Ink Jet Recording Method Using Cationic Resin Reaction Liquid
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording methods on non-absorbent recording media face challenges in achieving high image clarity and color development due to ink blurring and precipitation issues, particularly when using aqueous inks and reaction liquids containing organic acids or polyvalent metal salts, which result in insufficient image quality.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet recording method using an aqueous ink and reaction liquid with a specific mass ratio of water-soluble cationic resin to polyvalent metal salt, where the cationic resin has a quaternary ammonium salt structure, applied to inhibit ink precipitation and enhance image clarity and color development on non-absorbent media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a reaction liquid containing organic acids or polyvalent metal salts is used to aggregate ink components, then image clarity is improved, but ink precipitation and crystal growth occur on the recording medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cationic resin as an intermediary substance in the reaction liquid. This cationic resin mediates between the polyvalent metal salts and the ink components, controlling the aggregation process to prevent direct precipitation while maintaining image clarity. The cationic resin acts as a bridge that regulates the interaction between reactants and ink, preventing harmful crystallization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the reaction liquid by specifying a mass ratio of cationic resin to polyvalent metal salt between 0.05:1 and 0.5:1. This parameter optimization controls the reaction kinetics and aggregation behavior, preventing ink precipitation while maintaining the desired image clarity and color development.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If aqueous ink is used on non-absorbent recording media, then environmental impact and safety are improved, but ink blurring occurs due to lack of absorbency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through controlled evaporation. The reaction liquid promotes rapid water evaporation from the aqueous ink on the non-absorbent medium, creating a transient concentration gradient that prevents ink blurring while maintaining environmental benefits of aqueous ink.
Solution Approach 2:
The cationic resin in the reaction liquid serves as an intermediary that facilitates controlled ink component aggregation on non-absorbent surfaces, enabling proper image formation without relying on medium absorbency.
3Manufacturing precision
If recording speed is reduced to allow water evaporation, then image quality is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction liquid is applied to the recording medium before the aqueous ink. This preliminary action creates a reactive layer that immediately begins aggregating ink components upon contact, eliminating the need to wait for slow water evaporation processes and enabling high-speed recording with good image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent accelerates water evaporation through the reaction liquid's composition and the aggregation process, transitioning from slow natural evaporation to rapid controlled evaporation, thereby maintaining image quality at high recording speeds.
4Quantity of substance
If a combination of cationic resin and polyvalent metal salt is used in the reaction liquid, then color development is improved, but image clarity remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the mass ratio parameter of cationic resin to polyvalent metal salt in the reaction liquid, setting it between 0.05:1 and 0.5:1. This precise parameter adjustment balances color development and image clarity, preventing the insufficiency observed in conventional combinations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method effectively records images with excellent color development and image clarity by preventing ink precipitation and crystal growth on the recording medium, improving the overall quality of images on non-absorbent surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The aqueous ink contains a coloring material that is dispersed by action of an anionic group. The aqueous reaction liquid contains a water-soluble cationic resin having the structure of a quaternary ammonium salt, and a polyvalent metal salt.
Implementation Method 2
a method in which a reaction liquid is used to aggregate the components of the ink
Implementation Method 3
The aqueous reaction liquid contains a water-soluble cationic resin having the structure of a quaternary ammonium salt
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an ink jet recording method for recording an image on a recording medium with an aqueous ink and an aqueous reaction liquid containing a reactant that reacts with the aqueous ink. The aqueous ink contains a coloring material that is dispersed by the action of an anionic group. The aqueous reaction liquid contains a water-soluble cationic resin having a structure of a quaternary ammonium salt, and a polyvalent metal salt. The mass ratio of the amount of cationic resin (% by mass) contained to the amount of polyvalent metal salt (% by mass) contained in the aqueous reaction liquid is 0.08 times or more to 0.80 times or less. The amount of water absorbed by the recording medium from the start of contact to 30 msec1/2 in the Bristow method is 10 mL/m2 or less.