阅读说明：本技术 接触构件，印刷装置和印刷方法 (Contact member, printing apparatus and printing method ) 是由 水谷佑树 玉井智广 于 2019-03-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种接触构件(4)包括含氟树脂纤维层的表面,所述氟树脂纤维层包含氟树脂纤维,其中,所述表面接触具有施加液体组合物的区域的接触对象构件(6),并且所述氟树脂纤维层的厚度为500pm以上。(A contact member (4) includes a surface of a fluorine resin fiber layer including fluorine resin fibers, wherein the surface contacts a contact object member (6) having a region to which a liquid composition is applied, and the fluorine resin fiber layer has a thickness of 500pm or more.)

1. A contact member, comprising:

a surface comprising a fluororesin fiber layer comprising fluororesin fibers,

Wherein the surface contacts a contact object member having a region to which a liquid composition is applied, and the fluororesin fiber layer has a thickness of 500 μm or more.

2. The contact member according to claim 1, wherein the fluororesin fibers comprise monofilaments.

3. The contact member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fluororesin fiber layer has a thickness of 600 to 1000 μm.

4. The contact member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a porous base material on which a fluororesin fiber layer is provided.

5. The contact member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a porous base material on which a fluororesin fiber layer is provided, wherein the porous base material has a roll shape having a diameter of 50 to 100 mm.

6. The contact member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an aluminum substrate on which a fluororesin fiber layer is provided.

7. A printing apparatus, comprising:

a contact member configured to be in contact with a region of a contact target member to which a liquid composition is applied, the contact member including a surface having a fluororesin fiber layer that contains fluororesin fibers,

Wherein the fluororesin fiber layer has a thickness of 500 μm or more.

8. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein the fluororesin fibers are monofilaments.

9. The printing device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the fluororesin fiber layer has a thickness of 600 to 1000 μm.

10. A printing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising a porous substrate on which a fluororesin fibre layer is provided.

11. The printing layer as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising an aluminum substrate on which a fluororesin fiber layer is provided.

12. The printing device according to any one of claims 7 to 11, further comprising a porous base material on which a fluororesin fiber layer is provided, wherein the base material has a roll shape having a diameter of 50 to 100 mm.

13. The printing device according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the contact member comprises a roller,

wherein the member to be contacted is wound around the roller so as to bring the roller into contact with a region to which a liquid composition is applied,

wherein a winding rate of the member to be contacted with respect to the roller is 10% or more.

14. A printing device as claimed in any of claims 7 to 13, wherein the region imparting the liquid composition has a tack of 80 to 110 nN.

15. The printing device according to any one of claims 7 to 14, further comprising a liquid composition imparting device configured to impart the liquid composition to the contact object member.

16. The printing device of any of claims 7 to 15, wherein the liquid composition comprises a colorant, water, an organic solvent, and a wax.

17. A printing apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 16, further comprising a contact member heating device configured to heat the contact member.

18. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 17, further comprising a liquid composition heating apparatus configured to heat the liquid composition imparted to the object-of-contact member.

19. The printing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the contact member is provided on a downstream side of the liquid composition heating apparatus in a conveyance direction of the contact object member.

20. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 19, wherein the contact object member is conveyed at a speed of 50 m/min or more.

21. A method of printing, comprising:

imparting a liquid composition to a contact object member; and

Bringing a contact member into contact with a surface of the contact object member,

wherein the surface comprises a fluororesin fiber layer comprising fluororesin fibers,

wherein the fluororesin fiber layer has a thickness of 500 μm or more.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a contact member, a printing apparatus and a printing method.

Background

A printing apparatus such as an inkjet apparatus includes a conveying apparatus for conveying a printing medium such as cut paper. The conveying means conveys the print medium to a liquid composition imparting means that imparts a liquid composition such as an inkjet ink and a liquid composition heating means that heats the imparted liquid composition to dry it. Such delivery devices are provided in various forms. A plurality of rollers are often used, which are arranged at intervals in the axial direction.

The liquid composition heating device dries the liquid composition by heating, infrared rays, or the like to evaporate the solvent applied to the liquid composition on the recording medium such as cut paper. In terms of efficiency, a contact drying method may be cited, which brings a liquid composition imparted onto a printing medium into direct contact with a heated contact member. The contact member is usually provided as a roller, which serves as a conveying means as well as a heating means. In this contact drying process, the liquid composition on the print medium directly contacts the heated roller. Therefore, if the liquid composition is not sufficiently dried or the resin contained in the liquid composition is softened, the liquid composition may be disadvantageously transferred to the roller.

Japanese unexamined patent application publication No.2014-156317 discloses a roller including a rod-shaped core member and a wire including a smooth resin fiber slidingly wound on an outer peripheral surface of the core member. Rollers are used to transport print media in devices capable of printing. The above-mentioned japanese unexamined patent application publication No.2014-156317 also discloses that the smooth resin fibers are made of fluororesin fibers, and that the height of the wire from the outer surface of the core member is 10 to 200 μm.

CITATION LIST

Patent document

[ patent document 1 ] Japanese unexamined patent application publication No.2014-156317

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

However, when a high pressure is applied between such a printing medium and the contact member during high-performance printing, the liquid composition on the contact object member (contacted member) is disadvantageously transferred onto the contact member.

Means for solving the problems

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a contact member including:

a surface comprising a fluororesin fiber layer comprising fluororesin fibers,

wherein the surface contacts a contact object member having a region to which a liquid composition is applied, and the fluororesin fiber layer has a thickness of 500 μm or more.

Effects of the invention

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a contact member capable of reducing transfer of a liquid composition on a contact object member onto the contact member when high pressure is applied between a printing medium and the contact member during high-performance printing.

Drawings

The drawings are intended to depict example embodiments of the invention, and should not be construed as limiting the scope thereof. The drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly indicated. Also, like or similar reference characters designate like or similar components throughout the several views.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a printing apparatus using a continuous paper.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing a state in which the contact target member is in contact with the contact member.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a focusing curve obtained by using an atomic force microscope.

Fig. 4 is a photomicrograph of an example of a cantilever equipped with a probe.

Detailed Description

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In describing the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of the present specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner and achieve a similar result with a similar function. Next, embodiments of the present disclosure are described.

Contact member

A contact member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a surface comprising a fluororesin fiber layer comprising fluororesin fibers, wherein the surface contacts a contact target member having a region to which a liquid composition is applied, and the thickness of the fluororesin fiber layer is 500 μm or more.

The contact member preferably includes a base material and a fluororesin fiber layer provided on the base material. In addition, the contact member may also optionally include one or more layers disposed between the base material and the fluororesin fiber layer. In one embodiment, the substrate and the fluororesin fiber layer are bonded together by welding, an adhesive such as a primer, or a combination thereof.

Fluororesin fiber layer

The contact member according to the present embodiment includes a surface that is in contact with the contact object member. The surface includes a fluororesin fiber layer containing fluororesin fibers. The fluororesin fiber layer preferably includes fluororesin fibers on the uppermost surface of the layer. The use of a fluororesin as a resin constituting the resin fibers improves the lubricity and releasability of the surface of the contact-subject member that is in direct contact with the region coated with the liquid composition. Examples of the fluororesin forming the fluororesin fiber include, but are not limited to, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA, melting point: 300 to 310 ℃), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, melting point: 330 ℃), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP, melting point: 250 to 280 ℃), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE, melting point: 260 to 270 ℃), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF, melting point: 160 to 180 ℃), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE, melting point: 210 ℃), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (EPE, melting point: 290 to 300 ℃), and copolymers comprising the above-mentioned polymers. Among them, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is preferable.

The fluororesin fibers are formed by spinning the fluororesin. The fluororesin fibers may be resin fibers composed of a single fluororesin, or resin fibers composed of a plurality of fluororesins, or resin fibers formed by mixing at least one fluororesin and another material. Among them, preferred are resin fibers composed of a single fluororesin and resin fibers composed of a plurality of fluororesins. In the present embodiment, the fluororesin fibers mean fibers provided by fiberizing a fluororesin itself, or fibers provided by fiberizing a mixture of a fluororesin and another material itself. Therefore, for example, the fluororesin fiber according to the present embodiment does not include a material obtained by coating the surface of a glass resin fiber or the like with a fluororesin and curing.

Specific examples of commercially available fluororesin fibers include, but are not limited to, TOYOFLON BF800S, 2402, and 1412 (manufactured by Toray corporation), each of which contains Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

The thickness of the fluororesin fiber layer is 500 μm or more, preferably 600 μm or more. The thickness of the fluororesin fiber layer is 1500 μm or less, preferably 1000 μm or less. The surface having a fluororesin fiber structure with a layer thickness of 500 [ mu ] m or more can disperse the contact pressure of the contact surface between the contact member and the contacted member in the direction perpendicular to the contact surface even when the contact pressure is high. As a result, when the contact member is brought into contact with the liquid composition-imparting region of the contact target member, the liquid composition on the contact target member is not easily transferred. When the contact member having the fluororesin fiber structure and having a layer thickness of 1500 μm or less is a roller, the member to be contacted can be suitably conveyed. Further, when the thickness of the layer having a fluororesin fiber structure is 600 or more and 1500 μm or less, the liquid composition on the contact object member is not easily transferred to the contact member. When the thickness of the fluororesin fiber layer is 600 μm or more, the pressure can be further dispersed in the direction perpendicular to the contact surface between the contact member and the contacted member. When the thickness of the fluororesin fiber layer is 1500 μm or less, the fiber structure is hardly broken by the friction between the fluororesin fiber layer and the member to be contacted.

The fibers forming the fluororesin fiber layer may have a multifilament structure or a monofilament structure, preferably a monofilament structure. Since such a monofilament fiber is less likely to allow the liquid composition to penetrate into the fiber, the liquid composition on the member to be contacted is less likely to be transferred to the contact member when the contact member is contacted with the region of the member to be contacted to which the liquid composition is applied.

The shape of the fluororesin fiber layer is not particularly limited, and in one example, the fluororesin fiber layer is arranged in a sheet form so as to be wound around the base material. The sheet-like shape means that the fluororesin fiber layer obtained by a method of making fibers less likely to separate is planar or curved. Such sheet-like forms do not include thread-like forms. Fibers that are unlikely to separate from each other are produced by, for example, known methods such as spinning raw materials by extrusion molding, mechanically weaving spun fibers, or causing bonding between fibers by heat or pressure. A process of bonding together fibers of relatively short length is preferred because although the contact area is reduced, the number of contact points can be increased. When the fluororesin fiber layer has a sheet-like form, the portion of the contact member that is in contact with the contact-target member is the top of the fluororesin fibers located at the outermost side of the fluororesin fiber layer. Due to this structure, while reducing the contact area between the contact member and the contacted member, the top portion of the fluororesin fiber can be made to exist in a large amount on the surface of the contact member. As a result, when the contact member comes into contact with the region of the contact target member to which the liquid composition is imparted, the liquid composition on the contact target member is not easily transferred onto the contact member. This embodiment does not exclude the shape of the fluororesin fiber layer formed by winding linear fluororesin fibers around the base material. However, as in the above-described example, the fluororesin fiber layer having a sheet-like form is preferable. This is because when the fluororesin fiber layer has a sheet form, the pressure between the contact member and the contact target member can be dispersed, and the liquid composition on the contact target member can be suppressed from being transferred (transferred) to the contact member, as compared with a linear form.

Base material

In one example, the base material is a long rod-shaped metal member, and in another example, the base material has a roll-like shape, such as a solid or hollow cylinder having a circular cross section. When the substrate has such a form, the contact member may serve as a roller conveying contact object member. When a roller is used as the contact member, the diameter of the circular cross section of the base material is 50 to 100 μm in one example, and 60 to 90 μm in another example. In the case where the diameter is within this range, when the contact member comes into contact with the liquid composition imparting region of the contact target member, the liquid composition on the contact target member is not easily transferred to the contact member. When the diameter is 50 μm or more, the pressure per unit area between the contact member and the contact object member is reduced, so that the liquid composition is not easily transferred. When the diameter is 100 μm or less, the sliding between the contact member and the contact object member is reduced, so that the liquid composition is not easily transferred.

Examples of the raw material of the base material include various metals such as stainless steel and aluminum, metal sintered bodies such as copper and stainless steel, and ceramic sintered bodies.

In one example, the substrate is a porous body. If the fluororesin fiber layer is provided on the base material of such a porous matrix to obtain a contact member that is in contact with the region of the contact target member to which the liquid composition is imparted, the liquid composition on the contact target member is not easily transferred to the contact member. This is because when the contact member comes into contact with the contact target member to generate pressure, the fluororesin fiber layer enters the voids on the surface of the porous body, and the pressure can be dispersed. Since the substrate is a porous body, when the liquid component evaporates from the liquid composition on the member to be contacted, the evaporated component can be released through the fluororesin fiber layer and the porous substrate. Reducing the formation of droplets of liquid components that evaporate from the surface of the contacting member. Examples of the material of the porous substrate include sintered metal bodies such as copper and stainless steel, and sintered ceramic bodies. When a contact member having a base material of the porous body is heated to dry a region to which the liquid composition is applied on the member to be contacted, the base material is a metal sintered body of copper, stainless steel, or the like having high thermal conductivity in one example.

Printing device

A printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a contact member configured to be in contact with a region of a contact target member to which a liquid composition is applied, the contact member including a surface having a fluororesin fiber layer including fluororesin fibers, wherein the fluororesin fiber layer has a thickness of 500 μm or more.

The printing apparatus includes the above-described contact member, and may further optionally include, for example, a contact object member supply device configured to supply the contact object member, a liquid composition imparting device configured to impart a liquid composition to the supplied contact object member, a liquid composition heating device configured to heat the liquid composition imparted on the contact object member, and a contact member heating device configured to heat the contact member.

A printing apparatus is described with reference to fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a printing apparatus using a continuous paper according to an embodiment. The printing apparatus 100 shown in fig. 1 includes a contact object member supply apparatus 1, a liquid composition applying apparatus 2, a liquid composition heating apparatus 3, a contact member 4, a contact member heating apparatus 5, and a contact object member recovery apparatus 6.

Contact object member supply device

The contact target member supply device 1 is driven to rotate to supply the contact target member 7 wound in a roll shape to the conveyance path 8 in the printing apparatus 100. The conveying direction of the member to be contacted 7 of the conveying path 8 is indicated by an arrow D.

The contact target member 7 is conveyed at a high speed of 50m/min or more by adjusting the rotational drive of the contact target member supply device 1.

The contact object member 7 is a sheet-like conveyance object extending continuously in the conveyance direction D of the printing apparatus 100, and specifically, a recording medium such as a continuous paper. Examples of the continuous paper include, but are not limited to, roll paper wound in a roll shape, tie-up paper folded at regular intervals, and the like. The contact target member 7 is conveyed along a conveying path 8 extending between the contact target member supply device 1 and the contact target member collection device 6. The length of the contact target member in the conveying direction D is at least longer than the length of the conveying path 8 provided between the contact target member supply device 1 and the contact target member collection device 6. The printing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is configured to use the contact target member 7, and the contact target member 7 extends continuously in the conveyance direction D of the printing apparatus 100 and is arranged to convey the contact target member 7 at a high speed. Therefore, a high tension is applied to the contact target member 7 between the contact target member feeding device 1 and the contact target member collecting device 6.

Liquid composition applying device

The liquid composition imparting apparatus 2 is an inkjet discharge head including a plurality of nozzle arrays each including a plurality of nozzles. The ink jet discharge head is arranged such that ink discharged from nozzles is guided to a conveyance path 8 of a contact object member 7. Thus, the liquid composition imparting device 2 sequentially discharges the liquid compositions including the inks of magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K), and the post-treatment solution for protecting the provided ink surface to the contact target member 7. The color of the discharged ink is not limited to these colors, and may be, for example, white, gray, silver, gold, green, blue, orange, or purple.

The present embodiment has been described taking the liquid composition as an ink and a post-treatment liquid as examples. Other liquid compositions may alternatively be used. Examples of the liquid composition include, but are not limited to, ink, a pretreatment liquid for aggregating a color material contained in the ink to impart the color material, a post-treatment liquid for protecting the surface of the ink to which the color material has been imparted, a liquid for forming a circuit or the like in which inorganic particles such as metal are dispersed, and the like, and may also be a liquid in which the above are appropriately mixed or superposed.

In this embodiment, an example in which the liquid composition is applied to the member to be contacted 7 by an ink jet head is described, but the liquid composition may be applied by another device. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, various known methods such as spin coating, spray coating, gravure roll coating, reverse roll coating, and bar coating.

Liquid composition heating device

The liquid composition heating apparatus 3 is configured to blow hot air to dry the liquid composition imparted to the contact object member 7. The method of drying the liquid composition is not limited to the method of blowing hot air. Examples of other methods include, but are not limited to, various known methods such as a method of contacting the back surface of the contact object member 7 with, for example, a heated roller or a flat heater to dry the liquid composition.

Contact member

The contact member 4 is configured to convey the contact target member 7, and changes the conveying direction D of the contact target member 7. The contact member 4 is a solid or hollow cylindrical roller.

As described above, in the printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the contact target member supply apparatus 1 is configured to convey the contact target member 7 at a speed of 50m/min or more. In such high-speed conveyance, as shown in fig. 1, when the conveying direction of the contact object member 7 is changed using the contact member 4, a high voltage is applied between the contact member 4 and the contact object member 7. As a result, when the region of the contact subject member 7 to which the liquid composition is imparted is in contact with the contact member 4, the liquid composition tends to be transferred onto the contact member 4. In order to prevent such transfer, the contact member according to the present embodiment is suitably used.

The printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to use the contact object member 7 continuously extending in the conveyance direction D of the printing apparatus 100, and is configured to convey the contact object member 7 at high speed. Therefore, a high tension is applied to the contact target member 7 between the contact target member feeding device 1 and the contact target member collecting device 6. As shown in fig. 1, when the conveying direction of the contact object member 7 under high tension is changed by the contact member 4, a high pressure is applied between the contact member 4 and the contact object member 7. As a result, when the region on the liquid contact object member 7 to which the liquid composition is imparted is in contact with the contact member 4, the liquid composition tends to be transferred onto the contact member 4. In order to prevent such transfer, the contact member according to the present embodiment is suitably used.

As shown in fig. 1, the contact member 4 is disposed downstream of the liquid composition heating apparatus 3 in the conveyance direction D of the member to be contacted 7. After the liquid composition on the contact object member 7 is dried by the liquid composition heating device 3, the region on the contact object member 7 to which the liquid composition is applied is brought into contact with the contact member 4, and the transfer of the liquid composition onto the contact member 4 is reduced.

After the liquid composition on the contact object member 7 is dried by the liquid composition heating device 3, the member that first comes into contact with the region of the contact object member 7 to which the liquid composition is imparted is the contact member 4. The liquid composition on the contact subject member 7 tends to be transferred to the part that is first in contact with the region of the contact subject member 7 to which the liquid composition is imparted. Therefore, in order to prevent such transfer, it is appropriate to use the contact member of the present embodiment.

As shown in fig. 1, when the contact member 4 is a roller, the contact object member 7 is wound on the roller so that the roller is in contact with the region of the contact object member 7 to which the liquid composition is imparted. In this case, the winding rate of the member to be contacted 7 with respect to the roller is preferably 10% or more, more preferably 15% or more, and further preferably 20% or more. When the winding ratio is 10% or more, the pressure per unit area generated between the roller and the member to be contacted 7 is reduced, thereby reducing the transfer of the liquid composition onto the roller. The winding ratio of the member to be contacted 7 to the roller is preferably 90% or less, more preferably 70% or less, and further preferably 50% or less. When the winding ratio is 50% or less, the contact target member 7 can be suitably conveyed.

The "winding ratio" in this embodiment is explained with reference to fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing a contact object member in contact with a contact member. As shown in fig. 2, when the contact object member 7 is wound and brought into contact with the contact member 4 having a roll-like form, "winding ratio" represents a ratio of X with respect to the entire circumference of the contact member 4. One end 9a and the other end 9b of the contact member 4 in contact with the contacted member 7, and X is the circumference of the contact member 4 between 9a and 9 b.

Contact member heating device

The contact member heating device 5 is configured to heat the contact member 4. Thus, the heated contact member 4 is brought into contact with the region of the contact object member 7 to which the liquid composition is imparted, thereby drying the liquid composition. In this case, the liquid composition tends to be disadvantageously transferred not only when the drying of the liquid composition is insufficient but also when the resin contained in the liquid composition is softened by heat, for example. In order to prevent such transfer, the contact member of the present embodiment is suitably used.

The contact member heating means 5 may be selected from, for example, various known means such as a heater, a means for blowing hot air, and the like.

The contact member heating means 5 may be provided inside the contact member 4, as shown in fig. 1, or may be provided outside the contact member 4. The contact member heating means 5 may be separate from the contact member 4 or may be assembled as one piece. When the base material of the contact member 4 is a porous body and the contact member heating device 5 is provided inside the contact member 4, heat or hot air generated from the contact member heating device 5 can be efficiently transferred to the contact object member 7.

Contact object member recovery device

The contact target member recovery device 6 is driven to rotate, and the contact target member 7 on which an image is formed from the liquid composition is wound and stored in a roll shape.

Printing method

A printing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: imparting a liquid composition to a contact object member; and contacting a contact member with a region of the contact object member to which the liquid composition is applied. The printing method optionally includes heating the liquid composition.

Liquid composition imparting

In the liquid composition imparting, a liquid composition such as ink is imparted to the contact target member 7 supplied from the contact target member supplying apparatus 1. A liquid composition-applying region is formed on the contact target member 7.

Heating of liquid compositions

The liquid composition heating step is a step of applying a liquid composition and then heating the applied liquid composition to dry the same. Drying in one example, the liquid composition is preferably dried until the recording medium is not tacky. In the drying step shown in fig. 1, the applied liquid composition is dried using the liquid composition heating apparatus 3 as shown in fig. 1. Alternatively, the imparted liquid composition may also be naturally dried without such a special drying device.

Contact with

The contact step is to bring the contact member 4 into contact with the region of the contact target member 7 to which the liquid composition is applied. The region to which the liquid composition is imparted refers to a surface to which the liquid composition is imparted which contacts the subject member 7, but does not include a region to which the liquid composition is not imparted on the other side.

As shown in fig. 1, the contact target member 7 is conveyed while the contact target member 7 is in contact with the contact member 4. The contact member 4 conveys the contact target member 7 such that the contact target member 7 is wound around the contact member 4. Thereby changing the conveying direction D of the contact object member 7. When the contact member heating device 5 is disposed inside or near the contact member 4, the contact member 4 dries the region to which the liquid composition is applied on the contact target member 7 while conveying the contact target member 7.

Liquid composition

The liquid composition in the present embodiment is not particularly limited. Examples include, but are not limited to, inks, pretreatment liquids for aggregating color materials contained in inks to impart, post-treatment liquids for protecting the surface of imparted inks, liquids for forming circuits or the like for dispersing inorganic particles such as metals, and the like. These liquid compositions may be suitably used according to known formulations. Hereinafter, an example of using an ink and a post-treatment liquid as the liquid composition will be described.

Ink for ink jet recording

Hereinafter, raw materials for the ink, such as organic solvents, water, color materials, resins, waxes, and additives, will be described.

Organic solvent

There is no particular limitation on the organic solvent used in the present disclosure. For example, a water-soluble organic solvent may be used. Examples include, but are not limited to, ethers such as polyols, polyol alkyl ethers, polyol aryl ethers, and the like, nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, amides, amines, sulfur-containing yellow compounds, and the like.

Specific examples of the polyhydric alcohol include, but are not limited to, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 1, 2-propanediol, 1, 3-propanediol, 1, 2-butanediol, 1, 3-butanediol, 1, 4-butanediol, 2, 3-butanediol, 3-methyl-1, 3-butanediol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, 1, 2-pentanediol, 1, 3-pentanediol, 1, 4-pentanediol, 2, 4-pentanediol, 1, 5-pentanediol, 1, 2-hexanediol, 1, 6-hexanediol, 1, 3-hexanediol, 2, 5-hexanediol, 1, 5-hexanediol, glycerol, 1,2, 6-hexanetriol, 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol, ethyl-1, 2, 4-butanetriol, 1,2, 3-butanetriol, 2,2, 4-trimethyl-1, 3-pentanediol, gasoline (petriol).

As specific examples of the polyhydric alcohol alkyl ethers, there may be mentioned, but not limited to, for example, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, tetraethylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether.

Specific examples of the polyhydric alcohol aryl ethers include, but are not limited to, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether and ethylene glycol monobenzyl ether.

Specific examples of the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound include, but are not limited to, for example, 2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-hydroxyethyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1, 3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, -caprolactam, and γ -butyrolactone.

As specific examples of amides, there may be mentioned, but not limited to, for example, formamide, N-methylformamide, N, N-dimethylformamide, 3-methoxy-N, N-dimethylpropionamide, 3-butoxy-N, N-dimethylpropionamide.

As specific examples of the amine, there are included, but not limited to, for example, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethylamine.

Specific examples of sulfur-containing compounds include, but are not limited to, dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane, and thiodiethanol, for example.

In addition, for example, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, or the like may be used as the organic solvent.

Since the organic solvent not only functions as a wetting agent but also provides good drying properties, it is preferable to use an organic solvent having a boiling point of 250 ℃ or lower.

Polyol compounds having eight or more carbon atoms and glycol ether compounds are also suitable as the organic solvent. Specific examples of the polyol compound having eight or more carbon atoms include, but are not limited to, 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol, and 2,2, 4-trimethyl-1, 3-pentanediol.

Specific examples of the glycol ether compound include, but are not limited to, polyhydric alcohol alkyl ethers such as ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, tetraethylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether; and polyhydric alcohol aryl ethers such as ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, ethylene glycol monobenzyl ether.

In particular, if a resin is used as the ink composition, N-dimethyl- β -butoxypropionamide, N-dimethyl- β -ethoxypropionamide, 3-ethyl-3-hydroxymethyloxetane, propylene glycol monomethyl ether are preferable. These may be used alone or in combination. Among them, amide solvents such as 3-butoxy-N, N-dimethylpropionamide and 3-methoxy-N, N-dimethylpropionamide are particularly preferable, which promote the film-forming property of the resin and show better resistance to sliding wear.

The boiling point of the organic solvent is preferably 180 to 250 ℃. When the boiling point is 180 ℃ or higher, the evaporation rate during drying can be suitably controlled, leveling is sufficiently performed, surface roughness is reduced, and gloss is improved. In contrast, when the boiling point is higher than 250 ℃, the drying property is not good, and thus the drying takes a longer time. With the advancement of printing technology, the time taken for drying becomes the rate limiting factor. Therefore, the drying time needs to be shortened, and natural drying which takes a long time is not preferable.

The proportion of the organic solvent in the ink is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected to suit a particular application.

In view of the drying property and the discharge reliability of the ink, the ratio is preferably 10 to 60 mass%, and more preferably 20 to 60 mass%.

The proportion of the amide solvent in the ink is preferably 0.05 to 10% by mass, more preferably 0.1 to 5% by mass.

Water (W)

The proportion of water in the ink is not particularly limited and may be suitably selected to suit a particular application. For example, the ratio is preferably 10 to 90 mass%, and more preferably 20 to 60 mass% in view of the drying property and the discharge reliability of the ink.

Color material

The color material is not particularly limited. For example, pigments and dyes are suitable.

As the pigment, an inorganic pigment or an organic pigment may be used. These may be used alone or in combination. In addition, mixed crystals may be used as pigments.

As the pigment, for example, a black pigment, a yellow pigment, a magenta pigment, a cyan pigment, a white pigment, a green pigment, an orange pigment, a glossy pigment of gold or silver color or the like, and a metallic pigment can be used.

Examples of the inorganic pigment include titanium oxide, iron oxide, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, aluminum hydroxide, barium yellow, cadmium red, chrome yellow, and carbon black produced by a known method such as a contact method, a blast furnace method, and a thermal method.

As the organic pigment, azo pigments, polycyclic pigments (phthalocyanine pigments, perylene pigments, perinone pigments, anthraquinone pigments, quinacridone pigments, dioxazine pigments, indigo pigments, thioindigo pigments, isoindolinone pigments, quinophthalone pigments, etc.), dye chelates (for example, basic dye chelates, acid dye chelates, etc.), nitrifying pigments, nitrosation pigments, aniline black, etc. can be used. Among these pigments, those having good affinity with the solvent are preferably used. In addition, hollow resin particles, inorganic hollow particles, may also be used.

Specific examples of the pigment include black pigments such as carbon blacks (c.i. pigment black 7) including furnace black, lamp black, acetylene black, and channel black, metals such as copper, iron (c.i. pigment black 11), and titanium oxide, and organic pigments such as aniline black (c.i. pigment black 1).

Further, as the color pigment, c.i. pigment yellow 1, 3, 12, 13, 14, 17, 24, 34, 35, 37, 42 (yellow iron oxide), 53, 55, 81, 83, 95, 97, 98, 100, 101, 104, 408, 109, 110, 117, 120, 138, 150, 153, 155, 180, 185, 213; c.i. pigment orange 5, 13, 16, 17, 36, 43, 51; c.i. pigment red 1, 2, 3, 5, 17, 22, 23, 31, 38, 48: 2,48: 2 [ permanent red 2b (ca) ], 48: 3,48: 4,49: 1,52: 2,53: 1,57: 1 (borax magenta 6B), 60: 1,63: 1,63: 2,64: 1, 81, 83, 88, 101 (red iron), 104, 105, 106, 108 (cadmium red), 112, 114, 122 (quinacridone magenta), 123, 146, 149, 166, 168, 170, 172, 177, 178, 179, 185, 190, 193, 209, 219, 224, 254, 264; c.i. pigment violet 1 (rhodamine lake), 3, 5: 1, 16, 19, 23, 38; c.i. pigment blue 1, 2, 15 (phthalocyanine blue), 15: 1,15: 2,15: 3,15: 4 (phthalocyanine blue), 16, 17: 1, 56, 60, 63; c.i. pigment green 1, 4, 7, 8, 10, 17, 18, 36, etc.

The dye is not particularly limited, and an acid dye, a direct dye, a reactive dye, and a basic dye may be used, and these may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

As the dye, for example, c.i. acid yellow 17, 23, 42, 44, 79, 142; c.i. acid red 52, 80, 82, 249, 254, 289; c.i. acid blue 9, 45, 249; c.i. acid black 1, 2, 24, 94; c.i. food black 1, 2; c.i. direct yellow 1, 12, 24, 33, 50, 55, 58, 86, 132, 142, 144, 173; c.i. direct red 1, 4, 9, 80, 81, 225, 227; c.i. direct blue 1, 2, 15, 71, 86, 87, 98, 165, 199, 202; c.i. direct black 19, 38, 51, 71, 154, 168, 171, 195; c.i. reaction red 14, 32, 55, 79, 249; c.i. reactive blacks 3, 4, 35, etc.

The content of the color material in the ink is preferably 0.1 mass% or more and 15 mass% or less, and more preferably 1 mass% or more and 10 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of improvement in image density, good fixability, and discharge stability.

Examples of a method for obtaining an ink by dispersing a pigment include a method of introducing a hydrophilic functional group into a pigment as a self-dispersible pigment, a method of coating the surface of a pigment with a resin and dispersing the pigment, and a method of dispersing the pigment using a dispersant.

Examples of a method for introducing a hydrophilic functional group into a pigment as a self-dispersible pigment include a method in which a functional group such as a sulfo group or a carboxyl group is added to a pigment (for example, carbon) and the pigment is dispersed in water to form a self-dispersible pigment.

As a method of coating the surface of the pigment with a resin to disperse the pigment, a method of including the pigment in microcapsules and dispersing the microcapsules in water can be mentioned. In other words, this can be said to be a resin-coated pigment. In this case, the pigment to be blended in the ink is not necessarily coated with the resin in its entirety, and the uncoated pigment or the pigment partially coated can be dispersed in the ink within a range not to impair the effect of the present invention.

Examples of the method of dispersing the dispersion with a dispersant include a method of dispersing the dispersion with a known low-molecular dispersant such as a surfactant and a method of dispersing the dispersion with a high-molecular dispersant.

As the dispersant, for example, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and the like can be used depending on the pigment.

RT-100 (nonionic surfactant) manufactured by bamboo fat and oil Co., Ltd., and a sodium naphthalenesulfonate formaldehyde condensate can also be suitably used as the dispersant.

The dispersing agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Pigment dispersion

The ink can be obtained by mixing materials such as water and an organic solvent into the pigment. Further, an ink may be produced by mixing a pigment with other water, a dispersant, and the like to obtain a pigment dispersion, and then mixing a material such as water and an organic solvent with the pigment dispersion.

The pigment dispersion can be adjusted in particle size by mixing and dispersing water, a pigment dispersant, and other components as needed. The dispersion may be carried out using a disperser.

The particle size of the pigment in the pigment dispersion is not particularly limited, and is preferably 20nm or more and 500nm or less, more preferably 20nm or more and 150nm or less in number conversion maximum frequency, from the viewpoint of satisfactory dispersion stability of the pigment, and high image quality such as discharge stability and image density. The particle size of the pigment can be measured using a particle size analyzer (NANORACKWAve-UT 151, Microtrac BEL Co., Ltd.).

The content of the pigment in the pigment dispersion is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and is preferably 0.1 mass% or more and 50 mass% or less, and more preferably 0.1 mass% or more and 30 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of obtaining good discharge stability and improving the image density.

The pigment dispersion is preferably degassed by filtering coarse particles with a filter or a centrifugal separator, if necessary.

Resin composition

The type of the resin contained in the ink is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and examples thereof include a urethane resin, a polyester resin, an acrylic resin, a vinyl acetate resin, a styrene resin, a butadiene resin, a styrene-butadiene resin, a vinyl chloride resin, an acrylic benzene resin, and an acrylic silicone resin.

Resin particles made of these resins may also be used. In the state of a resin emulsion in which resin particles are dispersed in water as a dispersion medium, the resin emulsion can be mixed with a color material, an organic solvent, or the like to obtain an ink. As the resin particles, those appropriately synthesized may be used, or those commercially available may be used. These may be used alone, or two or more kinds of resin particles may be used in combination.

Among them, in one example, the urethane resin particles are preferably used in combination with other resin particles because the blocking resistance is deteriorated due to a large sticking (tack) force applied to an image formed by an ink using the urethane resin particles, and the fixing property is improved because the urethane resin particles can form an image strongly with the sticking strength of the urethane resin particles. Further, the urethane resin particles having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of-20 ℃ or higher and 70 ℃ or lower provide a higher adhesive force to an image formed by an ink using the urethane resin particles, and thus can further improve the fixing property.

Among the above resins, acrylic resin particles using an acrylic resin are widely used because they are excellent in ejection stability and low in cost. However, since the scratch resistance is poor, it is preferable to use the polyurethane resin particles having elasticity in a mixture.

The mass ratio of the urethane resin particles to the acrylic resin particles in the ink (urethane resin particles/acrylic resin particles) is preferably 0.03 to 0.7, more preferably 0.1 to 0.7, and most preferably 0.23 to 0.46.

The volume average particle diameter of the resin particles is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and is preferably 10nm or more and 1,000nm or less, more preferably 10nm or more and 200nm or less, and particularly preferably 10nm or more and 100nm or less, from the viewpoint of obtaining good fixing properties and high image hardness.

The volume average particle diameter can be measured by using, for example, a particle size analyzer (NANORACK Wave-UT151, available from Microtrac BEL Co., Ltd.).

The content of the resin is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but is preferably 1 mass% or more and 30 mass% or less, more preferably 5 mass% or more and 20 mass% or less, with respect to the total amount of the ink, from the viewpoints of fixability and storage stability of the ink.

The particle size of the solid content in the ink is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, the maximum frequency of the particle diameter of the solid portion in the ink is preferably 20nm or more and 1000nm or less, and more preferably 20nm or more and 150nm or less in terms of number, from the viewpoint of improving the image quality such as the discharge stability and the image density. The solid content includes resin particles, pigment particles, and the like. The particle diameter can be measured, for example, by using a particle size analyzer (NANORACK Wave-UT151, available from Microtrac BEL Co., Ltd.).

Wax

By including wax in the ink, the scratch resistance can be improved, and the gloss can be improved by using the ink together with a resin. As the wax, polyethylene wax is preferable. As the polyethylene wax, commercially available products can be used, and examples of the commercially available products include AQUACER531(BYK JAPAN), Polyron P502 (Chijing oil and fat Co., Ltd.), AQUA PET DP2502C (TOYO ADL Co., Ltd.), AQUA PET DP2401(TOYO ADL Co., Ltd.). These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The content of the polyethylene wax is preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less, more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less, still more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 0.45% by mass or less, and particularly preferably 0.15% by mass or more and 0.45% by mass or less, based on the total amount of the ink. When the content is 0.05 mass% or more and 2 mass% or less, the effect of improving the scratch resistance and the gloss is sufficient. When the content is 0.45% by mass or less, the storage stability and discharge stability of the ink are particularly good, and the ink is suitable for use in an ink jet system.

Additive agent

If necessary, an interfacial activator, a defoaming agent, an antiseptic and antifungal agent, a rust inhibitor, a pH adjuster, and the like may be added to the ink.

Post-treatment liquid

The post-treatment liquid is not particularly limited if it can form a transparent layer. The post-treatment liquid may be obtained by mixing an organic solvent, water, wax, resin, surfactant, defoaming agent, pH adjuster, antiseptic and antifungal agent, rust inhibitor, and the like as required, as in the case of the ink. The post-treatment liquid may be applied to the entire surface of the member to be contacted, or may be applied only to the area to which the ink is applied.

Imparting physical properties to regions of a liquid composition

The region to be imparted with the liquid composition preferably has a viscosity of 80 to 110 nN. When the viscosity is 80nN or more, the bonding strength of a region formed by imparting a liquid composition (for example, an image region formed with ink as a liquid composition) is improved, thereby improving the film strength and the fixing property. When the region on the contact subject member, to which the liquid composition is imparted, has a viscosity of 110nN or less and is in contact with the contact member, the liquid composition is less likely to be transferred onto the contact member.

The viscosity imparted to a region of the liquid composition can be calculated, for example, by the following method. The adhesion of the region of the member to be contacted to which the liquid composition was applied was measured by an atomic force microscope (hereinafter, also referred to as AFM, model: SPM-9500J3, Shimadzu corporation). The object for measuring the sticking force may use a region formed by imparting the liquid composition onto the member to be contacted by various printing apparatuses. The probe of the AFM was brought into contact with the image, pressed into a depth of 100nm, and then pulled up. When the probe is detached from the image, the cantilever is monitored for warpage, resulting in a force profile as shown in FIG. 3. The viscous force F (═ kx) is obtained by multiplying the displacement amount x by the spring constant k of the cantilever 20 shown in fig. 4. The cantilever 20 may be equipped with a silica ball serving as a probe 21. The measurement conditions were: the measurement temperature is 23 ℃, the relative humidity is 35% RH, the diameter of the probe is 3.5 μm, and the measurement mode is as follows: force curve measurement, measurement frequency: 1 Hz.

There is no particular limitation as to a method for easily setting the viscosity of the region to be imparted to the liquid composition to 80 to 110 nN. For example, a method of using a liquid composition containing a coloring material, water, an organic solvent, and a wax, or a method of setting a mass ratio of a content (mass%) of the urethane resin particles to a content (mass%) of the acrylic resin particles (urethane resin particles/acrylic resin particles) to be 0.1 to 0.7, or the like.

Contact object member

The member to be contacted may be used without particular limitation, and for example, a recording medium such as plain paper, glossy paper, special paper, or cloth may be used, but the present invention is particularly applicable to a low-permeability recording medium (also referred to as a low-absorbency recording medium).

The low permeability recording medium means a recording medium having a surface with low water permeability, absorption, and adsorption, and includes a material that does not open to the outside even if a large number of voids are present therein. Examples of the low-permeability Japanese-type waste medium include coated paper used in commercial printing, and recording media such as a board having waste pulp disposed in an intermediate layer, a back layer, or a surface coated with a coating layer. When such a low-permeability recording medium is used, the contact member of the present embodiment is preferably used because the liquid composition is easily transferred to the contact member when the region to which the liquid composition is applied on the contact member comes into contact with the contact member.

Low permeability recording media

Examples of the low permeability recording medium include a recording medium such as a coated paper comprising a substrate, a surface layer provided on at least one surface side of the substrate, and further optionally another layer.

In a recording medium having a base material and a surface layer, a contact time of 100ms of pure water to the recording medium as measured by a dynamic scanning liquid-suction instrumentThe transfer amount of (A) is preferably 2mL/m²Above, 35mL/m²Hereinafter, more preferably 2mL/m²Above, 10mL/m²The following.

If the amount of transfer of ink and pure water is too small for 100ms of contact time, roughening (beading) may easily occur, and if too large, the ink dot diameter after image formation may be too small as compared with a desired diameter.

The transfer amount of pure water to the recording medium with a contact time of 400ms measured by a dynamic scanning liquid suction apparatus is preferably 3mL/m²Above, 40mL/m²Hereinafter, 3mL/m is more preferable²Above, 10mL/m²The following.

If the amount of transfer at the contact time of 400ms is small, the drying property is insufficient, and if it is too large, the gloss of the image portion after drying may be low, and the amount of transfer of pure water to the recording medium at the contact times of 100ms and 400ms is measured on the surface having the surface layer side of the recording medium.

Here, a dynamic scanning absorptometer (dynamic scanning absorptometer, abbreviated as DSA, paper and paper technologies cooperate to create a probe , volume 48, 5 months in 1994, pages 88 to 92, and empty is repeated), which is a device capable of accurately measuring the amount of liquid absorbed in a very short time. The dynamic scanning pipette automatically measures the number of necessary spots for one sample by reading the liquid suction speed directly from the movement of the meniscus in the capillary, forming the sample into a disk shape, scanning the liquid suction head spirally thereon, and automatically changing the scanning speed according to a preset pattern.

A liquid supply head to the paper sample was connected to a capillary tube via a teflon (registered trademark) tube, and the position of the meniscus in the capillary tube was automatically read by an optical sensor. Specifically, the amount of pure water or ink transferred can be measured by using a dynamic scanning liquid suction meter (K350 series, model D, manufactured by Kyowa Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha).

The shift amounts of the contact time 100ms and the contact time 400ms can be obtained by interpolation from the measured values of the shift amounts of the contact time in the vicinity of the respective contact times.

Base material

The substrate is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and examples thereof include a wood fiber-based paper, and a sheet-like material such as a nonwoven fabric mainly composed of wood fibers and synthetic fibers.

The thickness of the substrate is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but is preferably 50 μm to 300. mu.m. Further, the basis weight of the base material is preferably 45g/m²～290g/m²。

Surface layer

The surface layer contains a pigment, a binder (binder), and further contains a surfactant and other components as required.

As the pigment, an inorganic pigment or a combination of an inorganic pigment and an organic pigment can be used. Examples of the inorganic pigment include kaolin, talc, ground calcium carbonate, light calcium carbonate, calcium sulfite, amorphous silicon, titanium white, magnesium carbonate, titanium dioxide, aluminum hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, zinc hydroxide, and chlorite. The amount of the inorganic pigment added is preferably 50 parts by mass or more per 100 parts by mass of the binder.

Examples of the organic pigment include water-soluble dispersions of styrene-acrylic copolymer particles, styrene-butadiene copolymer particles, polystyrene particles, polyethylene particles, and the like. The amount of the organic pigment added is preferably 2 to 20 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the total pigment in the surface layer.

As the binder, an aqueous resin is preferable. As the aqueous resin, at least one of a water-soluble resin and a water-dispersible resin can be suitably used. The water-soluble resin is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and examples thereof include polyvinyl alcohol, cationic modified polyvinyl alcohol, acetal modified polyvinyl alcohol, polyester, polyurethane, and a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane.

The surfactant to be contained in the surface layer as needed is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and any of an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant may be used.

As a method for forming the surface layer, there is no particularThe surface layer may be formed by a method of dipping or coating the surface layer-constituting liquid on the base material. The amount of liquid adhering to the surface layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and the solid content is preferably 0.5g/m ²～20g/m²More preferably 1g/m²～15g/m²。