Claims
- 1. An ink tank, which comprises (a) an ink for recording, (b) an ink storing section, and (c) an ink absorbent member for impregnating said ink stored in said ink storing section, said ink absorbent member comprising a polyurethane that has been heat-pressed to a predetermined compression ratio, which is prepared by using polyetherpolyol as a starting material, wherein the weight of polyetherpolyol eluted from said member into said ink is equal to or less than 0.04% by weight based on the weight of the ink.
- 2. An ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the polyetherpolyol is a compound having an infrared absorption spectrum with a peak at least at 1110 cm.sup.-1.
- 3. An ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the ink contains at least water, a water-soluble organic solvent and a coloring agent.
- 4. An ink tank according to claim 3, wherein the coloring agent is at least one of water soluble dyes and pigments.
- 5. An ink tank according to claim 3, wherein the coloring agent is at least one member selected from the group consisting of acid dyes, direct dyes and basic dyes.
- 6. An ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the ink has a pH of 8 to 10.
- 7. An ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the heat-pressing is conducted at 150 to 185.degree. C. of 3 through 10.
- 8. An ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the ink has a pH value in a range of 3 through 10.
- 9. An ink tank according to claim 1, wherein if the heat-pressing temperature is higher than 185.degree. C., polyetherpolyol is extracted with an organic polar solvent.
- 10. An ink jet cartridge, which comprises (a) an ink tank having an ink for recording, (b) an ink storing section, (c) an ink absorbent member for impregnating the ink stored in said ink storing section, and (d) an ejection energy generating means for ejecting the ink, the ink absorbent member comprising a polyurethane that has been heat-pressed to a predetermined compression ratio, which is prepared by using polyetherpolyol as a starting material, wherein the weight of polyetherpolyol eluted from said member into the ink is equal to or less than 0.04% by weight based on the weight of the ink.
- 11. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the polyetherpolyol is a compound having an infrared absorption spectrum with a peak at least at 1110 cm.sup.-1.
- 12. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the ink contains at least water, a water-soluble organic solvent and a coloring agent.
- 13. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the coloring agent is at least one of water-soluble dyes and pigments.
- 14. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the coloring agent is at least one member selected from the group consisting of acid dyes, direct dyes and basic dyes.
- 15. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the ink has a pH of 8 to 10.
- 16. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the injection energy generating means is a means for generating heat energy for causing film boiling in the ink by supply of electric signals according to recording signals.
- 17. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the heat-pressing is is conducted at 150 to 185.degree. C.
- 18. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the ink has a pH value in a range of 3 through 10.
- 19. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 10, wherein if the heat-pressing temperature is higher than 185.degree. C., polyetherpolyol is extracted with an organic polar solvent.
- 20. An ink jet cartridge, which comprises (a) an ink storing section comprising (i) an atmosphere-communicating opening, (ii) an ink discharge port at a position different from a position of said atmosphere-communicating opening, and (iii) an ink absorbent member, (b) an ejection energy generating means for ejecting the ink, (c) an ink chamber for storing the ink for supplying the ink to the ejection energy generating means, (d) a supply pipe for leading the ink to said ink absorbent member in said ink storing section under pressure, and (e) a filter provided at the end of said supply pipe, said ink absorbent member comprising a polyurethane that has been heat-pressed to a predetermined compression ratio, which is prepared by using polyetherpolyol as a starting material, wherein the weight of polyetherpolyol eluted from said member into the ink is equal to or less than 0.04% by weight based on the weight of the ink.
- 21. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 20, wherein the polyetherpolyol is a compound having an infrared absorption spectrum with a peak at least at 1110 cm.sup.-1.
- 22. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 20, wherein the ink contains at least water, a water-soluble organic solvent and a coloring agent.
- 23. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 22, wherein the coloring agent is at least one of water-soluble dyes and pigments.
- 24. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 22, wherein the the coloring agent is at least one member selected from the group consisting of acid dyes, direct dyes and basic dyes.
- 25. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 20, wherein the ink has a pH of 8 to 10.
- 26. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 20, wherein the ejection energy generating means is a means for generating heat energy for causing film boiling in the ink by supply of electric signals according to recording signals.
- 27. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 20, wherein the heat-pressing is conducted at 150 to 185.degree. C.
- 28. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 20, wherein the ink has a pH value in a range of 3 through 10.
- 29. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 20, wherein if the heat-pressing temperature is higher than 185.degree. C., polyetherpolyol is extracted with an organic polar solvent.
- 30. An ink jet recorking apparatus, which comprises (a) an ink jet cartridge comprising (i) an ink tank with an ink for recording, (ii) an ink storing section, and (iii) an ink absorbent member for impregnating the ink stored in said ink storing in said ink storing section, and (b) an ejection energy generating means for ejecting the ink, and (c) a carriage capable of moving said ink jet cartridge in a desired direction, said ink absorbent member comprising a polyurethane that has been heat-pressed to a predetermined compression ratio, which is prepared by using polyetherpolyol as a starting material, wherein the weight of ployetherpolyol eluted from said member into the ink is equal to or less than 0.04% by weight based on the weight of the ink.
- 31. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the soluble matters are compounds having an infrared absorption spectrum with a peak at least at 1110 cm.sup.-1.
- 32. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the ink contains at least water, a water-soluble organic solvent and a coloring agent.
- 33. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the coloring agent is at least one of water-soluble dyes and pigments.
- 34. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the coloring agent is at least one member selected from the group consisting of acid dyes, direct dyes and basic dyes.
- 35. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the ink has a pH of 8 to 10.
- 36. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claims 30, wherein the ejection energy generating means is a means for generating heat energy for causing film boiling in the ink by supply of electric signals according to recording signals.
- 37. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the heat-pressing is is conducted at 150 to 185.degree. C.
- 38. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 30 wherein the ink has a pH value in a range of 3 through 10.
- 39. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 30, wherein if the heat-pressing temperature is higher than 185.degree. C., polyetherpolyol is extracted with an organic polar solvent.
- 40. An ink tank, which comprises (a) an ink for recording, (b) an ink storing section, and (c) an ink absorbent member encased in said ink storing section impregnated with ink, said ink comprising urea, and said ink absorbent member comprising a polyurethane that has been heat-pressed to a predetermined compression ratio, which is prepared by using polyetherpolyol as a starting material, wherein the weight of polyetherpolyol eluted from said member into the ink is equal to or less than 0.04% by weight based on the weight of the ink.
- 41. An ink tank according to claim 40, wherein the polyetherpolyol is a compound having an infrared absorption spectrum with a peak.at least at 1110 cm.sup.-1.
- 42. An ink tank according to claim 40, wherein the ink contains at least water, a water-soluble organic solvent and a coloring agent.
- 43. An ink tank according to claim 42, wherein the coloring agent is at least one of water-soluble dyes and pigments.
- 44. An ink tank according to claim 42, wherein the coloring agent is at least one member selected from the group consisting of acid dyes, direct dyes and basic dyes.
- 45. An ink tank according to claim 40, wherein the ink has a pH of 8 to 10.
- 46. An ink tank according to claim 40, wherein the heat-pressing is conducted at 150 to 185.degree. C.
- 47. An ink tank according to claim 40, wherein the ink has a pH value in a range of 3 through 10.
- 48. An ink tank according to claim 40, wherein if the heat-pressing temperature is higher than 185.degree. C., polyetherpolyol is extracted with an organic polar solvent.
- 49. An ink jet cartridge, which comprises (a) an ink tank having an ink for recording, (b) an ink storing section, (c) an ink absorbent member impregnated with said ink stored in said ink storing section, and (d) an ejection energy generating means for ejecting said ink, said ink comprising urea and said ink absorbent member comprising a polyurethane that has been heat-pressed to a predetermined compression ratio, which is prepared by using polyetherpolyol as a starting material, wherein the weight of polyetherpolyol eluted from said member into the ink is equal to or less than 0.04% by weight based on the weight of the ink.
- 50. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 49, wherein the polyetherpolyol is a compound having an infrared absorption spectrum with a peak at least at 1110 cm.sup.-1.
- 51. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 49, wherein the ink contains at least water, a water-soluble organic solvent and a coloring agent.
- 52. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 51, wherein the coloring agent is at least one of water-soluble dyes and pigments.
- 53. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 51, wherein the coloring agent is at least one member selected from the group consisting of acid dyes, direct dyes and basic dyes.
- 54. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 49, wherein the ink has a pH of 8 to 10.
- 55. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 49, wherein the heat-pressing is conducted at 150 to 185.degree. C.
- 56. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 49, wherein the ink has a pH value in a range of 3 through 10.
- 57. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 49, wherein if the heat-pressing temperature is higher than 185.degree. C., polyetherpolyol is extracted with an organic polar solvent.
- 58. An ink jet recording apparatus, which comprises (a) an ink jet cartridge comprising (i) an ink tank with an ink for recording, (ii) an ink storing section, (iii) an ink absorbent member for impregnating the ink, and (iv) an ejection energy generating means for ejecting the ink, and (b) a carriage capable of moving said ink jet cartridge in a desired direction, the ink comprising urea, and said ink absorbent member comprising a polyurethane that has been heat-pressed to a predetermined compression ratio, which is prepared by using polyetherpolyol as a starting material, wherein the weight of polyetherpolyol eluted from said member into the ink is equal to or less than 0.04% by weight based on the weight of the ink.
- 59. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 58, wherein the polyetherpolyol is a compound having an infrared absorption spectrum with a peak at least at 1110 cm.sup.-1.
- 60. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 58, wherein the ink contains at least water, a water-soluble organic solvent and a coloring agent.
- 61. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 60, wherein the coloring agent is at least one of water-soluble dyes and pigments.
- 62. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 60, wherein the coloring agent is at least one member selected from the group consisting of acid dyes, direct dyes and basic dyes.
- 63. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 58, wherein the ink has a pH of 8 to 10.
- 64. An ink jet recordin apparatus according to claim 58, wherein the heat-pressing is conducted at 150 to 185.degree. C.
- 65. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 58, wherein the ink has a pH value in a range of 3 through 10.
- 66. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claims 58, wherein if the heat-pressing temperature is higher than 185.degree. C., polyetherpolyol is extracted with an organic polar solvent.
- 67. A method for washing an ink absorbent member to be encased in an ink storing tank in an ink jet cartridge, the ink absorbent member being made from polyurethane which is prepared by using polyetherpolyol as a starting material, the washing being carried out after heat-pressing of the ink absorbent member, the method comprising washing with a washing agent containing an organic polar solvent incapable of reacting with the ink absorbent member until polyetherpolyol contained in the ink absorbent member is reduced to a content of not more than 0.20% by weight on the basis of the ink absorbent member.
- 68. A method according to claim 67, wherein the organic polar solvent is at least one member selected from the group consisting of monohydric alcohols having not more than three carbon atoms and alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols.
- 69. A method according to claim 67, wherein the washing agent is ethanol.
- 70. A method according to claim 67, wherein the polyetherpolyol is a compound having an infrared absorption spectrum with a peak at least at 1110 cm.sup.-1.
- 71. A method according to claim 69, wherein the heat-pressing is conducted at 150.degree. C. or more.
- 72. A method for manufacturing an ink tank comprising an ink absorbent member and a container encasing the ink absorbent member, the method comprising the steps of:
- washing the ink absorbent member being made from polyurethane which is prepared by using polyetherpolyol as a starting material, after heat-pressing, with a washing agent containing an organic polar solvent incapable of reacting with the ink absorbent member until polyetherpolyol contained in the ink absorbent member is reduced to a content of not more than 0.20% by weight on the basis of the ink absorbent member; and
- inserting the ink absorbent member into the container.
- 73. A method according to claim 72, wherein the heat-pressing is conducted at 150.degree. C. or more.
- 74. A method for manufacturing an ink jet cartridge comprising an ink tank including an ink absorbent member and a container encasing the ink absorbent member, and an ink-jet unit including an ink-jet head, the method comprising the steps of:
- washing the ink absorbent member being made from polyurethane which is prepared by using polyetherpolyol as a starting material, after heat-pressing, with a washing agent containing an organic polar solvent incapable of reacting with the ink absorbent member until polyetherpolyol contained in the ink absorbent member is reduced to a content of not more than 0.20% by weight on the basis of the ink absorbent member; and
- inserting the ink absorbent member into the container.
- 75. A method according to claim 74, wherein the heat-pressing is conducted at 150.degree. C. or more.
Priority Claims (6)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
2-180432 |
Jul 1990 |
JPX |
|
2-180433 |
Jul 1990 |
JPX |
|
2-180434 |
Jul 1990 |
JPX |
|
2-180437 |
Jul 1990 |
JPX |
|
3-155920 |
May 1991 |
JPX |
|
3-159226 |
Jun 1991 |
JPX |
|
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/727,090 filed Jul. 9, 1991, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (9)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
2138835 |
Oct 1984 |
GBX |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
Official Letter dated Jun. 8, 1994 in EP Application Ref. No. 11626. |
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
727090 |
Jul 1991 |
|