Ink set and ink cartridge for ink-jet recording, ink-jet recording method, and ink-jet recording apparatus

• US 20100112219A1
• Filed: 10/23/2009
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Yokohama, Yuuki, Kojima, Mariko, Gotoh, Akihiko, Habashi, Hisashi
• Granted Patent: US 8,192,009 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 427/256
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/322 Pigment inks
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/38 characterised by non-macromolecular additives other than solvents, pigments or dyes

Abstract

An ink set for ink-jet recording which includes multiple inks having different colors. Each of the multiple inks includes a colorant, a water-soluble organic solvent, a fluorine-based surfactant, and water. The viscosity difference among the multiple inks is 2.0 mPa·s or less at a temperature of 25° C. and a shearing speed of 230 1/s, and the viscosity difference among the multiple inks is 0.5 mPa·s or less at a temperature of 25° C. and a shearing speed of 100,000 1/s.

Claims

1. An ink set for ink-jet recording, comprising multiple inks having different colors,

wherein each of the multiple inks comprises:

a colorant;

a water-soluble organic solvent;

a fluorine-based surfactant; and

water, and

wherein a viscosity difference among the multiple inks is 2.0 mPa·

s or less at a temperature of 25°

C. and a shearing speed of 230 1/s, and a viscosity difference among the multiple inks is 0.5 mPa·

s or less at a temperature of 25°

C. and a shearing speed of 100,000 1/s.

2. An ink cartridge, comprising:

a container; and

the ink set according to claim 1 contained in the container.

3. An ink-jet recording method, comprising:

applying a stimulus to the multiple inks in the ink set according to claim 1; and

flying the multiple inks to form an image.

4. An ink-jet recording apparatus, comprising:

a stimulus applying device configured to apply a stimulus to the multiple inks in the ink set according to claim 1; and

an ink flying device configured to fly the multiple inks to form an image.

5. An ink set according to claim 1, wherein each of the multiple inks further comprises at least one resin emulsion selected from the group consisting of polyurethane resin emulsions and acrylic silicone resin emulsions.