TW385278B - Ink jet recording apparatus and tank for reaction solution - Google Patents

Abstract

A tank, containing a reaction solution, for use in an ink jet recording apparatus for depositing two liquids, that is, a reaction solution, containing a polyvalent metal salt, and an ink composition, onto a recording medium to conduct printing. This tank can solve a clogging problem of the reaction solution. A reaction solution containing a polyvalent metal salt is sealed into a reaction solution tank under reduced pressure. This prevents the reaction solution from creating a precipitate and, even after storage of the reaction solution for a long period of time, can realize good printing, especially clogging-free, stable printing.

Description

A7 _____B7__ 5. Description of the invention (1) Background of the invention The present invention relates to an inkjet recording device in which a reaction solution and an ink composition are deposited on a recording medium for printing, and There is also a tank for use in the inkjet recording apparatus to contain the reaction solution. The inkjet recording method of the prior art is a printing method, in which droplets of an ink composition are ejected and deposited on a recording medium such as paper. A feature of this method is that relatively inexpensive The device prints high-resolution and high-quality images at high speed. Generally, the ink composition used in inkjet recording contains water as a main component and one of colorants and wetting agents (such as glycerin) is added to prevent clogging and for other purposes. Printed by the Consumers' Cooperative of the Central Standards Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (please read the notes on the back before filling out this page) Recently, the industry has proposed a new inkjet recording method, which involves applying a multivalent metal salt solution to Then, an ink composition containing a dye having at least one carboxyl group is applied (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 202328/1 993). Furthermore, the industry has also proposed several other inkjet recording methods in which two liquids (ie, a polyvalent metal salt solution and an ink composition) are used for printing (for example, Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 63185/1989, 240557/1991, 240558/1991 '52868/1996 and 207424/1997). This paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) ~ 7 ~ 'A 7 B7 V. Description of the invention (2) It is said that the advantage of using two liquids for the inkjet dinner method is that it will be more expensive When a metal salt solution (hereinafter referred to as a "reaction solution") and an ink composition are printed on a recording medium, the multivalent metal salt is mainly combined with a colorant to form an insoluble complex which can produce Water-resistant and high-quality images without discoloration. However, salts of polyvalent metals have low solubility in water. Therefore, the use of a salt of a polyvalent metal causes an undesirable phenomenon after a long period of storage. A precipitate blocks the filter and prevents the reaction solution from entering the recording head, or the precipitate enters the recording head and is harmfully blocked. Fine nozzle. Description of the invention. The inventor of the present invention invented an inkjet recording device in which two liquids were printed to form an image, and a solution containing a polyvalent metal salt was sealed in a reaction solution tank under low pressure, even at After a long period of storage, good printing can still be obtained, especially without blocking and stable printing. This is the gist of the present invention. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method

I Printed by the Consumer Cooperative of the Central Bureau of Standards of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (please read the precautions on the back before filling out this page) A well-printed inkjet recording device in which two liquids are printed, and the reaction solution tank is used for this purpose. According to a feature of the present invention, the present invention provides an inkjet recording apparatus for depositing a reaction solution containing a polyvalent metal salt and an ink composition on a recording medium for printing. The inkjet recording apparatus Containing: ^ • a reaction solution tank containing the reaction solution; and— an ink composition tank containing the ink composition, the reaction solution is sealed in the reaction under a low pressure. The paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification ( 2 丨 0X297mm t) · 5 _ A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (3) In the solution tank. According to another feature of the present invention, the present invention provides a reaction solution tank containing a reaction solution for use in an inkjet recording device to deposit a reaction solution containing a polyvalent metal salt and an ink composition in The recording medium is printed on the recording medium, and the reaction solution is sealed in the reaction solution tank under a low pressure. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a specific embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention; A response of the invented inkjet recording device I --------- ^ II (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page) *-° The solution tank printed by the Consumer Cooperatives of the Central Standards Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs Expand perspective. Comparison table of main components 1 Platen roll 2 Slider 2 a Guide shaft 3 a * 3 b Recording head 4 Filter chamber 5 pin 6 Storage tank 6 a Foam body 7 a * 7 b Tank ¢. This paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 Specification (2 丨 0X297gt) -6- Printed by the Consumers' Cooperative of the Central Standards Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs A7 B7 V. Description of the Invention (4) 8 Cover 9 Communication hole 9 a Air hole 10 Protrusion 11 Reaction solution Chamber 12 Cover 13 Cover element \ 14-16 Conduit 17 Waste liquid 1 8 Signal line 20 Recording medium 2 1-22 Seal element Detailed description of the invention Inkjet recording device and reaction solution tank Inkjet recording device and reaction according to the present invention The solution tank will be described below with reference to the attached diagram. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a specific embodiment of an inkjet recording device according to the present invention. The device shown in the figure includes a slide plate 2. When the recording paper conveying device rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A to convey the recording paper, The slide plate reciprocates on the guide shaft 2 a in the direction indicated by the arrow B along the platen 1. The slide plate 2 is provided with a recording head 3a for ejecting the reaction solution near the platen 1 and a recording head 3b for ejecting the ink composition. The storage tank 7 a for the reaction solution is set on the recording head 3 a. The paper size applies to the Chinese national standard (CNS > A4 size (210X 297 mm)) L 0 .IT ^ _ (Please read the precautions on the back first Fill out this page again) A7 B7 5. Above the description of the invention (5), the storage tank 7 b for the ink composition is set above the recording head 3 b. The reaction solution from the reaction solution tank 7 a and the ink The ink composition of the composition tank 7 b is fed into the recording heads 3 a and 3 b respectively. Via the signal line 18-the signal is sent to the recording heads 3 a and 3 b, and, in response to the signal, responds The droplets of the solution or the ink composition are ejected from the recording head 3a or 3b through a nozzle (not shown). The ejected droplets of the reaction solution or the ink composition are deposited on a paper roll wound When the recording head 20 is clogged, the nozzle surface of the recording head is sealed by a cover member 1 3, and then the cover member 1 is connected through the cover member 1 3 and a tube 1 4 1 5 to suck the reaction solution or the ink The composition is removed to remove the blockage. The sucked reaction solution or ink composition is introduced through a conduit 16-a waste liquid tank 17. In the figure, only one cover element is provided. Alternatively, a plurality of cover elements may be separately provided. The ground is set to the recording heads 3 a and 3 b. Printed by the Consumer Cooperative of the Central Bureau of Standards of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (please read the notes on the back before filling this page) The reaction solution tank according to the present invention will be described below. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 is a developed perspective view of a reaction solution tank 7 a. A reaction solution tank 7 a containing a reservoir 6 is provided above the recording head 3 a ′. The reservoir 6 contains a foamed body 6 a composed of a porous member such as a polymethylurethane foamed body. The reaction solution tank 7 a has a cover 8, and the cover 8 is provided with a communication hole 9. It communicates with the outside of the reaction solution tank. On the other hand, a bottom-like projection 10 is provided on the bottom surface to closely contact the foam 6a. This paper is in accordance with Chinese national standard (0, 5). 4 specifications (210 乂 297 mm) Ministry of Economic Affairs Printed by the Standards Bureau Consumer Cooperative A7 B7 V. Invention Description (6). There is a communicating part communicating with the recording head 3a and extending downward from the central part of the protrusion 10. The communicating part contains a reaction solution chamber 1 1 to take out and hold the reaction solution contained in the foamed body 6 a, and a cover 12 made of an elastic member such as rubber, which is provided at the end of the reaction solution chamber 11. Insert a hollow needle 5 As a communication element communicating with the recording head 3a, and a filter chamber 4 provided on a slide plate that opens into the cover 12, the reaction solution immersed in the reaction solution tank 7a can be transported into the recording The first 3 a of '· in. Until immediately before use, at least one communication hole 9 is used with an openable, gas-impermeable sealing member 21 maintained in a sealed state under reduced pressure. Immediately before use, the gas-impermeable sealing element 21 is opened so that the reaction solution tank 7a communicates with the outside of the reaction solution tank 7a through an air hole 9a. Preferably, as shown in Fig. 3, the sealing member 21 is constructed so that it has a satisfactory long section and can be easily opened by picking up the end of the long section. At the time of printing, the function of the air holes 9a is to supplement the volume of the consumed reaction solution with an equal volume of air. In the reaction solution tank according to the present invention, the reaction solution is contained in the reaction solution tank under a low pressure. The air hole 9a has been sealed. The reaction solution under low pressure did not produce a precipitate. As a result, when used for printing after being installed in an ink-jet recording device, the reaction solution neither causes the filter to be clogged with precipitates nor causes the precipitates to flow into the recording head to unfavorably block the fine nozzles. Therefore, the use of the reaction solution in the reaction solution tank according to the present invention enables stable and stable printing. This paper size applies to Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 (210X2S »7mm) (Please read the precautions on the back of Jing before filling this page)

A 7 ______ ^ _ B7 ____ V. Description of the invention (7) According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pressure in the reaction solution tank is less than atmospheric pressure, preferably not more than 0.05 MP a, and more preferably not More than 0.02MPa. The reaction solution tank according to the present invention is preferably manufactured according to the following procedure. First, when the sealing members 21 and 22 are not installed, the reaction solution tank 7 is installed first. The reaction solution reservoir 6 in the reaction solution tank 7 is evacuated through the communication hole 9. The degree of evacuation may be appropriately determined. However, when the amount of the filled reaction solution and the charging time are taken into consideration, the reaction solution is evacuated to a pressure of preferably not more than 0.05 MPa, and more preferably not more than 0.02 MPa. Next, the reaction solution is charged into the reaction solution tank through the communication hole 9. At that time, the pressure of the reaction solution was reduced to provide a reaction solution from which air was removed. The communication holes 9 other than the air holes 9 a are sealed with a sealing element 2 2 under atmospheric pressure. Thereafter, in the step of vacuum sealing, the reaction solution tank 7 is evacuated, and the air hole 9a is sealed with the sealing member 21. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the internal pressure of the reaction solution reservoir 6 is reduced to not more than 0.05 MPa, and more preferably not more than 0.0 2 MPa. (Please read the notes on the back before filling this page) Reaction Solution According to the present invention, the reaction solution contains at least one polyvalent metal salt. The polyvalent metal salt that can be used in the reaction solution is composed of a divalent or more valent metal ion and an anion bonded to the polyvalent metal ion, and is soluble in water. Specific examples of polyvalent metal ions include divalent metal ions, such as Ca2 +, Cu2 +, Ni2 +, Mg2 +, etc. This paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) -10- A7 B7___ 'V. Invention Instructions (8)

Zn2 +, and Ba2 +, trivalent metal ions, such as A 1 3 +, F e 3 +, and C r 3 +. Anions include C 1 —, N 0 plant, I —,

Br_, ClO3 ~, and CH3COO. In particular, in terms of acid and alkali properties of the reaction solution and print quality, a metal salt composed of C a 2+ or Mg2 + provides better results. The concentration of the polyvalent metal salt in the reaction solution may be appropriately determined so that it is ′% in weight and 5 in weight2. If the effect is 5, the stopper is more resistant ’Free avoidance and weight ο Product 4 rt- 0 0 Printed 1 ... Good ο · Good covenant for the big promotion. {Please read the notes on the back before filling this page) The Ministry of Economy Central # -Printed by a consumer cooperative of the prospective bureau According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reaction solution containing a wetting agent contains a high boiling point Organic solvents. This high-boiling organic solvent is used to prevent the reaction solution from being concentrated due to evaporation 'and thus to prevent clogging of the recording head. Preferred examples of the high-boiling organic solvents usable in the present invention include, for example, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, butanediol, hexenediol, 1 Polyols of 2,6 hexanetriol, thioglycol, glycerol, trimethylolethane, and trimethylolpropane; for example, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol Glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monoethyl ether, and polyglycol alkyl ether of triethylene glycol monobutyl ether; 2 — number Pyridinone; N-methyl-'2-pyrrolidone; 1,3-dimethyl-2-tetrahydroimidone; and triethanolol. Although the addition amount of the high-boiling organic solvent is not particularly limited, its preferable amount is about 0.5 to 40% by weight, and more preferably 2 to 20% by weight. This paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) to A 7 ____B7___ V. Description of the invention (9) According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reaction solution contains a low-boiling organic solvent. Preferred examples of the low-boiling organic solvents usable in the present invention include methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, η-butanol, second butanol, third butanol, isobutanol, and n-pentyl. alcohol. Monohydric alcohols are particularly suitable. Low boiling organic solvents can shorten the drying time of the ink. The addition amount of the low-boiling organic solvent is preferably from 0.5 to 10% by weight, more preferably from 1.5 to 6% by weight. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reaction solution contains a penetrant. Permeants useful in the present invention include various surfactants such as anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants; alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol; and glycol monomethyl alcohol Lower alkyl ethers of polyhydroxy alcohols of ethers, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, and propylene glycol monobutyl ether. Ink composition Printed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Consumer Cooperatives of the Central Bureau of Standards The ink composition used in the present invention contains at least one colorant, organic solvent 'water, and preferably a resin emulsion. The colorant may be any one of dyes and pigments. The dyes usable in the present invention include various dyes used for inkjet recording, such as direct dyes, acid dyes, food dyes, test dyes, reactive dyes, disperse dyes, and vat dyes. As for the pigment, inorganic and organic pigments can be used without any particular limitation. Pigments are usually added to the ink in the form of a pigment dispersion that is prepared by dispersing the pigment in an aqueous medium with the help of a dispersant. Many dyes and pigments react with the polyvalent metal ions contained in the reaction solution to -12- (please read the precautions on the back before filling this page) This paper is suitable for size n 忑 Specifications (2) οχ 297 公 楚) Printed by the Consumers' Cooperative of the Central Standards Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (10) A metal compound that is insoluble or slightly soluble in water is produced, thereby obtaining a print with clear edges and no discoloration. The resin emulsion also reacts with the ions of the polyvalent metal to produce an insoluble complex. Therefore, the addition of resin emulsion can greatly contribute to the improvement of print quality. The ink composition may further include an organic solvent. Moreover, the addition of other ingredients is not particularly limited. In particular, it is preferable to add a component capable of reacting with a polyvalent metal ion to produce an insoluble or slightly soluble compound in the ink composition. In general, the ink composition contains water as a main ingredient, and a coloring agent and a wetting agent such as glycerin are added thereto for prevention of clogging and other purposes. Examples The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples, although the present invention is not limited only to these examples. Reaction solution 1 Magnesium nitrate hexahydrate 2 5 wt% Triethylene glycol monobutyl ether 1 0 wt% Glycerol 20 0 wt% Triethanol 箄 0.9 weight of pure water remaining reaction solution 2 The paper dimensions are applicable to Chinese national standards (CMS> A4 specification (210X 297mm) -13- --------------- Order ----------- (Read the precautions on the back before filling in this page ) A7 B7 V. Description of the invention. (11) Magnesium nitrate hexahydrate triethylene glycol monobutyl ether glycerol triethanol hood pure water 5 wt% 10 wt% 20 wt% 0.9 wt% balance reaction solution 3 tetrahydrate Calcium nitrate triethylene glycol monobutyl ether glycerol triethanol 三 pure water 10% by weight 10% by weight 20% by weight 0.9% by weight The balance (please read the precautions on the back before filling this page) The reaction solution Filled in the tank, printed by the Consumer Cooperative of the Central Bureau of Standards of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Each step is installed at a level other than the step 2 1 of the vacuum hole. It is a supply ratio—a reaction that the above-mentioned one has. The excess solution is sealed by the through-hole 9 and the reaction solution is sealed. On the contrary, 0 is compared with the filled reaction solution as shown in Figure 2 The reaction tank of the liquid tank 7 is loaded into the reaction solution to seal the element. The liquid tank 7 is pumped into the reaction solution tank. The reaction solution of 0.5 μP is filled into a pressure solution of the reaction solution reservoir P a of this structure. The inner part of the tank is 2 dense vacuum, and the phase is evacuated to a and 0. After that, there is no reaction solution tank storage tank passed through the force of the installer 6. Then, except for sealing. Thereafter, the through hole 9a is shown in Table 1. The 0 2 MPa described above is evacuated. In particular, the through-hole 9 is sealed by two pressures through the communication air hole 9 a. In addition, the paper size of the sealed paper is applicable to the Chinese national standard (CNS ) A4 specification (2 丨 〇 X 297 mm) -14- Consumption cooperation by employees of the Central Bureau of Standards of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, printed A7 _1B7_. V. Description of the invention (12) Sealed under atmospheric pressure. Separately in a sealed state The three storage tanks with three pressure levels were filled with reaction solutions 1 to 3. The reaction solution tanks were then subjected to an accelerated test with respect to storage for one year at normal temperature and normal humidity conditions. The printing test was subjected to the above The accelerated test solution tank is filled with a Inkjet printer MJ — 5 1 0 C (manufactured by Seiko Epson). A pattern of letters and graphics was continuously printed on A 4 size paper. At that time, the reaction could be visually observed from the nozzle Solution droplet ejection 'and the results were evaluated according to the following criteria. A: The number of printable paper sheets without "lagging" and "droplet ejection with a track that is not perpendicular to the print head" is 500 or more B: The number of printable papers without "backward" and "drops ejected from tracks not perpendicular to the print head" is 300 to less than 500 C: without "backward" and "drops ejected from tracks not perpendicular to the print head" The number of printable papers is 100 to less than 300 NG: The number of printable papers without "backward" and "drops ejected with a track that is not perpendicular to the print head" is less than 100. The results of the evaluations are summarized in the table below. This paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 (210x297 mm) -15- (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page)

V. Description of the invention (13) A7 B7

Table 1 Example 1 Example 2 Comparative Example Pressure (MPa) of the reaction solution tank 0. 0 5 0.02 Atmospheric pressure reaction solution 1 BAC reaction solution 2 AAC reaction solution 3 AANG Printed by the Consumer Cooperatives of the Central Standards Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs (Read the notes on the back before filling out this page)

This paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 (210X 297 mm) -16-

Claims (1)

A8 B8 C8 D8 ___ VI. Patent Application Scope 1. A kind of inkjet recording device to deposit a reaction solution containing a polyvalent metal salt and an ink composition on a recording medium, the inkjet The recording device includes a reaction solution tank containing the reaction solution and an ink composition tank containing the ink composition. The reaction solution tank contains the reaction solution sealed therein under a low pressure. 2. The inkjet recording device according to item 1 of the patent application range, wherein the low pressure is a pressure less than atmospheric pressure. 3. The inkjet recording device according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the low pressure is a pressure not exceeding Ό. A5MP a. 4. A reaction solution tank comprising a reaction solution for an inkjet recording device r to deposit a reaction solution containing a polyvalent metal salt and an ink composition on a recording medium for printing, wherein The reaction solution tank contains the reaction solution sealed therein under a low pressure. 5. The reaction solution tank according to item 4 of the patent application, wherein the low pressure is a pressure less than atmospheric pressure. 6. The reaction solution tank according to item 4 of the patent application range, wherein the low pressure is a pressure not exceeding 0.05 MPa. Printed by the Consumer Cooperatives of the Central Bureau of Standards, Ministry of Economic Affairs (please read the precautions on the back before filling out this page) 7-A reaction solution tank containing a reaction solution for use in an inkjet recording device to deposit a A reaction solution of a polyvalent metal salt and an ink composition are printed in k lines on a recording medium, and the reaction solution tank contains: a reaction solution tank; a communication portion communicating with the reaction solution tank and a recording head; and At least one communication hole communicating with the outside of the reaction tank; an air-impermeable sealing element for hermetically sealing the communication hole; the reaction solution is sealed in the reaction solution tank under a low pressure. The size of this paper adopts Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 (210X297 mm) -17-printed by Aigong Consumer Cooperative of Central Standards Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs A8 336 ^ 76 cl 6. Application for patent scope 8. If the scope of patent application is the seventh A reaction solution tank according to item, wherein the low pressure is a pressure less than atmospheric pressure. 9. The reaction solution tank as claimed in the item of the patent scope, wherein the low pressure is a pressure not exceeding 0.05 MPa. 10. A method of manufacturing a reaction solution tank containing a reaction solution for use in an inkjet recording device to deposit a reaction solution containing a polyvalent metal salt and an ink composition on a recording medium For printing, the reaction solution tank contains: a reaction solution storage tank; a communication part communicating with the reaction solution storage tank and a recording head: at least one communication hole communicating with the outside of the reaction tank; An air-tight sealing element for hermetically sealing the communicating hole, the method includes the following steps: (a) evacuating the reaction solution storage tank through the communicating hole ... (b) filling the reaction solution through the communicating hole Into the reaction solution tank; and (c) evacuating the reaction solution storage tank and hermetically sealing the reaction solution storage tank with a gas-tight sealing element in a vacuumed state. 11. The method according to item 10 of the scope of patent application, wherein in step (C), the reaction solution storage tank is evacuated to a pressure less than atmospheric pressure. 12. The method according to item 10 of the scope of patent application, wherein in step (C), the reaction solution storage tank is evacuated to a pressure not exceeding 0.05 M Pa. This paper size applies Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) -18- —.1 ^ —m! (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page)-Order