogen bond formation be absent stearic acid amide 25 parts by weight results: high-quality image can be formed, there is water resistance. Even in continuous use for more than 6 months and use after standing, a transferred image equivalent to the initial one could be obtained.
[0034]
(Example 3)
Ink-absorbing powder: as in Comparative Example 70 70 parts by weight Treatment agent: 30 parts by weight of gallic acid Result: A high-quality image could be formed and water resistance was obtained. Even in continuous use for more than 6 months and use after standing, a transferred image equivalent to the initial one could be obtained.
[0035]
(Example 4 )
An image was formed with the treated ink-absorbing powder of Example 3 , and the following stripping solution was applied onto the image and wiped off.
Stripping solution: 18 parts by weight of cetyl stearate, 2 parts by weight of nonionic surfactant, 80 parts by weight of water Result: No color was seen on the paper after peeling, and it was in a reusable state.
[0036]
(Example 5 )
As in Example 4 , stripping solution: water 100 parts by weight Result: Colorant remains on the paper and cannot be reused.
[0037]
Table 1 summarizes the results of the above examples.
[0038]
[Table 1]

[0039]
【The invention's effect】
After the powder having the characteristics of dissolving or swelling by application of the liquid and increasing the viscosity of the liquid and improving the releasability from the intermediate transfer body is applied in advance to the surface of the intermediate transfer body, the powder is applied. In the recording method in which the liquid is applied onto a body, an image corresponding to an image signal is formed on an intermediate transfer body, and the image is transferred to a recording medium, the powder has an ink-absorbing property with respect to ink and water-absorbing polymer having a thickening, polyallylamine comprising a a water insoluble form, it contains any of deaths Shokuko acid, further, a powder having a low hygroscopicity relative humidity, the water absorption Since the following alkyl compound capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the polymer is contained, the quality of the transferred image is good and the water resistance is improved in the transfer type inkjet image.
[0041]
Substance tannic acid contained in the powder, because it is either gallic acid or a derivative thereof, has water resistance of transcription image, since the colorant is insoluble, to penetrate to the transfer medium relative to the stripping solution And can be effectively peeled off.
[0042]
Have absorption ink-and thickening against Lee ink, moisture, most compositions of members having no hygroscopicity relative humidity, impregnated with alkyl compound capable of forming a hydrogen bond of the water-absorbing polymer and the polymer since consisting powders, there is a strong resistance to moisture vapor, it has become possible to get a good image of the same quality initial stage even in long-term use.
[0043]
In long-term use due to the inclusion of alkyl compound capable of forming a water absorbent polymer and hydrogen bonds, recording method capable of good image formation quality can be provided a device.
[0044]
Was formed into water absorbent polymer therewith hydrogen bonds resulting luer alkyl compound to make a water-absorbing powder by containing chromatic, by the use of the powder, the recording method may also good imaging quality in long-term use And an apparatus can be provided.
[0045]
And good image forming moisture resistance by including a proportion The resulting luer alkyl compound 15% to 60% to form a the water absorbent polymer therewith hydrogen bonds, good performance obtained with transferability onto the recording medium of the image Therefore, it is possible to provide a recording method and apparatus capable of forming a high-quality image even after long-term use.
[0046]
Since the particle size of the powder is a particulate 0.1 m to 10 m, without compromising image resolution by using the powder of smaller diameter than the droplets to achieve rapid water absorption (absorption inks) speeds, fast A method and apparatus capable of forming an image can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part for explaining an example of a recording apparatus to which a recording method according to the present invention is applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inkjet recording head, 2 ... Intermediate transfer belt, 3, 4, 5 ... Roller, 6 ... Recording medium tray, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 ... Feed roller, 12, 13 ... Registration roller, 14 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS: Transfer pressure roller, 15, 16 ... Paper discharge roller, 17 ... Paper discharge tray, 18 ... Intermediate transfer medium container, 19 ... Application amount control blade, 20 ... Application auxiliary roller, 21 ... Application roller, 22 ... Cleaning roller, 23, 24 ... Cleaning blade.

Claims (3)

After the powder having the characteristics of dissolving or swelling by application of the liquid and increasing the viscosity of the liquid and improving the releasability from the intermediate transfer body is applied in advance to the surface of the intermediate transfer body, the powder is applied. In the recording method in which the liquid is applied onto a body, an image corresponding to an image signal is formed on an intermediate transfer body, and the image is transferred to a recording medium, the powder has an ink-absorbing property with respect to ink and water-absorbing polymer having a thickening, polyallylamine comprising a a water insoluble form, it contains any of deaths Shokuko acid, further, a powder having a low hygroscopicity relative humidity, the water absorption A recording method comprising the following alkyl compound capable of forming a hydrogen bond with a polymer; the water-absorbing polymer is represented by the following chemical structural formulas (a) to (e) Consisting of either powder ( However, n and p are integers of 50 or more, m, o, m ′, and m ″ are integers of 1 or more), and the alkyl compound is represented by the chemical structural formulas shown in the following (A) to (E). (Where n is 6 to 22, and R1 is CH ₃ , C ₂ H ₅ , C ₃ H ₇ ).
[Formula 1]

[Formula 2]

  2. The recording method according to claim 1, comprising a powder in which an alkyl compound capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the polymer is contained in a water-absorbing polymer in an amount of 15 to 60%.   2. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein the powder has a particle size of 0.1 [mu] m to 10 [mu] m.

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