The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-042416 filed on Mar. 5, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid discharge recording apparatus and a method for recovering liquid.
2. Description of the Related Art
A water-based ink for ink-jet recording (hereinafter referred to as a “water-based ink” or an “ink” in some cases), in which a diol having hydroxyl groups at both ends of an alkyl group such as 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, etc. is added for the purpose of improving the wettability thereof, has been suggested (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2013-199634 corresponding to United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2013/0215175 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-96345 corresponding to United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/0107632).
A water-based ink containing the diol, however, easily aggregates and easily accumulates, for example, in an absorber which absorbs the water-based ink in a maintenance mechanism of a liquid discharge recording apparatus such as an ink-jet recording apparatus. The water-based ink containing the diol and accumulated in the absorber adheres to a surface of an ink-jet head of the ink-jet recording apparatus and contaminates a recording paper (recording paper sheet) which is being conveyed (transported) in the ink-jet recording apparatus, in some cases.
An object of the present teaching is to provide a liquid discharge recording apparatus and a method for recovering a liquid which are capable of suppressing any contamination of a surface of the ink-jet head and of a recording paper which is being conveyed in the liquid discharge recording apparatus by suppressing any accumulation of the liquid containing the diol.
According to a first aspect of the present teaching, there is provided a liquid discharge recording apparatus including:
a first liquid containing a diol represented by the following formula (1):
HOCH2nOH (1)
wherein in the formula (1), “n” represents an arbitrary integer;
a liquid discharge head configured to discharge the first liquid;
a second liquid containing a non-volatile humectant and a non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol; and
an absorber which is configured to contain the second liquid and which is configured to absorb the first liquid exited from the liquid discharge head,
wherein not less than 20% by weight to not more than 50% by weight of the non-volatile humectant is contained in the second liquid;
not less than 2% by weight to not more than 10% by weight of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol is contained in the second liquid; and
a ratio of a blending amount (% by weight) of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol in the second liquid to a blending amount (% by weight) of the diol represented by the formula (1) in the first liquid is not less than ¼.
According to a second aspect of the present teaching, there is provided a liquid-recovery method for recovering a liquid in a liquid discharge recording apparatus, the method including:
causing a first liquid containing a diol represented by the following formula (1) to exit from a liquid discharge head of the liquid discharge recording apparatus:
HOCH2nOH (1)
wherein in the formula (1), “n” represents an arbitrary integer; and
recovering the first liquid by absorbing the first liquid exited from the liquid discharge head with an absorber which is provided in the liquid discharge recording apparatus and which contains a second liquid, the second liquid containing a non-volatile humectant and a non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol;
wherein not less than 20% by weight to not more than 50% by weight of the non-volatile humectant is contained in the second liquid;
not less than 2% by weight to not more than 10% by weight of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol is contained in the second liquid; and
a ratio of a blending amount (% by weight) of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol in the second liquid to a blending amount (% by weight) of the diol represented by the formula (1) in the first liquid is not less than ¼.
A liquid discharge recording apparatus of the present teaching includes a first liquid containing a diol represented by the formula (1) (hereinafter referred to as “both-end diol”); a liquid discharge head configured to discharge the first liquid; a second liquid containing a non-volatile humectant and a non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol; and an absorber which is configured to contain the second liquid and which is configured to absorb the first liquid exited from the liquid discharge head. Further, in the specification, “the first liquid exited from the liquid discharge head” includes the first liquid which is discharged actively and made to exit from nozzles, and the first liquid which is forced to exit from the nozzles as in the suction purge or push purge.
The first liquid usable in the liquid discharge recording apparatus of the present teaching includes, for example, a water-based ink for ink-jet recording, a treatment solution (treatment liquid) used in the ink-jet recording, etc. The treatment liquid is a liquid which is discharged to a recording medium before or after the discharge of ink, for the purpose of improving the quality of image (image quality), etc. Further, the first liquid is not limited to a liquid to be used for ink-jet recording, and is exemplified, for example, by a shipping liquid (preservative liquid), an introductory liquid, an inspection liquid, etc. The shipping liquid is a liquid charged into a flow channel, of a liquid discharge recording apparatus, in a state of shipped out from the factory so as to preserve that state inside the flow channel. The introductory liquid is a liquid which is charged in advance into the flow channel of the liquid discharge recording apparatus in the factory upon shipment of the liquid discharge recording apparatus from the factory such that, when the liquid discharge recording apparatus is purchased by an user and the ink is introduced into the flow channel, the ink is easily introduced into the flow channel. The inspection liquid is a liquid to be used for inspecting the discharge of the liquid discharge head in the factory.
As described above, the first liquid contains the both-end diol represented by the formula (1). In the formula (1), “n” is, for example, 2 to 10 and preferably 3 to 6. Namely, the both-end diol represented by the formula (1) is preferably 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, and 1,6-hexanediol. It is allowable to use one kind of the both-end diol singly, or to use two or more kinds of the both-end diol in combination. It is allowable to prepare the first liquid or to use any commercially available liquid product which contains the both-end diol. According to the present teaching, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of the first liquid containing the both-end diol inside the liquid discharge recording apparatus. Therefore, for example, it is possible to add a necessary and sufficient amount of the both-end diol to an ink applied to the liquid discharge recording apparatus of the present teaching, thereby making it possible to improve the wettability as well. Further, according to the liquid discharge recording apparatus and the liquid recovery method of the present teaching, the accumulation of the first liquid containing both-end diol can be suppressed even under an environment of 5 degrees Celsius, and thus the liquid discharge recording apparatus and the liquid-recovery method of the present teaching can be practiced also at a low temperature.
In a case that the first liquid is an ink, the first liquid may contain at last one of a dye and a pigment as a colorant, among which the pigment is preferable as the colorant. Further, it is allowable that the ink does not contain any dye and contains substantially only a pigment, as the colorant. In a case that the colorant is the pigment and that the ink is discharged onto a surface of the absorber, there is a fear that the pigment might accumulate on the surface of the absorber. The liquid discharge recording apparatus of the present teaching, however, is capable of suppressing any accumulation of the pigment on the surface of the absorber. The blending amount of the colorant in the entire amount of the ink is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately determined based on, for example, desired optical density or color (hue, tint), etc. The blending amount of the colorant in the entire amount of the ink is, for example, in a range of 0.2% by weight to 20% by weight, and is preferably in a range of 2% by weight to 10% by weight. The blending amount of the both-end diol in the entire amount of the ink is not particularly limited, and is, for example, in a range of 1% by weight to 25% by weight, is preferably in a range of 2% by weight to 20% by weight, and is more preferably in a range of 5% by weight to 10% by weight. The ink may further contain any other conventionally known additive(s) exemplified by surfactants, rust-preventing agents, fungicides, etc., as necessary.
In a case that the first liquid is a liquid different from the ink, such as the treatment liquid, introductory liquid, shipping liquid (preservative liquid), inspection liquid, etc., it is allowable that the first liquid does not contain any colorant, or that the first liquid contains a colorant so that the presence of the first liquid can be visually confirmed. In a case that the first liquid which is different from the ink contains a colorant, the blending amount of the colorant in the first liquid is preferably not more than 0.5% by weight. In a case that the first liquid is the liquid different from the ink, such as the treatment liquid, introductory liquid, shipping liquid (preservative liquid), inspection liquid, etc., the blending amount of the both-end diol in the entire amount of the first liquid is not particularly limited, and is, for example, in a range of 1% by weight to 25% by weight, is preferably in a range of 2% by weight to 20% by weight, and is more preferably in a range of 5% by weight to 10% by weight.
Next, a liquid discharge recording apparatus and a liquid recovery method of the present teaching will be specifically explained. The liquid discharge recording apparatus of the present teaching includes a liquid discharge head which discharges a first liquid and an absorber which absorbs the first liquid exited from the liquid discharge head. The absorber is preferably at least one of a flushing foam and a platen foam, wherein the flushing foam is arranged in a non-recording area of the liquid discharge recording apparatus, and the platen foam is arranged in a recording area of the liquid discharge recording apparatus. Namely, the absorber is preferably arranged at a position opposite to or facing the liquid discharge head in a scanning area of the liquid discharge head. In the liquid discharge recording apparatus of the present teaching, the configuration of the liquid discharge recording apparatus, except for the absorber, may be similar to that of a conventional liquid discharge recording apparatus such as an ink-jet recording apparatus. The liquid recovery method of the present teaching is practiced by using the liquid discharge recording apparatus of the present teaching.
The absorber contains the second liquid. In the present teaching, the second liquid may be contained in the absorber before the absorber absorbs the first liquid so that the first liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head can make contact with the second liquid in the absorber. Accordingly, it is allowable that the second liquid is contained, or is not contained in the absorber, upon shipment of the liquid discharge recording apparatus from the factory. For example, the second liquid may be charged into the liquid discharge head and the liquid flow channel of the liquid discharge recording apparatus upon the shipment of the liquid discharge recording apparatus from the factory, and when a liquid for recording (recording liquid) is introduced to the liquid discharge head and the liquid flow channel, the second liquid may be discharged onto the absorber by using the liquid discharge head so that the second liquid is absorbed by the absorber. In this case, the viscosity of the second liquid preferably has a measurement value measured at 25 degrees Celsius that is in a range of 1 mPa·s to 10 mPa·s, more preferably in a range of 1.5 mPa·s to 8 mPa·s, further preferably in a range of 2 mPa·s to 5 mPa·s.
As described above, it is allowable that the second liquid is contained, or is not contained, in the absorber upon shipment of the liquid discharge recording apparatus from the factory. However, at least for the following reason, the second liquid is preferably contained in the absorber upon shipment of the liquid discharge recording apparatus from the factory. In a case that the second liquid is not contained in the absorber upon shipment of the liquid discharge recording apparatus from the factory, the second liquid is discharged by the liquid discharge head as described above. In this case, the second liquid is required to have a physical property to be dischargeable with the liquid discharge head. Accordingly, there is a fear that the second liquid might not be able to contain the non-volatile humectant and the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol in any sufficient content ratio. This is particularly problematic in a case that an ink-jet head of the thermal ink-jet system is used as the liquid discharge head. Further, there is a fear that it might be difficult to allow the absorber to contain the second liquid in any sufficient amount. On the other hand, in such a case that the second liquid is previously contained in the absorber upon shipment of the liquid discharge recording apparatus from the factory, the second liquid is allowed to contain the non-volatile humectant and the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol in a sufficient content ratio, and it is also easy to allow the absorber to contain the second liquid in a sufficient amount.
The second liquid contains the non-volatile humectant and the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol. It is possible to confirm whether a humectant is volatile or non-volatile by, for example, the following method. Namely, at first, the humectant is poured into an open container (open vial, opening size (diameter): 20.2 mm). Then, the open vial is stored for one week at a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 40%. After the storage, in a case that the evaporation rate of the humectant exceeded 5%, such humectant is judged to be volatile, and in a case that the evaporation rate of the humectant is not more than 5%, such humectant is judged to be non-volatile. Regarding a 1,2-alkylenediol, it is also possible to confirm whether the 1,2-alkylenediol is volatile or non-volatile, in a similar manner as regarding the humectant. In the present teaching, a non-volatile material (substance) is used as each of the humectant and the 1,2-alkylenediol, and thus these materials (substances) are more hardly lost due to evaporation from the second liquid.
As the non-volatile humectant, a humectant which is different from the both-end diol is preferred. For example, a polyhydric alcohol different from the both-end diol is preferred. Examples of the preferred non-volatile humectant confirmed to be non-volatile by the above test includes, for example, glycerol, polyethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, etc. among which glycerol is preferred. It is allowable that only one kind of the non-volatile humectant is used singly, or that two or more kinds of the non-volatile humectant are used in a mixed manner.
It is preferable that carbon number of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol is in a range of 6 to 10. In a case that the carbon number of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol is not less than 6, it is possible to obtain any sufficient non-volatility in an ensured manner; in a case that the carbon number of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol is not more than 10, it is possible to obtain any sufficient solubility to water in an ensured manner. Further, the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol is preferably a straight-chain 1,2-alkylenediol. Examples of the preferred non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol confirmed to be non-volatile by the above test includes, for example, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-heptanediol, 1,2-octanediol, 1,2-nonanediol, 1,2-decanediol, etc. among which 1,2-hexanediol is preferred. It is allowable that only one kind of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol is used singly, or that two or more kinds of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol are used in a mixed manner.
The blending amount of the non-volatile humectant (humectant ratio) in the second liquid is in a range of 20% by weight to 50% by weight. By making the humectant ratio be not less than 20% by weight, it is possible to obtain sufficient wetting effect, and to suppress the accumulation of the first liquid due to drying. Further, by making the humectant ratio be not more than 50% by weight, the viscosity of the second liquid is made appropriate, thereby making it possible to obtain the sufficient permeating effect and thus to suppress the accumulation of the first liquid due to the drying. The humectant ratio is preferably in a range of 30% by weight to 50% by weight.
The blending amount of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol (1,2-alkylenediol ratio) in the second liquid is in a range of 2% by weight to 10% by weight. By making the 1,2-alkylenediol ratio be not less than 2% by weight, it is possible to obtain sufficient permeating effect, thereby making it possible to suppress the accumulation of the first liquid. Further, by making the 1,2-alkylendiol ratio be not more than 10% by weight, the first liquid containing the both-end diol hardly accumulates on the upper surface (surface layer) of the absorber, thereby making it possible to suppress the accumulation of the first liquid.
The balance of the second liquid is preferably water. The water is preferably ion-exchange water or pure water (purified water). The second liquid may further contain any other conventionally known additive(s) exemplified by surfactants, rust-preventing agents, fungicides, etc., as necessary.
Further, the blending amount (B: % by weight) of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol in the second liquid is not less than ¼ times the blending amount (A: % by weight) of the both-end diol contained in the first liquid. By making the ratio (B/A) of the blending amount (B) of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol in the second liquid to the blending amount (A) of the both-end diol in the first liquid be not less than ¼, it is possible to obtain sufficient affinity with the both-end diol, thereby suppressing the accumulation of the first liquid. The blending amount (B) of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol in the second liquid is preferably not less than ½ times the blending amount (A) of the both-end diol in the first liquid. Namely, the ratio (B/A) of the blending amounts (B) to (A) is preferably not less than ½. Although the mechanism obtained by the above-identified range and preferable range and the ratio and the preferred ratio is not completely grasped, it is presumed as follows. Namely, the both-end diol contained in the first liquid such as an ink and the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol contained in the second liquid both have —OH group, and thus the first and second liquids have affinity to each other due to the attraction between OH groups. Further, since the non-volatile 1,2-alkyelendiol contained in the second liquid has a high permeability, the non-volatile 1,2-alkyelendiol which has developed the affinity with the ink on the upper layer of the absorber causes the ink to permeate from the upper layer to the lower layer of the absorber. Further, the ratio (B/A) of the blending amount (B) of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol to the blending amount (A) of the both-end diol is a value derived by the results of experiments by which the following was confirmed. Namely, in a case that the blending amount of the non-volatile 1,2-alkyelendiol in the second liquid was less than ¼ times the blending amount of the both-end diol in the first liquid, any sufficient effect could not be obtained, whereas in a case that the blending amount of the non-volatile 1,2-alkyelendiol in the second liquid was not less than ½ times the blending amount of the both-end diol in the first liquid, remarkable effect could be obtained. Further, the ratio of the blending amounts (B/A) can be made to be, for example, not more than 4, and is preferably made to be not more than 1.
Further, the reason that the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol has the high permeability is presumed that in the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol, two hydroxyl groups are located at the end portion of the main chain (position numbers: 1 and 2), which allows the non-volatile 1,2-alkyelendiol to have the surface active performance. Accordingly, it is presumed that the effect of suppressing the accumulation of the first liquid as described above cannot be obtained by using any diol that is different from the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol, such as the both-end diol, etc.
In the present teaching, for example, in a case that the absorber is a flushing foam and a platen foam, the accumulation of the first liquid on the surface of the absorber is suppressed. With this, it is possible to suppress any clogging (of nozzles) in the liquid discharge head caused due to the first liquid which is accumulated on the surface of the absorber and which makes contact with the liquid discharge head. Further, it is also possible to suppress any contamination of a recording medium, such as a recording paper or paper sheet, etc., caused due to the first liquid which is accumulated on the surface of the absorber and which makes contact with the recording medium.
In the second liquid, the weight ratio of the non-volatile humectant (C) to the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol (B) is C:B=25:1 to 4:1, is preferably C:B=25:1 to 3:1, and is more preferably C:B=25:1 to 2:1.
In the liquid discharge recording apparatus of the present teaching, the absorber which absorbs the first liquid exited from the liquid discharge head may be any absorber provided that the absorber is capable of absorbing the first liquid. For example, the absorber is exemplified by melamine foam, urethane foam, polyethylene foam, silicone foam, acrylic foam, chloroprene rubber (CR) sponge, natural rubber (NR) sponge, nitrile rubber (NBR) sponge, ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) sponge, felt foam, needle felt among which melamine foam is preferable.
The absorber absorbs the first liquid exited from the liquid discharge head. The method for causing the absorber to absorb the first liquid is not particularly limited; it is allowable, for example, to cause the absorber to absorb the first liquid by discharging the first liquid toward the absorber by a liquid discharge head such as an ink-jet head or to allow the absorber to absorb the first liquid sucked from the liquid discharge head by a suction pump, as will be described below.
A recording medium (for example, recording paper or recording sheet) P supplied from a paper feeding mechanism (not depicted in the drawings) is placed on the upper surface of the platen 2. Two guide rails 10 and 11 are arranged at a position above or over the platen 2, and extend parallel to each other in the scanning direction (left/right direction in
The two guide rails 10 and 11 extend in the scanning direction to further protrude from the left and right ends of the platen 2. The carriage 3 is configured to be movable from the area facing the recording paper P on the platen 2 (recording area) to a position located away from both of the left/right ends of the platen 2 (non-recording area). An endless belt 14 wound between two pulleys 12 and 13 is connected to the carriage 3. By driving the endless belt 14 to run by a carriage driving motor 15, the carriage 3 is reciprocated in the scanning direction, accompanying with the running of the endless belt 14.
The ink-jet head 4 is installed in a lower portion of the carriage 3. The lower surface of the ink-jet head 4 is a liquid discharge surface 4a (see
Four ink supply ports (not depicted in the drawings) corresponding to colors of black, yellow, cyan and magenta, respectively are provided on the upper surface of the ink-jet head 4, and one ends of four tubes 17 are connected to the four ink supply ports, respectively. The other ends of the four tubes 17 are connected to a cartridge installation section 9 that is configured such that four ink cartridges 8 storing the four color inks respectively are detachably attached to the cartridge installation section 9. With this configuration, the inks of the respective four colors are supplied to the ink-jet head 4 from the four ink cartridges 8 installed in the cartridge installation section 9 via the four tubes 17, respectively. In the liquid discharge recording head 1, at least an ink of one color, among the inks of four colors, may be the first liquid containing the both-end diol.
The conveying mechanism 5 has two conveying rollers 18 and 19 which are arranged so as to sandwich the platen 2 therebetween in a conveying direction (direction from the upper portion to the lower portion on the sheet surface in
The liquid discharge recording apparatus 1 discharges the ink (first liquid) from the ink-jet head 4 installed in the carriage 3 toward the recording paper P placed on the platen 2 and conveys the recording paper P in the conveying direction by the two conveying rollers 18 and 19, thereby recording desired image and/or letter, etc., on the recording paper P.
Next, the maintenance unit 6 will be explained. The maintenance unit 6 includes a purge unit and a flushing unit. The purge unit has a waste liquid foam 22, a suction cap 21 and a suction pump 23 which are arranged on one side in the scanning direction (on the right side in
The suction cap 21 is driven by a cap driving mechanism including a driving mechanism such as a motor (not depicted) so that the suction cap 21 is driven to move in the up and down direction and to make approach/separation with respect to the liquid discharge surface 4a. The suction pump 23 is connected to the suction cap 21. When the suction cap 21 makes contact with the liquid discharge surface 4a, the suction cap 21 covers the openings of the plurality of nozzles 16. In a case that the suction cap 21 is in a capping state in such a manner, the suction pump 23 is driven to perform suction and depressurization in the inside of the suction cap 21, thereby causing liquid(s) such as the ink(s) to exit from all of the nozzles 16 covered by the suction cap 21 (suction purge). The suction pump 23 is connected to the waste liquid foam 22. The first liquid sucked and made to exit from the nozzles 16 by the suction purge is absorbed by the waste liquid foam 22 via the suction pump 23. Although not depicted in the drawings, the waste liquid foam 22 is accommodated in a box which is open at an upper portion of the box. The waste liquid foam 22 may be any member provided that such a member is capable of absorbing liquid (first liquid), such as, for example, a foam member including a melamine foam, etc. In the embodiment, the purge unit is configured to suck the first liquid from the nozzles 16 by the suction pump 23. However, the purge unit may be configured as a so-called “push purge” mechanism which applies pressure to the first liquid inside the ink-jet head 4 to thereby cause the first liquid to exit from the nozzles 16. Namely, the first liquid absorbed by the absorber in the present teaching may be the first liquid which is discharged actively and made to exit from the nozzles, or the first liquid which is forced to exit from the nozzles as in the suction purge. Alternatively, in the present teaching, it is allowable to provide such an aspect for absorbing the first liquid wherein the absorber receives the first liquid discharged directly to the absorber.
As depicted in
Next, a platen foam 60 will be explained with reference to
The first flushing foam 53, the second flushing foam 54, the waste liquid foam 22 and the platen foam 60 absorb the second liquid. In each of the first and second flushing foams 53 and 54 and the platen foam 60, the second liquid may be contained only at a portion which makes contact with the first liquid discharged from the ink-jet head 4, or may be contained in the entirety of each of the first and second flushing foams 53 and 54 and the platen foam 60. Further, each of the first flushing foam 53, the second flushing foam 54, and the platen foam 60 may be provided independently (separately) respectively for the colors of the first liquids (such as inks) discharged from the ink-jet head 4. In such a case, the blending amounts of the non-volatile humectant and the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol in the second liquid contained in each of the first flushing foam 53, the second flushing foam 54, and the platen foam 60 may be determined depending on the content amount of the both-end diol contained in one of the discharged first liquids.
Next, an example of the liquid recovery method of the present teaching will be explained with reference to
When the liquid is recovered in this example, the ink-jet head 4 is stopped, without scanning in the scanning direction, and the ink(s) (first liquid) discharged from the nozzles 16 is (are) discharged immediately downwardly.
In
Further, the amount of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol in the second liquid contained in the absorber may be determined depending on the amount of the both-end diol contained in the first liquid, the service life period of the liquid discharge recording apparatus, etc. For example, in a case that the absorber is a flushing foam of the liquid discharge recording apparatus, the amount of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol in the second liquid contained in the flushing foam is preferably not less than 0.10 g, more preferably not less than 0.18 g, and is preferably not more than 0.81 g, more preferably not more than 0.63 g.
Since the second liquid is contained in each of the first flushing foam 53 and the second flushing foam 54 and the blending amount (% by weight) of the non-volatile 1,2-alkyelendiol in the second liquid is not less than ¼ times the blending amount (% by weight) of the both-end diol in the first liquid, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of the first liquid containing the both-end diol.
Next, another example of the liquid recovery method of the present teaching will be explained with reference to
Next, still another example of the liquid recovery method of the present teaching will be explained with reference to
At first, a case that the first liquid is an ink will be explained. When the liquid is recovered in this example, the ink-jet head 4 is stopped, without scanning in the scanning direction, and the ink(s) (first liquid) discharged from the nozzles 16 is (are) discharged immediately downwardly.
In
Next, an explanation will be given about a case that the first liquid is the introductory liquid charged into the ink flow channel and the ink-jet head 4. In this case, the ink-jet head 4 is in its initial state of being capped by the suction cap 21 is moved to a position immediately above the platen foam 60 before the liquids used for the ink-jet recording such as the ink(s) and the treatment liquid, etc., are introduced from the ink cartridge(s) 8 to the ink flow channel. Further, the ink-jet head 4 is driven so as to discharge the introductory liquid from the plurality of nozzles 16 onto the platen foam 60. Although it is allowable that the entire (all) amount of the introductory liquid is discharged to the platen foam 60, it is preferable that not all the amount of the introductory liquid is discharged to the platen foam 60 and that an appropriate amount of the introductory liquid is retained without being discharged. After the introductory liquid inside the ink flow channels in the ink-jet head 4 and the tubes 17 has been discharged to the platen foam 60, then, the inks are introduced from the ink cartridges 8 into the ink flow channels.
In view of sufficiently allowing the first liquid to permeate into the platen foam 60, the amount of the second liquid contained in the platen foam 60 is preferably not less than 0.10 μg/mm3, and in view of suppressing any flooding of the second liquid in such a case that any reaction force is applied to the platen foam 60 during transportation, etc., the amount of the second liquid contained in the platen foam 60 is preferably not more than 0.91 μg/mm3. In view of retaining the second liquid to the platen foam 60 while allowing the first liquid to permeate into the platen foam 60, the amount of the second liquid contained in the platen foam 60 is preferably in a range of not less than 0.20 μg/mm3 to not more than 0.70 μg/mm3.
Since the second liquid is contained in the platen foam 60 and the blending amount (% by weight) of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol in the second liquid is not less than ¼ times the blending amount (% by weight) of the both-end diol in the first liquid, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of the first liquid containing the both-end diol.
As described above, according to the present teaching, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of the first liquid containing the diol represented by the formula (1) in the liquid discharge recording apparatus by allowing the absorber, configured to absorb the first liquid containing the diol represented by the formula (1), to absorb (contain) the second liquid containing the non-volatile humectant and the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol; and further by making the blending amount of the non-volatile humectant in the second liquid be in a range of 20% by weight to 50% by weight; by making the blending amount of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol in the second liquid be in a range of 2% by weight to 10% by weight; and making the blending amount of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol in the second liquid be not less than ¼ times the blending amount of the diol represented by the formula (1) in the first liquid.
Next, examples of the present teaching will be explained together with comparative examples. Note that the present teaching is not limited and is not restricted to the examples and the comparative examples which will be described below.
Components, except for a self-dispersible pigment, which were included in Ink Composition (TABLE 1 as indicated below) were mixed uniformly or homogeneously; and thus an ink solvent was obtained. Subsequently, the ink solvent was added to the self-dispersible pigment dispersed in water, followed by being mixed uniformly. After that, the obtained mixture was filtrated through a cellulose acetate membrane filter (pore size 3.00 μm) produced by Toyo Roshi Kaisha, Ltd., and thus inks 1 to 9 for ink-jet recording were obtained.
Second liquids 1-13 having the compositions indicated in TABLE 2 as below were prepared.
Each of the second liquids 1-13 as indicated in TABLE 3 or TABLE 4 as follows was permeated into a melamine foam (surface area: 15 cm2, thickness: 2 mm), and then the melamine foam was squeezed to such an extent that the second liquid did not drip from the melamine foam. Afterwards, 0.2 mL of one of the inks 1 to 9 as indicated in TABLE 3 or TABLE 4 was dripped to the melamine foam by using a micropipette, and then the maximum diameter of an ink droplet was measured after 5 minutes of the dripping. It can be judged that as the maximum diameter is greater, the ink is more easily permeated into the melamine foam, and the accumulation of the ink can be suppressed to a greater extent.
The compositions of the inks and second liquids used in Examples 1-11 and the results of measurement of the maximum diameter of ink droplet are indicated in TABLE 3 as follows. Further, the compositions of the inks and second liquids used in Comparative Examples 1-10 and the results of measurement of the maximum diameter of ink droplet are indicated in TABLE 4 as follows.
As indicated in TABLE 3, Examples 1-11 had the maximum diameter of the ink droplet that was not less than 15 mm, and thus were judged to be capable of suppressing the accumulation of the ink. In Examples 2, 3, 7 and 9 to 11, in each of which the blending amount of the non-volatile humectant in the second liquid was in a range of 30% by weight to 40% by weight and the blending amount (B) of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol in the second liquid was not less than ½ times the blending amount (A) of the both-end diol in the ink, had the maximum diameter of the ink droplet that was not less than 18 mm, and thus were judged to be capable of further suppressing the accumulation of the ink.
On the other hand, as indicated in TABLE 4, Comparative Example 1 which contained the non-volatile humectant in the second liquid in a blending amount of 55% by weight, the maximum diameter of the ink droplet was 9 mm, and thus was judged to be not capable of sufficiently suppressing the accumulation of the ink. Further, Comparative Example 2 which contained the non-volatile humectant in the second liquid in a blending amount of 18% by weight, the maximum diameter of the ink droplet was 14 mm, and thus was judged to be not capable of sufficiently suppressing the accumulation of the ink. Furthermore, Comparative Example 3 which contained the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol in the second liquid in a blending amount of 1.5% by weight, the maximum diameter of the ink droplet was 13 mm, and thus was judged to be not capable of sufficiently suppressing the accumulation of the ink.
Moreover, Comparative Examples 4 and 5 in which the blending amounts (B) of the non-volatile 1,2-alkylenediol in the second liquid were ⅕ times and ⅛ times, respectively, the blending amount (A) of the both-end diol in the ink, the maximum diameters of the ink droplet were 12 mm and 8 mm, respectively, and thus were judged to be not capable of sufficiently suppressing the accumulation of the ink. Further, Comparative Example 6 which contained the non-volatile 1,2-alkyelendiol in the second liquid in a blending amount of 12% by weight, the maximum diameter of the ink droplet was 10 mm, and thus was judged to be not capable of sufficiently suppressing the accumulation of the ink. Furthermore, Comparative Examples 7 and 8 which contained 1,6-hexanediol and triethylene glycol-n-butyl ether, instead of the non-volatile 1,2-alkyelendiol, in the second liquid, respectively, the maximum diameters of the ink droplet were 10 mm and 14 mm, respectively, and thus were judged to be not capable of sufficiently suppressing the accumulation of the ink. Moreover, in Comparative Examples 9 and 10 which contained diethylene glycol and 2-pyrollidone, instead of the both-end diol in the ink, respectively, the maximum diameters of the ink droplet were 12 mm and 11 mm, respectively, and thus were judged to be not capable of sufficiently suppressing the accumulation of the ink.
As described above, the liquid discharge recording apparatus of the present teaching is capable of suppressing the accumulation of the first liquid containing both-end diol. The usage of the liquid discharge recording apparatus of the present teaching is not particularly limited, and is widely applicable to a variety of kinds of ink-jet recording.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2014-042416 | Mar 2014 | JP | national |