Reaction-Liquid Ink Jet Recording for Clear, Moisture-Resistant Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording methods struggle to achieve high image clarity and moisture absorption resistance on non-absorbent recording media while inhibiting blurring, particularly when using aqueous inks and reaction liquids, as existing technologies either fail to fix the ink components effectively or lead to moisture absorption issues.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet recording method using an aqueous ink and reaction liquid with specific ratios of resin particles and pigments, along with a water-soluble organic solvent, to control the aggregation rate and vapor pressure, ensuring the ink components are fixed rapidly and minimizing residual liquid, thereby enhancing image clarity and moisture resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If water in the ink evaporates on the surface of a non-absorbent recording medium, then the recording can be performed without providing a reaction liquid unit, but the productivity is reduced because the printing speed must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A reaction liquid is introduced as an intermediary substance that enables rapid aggregation of ink components on non-absorbent recording media. The reaction liquid contains a reactant that reacts with the ink to form aggregates, allowing high-speed printing while maintaining image quality without requiring evaporation-based drying processes
2Reliability
If the aggregation property of ink with respect to reaction liquid is increased, then image fixability is improved, but image clarity deteriorates due to blurring
Solution Approach 1:
The aggregation property of the ink is precisely controlled by adjusting parameters such as the type of reactant in the reaction liquid, the concentration of ink components, and the timing of application. This allows optimization of the balance between image fixability and clarity by changing physical and chemical parameters to achieve rapid but controlled aggregation
3Object-affected harmful factors
If aqueous ink is used on non-absorbent recording medium, then environmental impact and safety are improved, but blurring occurs because ink components are not fixed rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction liquid serves as a mediator that enables aqueous ink to be used on non-absorbent media without blurring. The reactant in the reaction liquid rapidly aggregates the aqueous ink components upon contact, fixing them in place before they can blur, thus maintaining image clarity while using environmentally friendly aqueous ink
4Manufacturing precision
If the amount of reaction liquid applied is reduced, then image quality is improved, but the aggregation of ink components is insufficient leading to poor fixability
Solution Approach 1:
The effectiveness of the reaction liquid is enhanced by changing parameters such as using reactants with higher reactivity, adjusting the concentration of reactant in the reaction liquid, or modifying the application timing. This allows achieving sufficient aggregation and fixability even with reduced amounts of reaction liquid applied
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 achieves images with high clarity and resistance to moisture absorption by controlling the aggregation rate of ink components, preventing blurring and droplet formation over time, even on non-absorbent media.
Implementation Method 1
a pigment dispersed by the action of a carboxylic acid group
Implementation Method 2
a reactant that reacts with the aqueous ink
Implementation Method 3
a water-soluble organic solvent containing a first water-soluble organic solvent having a vapor pressure of 1.0×10^2 kPa or more
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 pigment dispersed by the action of a carboxylic acid group, a resin particle and a water-soluble organic solvent. The rate of increase in the particle size of the pigment dispersed by the action of the carboxylic acid group when the pigment comes into contact with the aqueous reaction liquid is 8.0 times or more. The amount of water absorbed by the recording medium from the start of contact to 30 msec1/2 in a Bristow method is 10 mL/m2 or less.