Inkjet ink, and inkjet ink set, inkjet ink tank, inkjet-recording method and inkjet-recording apparatus using the same

Abstract

An inkjet ink includes at least colorant particles, a water-soluble organic solvent, and water, wherein each of the colorant particles has a core particle and a coating layer formed around it or adsorbed particles on the surface thereof and the core particle contains a resin material having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 75° C. or lower.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of an exemplary embodiment of the inkjet-recording apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the basic configuration inside the inkjet-recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of another exemplary embodiment of the inkjet-recording apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the basic configuration inside the inkjet-recording apparatus shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of yet another exemplary embodiment of the inkjet-recording apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a colorant particle, and

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of a colorant particle.

Claims

1. An inkjet ink, comprising at least colorant particles, a water-soluble organic solvent, and water, each of the colorant particles comprising a core particle and a coating layer formed around the core particles and the core particle containing a resin material having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 75° C. or lower.

2. The inkjet ink of claim 1, wherein the coating layer contains a pigment.

3. The inkjet ink of claim 1, wherein the coating layer contains a self-dispersible pigment.

4. The inkjet ink of claim 1, wherein the coating layer contains an inorganic oxide.

5. The inkjet ink of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the coating layer is 5 to 100 nm.

6. The inkjet ink of claim 1, wherein the weight-average molecular weight of the resin material of the core particle is 10,000 or more.

7. The inkjet ink of claim 1, wherein the number-average particle diameter of the core particles is 10 to 1,000 nm.

8. The inkjet ink of claim 1, further comprising a compound having three or more hydroxyl groups.

9. The inkjet ink of claim 8, wherein the compound having three or more hydroxyl groups is at least one compound selected from sugar compounds, glycerol, xylitol, pentaerythritol, and trimethylolpropane.

10. An inkjet ink, comprising at least colorant particles, a water-soluble organic solvent, and water, each of the colorant particles comprising a core particle and adsorbed particles on the surface thereof and the core particle containing a resin material having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 75° C. or lower.

11. The inkjet ink of claim 10, wherein the adsorbed particle contains a pigment.

12. The inkjet ink of claim 10, wherein the adsorbed particle contains a self-dispersible pigment.

13. The inkjet ink of claim 10, wherein the adsorbed particle contains an inorganic oxide.

14. The inkjet ink of claim 10, wherein the number-average particle diameter of the adsorbed particles is 10 to 200 nm.

15. The inkjet ink of claim 10, wherein the weight-average molecular weight of the resin material of the core particle is 10,000 or more.

16. The inkjet ink of claim 10, wherein the number-average particle diameter of the core particles is 10 to 1,000 nm.

17. The inkjet ink of claim 10, further comprising a compound having three or more hydroxyl groups.

18. The inkjet ink of claim 17, wherein the compound having three or more hydroxyl groups is at least one compound selected from sugar compounds, glycerol, xylitol, pentaerythritol, and trimethylolpropane.

19. An inkjet ink set, comprising the inkjet ink of claim 1 and a processing solution containing at least a compound having an effect of aggregating or insolubilizing the ink components, a water-soluble solvent and water.

20. An inkjet ink set, comprising the inkjet ink of claim 10 and a processing solution containing at least a compound having an effect of aggregating or insolubilizing the ink components, a water-soluble solvent and water.

21. An inkjet ink tank, containing the inkjet ink of claim 1.

22. An inkjet ink tank, containing the inkjet ink of claim 10.

23. An inkjet-recording method of using the inkjet ink of claim 1, comprising fixing an image formed by using the ink on a recording medium by heating the image.

24. An inkjet-recording method of using the inkjet ink of claim 10, comprising fixing an image formed by using the ink on a recording medium by heating the image.

25. An inkjet-recording apparatus, comprising a recording head of ejecting the inkjet ink of claim 1.

26. The inkjet-recording apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a fixing unit that fixes an image formed by using the ink on a recording medium by heating the image.

27. An inkjet-recording apparatus, comprising a recording head of ejecting the inkjet ink of claim 10.

28. The inkjet-recording apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a fixing unit that fixes an image formed by using the ink on a recording medium by heating the image.