Ink Jet Recording Method for Metallic Image Glossiness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink jet recording methods fail to achieve excellent image glossiness and color developability, particularly when using silver particles and dyes, due to issues with silver layer formation and dye permeation.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet recording method involving a first aqueous ink with silver particles and a second aqueous ink containing an easy-to-aggregate dye, where the time difference between their applications is set to 1 sec to 7,200 sec, and the intermolecular distance d-value of the dye is 5.9 nm or more, ensuring proper silver layer formation and dye aggregation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an ink containing a pigment is applied to a region provided with an ink containing silver particles, then a color metallic image can be recorded, but neither glossiness nor color developability of the image is realized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the type of coloring material from pigment to dye, and specifically selects dyes with intermolecular distance d-values of 5.9 nm or more. This parameter change in the molecular structure and spacing of the coloring material enables both glossiness and color developability to be achieved simultaneously when overlaid on silver particle ink.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different types of coloring materials (dyes with specific intermolecular distances) to different regions or layers of the recording medium. By controlling the local properties of the coloring material in relation to the silver particles, the invention achieves both glossiness and color developability in the final image.
2Ease of manufacture
If a treatment agent is applied to a recording medium and an ink containing a dye and an ink containing silver particles are applied in this order, then overlay is achieved, but color developability is not realized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies that the intermolecular distance d-value of the dye is a critical parameter for achieving color developability. By selecting dyes with d-values of 5.9 nm or more, the invention resolves the issue of poor color developability while maintaining the overlay recording capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If an ink containing silver particles and an ink containing a dye are applied in this order, then overlay is achieved, but color developability is not realized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent determines that the key to achieving color developability lies in the intermolecular distance parameter of the dye molecule. By changing the dye selection criterion to require d-values of 5.9 nm or more, the invention successfully achieves both overlay recording and color developability.
4Productivity
If the time difference between applications of the first ink and the second ink is reduced to increase productivity, then recording speed improves, but proper silver layer formation and dye aggregation are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the first ink containing silver particles first, allowing it to form a proper silver layer on the recording medium before applying the second ink containing the dye. This preliminary action ensures that the silver particles are properly arranged and aggregated before the dye is applied, enabling both high productivity and high image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the time difference between ink applications as a dynamic parameter. By controlling this time interval, the invention balances the competing requirements of productivity (faster recording) and image quality (proper silver layer formation and dye aggregation).
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
This approach enhances both the color developability and glossiness of the image by preventing dye permeation into the recording medium and ensuring effective dye aggregation on the silver layer, resulting in a bright and metallic appearance.
Implementation Method 1
an easy-to-aggregate dye, where the time difference between their applications is set to 1 sec to 7,200 sec, and the intermolecular distance d-value of the dye measured by a small-angle X-ray scattering method is 5.9 nm or more, ensuring proper silver layer formation and dye aggregation
Implementation Method 2
the intermolecular distance d-value of the dye measured by a small-angle X-ray scattering method is 5.9 nm or more
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet recording method including the steps of a first recording step for applying a first ink to a recording medium and a second recording step for applying a second ink to the recording medium so as to overlap at least a region provided with the first ink, wherein the first ink is an aqueous ink containing silver particles, the second ink is an aqueous ink containing a dye, a time difference between applications of the first ink and the second ink to the recording medium is 1 sec or more to 7,200 sec or less, and the dye is a predetermined dye.