Image forming apparatus

The image forming apparatus addresses nozzle clogging and ejection stability issues by using a specific ink composition and cleaning solution with a water-repellent film, ensuring stable ink discharge and recovery from nozzle clogging.

JP2026106915APending Publication Date: 2026-06-30RICOH CO LTD
View PDF 2 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
RICOH CO LTD
Filing Date
2024-12-18
Publication Date
2026-06-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Inkjet printers using pigment inks face challenges with nozzle clogging and ejection stability due to ink adhesion on water-repellent films, which deteriorate over time, leading to misaligned ejection and dripping, especially with high-solid inks containing resins and white pigments.

Method used

An image forming apparatus with a nozzle surface equipped with a water-repellent film, ink composition of pigment, resin, and water-soluble organic solvent, and a cleaning solution with a surfactant, maintaining a contact angle of 66 degrees or more with the film, and nozzle hole diameter between 18 μm and 30 μm to ensure stable discharge.

Benefits of technology

The apparatus maintains discharge stability and facilitates effective recovery from nozzle clogging, ensuring consistent ink ejection even with deteriorated water-repellent films.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 2026106915000001_ABST
    Figure 2026106915000001_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can perform stable dispensing without deteriorating dispensing stability even during long-term use. [Solution] An image forming apparatus comprising an ink, a cleaning solution, and a head having nozzle holes for ejecting the ink, The nozzle surface provided on the head having the nozzle hole is equipped with a water-repellent film. The diameter of the nozzle hole of the head is 18 μm or more and 30 μm or less. The aforementioned ink comprises a pigment, a resin, a water-soluble organic solvent, and water. The surface tension of the ink is 26 mN / m or more and 40 mN / m or less. The contact angle of the ink with respect to the water-repellent film is 66 degrees or more. This provides an image forming apparatus that can achieve stable ejection.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art