Inkjet recording apparatus

Abstract

To provide an inkjet ink composition having excellent storage stability and further to provide an inkjet ink set and an inkjet recording device which are provided with the inkjet ink composition.SOLUTION: There is provided an inkjet ink composition which comprises a disperse dye, a silicone-based surfactant and water, wherein the content percentage of the disperse dye is 1.0 mass% or more and 3.0 mass% or less and in the silicone-based surfactant, when a mixed liquid is prepared by mixing 99.0 pts.mass of a 10 mass% solution of propylene glycol and 1.0 pt.mass of the silicone-based surfactant, the mixed solution has a cloud point of 60°C or more.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to Inkjet recording apparatus .

Background Art

[0002] An inkjet recording method is a method of discharging small droplets of ink from fine nozzles and attaching them to a recording medium to perform recording. This method is characterized by being able to record a high-resolution and high-quality image at high speed with a relatively inexpensive device. In the inkjet recording method, there are a very large number of factors to be considered, including the properties of the ink used, the stability in recording, and the quality of the obtained image. Research on not only inkjet recording devices but also the ink used is also active.

[0003] In particular, in an inkjet ink containing a disperse dye, when the dispersion stability of the disperse dye as a coloring material decreases, problems have occurred such as the generation of foreign substances derived from the aggregation of the disperse dye and foreign substances derived from the recrystallization of the disperse dye.

[0004] Therefore, for the purpose of solving the above problems, an inkjet ink composition containing a disperse dye and a sodium naphthalene sulfonate formalin condensate, and having the ratio of the sodium ion concentration to the content of the sodium naphthalene sulfonate formalin condensate within a predetermined range has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in recent years, further improvement in storage stability has been demanded for inkjet ink compositions.

[0007] More specifically, in an inkjet ink composition having a relatively high content of disperse dye, relatively high storage stability can be achieved. On the other hand, in an inkjet ink composition having a relatively low content of disperse dye, more specifically, in an inkjet ink composition having a disperse dye content of 3.0 mass% or less and containing water, the storage stability was not sufficient.

[0008] Also, for example, in an inkjet recording apparatus equipped with a large-capacity ink container, the storage period of the inkjet ink composition in the inkjet recording apparatus tends to be long. For example, when the solid content in the inkjet ink composition gradually settles, the color of the image formed using the inkjet ink composition may change little by little.

[0009] In addition, in an inkjet recording apparatus having a plurality of ink containers for storing inkjet ink compositions of the same color and capable of appropriately switching the ink containers used according to the usage status of the inkjet ink composition, if the color of the image formed changes due to the sedimentation of the solid content in the inkjet ink composition, the color of the image may change significantly when the ink container used is switched.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems and can be realized as the following application examples.

[0011] An inkjet recording apparatus according to an application example of the present invention A plurality of an ink container and the ink contained in the ink container an inkjet ink composition and comprising is an inkjet recording apparatus, Among the plurality of ink containers, those containing the same kind of inkjet ink composition are included, a plurality of said inkjet ink compositions is at least containing a disperse dye, a silicone-based surfactant, and water At least one kind of light-colored ink, and a dark ink containing the same disperse dye as the disperse dye contained in the light ink at a higher content rate than the light ink and As the plurality of ink containers, a first container for storing the light ink and a second container for storing the dark ink are provided, the content rate of the disperse dye in the light-colored ink is 1.0 mass% or more and 3.0 mass% or less, when the silicone surfactant is mixed at a ratio of 99.0 parts by mass of a 10 mass% aqueous solution of propylene glycol and 1.0 part by mass of the silicone surfactant to form a mixed solution, the cloud point of the mixed solution is 60°C or higher.

[0012] In addition, the inkjet In the recording apparatus according to another application example of the present invention The light ink further contains a dispersant.

[0013] In addition, the inkjet Recording apparatus in the other application example of the present invention, the dispersant is at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium salts of naphthalene sulfonic acid formalin condensates and sodium salts of lignin sulfonic acid.

[0014] In addition, in the inkjet recording apparatus according to another application example of the present invention, the disperse dye is at least one selected from the group consisting of C.I. Disperse Red 60 and C.I. Disperse Blue 359.

[0015] In addition, the inkjet Recording apparatus in the other application example of the present invention In the light ink the content rate of the disperse dye is 2.0 mass% or less.

[0016] In addition, the inkjet Recording apparatus in the other application example of the present invention In the light ink the content rate of the silicone surfactant is 0.1 mass% or more and 3.0 mass% or less.

[0017] Also, another aspect of the present invention The inkjet In the recording apparatus according to the application example The is a plurality of types of are respectively stored in a plurality of the ink containers inkjet ink compositions.

[0020] Also, The inkjet according to another application example of the present invention Recording apparatus is provided with an ink containing cyan ink as the dark ink, and the content of the disperse dye in the cyan ink is 3.5% by mass or more and 6.0% by mass or less.

[0021] Also, The inkjet according to another application example of the present invention Recording apparatus in which, when the content of the disperse dye contained in the cyan ink is XDC [% by mass] and the content of the disperse dye contained in the light ink containing the same disperse dye as the cyan ink is XLC [% by mass], the relationship of 0.18 ≦ XLC / XDC ≦ 0.70 is satisfied.

[0022] Also, The inkjet according to another application example of the present invention Recording apparatus is provided with an ink containing magenta ink as the dark ink, and the content of the disperse dye in the magenta ink is 5.0% by mass or more and 8.0% by mass or less.

[0023] Also, The inkjet according to another application example of the present invention Recording apparatus in which, when the content of the disperse dye contained in the magenta ink is XDM [% by mass] and the content of the disperse dye contained in the light ink containing the same disperse dye as the magenta ink is XLM [% by mass], the relationship of 0.18 ≦ XLM / XDM ≦ 0.70 is satisfied.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

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[0026] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. [1] Inkjet ink composition First, the inkjet ink composition of the present invention will be described.

[0027] The inkjet ink composition of the present invention is an inkjet ink composition containing a disperse dye, a silicone-based surfactant, and water, wherein the content of the disperse dye is 1.0% by mass or more and 3.0% by mass or less. And the silicone-based surfactant is such that when it is mixed with 99.0 parts by mass of a 10% by mass aqueous solution of propylene glycol and 1.0 part by mass of the silicone-based surfactant to form a mixed solution, the cloud point of the mixed solution is 60° C. or higher.

[0028] Thereby, an inkjet ink composition excellent in storage stability can be provided. In particular, as described above, such an effect can be obtained in an inkjet ink composition having a relatively low content of disperse dye. Further, since the storage stability of the inkjet ink composition is excellent, it is possible to effectively prevent the composition and color of the inkjet ink composition ejected by the inkjet method from changing unintentionally over time, and to make the stability and reliability of the formed image and the produced recording excellent.

[0029] On the other hand, when the above conditions are not satisfied, satisfactory results cannot be obtained. For example, when the inkjet ink composition does not contain a silicone-based surfactant, the storage stability of the inkjet ink composition cannot be made excellent.

[0030] Also, when the content rate of the disperse dye in the inkjet ink composition is less than the above lower limit value, it becomes difficult to sufficiently increase the color density while sufficiently preventing problems such as bleeding in the image formed using the inkjet ink composition.

[0031] Also, when the cloud point of the silicone-based surfactant required as described above is less than 60°C, the storage stability of the inkjet ink composition cannot be made excellent.

[0032] In the present invention, the cloud point is a value obtained by measurement based on JIS K 2269 using the above-mentioned mixed solution.

[0033] [1-1] Disperse Dye The inkjet ink composition of the present invention contains a disperse dye.

[0034] The disperse dye contained in the inkjet ink composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, but specifically, the following examples can be mentioned.

[0035] Examples of yellow disperse dyes include, for example, C.I. Disperse Yellow 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 13, 23, 24, 30, 33, 34, 42, 44, 49, 50, 51, 54, 56, 58, 60, 63, 64, 66, 68, 71, 74, 76, 79, 82, 83, 85, 86, 88, 90, 91, 93, 98, 99, 100, 104, 108, 114, 116, 118, 119, 122, 124, 126, 135, 140, 141, 149, 160, 162, 163, 164, 165, 179, 180, 182, 183, 184, 186, 192, 198, 199, 202, 204, 210, 211, 215, 216, 218, 224, 227, 231, 232, etc.

[0036] Examples of orange disperse dyes include, for example, C.I. Disperse Orange 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 20, 21, 25, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 37, 38, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 66, 71, 73, 76, 78, 80, 89, 90, 91, 93, 96, 97, 119, 127, 130, 139, 142, etc.

[0037] Examples of red disperse dyes include, for example, C.I. Disperse Red 1, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 27, 43, 44, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 65, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78, 81, 82, 86, 88, 90, 91, 92, 93, 96, 103, 105, 106, 107, 108, 110, 111, 113, 117, 118, 121, 122, 126, 127, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 137, 143, 145, 146, 151, 152, 153, 154, 157, 159, 164, 167, 169, 177, 179, 181, 183, 184, 185, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 200, 201, 202, 203, 205, 206, 207, 210, 221, 224, 225, 227, 229, 239, 240, 257, 258, 277, 278, 279, 281, 288, 298, 302, 303, 310, 311, 312, 320, 324, 328, etc.

[0038] Examples of violet disperse dyes include, for example, C.I. Disperse Violet 1, 4, 8, 23, 26, 27, 28, 31, 33, 35, 36, 38, 40, 43, 46, 48, 50, 51, 52, 56, 57, 59, 61, 63, 69, 77, etc.

[0039] Examples of green disperse dyes include, for example, C.I. Disperse Green 9, etc.

[0040] Examples of brown disperse dyes include, for example, C.I. Disperse Brown 1, 2, 4, 9, 13, 19, etc.

[0041] Examples of blue disperse dyes include C.I. Disperse Blue 3, 7, 9, 14, 16, 19, 20, 26, 27, 35, 43, 44, 54, 55, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 71, 72, 73, 75, 79, 81, 82, 83, 87, 91, 93, 94, 95, 96, 102, 106, 108, 112, 113, 115, 118, 120, 122, 125, 128, 130, 139, 141, 142, 143, 146, 148, 149, 153, 154, 158, 165, 167, 171, 173, 174, 176, 181, 183, 185, 186, 187, 189, 197, 198, 200, 201, 205, 207, 211, 214, 224, 225, 257, 259, 267, 268, 270, 284, 285, 287, 288, 291, 293, 295, 297, 301, 315, 330, 333, 359, etc.

[0042] Examples of black disperse dyes include C.I. Disperse Black 1, 3, 10, 24, etc.

[0043] In the inkjet ink composition of the present invention, for example, one or more selected from the above disperse dyes can be used in combination.

[0044] In particular, when the disperse dye is one or more selected from the group consisting of C.I. Disperse Red 60 and C.I. Disperse Blue 359, the effects of the present invention as described above are more significantly exhibited.

[0045] The content of the disperse dye in the inkjet ink composition of the present invention may be 1.0% by mass or more and 3.0% by mass or less. However, the lower limit value of the content of the disperse dye in the inkjet ink composition of the present invention is preferably 1.1% by mass, and more preferably 1.2% by mass. Also, the upper limit of the content of the disperse dye in the inkjet ink composition of the present invention is preferably 2.0% by mass, and more preferably 1.8% by mass. Thereby, the effects of the present invention as described above are more significantly exhibited.

[0046] [1-2] Silicone surfactant The inkjet ink composition of the present invention contains a silicone surfactant.

[0047] The silicone surfactant constituting the inkjet ink composition of the present invention satisfies the conditions for the cloud point as described above.

[0048] As a specific example of the silicone surfactant, for example, a compound represented by the following formula can be preferably used.

[0049] [Chemical formula] (In the formula, R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, a represents an integer of 2 or more and 13 or less, m represents an integer of 2 or more and 70 or less, and n represents an integer of 1 or more and 8 or less.)

[0050] The content of the silicone surfactant in the inkjet ink composition of the present invention is preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 3.0% by mass or less, more preferably 0.2% by mass or more and 2.0% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.3% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less.

[0051] Thereby, the storage stability of the inkjet ink composition of the present invention can be made more excellent.

[0052] [1-3] Water The inkjet ink composition of the present invention contains water. Water mainly functions as a dispersion medium for the disperse dye in the inkjet ink composition.

[0053] The content of water in the inkjet ink composition of the present invention is preferably 40% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, more preferably 45% by mass or more and 75% by mass or less, and even more preferably 50% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less.

[0054] This makes it possible to more reliably adjust the viscosity of the ink-jet ink composition to a suitable value, and further improves the ejection stability when using an ink-jet method.

[0055] [1-4] Dispersants The inkjet ink composition of the present invention may contain a disperse dye, a silicone surfactant that satisfies the above-mentioned conditions, and water, and may further contain a dispersant.

[0056] This makes it possible to provide the ink-jet ink composition of the present invention with better storage stability.

[0057] Examples of dispersants include sodium salts of naphthalenesulfonic acid-formaldehyde condensates, sodium salts of ligninsulfonic acid, sodium salts of styrene-styrenesulfonic acid, and sodium salts of creosote oil sulfonic acid-formaldehyde condensates. One or a combination of two or more selected from these may be used, but one or more selected from the group consisting of sodium salts of naphthalenesulfonic acid-formaldehyde condensates and sodium salts of ligninsulfonic acid are preferred. This makes the above-mentioned effects more pronounced.

[0058] The content of the dispersant in the inkjet ink composition of the present invention is preferably from 0.5% to 4.0% by mass, more preferably from 0.8% to 3.2% by mass, and even more preferably from 1.1% to 1.8% by mass. This makes the above-mentioned effects more pronounced.

[0059] [1-5] Water-soluble organic solvents The ink-jet ink composition of the present invention may contain a water-soluble organic solvent.

[0060] As a result, the moisture retention of the inkjet ink composition can be improved, and it is possible to more effectively prevent the unintended precipitation of the solid content of the inkjet ink composition due to drying or the like in the inkjet head or the like. Further, the viscosity of the inkjet ink composition can be adjusted more suitably. From these aspects, the ejection stability of the inkjet ink composition by the inkjet method can be made even better.

[0061] The water-soluble organic solvent may be any organic solvent that shows solubility in water. For example, an organic solvent having a solubility in water of 10 g / 100 g water or more at 25°C can be preferably used.

[0062] The boiling point of the water-soluble organic solvent under 1 atm is preferably 180°C or higher and 300°C or lower.

[0063] As a result, the moisture retention of the inkjet ink composition can be further improved, and it is possible to more effectively prevent the unintended precipitation of the solid content of the inkjet ink composition due to drying or the like in the inkjet head or the like. From these aspects, the ejection stability of the inkjet ink composition by the inkjet method can be made even better. Further, after ejecting the inkjet ink composition, if necessary, it can be relatively easily volatilized, and it is possible to more effectively prevent the unintended remaining of the water-soluble organic solvent in the produced recording material.

[0064] Examples of such water-soluble organic solvents include alkyl monoalcohols; alkyl diols; glycerin; glycols; glycol monoethers; lactams, etc., and one or more selected from these can be used in combination.

[0065] Examples of glycols include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and the like. Examples of glycol monoethers include triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, and the like. Examples of lactams include 2-pyrrolidone and the like.

[0066] The content of the water-soluble organic solvent in the inkjet ink composition of the present invention is preferably 4.0% by mass or more and 45% by mass or less, more preferably 9.0% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less, and even more preferably 11% by mass or more and 38% by mass or less.

[0067] Thereby, while making the viscosity of the inkjet ink composition more suitable, the moisture retention of the inkjet ink composition can be more suitably improved. As a result, the ejection stability of the inkjet ink composition by the inkjet method can be made even more excellent.

[0068] Further, when the water content in the inkjet ink composition is XW [% by mass] and the content of the water-soluble organic solvent in the inkjet ink composition is XH [% by mass], XH / XW is preferably 0.10 or more and 0.65 or less, more preferably 0.20 or more and 0.60 or less, and even more preferably 0.30 or more and 0.55 or less.

[0069] Thereby, while making the viscosity of the inkjet ink composition more suitable, the moisture retention of the inkjet ink composition can be more suitably improved. As a result, the ejection stability and the like of the inkjet ink composition by the inkjet method can be made even more excellent.

[0070] [1-6] Other components The inkjet ink composition of the present invention may contain components other than the above-described components. Hereinafter, such components are also referred to as "other components".

[0071] Examples of other components include pH adjusters such as triethanolamine; chelating agents; preservatives and fungicides; rust preventives; flame retardants; various dispersants; color materials other than disperse dyes; surfactants other than silicone-based surfactants; antioxidants; ultraviolet absorbers; oxygen absorbers; solubilizing agents; penetrants and the like.

[0072] Examples of chelating agents include ethylenediaminetetraacetate salts and the like. Examples of preservatives and fungicides include sodium benzoate, sodium pentachlorophenol, sodium 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide, sodium sorbate, sodium dehydroacetate, 1,2-dibenzisothiazolin-3-one, 4-chloro-3-methylphenol and the like. Examples of rust preventives include benzotriazole and the like.

[0073] As preservatives and fungicides, for example, compounds having an isothiazoline ring structure in the molecule can be preferably used.

[0074] As surfactants, for example, various surfactants such as anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants and the like can be used.

[0075] The content of other components is preferably 6.0% by mass or less, more preferably 5.0% by mass or less. The lower limit of the content of other components is 0% by mass.

[0076] [1-7] Others The surface tension of the inkjet ink composition of the present invention at 25°C is not particularly limited, but is preferably 20 mN / m or more and 50 mN / m or less, more preferably 21 mN / m or more and 40 mN / m or less, and even more preferably 23 mN / m or more and 30 mN / m or less.

[0077] This makes it less likely for clogging to occur in the nozzles of the inkjet head, and improves the ejection stability of the inkjet ink composition. Further, even when clogging occurs in the nozzles, the recoverability by covering the nozzles with a cap can be made more excellent.

[0078] As the surface tension, the value measured by the Wilhelmy method can be adopted. For the measurement of the surface tension, a surface tensiometer (for example, CBVP-7 manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd., etc.) can be used.

[0079] The viscosity of the inkjet ink composition of the present invention at 25°C is preferably 2 mPa·s or more and 10 mPa·s or less, more preferably 3 mPa·s or more and 8 mPa·s or less, and even more preferably 4 mPa·s or more and 6 mPa·s or less.

[0080] This makes the ejection stability of the inkjet ink composition by the inkjet method more excellent.

[0081] The viscosity can be determined by measurement in accordance with JIS Z8809 using a vibrating viscometer.

[0082] Further, the inkjet ink composition of the present invention is for use in ejection by the inkjet method, but is not limited to being directly ejected onto the final recording medium, and may be ejected onto an intermediate transfer medium once and then transferred to the final recording medium.

[0083] In particular, the inkjet ink composition of the present invention is preferably one that is transferred to a fabric as a recording medium by sublimation after being ejected onto an intermediate transfer medium once, that is, one that is used for sublimation transfer printing.

[0084] This eliminates the need for pre-treatment of the fabric, as printing is done on an intermediate medium coated with an ink-receiving layer. In addition, because only the coloring material is sublimated and dyed, the colors are vivid, durable, and the texture does not change. In addition, because the printer transports transfer paper, unlike printers that transport fabric, the mechanism is simple and costs are kept low. In addition, since there is no need for complex processes such as pre-treatment and cleaning, and no large steamers are required for dyeing, the capital investment costs for entry and the space required for the equipment are small, and the environmental impact is also low.

[0085] [2] Inkjet ink set Next, the ink-jet ink set of the present invention will be described. The inkjet ink set of the present invention comprises a plurality of inkjet ink compositions, at least one of which is the inkjet ink composition of the present invention described above.

[0086] This makes it possible to provide an inkjet ink set which comprises an inkjet ink composition having excellent storage stability, is capable of stable image formation, and can be suitably used for producing highly reliable recorded matter.

[0087] The inkjet ink set of the present invention comprises a plurality of inkjet ink compositions, at least one of which may be the inkjet ink composition of the present invention described above, but it is preferable that the inkjet ink set comprises two or more of the inkjet ink compositions of the present invention described above. The above-mentioned effects are more pronounced.

[0088] In addition, the inkjet ink set of the present invention preferably comprises the above-mentioned inkjet ink composition of the present invention as a light-colored ink, and also comprises a dark-colored ink containing the same disperse dye as the disperse dye contained in the light-colored ink at a higher content than the light-colored ink.

[0089] For example, the inkjet ink set of the present invention may include inkjet ink compositions containing a cyan disperse dye as both the light ink and the dark ink.

[0090] Also, for example, the inkjet ink set of the present invention may include inkjet ink compositions containing a magenta disperse dye as both the light ink and the dark ink.

[0091] Thereby, for example, in an image formed using the inkjet ink set, the connection between colors at a site formed using the light ink and a site formed using the dark ink can be made more excellent, and the aesthetic property of the image and the like can be made more excellent.

[0092] When the inkjet ink set of the present invention includes an ink containing a cyan disperse dye as the dark ink, the content of the disperse dye in the cyan ink as the dark ink is preferably 3.5% by mass or more and 6.0% by mass or less, and more preferably 4.0% by mass or more and 5.0% by mass or less.

[0093] Thereby, an image with a sufficiently high color density can be more suitably formed. Further, when the inkjet ink set of the present invention includes a light cyan ink as the light ink which is the inkjet ink composition together with the cyan ink as the dark ink, the connection between colors at a site formed using the light ink and a site formed using the dark ink can be made more excellent, and the aesthetic property of the image and the like can be made more excellent.

[0094] When the content rate of the disperse dye contained in the cyan ink which is a dark color ink is XDC [mass%], and the content rate of the disperse dye contained in the light cyan ink which is a light color ink containing the same disperse dye as the cyan ink is XLC [mass%], it preferably satisfies the relation of 0.18 ≦ XLC / XDC ≦ 0.70, more preferably satisfies the relation of 0.20 ≦ XLC / XDC ≦ 0.60, and even more preferably satisfies the relation of 0.30 ≦ XLC / XDC ≦ 0.40.

[0095] Thereby, an image with a sufficiently high color density can be formed more suitably, the connection between colors at the site formed with the light color ink and the site formed with the dark color ink can be made more excellent, and the aesthetic property etc. of the image can be made more excellent.

[0096] When the inkjet ink set of the present invention includes an ink containing a magenta disperse dye as a dark color ink, the content rate of the disperse dye in the magenta ink as the dark color ink is preferably 5.0 mass% or more and 8.0 mass% or less, and more preferably 6.0 mass% or more and 7.0 mass% or less.

[0097] Thereby, an image with a sufficiently high color density can be formed more suitably. Further, when the inkjet ink set of the present invention includes a light magenta ink as a light color ink which is the inkjet ink composition of the present invention together with the magenta ink as the dark color ink, the connection between colors at the site formed with the light color ink and the site formed with the dark color ink can be made more excellent, and the aesthetic property etc. of the image can be made more excellent.

[0098] When the content rate of the disperse dye contained in the magenta ink which is a dark color ink is XDM [mass%], and the content rate of the disperse dye contained in the light magenta ink which is a light color ink containing the same disperse dye as the magenta ink is XLM [mass%], it preferably satisfies the relation of 0.18 ≦ XLM / XDM ≦ 0.70, more preferably satisfies the relation of 0.20 ≦ XLM / XDM ≦ 0.60, and even more preferably satisfies the relation of 0.25 ≦ XLM / XDM ≦ 0.30.

[0099] Thereby, an image with a sufficiently high color density can be formed more suitably, the connection between colors at the part formed using the light color ink and the part formed using the dark color ink can be made more excellent, and the aesthetic property etc. of the image can be made more excellent.

[0100] The dark color ink as described above can contain, for example, each component described as a constituent of the inkjet ink composition of the present invention.

[0101] [3] Recording method Next, the recording method using the inkjet ink composition of the present invention will be described.

[0102] The inkjet ink composition and inkjet ink set of the present invention can be applied to, for example, the direct printing method, the thermal transfer printing method, such as sublimation printing.

[0103] Hereinafter, as an example of the recording method using the inkjet ink composition of the present invention, an example of the thermal transfer printing method will be described.

[0104] The recording method according to the present embodiment has an ink adhesion step of attaching an inkjet ink composition to an intermediate transfer medium by an inkjet method, and a transfer step of heating the intermediate transfer medium to which the inkjet ink composition is attached and transferring the disperse dye contained in the inkjet ink composition to a recording medium.

[0105] [3-1] Ink Attachment Process In the ink attachment process, the inkjet ink composition is attached to the intermediate transfer medium by an inkjet method. The ejection of the inkjet ink composition by the inkjet method can be performed using a known inkjet recording apparatus. As the ejection method, a piezo method, a method of ejecting ink by bubbles generated by heating the ink, or the like can be used. Among them, from the viewpoint of the difficulty of alteration of the inkjet ink composition, the piezo method is preferable.

[0106] In the ink attachment process, an ink other than the inkjet ink composition of the present invention may be used in combination. For example, an inkjet ink set including an inkjet ink composition other than the inkjet ink composition of the present invention may be used.

[0107] [3-2] Intermediate Transfer Medium As the intermediate transfer medium, for example, paper such as plain paper, a recording medium provided with an ink receiving layer called dedicated inkjet paper, coated paper, or the like can be used. Among them, paper provided with an ink receiving layer made of inorganic fine particles such as silica is preferable. Thereby, in the process of drying the inkjet ink composition attached to the intermediate transfer medium, an intermediate transfer medium with suppressed bleeding or the like can be obtained, and in the subsequent transfer process, the sublimation of the disperse dye tends to proceed more smoothly.

[0108] [3-3] Transfer Process Thereafter, the intermediate transfer medium to which the inkjet ink composition is attached is heated to transfer the disperse dye as a constituent component of the inkjet ink composition to the recording medium. Thereby, a recorded matter is obtained.

[0109] The heating temperature in this step is preferably 160°C or higher and 230°C or lower, more preferably 170°C or higher and 230°C or lower, although it depends on the type of the disperse dye and the like.

[0110] As a result, the energy required for transfer can be reduced, and the productivity of the recording material can be further improved. In addition, the color development property of the obtained recording material can be further improved.

[0111] The heating time in this step preferably ranges from 30 seconds to 90 seconds, more preferably from 45 seconds to 80 seconds, although it depends on the heating temperature.

[0112] As a result, the energy required for transfer can be reduced, and the productivity of the recording material can be further improved. In addition, the color development property of the obtained recording material can be further improved.

[0113] In addition, this step may be carried out by heating the surface of the intermediate transfer medium to which the inkjet ink composition is attached while facing it at a certain distance from the recording medium, or by heating it in a state of being in close contact with the surface of the recording medium. However, it is preferably carried out by heating the surface of the intermediate transfer medium to which the inkjet ink composition is attached in a state of being in close contact with the surface of the recording medium.

[0114] As a result, the energy required for transfer can be reduced, and the productivity of the recording material can be further improved. In addition, the color development property of the obtained recording material can be further improved.

[0115] [3-4] Recording Medium The recording medium is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include fabrics such as hydrophobic fiber fabrics, resin films, paper, glass, metals, ceramics, etc. In addition, as the recording medium, an object having a three-dimensional shape such as a sheet shape, a spherical shape, or a rectangular parallelepiped shape may be used.

[0116] When the recording medium is a fabric, examples of the fibers constituting the fabric include polyester fibers, nylon fibers, triacetate fibers, diacetate fibers, polyamide fibers, cellulose fibers, and blended products using two or more of these fibers. Further, blended products of these with regenerated fibers such as rayon or natural fibers such as cotton, silk, and wool may also be used.

[0117] Also, as the fabric, for example, various woven fabrics such as plain weave, twill weave, satin weave, changeable plain weave, changeable twill weave, changeable satin weave, fancy weave, figured weave, single-ply weave, double weave, multi-layer weave, warp pile weave, weft pile weave, and interlaced weave can be used.

[0118] Also, the thickness of the fibers constituting the fabric can be, for example, 10d or more and 100d or less.

[0119] When the recording medium is a resin film, examples of the resin film include polyester film, polyurethane film, polycarbonate film, polyphenylene sulfide film, polyimide film, polyamideimide film, and the like.

[0120] Note that the resin film may be a laminate in which a plurality of layers are laminated, or may be composed of a gradient material in which the composition of the material changes gradually.

[0121] [4] Inkjet recording apparatus Next, the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention will be described.

[0122] The inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention includes an inkjet ink composition. Thereby, it is possible to provide an inkjet recording apparatus that can perform stable image formation and is suitably used for manufacturing highly reliable recorded matter.

[0123] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment shows one aspect of the present invention, and can be modified as desired within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. In addition, in the following drawings, the scale of each layer and each part is different from the actual scale so that each layer and each part is large enough to be recognized on the drawing.

[0124] In particular, when the inkjet recording device is one in which the container for containing the inkjet ink composition has a large capacity, as described below, or one in which a plurality of ink containers for containing the same type of inkjet ink composition are provided and the ink container to be used can be appropriately switched depending on the usage status of the inkjet ink composition, etc., the effects of the present invention as described above are more pronounced.

[0125] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of a main part of a droplet ejection device provided in the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0126] 1 and 2, an outline of an inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment and a droplet ejection device 10 provided in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 will be described. An inkjet ink composition supplying device 100 provided in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail later.

[0127] 1, an inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes an inkjet ink composition supplying apparatus 100 that supplies an inkjet ink composition to the droplet discharging apparatus 10, and the droplet discharging apparatus 10 including a discharging section that discharges the inkjet ink composition supplied from the inkjet ink composition supplying apparatus 100 onto a medium M. The droplet discharging apparatus 10 according to this embodiment is a large format printer that transports the medium M by a roll-to-roll method and prints images on the medium M of a large size such as A0 size or B1 size.

[0128] In the following description, the width direction of the droplet discharge device 10, in other words, the longitudinal direction, is defined as the X direction, the depth direction of the droplet discharge device 10, in other words, the short side direction, is defined as the Y direction, and the height direction of the droplet discharge device 10 is defined as the Z direction. Also, the tip side of the arrow indicating the direction is defined as the + direction, and the base end side of the arrow indicating the direction is defined as the - direction.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 2, the droplet discharge device 10 includes a housing 13 supported by a pedestal 12.

[0130] The droplet discharge device 10 includes a control device 11 disposed inside the housing 13. The control device 11 has a CPU, a memory, etc., and controls each part of the droplet discharge device 10. In addition, the control device 11 controls the supply of the inkjet ink composition from the inkjet ink composition supply device 100.

[0131] Furthermore, the droplet discharge device 10 includes a feeding unit 20 that feeds the medium M from outside the housing 13 into the housing 13, and a support unit 30 that supports the medium M fed by the feeding unit 20. Furthermore, the droplet discharge device 10 includes a conveying unit 50 that conveys the medium M along the support unit 30, a printing unit 40 that performs printing on the medium M supported by the support unit 30, and a winding unit 25 that winds up the medium M on which printing has been performed by the printing unit 40 and is discharged outside the housing 13.

[0132] In the droplet discharge device 10 according to the present embodiment, the feeding unit 20 and the winding unit 25 are provided outside the housing 13, and the support unit 30, the conveying unit 50, and the printing unit 40 are provided inside the housing 13.

[0133] The feeding unit 20 is provided on the back side of the droplet discharge device 10, that is, on the +Y direction side in FIG. 2, and has a holding unit 21 that holds a roll body R on which the medium M is wound in a cylindrical shape. The holding unit 21 is attached to the pedestal 12 and rotatably holds the roll body R. Then, the feeding unit 20 feeds the medium M from the roll body R into the housing 13 by rotating the roll body R in one direction, that is, counterclockwise in FIG. 2.

[0134] The support unit 30 supports the medium M from the lower side, that is, the -Z direction side in FIG. 2, and includes a first support unit 31, a second support unit 32, and a third support unit 33. The first support unit 31, the second support unit 32, and the third support unit 33 are arranged side by side from the back side to the front side opposite thereto, that is, the -Y direction side in FIG. 2, of the droplet ejection device 10. Among them, a part of each of the first support unit 31 and the third support unit 33 is provided so as to be exposed outside the housing 13. The first support unit 31 guides the medium M fed out from the feeding unit 20 to the second support unit 32, the second support unit 32 guides the medium M guided from the first support unit 31 to the third support unit 33, and the third support unit 33 guides the medium M guided from the second support unit 32 to the winding unit 25.

[0135] That is, the first support unit 31, the second support unit 32, and the third support unit 33 form a conveyance path along which the medium M is conveyed so as to extend from the back side to the front side of the droplet ejection device 10. Further, the first support unit 31 and the second support unit 32 are attached to a base member 35 provided inside the housing 13.

[0136] The printing unit 40 includes a guide shaft 41 extending in the X direction, a carriage 42 supported by the guide shaft 41, and a plurality of ejection heads 43 that eject an inkjet ink composition onto the medium M. The carriage 42 is provided so as to be reciprocally movable in the X direction along the guide shaft 41. The plurality of ejection heads 43 are arranged side by side in the X direction. Each of the plurality of ejection heads 43 can eject any one of six types of inkjet ink compositions, namely, light cyan ink which is a light color ink, light magenta ink which is a light color ink, cyan ink which is a dark color ink, magenta ink which is a dark color ink, yellow ink, and black ink. The ejection head 43 is held by the carriage 42 so as to face the medium M supported by the second support portion 32. The printing unit 40 can print a full-color image on the medium M by the carriage 42 moving along the guide shaft 41 and inkjet ink compositions of different colors being ejected from each of the plurality of ejection heads 43. Each of the plurality of ejection heads 43 includes a nozzle plate (not shown) on which a plurality of nozzles (not shown) for ejecting the inkjet ink composition are formed. Note that the ejection head 43 is an example of an ejection unit.

[0137] The winding unit 25 is provided on the front side of the droplet ejection device 10 and has a holding portion 26 that holds a roll body R around which the medium M is wound in a cylindrical shape. The holding portion 26 is attached to the pedestal 12 and rotatably holds the roll body R. Then, the winding unit 25 rotates the roll body R in one direction, that is, counterclockwise in FIG. 2, so that the medium M printed by the printing unit 40 is wound up.

[0138] The conveyance unit 50 includes a pair of conveyance rollers 51 provided between the first support portion 31 and the second support portion 32 in a conveyance path constituted by the support portion 30, and a pair of conveyance rollers 52 provided between the second support portion 32 and the third support portion 33.

[0139] In addition, in this embodiment, the droplet ejection device 10 having two pairs of conveyance rollers 51 and 52 has been exemplified. However, the droplet ejection device 10 may have a configuration with a single pair of conveyance rollers, or may have a configuration with three or more pairs of conveyance rollers.

[0140] The pairs of conveyance rollers 51 and 52 include a drive roller 56 that contacts the medium M from below and a driven roller 57 that contacts the medium M from above, that is, from the +Z direction side in FIG. 2.

[0141] In the pairs of conveyance rollers 51 and 52, the drive roller 56 rotates by driving a motor (not shown) that is the power source of the drive roller 56. The driven roller 57 rotates as the drive roller 56 rotates. The pairs of conveyance rollers 51 and 52 convey the medium M along the conveyance path while the drive roller 56 and the driven roller 57 sandwich the medium M.

[0142] FIGS. 3 to 7 are perspective views showing the outline of the inkjet ink composition supply device according to this embodiment. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the container 110 is not placed on the inkjet ink composition supply device 100, and in FIGS. 5 to 7, the container 110 is placed on the inkjet ink composition supply device 100. Further, in FIGS. 3 and 7, the cover 150 is arranged to protect the connector 140, and in FIGS. 4 to 6, the cover 150 is arranged to expose the connector 140.

[0143] In the following description, the state where the cover 150 is arranged to protect the connector 140 is referred to as the cover 150 being in the closed state, and the state where the cover 150 is arranged to expose the connector 140 is referred to as the cover 150 being in the open state.

[0144] Next, referring to FIGS. 1 and 3 to 7, the outline of the inkjet ink composition supply device 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 1, in the inkjet recording apparatus 1, the droplet discharge device 10 is connected to the inkjet ink composition supply device 100 via a plurality of tubes 105. The plurality of tubes 105 are piped inside a thick protective tube 106 and are protected by the thick protective tube 106. In the illustrated configuration, there are 12 tubes 105, but the number of tubes 105 is not limited to this.

[0146] The tube 105 and the protective tube 106 are flexible and bendable. For this reason, the droplet discharge device 10 and the inkjet ink composition supply device 100 can move within the range where the tube 105 and the protective tube 106 can bend.

[0147] In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the longitudinal direction of the inkjet ink composition supply device 100 is arranged along the X direction, the short side direction of the inkjet ink composition supply device 100 is arranged along the Y direction, and the height direction of the inkjet ink composition supply device 100 is arranged along the Z direction.

[0148] In the inkjet ink composition supply device 100 according to the present embodiment, a first container 111 and a second container 112 are placed. Each of the plurality of first containers 111 and each of the plurality of second containers 112 contain an inkjet ink composition corresponding to any one of six types. That is, the inkjet ink composition supply device 100 according to the present embodiment can place at least one first container 111 and at least one second container 112.

[0149] At least one first container 111 includes a container 111LM that contains light magenta ink, a container 111LC that contains light cyan ink, a container 111Y that contains yellow ink, a container 111M that contains magenta ink, a container 111C that contains cyan ink, and a container 111K that contains black ink.

[0150] In a state where the first container 111 is placed on the inkjet ink composition supply device 100, the container 111LM for storing light magenta ink, the container 111LC for storing light cyan ink, the container 111Y for storing yellow ink, the container 111M for storing magenta ink, the container 111C for storing cyan ink, and the container 111K for storing black ink are arranged in order in the X direction.

[0151] At least one second container 112 includes a container 112LM for storing light magenta ink, a container 112LC for storing light cyan ink, a container 112Y for storing yellow ink, a container 112M for storing magenta ink, a container 112C for storing cyan ink, and a container 112K for storing black ink.

[0152] In a state where the second container 112 is placed on the inkjet ink composition supply device 100, the container 112LM for storing light magenta ink, the container 112LC for storing light cyan ink, the container 112Y for storing yellow ink, the container 112M for storing magenta ink, the container 112C for storing cyan ink, and the container 112K for storing black ink are arranged in order in the X direction.

[0153] The capacities of each container, that is, the containers 111LM, 111LC, 111Y, 111M, 111C, 111K, and the containers 112LM, 112LC, 112Y, 112M, 112C, 112K are not particularly limited, but it is preferable that each is 1 L or more, more preferably 1 L or more and 20 L or less, and even more preferably 3 L or more and 20 L or less.

[0154] Thus, by providing large-capacity containers, the effects according to the present invention described above are more significantly exhibited.

[0155] In the inkjet recording apparatus 1, the inkjet ink compositions respectively stored in the six containers 111LM, 111LC, 111Y, 111M, 111C, 111K, or the inkjet ink compositions respectively stored in the six containers 112LM, 112LC, 112Y, 112M, 112C, 112K are supplied to the ejection head 43 of the droplet ejection device 10 via the tube 105.

[0156] In the following description, the containers 111LM, 111LC, 111Y, 111M, 111C, 111K, and the containers 112LM, 112LC, 112Y, 112M, 112C, 112K may be referred to as the container 110.

[0157] In the inkjet ink composition supply device 100, the portion where the first container 111 is placed and the portion where the second container 112 is placed are symmetric with respect to the XZ plane and have the same structure as each other. For this reason, in the following description, the portion where the first container 111 of the inkjet ink composition supply device 100 is placed will be described, and the description of the portion where the second container 112 of the inkjet ink composition supply device 100 is placed will be omitted.

[0158] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the inkjet ink composition supply device 100 includes a support portion 120, a mounting table 130 on which the container 110 filled with the inkjet ink composition can be mounted, a tube 105 capable of supplying the inkjet ink composition from the container 110 to the droplet ejection device 10, a connector 140 connected to the tube 105 and detachable from the container 110, and a cover 150 that protects the connector 140. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the inkjet ink composition supply device 100 includes a detection portion 151 that detects the position of the cover 150.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 5, the container 110 includes an outer case 115 made of cardboard, an inkjet ink composition storage container (not shown) disposed inside the outer case 115, and a connection port 117 connected to the inkjet ink composition storage container and protruding outside the outer case 115. The inkjet ink composition storage container is made of, for example, a polyethylene resin so as not to be eroded by the inkjet ink composition.

[0160] Furthermore, the container 110 is provided with a semiconductor substrate (not shown) on which information on the inkjet ink composition stored in the inkjet ink composition storage container is stored.

[0161] Returning to FIGS. 3 to 7, the mounting table 130 is supported by a support portion 120 disposed in the lower direction in the height direction, that is, in the -Z direction. In the inkjet ink composition supply device 100, when the container 110 is placed on the mounting table 130, the position of the mounting table 130 and the position of the connector 140 are adjusted so that the connection port 117 of the container 110 and the connector 140 can be connected.

[0162] A wall portion 131 extending in the upper direction in the height direction, that is, in the +Z direction, is provided around the mounting table 130. The wall portion 131 abuts on the container 110 placed on the mounting table 130 to restrict the movement of the container 110. That is, the wall portion 131 provided on the mounting table 130 is an example of a second restricting portion.

[0163] By providing the wall portion 131, the container 110 is less likely to move on the mounting table 130 and is stably placed on the mounting table 130.

[0164] A label 132 capable of identifying the type of the inkjet ink composition stored in the container 110 placed on the mounting table 130 is attached to the wall portion 131. Similarly, a label 152 capable of identifying the type of the inkjet ink composition stored in the container 110 placed on the mounting table 130 is also attached to the cover 150.

[0165] Specifically, light magenta labels 132 and 152 are attached to the site where the container 110 containing light magenta ink is placed, light cyan labels 132 and 152 are attached to the site where the container 110 containing light cyan ink is placed, yellow labels 132 and 152 are attached to the site where the container 110 containing yellow ink is placed, magenta labels 132 and 152 are attached to the site where the container 110 containing magenta ink is placed, cyan labels 132 and 152 are attached to the site where the container 110 containing cyan ink is placed, and black labels 132 and 152 are attached to the site where the container 110 containing black ink is placed. The user can identify the type of the container 110 placed on the mounting table 130 by the color of the labels 132 and 152.

[0166] Around the cover 150 in the support portion 120, a wall portion 121 extending upward in the height direction, that is, in the +Z direction, is provided. The cover 150 is disposed inside the wall portion 121 and is supported by the wall portion 121 so as to be rotatable in the Z direction. In a state where the connector 140 is connected to the connection port 117 of the container 110, the cover 150 is disposed at a position covering the gripping portion 141 of the connector 140 shown in FIG. 7 or at a position exposing the gripping portion 141 of the connector 140 shown in FIG. 6.

[0167] Note that the position of the cover 150 shown in FIG. 7 where the cover 150 covers the gripping portion 141 of the connector 140, that is, the position of the cover 150 when the cover 150 is in the closed state, corresponds to the first position covering the gripping portion, and hereinafter will be referred to as the first position. The position of the cover 150 shown in FIG. 6 where the cover 150 exposes the gripping portion 141 of the connector 140, that is, the position of the cover 150 when the cover 150 is in the open state, corresponds to the second position not covering the gripping portion, and hereinafter will be referred to as the second position.

[0168] In this way, the cover 150 is movable between a first position that covers the gripping portion 141 of the connector 140 and a second position that does not cover the gripping portion 141 of the connector 140 when the connector 140 is attached to the container 110 placed on the mounting table 130. Further, the cover 150 can move between the first position and the second position by rotating the cover 150 about an axis along the X direction with respect to the mounting table 130 as a rotation axis.

[0169] The connector 140 is a liquid coupler connected to the connection port 117 of the container 110. One side of the connector 140 is connected to the connection port 117 of the container 110, and the other side of the connector 140 is connected to the tube 105. As a result, when the connector 140 is connected to the connection port 117 of the container 110, the inkjet ink composition in the container 110 is supplied to the droplet discharge device 10 via the connector 140 and the tube 105.

[0170] The connector 140 has a gripping portion 141 that is an exterior case. The user grips the gripping portion 141 and rotates the connector 140 in the Z direction. The connector 140 is provided with a lever 142 that locks or releases the connection state between the connector 140 and the connection port 117 of the container 110.

[0171] Furthermore, the connector 140 has a connection member (not shown) that can be electrically connected to a semiconductor substrate provided in the container 110. When the connector 140 is connected to the connection port 117 of the container 110, the semiconductor substrate provided in the container 110 is electrically connected to the control device 11 via the connection member. As a result, the control device 11 can acquire information on the inkjet ink composition stored in the container 110.

[0172] Note that the shape of the cover 150 can be arbitrary as long as it is possible to protect the portion where the connection port 117 of the container 110 and the connector 140 are connected. For example, the shape of the cover 150 may be a hemispherical shape or a semi-cylindrical shape.

[0173] Further, the cover 150 may be provided to protect only the lever 142. That is, the cover 150 may have a structure that satisfies at least one of protecting the connection portion between the connection port 117 of the housing 110 and the connector 140 and protecting the lever 142.

[0174] In a state where the connector 140 is connected to the connection port 117 of the housing 110, the wall portion 121 of the support portion 120 is disposed so as to sandwich the grip portion 141, that is, the connection portion between the connection port 117 of the housing 110 and the connector 140. That is, in a state where the connector 140 is connected to the connection port 117 of the housing 110, the support portion 120 has a pair of wall portions 121 disposed so as to sandwich the grip portion 141.

[0175] As shown in FIG. 4, a convex portion 122 protruding inside the pair of wall portions 121 is provided on each of the pair of wall portions 121. The convex portion 122 can come into contact with the cover 150. When the user rotates the cover 150 and places the cover 150 in the first position covering the grip portion 141, the movement of the cover 150 is restricted so that the cover 150 does not contact the connector 140. That is, the wall portion 121 is provided with a convex portion 122 that can come into contact with the cover 150 and can restrict the cover 150 from contacting the connector 140 connected to the housing 110 in the first position covering the grip portion 141 of the connector 140. Note that the convex portion 122 is an example of a restricting portion.

[0176] The detection unit 151 is a so-called torque switch, which is attached to the wall portion 121 of the support portion 120 and detects the position of the cover 150. In the detection unit 151, when the cover 150 is in the closed state, the actuator of the torque switch is pressed, and when the cover 150 is in the open state, the pressing of the actuator of the torque switch is released. Then, the control device 11 detects the opening and closing of the cover 150 based on the signal supplied from the detection unit 151.

[0177] In the inkjet ink composition supply device 100 according to this embodiment, when the amount of the inkjet ink composition stored in the container 110 decreases, the user removes the connector 140 from the container 110 with less inkjet ink composition and removes the container 110 with less inkjet ink composition from the mounting table 130. Subsequently, the user places a new container 110 on the mounting table 130 and attaches the connector 140 to the new container 110.

[0178] Next, the operation of the user replacing the container 110 with less inkjet ink composition with a new container 110 will be described.

[0179] When the amount of the inkjet ink composition stored in the container 110 decreases, as shown in FIG. 6, the user rotates the cover 150 and arranges the cover 150 at the second position that does not cover the gripping portion 141. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5, the user moves the lever 142 to a position where the connection between the connector 140 and the connection port 117 of the container 110 can be released, and removes the connector 140 from the connection port 117 of the container 110. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4, the user removes the container 110 with less inkjet ink composition from the mounting table 130.

[0180] In this embodiment, the cover 150 is configured to be able to support the connector 140 removed from the container 110 placed on the mounting table 130 at the second position. That is, when the cover 150 is arranged at the second position that does not cover the gripping portion 141 and the connector 140 is removed from the connection port 117 of the container 110, the cover 150 supports the connector 140 so that the connector 140 removed from the container 110 does not fall in the -Z direction.

[0181] If the cover 150 is not provided and the connector 140 removed from the container 110 drops in the -Z direction, an excessive force may be applied to the connection portion between the connector 140 and the tube 105, and the connection between the connector 140 and the tube 105 may be disconnected. Further, if the connection between the connector 140 and the tube 105 is disconnected, air may be supplied to the discharge head 43 of the droplet discharge device 10. When air is supplied to the discharge head 43 of the droplet discharge device 10, when ejecting the inkjet ink composition from the discharge head 43, air is ejected from the nozzles from which the inkjet ink composition should be ejected among the plurality of nozzles, which leads to defects in the dots of the inkjet ink composition, that is, ink dots. Due to the defects in the ink dots, there is a possibility that the image quality may deteriorate.

[0182] In the present embodiment, the connector 140 removed from the container 110 is supported by the cover 150 and does not drop in the -Z direction, and it is difficult for an excessive force to be applied to the connection portion between the connector 140 and the tube 105. Therefore, for example, the connection between the connector 140 and the tube 105 is disconnected, air is supplied to the discharge head 43 of the droplet discharge device 10, and the occurrence of problems such as deterioration of the image quality is suppressed.

[0183] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the user places a new container 110 on the mounting table 130. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6, the user connects the connector 140 to the connection port 117 of the container 110. Subsequently, the user moves the lever 142 to a position where the connection state between the connector 140 and the connection port 117 of the container 110 is locked.

[0184] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7, the user rotates the cover 150 and arranges the cover 150 at the first position covering the grip portion 141. Then, at least one of the connector 140 and the portion where the connector 140 is connected to the connection port 117 of the container 110 is protected by the cover 150.

[0185] When the user rotates the cover 150, the convex portion 122 provided on the wall portion 121 restricts the movement of the cover 150 so that the cover 150 does not contact the gripping portion 141 of the connector 140. As a result, even if the user rotates the cover 150 and arranges the cover 150 at the first position covering the gripping portion 141, no excessive force acts on the portion where the connector 140 is connected to the connection port 117 of the housing 110. Further, since the portion where the connector 140 is connected to the connection port 117 of the housing 110 is locked by the lever 142 and protected by the cover 150, a problem that the connection between the connector 140 and the connection port 117 of the housing 110 is released is less likely to occur, and the inkjet ink composition accommodated in the housing 110 is stably supplied to the inkjet device 10.

[0186] In the inkjet ink composition supply device 100 according to the present embodiment, in addition to the first container 111 that stores six types of inkjet ink compositions, a second container 112 that stores six types of inkjet ink compositions is placed, and the supply source of the inkjet ink composition to the inkjet device 10 can be switched between the first container 111 and the second container 112.

[0187] For example, light magenta ink is supplied from the container 111LM, which is an example of the first container 111, to the inkjet device 10. When the light magenta ink in the container 111LM runs low, the supply source of the light magenta ink can be switched so that light magenta ink is supplied from the container 112LM, which is an example of the second container 112.

[0188] For example, light magenta ink is supplied from the container 112LM, which is an example of the second container 112, to the inkjet device 10. When the light magenta ink in the container 112LM runs low, the supply source of the light magenta ink can be switched so that light magenta ink is supplied from the container 111LM, which is an example of the first container 111.

[0189] The light cyan ink, yellow ink, magenta ink, cyan ink, and black ink can also switch the supply source of the inkjet ink composition to the droplet ejection device 10 to the first container 111 or the second container 112, similar to the light magenta ink.

[0190] The supply source of the inkjet ink composition to the droplet ejection device 10 may be switched manually by the user or automatically. Next, the case where the supply source of the inkjet ink composition to the droplet ejection device 10 is automatically switched will be described.

[0191] In the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when the control device 11 detects from the signal of the detection unit 151 that the cover 150 of the first container 111 has moved to the second position where it does not cover the gripping portion 141, the control device 11 automatically stops the supply of the inkjet ink composition from the container 110 to the droplet ejection device 10. Subsequently, the control device 11 automatically switches the supply source of the inkjet ink composition to the droplet ejection device 10 from the first container 111 to the second container 112.

[0192] For example, when light magenta ink is supplied from the container 111LM, which is an example of the first container 111, to the droplet ejection device 10, and the light magenta ink in the container 111LM runs out, and the user moves the cover 150 corresponding to the connector 140 connected to the container 111LM to the second position in order to remove the connector 140 from the container 111LM, the control device 11 detects from the signal of the detection unit 151 that the cover 150 has moved to the second position where it does not cover the gripping portion 141, and automatically stops the supply of the light magenta ink from the container 111LM. Subsequently, the control device 11 automatically switches the supply source of the inkjet ink composition to the droplet ejection device 10 from the container 111LM, which is an example of the first container 111, to the container 112LM, which is an example of the second container 112.

[0193] The light cyan ink, yellow ink, magenta ink, cyan ink, and black ink, similar to the light magenta ink, when the user moves the cover 150 to the second position to remove the connector 140 from the container 110 which is an example of the first container 111, the control device 11 automatically stops the supply of the inkjet ink composition from the container 110 which is an example of the first container 111, and automatically switches the supply source of the inkjet ink composition to the droplet ejection device 10 from the container 110 which is an example of the first container 111 to the container 110 which is an example of the second container 112.

[0194] Similarly, when the user moves the cover 150 corresponding to the connector 140 connected to each of the containers 111LM, 111LC, 111Y, 111M, 111C, 111K to the second position to remove the connector 140 from the container 110 which is an example of the second container 112 in the light magenta ink, light cyan ink, yellow ink, magenta ink, cyan ink, and black ink, the control device 11 automatically stops the supply of the inkjet ink composition from the container 110 which is an example of the second container 112, and automatically switches the supply source of the inkjet ink composition to the droplet ejection device 10 from the container 110 which is an example of the second container 112 to the container 110 which is an example of the first container 111.

[0195] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0196] For example, the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention may have any configuration as long as it includes an inkjet ink composition, and is not limited to the foregoing.

Example

[0197] Next, specific examples of the present invention will be described. [5] Preparation of light-colored ink as an inkjet ink composition (Example LM1) First, 15 parts by mass of C.I. Disperse Red 60, which is a disperse dye, 15 parts by mass of a formalin condensate of naphthalenesulfonic acid, which is a dispersant, and 70 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water were blended, and then mixed and stirred to form a slurry.

[0198] Next, this slurry was transferred to the mixing tank of a bead mill, 0.3 mm zirconia beads were added so as to reach 80% by volume of the pulverization chamber volume, and the specific surface area of the disperse dye was 3.0 m 2 / g to prepare a disperse dye dispersion.

[0199] Thereafter, to the above disperse dye dispersion, Silface SAG503A (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), which is a silicone surfactant having the chemical structure represented by the above formula, glycerin, propylene glycol, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethanolamine, Proxel XL-2(S) (manufactured by Lonza), and ion-exchanged water were added at a predetermined ratio, and mixed and stirred with a magnetic stirrer for 2 hours. Thereafter, by filtering through a membrane filter with a pore size of 1 μm, a light magenta ink, which is a light-colored ink, was prepared as an inkjet ink composition having the composition shown in Table 1.

[0200] (Examples LM2 to M6) An inkjet ink composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example LM1 except that the blending ratio of each component was changed to have the composition shown in Table 1.

[0201] (Comparative Examples LM1, M2) An inkjet ink composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example LM1 except that the blending ratio of each component was changed to have the composition shown in Table 1.

[0202] (Comparative Examples LM3, M4) As a silicone surfactant, BYK-348 (manufactured by BYK-Chemie) was used instead of Silface SAG503A (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), and the mixing ratio of the components was changed to obtain the composition shown in Table 1. An inkjet ink composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example LM1 except for this.

[0203] (Example LC1) First, 15 parts by mass of C.I. Disperse Blue 359, which is a disperse dye, 15 parts by mass of a formalin condensate of naphthalenesulfonic acid, which is a dispersant, and 70 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water were blended, and then mixed and stirred to form a slurry.

[0204] Next, this slurry was transferred to the mixing tank of a bead mill, 0.3 mm zirconia beads were added so that the volume of the pulverizing chamber became 80% by volume, and a disperse dye dispersion was prepared so that the specific surface area of the disperse dye became 3.0 m 2 / g.

[0205] Thereafter, to the above disperse dye dispersion, Silface SAG503A (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), which is a silicone surfactant having the chemical structure represented by the above formula, glycerin, propylene glycol, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethanolamine, Proxel XL-2(S) (manufactured by Lonza), and ion-exchanged water were added at a predetermined ratio, and mixed and stirred with a magnetic stirrer for 2 hours. Thereafter, a light cyan ink, which is a light-colored ink, was prepared as an inkjet ink composition having the composition shown in Table 2 by filtering through a membrane filter having a pore diameter of 1 μm.

[0206] (Examples LC2 to C6) An inkjet ink composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example LC1 except that the mixing ratio of each component was changed to obtain the composition shown in Table 2.

[0207] (Comparative Examples LC1, C2) An inkjet ink composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example LC1, except that the compounding ratios of the respective components were changed to obtain the composition shown in Table 2.

[0208] (Comparative Examples LC3, C4) As the silicone-based surfactant, BYK-348 (manufactured by BYK-Chemie) was used instead of Silface SAG503A (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), and an inkjet ink composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example LC1, except that the compounding ratios of the components were changed to obtain the composition shown in Table 2.

[0209] For Silface SAG503A (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) and BYK-348 (manufactured by BYK-Chemie), which were used as the silicone-based surfactant in each of the above Examples and Comparative Examples, the cloud point was measured as follows. That is, a mixed solution was obtained by mixing at a ratio of 99.0 parts by mass of a 10% by mass aqueous solution of propylene glycol and 1.0 part by mass of the silicone-based surfactant and mixing and stirring with a magnetic stirrer for 1 hour. 30 mL of this mixed solution was sealed in a 100 mL bottle and left in a constant temperature bath at 40 °C, 50 °C, and 60 °C for 24 hours each, and the temperature range in which the oil component precipitated and the composition became turbid was measured. As a result, for Silface SAG503A (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), no turbidity occurred even in the measurement at 60 °C, and it was confirmed that the cloud point was above 60 °C. On the other hand, for BYK-348 (manufactured by BYK-Chemie), turbidity occurred in the measurements at 60 °C and 50 °C, and it was confirmed that the cloud point was 50 °C or lower.

[0210] The compositions of the inkjet ink compositions of the above examples and comparative examples are summarized in Tables 1 and 2. In Tables 1 and 2, the numerical values for the content rates of the respective components are shown in units of mass%, C.I. Disperse Red 60 is denoted as "DR60", C.I. Disperse Blue 359 is denoted as "DB359", Silface SAG503A (manufactured by Nisshin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) is denoted as "SAG503A", BYK-348 (manufactured by BYK-Chemie GmbH) is denoted as "BYK-348", glycerin is denoted as "GL", propylene glycol is denoted as "PG", triethylene glycol monomethyl ether is denoted as "TGME", triethanolamine is denoted as "TEA", and Proxel XL-2(S) (manufactured by Lonza) is denoted as "XL-2". Also, the surface tension of each of the inkjet ink compositions of the above examples was a value within the range of 23 mN / m or more and 30 mN / m or less. The surface tension was measured by the Wilhelmy method at 25°C using a surface tension meter (CBVP-7, manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd.). Further, the viscosity at 25°C of each of the inkjet ink compositions of the above examples was a value within the range of 4 mPa·s or more and 6 mPa·s or less. The viscosity of the inkjet ink composition was determined by measurement in accordance with JIS Z8809 using a vibrating viscometer (VM-100, manufactured by Sensicock Co., Ltd.).

[0211]

Table 1

[0212]

Table 2

[0213] [6] Preparation of dark-colored ink (Preparation Example DM1) First, 15 parts by mass of C.I. Disperse Red 60, which is a disperse dye, 15 parts by mass of a formalin condensate of naphthalenesulfonic acid, which is a dispersant, and 70 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water were blended, and then mixed and stirred to obtain a slurry.

[0214] Next, transfer this slurry to the mixing tank of a bead mill, add 0.3 mm zirconia beads so that it reaches 80% by volume of the grinding chamber volume, and prepare a dispersion dye dispersion liquid so that the specific surface area of the disperse dye is 3.0 m 2 / g.

[0215] Subsequently, to the above dispersion dye dispersion liquid, add Sylface SAG503A (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), glycerin, propylene glycol, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethanolamine, Proxel XL-2(S) (manufactured by Lonza), and ion-exchanged water, which are silicone-based surfactants, in predetermined ratios, and mix and stir with a magnetic stirrer for 2 hours. Then, by filtering through a membrane filter with a pore size of 1 μm, a magenta ink, which is a dark color ink with the composition shown in Table 3, was prepared.

[0216] (Preparation Examples DM2 to DM6) Except for changing the blending ratio of each component to have the composition shown in Table 3, a dark color ink was prepared in the same manner as Preparation Example DM1.

[0217] (Preparation Example DC1) First, mix 15 parts by mass of C.I. Disperse Blue 359, which is a disperse dye, 15 parts by mass of a formalin condensate of naphthalenesulfonic acid, which is a dispersant, and 70 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water, and then mix and stir to form a slurry.

[0218] Next, transfer this slurry to the mixing tank of a bead mill, add 0.3 mm zirconia beads so that it reaches 80% by volume of the grinding chamber volume, and prepare a dispersion dye dispersion liquid so that the specific surface area of the disperse dye is 3.0 m 2 / g.

[0219] Subsequently, to the above-mentioned disperse dye dispersion, Silface SAG503A (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), which is a silicone surfactant, glycerin, propylene glycol, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethanolamine, Proxel XL-2(S) (manufactured by Lonza), and ion-exchanged water were added at a predetermined ratio, and they were mixed and stirred with a magnetic stirrer for 2 hours. Thereafter, a cyan ink, which is a dark color ink having the composition shown in Table 3, was prepared by filtering through a membrane filter with a pore size of 1 μm.

[0220] (Preparation Examples DC2 to DC5) Except that the blending ratio of each component was changed to have the composition shown in Table 3, a dark color ink was prepared in the same manner as Preparation Example DC1.

[0221] The compositions of the dark color inks of the above-mentioned preparation examples are summarized in Table 3. In Table 3, the numerical values for the content rates of the respective components are shown in units of mass%, C.I. Disperse Red 60 is denoted as "DR60", C.I. Disperse Blue 359 is denoted as "DB359", Silface SAG503A (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) is denoted as "SAG503A", BYK-348 (manufactured by BYK-Chemie) is denoted as "BYK-348", glycerin is denoted as "GL", propylene glycol is denoted as "PG", triethylene glycol monomethyl ether is denoted as "TGME", triethanolamine is denoted as "TEA", and Proxel XL-2(S) (manufactured by Lonza) is denoted as "XL-2". Also, for the inkjet ink compositions of the respective examples, the surface tension was in the range of 23 mN / m or more and 30 mN / m or less. The surface tension was measured at 25°C by the Wilhelmy method using a surface tension meter (manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd., CBVP-7). Further, the viscosity at 25°C of the inkjet ink compositions of the respective examples was in the range of 4 mPa·s or more and 6 mPa·s or less. The viscosity of the inkjet ink composition was determined by measurement in accordance with JIS Z8809 using a vibrating viscometer (manufactured by Sensicock Co., Ltd., VM-100).

[0222]

Table 3

[0223] [7] Evaluation Using the light-colored inks as the inkjet ink compositions of the above-described respective examples and comparative examples, the following evaluations were conducted.

[0224] [7-1] Sedimentation evaluation First, for the light-colored inks as the inkjet ink compositions of the above-described respective examples and comparative examples, immediately after production, the absorbance W0 at the wavelength with the maximum value was determined.

[0225] Thereafter, 100 mL of each light-colored ink was placed in a predetermined glass bottle, left standing in a constant-temperature chamber at 60 °C for 5 days, and then left standing in a room at 25 °C for 3 weeks. Thereafter, 5 mL of the supernatant was collected, and the absorbance WA at the wavelength with the maximum value was determined.

[0226] For each light-colored ink, from the values of the absorbance W0 and absorbance WA obtained as described above, the residual ratio S was calculated by the following calculation formula, and the sedimentation property was evaluated according to the following criteria. The higher the residual ratio S, the better it can be said. B or more was set as a good level.

[0227] Residual ratio S (%) = ((Absorbance WA) / (Absorbance W0)) × 100

[0228] A: The residual ratio S is 90% or more. B: The residual ratio S is 80% or more and less than 90%. C: The residual ratio S is less than 80%.

[0229] [7-2] Storage stability evaluation First, 10 mL of the light-colored ink as the inkjet ink composition of each of the above Examples and Comparative Examples was placed in a predetermined glass bottle, and left for 7 cycles, a total of 168 hours, in an environment of 30°C to 60°C with a gas-liquid interface present. Then, each light-colored ink was filtered through a metal mesh filter with a pore size of 10 μm, the number of solids remaining on the metal mesh filter per 1 mm square was counted, and the storage stability was evaluated according to the following criteria. It can be said that the less solids remain on the metal mesh filter, the better the storage stability. B or above was regarded as a good level.

[0230] A: The number of solids per 1 mm square was less than 5. B: The number of solids per 1 mm square was 5 or more and less than 30. C: The number of solids per 1 mm square was 30 or more.

[0231] [7-3] Granularity evaluation Using the light-colored ink as the inkjet ink composition of Examples LM1 to LM6 and Comparative Examples LM1 to LM4, a recording was made as follows, and the granularity of the obtained recording was evaluated.

[0232] First, the light-colored ink was stored in the container of the inkjet recording apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0233] Next, recording was performed at a resolution of 720×720 dpi from the ejection head of the inkjet recording apparatus onto TRANSJET Classic (Cham Paper), an intermediate transfer medium, and a pattern of gradation from white to magenta DUTY100% output was printed. Note that the maximum ink amount that can be driven is defined as Duty100%.

[0234] Thereafter, the ink-attached side of the intermediate transfer medium was brought into close contact with a cloth (100% polyester, Amina, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.), a white recording medium, and in this state, using a heat press machine (TP-608M, manufactured by Taiyo Seiki Co., Ltd.), heating was performed at 200°C for 60 seconds to perform sublimation transfer and obtain a dyed product as a recording.

[0235] Further, using the light-colored inks as the inkjet ink compositions of the above Examples LC1 to LC6 and Comparative Examples LC1 to LC4, a dyed product as a recording material was obtained in the same manner as above, except that a gradation pattern from white to 100% cyan DUTY output was formed.

[0236] The printed surfaces of the obtained dyed products were visually observed, and the granularity was evaluated according to the following criteria. A level of B or higher was regarded as a good level.

[0237] A: No granular feeling can be recognized in visual observation at a distance of 30 cm from the printed surface. B: A granular feeling can be recognized in visual observation at a distance of 30 cm from the printed surface. C: A granular feeling can be recognized even in visual observation at a distance exceeding 30 cm from the printed surface.

[0238] [7-4] Evaluation of the connection between colors Regarding the light-colored inks as the inkjet ink compositions of the above Examples and Comparative Examples, an inkjet ink set which is a combination with a dark-colored ink was prepared, and a recording material was manufactured as follows, and the connection between colors of the obtained recording material was evaluated.

[0239] First, an inkjet ink set composed of two inkjet ink compositions which are various combinations of a light-colored ink containing C.I. Disperse Red 60 and a dark-colored ink containing C.I. Disperse Red 60, and an inkjet ink set composed of two inkjet ink compositions which are various combinations of a light-colored ink containing C.I. Disperse Blue 359 and a dark-colored ink containing C.I. Disperse Blue 359 were prepared.

[0240] Next, using an inkjet recording apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, with light-colored ink and dark-colored ink that make up an inkjet ink set, recording was performed on TRANSJET Classic (manufactured by Cham Paper), an intermediate transfer medium, at a resolution of 720×720 dpi. A solid pattern was output with the dark-colored ink at 10% - 50% DUTY, and a solid pattern was output with the light-colored ink at 10% - 50% DUTY.

[0241] Thereafter, the ink-attached side of the intermediate transfer medium was brought into close contact with a cloth (100% polyester, Amina, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.), which is a white recording medium. In this state, using a heat press machine (TP-608M, manufactured by Taiyo Seiki Co., Ltd.), heating was performed under the conditions of 200°C for 60 seconds to perform sublimation transfer, and a dyed product as a recorded object was obtained.

[0242] The printed surface of each of the obtained dyed products was measured using a spectrocolorimeter (product name: "FD-7", manufactured by Konica Minolta) under the conditions of a D65 light source and a 2-degree viewing angle, and the a * value and b * value were calculated, and the connection between colors was evaluated according to the following criteria. A was set as a good level.

[0243] A: The transition of (a * , b * ) of the light-colored ink overlaps with the transition of (a * , b * ) of the dark-colored ink. C: The transition of (a * , b * ) of the light-colored ink does not overlap with the transition of (a * , b * ) of the dark-colored ink.

[0244] The results of the above [7-1] to [7-3] are summarized and shown in Table 4, and the results of the above [7-4] are summarized and shown in Tables 5 and 6.

[0245]

Table 4

[0246]

Table 5

[0247]

Table 6

[0248] As is clear from Tables 4 to 6, excellent results were obtained in the present invention. On the other hand, in the comparative examples, satisfactory results were not obtained.

[0249] Further, regarding the various inks prepared as described above, for an inkjet ink set which is various combinations of four kinds of inks, namely, a light-colored ink containing C.I. Disperse Red 60, a dark-colored ink containing C.I. Disperse Red 60, a light-colored ink containing C.I. Disperse Blue 359, and a dark-colored ink containing C.I. Disperse Blue 359, when an image of a predetermined pattern was formed and a recorded matter was produced using an inkjet recording apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, in the inkjet ink set including the light-colored ink according to the present invention, a recorded matter having a suitable image excellent in color connection could be stably produced, whereas in the inkjet ink set according to the comparative example, satisfactory results were not obtained.

Explanation of Signs

[0250] 1... Inkjet recording apparatus, 10... Droplet ejection device, 11... Control device, 12... Pedestal, 13... Housing, 20... Feeding section, 21... Holding section, 25... Take-up section, 26... Holding section, 30... Support section, 31... First support section, 32... Second support section, 33... Third support section, 35... Base member, 40... Printing section, 41... Guide shaft, 42... Carriage, 43... Ejection head, 50... Conveying section, 51... Pair of conveying rollers, 52... Pair of conveying rollers, 56... Driving roller, 57... Driven roller, 100... Inkjet ink composition supply device, 105... Tube, 106... Protective tube, 110... Container, 111... First container, 112... Second container, 111LC, 112LC... Containers, 111LM, 112LM... Containers, 111K, 112K... Containers, 111C, 112C... Containers, 111M, 112M... Containers, 111Y, 112Y... Containers, 115... Exterior case, 117... Connection port, 120... Support section, 121... Wall section, 122... Projection, 130... Mounting table, 131... Wall section, 132, 152... Labels, 140... Connector, 141... Gripping section, 142... Lever, 150... Cover, 151... Detection section, M... Media, R... Roll body

Claims

Claim 1: An inkjet recording apparatus comprising a plurality of ink containers and an inkjet ink composition contained in the ink containers, wherein the plurality of ink containers include those containing the same type of inkjet ink composition, the plurality of inkjet ink compositions include at least one light-colored ink containing a disperse dye, a silicone surfactant, and water, and a dark-colored ink containing the same disperse dye as that contained in the light-colored ink at a higher content rate than the light-colored ink, as the plurality of ink containers, a first container for containing the light-colored ink and a second container for containing the dark-colored ink are provided, the content rate of the disperse dye in the light-colored ink is 1.0% by mass or more and 3.0% by mass or less, the silicone surfactant is such that when mixed with 99.0 parts by mass of a 10% by mass aqueous solution of propylene glycol and 1.0 part by mass of the silicone surfactant to form a mixture, the cloud point of the mixture is 60°C or higher. An inkjet recording apparatus. Claim 2 The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light-colored ink further contains a dispersant. Claim 3 The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the dispersant is at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium salts of naphthalene sulfonic acid formalin condensates and sodium salts of lignin sulfonic acid. Claim 4 The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the disperse dye is at least one selected from the group consisting of C.I. Disperse Red 60 and C.I. Disperse Blue 359. Claim 5 The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the content rate of the disperse dye in the light-colored ink is 2.0% by mass or less. Claim 6 The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the content rate of the silicone surfactant in the light-colored ink is 0.1% by mass or more and 3.0% by mass or less. Claim 7 The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of types of the inkjet ink compositions are respectively contained in the plurality of ink containers. Claim 8 The inkjet recording apparatus is provided with an ink containing cyan ink as the dark-colored ink. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the content of the disperse dye in the cyan ink is 3.5% by mass or more and 6.0% by mass or less.

9. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the content of the disperse dye contained in the cyan ink is XDC [% by mass] and the content of the disperse dye contained in the light color ink containing the same disperse dye as the cyan ink is XLC [% by mass], the relationship of 0.18 ≦ XLC / XDC ≦ 0.70 is satisfied.

10. The inkjet recording apparatus includes an ink containing magenta ink as the dark color ink, The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the content of the disperse dye in the magenta ink is 5.0% by mass or more and 8.0% by mass or less.

11. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the content of the disperse dye contained in the magenta ink is XDM [% by mass] and the content of the disperse dye contained in the light color ink containing the same disperse dye as the magenta ink is XLM [% by mass], the relationship of 0.18 ≦ XLM / XDM ≦ 0.70 is satisfied.

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