Water-based ink-jet ink composition and recording method

Abstract

To provide: an aqueous ink jet ink composition capable of achieving both a suitable optical density and high light fastness in a recording section formed with the aqueous ink jet ink composition, the aqueous ink jet ink composition being also excellent in the stability in discharge by an ink jet method and the clogging recovery of an ink jet nozzle; and a recording method based on the aqueous ink jet ink composition.SOLUTION: An aqueous ink jet ink composition of the present disclosure contains a color material represented by formula (1) in the figure, a water-soluble organic solvent, and water. The color material represented by formula (1) contains two or more kinds of alkali metal ions as counterions, and the counterions include at least a sodium ion. (In formula (1), M represents a counterion.)SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water-based ink-jet ink composition and a recording method. [Background technology]

[0002] Inkjet recording is a method of recording by ejecting small droplets of ink from fine nozzles and depositing them on a recording medium. This method is characterized by the ability to record high-resolution, high-quality images at high speed using relatively inexpensive equipment. Inkjet recording requires a great many considerations, including the properties of the ink used, the stability during recording, and the quality of the resulting image, and research is being actively conducted not only on inkjet recording devices but also on the inks used.

[0003] In addition, the inkjet recording method is also used to dye fabrics, etc. Conventionally, as a method for printing fabrics such as woven fabrics and nonwoven fabrics, a screen printing method, a roller printing method, etc. have been used, but from the viewpoints of high-mix low-volume productivity and real-time printing properties, etc., it is advantageous to apply the inkjet recording method, and therefore various methods have been investigated.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an inkjet ink containing a specific content of CI Reactive Blue 49, represented by the following formula (4), as an inkjet ink that achieves both favorable optical density and high light resistance.

[0005] [ka] [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-70343 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, water-based inkjet inks containing CI Reactive Blue 49 have poor ejection stability when used in an inkjet method, and are also poor in ability to recover from clogging of inkjet nozzles. In other words, once clogging occurs in the inkjet nozzles that eject the inkjet ink, it is difficult to eliminate the clogging even when cleaning is performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized as the following application examples.

[0009] The water-based ink-jet ink composition according to an embodiment of the present invention contains a colorant represented by the following formula (1), a water-soluble organic solvent, and water, The coloring material represented by the following formula (1) contains two or more types of alkali metal ions as counter ions, The counter ions include at least sodium ions. [ka] (In formula (1), M represents a counter ion.)

[0010] In the water-based ink-jet ink composition according to another application example of the present invention, the counter ion includes at least one of a potassium ion and a lithium ion.

[0011] In addition, in the aqueous ink-jet ink composition according to another application example of the present invention, when the content of the sodium ion in the aqueous ink-jet ink composition is XA [% by mass], and the content of the alkali metal ion other than the sodium ion in the aqueous ink-jet ink composition is XB [% by mass], the relationship of 30≦XA / XB≦800 is satisfied.

[0012] In a water-based ink-jet ink composition according to another application example of the present invention, the colorant represented by the above formula (1) contains at least one compound represented by the following formula (2) and the following formula (3): [ka] (In formula (2), M represents a counter ion.) [ka] (In formula (3), M represents a counter ion.)

[0013] In another application example of the present invention, the coloring material represented by the above formula (1) contains a compound represented by the above formula (2) and a compound represented by the above formula (3), When the content of the compound represented by the above formula (2) in the aqueous ink-jet ink composition is X2 [mass%] and the content of the compound represented by the above formula (3) is X3 [mass%], the aqueous ink-jet ink composition satisfies the relationship 0.50≦X2 / X3≦2.0.

[0014] Moreover, the water-based ink-jet ink composition according to another application example of the present invention is used by applying it to fabrics.

[0015] A recording method according to an application example of the present invention includes a step of ejecting the water-based ink-jet ink composition according to an application example of the present invention by an ink-jet method and depositing it onto a recording medium. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an inkjet device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an ink-jet head included in the ink-jet device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a partial exploded perspective view of the ink-jet head shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a piezoelectric element included in the ink-jet head shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the circulation of ink in the ink-jet head shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the ink circulation chamber in the ink-jet head shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an ink jet device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main tank included in the ink-jet device shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the ink-jet head of the ink-jet device shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the inkjet head shown in FIG. 9 in a direction perpendicular to the nozzle arrangement direction. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the ink-jet head shown in FIG. 9 in a direction parallel to the nozzle arrangement direction. [Figure 12] 12 is a plan view of the nozzle plate of the ink-jet head shown in FIG. [Figure 13A] 13A is a plan view of each member constituting the flow path member of the inkjet head shown in FIG. [Figure 13B] 13B is a plan view of each member constituting the flow path member of the inkjet head shown in FIG. [Figure 13C] 13C is a plan view of each member constituting the flow path member of the inkjet head shown in FIG. [Figure 13D] 13D is a plan view of each member constituting the flow path member of the inkjet head shown in FIG. [Figure 13E] 13E is a plan view of each member constituting the flow path member of the inkjet head shown in FIG. [Figure 13F] 13F is a plan view of each member constituting the flow path member of the inkjet head shown in FIG. [Figure 14A]14A is a plan view of each member constituting the common ink chamber member of the ink-jet head shown in FIG. [Figure 14B] 14B is a plan view of each member constituting the common ink chamber member of the ink-jet head shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of an ink circulation system in the inkjet device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' of FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB' of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail. [1] Water-based inkjet ink composition First, the water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention will be described.

[0018] The water-based inkjet ink composition of the present invention contains a colorant represented by the following formula (1), a water-soluble organic solvent, and water. The colorant represented by the following formula (1) contains two or more types of alkali metal ions as counter ions, and the counter ions include at least a sodium ion. In other words, the colorant represented by the following formula (1) contains a sodium ion and at least one type of alkali metal ion other than a sodium ion as the counter ion.

[0019] [ka] (In formula (1), M represents a counter ion.)

[0020] As a result, it is possible to provide a water-based ink-jet ink composition that can achieve both suitable optical density and high light fastness in a recorded portion formed using the water-based ink-jet ink composition, and that also has excellent ejection stability when used in an ink-jet method and excellent recovery properties from clogging of ink-jet nozzles.

[0021] On the other hand, if the above conditions are not met, satisfactory results will not be obtained. For example, even if the water-based inkjet ink composition contains a colorant represented by the above formula (1), if the colorant does not contain two or more types of alkali metal ions as counter ions, the inkjet ink composition will have poor ejection stability when used in an inkjet method and poor recovery from clogging of inkjet nozzles.

[0022] In particular, when the coloring material contains only ions other than alkali metal ions as counter ions, the ejection stability by the ink-jet method and the ability to recover from clogging of the ink-jet nozzles become particularly poor.

[0023] Furthermore, when the coloring material contains only one type of ion as the alkali metal ion, it is also impossible to provide sufficiently excellent ejection stability by the ink-jet method and recovery from clogging of the ink-jet nozzle.

[0024] Furthermore, even if the water-based ink-jet ink composition contains a colorant represented by the above formula (1) and the colorant contains two or more types of alkali metal ions as counter ions, if the counter ions do not contain sodium ions, the ejection stability in the ink-jet method and the ability to recover from clogging of the ink-jet nozzle become particularly poor.

[0025] In the present invention, the water-based ink-jet ink composition refers to an ink containing water that is to be ejected by an ink-jet method. The water content is preferably 30% by mass or more based on the total amount of the ink composition.

[0026] Furthermore, in the present specification, when the content of each alkali metal ion in the aqueous ink-jet ink composition is sufficiently low, for example, when the content in the aqueous ink-jet ink composition is 0.01 ppm or less, the aqueous ink-jet ink composition is treated as not containing that alkali metal ion.

[0027] [1-1] Coloring materials The water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention contains at least a colorant represented by the above formula (1) as a colorant. The colorant represented by the above formula (1) contains two or more types of alkali metal ions as counter ions, and the counter ions include at least a sodium ion.

[0028] The counter ion of the colorant represented by the above formula (1) may contain, in addition to the sodium ion, at least one alkali metal ion other than the sodium ion, but it is preferable that, in addition to the sodium ion, it contains at least one of a potassium ion and a lithium ion.

[0029] This makes it possible to improve the storage stability of the water-based ink-jet ink composition, the ejection stability by the ink-jet method, and the ability to recover from clogging of the ink-jet nozzle.

[0030] When the content of sodium ions in the water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention is XA [% by mass] and the content of alkali metal ions other than sodium ions in the water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention is XB [% by mass], it is preferable to satisfy the relationship 30≦XA / XB≦1000, it is more preferable to satisfy the relationship 30≦XA / XB≦800, it is even more preferable to satisfy the relationship 32≦XA / XB≦600, and it is most preferable to satisfy the relationship 34≦XA / XB≦500.

[0031] This makes it possible to improve the storage stability of the water-based ink-jet ink composition, the ejection stability by the ink-jet method, and the ability to recover from clogging of the ink-jet nozzle.

[0032] The coloring material represented by the above formula (1) preferably contains at least one compound represented by the following formula (2) and the following formula (3).

[0033] [ka] (In formula (2), M represents a counter ion.)

[0034] [ka] (In formula (3), M represents a counter ion.)

[0035] This makes it possible to improve the storage stability of the water-based ink-jet ink composition, the ejection stability by the ink-jet method, and the ability to recover from clogging of the ink-jet nozzle.

[0036] When the colorant represented by formula (1) constituting the water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention contains a compound represented by formula (2) and a compound represented by formula (3), it is preferable that the content X2 [mass%] of the compound represented by formula (2) in the water-based ink-jet ink composition and the content X3 [mass%] of the compound represented by formula (3) in the water-based ink-jet ink composition satisfy the following relationship: That is, it is preferable to satisfy the relationship of 0.50≦X2 / X3≦2.0, it is more preferable to satisfy the relationship of 0.70≦X2 / X3≦1.6, and it is even more preferable to satisfy the relationship of 0.90≦X2 / X3≦1.3.

[0037] This makes it possible to improve the storage stability of the water-based ink-jet ink composition, the ejection stability by the ink-jet method, and the ability to recover from clogging of the ink-jet nozzle.

[0038] The content of the colorant represented by the above formula (1) in the aqueous ink-jet ink composition of the present invention is preferably from 5.0% by mass to 35% by mass, more preferably from 7.0% by mass to 30% by mass, and even more preferably from 10% by mass to 25% by mass.

[0039] This makes it easier to ensure sufficient optical density in a recorded portion formed using the water-based ink-jet ink composition, and also makes it possible to further improve the storage stability, ejection stability, clogging recovery properties, etc. of the water-based ink-jet ink composition.

[0040] [1-2] Water-soluble organic solvents The water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention contains a water-soluble organic solvent.

[0041] This can improve the moisture retention of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition, and more effectively prevent the solid content of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition from unintentionally precipitating due to drying in an ink-jet head or the like. Also, the viscosity of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition can be more suitably adjusted. As a result, the ejection stability of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition by the ink-jet method can be further improved.

[0042] The water-soluble organic solvent may be any organic solvent that is soluble in water, and for example, an organic solvent having a solubility in water at 20° C. of 10 g / 100 g water or more can be suitably used.

[0043] The boiling point of the water-soluble organic solvent under atmospheric pressure is preferably 150° C. or higher and 350° C. or lower.

[0044] This can further improve the moisture retention of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition, and can more effectively prevent the solid content of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition from unintentionally precipitating due to drying in an ink-jet head or the like. As a result, the ejection stability of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition by the ink-jet method can be further improved. In addition, after the aqueous ink-jet ink composition is ejected, it can be relatively easily volatilized when necessary, and can more effectively prevent the water-soluble organic solvent from unintentionally remaining in the dyed product produced.

[0045] Examples of such water-soluble organic solvents include alkyl monoalcohols, alkyl diols, glycerin, glycols, glycol monoethers, lactams, and the like. One or more selected from these can be used in combination.

[0046] Examples of glycols include triethanolamine, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, etc. Examples of glycol monoethers include triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, etc. Examples of lactams include 2-pyrrolidone, etc.

[0047] The content of the water-soluble organic solvent in the aqueous inkjet ink composition of the present invention is preferably from 4.0% by mass to 40% by mass, more preferably from 9.0% by mass to 35% by mass, and even more preferably from 11% by mass to 30% by mass.

[0048] This makes it possible to more suitably improve the moisture retention of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition while making the viscosity of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition more suitable, thereby making it possible to further improve the ejection stability of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition when used in an ink-jet method.

[0049] [1-3]Water The water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention contains water. Water is usually the main component of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition and functions as a solvent for the coloring material described above. By including such water, the aqueous ink-jet ink composition has suitable fluidity and viscosity, and can be suitably discharged by the ink-jet method. In addition, damage to a recording medium to which the aqueous ink-jet ink composition is applied, particularly to fabrics, can be more effectively suppressed. In addition, it is also preferable from the viewpoint of suppressing problems related to VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

[0050] The water content in the aqueous inkjet ink composition is not particularly limited, but is preferably from 40% to 80% by mass, more preferably from 45% to 75% by mass, and even more preferably from 50% to 70% by mass.

[0051] This makes it possible to ensure that the content of coloring materials and the like is sufficiently high, while also improving the ejection stability and other properties of the water-based ink-jet ink composition.

[0052] Furthermore, when the content of water in the aqueous ink-jet ink composition is XW [% by mass] and the content of the water-soluble organic solvent in the aqueous ink-jet ink composition is XH [% by mass], XH / XW is preferably 0.050 or more and 0.50 or less, more preferably 0.10 or more and 0.45 or less, and even more preferably 0.15 or more and 0.43 or less.

[0053] This makes it possible to more suitably improve the moisture retention of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition while making the viscosity of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition more suitable, thereby making it possible to further improve the ejection stability, etc., of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition when used in an ink-jet method.

[0054] [1-4] Other colorants The water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention may further contain other coloring materials in addition to the coloring materials shown in (1) above. Hereinafter, coloring materials other than the coloring materials shown in (1) above are also referred to as "other coloring materials".

[0055] Other coloring materials include, for example, Reactive Red 245, Reactive Orange 12, Reactive Black 39, and the like.

[0056] The content of other coloring materials in the water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention is preferably 5.0% by mass or less, more preferably 3.0% by mass or less, and even more preferably 1.0% by mass or less.

[0057] When the water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention contains a plurality of components as other coloring materials, the sum of the contents of these components preferably falls within the above range.

[0058] The ratio of other coloring materials to all coloring materials contained in the aqueous ink-jet ink composition of the present invention is preferably 50% or less, more preferably 30% or less, and even more preferably 9% or less, by mass ratio.

[0059] [1-5]Ureas The water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention may contain ureas.

[0060] The ureas function as a humectant for the water-based ink-jet ink composition, and as a dyeing assistant that improves the dyeing ability of coloring materials, particularly reactive dyes.

[0061] Examples of ureas include urea, ethylene urea, tetramethyl urea, thiourea, and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone.

[0062] When the aqueous ink-jet ink composition contains ureas, the content of the ureas in the aqueous ink-jet ink composition is preferably 0.50% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less, more preferably 1.0% by mass or more and 8.0% by mass or less, and even more preferably 1.5% by mass or more and 6.0% by mass or less.

[0063] This prevents the content of coloring materials and the like in the aqueous ink-jet ink composition from becoming low, and allows these functions to be fully exerted while more significantly exerting the effects of containing the ureas as described above.

[0064] [1-6] Other ingredients The water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention may contain components other than the components described above. Hereinafter, such components are also referred to as "other components".

[0065] Other components include, for example, pH adjusters, chelating agents, preservatives, antifungal agents, rust inhibitors, flame retardants, various dispersants, surfactants, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, oxygen absorbers, dissolution aids, and penetrating agents.

[0066] Examples of the chelating agent include ethylenediaminetetraacetate, etc. Examples of the preservatives and antifungal agents include sodium benzoate, sodium pentachlorophenol, sodium 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide, sodium sorbate, sodium dehydroacetate, 1,2-dibenzisothiazolin-3-one, 4-chloro-3-methylphenol, etc. Examples of the rust inhibitors include benzotriazole, etc.

[0067] As the preservative / antifungal agent, for example, a compound having an isothiazolinone ring structure in the molecule can be suitably used.

[0068] As the surfactant, various surfactants such as anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and nonionic surfactants can be used.

[0069] The content of other components is preferably 6.0% by mass or less, and more preferably 5.0% by mass or less. The lower limit of the content of other components is 0 mass %.

[0070] [1-7]Other The surface tension of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition of the present invention at 25° C. is not particularly limited, but is preferably from 20 mN / m to 50 mN / m, more preferably from 21 mN / m to 45 mN / m, and even more preferably from 23 mN / m to 40 mN / m.

[0071] This makes it more difficult for nozzles of the inkjet head to become clogged, and improves the ejection stability of the aqueous inkjet ink composition. Even if the nozzles do become clogged, the nozzles can be more easily restored by capping them.

[0072] The surface tension may be a value measured by the Wilhelmy method. The surface tension may be measured using a surface tensiometer (for example, CBVP-7 manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd.).

[0073] The viscosity of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition of the present invention at 25° C. is preferably from 2 mPa·s to 10 mPa·s, more preferably from 2.5 mPa·s to 8 mPa·s, and even more preferably from 3 mPa·s to 6 mPa·s.

[0074] This provides the water-based ink-jet ink composition with better ejection stability when subjected to an ink-jet method.

[0075] The viscosity can be determined by measurement using a vibration viscometer in accordance with JIS Z8809.

[0076] The aqueous inkjet ink composition of the present invention may be any composition that can be ejected by an inkjet method. Examples of the inkjet method include on-demand methods such as a charge deflection method, a continuous method, a piezoelectric method, and a Bubble Jet (registered trademark) method. In particular, it is preferable that the aqueous inkjet ink composition of the present invention is ejected from an inkjet head that uses a piezoelectric vibrator.

[0077] This makes it possible to more effectively prevent the coloring material from being altered in the inkjet head, and to improve the ejection stability by the inkjet method.

[0078] The water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention is preferably ejected by an ink-jet device equipped with a circulation path for circulating the water-based ink-jet ink composition within a pressure chamber of an ink-jet head.

[0079] This effectively prevents localized drying of the ink near the nozzles, and more effectively prevents the solid content of the water-based ink-jet ink composition from unintentionally precipitating, etc. As a result, the ejection stability, etc. of the water-based ink-jet ink composition when used in an ink-jet method can be improved.

[0080] The ratio of the circulation flow rate of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition to the maximum ejection rate of the ink-jet head is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.05 or more and 20 or less, more preferably 0.07 or more and 15 or less, and even more preferably 0.10 or more and 10 or less. This makes the above-mentioned effects more pronounced.

[0081] The ink-jet device for ejecting the water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention will be described in detail later.

[0082] The water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention may be applied to any recording medium, but is preferably used by applying it to fabrics.

[0083] When the aqueous ink-jet ink composition is used to apply to fabrics, i.e., when it is an ink for textile printing, the color development of the coloring material represented by the above formula (1) on a recording medium can be made more excellent. The fabric will be described in detail later.

[0084] [2] Water-based inkjet ink composition set Next, the water-based ink-jet ink composition set according to the present invention will be described.

[0085] The aqueous ink-jet ink composition set according to the present invention includes a plurality of aqueous ink-jet ink compositions, at least one of which is the aqueous ink-jet ink composition according to the present invention described above.

[0086] It is sufficient that at least one of the multiple aqueous ink-jet ink compositions constituting the aqueous ink-jet ink composition set according to the present invention is the above-mentioned aqueous ink-jet ink composition of the present invention, and the aqueous ink-jet ink composition set according to the present invention may also include an aqueous ink-jet ink composition other than the above-mentioned aqueous ink-jet ink composition of the present invention.

[0087] The aqueous ink-jet ink composition set according to the present invention preferably includes three aqueous ink-jet ink compositions corresponding to the three primary colors, i.e., cyan, magenta, and yellow. The three primary colors may be further divided according to their color densities. For example, in addition to cyan, magenta, and yellow, the aqueous ink-jet ink composition set may include light cyan, light magenta, and light yellow.

[0088] Moreover, the water-based ink-jet ink composition set according to the present invention preferably further comprises an achromatic ink, more specifically a black ink, in addition to the above-mentioned chromatic inks.

[0089] [3] Recording method Next, the recording method of the present invention will be described.

[0090] The recording method of the present invention comprises a step of ejecting the water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention by an ink-jet method and depositing it onto a recording medium.

[0091] This makes it possible to form a recording area that combines suitable optical density with high light resistance, and also provides a recording method that is excellent in ejection stability using the inkjet method and in recovery from clogging of the inkjet nozzle, allowing for the stable production of recorded material.

[0092]

[0033] In particular, the recording method of this embodiment includes a discharge step of applying the water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention to a recording medium by an ink-jet method, and a dyeing treatment step of dyeing the applied water-based ink-jet ink composition onto the recording medium. In the following explanation, a case where a fabric is used as the recording medium will be representatively explained.

[0093] [3-1] Discharge process In the ejection step, the aqueous ink-jet ink composition of the present invention is ejected as droplets by an ink-jet method, and the droplets are deposited on a recording medium, i.e., a fabric. In this way, a desired image is formed. A plurality of aqueous ink-jet ink compositions, for example, the aqueous ink-jet ink composition of the present invention, may be used to form the image.

[0094] The inkjet method for ejecting the water-based inkjet ink composition may be any method, and examples thereof include on-demand methods such as a charge deflection method, a continuous method, a piezoelectric method, and a bubble jet (registered trademark) method.

[0095] The inkjet device used to eject the water-based inkjet ink composition will be described in detail later.

[0096] [3-2] Dyeing process In the dyeing process, the coloring material attached to the fabric, which is the recording medium, is fixed. The dyeing process is usually carried out under high temperature and humidity conditions.

[0097] The treatment temperature in the dyeing treatment step is not particularly limited, but is preferably from 90°C to 150°C, more preferably from 95°C to 130°C, and even more preferably from 98°C to 120°C.

[0098] This makes it possible to more effectively prevent undesired alteration and deterioration of the fabric serving as the recording medium and the components of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition, while more efficiently fixing the coloring material.

[0099] The treatment time for the dyeing treatment step is not particularly limited, but is preferably from 1 minute to 120 minutes, more preferably from 2 minutes to 90 minutes, and even more preferably from 3 minutes to 60 minutes.

[0100] This makes it possible to improve the dyeability of the coloring material to the fabric, which is the recording medium, and also improve the productivity of the dyed product.

[0101] For the high-temperature humidification treatment in the dyeing treatment step, various steamers, for example, Steamer DHe type manufactured by Matisse, can be used.

[0102] The recording method according to the present invention may include steps other than the ejection step and the dyeing treatment step, if necessary.

[0103] For example, prior to the ejection step, a pretreatment step may be included in which a fabric serving as a recording medium is pretreated.

[0104] For the pretreatment, for example, a known pretreatment agent can be used, and the pretreatment agent generally contains a thickening agent, a pH adjusting agent, and a hydrotropic agent.

[0105] Suitable examples of adhesives that can be used include natural gums, starches, seaweed, plant skins, cellulose derivatives, processed starches, processed natural gums, sodium alginate, algin derivatives, synthetic glues, emulsions, and the like.

[0106] Examples of natural gums include guar and locust bean. Examples of seaweed include funori. Examples of plant skins include pectic acid. Examples of cellulose derivatives include methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, and the like. Examples of processed starches include roasted starch, alpha starch, carboxymethyl starch, carboxyethyl starch, hydroxyethyl starch, and the like. Examples of processed natural gums include shirat gum and roasted bean gum. Examples of synthetic glues include polyvinyl alcohol and polyacrylic acid esters.

[0107] As the pH adjuster, for example, acid ammonium salts such as ammonium sulfate and ammonium tartrate can be suitably used.

[0108] As the hydrotropic agent, various ureas such as alkyl ureas such as urea, dimethyl urea, thiourea, monomethyl thiourea, and dimethyl thiourea can be used. The pretreatment agent may further contain silica, for example.

[0109] Furthermore, for example, after the dyeing treatment step, if necessary, a washing step may be included in which the fabric to which the dye has been fixed is washed.

[0110] The washing step can be carried out, for example, by rubbing the fabric with the dye fixed thereon with tap water, and then immersing the fabric in a washing solution prepared by adding a nonionic soaping agent to warm water at 40° C. to 70° C. while stirring appropriately. The immersion time in the washing solution can be, for example, 5 minutes to 60 minutes. The washing solution can then be washed by hand rubbing while adding tap water to the washing solution to remove the detergent.

[0111] [3-3]Fabric Next, the fabric as a recording medium to which the water-based ink-jet ink composition is applied will be described.

[0112] As the fabric, various woven fabrics such as plain weave, twill weave, satin weave, varied plain weave, varied twill weave, varied satin weave, variegated weave, patterned weave, single layer weave, double weave, multi-weave, warp pile weave, weft pile weave, and leno weave can be used.

[0113] The thickness of the fibers constituting the fabric can be, for example, 10d or more and 100d or less.

[0114] Examples of fibers constituting the fabric include polyester fibers, nylon fibers, triacetate fibers, diacetate fibers, polyamide fibers, cellulose fibers, and blends of two or more of these fibers. Blends of these with regenerated fibers such as rayon or natural fibers such as cotton, silk, and wool may also be used, but the fabric preferably contains cellulose fibers. This makes it possible to improve the dyeing ability of the coloring material.

[0115] [4] Inkjet device As described above, the water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention is ejected by the ink-jet method.

[0116] The ink-jet device according to the present invention, that is, the ink-jet device used to eject the water-based ink-jet ink composition of the present invention, will now be described.

[0117] The ink-jet device according to the present invention is equipped with an ink-jet head that ejects the water-based ink-jet ink composition according to the present invention.

[0118] The inkjet head preferably uses a piezoelectric vibrator. This makes it possible to more effectively prevent the coloring material and the like from being degraded in the inkjet head, and to improve the ejection stability by the inkjet method.

[0119] The ink-jet device preferably includes a circulation path for circulating the water-based ink-jet ink composition within the pressure chamber.

[0120] This effectively prevents localized drying of the ink near the nozzles, and more effectively prevents the solid content of the water-based ink-jet ink composition from unintentionally precipitating, etc. As a result, the ejection stability, etc. of the water-based ink-jet ink composition when used in an ink-jet method can be improved.

[0121] The ratio of the circulation flow rate of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition to the maximum ejection rate of the ink-jet head is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.05 or more and 20 or less, more preferably 0.07 or more and 15 or less, and even more preferably 0.10 or more and 10 or less. This makes the above-mentioned effects more pronounced.

[0122] Hereinafter, first and second preferred embodiments of the inkjet device according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0123] [4-1] First embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an inkjet device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an inkjet head included in the inkjet device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the inkjet head shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a piezoelectric element included in the inkjet head shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of ink circulation in the inkjet head shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of an ink circulation chamber in the inkjet head shown in FIG. 2.

[0124] The inkjet device 100 of this embodiment is an inkjet printing device that ejects an aqueous inkjet ink composition onto fabric 12, which is a recording medium. The inkjet device 100 is equipped with an ink container 14 that stores the aqueous inkjet ink composition. For example, a cartridge that can be detachably attached to the inkjet device 100, a bag-shaped ink pack formed of a flexible film, or an ink tank that can be refilled with the aqueous inkjet ink composition is used as the ink container 14. The inkjet device 100 may be equipped with a plurality of ink containers 14 corresponding to a plurality of types of aqueous inkjet ink compositions, for example.

[0125] The inkjet device 100 includes a control unit 20, a transport mechanism 22, a moving mechanism 24, and an inkjet head 26. The control unit 20 includes a processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and a storage circuit such as a semiconductor memory, and comprehensively controls each element of the inkjet device 100. The transport mechanism 22 transports the fabric 12 in the Y direction under the control of the control unit 20.

[0126] The moving mechanism 24 reciprocates the inkjet head 26 in the X direction under the control of the control unit 20. The X direction is a direction intersecting the Y direction in which the fabric 12 is transported, and is typically a direction perpendicular to the Y direction. The moving mechanism 24 includes a box-shaped transport body 242 that houses the inkjet head 26, and a transport belt 244 to which the transport body 242 is fixed. Note that a configuration in which multiple inkjet heads 26 are mounted on the transport body 242, or a configuration in which the ink container 14 is mounted on the transport body 242 together with the inkjet head 26, may also be used.

[0127] The inkjet head 26 ejects the aqueous inkjet ink composition supplied from the ink container 14 from multiple nozzles N onto the fabric 12 under the control of the control unit 20. In parallel with the transportation of the fabric 12 by the transport mechanism 22 and the repeated reciprocating movement of the transport body 242, each inkjet head 26 ejects the aqueous inkjet ink composition onto the fabric 12, thereby forming a desired image on the surface of the fabric 12. Note that the direction perpendicular to the XY plane will be referred to as the Z direction below. The ejection direction of the aqueous inkjet ink composition from each inkjet head 26, typically the vertical direction, corresponds to the Z direction.

[0128] The nozzles N of the inkjet head 26 are arranged in the Y direction. The nozzles N are divided into a first row L1 and a second row L2 arranged in parallel with a gap in the X direction. Each of the first row L1 and the second row L2 is a collection of nozzles N arranged linearly in the Y direction. Note that it is possible to make the Y-direction position of each nozzle N different between the first row L1 and the second row L2, for example, in a staggered arrangement or a zigzag arrangement, but the following describes a configuration in which the Y-direction position of each nozzle N is the same between the first row L1 and the second row L2. In the inkjet head 26, a plane that passes through a central axis parallel to the Y direction and is parallel to the Z direction, i.e., a YZ plane, is referred to as a "center plane O" in the following description.

[0129] 2 and 3, the inkjet head 26 has a structure in which elements related to each nozzle N in the first row L1 as the first nozzles and elements related to each nozzle N in the second row L2 as the second nozzles are arranged symmetrically across a central plane O. That is, the first portion P1, which is a portion on the positive side in the X direction of the inkjet head 26, and the second portion P2, which is a portion on the negative side in the X direction, across the central plane O, have a substantially common structure. The multiple nozzles N in the first row L1 are formed in the first portion P1, and the multiple nozzles N in the second row L2 are formed in the second portion P2. The central plane O corresponds to the boundary surface between the first portion P1 and the second portion P2.

[0130] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the inkjet head 26 includes a flow path forming section 30. The flow path forming section 30 is a structure that forms a flow path for supplying a water-based inkjet ink composition to a plurality of nozzles N. The flow path forming section 30 is configured by laminating a first flow path substrate 32, which is a communication plate, and a second flow path substrate 34, which is a pressure chamber forming plate. Each of the first flow path substrate 32 and the second flow path substrate 34 is a plate-like member that is elongated in the Y direction. The second flow path substrate 34 is attached to a surface Fa of the first flow path substrate 32 on the negative side in the Z direction, for example, by using an adhesive.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 2, on the surface Fa of the first flow path substrate 32, in addition to the second flow path substrate 34, a vibration section 42, a plurality of piezoelectric elements 44, a protective member 46, and a housing section 48 are provided. On the other hand, on the positive side of the first flow path substrate 32 in the Z direction, that is, on the surface Fb opposite to the surface Fa, a nozzle plate 52 and a vibration absorber 54 are provided. The elements of the inkjet head 26 are generally plate-like members elongated in the Y direction, similar to the first flow path substrate 32 and the second flow path substrate 34, and are joined to each other, for example, by an adhesive. It is also possible to grasp the direction in which the first flow path substrate 32 and the second flow path substrate 34 are stacked, or the direction in which the first flow path substrate 32 and the nozzle plate 52 are stacked, as the Z direction.

[0132] The nozzle plate 52 is a plate-like member in which a plurality of nozzles N are formed, and is installed on the surface Fb of the first flow path substrate 32 using, for example, an adhesive. Each of the plurality of nozzles N is a circular through-hole through which the water-based ink-jet ink composition passes. The nozzle plate 52 is formed with a plurality of nozzles N constituting a first row L1 and a plurality of nozzles N constituting a second row L2. Specifically, the nozzles N of the first row L1 are formed along the Y direction in a region on the positive side of the X direction of the nozzle plate 52 as viewed from the center plane O, and the nozzles N of the second row L2 are formed along the Y direction in a region on the negative side of the X direction. The nozzle plate 52 is a single plate-like member that is continuous over a portion in which the plurality of nozzles N of the first row L1 are formed and a portion in which the plurality of nozzles N of the second row L2 are formed.

[0133] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the first flow path substrate 32 has a space Ra, a plurality of supply paths 61, and a plurality of communication paths 63 formed for each of the first portion P1 and the second portion P2. The space Ra is an opening formed in a long shape along the Y direction in a plan view, i.e., when viewed from the Z direction, and the supply path 61 and the communication path 63 are through holes formed for each nozzle N. The communication paths 63 are arranged in the Y direction in a plan view, and the supply paths 61 are arranged in the Y direction between the arrangement of the communication paths 63 and the space Ra. The supply paths 61 are commonly connected to the space Ra. In addition, any one communication path 63 overlaps with the nozzle N corresponding to the communication path 63 in a plan view. Specifically, any one communication path 63 in the first portion P1 is connected to one nozzle N corresponding to the communication path 63 in the first row L1. Similarly, any one of the communication passages 63 in the second portion P2 communicates with one nozzle N corresponding to that communication passage 63 in the second row L2.

[0134] 2 and 3, the second flow path substrate 34 is a plate-like member in which a plurality of pressure chambers C are formed for each of the first portion P1 and the second portion P2. The plurality of pressure chambers C are arranged in the Y direction. Each pressure chamber C is an elongated space formed for each nozzle N and extending along the X direction in a plan view.

[0135] 2, a vibration section 42 is provided on the surface of the second flow path substrate 34 opposite to the first flow path substrate 32. The vibration section 42 is a plate-like member that can vibrate elastically, i.e., a vibration plate. Note that it is also possible to integrally form the second flow path substrate 34 and the vibration section 42 by selectively removing a portion in the plate thickness direction from an area corresponding to the pressure chamber C of a plate-like member having a predetermined plate thickness.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 2, the surface Fa of the first flow path substrate 32 and the vibration section 42 face each other at a distance from each other inside each pressure chamber C. The pressure chamber C is a space located between the surface Fa of the first flow path substrate 32 and the vibration section 42, and generates a pressure change in the water-based ink-jet ink composition filled in the space. Each pressure chamber C is, for example, a space whose longitudinal direction is the X direction, and is formed individually for each nozzle N. A plurality of pressure chambers C are arranged in the Y direction for each of the first row L1 and the second row L2. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the end of any one pressure chamber C on the side of the central plane O overlaps with the communication passage 63 in a plan view, and the end on the opposite side to the central plane O overlaps with the supply passage 61 in a plan view. Therefore, in each of the first portion P1 and the second portion P2, the pressure chamber C communicates with the nozzle N via the communication passage 63 and communicates with the space Ra via the supply passage 61.

[0137] As shown in FIG. 2, on the surface of the vibration part 42 opposite to the pressure chamber C, a plurality of piezoelectric elements 44 corresponding to different nozzles N are installed for each of the first part P1 and the second part P2. The piezoelectric elements 44 are passive elements that are deformed by the supply of a drive signal. The plurality of piezoelectric elements 44 are arranged in the Y direction so as to correspond to each pressure chamber C. As shown in FIG. 4, any one piezoelectric element 44 is a laminate in which a piezoelectric layer 443 is interposed between a first electrode 441 and a second electrode 442 that face each other. Note that one of the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442 can be an electrode that is continuous across the plurality of piezoelectric elements 44, that is, a common electrode. The portion where the first electrode 441, the second electrode 442, and the piezoelectric layer 443 overlap in a plan view functions as the piezoelectric element 44. Note that the portion that is deformed by the supply of a drive signal, that is, the active portion that vibrates the vibration part 42, can also be defined as the piezoelectric element 44. In this manner, the inkjet head 26 according to this embodiment includes a first piezoelectric element and a second piezoelectric element. For example, the first piezoelectric element is the piezoelectric element 44 on one side in the X direction as viewed from the central plane O, and the second piezoelectric element is the piezoelectric element 44 on the other side in the X direction as viewed from the central plane O. When the vibration section 42 vibrates in conjunction with the deformation of the piezoelectric element 44, the pressure in the pressure chamber C fluctuates, and the water-based inkjet ink composition filled in the pressure chamber C passes through the communicating passage 63 and the nozzle N and is ejected.

[0138] The protective member 46 is a plate-like member for protecting the multiple piezoelectric elements 44, and is placed on the surface of the vibration section 42. The multiple piezoelectric elements 44 are housed in recesses formed in the surface of the protective member 46 on the vibration section 42 side.

[0139] An end of the wiring board 28 is joined to the surface of the vibration section 42 opposite to the flow path forming section 30. The wiring board 28 is a flexible mounting component on which a plurality of wires (not shown) are formed, which electrically connect the control unit 20 and the inkjet head 26. An end of the wiring board 28 that passes through an opening formed in the protective member 46 and an opening formed in the housing section 48 and extends to the outside is connected to the control unit 20. For example, a flexible wiring board 28 such as an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) or an FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) is preferably used.

[0140] The housing unit 48 is a case for storing the water-based ink-jet ink composition to be supplied to the multiple pressure chambers C. The surface of the housing unit 48 on the positive side in the Z direction is bonded to the surface Fa of the first flow path substrate 32 with, for example, an adhesive.

[0141] As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 48 has a space Rb for each of the first portion P1 and the second portion P2. The space Rb of the housing 48 and the space Ra of the first flow path substrate 32 are mutually connected. The space formed by the space Ra and the space Rb functions as an ink storage chamber R for storing the water-based ink-jet ink composition to be supplied to the pressure chambers C. The ink storage chamber R is a common ink chamber shared by the nozzles N. The ink storage chamber R is formed in each of the first portion P1 and the second portion P2. The ink storage chamber R of the first portion P1 is located on the positive side of the X direction as viewed from the central plane O, and the ink storage chamber R of the second portion P2 is located on the negative side of the X direction as viewed from the central plane O. An inlet 482 for introducing the water-based ink-jet ink composition supplied from the ink container 14 into the ink storage chamber R is formed on the surface of the housing 48 opposite to the first flow path substrate 32.

[0142] 2, a vibration absorber 54 is provided for each of the first portion P1 and the second portion P2 on the surface Fb of the first flow path substrate 32. The vibration absorber 54 is a flexible film that absorbs pressure fluctuations of the water-based ink-jet ink composition in the ink storage chamber R. As shown in FIG. 3, the vibration absorber 54 is provided on the surface Fb of the first flow path substrate 32 so as to close the space Ra and the multiple supply paths 61 of the first flow path substrate 32, and forms a wall surface of the ink storage chamber R.

[0143] 2, a circulation ink chamber 65 is formed on a surface Fb of the first flow path substrate 32 facing the nozzle plate 52. The circulation ink chamber 65 is an elongated bottomed hole extending in the Y direction in a plan view. The opening of the circulation ink chamber 65 is closed by the nozzle plate 52 joined to the surface Fb of the first flow path substrate 32.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 5, the circulating ink chamber 65 is continuous across the nozzles N along the first row L1 and the second row L2. Specifically, the circulating ink chamber 65 is formed between the arrangement of the nozzles N in the first row L1 and the arrangement of the nozzles N in the second row L2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the circulating ink chamber 65 is located between the communication passage 63 in the first part P1 and the communication passage 63 in the second part P2. As described above, the flow path forming part 30 of the present embodiment is a structure in which the first pressure chamber which is the pressure chamber C in the first part P1 and the first communication passage which is the communication passage 63, the second pressure chamber which is the pressure chamber C in the second part P2 and the second communication passage which is the communication passage 63, and the circulating ink chamber 65 located between the communication passage 63 in the first part P1 and the communication passage 63 in the second part P2 are formed. As shown in FIG. 2, the flow path forming part 30 of the first embodiment includes a partition part 69 which partitions between the circulating ink chamber 65 and each communication passage 63.

[0145] As described above, the pressure chambers C and the piezoelectric elements 44 are arranged in the Y direction in each of the first portion P1 and the second portion P2. Therefore, it can be said that the circulating ink chamber 65 extends in the Y direction so as to be continuous with the pressure chambers C or the piezoelectric elements 44 in each of the first portion P1 and the second portion P2. It can also be said that the circulating ink chamber 65 and the ink storage chamber R extend in the Y direction with a gap between them, and the pressure chambers C, the communication passages 63, and the nozzles N are located within the gap, as shown in Figures 2 and 5.

[0146] As shown in FIG. 6, one nozzle N includes a first section n1 and a second section n2. The first section n1 and the second section n2 are circular spaces that are formed coaxially and communicate with each other. The second section n2 is located on the flow path forming section 30 side as viewed from the first section n1. The inner diameter d2 of the second section n2 is larger than the inner diameter d1 of the first section n1. According to the above-mentioned configuration in which each nozzle N is formed in a stepped shape, there is an advantage that the flow path resistance of each nozzle N can be easily set to a desired characteristic. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the central axis Qa of each nozzle N is located on the opposite side to the circulation ink chamber 65 as viewed from the central axis Qb of the communication passage 63.

[0147] A plurality of circulation paths 72 are formed for each of the first portion P1 and the second portion P2 on the surface of the nozzle plate 52 facing the flow path forming portion 30. The plurality of circulation paths 72 in the first portion P1, which are the first circulation paths, correspond one-to-one to the plurality of nozzles N in the first row L1. Moreover, the plurality of circulation paths 72 in the second portion P2, which are the second circulation paths, correspond one-to-one to the plurality of nozzles N in the second row L2.

[0148] Each of the circulation paths 72 is an elongated hole with a bottom extending in the X direction, and functions as a flow path for distributing the water-based ink-jet ink composition. The circulation path 72 is formed at a position away from the nozzle N, specifically, on the side of the circulating ink chamber 65 as viewed from the nozzle N corresponding to the circulation path 72.

[0149] As shown in FIG. 6, each circulation path 72 is formed linearly with a flow path width Wa equivalent to the inner diameter d2 of the second section n2 of the nozzle N. In addition, the flow path width Wa, which is the dimension in the Y direction of the circulation path 72, is smaller than the flow path width Wb, which is the dimension in the Y direction of the pressure chamber C. Therefore, the flow path resistance of the circulation path 72 can be increased compared to a configuration in which the flow path width Wa of the circulation path 72 is larger than the flow path width Wb of the pressure chamber C. On the other hand, the depth Da of the circulation path 72 with respect to the surface of the nozzle plate 52 is constant over the entire length. Specifically, each circulation path 72 is formed to a depth equivalent to the second section n2 of the nozzle N. According to the above configuration, there is an advantage that the circulation path 72 and the second section n2 are easily formed compared to a configuration in which the circulation path 72 and the second section n2 are formed to different depths. Note that the "depth" of the flow path means the depth of the flow path in the Z direction.

[0150] Any one of the circulation paths 72 in the first portion P1 is located on the circulation ink chamber 65 side as viewed from the nozzle N corresponding to the circulation path 72 in the first row L1. Any one of the circulation paths 72 in the second portion P2 is located on the circulation ink chamber 65 side as viewed from the nozzle N corresponding to the circulation path 72 in the second row L2. The end of each of the circulation paths 72 on the opposite side to the center plane O, i.e., on the communicating path 63 side, overlaps with the communicating path 63 corresponding to the circulation path 72 in plan view. That is, the circulation path 72 communicates with the communicating path 63. On the other hand, the end of each of the circulation paths 72 on the center plane O side, i.e., on the circulating ink chamber 65 side, overlaps with the circulating ink chamber 65 in plan view. That is, the circulation path 72 communicates with the circulating ink chamber 65. As described above, each of the multiple communicating paths 63 communicates with the circulating ink chamber 65 via the circulation path 72. 6, the water-based ink-jet ink composition in each communication passage 63 is supplied to the circulation ink chamber 65 via the circulation path 72. In other words, the multiple communication passages 63 corresponding to the first row L1 and the multiple communication passages 63 corresponding to the second row L2 are commonly connected to one circulation ink chamber 65.

[0151] FIG. 6 shows the flow path length La of a portion of an arbitrary circulation path 72 overlapping the circulating ink chamber 65, the flow path length Lb of a portion of the circulation path 72 overlapping the communicating passage 63, and the flow path length Lc of a portion of the circulation path 72 overlapping the partition wall portion 69 of the flow path forming portion 30. The flow path length Lc corresponds to the thickness of the partition wall portion 69. The partition wall portion 69 functions as a throttle portion of the circulation path 72. Therefore, the longer the flow path length Lc corresponding to the thickness of the partition wall portion 69, the higher the flow path resistance of the circulation path 72. In this embodiment, the relationship is established that the flow path length La is longer than the flow path length Lb, and the flow path length La is longer than the flow path length Lc. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the relationship is established that the flow path length Lb is longer than the flow path length Lc. The above configuration has the advantage that the aqueous ink-jet ink composition can easily flow from the communicating passage 63 to the circulating ink chamber 65 via the circulation path 72, compared to a configuration in which the flow path length La and the flow path length Lb are shorter than the flow path length Lc.

[0152] As described above, in this embodiment, the pressure chamber C indirectly communicates with the circulating ink chamber 65 via the communicating passage 63 and the circulation path 72. That is, the pressure chamber C and the circulating ink chamber 65 do not directly communicate with each other. In the above configuration, when the pressure in the pressure chamber C varies due to the operation of the piezoelectric element 44, a part of the water-based ink-jet ink composition flowing in the communicating passage 63 is ejected to the outside from the nozzle N, and the remaining part flows from the communicating passage 63 to the circulating ink chamber 65 via the circulation path 72. In this embodiment, the inertance between the communicating passage 63, the nozzle N, and the circulation path 72 is selected so that the ejection amount, which is the amount of the water-based ink-jet ink composition flowing through the communicating passage 63 by one drive of the piezoelectric element 44, that is ejected through the nozzle N, exceeds the circulation amount, which is the amount of the water-based ink-jet ink composition flowing through the communicating passage 63 and flowing into the circulating ink chamber 65 via the circulation path 72. Assuming that all of the piezoelectric elements 44 are driven simultaneously, this can be said in other words that the total amount of circulation flowing into the circulation ink chamber 65 from the multiple communicating passages 63 is greater than the total amount of ejection from the multiple nozzles N.

[0153] Specifically, for example, the flow path resistances of the communicating path 63, the nozzle N, and the circulation path 72 are determined so that the ratio of the circulated amount of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition flowing through the communicating path 63 is 70% or more, that is, the ratio of the ejection amount is 30% or less. With the above configuration, it is possible to effectively circulate the aqueous ink-jet ink composition in the vicinity of the nozzle N to the circulating ink chamber 65 while ensuring the ejection amount of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition. In general, there is a tendency that the greater the flow path resistance of the circulation path 72, the smaller the flow path resistance of the circulation path 72, the greater the circulation amount but the ejection amount increases, and vice versa.

[0154] As shown in FIG. 5, the inkjet device 100 includes a circulation mechanism 75. The circulation mechanism 75 is a mechanism for supplying, i.e., circulating, the aqueous inkjet ink composition in the circulating ink chamber 65 to the ink storage chamber R. Although not shown, the circulation mechanism 75 includes, for example, a suction mechanism such as a pump that sucks the aqueous inkjet ink composition from the circulating ink chamber 65, a filter mechanism that collects air bubbles and foreign matter mixed in the aqueous inkjet ink composition, and a heating mechanism that reduces thickening by heating the aqueous inkjet ink composition. The aqueous inkjet ink composition from which air bubbles and foreign matter have been removed and from which thickening has been reduced by the circulation mechanism 75 is supplied to the ink storage chamber R from the circulation mechanism 75 via the inlet 482. As described above, the aqueous inkjet ink composition circulates through the route of the ink storage chamber R → the supply channel 61 → the pressure chamber C → the communication channel 63 → the circulation channel 72 → the circulating ink chamber 65 → the circulation mechanism 75 → the ink storage chamber R.

[0155] As shown in FIG. 5, the circulation mechanism 75 sucks the water-based ink-jet ink composition from both sides of the circulation ink chamber 65 in the Y direction. That is, the circulation mechanism 75 sucks the water-based ink-jet ink composition from the vicinity of the end of the circulation ink chamber 65 on the negative side in the Y direction and the vicinity of the end of the circulation ink chamber 65 on the positive side in the Y direction. In a configuration in which the water-based ink-jet ink composition is sucked from only one end of the circulation ink chamber 65 in the Y direction, a difference in pressure of the water-based ink-jet ink composition occurs between both ends of the circulation ink chamber 65, and the pressure of the water-based ink-jet ink composition in the communication passage 63 may differ depending on the position in the Y direction due to the pressure difference in the circulation ink chamber 65. Therefore, the ejection characteristics of the water-based ink-jet ink composition from each nozzle N, such as the ejection amount and ejection speed, may differ depending on the position in the Y direction. In contrast to the above configuration, in this embodiment, the water-based ink-jet ink composition is sucked from both sides of the circulation ink chamber 65, so that the pressure difference inside the circulation ink chamber 65 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to approximate the ejection characteristics of the water-based ink-jet ink composition with high accuracy across a plurality of nozzles N arranged in the Y direction. However, in cases where the pressure difference in the Y direction within the circulating ink chamber 65 does not pose a particular problem, a configuration in which the water-based ink-jet ink composition is sucked in from one end of the circulating ink chamber 65 may also be employed.

[0156] As described above, the inkjet device 100 of this embodiment includes an inkjet head 26 having a nozzle plate 52 in which a first nozzle and a second nozzle are provided, a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber to which a water-based inkjet ink composition is supplied, a first communication passage connecting the first nozzle and the first pressure chamber, a second communication passage connecting the second nozzle and the second pressure chamber, and a circulation ink chamber 65 located between the first communication passage and the second communication passage, and a pressure generating section that generates a pressure change in each of the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber. The nozzle plate 52 is provided with a first circulation passage connecting the first communication passage and the circulation ink chamber 65, and a second circulation passage connecting the second communication passage and the circulation ink chamber.

[0157] [4-2] Second embodiment FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an inkjet device of a second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main tank included in the inkjet device shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an inkjet head included in the inkjet device shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the nozzle arrangement direction of the inkjet head shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view in a direction parallel to the nozzle arrangement direction of the inkjet head shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is a plan view of a nozzle plate of the inkjet head shown in FIG. 9. FIGS. 13A to 13F are plan views of each member constituting a flow path member of the inkjet head shown in FIG. 9. FIGS. 14A and 14B are plan views of each member constituting a common ink chamber member of the inkjet head shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of an ink circulation system in the inkjet device of this embodiment. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A' in FIG. 10. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B' in FIG. 10.

[0158] A mechanism section B420 is provided in an exterior B401 of the inkjet device B400. The ink storage sections B411 of the main tanks B410 for the colors black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, that is, the main tanks B410k, B410c, B410m, and B410y, are formed of a packaging material such as an aluminum laminate film. The ink storage sections B411 are housed in a storage container case B414 made of, for example, plastic. Thus, the main tanks B410 are used as ink cartridges for the respective colors.

[0159] On the other hand, a cartridge holder B404 is provided at the rear of the opening when the cover B401c of the device body is opened. A main tank B410 is detachably attached to the cartridge holder B404. This allows each ink outlet B413 of the main tank B410 to communicate with the inkjet head B424 for each color via the supply tube B436 for each color, and allows the aqueous inkjet ink composition to be ejected from the inkjet head B424 onto the fabric, which is a recording medium.

[0160] The inkjet head B424 is formed by laminating and joining a nozzle plate B1, a flow path plate B2, and a diaphragm member B3 as a wall member, and is also provided with a piezoelectric actuator B11 that displaces the diaphragm member B3, a common ink chamber member B20, and a cover B29. The nozzle plate B1 has a plurality of nozzles B4 for ejecting the water-based ink-jet ink composition.

[0161] The flow path plate B2 forms an individual ink chamber B6 communicating with the nozzle B4, a fluid resistance portion B7 communicating with the individual ink chamber B6, and an ink introduction portion B8 communicating with the fluid resistance portion B7. The flow path plate B2 is formed by laminating and joining a plurality of plate-like members B41, B42, B43, B44, and B45 from the nozzle plate B1 side, and the flow path member B40 is configured by laminating and joining these plate-like members B41, B42, B43, B44, and B45 with the vibration plate member B3.

[0162] The diaphragm member B3 has a filter portion B9 as an opening that communicates between the ink introduction portion B8 and a common ink chamber B10 formed in the common ink chamber member B20.

[0163] The diaphragm member B3 is a wall member that forms the wall surface of the individual ink chamber B6 of the flow path plate B2. The diaphragm member B3 has a two-layer structure, and is formed from the flow path plate B2 side with a first layer that forms a thin portion and a second layer that forms a thick portion, and the first layer forms a deformable vibration region B30 in a portion corresponding to the individual ink chamber B6.

[0164] Here, as shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of nozzles B4 are arranged in a staggered manner on the nozzle plate B1.

[0165] As shown in FIG. 13A, the plate-shaped member B41 constituting the flow path plate B2 is formed with a through groove portion B6a which constitutes the individual ink chamber B6, and through groove portions B51a and B52a which constitute the fluid resistance portion B51 and the circulation path B52.

[0166] Similarly, in the plate-like member B42, as shown in FIG. 13B, a through groove portion B6b which constitutes the individual ink chamber B6 and a through groove portion B52b which constitutes the circulation path B52 are formed.

[0167] Similarly, the plate-like member B43 is formed with a through groove B6c which constitutes the individual ink chamber B6, and a through groove B53a which constitutes the circulation path B53 and has its longitudinal direction in the nozzle arrangement direction, as shown in FIG. 13C.

[0168] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 13D, the plate-like member B44 is formed with a through groove portion B6d which constitutes an individual ink chamber B6, a through groove portion B7a which constitutes the fluid resistance portion B7, a through groove portion B8a which constitutes the ink introduction portion B8, and a through groove portion B53b which constitutes the circulation path B53 and has its longitudinal direction in the nozzle arrangement direction.

[0169] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 13E, the plate-shaped member B45 is formed with a through groove portion B6e which constitutes an individual ink chamber B6, a through groove portion B8b which constitutes an ink chamber downstream of the filter and has its longitudinal direction in the nozzle arrangement direction which constitutes the ink introduction portion B8, and a through groove portion B53c which constitutes the circulation path B53 and has its longitudinal direction in the nozzle arrangement direction.

[0170] As shown in FIG. 13F, the diaphragm member B3 is formed with a vibration region B30, a filter portion B9, and a through groove portion B53d that constitutes the circulation path B53 and has a longitudinal direction in the nozzle arrangement direction.

[0171] In this way, by forming the flow path member by stacking and joining a plurality of plate-like members, a complex flow path can be formed with a simple structure.

[0172] With the above configuration, the flow path member B40 consisting of the flow path plate B2 and the vibration plate member B3 is formed with the fluid resistance portion B51 along the surface direction of the flow path plate B2 which communicates with each individual ink chamber B6, the circulation path B52, and the circulation path B53 in the thickness direction of the flow path member B40 which communicates with the circulation path B52. The circulation path B53 communicates with the common circulation ink chamber B50 which will be described later.

[0173] On the other hand, the common ink chamber member B20 is formed with a common ink chamber B10 and a circulation common ink chamber B50.

[0174] As shown in FIG. 14A, the first common ink chamber member B21 constituting the common ink chamber member B20 is formed with a through hole B25a for a piezoelectric actuator, a through groove portion B10a which becomes the downstream common ink chamber B10A, and a bottomed groove portion B50a which becomes the circulation common ink chamber B50.

[0175] Similarly, the second common ink chamber member B22 is provided with a through hole B25b for a piezoelectric actuator and a groove portion B10b which becomes the upstream common ink chamber B10B, as shown in FIG. 14B.

[0176] The second common ink chamber member B22 is provided with a through hole B71a that serves as a supply port through which one end of the common ink chamber B10 in the nozzle arrangement direction communicates with the supply port B71.

[0177] Similarly, the first common ink chamber member B21 and the second common ink chamber member B22 are provided with through holes B81a, B81b that communicate the other end of the circulation common ink chamber B50 in the nozzle arrangement direction with the circulation port B81.

[0178] In addition, in Figure 14, grooves with bottoms are shown with painted surfaces. The same applies to the following figures.

[0179] In this manner, the common ink chamber member B20 is composed of a first common ink chamber member B21 and a second common ink chamber member B22, with the first common ink chamber member B21 joined to the vibration plate member B3 side of the flow path member B40, and the second common ink chamber member B22 being laminated and joined to the first common ink chamber member B21.

[0180] Here, the first common ink chamber member B21 forms a downstream common ink chamber B10A which is a part of the common ink chamber B10 which communicates with the ink introduction section B8, and a circulation common ink chamber B50 which communicates with the circulation path B53. The second common ink chamber member B22 forms an upstream common ink chamber B10B which is the remaining part of the common ink chamber B10.

[0181] At this time, the downstream common ink chamber B10A, which is a part of the common ink chamber B10, and the circulation common ink chamber B50 are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the nozzle arrangement direction, and the circulation common ink chamber B50 is arranged at a position projected within the common ink chamber B10.

[0182] As a result, the dimensions of the common ink circulation chamber B50 are not restricted by the dimensions required for the flow path including the individual ink chambers B6, the fluid resistance portion B7, and the ink introduction portion B8 formed in the flow path member B40.

[0183] By arranging a portion of the circulation common ink chamber B50 and a portion of the common ink chamber B10 side by side and arranging the circulation common ink chamber B50 at a position projected into the common ink chamber B10, the width of the head in the direction perpendicular to the nozzle arrangement direction can be reduced, and the head can be prevented from becoming large. The common ink chamber member B20 forms the common ink chamber B10 and the circulation common ink chamber B50 to which the aqueous ink-jet ink composition is supplied from a head tank or an ink cartridge.

[0184] On the other hand, a piezoelectric actuator B11 including an electromechanical conversion element as a driving means for deforming the vibration area B30 of the diaphragm member B3 is disposed on the opposite side of the diaphragm member B3 from the individual ink chamber B6.

[0185] As shown in FIG. 11, this piezoelectric actuator B11 has a piezoelectric member B12 bonded onto a base member B13, and grooves are formed in the piezoelectric member B12 by half-cut dicing to form a required number of columnar piezoelectric elements B12A, B12B in a comb-teeth shape at specified intervals for each piezoelectric member B12.

[0186] Here, the piezoelectric element B12A of the piezoelectric member B12 is a piezoelectric element that is driven by applying a driving waveform, and the piezoelectric element B12B is used simply as a support without being applied with a driving waveform, but it is also possible to use all of the piezoelectric elements B12A and B12B as a driving piezoelectric element.

[0187] The piezoelectric element B12A is bonded to a protrusion B30a, which is an island-shaped thick portion formed in the vibration region B30 of the diaphragm member B3, and the piezoelectric element B12B is bonded to a protrusion B30b, which is a thick portion of the diaphragm member B3.

[0188] This piezoelectric member B12 is formed by alternately laminating piezoelectric layers and internal electrodes, and the internal electrodes are each drawn out to an end surface to provide an external electrode, to which a flexible wiring member B15 is connected.

[0189] In the inkjet head B424 configured as a circulation-type ejection head in this manner, for example, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element B12A can be lowered from the reference potential, causing the piezoelectric element B12A to contract, the vibration area B30 of the vibration plate member B3 to descend, and the volume of the individual ink chamber B6 to expand, causing the aqueous inkjet ink composition to flow into the individual ink chamber B6.

[0190] Thereafter, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element B12A is increased to expand the piezoelectric element B12A in the stacking direction, and the vibration area B30 of the vibration plate member B3 is deformed in the direction toward the nozzle B4 to contract the volume of the individual ink chamber B6, thereby pressurizing the water-based ink-jet ink composition in the individual ink chamber B6 and ejecting the water-based ink-jet ink composition from the nozzle B4.

[0191] Then, by returning the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element B12A to the reference potential, the vibration area B30 of the vibration plate member B3 is restored to its initial position, and the individual ink chamber B6 expands to generate negative pressure, at which point the water-based ink-jet ink composition fills the individual ink chamber B6 from the common ink chamber B10. Then, after the vibration of the meniscus surface of the nozzle B4 is attenuated and stabilized, the operation proceeds to the next ejection.

[0192] The method of driving this head is not limited to the above example, and it is also possible to perform pull shots, push shots, etc., depending on the way the drive waveform is applied. In the above embodiment, a laminated piezoelectric element is used as the pressure generating means for applying pressure fluctuations to the individual ink chamber B6, but this is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use a thin-film piezoelectric element. Furthermore, it is possible to use a device that provides pressure fluctuations by disposing a heating resistor in the individual ink chamber B6 and generating bubbles by the heat of the heating resistor, or a device that generates pressure fluctuations using electrostatic force.

[0193] Next, an example of an ink circulation system using an inkjet head as a circulation type ejection head will be described with reference to FIG.

[0194] 15, the ink circulation system is composed of a main tank B410, an inkjet head B424, a supply tank B417, a circulation tank B415, a compressor B422, a vacuum pump B421, a first liquid feed pump B416, a second liquid feed pump B412, a regulator B419, a supply-side pressure sensor B418, and a circulation-side pressure sensor B423. The supply-side pressure sensor B418 is connected between the supply tank B417 and the inkjet head B424 on the supply flow path side connected to the supply port B71 of the inkjet head B424. The circulation-side pressure sensor B423 is connected between the inkjet head B424 and the circulation tank B415 on the circulation path side connected to the circulation port B81 of the inkjet head B424.

[0195] One side of the circulation tank B415 is connected to a supply tank B417 via a first liquid feed pump B416, and the other side of the circulation tank B415 is connected to the main tank B410 via a second liquid feed pump B412. This allows the aqueous ink-jet ink composition to flow from the supply tank B417 through the supply port B71 into the ink-jet head B424, be discharged from the circulation port B81 and into the circulation tank B415, and be further sent from the circulation tank B415 to the supply tank B417 by the first liquid feed pump B416, thereby circulating the aqueous ink-jet ink composition.

[0196] A compressor B422 is connected to the supply tank B417 and is controlled so that a predetermined positive pressure is detected by a supply side pressure sensor B418. Meanwhile, a vacuum pump B421 is connected to the circulation tank B415 and is controlled so that a predetermined negative pressure is detected by a circulation side pressure sensor B423. This makes it possible to circulate the water-based inkjet ink composition through the inkjet head B424 while maintaining a constant negative pressure at the meniscus.

[0197] Furthermore, since the amount of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition in the supply tank B417 and the circulation tank B415 decreases when droplets are ejected from the nozzle B4 of the ink-jet head B424, it is preferable to appropriately use the second liquid feed pump B412 to replenish the aqueous ink-jet ink composition from the main tank B410 to the circulation tank B415. The timing of replenishing the aqueous ink-jet ink composition from the main tank B410 to the circulation tank B415 can be controlled based on the detection results of a liquid level sensor or the like provided in the circulation tank B415, for example, by replenishing the aqueous ink-jet ink composition when the liquid level of the aqueous ink-jet ink composition in the circulation tank B415 falls below a predetermined level.

[0198] Next, the circulation of the water-based ink-jet ink composition in the ink-jet head B424 will be described. As shown in Fig. 9, a supply port B71 communicating with the common ink chamber B10 and a circulation port B81 communicating with the circulation common ink chamber B50 are formed at the end of the common ink chamber member B20. The supply port B71 and the circulation port B81 are respectively connected via tubes to a supply tank B417 and a circulation tank B415 which store the water-based ink-jet ink composition. The water-based ink-jet ink composition stored in the supply tank B417 is supplied to the individual ink chamber B6 via the supply port B71, the common ink chamber B10, the ink introduction section B8, and the fluid resistance section B7.

[0199] Furthermore, while the water-based ink-jet ink composition in the individual ink chamber B6 is ejected from the nozzle B4 by driving the piezoelectric member B12, a part or all of the water-based ink-jet ink composition that remains in the individual ink chamber B6 without being ejected is circulated to the circulation tank B415 via the fluid resistance section B51, the circulation paths B52, B53, the common circulation ink chamber B50, and the circulation port B81.

[0200] The water-based ink-jet ink composition can be circulated not only when the ink-jet head B424 is in operation, but also when the ink-jet head B424 is not in operation. Circulation during the operation of the ink-jet head B424 is preferable because it constantly refreshes the water-based ink-jet ink composition in the individual ink chamber B6 and also suppresses aggregation and sedimentation of the components contained in the water-based ink-jet ink composition.

[0201] [5] Dyed fabrics The dyed product, which is a recorded product according to the present invention, is produced using the above-mentioned aqueous inkjet ink composition of the present invention, and can be produced using the above-mentioned recording method.

[0202] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these.

[0203] For example, the inkjet device to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the above-mentioned ones. More specifically, the inkjet device to which the present invention is applied may not have an ink circulation system, for example.

[0204] In the above-described embodiment, the recording medium to which the aqueous ink-jet ink composition of the present invention is applied by the ink-jet method is mainly a fabric, but the recording medium to which the aqueous ink-jet ink composition of the present invention is applied by the ink-jet method may be any type. For example, the recording medium to which the aqueous ink-jet ink composition of the present invention is applied by the ink-jet method may be an intermediate transfer medium such as paper such as plain paper, or a recording medium provided with an ink-receiving layer, such as paper specifically for ink-jet printing or coated paper. EXAMPLES

[0205] Next, specific examples of the present invention will be described. [6] Preparation of Water-Based Inkjet Ink Composition Example 1 First, a coloring material was prepared that was composed of the compound represented by the above formula (2) and the compound represented by the above formula (3). This coloring material was prepared by salt substitution so that it contained 14,500 ppm sodium ions and 400 ppm potassium ions as counter ions.

[0206] Next, this colorant, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol, 2-pyrrolidone, Olfine PD002W (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), Proxel XL-2 (manufactured by Lonza), and ultrapure water were mixed in a predetermined ratio to prepare a water-based inkjet ink composition having the composition shown in Table 1.

[0207] (Examples 2 to 11) First, a water-based ink-jet ink composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the coloring materials shown in Table 1 were used.

[0208] (Comparative Examples 1 to 5) First, a water-based ink-jet ink composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the coloring materials shown in Table 1 were used.

[0209] The conditions of the water-based inkjet ink compositions of the examples and comparative examples are summarized in Table 1. In Table 1, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether is shown as "BTG", propylene glycol as "PG", 2-pyrrolidone as "2-Py", Olfine PD002W (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) as "PD002W", and Proxel XL-2 (manufactured by Lonza) as "XL-2". In addition, in Table 1, the value of XA / XB is shown when the content of sodium ions in the water-based inkjet ink composition is XA [mass %], and the content of alkali metal ions other than the sodium ions in the water-based inkjet ink composition is XB [mass %]. In addition, in Table 1, the content of the compound represented by the above formula (2) in the water-based inkjet ink composition is shown as X2 [mass %], and the content of the compound represented by the above formula (3) in the water-based inkjet ink composition is shown as X3 [mass %]. The water-based inkjet ink compositions of each of the Examples had a surface tension in the range of 23 mN / m to 40 mN / m. The surface tension was measured by the Wilhelmy method at 25°C using a surface tensiometer (Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd., CBVP-7). The viscosity of the water-based inkjet ink compositions of each of the Examples at 25°C was in the range of 3 mPa·s to 6 mPa·s. The viscosity of the water-based inkjet ink compositions was measured in accordance with JIS Z8809 using a vibration viscometer (Senikoku Co., Ltd., VM-100).

[0210] [Table 1]

[0211] [7] Evaluation The water-based ink-jet ink compositions of the Examples and Comparative Examples were evaluated as follows.

[0212] [7-1] Discharge stability An inkjet device as shown in Figures 1 to 6 was filled with the water-based inkjet ink composition. After it was confirmed that all nozzles of the evaluation machine were ejecting normally without missing or bending, the water-based inkjet ink composition was ejected continuously for 10 hours and evaluated according to the following criteria. C or higher was considered to be a good level.

[0213] A: All nozzles are ejecting normally. B: Missing or bending occurred in less than 10% of the total number of nozzles. C: Missing or bending occurred in 10% or more but less than 20% of the total number of nozzles. D: Missing or bending occurred in 20% or more but less than 40% of the total number of nozzles. E: Missing or bending occurred in 40% or more of the total number of nozzles.

[0214] [7-2] Clogging recovery test The same water-based inkjet ink composition was filled into the ink cartridges of each color of the inkjet device as shown in Figures 1 to 6. After it was confirmed that all the nozzles of the evaluation machine were ejecting normally without missing or bending, the inkjet device was turned off in a normal state and left in a 40°C environment for one month. The number of times that recovery operations were performed by simultaneously suctioning all the colors until normal ejection was achieved was measured for each color, and the ink composition was evaluated according to the following criteria. A level of B or higher was determined to be good.

[0215] A: Normal discharge occurs immediately after the power is turned on, or returns to normal after 1 to 4 recovery operations. B: Recovery returned to normal after 5 to 7 steps. C: Normalized after 8 to 10 recovery movements. D: Normalized after 11 to 15 recovery movements. E: No recovery after 15 recovery attempts.

[0216] [7-3] Foreign body evaluation 10 mL of the water-based inkjet ink composition was left in a glass bottle at 60° C. for 5 days in a state in which an air-liquid interface was present.

[0217] Thereafter, the water-based inkjet ink composition was filtered through a metal mesh filter having a pore size of 10 μm, and the number of foreign matter particles remaining on the metal mesh filter per 1 mm square was counted and evaluated according to the following criteria, with C or higher being considered as a good level.

[0218] A: The number of foreign bodies per 1 mm square was less than 5. B: The number of foreign bodies per 1 mm square was 5 or more and less than 10. C: The number of foreign bodies per 1 mm square was 10 or more and less than 30. D: The number of foreign bodies per 1 mm square was 30 or more and less than 50. E: The number of foreign bodies per 1 mm square was 50 or more. These results are summarized in Table 2.

[0219] [Table 2]

[0220] As is clear from Table 2, excellent results were obtained in the present invention. In contrast, satisfactory results were not obtained in the comparative examples.

[0221] Moreover, dyed products were produced in the same manner as above, except that an inkjet device having the configuration shown in Figs. 7 to 17 was used instead of the inkjet device having the configuration shown in Figs. 1 to 6, and evaluations were performed in the same manner as above, and the same results were obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0222] 100...inkjet device, 12...fabric, 14...ink container, 20...control unit, 22...transport mechanism, 24...movement mechanism, 242...transport body, 244...transport belt, 26...inkjet head, 28...wiring board, 30...flow path forming section, 32...first flow path board, 34...second flow path board, 42...vibration section, 44...piezoelectric element, 441...first electrode, 442...second electrode, 443...piezoelectric layer, 46...protective member, 48...casing, 482...inlet, 52...nozzle plate, 54...vibration absorber, 61...supply path, 63...connecting path, 65...circulating ink chamber, 69...partition wall, 72...circulating path, 75... Circulation mechanism, C...pressure chamber, d1...inner diameter, d2...inner diameter, Da...depth, Fa...surface, Fb...surface, L1...first row, L2...second row, La...flow path length, Lb...flow path length, Lc...flow path length, N...nozzle, n1...first section, n2...second section, O...center surface, P1...first portion, P2...second portion, Qa...center axis, Qb...center axis, R...ink storage chamber, Ra...space, Rb...space, Wa...flow path width, Wb...flow path width, B1...nozzle plate, B2...flow path plate, B3...diaphragm member, B4...nozzle, B6...individual ink chamber, B6a...through groove portion, B6b...through groove portion, B6c...through groove portion, B6d...through groove portion, B6 e...through groove portion, B7...fluid resistance portion, B7a...through groove portion, B8...ink introduction portion, B8a...through groove portion, B8b...through groove portion, B9...filter portion, B10...common ink chamber, B10a...through groove portion, B10A...downstream common ink chamber, B10b...groove portion, B10B...upstream common ink chamber, B11...piezoelectric actuator, B12...piezoelectric member, B12A...piezoelectric element, B12B...piezoelectric element, B13...base member, B15...flexible wiring member, B20...common ink chamber member, B21...first common ink chamber member, B22...second common ink chamber member, B25a...piezoelectric actuator through hole for piezoelectric actuator, B25b...through hole for piezoelectric actuator, B29...cover, B30...vibration area, B30a...projection, B30b...projection, B40...flow path member, B41...plate-shaped member, B42...plate-shaped member, B43...plate-shaped member, B44...plate-shaped member, B45...plate-shaped member, B50...circulation common ink chamber, B50a...groove, B51...fluid resistance portion, B51a...through groove, B52...circulation path, B52a...through groove, B52b...through groove, B53...circulation path, B53a...through groove, B53b...through groove, B53c...through groove, B53d...through groove, B71...supply port, B71a...through hole,B81...circulation port, B81a...through hole, B81b...through hole, B400...inkjet device, B401...exterior, B401c...cover of device body, B404...cartridge holder, B410...main tank, B410k...main tank for black, B410c...main tank for cyan, B410m...main tank for magenta, B410y...main tank for yellow, B411...ink storage section, B412...second liquid feed pump, B413...ink discharge port, B414...storage container case, B415...circulation tank, B416...first liquid feed pump, B417...supply tank, B418...supply side pressure sensor, B419...regulator, B420...mechanism, B421...vacuum pump, B422...compressor, B423...circulation side pressure sensor, B424...inkjet head, B436...supply tube,

Claims

1. The ink contains a colorant represented by the following formula (1), a water-soluble organic solvent, and water, The coloring material represented by the following formula (1) contains two or more kinds of alkali metal ions as counter ions. Contains on, The counter ion includes at least a sodium ion, The coloring material represented by the following formula (1) is a compound represented by the following formula (2) and a compound represented by the following formula (3) ) The aqueous ink-jet ink composition contains a compound represented by the following formula (2): The content of the compound represented by the following formula (3) is X3 [mass%]. and wherein the relationship 0.50≦X2 / X3≦2.0 is satisfied. 【Chemistry 1】 (In formula (1), M represents a counter ion.) 【Chemistry 2】 (In formula (2), M represents a counter ion.) 【Chemistry 3】 (In formula (3), M represents a counter ion.)

2. The counter ion is at least one of a potassium ion and a lithium ion. The water-based ink-jet ink composition of claim 1 , comprising:

3. The content of the sodium ion in the water-based ink-jet ink composition is XA [mass %], the above-mentioned sodium ion in the water-based inkjet ink composition When the content of alkali metal ions is XB [mass %], 30≦XA / XB≦800 The water-based ink-jet ink composition according to claim 1 or 2, which satisfies the relationship:

4. The water-based ink-jet ink composition is used by applying it to a fabric. Item 4. The water-based ink-jet ink composition according to any one of items 1 to 3.

5. The water-based ink-jet ink composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is A recording method comprising a step of ejecting the liquid by a jet method and depositing the liquid on a recording medium.

Images