JPS59182745A - Recording instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a recording instrument capable of continuously and smoothly supplying ink all the time by providing an ink-philic liquid contact face capable of adsorbing or impregnating one component of dyes to an ink supply system to supply ink from an ink storage to the recorder. CONSTITUTION:A recording device has a system in which a liquid contact face capable of adsorbing or impregnating at least one component of dyes is provided to an ink supply system to supply ink from an ink storage to an ink recorder and the discharge of ink is stabilized. In an ink jet recorder, for example, the liquid contact faces to be touched by ink of the ink supply system, e.g., ink jet nozzle 21, sub-ink tank 24, ink supply tubes 23 and 28, etc., by which to supply ink from the ink tank 26 of the ink storage to the recorder consisting of nozzle 21a to make recording on a recording paper P supplied by a paper feeding roller 20 are converted into an ink-philic face by a dye solution to obtain an aimed recording instrument.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a recording device that performs recording using ink (recording liquid), and particularly to a recording device in which the ink supply system of the recording device has a liquid-contact surface treated with a dye solution to make it ink-friendly. Regarding equipment.

As a recording device that records by bringing water-based ink into direct contact with a recording material such as paper, so-called writing instruments such as Mannen 11E, felt-tip pens, and water-based ballpoint pens are common. An inkjet recording method, which records by ejecting ink, also appeared.
It is attracting attention as a recording method capable of high-speed printing and multicolor printing.

These recording devices basically consist of a recording means that performs recording by applying ink to a recording material using various methods, an ink storage section that stores ink, and an ink supply section that supplies ink to the recording means from the ink storage section. The ink supply system has an ink supply system.

The ink supply system continuously and instantaneously supplies ink to the recording means during recording, and is an important component for smoothly performing ink recording. Generally, an ink supply system includes a liquid chamber for temporarily storing ink supplied from an ink storage unit such as an ink cassette;
It consists of an ink supply path that transports ink from the ink storage section to the recording means via the liquid chamber, but some ink storage sections and ink supply paths are integrated.

The materials constituting the ink supply system of the above-mentioned recording equipment have excellent ink resistance, especially on the surfaces that come into contact with the ink, and are designed to ensure continuous and smooth ink transfer without causing ink to stagnate during recording. It is required to have the necessary characteristics. In addition, characteristics in the manufacturing process of recording instruments are required, such as ease of processing, molding, and assembly of materials, and materials are selected from these viewpoints as well.

Conventionally, various resins have been used in the ink supply system of recording equipment.

Glass, various metals, etc. are used as structural members, but for example, when ink is supplied to the recording means again when recording is stopped for a long time or when recording is resumed after a pause, it may come into contact with ink in the ink supply system. It has been pointed out that there are problems such as unstable ink ejection from the recording means, ink discontinuation, and even the inability to eject ink due to factors such as the tendency for surface pressure bubbles to adhere. .

The problem with such ink supply is that, especially when the ink is used up and then refilled, partial ink solvent evaporates during long recording pauses, causing general or local trapping within the ink supply system. , which tends to occur when the ink no longer stagnates. For example, in an inkjet recording device, if the ink in the ink supply system is used up, it may be difficult to fill up to the ink ejection port when refilling the ink, or even if the ink is filled by a suction operation, air bubbles etc. may occur in the ink supply system. This may cause problems such as the ink not being filled uniformly throughout the entire ink supply system due to adhesion to the liquid contact surfaces of the ink, resulting in problems during printing such as ink interruptions and unstable ejection.

The above-mentioned ink supply failure occurs when the surface of the ink supply system that comes into contact with the ink in a recording device that uses ink for recording is, for example, polyethylene or polyester.

This is particularly noticeable when polymeric materials such as silicone resins are used, and the cause is the insufficient wettability (ink affinity) of these components of the ink supply system to the ink solution. It is estimated that

One solution to this problem is to modify the surfaces of the components of the ink supply system that come into contact with the ink. As a general treatment method, for example, KtCr, O
, -H, 804, etc., and a physical treatment method using plasma treatment. A chemical treatment method using a strong oxidizing agent solution poses no danger to the cultivation process and requires a large amount of expense for wastewater treatment, resulting in many problems in terms of safety and economy. On the other hand, physical treatment methods using plasma treatment enable short-time and low-temperature treatment, and can therefore be applied to organic materials with low melting points and low dislocation points.Furthermore, since it is a dry process, cleaning and drying with solvents is possible. However, on the other hand, it is difficult to process materials with complicated shapes such as the inner wall surfaces of thin and long tubes, and the equipment is very difficult to handle.
There are problems in applying the treatment method, such as the 4J value. In particular, members used in the ink supply system of inkjet recording apparatuses cannot be treated uniformly, making them inappropriate as a treatment method.

The present invention was completed as a result of intensive studies in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to improve the insufficient ink affinity of members used in the ink supply system of recording devices by a simple surface treatment method. Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording device having an ink supply system that can continuously and smoothly supply ink to a recording means at all times.

and an ink supply system that supplies ink from the ink storage section to the recording means, wherein the ink supply system is a contact formed by adsorption or penetration of at least a component of the dye. This is a device characterized by having a liquid surface.

can be lost. These recording devices perform recording by bringing ink directly into contact with a recording material such as paper from a recording means such as a pen tip or an ink discharge port, or by making it adhere to a recording material as a flying part. It consists of an ink supply system. This ink supply system mainly includes a liquid chamber for temporarily storing ink supplied from an ink storage unit such as an ink storage unit, and an ink chamber for transporting ink from the ink storage unit to the recording means via the liquid chamber. It consists of a supply route.

A specific example of the recording device will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a water-based ballpoint pen. In this water-based ballpoint pen, the ink in the ink storage body (ink storage part) moves the ink-like ink guiding core 3 through the tip/tip by capillary action.
By rotating the ball unit guided to the tip and attached to the tip of the tip over the recording material, ink is ejected in appropriate amounts at a time to perform recording. Among the constituent parts of the water-based ballpoint pen, the ink storage body t corresponds to the ink storage section in the present invention, and the tip/ball hole and the ink guide core 3 correspond to the ink supply system in the present invention. Also, the part corresponding to the recording means is the part of the ballco that contacts the recording material (not shown).
It is.

The ink 25 stored in the ink is supplied to the inkjet nozzle 2/ through the ink supply system, that is, the ink supply tube 23, 2g, and the safe ink tank 2'l,
Recording is performed by ejecting ink from nozzle J/a as small droplets onto the recording paper P fed by paper feed roller θ. A is inkjet nozzle 2
/, f die reflex tank 2, ink supply unit 3.
2g and recording means correspond to the nozzle and 2/a, respectively.

In the ink supply system of the present invention, among the constituent members of the ink supply system, for those members that have insufficient wettability with the ink, the surfaces that come into contact with the ink are treated to become ink-friendly using a dye solution, so that the ink can easily bond with the ink. The quality has improved.

Such ink supply system components include conventionally used materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyacetal.

Polyester, silicone resin, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, PMMA, polystyrene, ABS resin.

Examples include polymeric materials such as AS resin.

This is carried out by immersing the members used in the ink supply system and the glue supply system using the dye solution in the present invention C for several minutes or longer.

Due to this immersion treatment pressure, at least/components contained in the dye are adsorbed onto the surface of the component due to some kind of chemical or physical attraction force, or the components penetrate into the voids between the polymer structures of the component. Alternatively, it is presumed that the ink affinity of the member is improved by penetrating and maintaining at least the texture of the treated surface. In reality, the member to be treated is colored after treatment, so it can be confirmed that the components in the dye are retained.

In addition, in order to enhance the effect of the ink-friendly treatment, heating or
It can also be treated under pressure.

The dyes that can be used in the above-mentioned ink-friendly process include most commonly used dyes, but suitable ones include water-soluble direct dyes, acid dyes, and basic dyes. As a dyed eyebrow jj grade item, Daireff) Vinny I-"No'y Natsuji 1l-jG,
Nrias Yellow GC, Sumilite Orange G Conch, Guialumina Survin 13, Sumilite Supra Red Violet R-L, Direct Sky Blue Roux G Conch, Diacapron Green G1 Bensicadesine G1 Kayaku Acid Brilliant Flavin FF, Methanil Yellow YK , Sumilan Orange G Extra Conch, Suminol Leveling Red Otsu BL Extra Conch, Eisen Erythrosin, Alizarin Rubinol R
1 Aisen Eosin G H Conch, Anthraquinone Violet //'19, Suminol Leveling Blue AG
G, Carboran Green G1 Alizarin Light Brown B L 796%, Nigrosin NB Conch, Direct Deep Black XA, Kayaku Direct Special/Yaru Blank AXN, Water Black + 7g7
, Kayaku Direct Special Black AXN, Direct Deep Black XA■, Water Blank Hiro/
θθ, 2θθ, ≠300, Dyke black 3θθH,
Kayaku Black G Conch, Special Black G1 Direct Black G Conch, Diakoton Fast Black D1 Direct Fast Black D1 Japanol Fast Black D Conch, Direct Fast Black B1 Direct Deep Black Conch Special, Suminol Milling Black VLG, Sumiran Black WA, Examples include Dia Leather Black B.

Delicious.

As the solvent component constituting the treatment solution, water or a mixture of water and various water-soluble organic solvents is used. Examples of various water-soluble organic solvents include methyl alcohol,
Ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, inopropyl alcohol, n-methyl alcohol, sec';'
Alkyl alcohols with a carbon number of 1 to 50, such as methyl alcohol, tert-methyl alcohol, and isobutyl alcohol Nidimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide Practical amides: Ketones or keto alcohols such as acetone and diacetone alcohol: Tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, etc. Ethers: Polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol:
Ethylene glycol, fluoropylene glycol, butylene glycol, triethylene glycol, /1.2. B-
Alkylene glycols in which the alkylene group contains 6 carbon atoms, such as hexane l゛IJ ol, thioxyglycol, hexylene glycol, diethylene glycol: Glycerin: ethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl (also ethyl) erthyl, Lower alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether: N-
Methyl-2-pyrrolidone, /,3-dimethyl-! -Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ketones such as imidazolidinone, etc. can also be added to the treatment solution.A dye solubilizing agent can also be added to the treatment solution in order to increase the solubility of the dye.

In an ink supply system that has a wetted surface with improved ink wettability through the ink-friendly process described above, ink can be supplied continuously and smoothly, and even after a long period of recording has stopped. 1, 7, = -, o,
, =, ,,,-,.

#4 Improvements have been made to the supply problems observed in conventional devices, such as instability in ejecting child ink, discontinuation of ink ejection, and inability to eject ink.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in further detail using Reference Examples and Examples.

Reference example: Polyethylene-1 (manufactured by Mikata Polychemicals), which is commonly used as an ink supply system member, was thoroughly washed with triethane, and after drying, the dye was mixed with water and N to have the following composition. -Methyl-! - The surface was immersed in an ink-friendly treatment solution prepared by dissolving it in a solvent consisting of pyrrolidone at a temperature of θ°C for 2<1' hours.

Water 9'1 heavy! 111 part N-
Methyl! -Pyrrolidong dye β 〃 As a dye component of the treatment solution, C,1, Acid Red 3J (Giand Spra Red 3B, manufactured by Mitsubishi Kasei)
, C, 1, Annotto Brownll! (Nora Brown RKX, manufactured by Juju Chemical), C, 1, Dairef Trend 2g
(Congo Red, manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical), G, 1° Direct Blue, 2 (Direct Blue B H, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical), G
, 1. Direct Blue Dootsu (Sumi Lights Blatar)
Five types of Koizu Blue G Conch (manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical) were used alone.

After the dipping treatment was completed, the polyethylene 7-t was thoroughly washed with water and dried, and the contact angle with respect to the ink having the composition shown below was measured.

Water Parts by weight Diethylene glycol / θ N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone Gudaiwana 7 Tall Yellow 82 (manufactured by Daiwa Kasei) To measure the contact angle, gently place 7 ink droplets on the surface of a horizontally positioned sample. After the droplet was left to stand for j minutes, it was dropped on the sample surface, and the angle between the sample surface and the tangent line drawn to the droplet at the intersection of the droplet surface and the sample surface was measured using a microscope.

The contact angle is determined by the interrelationship between the physical properties of the sample and the dropped liquid; a decrease in the contact angle under the same conditions indicates an increase in the sample's affinity for the liquid. .

The contact angle measurement results are shown in Table/. For comparison, a polyethylene sheet was similarly immersed in a solution in which water was added instead of the dye in the treatment solution composition.
The sample whose contact angle was measured was used as a blank.

Table/Reference Example - In place of the dye, a dye intermediate contained in the dye was dissolved in a solvent to have the following composition to prepare an ink-friendly treatment solution. As a dye intermediate, 〇-toluidine and benzidine water 2 g parts by weight N-methyl-!
-pyro 1j゛tonda dye intermediate 3 was used alone.

A polyethylene sheet was treated using the above parent ink treatment solution in the same manner as in Reference Example, and the contact angle was measured. The results are shown in Table 2VC. The blank in Table 3 is the result of treatment with a solution in which water was added instead of the dye intermediate.

table ! Example/ Using a water-based ballpoint pen as a recording device, the ink-friendly treatment of the present invention was carried out in the form of a treatment solution prepared with the ink supply of the water-based ballpoint pen.3. Using each of the flat plates 3, an ink-friendly treatment was carried out at θ°C for 1 hour 17, followed by thorough washing with water and drying. Seventy-nine water-based ballpoint pens (shown in FIG. 1) were assembled using the tips/balls i thus treated.

This water-based ballpoint pen is filled with ink of the following composition, /
θθθ711 continuous recording test (recording speed/θCm/
SQ C1 recording paper, high quality paper, - handwriting) was conducted.

Water Parts by weight Diethylene glycol / θ N-Methyl-ρ-pyrrolidone Gdaiwanaphthol Yellow S,, 2 Observe the quality of the recorded lines (such as thickening, line thinning, line breakage, etc.). 3 and %j.

Comparative Example / A water-based ballpoint pen similar to Example / was assembled /θ using a tip that had not been made ink-friendly and ball 2, a recording test was conducted according to the method of Example /, and the recording quality was observed. Shida. The results are shown in Table 3.

Table 3 Example 3 The ink-friendly treatment of the present invention was applied to an ink supply system member of an inkjet recording apparatus, and the apparatus was assembled using the ink supply system member. Among the ink supply systems in the inkjet recording apparatus shown in Fig. β, ink supply tube: 23.2
g (Polyethylene tube, inner diameter θ76mm, outer diameter/
, , 2.2711.711), and the processing solution prepared in Reference Example/, K, Otsuθ℃, 2 of JθS, respectively.
After soaking for a long time, rinse thoroughly with water! The ink supply recovery test after replacing B is performed by sucking ink from the inkjet nozzle 2/a through the cap 27 using the pump/θβ shown in FIG. Nozzle, 2/,
Ink supply tube, 23. This was done by completely expelling the air bubbles in .

The measurement results are shown in Table 1.

An inkjet recording device similar to that of Example 2 was assembled using the ink supply system part of Comparative Example which had not been subjected to the ink-philic treatment, and an ink supply recovery test was conducted according to the method of Example 2. The test results are shown in Table 1.

Table

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the configuration of a water ballpoint pen, Fig. β is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inkjet recording device, and Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inkjet recording device equipped with a recovery pump. / is chip 1, 2I/i: ball, 3 is ink guide core, 3 is ink absorber, S is exterior, 6 is paper feed roller, 2/(d inkjet nozzle 1. 2/a is nozzle 1 .2..214 piezo element, ,23.,.2.!
i' is an ink suction tube, /θ, 2 is a recovery pump, and P is a recording paper.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a recording device having a recording means using ink, an ink storage section, and an ink supply system that supplies ink from the ink storage section to the recording means, the ink supply system is dyed.
A recording device characterized by having a liquid contact surface formed by adsorption or penetration of at least/constituents in the material.