JPH10114061A - Method and apparatus for forming image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a color image good at coloring and printing quality be formed on plain paper by a method in which when a liquid composition is made to be discharged to the front/rear of an ink discharge or to the front or the rear, the distance between the material to be printed and an ink discharge means and the distance between the material to be printed and a liquid composition discharge means are made different. SOLUTION: The discharge means 1 of an image forming apparatus is composed of ink head parts lY, lM, lC, lK and a liquid composition head part 1S and mounted on a carriage. On this occasion, while the distance between the ink head parts lY, lM, lC, lK and a material P to be printed being set up, for example, to be 0.7mm, the distance between the head part 1S and the material P is set up, for example, to be 1.2mm. Only when the discharge means 1 is moving in the main scanning direction A, the liquid composition is being discharged to an area into which the ink is not discharged at all or an area into which either kind of ink was discharged. In this way, the generation of a discharge failure etc., caused by a material fixed to the head part 1S is prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an ink-jet printing method for forming a water-resistant color image on plain paper,
The present invention relates to a liquid composition and an ink that are optimally used for image formation using the inkjet printing method, an ink set using the liquid composition and the ink, and an apparatus using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an ink jet recording method, recording is performed by flying small ink droplets and attaching the ink to a recording medium such as paper. In particular, JP-B-61-59911, JP-B-61-59912, and JP-B-61-5
According to the ink jet recording method disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 9914, in which an electrothermal converter is used as a discharge energy supply unit and droplets are discharged by applying heat energy to ink to generate bubbles, High-density multi-orifices can be easily realized, and high-resolution and high-quality images can be recorded at high speed.

[0003] However, the ink used in the conventional ink jet recording method is mainly composed of water,
Since it is common to use a water-soluble high-boiling solvent in glycol or the like for the purpose of preventing drying and preventing nozzle clogging, when recording on plain paper using such an ink, However, there have been problems such as insufficient fixability, and generation of a non-uniform image which is presumed to be due to non-uniform distribution of the filler and the size material on the recording paper surface. In particular, when trying to obtain a color image, a plurality of colors of ink are successively superimposed before a certain color of ink is fixed on the recording paper. However, there is a problem in that a satisfactory image cannot be obtained due to uneven mixing (hereinafter referred to as bleeding).

On the other hand, as a means for improving the fixing property, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 55-65269 discloses a method of adding a compound for improving the permeability such as a surfactant to the ink. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 55-66976 discloses the use of an ink mainly containing a volatile solvent. However, in the former method in which a surfactant or the like is added to the ink, the permeability of the ink to the recording paper is increased, and although the fixing property and bleeding of the ink are improved to some extent, the coloring material in the ink is also used for the recording paper. Since it penetrates deeply, inconveniences such as a decrease in image density and again occur. In addition, the ink spreads in the horizontal direction, and as a result, problems such as a decrease in edge sharpness and a decrease in resolution also occur. On the other hand, in the latter method using an ink mainly composed of a volatile solvent, in addition to the same disadvantages as in the former case described above, clogging due to evaporation of the solvent in the nozzle portion of the recording head occurs. Easy to do and not preferred.

Further, in order to improve the above-mentioned problem,
Prior to the ejection of ink, there has been proposed a method in which a liquid for improving an image is deposited on a recording medium in advance.

For example, JP-A-63-299971 discloses that after a liquid containing an organic compound having two or more cationic groups per molecule is deposited on a recording medium,
A method of recording with an ink containing an anionic dye is disclosed. JP-A-64-9279 discloses a method in which an acidic liquid containing succinic acid or the like is deposited on a recording medium, and recording is performed with an ink containing an anionic dye. Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 64-631
No. 85 discloses a method of applying a liquid for insolubilizing a dye prior to recording of ink.

However, a substance having a different polarity (the difference in polarity described herein indicates a difference in polarity between anionic and cationic). And a cationic site to form a coagulation which is insoluble in water.) There is a specific problem that is likely to occur when a head for ejecting a liquid composition or an ink containing the liquid composition is in the vicinity.

For example, when printing is performed at a high discharge speed on a liquid to which the ink does not easily penetrate, for example, a liquid composition containing a cationic substance discharges an ink containing an anionic group due to the rebound of the ink on paper. There is a possibility of flying in the direction of the head. In such a case, the face surface of the head that has been subjected to the splashing of the liquid droplets is likely to become dirty.
In addition, not only the above-described effect of splashing, but also if the ink ejected from the head flies in the air in a spray form and adheres to the face surface of the head that ejects ink of different polarity, as in the case of splashing, The face surface becomes dirty easily. Such a phenomenon is particularly remarkable when an image having a high print duty is to be printed. Therefore, when printing such an image continuously, it is necessary to devise the wiping of the face surface, such as by increasing the number of wiping operations, which causes problems such as a decrease in throughput and an increase in cost.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid composition which is excellent in water resistance and print quality even on so-called plain paper, and which has excellent reliability in continuous printing. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink set and an image forming method using the same.

[0010]

The above object is achieved by the present invention described below.

In other words, the present invention provides an image forming method for ejecting a liquid composition having a polarity different from the polarity of the ink before and / or after the ink is ejected to the printing material. The distance between the printing material and the ink discharging means for discharging the ink and the distance between the printing material and the liquid composition discharging means for discharging the liquid composition having a polarity different from the polarity of the ink are made different. An image forming method for ejecting the ink and the liquid composition, when ejecting the ink to a printing material, before or after the ink ejection or any one of the ink having a polarity different from the polarity of the ink. An image forming method for discharging, comprising: a distance between the printing material and an ink discharging unit that discharges ink; In a state where the distance made different to the ink ejecting means for ejecting ink having a polarity different from the polarity, an image forming method for performing ejection of ink, the liquid composition is one that contains at least a cationic compound,
The image forming method, wherein the ink contains at least an anionic group as a water-soluble group, the liquid composition contains at least an anionic compound, and the ink contains a cationic dye or a pigment. An image forming method, a plurality of the ink ejecting means, a cationic ink ejecting means for ejecting an ink containing at least a cationic compound and a cationic dye, and the printing material among the plurality of ink ejecting means. And the distance between the anion ink ejection unit that ejects an ink containing an anionic group as at least a water-soluble group and the print-receiving material, and the ejection of the ink and the liquid composition An image forming method for performing ejection, the plurality of ink ejection units are provided, and among the plurality of ink ejection units, The distance between the cationic ink ejecting means for ejecting at least an ink containing a cationic dye and the printing material, and the anion for ejecting an ink containing at least an anionic compound and a dye or pigment having an anionic group as a water-soluble group; An image forming method for ejecting the ink and ejecting the liquid composition in a state where the distance between the ink ejection unit and the printing material is different, and an image on the printing material using the liquid composition or the ink. (A) attaching the ink to a region in which is to be formed or to the image forming region and its vicinity; and an ink containing a water-soluble dye containing at least an anionic group, and / or at least an anionic compound and a pigment. Is ejected from the ejection orifice as droplets onto the printing material in accordance with the recording signal. That step (B) and an image forming method comprising, an image forming method for performing ejection of ink in the step (B) by an inkjet printing method,
An image forming method in which the liquid composition is attached to a print target in the step (A) by an ink-jet printing method, an image forming method in which the step (A) is performed prior to the step (B), and a step (A) in the step (B) ) After the image forming method,
An image forming method in which the step (A) is performed after the step (B), and thereafter the step (B) is further performed; an image forming method in which the ink is ejected from an orifice according to a recording signal to perform recording on a printing material; Image forming method for ejecting ink by applying thermal energy to ink, ink containing section containing ink, ink head section for ejecting the ink, and containing liquid composition having a polarity different from the polarity of the ink A recording unit including a liquid composition storage section formed as described above and a liquid head section for discharging the liquid composition, wherein the ink head section discharges the ink by applying thermal energy to the ink. Unit, a recording unit in which an ink absorber is filled in the ink containing section, the ink containing section is made of polyurethane,
A cartridge comprising: a recording unit formed of cellulose or polyvinyl acetate; an ink container containing ink; and / or a liquid composition container containing a liquid composition having a polarity different from the polarity of the ink. A container having a liquid contact surface formed of polyolefin, an image forming apparatus including the recording unit, and an image forming apparatus further including an ink supply unit configured to supply ink from the ink container to the ink head unit It is.

According to the present invention, in a head for ejecting an ink or a liquid composition, the relative distance between the head and the medium is changed according to the type of polarity of the ink or the liquid composition, whereby the medium of the liquid composition is ejected. It is possible to prevent droplets due to the rebound from reaching the face of the head, and to prevent contamination on the face of the head without increasing the number of wiping operations. Even when printing is performed, printing is not disturbed.

[0013]

Next, embodiments of the ink jet printing method of the present invention will be described in more detail.

According to the present invention, there is provided a print recording method in which a relative distance between a head and a medium differs depending on the polarity of the ink or liquid composition in a head for discharging ink or liquid composition. Preferred printing and recording methods are described below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a front view showing a distance relationship between a discharge means such as ink and an upper surface of a printing material in an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the discharge means can be moved in the direction along the upper surface of the print material, and discharge is limited only when the discharge means is moving in the direction of arrow A in FIG. ing.

The discharge means 1 includes ink heads 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1 for discharging yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK) color inks.
K and a liquid composition head 1S for discharging a liquid composition having a polarity different from the polarity of each color ink, and is mounted on a carriage (not shown).

Each of the ink heads 1Y, 1M, 1C,
The distance between 1K and the printing material P is set to be the same, for example, 0.7 mm. On the other hand, the distance between the liquid composition head 1S and the printing material P is set to be longer than that of the ink head.
For example, it is 1.2 mm.

As shown in FIG. 1, the arrangement order of the heads is such that the liquid composition head 1A and the ink heads 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K are arranged in the direction of arrow A. In this embodiment, the ejection unit is in the direction of arrow A (main scanning direction).
The ink or the liquid composition is ejected only when the printing material P is moved, and if the movement is completed once, the printing material P for one line in the direction (sub-scanning direction) orthogonal to the direction of arrow A (sub-scanning direction).
Is moved, the liquid composition is not ejected onto the printing material P prior to each color ink, and when ejected, the liquid composition is always ejected in an area where no ink is ejected or any ink is ejected. It will be discharged to the selected area.

In this embodiment, each ink head is set closer to the printing material than the liquid composition head.
In addition, since the liquid composition is “post-punched”, each ink ejected from each ink head unit hits the surface of the print-receiving material, and the rebound does not reach the liquid composition head unit. It is possible to prevent non-discharge and the like from occurring due to the adhered matter.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is a front view showing a distance relationship between an ejection means such as ink and an upper surface of a printing material in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, as in the previous embodiment, the discharge means can be moved in the direction along the upper surface of the printing material, but discharge is performed in the direction of arrow B in FIG. Only when is moving. Especially,
This embodiment is different from the previous embodiment in that the arrangement order of the ink heads in the direction of arrow B (the direction of arrow A in the previous embodiment) in which ejection is performed is different from that of the first embodiment. The point is that the relative position of the liquid composition head to the head is reversed.

In this embodiment, as in the previous embodiment, each of the ink heads 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1
The distance between K and the print material P is set to be the same, for example, 0.6 mm, whereas the distance between the liquid composition head portion 1S and the print material P is the same as that of the ink head portion. It is set longer than in the case, for example, 1.3 mm.

In this embodiment, as in the previous embodiment, the ink or liquid composition is discharged only when the discharge means is moving in the direction of arrow B (main scanning direction). When the movement is completed once, the printing material P is, for example, one line in a direction (sub-scanning direction) orthogonal to the arrow B direction.
Is moved, the liquid composition is not ejected onto the printing material P prior to each color ink, and when ejected, the liquid composition is always ejected in an area where no ink is ejected or any ink is ejected. It will be discharged to the selected area. That is, the liquid composition is applied to the printing material as a so-called “post-strike” for each ink.

In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, each ink head is set closer to the printing material than the liquid composition head, and the liquid composition is "post-punched". Since the ink ejected from each ink head does not rebound from the print material to the orifice surface of the liquid composition head, the solid matter generated due to the reaction between the ink and the liquid composition is formed by the liquid composition. Since the orifice surface of the head portion is not covered, it is possible to prevent non-ejection of the head portion from occurring.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 3 is a front view showing a distance relationship between an ejection means such as ink and an upper surface of a printing material in an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is a combination of the first and second embodiments. That is, the arrow A and the direction B the first and second liquid composition on both sides head 1S ₁ and 1S ₂ of the ink head section along the are disposed. The distance between the liquid composition heads 1S ₁ and 1S ₂ and the printing material P is determined by the respective ink heads 1Y, 1M, 1
The length is set to be longer than the distance between C and 1K and the printing material P, for example, 1.5 mm. On the other hand, the distance between each of the ink heads 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K and the printing material P is set to be the same, for example, 0.7 mm.

In this embodiment, the first liquid composition head 1S ₁ is used when the discharging means is moving in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3, and the second liquid composition head 1S _{2 is used.}
Is used when the ejection means is moving in the direction of arrow B in FIG. This means that, regardless of the print in either direction, the liquid composition is "post-strike" to each ink. That is, both liquid composition heads 1S ₁
And 1S ₂ are the ink head units 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1
Since the liquid composition is farther from the printing material P than K, when the liquid composition is “pre-hit” to each ink, the liquid composition may rebound from the printing material P to reach the orifice surface of each ink head portion. That's why. Here, The "type-ahead" refers to applying a liquid composition prior to the ink in the printing medium P with the first liquid composition head 1S ₁ example, in this case, Arrow B
Need to do when moving in the direction.

In this embodiment, in addition to the functions and effects of the previous embodiment, the ink or liquid composition can be discharged when the discharge means is moving in both directions of arrows A and B. Therefore, high-speed printing is possible as compared with the previous embodiment.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 4 is a front view showing a distance relationship between a discharge means such as ink and an upper surface of a printing material in an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the arrangement of the ejection means is the same as that of the second embodiment, but the distance between the liquid composition head 1S and the printing material P is set to each of the ink heads 1Y, 1Y. The ink or the liquid composition is discharged only when the distance between the printing material P and the printing material P is set shorter than 1M, 1C, 1K, and when the discharging means moves in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Differs in that

Due to such a structural difference, in the present embodiment, the liquid composition is discharged onto the printing material P prior to each color ink. That is, the liquid composition is "piked" before each ink.

In this embodiment, since the liquid composition head is closer to the material to be printed than each of the ink heads,
The rebound of the liquid composition ejected from the liquid composition head from the material to be printed does not reach each of the ink heads, and the reaction between each ink and the liquid composition is performed on the orifice surface of the ink head. The generated fixed matter is not covered, and it is possible to prevent non-ejection or the like of each ink head portion caused by the fixed matter.

The ink heads 1Y, 1M,
The distances between 1C and 1K and the printing material P are set to be the same, for example, 1.2 mm. On the other hand, the distance between the liquid composition head 1S and the printing material P is set shorter than that in the case of the ink head, for example, 0.6 mm.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 5 is a front view showing a distance relationship between an ejection means such as ink and an upper surface of a printing material in an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The present embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment in that the distance between the liquid composition head portion and the print material is set shorter than the distance between each ink head portion and the print material. However, unlike Embodiment 4 in which the liquid composition head is disposed on the black ink head 1K side,
A liquid composition head is disposed on the yellow head 1Y side,
In addition, the difference is that the direction of movement of the ejection means is in the direction of arrow B.

In the present embodiment, the liquid composition head is closer to the print material than the ink heads and is "first-shot" as in the previous embodiment 4, so that the liquid composition head is used. The rebound from the print material of the liquid composition ejected from the print material does not reach the orifice surface of each ink head portion, and therefore, there is an effect that non-ejection or the like does not occur in each ink head portion.

The ink heads 1Y, 1M,
The distances between 1C and 1K and the printing material P are set to be the same, for example, 1.2 mm. On the other hand, the distance between the liquid composition head 1S and the printing material P is set longer than that in the case of the ink head, for example, 0.5 mm.

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 6 is a front view showing a distance relationship between an ejection means such as ink and an upper surface of a printing material in an image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the ink head units 1Y, 1M, 1C, carried earlier in that the first and second liquid composition head on both sides 1S ₁ and 1S ₂ 1K are arranged Although in common with embodiment 3, the previous embodiment 3, the ink head 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K and the distances between the printing medium P with the liquid composition head 1S ₁ and 1S ₂ the printing Although the distance is set shorter than the distance to the material P, the present embodiment is different in that the relationship is reversed. In other words, the distance between the two liquid composition head 1S ₁ and 1S ₂ and the printing medium P is set to 0.8mm for example, the ink head unit 1Y, 1M, 1
The distance between C and 1K and the printing material P is 1.6 mm, for example.
It is said.

In the present embodiment, in addition to the effect of the high-speed printing in the third embodiment, both the liquid composition heads are closer to the printing material than the respective ink heads and are “post-printed”. The liquid composition ejected from the liquid composition head portion does not rebound from the printing material to each ink head portion, and the reaction between each ink and the liquid composition on the orifice surface of the ink head portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent non-ejection or the like of each of the ink heads caused by the fixed matter.

(Embodiment 7) FIG. 7 is a front view showing a distance relationship between a discharge means such as ink and an upper surface of a printing material in an image forming apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the liquid composition head 1S is arranged on the ink head 1K side, and the liquid composition head 1S is connected to each of the ink heads 1K, 1C, 1C.
M, 1Y is set closer to the printing material P, and
Although the liquid composition is common to the previous embodiment 4 in that the liquid composition is “first strike”, in the fourth embodiment, the ink heads are arranged in the direction of arrow A (main scanning direction). Although the black ink head 1K and the other ink heads 1Y, 1M, 1C are arranged along the direction of arrow A, the ink heads 1Y, 1M, 1C are orthogonal to the direction of arrow A. In that they are arranged along the same direction (sub-scanning direction).

In this embodiment, the ink heads 1Y, 1Y,
Since 1M and 1C are arranged along the sub-scanning direction, the dimension in the direction of arrow A can be made shorter than in the fourth embodiment, and the entire ejection unit can be made more compact.

The ink heads 1K, 1C, 1
The distance between M, 1Y and the printing material P is, for example, 1.2 mm.
The distance between the liquid composition head 1S and the printing material P is, for example, 0.5 mm.

(Eighth Embodiment) FIG. 8 is a front view showing a distance relationship between an ejection means such as ink and an upper surface of a printing material in an eighth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the ink heads 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are common, but in the seventh embodiment, the liquid composition head 1S is arranged on the black ink head 1K side. In addition, the liquid composition head 1S is set closer to the printing material P than the ink heads 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, whereas in the present embodiment, the liquid composition head 1S is Head part 1Y,
1M and 1C, and the liquid composition head 1S is set closer to the printing material P than the ink heads 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K. The composition head 1S is an ink head 1Y,
1M, 1C side, and the liquid composition head 1S
Are set farther from the print material P than the ink heads 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, and the liquid composition is “post-printed”.

In the present embodiment, as in the case of the seventh embodiment, an excellent effect of reducing the size of the entire ejection means can be obtained from the mutual arrangement of the ink heads.

The ink heads 1Y, 1M, 1
The distance between C and 1K and the printing material P is, for example, 1.0 mm.
The distance between the liquid composition head 1S and the printing material P is, for example, 0.5 mm.

(Embodiment 9) FIG. 9 is a front view showing a distance relationship between a discharge means such as ink and an upper surface of a printing material in a ninth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the arrangement of the ink heads 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K and the arrangement position of the liquid composition head 1S are different from those in the seventh embodiment.
However, the second embodiment is different from the seventh embodiment in that a second liquid composition head is disposed on the ink heads 1Y, 1M, and 1C as in the sixth embodiment. doing.

In this embodiment, since two liquid composition heads 1S ₁ and 1S ₂ are provided, arrows A and B are provided.
Post-printing of the liquid composition is possible in any of the directions, and high-speed printing is also possible.

The ink heads 1K, 1C, 1
The distance between M, 1Y and the printing material P is, for example, 1.2 mm.
Is a distance between the two liquid composition head 1S ₁ and 1S ₂ and the printing material P are 0.5mm, for example.

(Embodiment 10) FIG. 10 is a front view showing a distance relationship between an ejection means such as ink and an upper surface of a printing material in an image forming apparatus according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the arrangement of the ink heads 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K and the arrangement position of the liquid composition head 1S are different from those in the eighth embodiment.
And the second ink head 1Y, 1
It is different from the eighth embodiment in that M, 1C, and 1K are provided.

In the present embodiment, the liquid composition head 1
The ink heads 1Y ₁ , 1M ₁ , 1C ₁ , 1
Since K ₁ and 1Y ₂ , 1M ₂ , 1C ₂ , 1K ₂ are provided, one liquid composition head can be used even when the discharging means is moving in any of the directions of arrows A and B. Only the portion 1S can be used for “first-strike”.

Note that all the ink heads and the printing material P
Is 0.6 mm, for example, and the distance between the liquid composition head 1S and the printing material P is 1.3 mm, for example.

(Embodiment 11) FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a distance relationship between an ejection means such as ink and a printing material in an image forming apparatus according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

The head according to the present embodiment is different from the previous embodiment in that it comprises only ink heads of each color and does not have a liquid composition head. When the ink is ejected by moving along the carriage movement direction A, the order in which the ink reaches the specific area on the printing material is as follows.
a head unit 1K for discharging the k ink Bk2, a head unit 1C for discharging the anionic cyan ink C1, a head unit 1M for discharging the anionic magenta ink M1, and a head unit for discharging the anionic yellow ink Y1 They are arranged in the order of 1Y. This head ejects ink only when it is moving along the above-described carriage movement direction A. Therefore, the distance between each head and the print material is ejected from the adjacent head. It is determined so as not to be easily affected by the ink mist. That is, it is 0.5 mm at 1K,
Each of 1C, 1M, and 1Y is 1.2 mm.

(Embodiment 12) FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a distance relationship between an ink ejection means and a printing material in a twelfth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

As in the previous embodiment, the present embodiment is characterized in that it comprises only ink heads of each color and does not have a liquid composition head. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the portions (1C ₁ , 1C ₁ , M 2) in which each ink head section discharges anionic ink (C1, M1, Y1)
1M ₁ , 1Y ₁ ) and cationic ink (C2, M
2, Y2) (1C ₂ , 1M ₂ , 1Y ₂ )
This is different from the previous embodiment in that it is separated into When the ink is ejected by moving along the carriage movement direction A, the order in which the ink reaches the specific area on the printing material will be described.
k1 that ejects k1, and then the ink head 1 that ejects anionic inks (C1, M1, Y1) arranged in a direction perpendicular to the carriage movement direction A
C ₁ , 1M ₁ , 1Y ₁ , and ink heads 1C ₂ , 1M ₂ , 1Y ₂ for discharging cationic ink (C2, M2, Y2) adjacent thereto are arranged in this order. This head also ejects ink only when it is moving in the above-described carriage movement direction A, and therefore, the distance between each head and the print material is ejected from the adjacent head. It is determined so as not to be easily affected by the ink mist. That is, while what is 1K and 1C _1, 1M _1, 1Y ₁ in 0.5 mm, both in 1C _2, 1M _2, 1Y ₂ are 1.0 mm.

The type of the head used in the present invention may be either an integrated type of the head and the ink tank or a separated type. Further, the position of the heater may be vertical or horizontal with respect to the ejection direction.

The size and length of the wiper used in the above embodiment are appropriately used, and are not particularly limited. The wiping direction is not particularly limited, and may be parallel or perpendicular to the nozzle row of the head.

The cationic compounds used in the present invention include, for example, polyallylamine, polyaminesulfone, polyvinylamine, chitosan, and neutralized or partially neutralized products thereof with an acid such as hydrochloric acid or acetic acid. it can. In addition, the cationic compound includes an alkali metal and the like, but is not limited to these.

Examples of the anionic compound according to the present invention include polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid,
Styrene-acrylic acid copolymer, styrene-acrylic acid-acrylic acid, styrene-maleic acid-alkyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-methacrylic acid copolymer, styrene-methacrylic acid-alkyl acrylate copolymer, Styrene-maleic acid half-ester copolymer, vinylnaphthalene-maleic acid copolymer, alkyl acid, polysaccharides such as carboxymethyl cellulose,
Examples thereof include polyvinyl sulfate and alkali salts of the above substances. The alkali salts include alkali metals such as sodium, lithium and potassium, as well as ammonium salts, alkylamine salts, alkanolamine salts and the like, and these can be used alone or in appropriate combination of several kinds.

Examples of the water-soluble organic solvent used in the present invention include amides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide; ketones such as acetone; ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane; polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol. Coals; ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, triethylene glycol,
1,2,6-hexanetriol, thiodiglycol,
Alkylene glycols such as hexylene glycol and diethylene glycol; lower alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether and triethylene glycol monomethyl ether; ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol and the like Monohydric alcohols; other, glycerin, N
-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethylimidazolidinone, triethanolamine, sulfolane, dimethyl sulfoxide and the like are used. The content of the water-soluble organic solvent is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 to 60% by weight, more preferably 5 to 40% by weight based on the total amount of the liquid.

The liquid composition used in the present invention may further contain, if necessary, a viscosity adjuster, a pH adjuster,
Additives such as preservatives, surfactants, antioxidants, and evaporation promoters may be appropriately blended. The selection of the surfactant is particularly important in adjusting the permeability of the liquid composition into the recording medium.

The liquid composition according to the present invention is more preferably colorless. However, when the liquid composition alone is recorded on a recording medium, it hardly becomes colored, and when mixed with ink on a recording medium or the like. Alternatively, a light color ink in a range that does not change the color tone of each color ink may be used. Further, as a preferable range of various physical properties of the liquid composition as described above, when the liquid composition contains a cationic compound, the pH is adjusted to about 3 to 1 at around 25 ° C.
2, preferably 3 to 8, more preferably 3 to 5, and 5 to 12, preferably 5 to 10 when the liquid composition contains an anionic compound. Moreover, the surface tension is set to 10 to 60 d.
yn / cm, more preferably 10 to 40 dyn / cm, and a viscosity of 1 to 30 cps. It is what it was.

Next, the ink constituting the ink set according to the present invention will be described.

As the ink used in the present invention, a water-soluble dye having an anionic group is used as a coloring material, or when a pigment is used as a coloring material, an ink containing an anionic compound is used. The ink as described above used in the present invention further includes water, a water-soluble organic solvent and other components, for example, a viscosity adjuster, a pH adjuster,
Preservatives, surfactants, antioxidants and the like are included as necessary.

The water-soluble dye having an anionic group used in the present invention includes a color index (COLOUR INDEX).
There is no particular limitation as long as it is a water-soluble acid dye, direct dye or reactive dye described in (1). In addition, there is no particular limitation on those not described in the color index as long as they have an anionic group such as a sulfone group and a carboxyl group. The water-soluble dyes mentioned here naturally include those having a pH dependence of solubility. The pH of the ink containing these dyes having an anionic group is 5 to 5.
Between 12, preferably 5 to 10, more preferably 7 to 1
Adjusted between 0.

The cationic dyes contained in the ink of the present invention include: cationic black: commercially available Astrazone Black SW
(Astrazon Black SW: Bayer), Diaxryl Black SWR-N liq (Mitsubishi), Kayasel Black CN (Kayacel Black CN: Nippon Kayaku) Cation Yellow: C.I. I. Basic Yellow 1,1
1,13,19,28,29,33,36 Cation magenta: C.I. I. Basic Red 1,2,9,12,13,24,24,39,51 C.I. I. Basic violet 1,3,7,10,11,15,16,2
0,27,35,39 Cation cyan: C.I. I. Basic Blue 1,3,5,9,2
1,24,25,26,28,45,47,54,65,92,100,124,147 and the like, but are not particularly limited to these dyes. The cationic dye is desirably contained in the ink in an amount of 0.1 to 15% by weight. The pH of the ink containing these cationic dyes is between 2 and 8, preferably 3
~ 7.

As the water-soluble organic solvent contained in the ink containing a water-soluble dye as the coloring material, the water-soluble organic solvent used in the liquid composition according to the present invention described above can be used. Can be used. The same applies to the preferable range of the content of these water-soluble organic solvents in the ink. Further, the preferable physical property range of the ink is exactly the same as that of the liquid composition.

When a pigment is used as a coloring material of the ink used in the present invention, the amount of the pigment is 1 to 20% by weight, preferably 2 to 12% by weight, based on the total weight of the ink. Use in the range.

The pigment used in the present invention includes:
Specifically, carbon black is used as a black ink, for example, furnace method,
A carbon black produced by a channel method, having a primary particle diameter of 15 to 40 μm, a specific surface area of 50 to 300 m ² / g by a BET method, and a DBP oil absorption of 40 to 150 m.
1/100 g, volatile content 0.5-10%, pH value 2
Those having characteristics such as 9 are preferably used. As a commercially available product having such characteristics, for example, 23
00, No. 900, MCF88, No. 33, no.
40, no. 45, no. 52, MA7, MA8, N
o. 2200B (Mitsubishi Kasei), RAVEN 1
255 (or more, made in Colombia), REGAL400R,
REGAL330R, REGAL660R, MOGUL
L (above, made by Cabot), Color Black
FW1, COLOR Black FW18, Col
orBlack S170, Color Black
S150, Printex35, Printex U
(Above, manufactured by Degussa), and any of them can be preferably used.

Examples of the pigment used in the yellow ink include C.I. I. Pigment Yellow
w1, C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 2,
C. I. Pigment Yellow 3, C.I. I.
Pigment Yellow 13, C.I. I. Pig
ment yellow 16, C.I. I. Pigmen
t Yellow 83 and the like. Examples of the pigment used in the magenta ink include C.I. I. Pig
Ment Red 5, C.I. I. Pigment Re
d 7, C.I. I. Pigment Red 12, C.I.
I. Pigment Red 48 (Ca), C.I. I.
Pigment Red 48 (Mn), C.I. I. Pi
gment Red 57 (Ca), C.I. I. Pigm
entRed 112, C.I. I. Pigment Re
d122 and the like. Examples of the pigment used for the cyan ink include C.I. I. Pigment Blu
e1, C.I. I. Pigment Blue 2, C.I.
I. Pigment Blue 3, C.I. I. Pigm
ent Blue 15: 3, C.I. I. Pigment
Blue 16, C.I. I. Pigment Blue
22, C.I. I. Vat Blue 4, C.I. I. Va
t Blue 6 and the like, but are not limited thereto. In addition to the above, it is of course possible to use pigments newly produced for the present invention.

As the dispersant to be dispersed in the ink when a pigment is used, any water-soluble resin can be used.
Those having a range of 3,000 to 30,000 are preferable, and those having a range of 3,000 to 15,000 are more preferably used. As such a dispersant, specifically, styrene, a styrene derivative, vinyl naphthalene,
Acrylic acid, such as vinyl naphthalene derivatives, aliphatic alcohol esters of α, β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids,
At least two or more monomers selected from acrylic acid derivatives, maleic acid, maleic acid derivatives, itaconic acid, itaconic acid derivatives, fumaric acid, fumaric acid derivatives, vinyl acetate, vinylpyrrolidone, acrylamide, and derivatives thereof ( At least one of which is a hydrophilic monomer)
Or a random copolymer, a daraft copolymer, or a salt thereof. Alternatively, natural resins such as rosin, shellac and starch can also be preferably used. These resins are soluble in an aqueous solution in which a base is dissolved, and are alkali-soluble resins. The water-soluble resin used as the pigment dispersant is 0.1 to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the ink.
It is preferable to contain it in the range of.

In particular, in the case of an ink containing the above-described pigment, it is preferable that the entire ink is adjusted to be neutral or alkaline. Such a composition is preferable because the solubility of a water-soluble resin used as a pigment dispersant can be improved, and an ink having more excellent long-term storage properties can be obtained. However, in this case, it may cause corrosion of various members used in the ink jet recording apparatus. Therefore, it is preferable to set the pH range to 7 to 10.

The pH adjusting agent used at this time includes:
Examples thereof include various organic amines such as diethanolamine and triethanolamine, inorganic alkali agents such as hydroxides of alkali metals such as sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, organic acids and mineral acids. The water-soluble resin as a pigment and a dispersant as described above is dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous liquid medium.

An aqueous liquid medium suitable for the ink containing the pigment used in the present invention is a mixed solvent of water and a water-soluble organic solvent. The water is not general water containing various ions, but water. It is preferable to use ion-exchanged water (deionized water).

Examples of the water-soluble organic solvent used by mixing with water include methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol and tert-butyl alcohol. Alkyl alcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; amides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide; ketones or keto alcohols such as acetone and diacetone alcohol; ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane; polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol. , Ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, triethylene glycol,
1,2,6-hexanetriol, thiodiglycol,
Alkylene glycols having an alkylene group containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms, such as hexylene glycol and diethylene glycol; glycerin; ethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether, diethylene glycol methyl (or ethyl) ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) Lower alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols such as ethers; N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-1-imidazolidinone and the like. Among these many water-soluble organic solvents, polyhydric alcohols such as diethylene glycol and lower alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols such as triethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether are preferable.

The content of the water-soluble organic solvent in the ink is generally 3 to 50% by weight of the total weight of the ink.
And preferably in the range of 3 to 40% by weight.
The content of water used is in the range of 10 to 90% by weight, preferably 30 to 80% by weight of the total weight of the ink.

The ink containing the pigment used in the present invention may contain, in addition to the above-mentioned components, a surfactant, an antifoaming agent, and the like in order to obtain an ink having desired physical properties as required.
Preservatives and the like can be appropriately added. Further, in addition to the above pigment, a water-soluble dye as described above or the like can be appropriately added as a coloring material. Similarly to the above, when using an ink containing a pigment, it is preferable that the surface tension of the ink is larger than the surface tension of the liquid composition according to the present invention. It is preferable to adjust the surface tension of the ink in such a manner.

As a method of preparing an ink containing a pigment as described above, first, a pigment is added to an aqueous medium containing at least a water-soluble resin as a dispersant and water, and the mixture is stirred, and then described below. Perform dispersion using dispersion means,
If necessary, centrifugation is performed to obtain a desired dispersion. Next, a sizing agent and appropriately selected additive components as described above are added to the dispersion, and the mixture is stirred to obtain an ink used in the present invention.

When the above-mentioned alkali-soluble resin is used as a dispersant, it is necessary to add a base to dissolve the resin. Organic amines such as ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, amine methylpropanol, and ammonia, and inorganic bases such as potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide are preferably used.

In the method of preparing an ink containing a pigment, it is effective to carry out premixing for 30 minutes or more before stirring and dispersing the aqueous medium containing the pigment. That is, such a premixing operation is preferable because the wettability of the pigment surface can be improved and the adsorption of the dispersant on the pigment surface can be promoted.

The dispersing machine used in the above-mentioned pigment dispersion treatment may be any commonly used dispersing machine, and examples thereof include a ball mill, a roll mill and a sand mill. Among them, a high-speed type sand mill is preferably used, and examples thereof include a super mill, a sand grinder, a bead mill, an agitator mill, a Glen mill, a Dyno mill, a pearl mill, and a Kobol mill (all trade names).

When an ink containing a pigment is used in an ink jet recording method, a pigment having an optimum particle size distribution is used due to a demand for clogging resistance and the like. As a method for obtaining the pigment, reducing the size of the grinding media of the disperser,
Examples of such methods include increasing the filling rate of the crushed media, increasing the processing time, reducing the discharge speed, classifying with a filter or a centrifuge after crushing, and a combination of these methods.

In the present invention, when an ink containing a pigment is used, in addition to the various components described above, the ink may contain an anionic compound such as an anionic surfactant or an anionic polymer. Is preferably added. In particular, when an anionic compound is not used as a dispersant, it is essential to add such an anionic substance. The addition amount at this time is 0.05
To 10% by weight, preferably 0.2 to 5% by weight. In addition, even when using the ink containing the dye described above, it is preferable to add the anionic compound as described above because the effects of the present invention can be more effectively achieved.

In a preferred embodiment, the pH of the amphoteric surfactant is adjusted to a value equal to or lower than its isoelectric point so as to be contained in the ink. Examples of the anionic surfactant used at this time include carboxylate type, sulfate type, sulfonate type, phosphate type and the like, and any commonly used one can be preferably used. . Examples of the anionic polymer include an alkali-soluble resin, specifically, sodium polyacrylate, or a polymer obtained by copolymerizing acrylic acid with a part of the polymer. Of course, it is not limited to these.

Next, an image forming method according to the present invention will be described. In the image forming method according to the present invention, the liquid composition as described above is applied to an image forming area on a recording medium or an image forming area and its vicinity. (A) attaching to the
And (B) ejecting an ink containing a dye containing at least an anionic group and / or an ink containing at least an anionic compound and a pigment from an ejection orifice to a recording medium according to a recording signal. It is characterized by including.

The image forming area in the present invention is an area where ink dots are attached, and the vicinity of the image forming area is about 1 to 5 dots outside the area where the ink dots are attached. Refers to a remote area.

The image forming method according to the present invention may be any method as long as the liquid composition according to the present invention and the ink coexist on a recording medium or the like. It does not matter which of the two is applied first on the recording medium. Further, when the liquid composition is first attached to the recording medium, the time from attaching the liquid composition to the recording medium to attaching the ink to the recording medium is not particularly limited, It is preferred that the ink be deposited on the recording medium in substantially the same way or within a few seconds.

The recording medium used in the above-described image forming method is not particularly limited, and so-called plain paper such as copy paper and bond paper, which are conventionally used, is preferably used. Of course, a coated paper specially prepared for ink jet recording or a transparent film for OHP is also preferably used. Further, it can be suitably used for general high-quality paper and glossy paper.

As a method for applying the liquid composition onto the recording medium, for example, a method of applying the liquid composition to the entire surface of the recording medium by using a spray or a roller may be considered. Alternatively, it is preferable to use an ink-jet method in which the liquid composition can be selectively and uniformly applied only to the image forming area and the vicinity of the image forming area. In this case, various ink jet recording methods can be used, but a method of discharging droplets using bubbles generated by thermal energy is particularly preferable.

The ink of the present invention may contain, if necessary, a water-soluble organic solvent, a surfactant, a pH adjuster,
Additives such as rust inhibitors, fungicides, antioxidants, evaporation promoters, chelating agents and water-soluble polymers may be added.

The ink according to the present invention can be used as a general water-soluble writing instrument, but is particularly suitable when applied to an ink jet recording method of a type in which the ink is ejected by a bubbling phenomenon of the ink by thermal energy. Are extremely stable, and the generation of satellite dots does not occur. However, in this case, the thermal physical property value (for example, specific heat, thermal expansion coefficient, thermal conductivity) may be adjusted.

Further, the ink according to the present invention solves the problem of water resistance of the ink of the print recorded matter when recorded on plain paper or the like, and at the same time, improves the matching of the ink itself with the ink jet head. As 2
It is desirable that the surface tension at 5 ° C. is adjusted to 30 to 68 dyne / cm and the viscosity is adjusted to 15 cP or less, preferably 10 cP or less, more preferably 5 cP or less.

A method and an apparatus suitable for performing recording using the ink of the present invention include an ink jet apparatus which applies thermal energy corresponding to a recording signal to ink in a chamber of a recording head and generates droplets by the thermal energy. There are a recording method and an ink jet recording apparatus.

FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 show examples of the structure of a head which is a main part of the apparatus.

The head 13 includes a glass, ceramic, or plastic plate having a groove 14 through which ink passes, and a heating head 15 used for thermal recording (a head is shown in the figure, but is not limited to this). )). The heating head 15 includes a protective film 16 made of silicon oxide or the like, and aluminum electrodes 17a and 1a.
7b, a heating resistor layer 18 made of nichrome or the like, a heat storage layer 19, and a substrate 20 having good heat dissipation such as alumina.

The ink 21 has a discharge orifice (fine hole) 2
2, and a meniscus 23 is formed by a pressure (not shown).

Now, when an electric signal is applied to the electrodes 17a and 17b, the area indicated by n of the heating head 15 rapidly generates heat, bubbles are generated in the ink 21 in contact with the area, and the meniscus 23 is generated by the pressure. Discharging, ink 21 discharging,
From the orifice 22, a recording droplet 24 is formed.
Fly towards.

FIG. 15 is an external view of a multi-head in which many heads shown in FIG. 13 are arranged. The multi-head is manufactured by closely contacting a glass plate 27 having a multi-groove 26 and a heating head 28 similar to that described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the head 13 along the ink flow path, and FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line AB in FIG.

FIG. 16 shows an example of an ink jet recording apparatus incorporating such a head.

In FIG. 16, reference numeral 61 denotes a blade serving as a wiping member, one end of which is held by a blade holding member and serves as a fixed end, forming a cantilever. The blade 61 is provided at a position adjacent to a recording area of the recording head.

In the case of this example, the recording head is held in a form protruding into the moving path of the recording head. Reference numeral 62 denotes a cap, which is disposed at a home position adjacent to the blade 61, and has a configuration in which the cap moves in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording head to abut on the projection surface to perform capping. An ink absorber 63 is provided adjacent to the blade 61, and is held in a form protruding into the movement path of the recording head, similarly to the blade 61. The blade 61,
The cap 62 and the ink absorber 63 remove moisture, dust, and the like from the ink ejection port surface.

Reference numeral 65 denotes a recording head having ejection energy generating means for discharging ink onto a recording material opposed to a discharge port surface provided with discharge ports to perform recording, and 66 is provided with the recording head 65. And a carriage for moving the recording head 65. The carriage 66 is slidably engaged with the guide shaft 67, and a part of the carriage 66 is connected to a belt 69 driven by a motor 68 (not shown). As a result, the carriage 66 can move along the guide shaft 67, and the recording head 65 can move the recording area and the adjacent area.

Reference numeral 51 denotes a paper feed unit for inserting a recording material, and reference numeral 52 denotes a paper feed roller driven by a motor (not shown). With such a configuration, the recording material is fed to a position facing the ejection port surface of the recording head, and is discharged to a discharge section provided with a discharge roller 53 as recording proceeds.

In the above configuration, when the recording head 65 returns to the home position at the end of recording or the like, the head recovery unit 6
The cap 62 of 4 is retracted from the moving path of the recording head 65, but the blade 61 protrudes into the moving path. As a result, the protruding surface of the recording head 65 is wiped. When capping is performed by contacting the cap 62 with the protruding surface of the recording head 65, the cap 62 moves so as to protrude into the moving path of the recording head.

When the recording head 65 moves from the home position to the recording start position, the cap 62 and the blade 61 are at the same positions as those at the time of wiping. As a result, even in this movement, the recording head 65
Is wiped.

The movement of the print head to the home position is performed not only at the end of printing and at the time of ejection recovery, but also at a predetermined interval while the printing head moves through the printing area for printing. Position, and the wiping is performed along with the movement.

FIG. 17 is a view showing an example of an ink cartridge containing ink supplied to the head via an ink supply member, for example, a tube. Here, reference numeral 40 denotes an ink storage portion that stores the supply ink, for example, an ink bag, and a rubber stopper 42 is provided at the tip thereof. By inserting a needle (not shown) into this stopper 42,
The ink in the ink bag 40 can be supplied to the head.
Reference numeral 44 denotes an absorber for receiving the waste ink. It is preferable for the present invention that the ink container has a liquid contact surface with the ink formed of polyolefin, particularly polyethylene.

The ink jet recording apparatus used in the present invention is not limited to the one in which the head and the ink cartridge are solid as described above, but is also suitable for the one in which they are integrated as shown in FIG. Used for

In FIG. 18, reference numeral 70 denotes a recording unit, in which an ink storage portion for storing ink, for example, an ink absorber is stored, and the ink in the ink absorber has a plurality of orifices. Head part 71
Are ejected as ink droplets from the ink. As a material of the ink absorber, polyurethane, cellulose,
Alternatively, it is preferable for the present invention to use polyvinyl acetate.

Reference numeral 72 denotes an atmosphere communication port for communicating the inside of the recording unit with the atmosphere. This recording unit 70
Is used in place of the recording head shown in FIG. 16, and is detachable from the carriage 66.

[0118]

Next, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples and comparative examples.

In the following, parts, parts and% are by weight unless otherwise specified.

The compositions of the liquid composition and the ink used in the present invention are shown below.

The following components were mixed, sufficiently stirred and dissolved, and filtered under pressure through a fluoropore filter having a pore size of 0.45 μm (trade name: manufactured by Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.).
Liquid compositions A and B of the present invention were each prepared. Also,
What adjusted pH to about 5 with the salt component of each compound is set to A.

A: 7 parts of thiodiglycol 7 parts of triethylene glycol 3 parts of polyallylamine / acetate (MW = 10000, manufactured by Nitto Boseki Co., Ltd.) 82.5 parts of water 0.5 parts of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride B: 15 parts of glycerin Part Polyacrylic acid polymer Julimer AC-10S 1.5 parts (manufactured by Nippon Junyaku Co., Ltd.) Isopropyl alcohol 4 parts Water 79.5 parts The following components are mixed, sufficiently stirred and dissolved, and the pore size is reduced. A 0.45 μm fluoropore filter (trade name: manufactured by Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.) is subjected to pressure filtration, and the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks Y of the present invention are used.
1, M1, C1, BK1 and Y2, M2, C2, BK
2 was obtained. The recording liquids Y1, M1, C1, and BK1 are referred to as recording liquid 1, and Y2, M2, C2, and BK2 are referred to as recording liquid 2.

Yellow ink Y1: C.I. I. Direct Yellow 86 2.5 parts Thiodiglycol 9 parts Ethylene glycol 9 parts Acetylenol EH 1 part (manufactured by Kawaken Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.) Water 78.5 parts Yellow ink Y2: C.I. I. Basic Yellow 21 11 parts Diethylene glycol 10 parts Glycerin 5 parts Acetylenol EH 1 part (manufactured by Kawaken Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.) Water 73 parts Magenta ink M1: C.I. I. Acid Red 289 3 parts Diethylene glycol 20 parts Acetylenol EH 1 part (manufactured by Kawaken Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.) Water 76 parts Magenta ink M2: C.I. I. Basic Red 12 1 part Glycerin 10 parts Urea 7 parts Acetylenol EH 1 part (manufactured by Kawaken Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.) Water 81 parts Cyan ink C1: C.I. I. Direct Blue 199 3 parts Glycerin 15 parts Acetylenol EH 1 part (manufactured by Kawaken Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.) Water 81 parts Cyan ink C2: C.I. I. Basic Blue 100 2.5 parts Thiodiglycol 8 parts Diethylene glycol 7 parts Acetylenol EH 1 part Water 81.5 parts Black ink BK1: C.I. I. Food Black 2 3 parts Polyethylene glycol (# 100) 15 parts Isopropyl alcohol 4 parts Water 78 parts Black ink BK2: Kayacell Black CN (manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.) 3 parts Glycerin 8 parts Urea 8 parts Isopropyl alcohol 4 parts Water 77 Part An ink set according to the present invention was constructed using the liquid composition A1 of the present example and the ink 1 obtained as described above, and recording was performed on PPC paper (manufactured by Canon Inc.). As the ink jet recording apparatus used, FIG.
19, using the same recording device as shown in FIG.
A color image was formed using one recording head. At this time, the liquid composition A was first attached to the recording paper first, and then the ink 1 was attached. The recording head used here had a recording density of 360 dpi as shown in FIG. 20, and the driving conditions were a driving frequency of 5 kHz.
For the ejection volume per dot, a head of 45 pl was used for each of the yellow, magenta and cyan inks and the liquid composition A, and a head of 80 pl was used for each dot for the black ink.

Note that these recording conditions are the same throughout Examples and Comparative Examples in which inks containing the dyes described below are used. The environmental conditions for the printing test are unified to 25 ° C./55% RH.

Examples 1 to 22 Using the liquid composition A and the respective color inks of Y1, M1, C1, and BK1, and the liquid composition B and the respective color inks of Y2, M2, C2, and BK2, the following printing was performed. Printing was performed by the method.

The printing direction is as shown by the arrows. When there are arrows in both directions, the liquid compositions corresponding to the arrow numbers (1) and (2) are ejected.

(Evaluation Method and Evaluation Criteria) (1) Character Quality Using a colorless liquid composition and black ink, black alphanumeric characters were printed and visually evaluated according to the following criteria.

○: Feathering is hardly noticeable.

○: Feathering is slightly conspicuous but at a level that does not cause any practical problem.

X: Feathering is conspicuous.

(2) Evaluation of Water Resistance After the printer was filled with a predetermined ink and alphanumeric characters and solid portions were printed on a commercially available acidic paper, printing was stopped.
After leaving the printed matter for one hour or more, the print density was adjusted to Macbeth RD9.
15 (trade name: manufactured by Macbeth). Thereafter, the printed matter was immersed in a container filled with water for 3 minutes or more, left to dry naturally, and printed again.

[0132]

(Equation 1)

(3) Evaluation of print quality after continuous printing The printer was continuously printed at a high temperature of 35 ° C. on a high-temperature layer at a rate of once every ten sheets for 10,000 sheets, and thereafter the print quality was visually observed. Was evaluated according to the following criteria.

○: Normal printing can be performed.

○: Printing can be performed without any problem in actual use, although printing is slightly disturbed.

X: Non-ejection or ejection disorder.

[0137]

[Table 1]

[0138]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to form a color image having good water resistance, color development and printing quality on plain paper. In addition, it is possible to provide a liquid composition having excellent reliability in continuous printing and an ink jet printing method using the same.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a distance relationship between a discharge unit of ink or the like and an upper surface of a printing material in a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a distance relationship between an ejection unit of ink or the like and an upper surface of a printing material in a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a distance relationship between a discharge unit of ink or the like and an upper surface of a printing material in a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a distance relationship between a discharge unit of ink or the like and an upper surface of a printing material in a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating a distance relationship between a discharge unit of ink or the like and an upper surface of a printing material in a fifth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a distance relationship between a discharge unit of ink or the like and an upper surface of a printing material in an image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a distance relationship between a discharge unit of ink or the like and an upper surface of a printing material in an image forming apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a distance relationship between an ejection unit of ink or the like and an upper surface of a printing material in an image forming apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a distance relationship between a discharge unit of ink or the like and an upper surface of a print material in a ninth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a distance relationship between a discharge unit of ink or the like and an upper surface of a printing material in a tenth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a distance relationship between an ink ejection unit and an upper surface of a printing material in an image forming apparatus according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a distance relationship between an ejection unit of ink or the like and an upper surface of a printing material in a twelfth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view of a head section of the ink jet recording apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a head section of the ink jet recording apparatus.

FIG. 15 is an external perspective view of a head unit of the inkjet recording apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an ink jet recording apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink cartridge.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a recording unit.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a recording unit in which a plurality of recording heads used in an embodiment of the present invention are arranged.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another recording head used in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Head 14 Ink groove 15, 28 Heating head 16 Protective film 17-1, 17-2 Aluminum electrode 18 Heating resistor layer 19 Heat storage layer 20 Substrate 21 Ink 22 Discharge orifice (micro hole) 23 Meniscus 24 Ink droplet 25 Recording Material 26 Multi-groove 27 Glass plate 40 Ink bag 42 Rubber stopper 44 Ink absorber 45 Ink cartridge 51 Paper feeder 52 Paper feed roller 53 Discharge roller 61 Blade 62 Cap 63 Ink absorber 64 Discharge recovery unit 65 Recording head 66 Carriage 67 Guide shaft 68 Motor 69 Belt 70 Recording unit 71 Head unit 72 Atmospheric communication port 81, 82, 83, 84 Head for ejecting ink 85 Head for ejecting liquid composition

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Shinya Shinya 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Mikifumi Ogasawara 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon (72) Inventor Yutaka Kurabayashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. An image forming method, comprising: ejecting a liquid composition having a polarity different from the polarity of the ink before and / or after the ink is ejected when the ink is ejected to a printing material. The distance between the printing material and the ink discharging means for discharging the ink and the distance between the printing material and the liquid composition discharging means for discharging the liquid composition having a polarity different from the polarity of the ink are made different. And discharging the ink and the liquid composition. 2. An image forming method, comprising: ejecting an ink having a polarity different from the polarity of the ink before and / or after the ejection of the ink when ejecting the ink to the printing material; Ink is ejected in a state in which the distance between the printing medium and the ink ejecting unit that ejects ink and the distance between the printing material and the ink ejecting unit that ejects ink having a polarity different from the polarity of the ink are different. An image forming method comprising: 3. The liquid composition according to claim 1, wherein the liquid composition contains at least a cationic compound, and the ink contains at least an anionic group as a water-soluble group. Image forming method. 4. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid composition contains at least an anionic compound, and the ink contains a cationic dye or a pigment. . 5. A printing apparatus comprising: a plurality of ink discharging means; and a distance between the printing material and a cationic ink discharging means for discharging an ink containing at least a cationic compound and a cationic dye among the plurality of ink discharging means. And discharging the ink and the liquid composition in a state in which the distance between the anion ink discharging unit that discharges an ink containing an anionic group as a water-soluble group and the print-receiving material is different. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein: 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said ink discharging means are provided, and of said plurality of ink discharging means, a distance between a cationic ink discharging means for discharging at least an ink containing a cationic dye and said printing material; In a state in which the distance between the anion ink ejection means and the material to be printed, which ejects an ink containing a dye or pigment having an anionic group as a water-soluble group and a water-soluble group,
2. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the discharging of the ink and the discharging of the liquid composition are performed. 7. A step (A) of adhering the liquid composition or the ink to a region where an image is to be formed on the printing material or to the image forming region and its vicinity, and a water-soluble solution containing at least an anionic group. (B) ejecting an ink containing a dye and / or an ink containing at least an anionic compound and a pigment from an ejection orifice as droplets onto a printing material in accordance with a recording signal. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein: 8. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein the jetting of the ink in the step (B) is performed by an ink jet printing method. 9. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein in step (A), the liquid composition is attached to a print target by an ink-jet printing method. 10. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein the step (A) is performed prior to the step (B). 11. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein the step (A) is performed after the step (B). 12. The step (A) is performed after the step (B),
8. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein the step (B) is further performed. 13. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the ink is ejected from an orifice in accordance with a recording signal to perform recording on a printing material. 14. The image forming method according to claim 13, wherein heat energy is applied to the ink to discharge the ink. 15. An ink container containing ink, an ink head for discharging the ink, a liquid composition container containing a liquid composition having a polarity different from the polarity of the ink, and a liquid composition containing the liquid composition. A recording unit, comprising: a liquid head for discharging an object. 16. The recording unit according to claim 15, wherein the ink head is configured to eject thermal ink by applying thermal energy to the ink. 17. The recording unit according to claim 15, wherein an inside of said ink containing section is filled with an ink absorber. 18. The ink storage unit according to claim 18, wherein
16. The recording unit according to claim 15, wherein the recording unit is formed of cellulose or polyvinyl acetate. 19. A cartridge comprising: an ink storage portion that stores ink and / or a liquid composition storage portion that stores a liquid composition having a polarity different from the polarity of the ink. 20. The ink container according to claim 19, wherein the ink container has a liquid contact surface made of polyolefin.
The cartridge as described. 21. An image forming apparatus comprising the recording unit according to claim 15. Description: 22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising an ink supply unit that supplies ink from the ink storage unit to the ink head unit.