[0001] This invention relates to an ink jet printing method. More particularly, this invention
relates to an ink jet printing method that uses a recording element containing pigments.
[0002] In a typical ink jet recording or printing system, ink droplets are ejected from
a nozzle at high speed towards a recording element or medium to produce an image on
the medium. The ink droplets, or recording liquid, generally comprise a recording
agent, such as a dye or pigment, and a large amount of solvent. The solvent, or carrier
liquid, typically is made up of water, an organic material such as a monohydric alcohol,
a polyhydric alcohol or mixtures thereof.
[0003] An ink jet recording element typically comprises a support having on at least one
surface thereof an ink-receiving or image-forming layer, and includes those intended
for reflection viewing, which have an opaque support, and those intended for viewing
by transmitted light, which have a transparent support.
[0004] While a wide variety of different types of image-recording elements for use with
ink jet devices have been proposed heretofore, there are many unsolved problems in
the art and many deficiencies in the known products which have limited their commercial
usefulness.
[0005] It is well known that in order to achieve and maintain photographic-quality images
on such an image-recording element, an ink jet recording element must:
- Be readily wetted so there is no puddling, i.e., coalescence of adjacent ink dots,
which leads to nonuniform density
- Exhibit no image bleeding
- Exhibit the ability to absorb high concentrations of ink and dry quickly to avoid
elements blocking together when stacked against subsequent prints or other surfaces
- Exhibit no discontinuities or defects due to interactions between the support and/or
layer(s), such as cracking, repellencies, comb lines and the like
- Not allow unabsorbed dyes to aggregate at the free surface causing dye crystallization,
which results in bloom or bronzing effects in the imaged areas
- Have an optimized image fastness to avoid fade from contact with water or radiation
by daylight, tungsten light, or fluorescent light
[0006] An ink jet recording element that simultaneously provides an almost instantaneous
ink dry time and good image quality is desirable. However, given the wide range of
ink compositions and ink volumes that a recording element needs to accommodate, these
requirements of ink jet recording media are difficult to achieve simultaneously.
[0007] Ink jet recording elements are known that employ porous or non-porous single layer
or multilayer coatings that act as suitable image receiving layers on one or both
sides of a porous or non-porous support. Recording elements that use non-porous coatings
typically have good image quality but exhibit poor ink dry time. Recording elements
that use porous coatings typically have poorer image quality but exhibit superior
dry times.
[0008] US-A-5,851,651 relates to an ink jet recording element comprising a paper substrate
with a coating comprising inorganic pigments and an anionic, organic co-binder system.
The co-binder system consists of polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and polyvinylpyrrolidone
(PVP) or a copolymer of polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate (PVP-VA). However, there
is a problem with this element in that less than desirable image quality, as measured
by optical density, image bleed, and waterfastness, is obtained.
[0009] JP-A-10 217601, US-A-5 908 723, EP-A-1 013 464 and WO-00 02736 relate to ink jet
recording elements using various binders and pigments.
[0010] German Patent DE 19,534,327A1 relates to an ink jet recording element which contains
a recording layer comprising an inorganic, cationic pigment and a cationic organic
binder. However, this recording layer also has less than desirable image quality,
as measured by optical density, image bleed, and waterfastness.
[0011] It is an object of this invention to provide an inkjet printing method that uses
a recording element that has a fast ink dry time. It is another object of this invention
to provide an ink jet printing method that uses a recording element that has good
image quality.
[0012] These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the invention, which comprises
an inkjet printing method comprising the steps of:
a) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals;
b) loading the printer with an ink jet recording element comprising a substrate having
thereon an image-receiving layer comprising an inorganic, anionic pigment, an organic,
anionic binder, and an organic, cationic mordant which is a polymer latex dispersion;
said inorganic, anionic pigment being present in an amount of from 50% to 95 weight
% of said image-receiving layer;
said organic, anionic binder being present in an amount of from 5% to 20 weight
% of said image-receiving layer; and the ratio of pigment to binder is from 5:1 to
8:1; and
said organic, cationic mordant being present in an amount of from 1% to 75 weight
% of said image-receiving layer;
c) loading the printer with an ink jet ink composition; and
d) printing on said recording element using said ink jet ink in response to the digital
data signals.
[0013] The ink jet recording element produced by the method of the invention provides good
gloss, good image quality and fast ink dry times.
[0014] The inorganic, anionic pigment useful in the recording element employed in the process
of the invention may be a kaolin clay, a calcined clay, titanium dioxide, talc or
a silicate. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inorganic, anionic pigment
is a kaolin clay sold under the trade name Hydragloss® 92 (J.M.Huber Company). The
amount of inorganic, anionic pigment used is in the range from 50% to 95% of the image-receiving
layer.
[0015] The organic, anionic binder useful in the recording element employed in the process
of the invention may be a styrene acrylic latex, a styrene butadiene latex, a poly(vinyl
alcohol) or a poly(vinyl acetate). A commercially-available styrene acrylic latex
useful in the invention is Acronal ® S-728 (BASF Corp.). A commercially-available
styrene butadiene latex useful in the invention is Styronal ® BN 4606X (BASF Corp.).
A commercially-available poly(vinyl alcohol) useful in the invention is Airvol ® 21-205
(Air Products Inc.). A commercially-available poly(vinyl acetate) useful in the invention
is Vinac ® 884 (Air Products Inc.).
[0016] The organic, anionic binder is used in an amount of from 5% to 20% of the image-receiving
layer. The ratio of pigment to binder is from 5:1 to 8:1.
[0017] The organic, cationic mordant useful in the recording element employed in the process
of the invention is a polymer latex dispersion. Examples of mordants useful in the
invention are disclosed in US-A-5,474,843. Other useful mordants include cationic
urethane dispersions sold under the trade name Witcobond® W-213 and Witcobond ®W-215
(Witco Corporation).
[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the organic, cationic mordant is:
M1: poly(N-vinyl benzyl-N-benzyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride-co-styrene-co-divinyl
benzene),
M2: poly(N-vinylbenzyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate),
or
M3: poly(N-vinylbenzyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride-co-divinyl benzene).
[0019] The mordant polymer is present in an amount of from 1% to 75% by weight of the image-receiving
layer, preferably from 10% to 20%.
[0020] Smaller quantities of up to 10 % of other binders may also be added to the image-receiving
layer such as PVP sold as Luviskol ®VA 64W (BASF Corp.) or copolymer PVP-VA sold as
Luviquat® PQ11PN (BASF Corp.). In addition to the above major components, other additives
such as pH-modifiers like nitric acid, cross-linkers, rheology modifiers, surfactants,
UV-absorbers, biocides, lubricants, dyes, optical brighteners etc. may be added as
needed.
[0021] The substrate may be porous such as paper or non-porous such as cellulose acetate
or polyester films. The surface of the substrate may be treated in order to improve
the adhesion of the image-receiving layer to the support. For example, the surface
may be corona discharge treated prior to applying the image-receiving layer to the
support. Alternatively, an under-coating or subbing layer, such as a layer formed
from a halogenated phenol or a partially hydrolyzed vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer,
can be applied to the surface of the support.
[0022] The ink jet coating may be applied to one or both substrate surfaces through conventional
pre-metered or post-metered coating methods such as blade, air knife, rod, roll coating,
etc. The choice of coating process would be determined from the economics of the operation
and in turn, would determine the formulation specifications such as coating solids,
coating viscosity, and coating speed. In a preferred embodiment, the coating formulation
would have a coating solids of 40-60% and a low shear 10.5
s-1 (100 rpm Brookfield) viscosity of 500-2000 mPa.s (500-2000 centiPoise).
[0023] The image-receiving layer thickness may range from 5 to 60 µm, preferably from 20
to 40 µm. The coating thickness required is determined through the need for the coating
to act as a sump for absorption of ink solvent and the need to hold the ink near the
coating surface. The coating may be applied in a single layer or in multiple layers
so the functionality of each coating layer may be specified; for example, a two-layer
structure can be created wherein the base coat functions as a sump for absorption
of ink solvent while the top coat holds the ink.
[0024] After coating, the ink jet recording element may be subject to calendering or supercalendering
to enhance surface smoothness. In a preferred embodiment, the ink jet recording element
is subject to hot, soft-nip calendering at a temperature of 65°C and pressure of 14000
kg/m at a speed of from 0.15 m/s to 0.3 m/s.
[0025] The substrate used in the ink jet recording element employed in the process of the
invention may be opaque, translucent, or transparent. There may be used, for example,
plain papers, resin-coated papers, various plastics including a polyester resin such
as poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene naphthalate) and poly(ester diacetate),
a polycarbonate resin, a fluorine resin such as poly(tetra-fluoro ethylene), metal
foil, various glass materials, and the like. The thickness of the substrate employed
in the invention can be from 12 to 500 µm, preferably from 75 to 300 µm.
[0026] Ink jet inks used to image the recording elements employed in the process of the
invention are well-known in the art. The ink compositions used in ink jet printing
typically are liquid compositions comprising a solvent or carrier liquid, dyes or
pigments, humectants, organic solvents, detergents, thickeners, preservatives, and
the like. The solvent or carrier liquid can be solely water or can be water mixed
with other water-miscible solvents such as polyhydric alcohols. Inks in which organic
materials such as polyhydric alcohols are the predominant carrier or solvent liquid
may also be used. Particularly useful are mixed solvents of water and polyhydric alcohols.
The dyes used in such compositions are typically water-soluble direct or acid type
dyes. Such liquid compositions have been described extensively in the prior art including,
for example, US-A-4,381,946; US-A-4,239,543 and US-A-4,781,758.
[0027] The following examples are for reference only.
Example 1 (Reference Only)
[0028] Coating formulations were prepared as follows (in dry grams):
Constituent |
Control Coating 1 |
Control Coating 2 |
Coating 1 |
Kaolin clay (Hydragloss ® 92) as a dry powder |
100 |
100 |
100 |
Mordant M3 as a 15% solids dispersion |
-- |
-- |
30 |
PVP (Luviskol® 64W) as a 50% solids solution |
-- |
10 |
-- |
Styrene acrylic latex (Acronal ®S728) as a 50% solids dispersion |
10 |
10 |
10 |
Nitric Acid (1N) |
-- |
-- |
1.0 |
[0029] The above kaolin clay and styrene acrylic latex are both predominantly anionic. The
mordant polymer M3 is cationic. The coating formulation thus comprises a mixture of
anionic and cationic materials. To achieve a stable formulation, it is necessary to
minimize the anionic charge keeping the cationic charge constant. This is achieved
by adjusting the pH of the kaolin clay and styrene acrylic latex using nitric acid.
[0030] In addition, in order to achieve a stable formulation, the kaolin clay and styrene
acrylic latex are added to the cationic Mordant M3 and then the pH is adjusted.
[0031] Each coating was applied onto a paper base using a wire wound Meyer rod of wire diameter
0.51 µm with a wet laydown thickness of 40 µm to form Control Elements 1 and 2 and
Element 1. The base paper used was Nekoosa Solutions Smooth® (Georgia Pacific Co.),
Grade 5128 (Carrara White ®, Color 9220), basis weight 150 g/m
2. After application, the elements were air-dried. The Element 1 was then subjected
to hot, soft-nip calendering at a temperature of 65°C and pressure of 14,000 kg/m
at a speed of 0.3 m/s.
[0032] Samples from each of the elements above were printed on a Hewlett Packard Photosmart
® printer with printer settings at "photoglossy paper, best" and subsequently tested
for dry time and optical density of the composite black stripe. The inks used were
Hewlett Packard Photosmart ® inks.
[0033] Dry time, defined as the time after printing at which no ink retransfer from the
printed element to a blotting sheet is observed, was measured using a blotting technique.
One sample per element was subjected to the dry time test. A striped target was printed
comprising 100% coverage of yellow, cyan, and magenta, 200% coverage for red, green,
and blue, and 300% coverage for black in areas of 1 cm by 23 cm. Immediately after
printing was finished, the sample was placed on a foam base, a piece of copy paper
placed on top of the sample, and a weighted smooth rod was rolled over the paper.
The copy sheet was then taken off the sample and studied for retransfer. The results
in Table 1 are given as ratings from 1-5, where 1 corresponds to no transfer (fast
dry time) to the copy paper, while 5 corresponds to complete transfer (the whole stripe
is visible on the copy paper).
[0034] Optical density of the printed recording elements was measured using a X-Rite ® model
820 transmission/reflection densitometer with status A filtration. The black stripe
on the target was tested. The results are the average of three measurements.
[0035] The following results were obtained:
Table 1
Element |
Dry time |
Optical Density (Composite Black) |
Control 1 |
1 |
0.91 |
Control 2 |
1 |
1.05 |
Coating 1 |
1 |
1.61 |
[0036] The above results show that element 1 had a higher optical density as compared to
the control elements while maintaining a fast dry time.
Example 2 (Reference only)
[0037] Waterfastness, defined as the loss in image optical density after prolonged submersion
in water, was measured using a soak test. The ink jet recording elements of Example
1 were soaked in distilled water for five minutes with mild agitation.. The elements
were then allowed to dry on a bench-top overnight. The optical density was measured
before and after immersion and the % change in density of each color stripe was recorded.
The following results were obtained:
Table 2-
Waterfastness |
Element |
% Change in Cyan Density |
% Change in Magenta Density |
% Change in Yellow Density |
% Change in Black Density |
Control 1 |
-65 |
-55 |
-68 |
-58 |
Control 2 |
-58 |
-47 |
-62 |
-51 |
Coating 1 |
-3 |
2 |
3 |
-10 |
[0038] The above results show that the element coating 1 had much less loss of optical density
as compared to the control elements, thus indicating better waterfastness.
1. An ink jet printing method comprising the steps of:
a) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals;
b) loading said printer with an ink jet recording element comprising a substrate having
thereon an image-receiving layer comprising an inorganic, anionic pigment, an organic,
anionic binder, an organic, cationic mordant which is a polymer latex dispersion;
said inorganic, anionic pigment being present in an amount of from 50% to 95 weight
% of said image-receiving layer;
said organic, anionic binder being present in an amount of from 5% to 20 weight
% of said image-receiving layer; and the ratio of pigment to binder is from 5:1 to
8:1; and
said organic, cationic mordant being present in an amount of from 1% to 75 weight
% of said image-receiving layer;
c) loading said printer with an ink jet ink composition; and
d) printing on said recording element using said ink jet ink in response to said digital
data signals.
2. The ink jet printing method of Claim 1 wherein said inorganic, anionic pigment is
a kaolin clay, a calcined clay, titanium dioxide, talc or a silicate.
3. The ink jet printing method of Claim 1 wherein said inorganic, anionic pigment is
a kaolin clay.
4. The ink jet printing method of Claim 1 wherein said organic, anionic binder is a styrene
acrylic latex, a styrene butadiene latex, a poly(vinyl alcohol), or a poly(vinyl acetate).
5. The ink jet printing method of Claim 1 wherein said organic, anionic binder is a styrene
acrylic latex.
6. The ink jet printing method of Claim 1 wherein said organic, cationic mordant is poly(N-vinyl
benzyl-N-benzyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride-co-styrene-co-divinyl benzene); poly(N-vinylbenzyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium
chloride-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate); or poly(N-vinylbenzyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium
chloride-co-divinyl benzene).
7. The ink jet printing method of Claim 1 wherein said organic, cationic mordant is poly(N-vinylbenzyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium
chloride-co-divinyl benzene).
1. Tintenstrahldruckverfahren mit folgenden Schritten:
a) Bereitstellen eines Tintenstrahldruckers, der auf digitale Datensignale anspricht;
b) Laden des Druckers mit einem Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungselement, das ein Substrat
umfasst, auf dem eine Bildempfangsschicht angeordnet ist, die ein anorganisches, anionisches
Pigment, ein organisches, anionisches Bindemittel und ein organisches, kationisches
Beizmittel, das eine Polymerlatexdispersion ist, umfasst;
wobei das anorganische, anionische Pigment in einer Menge von 50 bis 95 Gew.-% der
Bildempfangsschicht vorhanden ist;
das organische, anionische Bindemittel in einer Menge von 5 bis 20 Gew.-% der Bildempfangsschicht
vorhanden ist, und das Verhältnis von Pigment zu Bindemittel 5:1 bis 8:1 beträgt,
und
das organische, kationische Beizmittel in einer Menge von 1 bis 75 Gew.-% der Bildempfangsschicht
vorhanden ist;
c) Laden des Druckers mit einer Tintenstrahltintenzusammensetzung; und
d) Bedrucken des Aufzeichnungselements mit der Tintenstrahltinte in Abhängigkeit von
den digitalen Datensignalen.
2. Tintenstrahldruckverfahren nach Anspruch 1, worin das anorganische, anionische Pigment
ein Kaolinton, ein calcinierter Ton, Titandioxid, Talkum oder ein Silicat ist.
3. Tintenstrahldruckverfahren nach Anspruch 1, worin das anorganische, anionische Pigment
ein Kaolinton ist.
4. Tintenstrahldruckverfahren nach Anspruch 1, worin das organische, anionische Bindemittel
ein Styrolacryllatex, ein Styrolbutadienlatex, ein Poly(vinylalkohol) oder ein Poly(vinylacetat)
ist.
5. Tintenstrahldruckverfahren nach Anspruch 1, worin das organische, anionische Bindemittel
ein Styrolacryllatex ist.
6. Tintenstrahldruckverfahren nach Anspruch 1, worin das organische, kationische Beizmittel
Poly(N-Vinylbenzyl-N-Benzyl-N,N-Dimethylammoniumchlorid-Co-Styrol-Co-Divinylbenzen);
Poly(N-Vinylbenzyl-N,N,N-Trimethylammoniumchlorid-Co-Ethylenglycoldimethacrylat);
oder Poly(N-Vinylbenzyl-N,N,N-Trimethylammoniumchlorid-Co-Divinylbenzen) ist.
7. Tintenstrahldruckverfahren nach Anspruch 1, worin das organische, kationische Beizmittel
Poly(N-Vinylbenzyl-N,N,N-Trimethylammoniumchlorid-Co-Divinylbenzen) ist.
1. Procédé d'impression par jet d'encre comprenant les étapes suivantes :
a) disposer d'une imprimante à jet d'encre sensible aux signaux numériques ;
b) charger dans ladite imprimante un élément d'enregistrement pour jet d'encre comprenant
un substrat revêtu d'une couche réceptrice d'image comprenant un pigment inorganique
anionique, un liant organique anionique, un mordant cationique organique qui est une
dispersion d'un latex polymère ;
ledit pigment anionique inorganique étant présent en une quantité comprise entre 50
et 95% en poids de ladite couche réceptrice d'image ;
ledit liant anionique organique étant présent en une quantité comprise entre 5 et
20% en poids de ladite couche réceptrice d'image et le rapport du pigment au liant
étant compris entre 5:1 et 8:1 ; et
ledit mordant cationique organique étant présent en une quantité comprise entre 1
et 75% en poids de ladite couche réceptrice d'image ;
c) charger dans ladite imprimante une composition d'encre pour jet d'encre ; et
d) imprimer sur ledit élément d'enregistrement en utilisant ladite encre pour jet
d'encre en réponse auxdits signaux numériques.
2. Procédé d'impression par jet d'encre selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit pigment
anionique inorganique est une argile de kaolin, une argile calcinée, du dioxyde de
titane, du talc ou un silicate.
3. Procédé d'impression par jet d'encre selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit pigment
anionique inorganique est une argile de kaolin.
4. Procédé d'impression par jet d'encre selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit liant
anionique organique est un latex acrylique de styrène, un latex de styrène et de butadiène,
un alcool polyvinylique ou un acétate polyvinylique.
5. Procédé d'impression par jet d'encre selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit liant
anionique organique est un latex acrylique de styrène.
6. Procédé d'impression par jet d'encre selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit mordant
cationique organique est un terpolymère de chlorure de N-vinyl benzyl-N-benzyl-N,N-diméthyl
ammonium, de styrène et de divinyl benzène, un copolymère de chlorure de N-vinyl-benzyl-N,N,N-triméthylammonium
et de diméthacrylate d'éthylène glycol ou un copolymère de chlorure de N-vinylbenzyl-N,N,N-triméthylammonium
et de divinyl benzène.
7. Procédé d'impression par jet d'encre selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit mordant
cationique organique est un copolymère de chlorure de N-vinyl-benzyl-N,N,N-triméthylammonium
et de divinyl benzène.