Ink, ink set, inkjet recording method, ink cartridge, recording unit and inkjet recording device

The present invention relates to a water-based ink and the like, and more particularly to a water-based ink and the like which have a sufficient color reproduction range and can obtain an image excellent in vividness, transparency and contrast on a recording medium.

Inkjet recording is the formation of images such as images and characters by flying minute droplets of ink according to various operating principles and adhering them to a recording material. This inkjet recording has features such as high speed, low noise, easy multicoloring, high flexibility of recording patterns, and no need for development and fixing, and is rapidly becoming widespread in various applications.

When a color image is formed by an inkjet recording method, a recording method by a subtractive color mixing method is a typical method. When a color image is formed by the reduced color mixing method, in addition to the three primary color inks of cyan ink (C), magenta ink (M) and yellow ink (Y), in order to improve the printing of text and darker parts. Black ink (Bk) is used.

By using these three primary color inks and black ink, the orange to red region is due to the mixture of yellow ink and magenta ink, the green region is due to the mixture of yellow ink and cyan ink, and the blue to violet region is due to the mixture of magenta ink and cyan ink. It is possible to form an image of the above, and it is possible to express the entire region of the hue.

However, when the entire hue region is expressed only by these three primary color inks, the saturation and lightness are not sufficient in the color region expressed by the color mixing, so that the color reproduction region that can be expressed may be insufficient. Therefore, in order to increase the saturation and lightness of the color region expressed by color mixing, methods such as improving the color development of each of the three basic primary color inks, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink, have been taken. Neither was enough.

For the purpose of solving this problem, Patent Documents 1 to 4 disclose a printing method using inks obtained by adding red ink, green ink, blue ink, etc. to the three primary color inks of yellow ink, magenta ink, and cyan ink. ing. This makes it possible to expand the color reproduction range on the a * -b * plane in the CIELAB color display system.

<patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-057654</text></patcit><patcit num="2"><text>Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-248217</text></patcit><patcit num="3"><text>JP-A-2002-241661</text></patcit><patcit num="4"><text>Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-34765</text></patcit>

<p> However, simply adding red ink, green ink, and blue ink to cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink will expand the color reproduction range on the a * -b * plane, but will increase the vividness, transparency, and contrast. Not enough. In recent years, inkjet printing has become widespread and the types of images to be printed have increased, so that there is a demand for a printing technique capable of forming an image with improved vividness, transparency, and contrast. Especially in the green area, it is important that the color reproduction range is wide and the vividness, transparency, and contrast are excellent in order to form natural images such as fresh green and landscape, and images of products colored by artificial colors. is there.</p><p> Further, in order to obtain a more reproducible image as an output device, it is also necessary to reproduce the image shown in the s-RGB region used in the positive film of silver halide photography and the monitor. In that case, in the green region, an image effect can be obtained in a standard green color tone (for example, a hue represented by Japan Color), and an image with high saturation and brightness should be output in a region with a smaller hue angle. Is required.</p><p> Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink in the field of full-color printing technology, which has higher reproducibility in the green region and can form an image having excellent vividness, transparency, and contrast. Further, in forming an image using cyan ink, yellow ink, and green ink, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image having excellent gradation and reproducibility in the cyan to green to yellow region.</p>

<p> In the green region, the present inventors have higher reproducibility than the image shown in the s-RGB region used in the positive film of silver halide photography and the monitor, and are excellent in vividness, transparency, and contrast. It was found that it is effective to use green ink with high brightness and saturation in the range of hue angle H ° = 115 ° to 140 ° in order to form an image. When green ink with a hue angle that does not fall within this range is used, the green ink and cyan or yellow ink used to express colors in the hue angle H ° = 115 ° to 140 ° are mixed on the paper surface. This is necessary, and the amount of ink applied increases. When the amount of ink applied increases, the brightness and saturation may decrease depending on the ink used.</p><p> That is, the present invention provides a water-based ink (hereinafter, simply referred to as "ink") characterized in that the peak of the absorption spectrum has the following four characteristics. (1) At least one peak of the absorption spectrum exists between wavelengths of 390 nm and more and less than 450 nm. (2) The peak of the absorption spectrum does not exist between the wavelengths of 450 nm and more and less than 610 nm. (3) At least one peak of the absorption spectrum exists between wavelengths of 610 nm and more and less than 680 nm. (4) 7&gt; A / B&gt; 2 (However, in the above equation, A indicates the peak value of the absorption spectrum existing between the wavelengths of 390 nm and less than 450 nm, and B indicates the absorption value existing between the wavelengths of 610 nm and less than 680 nm. Shows the sum of the peak value of the spectrum and the value of the shoulder part.)</p><p> In the above-mentioned ink of the present invention, one peak of the absorption spectrum exists in the wavelength range of 610 nm or more and less than 640 nm; one peak of the absorption spectrum exists in the wavelength range of 640 nm or more and less than 680 nm; The most saturated image formed on the recording medium using the above has a hue angle of 115 ° to 140 °, a brightness of 60 or more, and a saturation of 85 or more; on the recording medium using the ink. In the image with the highest saturation formed in, the hue angle is 120 ° to 135 °, the brightness is 60 or more, and the saturation is 90 or more; it is composed of at least two kinds of color materials; it contains at least yellow dye. To do; to contain the compound represented by the following general formula I as a yellow dye;<img file="JP2005298610A_D0001.tif" />(In the formula, R₁And R₂Represents any of an independently substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, aryl group, arylalkyl group, or hydrogen. R₃And R₅Independently represent a carboxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, a phosphate group or a salt group thereof, or an alkyl group substituted with these groups. R₄And R₆Are independent, R₃And R₅Represents a group other than those defined for. p and r independently represent integers 1 to 5, and q and s independently represent integers 0 to 4, respectively. Further, p + q has a value of 5 or less, and r + s has a value of 5 or less. ) Contains at least one yellow dye, and the mass ratio of the yellow dye to the other color materials contained in the ink (yellow dye: other color materials contained in the ink) is 1: 1 to 10: 1. It is preferable that it contains at least one kind of yellow dye and cyan dye, and the mass ratio of the contents (yellow dye: cyan dye) is 2: 1 to 10: 1.</p><p> Further, the present invention is formed on a recording medium using the cyan ink in an ink set having at least one kind of cyan ink and at least one kind of yellow ink and further having at least one kind of green ink. The image with the highest saturation has a brightness of 60 or less and the hue angle is 220 ° to 250 °, and the image with the highest saturation formed on the recording medium using the yellow ink has a brightness of 80 or more and a hue angle. Is 80 ° to 105 °, the green ink contains at least one of the yellow dyes and the cyan dye, and the mass ratio of the contents (yellow dye: cyan dye) is 2: 1 to 10: 1. Provided is an ink set characterized by being.</p><p> Further, the present invention is an inkjet recording method for recording on a recording medium using the ink of the present invention, wherein the recording medium has an ink receiving layer on a support. I will provide a. In the recording method, the ink receiving layer contains alumina hydrate; it is preferable that the alumina hydrate is represented by the following general formula (III).<img file="JP2005298610A_D0002.tif" />(In the above equation, n represents any of the integers 1, 2 or 3, m is 0 to 10, and m and n cannot be 0 at the same time.)</p><p> Further, the present invention is characterized in that it has an ink accommodating portion for accommodating any of the inks of the present invention; an ink accommodating portion containing any of the inks of the present invention. A recording unit comprising a unit and an inkjet recording head for ejecting each ink; and any of the inks of the present invention described above and an inkjet recording head for ejecting the ink. Provided is an inkjet recording apparatus characterized in that the ink jet recording apparatus is provided.</p>

<p> When the green ink of the present invention is used, it is possible to provide an image having a wide color reproduction range, high brightness / saturation, vividness, and excellent contrast with a sense of transparency. Further, it is possible to obtain an image having smooth gradation and high color reproducibility in the cyan to green to yellow region.</p>

Hereinafter, the ink of the present invention will be described based on its preferred embodiment. The ink of the present invention is characterized in that the peak of the absorption spectrum has the following four characteristics. (1) At least one peak of the absorption spectrum exists between wavelengths of 390 nm and more and less than 450 nm. (2) The peak of the absorption spectrum does not exist between the wavelengths of 450 nm and more and less than 610 nm. (3) At least one peak of the absorption spectrum exists between wavelengths of 610 nm and more and less than 680 nm. (4) 7&gt; A / B&gt; 2 (However, in the above equation, A indicates the peak value of the absorption spectrum existing between the wavelengths of 390 nm and less than 450 nm, and B indicates the absorption value existing between the wavelengths of 610 nm and less than 680 nm. Shows the sum of the peak value of the spectrum and the value of the shoulder part.)

In the above, if the absorption spectrum curve is f (x), this curve f (x) is continuous, and the first derivative of this curve is f'(x), the peak value is f'(a) = It is the value of f (a) when 0 and f'(x)&gt; 0 (x &lt;a) and f'(x) &lt;0 (x&gt; a) are satisfied. The value of the shoulder part is f (a) when f'(a) = 0, f'(x)&gt; 0 (x &lt;a), and f'(x)&gt; 0 (x&gt; a) are satisfied. The value of the.

Alternatively, it is the value of f (a) when f'(a) = 0, f'(x) &lt;0 (x &lt;a), and f'(x) &lt;0 (x&gt; a) are satisfied.

In order to obtain a high-brightness / high-saturation image, it is necessary that the peak of the absorption spectrum of the ink is sharp and that there is little secondary absorption. Moreover, since the absorption spectrum is derived from the dye structure used, the absorption spectrum also changes when the dye used is different. The present invention holds even when the absorption spectrum is as follows.

(1) At least one peak of the absorption spectrum exists between wavelengths of 390 nm and more and less than 450 nm. (2) The peak of the absorption spectrum does not exist between the wavelengths of 450 nm and more and less than 610 nm. (3) There is at least one peak in the absorption spectrum between wavelengths of 610 nm and more and less than 640 nm. (4) 7&gt; A / B&gt; 2 (However, in the above equation, A indicates the peak value of the absorption spectrum existing between the wavelengths of 390 nm and less than 450 nm, and B indicates the absorption value existing between the wavelengths of 610 nm and less than 640 nm. Shows the sum of the peak value of the spectrum and the value of the shoulder part.)

The present invention also holds true in the case of the following absorption spectrum. (1) At least one peak of the absorption spectrum exists between wavelengths of 390 nm and more and less than 450 nm. (2) The peak of the absorption spectrum does not exist between the wavelengths of 450 nm and more and less than 610 nm. (3) There is at least one peak in the absorption spectrum between wavelengths of 640 nm and more and less than 680 nm. (4) 7&gt; A / B&gt; 2 (However, in the above equation, A indicates the peak value of the absorption spectrum existing between the wavelengths of 390 nm and less than 450 nm, and B indicates the absorption value existing between the wavelengths of 640 nm and less than 680 nm. Shows the sum of the peak value of the spectrum and the value of the shoulder part.)

When measuring the absorption spectrum in the present invention, the absorption spectrum is diluted and measured so that the absorption value (Abs.) Of the absorption spectrum at 390 nm or more and less than 450 nm is 0.9 to 1.4. The lower limit of the absorption peak existing between the wavelengths of the green ink of 390 nm or more and less than 450 nm is preferably 400 nm or more, and particularly preferably 420 nm or more. The upper limit is preferably 440 nm or less.

The reason why the peak of the absorption spectrum of the green ink must not exist between the wavelengths of 450 nm and less than 610 nm is that if there is a peak of the absorption spectrum in this wavelength region, there is subabsorption, and the desired hue angle and brightness are desired. This is because saturation cannot be obtained. Further, when the absorption of the green ink exists between the wavelengths of 450 nm and more and less than 610 nm, the peak value (Abs.) Of the absorption spectrum is preferably 0.15 or less, particularly between 500 nm and 580 nm. In the absorption spectrum of the green ink, the lower limit of the A / B value is preferably 3 or more. The upper limit is preferably 5 or less.

Further, the image formed on the recording medium using the ink of the present invention preferably has a hue angle of 115 ° to 140 °, and further, considering the balance of gradation with cyan ink and yellow ink, 120 ° to 135 °. Is more preferable. Further, when the hue angle is 115 ° to 140 ° and the brightness is 60 or more, the saturation is preferably 85 or more, and further, when the brightness is 60 or more, the saturation is 90 or more. Further, considering the balance of gradation with cyan ink and yellow ink, it is more preferable that the saturation is 90 or more in the lightness range of 60 to 70. This is because cyan ink requires an image having high saturation and image density from a region having a high brightness to a region having a low brightness to some extent, and therefore, a brightness having a maximum saturation of 60 or more is preferable. Further, in the case of yellow ink, it is necessary that the saturation and the image density are high in the region of high brightness.

Therefore, when an image in the green region is formed using cyan ink and yellow ink, it is difficult to obtain saturation in a brightness range of 60 to 70. Therefore, by covering the above region with green ink, the image is smoothed from cyan to green to yellow region. It is possible to have an image with high gradation and high color reproduction. Furthermore, in a region where the brightness is too high, the number of images used in a natural image may be reduced.

(Ink) The color material of the ink used in the present invention may be a known color material such as a commonly used dye or pigment, or a newly synthesized color material, and the present invention may be used. It can be appropriately selected and used within the range of. The lower limit of the content of the coloring material contained in the ink is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 1.0% by mass or more. The upper limit is preferably 15% by mass or less, more preferably 7% by mass or less. Further, the color material contained in the ink can be used alone or in combination of two or more. In particular, in the present invention, it is preferable that the number of dye coloring materials contained in the ink is two or more. By using two or more kinds of coloring materials contained in the ink, the association between the coloring materials is reduced, and it is possible to provide a printed matter having high brightness and saturation.

Specific examples of the water-soluble acid dyes and direct dyes described in the Color Index (COLOR INDEX) will be exemplified as the water-soluble dyes used in the present invention. Examples are also given of water-dispersible pigments and coloring materials that have been particularly effective. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

(Yellow Dye) CI Direct Yellow: 8, 11, 12, 27, 28, 33, 39, 44, 50, 58, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 98, 100, 110, 132, 173; CI Acid Yellow: 1,3,7,11,17,23,25,29,36,38,40,42,44,76,98,99; CI Pigment Yellow: 1,2,3,13,16,74, 83, 128

Compound represented by general formula I<img file="JP2005298610A_D0003.tif" />(In the above general formula I, R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, P, r, q, s have the same meaning as above. )

Among the compounds represented by the general formula I, Exemplified Compound 1 is preferable, but the present invention is not limited to this.<img file="JP2005298610A_D0004.tif" />

<img file="JP2005298610A_D0005.tif" />

<img file="JP2005298610A_D0006.tif" />

(Green Dye) CI Acid Green: 5, 6, 9, 12, 15, 16, 19, 21, 25, 28, 81, 84; CI Direct Green: 26, 59, 67; CI Food Green: 3; CI Li Active Greens: 5, 6, 12, 19, 21; CI Disperse Greens: 6, 9; CI Pigment Greens: 7, 36

(Cyan dye) CI Direct Blue: 1, 15, 22, 25, 41, 76, 77, 80, 86, 90, 98, 106, 108, 120, 158, 163, 168, 199, 226, 307

Compound represented by general formula II<img file="JP2005298610A_D0007.tif" />(CuPc in General Formula II represents a copper phthalocyanine residue, Q is an alkali metal or ammonium, x is 1, 2, 3 or 4, y is 1, 2 or 3, but x + Does not include or substantially does not include those with y = 2 or less.)

CI Acid Blue: 1, 7, 9, 15, 22, 23, 25, 29, 40, 43, 59, 62, 74, 78, 80, 90, 100, 102, 104, 112, 117, 127, 138, 158, 161, 203, 204, 221, 244; CI Pigment Blue: 1, 2, 3, 15, 16, 22

Among the above dyes, CI Direct Yellow 86, 132 as yellow dye, CI Acid Yellow 17, 23 as example compound 1, CI Acid Green 9, 16, as green dye, CI Direct Blue 199 as cyan dye, CI Acid Blue 9, The compound represented by the general formula II is preferable. Further, when considering the reliability of the ink, it is preferable to use a cyan dye rather than a green dye having a structure having a relatively large molecular weight. Among them, when the compound represented by the general formula I and the above-mentioned cyan dye or green dye are used as the yellow dye, it is more preferable because a highly saturated and vivid image can be obtained from a low brightness region to a high brightness region. .. The compound represented by the general formula I has been reported in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-504613, but there is no description regarding the expansion of the color region in the green region as described in the present invention.

As for the content of the yellow dye, the mass ratio of the yellow dye to the other coloring materials contained in the ink (yellow dye: other coloring materials contained in the ink) is 1: 1 to 10: 1. When a cyan dye is contained as another coloring material, the mass ratio of the content (yellow dye: cyan dye) is preferably 2: 1 to 10: 1.

Further, among the cyan dyes, the compound represented by the following general formula II is preferable because of its excellent fastness.<img file="JP2005298610A_D0008.tif" />(CuPc, Q, x, y in the above general formula II have the same meaning as above.)

That is, specifically, any of the dyes having the following structure or a mixture thereof is contained, and the dye having the structure of x + y = 2 is not contained or substantially not contained.

<img file="JP2005298610A_D0009.tif" />

Further, the coloring material represented by the general formula II becomes particularly good in terms of gas resistance when it contains more components of x + y = 4 than components of x + y = 3. The mass ratio is obtained by calculating the mass ratio of the coloring material represented by the general formula II at each molecular weight by high performance liquid chromatography at a wavelength of 254 nm.

The total content of the coloring material used in the present invention is preferably 1 to 15% by mass. The preferred pH of the ink in the present invention is 2-11. However, when the compound represented by the general formula I is used as the yellow color material, the preferable pH is 2 to 8, and the lower limit of the pH is more preferably 4 or more, and the upper limit of the pH is more preferably 7 or less. .. A buffer may be added to the ink to maintain such pH.

Further, in the present invention, an ink having a different color may be used in order to form a full-color image in addition to the green ink. For example, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, black ink and the like. Further, these inks and light inks having the same color tone can be used in combination. As the color material of the ink having these different colors or the light ink, a commonly used dye or pigment or a newly synthesized color material can be used. Specific examples of magenta and black coloring materials are shown below for each color tone. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Moreover, the specific example of the color material for cyan ink and yellow ink is the same as the above-mentioned cyan color material and yellow color material.

(Color material for magenta) CI Direct Red: 2, 4, 9, 11, 20, 23, 24, 31, 39, 46, 62, 75, 79, 80, 83, 89, 95, 197, 201, 218, 220, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230; CI Acid Red: 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 18, 26, 27, 32, 35, 42, 51, 52, 80, 83, 87, 89, 92, 106, 114, 115, 133, 134, 145, 158, 198, 249, 265, 289; CI Hood Red: 87, 92, 94; CI Direct Violet: 107

(Color material for black) CI Direct Black: 17, 19, 22, 31, 32, 51, 62, 71, 74, 112, 113, 154, 168, 195; CI Acid Black: 2, 48, 51, 52, 110, 115, 156; CI Hood Black: 1, 2

A pigment can also be used as the color material for black. Specific examples include carbon black. Examples of carbon black are Raven 7000, Raven 5750, Ravan 5250, Ravan 5000, Ravan 3500, Ravan 2000, Ravan 1500, Ravan 1250, Ravan 1200, Ravan 1190 ULTRA-II, Ravan 1170, Ravan 1255 (Colombia). Made by), Black Pearls L, Regal 400R, Regal 330R, Regal 660R, Mogul L, Monarch 700, Monarch 800, Monac 880, Monac 900, Monac 1000, Monac 1100, Monac 1300, Monac 1400, Valcan XC-72R (manufactured by Cabot), Color Black (Color) Black) FW1, Color Black FW2, Color Black FW2V, Color Black FW18, Color Black FW200, Color Black S150, Color Black S160, Color Black S170, Printex 35, Printex U, Printex V, Printex 140U , Printex 140V, Special Black 6, Special Black 5, Special Black 4A, Special Black 4 (manufactured by Degussa), No.25, No.33, No.40, No.47, No.52 , No.900, No.2300, MCF-88, MA600, MA7, MA8, MA100 (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation), etc. can be used. Further, magnetic fine particles such as magnetite and ferrite, titanium black and the like may be used as the black pigment.

When the above pigment is used, it is preferable to use a dispersant in combination. As the dispersant, those capable of stably dispersing the above pigment in an aqueous medium by the action of an anionic group are preferably used. Specific examples of the dispersant include, for example, a styrene-acrylic acid copolymer, a styrene-acrylic acid-alkyl ester copolymer, a styrene-maleic acid copolymer, and a styrene-maleic acid-alkyl ester copolymer. , Styrene-methacrylic acid copolymer, styrene-methacrylic acid-alkyl ester copolymer, styrene-maleic acid half ester copolymer, vinylnaphthalene-acrylic acid copolymer, vinylnaphthalene-maleic acid copolymer, Styrene-maleic anhydride-maleic acid half ester copolymers, salts thereof and the like are included. Further, these dispersants preferably have a weight average molecular weight in the range of 1,000 to 30,000.

Further, as a coloring material, a pigment that can be dispersed in an aqueous medium without a dispersant by bonding an ionic group (anionic group) to the surface of the pigment, a so-called self-dispersing pigment, can also be used. As an example of the pigment, self-dispersion type carbon black can be mentioned. Examples of the self-dispersing carbon black include those in which an anionic group is bonded to the surface of the carbon black.

As an example, the ink used in the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described. The ink used in the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention is generally used by dissolving or dispersing the coloring material used in the present invention in an aqueous medium mainly composed of water. As the aqueous medium, water alone or a medium containing water and a water-soluble organic solvent can be used.

The water-soluble organic solvent is not particularly limited as long as it is water-soluble, and is generally used in alcohols, polyhydric alcohols, polyglycols, glycol ethers, nitrogen-containing polar solvents, sulfur-containing polar solvents, ureas, sugars and the like. Anything that is used as a solvent for ink for inkjet can be used without any problem. These solvents are used for maintaining the moisturizing property of ink, improving the solubility and dispersibility of coloring materials, and penetrating ink into recording paper. Further, these solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The upper limit of the content of the water-soluble organic solvent is preferably 50% by mass or less, more preferably 40% by mass or less of the total ink. The lower limit is preferably 1% by mass or more, more preferably 3% by mass or more of the entire ink. The content of water in the ink is preferably in the range of 30 to 95% by mass in order to maintain good dye solubility and ink ejection stability.

Further, in addition to the above components, the ink of the present invention contains a surfactant, a pH adjuster, a rust preventive, a preservative, a fungicide, an antioxidant, a reduction inhibitor, an evaporation accelerator, and a chelating agent, if necessary. , Water-soluble polymers and the like may be contained.

For example, examples of the surfactant include anionic surfactants such as fatty acid salts, higher alcohol sulfate esters, liquid fatty oil sulfate esters, alkylallyl sulfonates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, and polyoxyethylene alkyl esters. There are nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl esters, acetylene alcohols, and acetylene glycols, and one or more of these can be appropriately selected and used. Among the above, acetylene alcohols and acetylene glycols can be suitably used because they exert an effect of excellent permeability to plain paper. The amount used varies depending on the amount of the dispersant added, but is preferably 0.01 to 5% by mass with respect to the total amount of ink. At this time, the surface tension of the ink at 25 ° C is preferably 10 mN / m (dyn / cm) or more, more preferably 20 mN / m or more, and the surface tension is 60 mN / m or less. It is preferable to determine the amount of the agent to be added. This is because, in the inkjet recording method used in the present invention, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of printing distortion (deviation of the landing point of ink droplets) due to wetting of the nozzle tip. Further, it is preferable that the ink is adjusted to have a desired viscosity and pH in order to obtain good ejection characteristics in an inkjet recording device. The inkjet recording method of the present invention is characterized in that, in the inkjet recording method of recording on a recording medium using the ink of the present invention, the recording medium is provided with an ink receiving layer on a support. It is supposed to be.

(Recordable medium) The recordable medium that can be used in the present invention is generally plain paper, or a special medium having a coat layer or an ink receiving layer on the surface, such as a glossy paper, a coated paper, or a glossy film. However, among these, as an example of a recording medium that can obtain an image with higher vividness, contrast, and transparency, hydrophilic porous material is used on the substrate. Examples thereof include a recording medium having an ink receiving layer composed of a particle layer, a porous polymer layer, and the like.

To further describe an example of the recording medium used in the present invention in more detail, a coloring material such as a dye or a pigment is adsorbed on fine particles forming a hydrophilic porous structure in the ink receiving layer, and at least by the adsorbed coloring material. It is a recording medium on which an image is formed, and is particularly suitable when the inkjet method is used. Such a recording medium is preferably a so-called absorption type in which ink is absorbed by voids formed in the ink receiving layer on the support.

The absorption-type ink receiving layer is mainly composed of fine particles, and is configured as a hydrophilic porous layer containing a binder and other additives, if necessary. Examples of fine particles include aluminum oxide such as silica, clay, talc, calcium carbonate, kaolin, alumina or alumina hydrate, inorganic pigments such as diatomaceous earth, titanium oxide, hydrotalcite and zinc oxide, urea formalin resin and ethylene resin. , Organic pigments such as styrene resin, and one or more of these are used.

Examples of those preferably used as binders include water-soluble polymers and latex. For example, polyvinyl alcohol or a modified product thereof, starch or a modified product thereof, gelatin or a modified product thereof, gum arabic, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypro oil methyl cellulose and other cellulose derivatives, SBR latex, NBR latex and methyl methacrylate-butadiene. Vinyl-based copolymer latex such as polymer latex, functional group-modified polymer latex, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone, maleic anhydride or its copolymer, acrylic acid ester copolymer, etc. are used and required. Two or more types can be used in combination depending on the above. In addition, additives can also be used, for example, dispersants, thickeners, pH adjusters, lubricants, fluidity modifiers, surfactants, defoamers, mold release agents, and UV enhancers, if necessary. Whitening agents, UV absorbers, antioxidants, etc. are used.

In particular, the recording medium that can be suitably used in the present invention is preferably one in which an ink receiving layer is formed mainly of fine particles having an average particle diameter of 1 μm or less as the above-mentioned fine particles. Particularly preferable ones of the above-mentioned fine particles include, for example, silica and aluminum oxide fine particles. Preferred silica fine particles are silica fine particles typified by colloidal silica. Colloidal silica itself is available on the market, but particularly preferable ones include those published in Japanese Patent No. 2803134 and Japanese Patent No. 2881847. Preferable aluminum oxide fine particles include alumina hydrate fine particles. As one of such alumina-based pigments, alumina hydrate represented by the following general formula (III) can be mentioned as a suitable one.

<img file="JP2005298610A_D0010.tif" /> In the above equation (III), n represents any of an integer of 1, 2 or 3, and m represents a value of 0 to 10, preferably 0 to 5. However, m and n cannot be 0 at the same time. mH₂O is often mH₂Since it also represents a desorbable aqueous phase that is not involved in the formation of the O crystal lattice, m can take an integer or a non-integer value. Also, when this type of material is heated, m can reach a value of 0. Alumina hydrates are generally such as, as described in US Pat. No. 4,242,271 and US Pat. No. 4,202,870, such as the hydrolysis of aluminum alkoxides and the hydrolysis of sodium aluminate, as well as Those produced by a known method such as a method of adding an aqueous solution of sodium sulfate, aluminum chloride, etc. to an aqueous solution of sodium aluminate or the like described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-44605 to neutralize the product are used. Suitable.

Next, an image recording method using an ink cartridge, a recording unit, and an inkjet recording device, which is suitable for recording an image on a recording medium using the above-mentioned ink, will be described. (Recording device) As a method and device suitable for recording using the ink according to the present invention described above, for example, heat energy corresponding to a recording signal is given to the ink in the room of the recording head, and the heat energy is used. Examples include methods and devices for generating droplets.

(Device main body) Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a schematic configuration example of a printer using the inkjet recording method. In FIG. 1, the outer shell of the printer apparatus main body M1000 in this embodiment includes an exterior member including a lower case M1001, an upper case M1002, an access cover M1003, and a discharge tray M1004, and a chassis M3019 housed in the exterior member (FIG. 1). 2) and.

The chassis M3019 is composed of a plurality of plate-shaped metal members having predetermined rigidity, forms the skeleton of the recording device, and holds each recording operation mechanism described later. Further, the lower case M1001 forms a substantially lower half portion of the exterior of the device main body M1000, and the upper case M1002 forms a substantially upper half portion of the exterior of the device main body M1000. It has a hollow structure with a storage space for storing the mechanism. An opening is formed in each of the upper surface portion and the front surface portion of the apparatus main body M1000.

Further, one end of the discharge tray M1004 is rotatably held by the lower case M1001, and the opening can be opened and closed by the rotation of the discharge tray M1004. Therefore, when the recording operation is executed, the discharge tray M1004 is rotated to the front side to open the opening, so that the recording sheet can be discharged from here and the discharged recording sheet P is sequentially loaded. It has become possible. In addition, the output tray M1004 contains two auxiliary trays M1004a and M1004b, and by pulling out each tray toward you as needed, the paper support area can be expanded or contracted in three stages. It has become.

One end of the access cover M1003 is rotatably held by the upper case M1002 so that the opening formed on the upper surface can be opened and closed. By opening this access cover M1003, the access cover M1003 is housed inside the main body. The existing recording head cartridge H1000 or ink tank H1900 can be replaced. Although not shown here, when the access cover M1003 is opened and closed, a protrusion formed on the back surface of the access cover M1003 rotates the cover opening / closing lever, and the rotation position of the lever is detected by a micro switch or the like. This makes it possible to detect the open / closed state of the access cover.

Further, on the upper surface of the rear part of the upper case M1002, a power key E0018 and a resume key E0019 are provided so that they can be pressed, and an LED E0020 is provided. When the power key E0018 is pressed, the LED E0020 lights up and recording is possible. It informs the operator of this. In addition, the LED E0020 has various display functions such as blinking, changing colors, and notifying the operator of printer troubles. When the trouble or the like is solved, the recording is restarted by pressing the resume key E0019.

(Recording Operation Mechanism) Next, the recording operation mechanism according to the present embodiment, which is stored and held in the printer device main body M1000, will be described. As the recording operation mechanism in the present embodiment, a predetermined recording is performed on an automatic feeding unit M3022 that automatically feeds the recording sheet P into the main body of the apparatus and a recording sheet P that is sent one by one from the automatic feeding unit. A transport unit M3029 that guides the recording sheet P from the recording position to the discharge unit M3030 while guiding to the position, a recording unit that performs desired recording on the recording sheet P transported to the recording position, and a recovery process for the recording unit and the like. It is composed of a recovery unit (M5000) that performs the above.

(Recording unit) Here, to explain the recording unit, the recording unit includes a carriage M4001 movably supported by a carriage shaft M4021 and a recording head cartridge H1000 detachably mounted on the carriage M4001. ..

(Recording Head Cartridge) Next, the recording head cartridge used for the recording unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 10. As can be seen from the perspective views of FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the recording head H1001 of the present invention is one component constituting the recording head cartridge H1000, and the recording head cartridge H1000 is the recording head H1001. It is composed of an ink tank H1900 (H1901, H1902, H1903, H1904) that is detachably provided on the recording head H1001. The recording head cartridge H1000 is fixedly supported by the positioning means and electrical contacts of the carriage M4001 mounted on the main body of the inkjet recording device, and is detachable from the carriage M4001. The ink tank H1901 is for black ink, the ink tank H1902 is for cyan ink, the ink tank H1903 is for magenta ink, and the ink tank H1904 is for yellow ink. In this way, each of the ink tanks H1901, H1902, H1903, and H1904 can be attached to and detached from the recording head H1001, and each ink tank can be replaced, so that the running cost of printing in the inkjet recording device is reduced. To.

Next, the recording head H1001 will be described in more detail step by step for each component constituting the recording head. 4 to 10 are explanatory views for explaining each of suitable head cartridges, recording heads, and ink tanks to which the present invention is implemented or applied, and their relationships with each other. Hereinafter, each component will be described with reference to these drawings.

(1) Recording head The recording head H1001 is a bubble jet (registered trademark) type side that records using an electrothermal converter that generates heat energy to cause film boiling to occur in the ink in response to an electric signal. It is a recording head that is considered to be a shooter type. As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 4, the recording head H1001 is composed of a recording element unit H1002, an ink supply unit H1003, and a tank holder H2000.

Further, as shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 5, the recording element unit H1002 includes a first recording element substrate H1100, a second recording element substrate H1101, a first plate H1200, an electric wiring tape H1300, and an electric contact substrate H2200. The ink supply unit H1003 is composed of an ink supply member H1500, a flow path forming member H1600, a joint rubber H2300, a filter H1700, and a seal rubber H1800.

(1-1) Recording Element Unit FIG. 6 is a partially disassembled perspective view for explaining the configuration of the first recording element substrate H1100. In the first recording element substrate H1100, for example, an ink supply port H1102 having a long groove-shaped through hole as an ink flow path on a Si substrate H1110 having a thickness of 0.5 to 1 mm is anisotropically etched or sandblasted using the crystal orientation of Si. The electric heat conversion elements H1103 are arranged in a staggered pattern on both sides of the ink supply port H1102 in a staggered manner, and power is supplied to the electric heat conversion element H1103 and the electric heat conversion element H1103. Electrical wiring such as Al is formed by film formation technology.

Further, electrode portions H1104 for supplying electric power to the electric wiring are arranged on both outer sides of the electric heat conversion element H1103, and bumps H1105 such as Au are formed on the electrode portions H1104. Then, on the Si substrate, an ink flow path wall H1106 and a discharge port H1107 for forming an ink flow path corresponding to the electric heat conversion element H1103 are formed of a resin material by photolithography technology to form a discharge port group H1108. are doing. Therefore, since the ejection port is provided facing the electric heat conversion element H1103, the ink supplied from the ink flow path H1102 is ejected by the bubbles generated by the electric heat conversion element H1103.

Further, FIG. 7 is a partially disassembled perspective view for explaining the configuration of the second recording element substrate H1101. The second recording element substrate H1101 is a recording element substrate for ejecting three colors of ink, and three ink supply ports H1102 are formed in parallel, and electricity is provided on both sides of each ink supply port. A heat conversion element and an ink ejection port are formed. Of course, like the first recording element substrate H1100, an ink supply port, an electric heat conversion element, an electric wiring, an electrode portion, etc. are formed on the Si substrate, and an ink flow path and ink ejection are formed on the resin material by photolitho technology. An exit is formed. Bump H1105 such as Au is formed on the electrode portion H1104 for supplying electric power to the electric wiring as in the case of the first recording element substrate.

Next, the first plate H1200 is, for example, an alumina (Al) having a thickness of 0.5 to 10 mm.₂O₃) It is made of material. The material of the first plate is not limited to alumina, but has a linear expansion coefficient equivalent to that of the material of the recording element substrate H1100 and is equivalent to the thermal conductivity of the material of the recording element substrate H1100. Alternatively, it may be made of a material having the same or higher thermal conductivity. The material of the first plate H1200 is, for example, silicon (Si), aluminum nitride (AlN), zirconia, silicon nitride (Si).₃N₄), Silicon carbide (SiC), molybdenum (Mo), and tungsten (W). The first plate H1200 has an ink supply port H1201 for supplying black ink to the first recording element substrate H1100 and ink for supplying cyan, magenta, and yellow ink to the second recording element substrate H1101. A supply port H1201 is formed, and the ink supply port 1102 of the recording element substrate corresponds to the ink supply port H1201 of the first plate H1200, respectively, and the first recording element substrate H1100 and the second recording element substrate H1101 Are fixed to the first plate H1200 with good positional accuracy. It is desirable that the first adhesive H1202 used for adhesion has a low viscosity, a low curing temperature, cures in a short time, has a relatively high hardness after curing, and has ink resistance. The first adhesive H1202 is, for example, a thermosetting adhesive containing an epoxy resin as a main component, and the thickness of the adhesive layer is preferably 50 μm or less.

The electric wiring tape H1300 applies an electric signal for ejecting ink to the first recording element substrate H1100 and the second recording element substrate H1101, and a plurality of electric wiring tapes H1300 for incorporating the respective recording element substrates. It has an opening, an electrode terminal H1302 (not shown) corresponding to the electrode portion H1104 of each recording element substrate, and an external signal input terminal H1301 located at the end of this wiring tape to receive an electric signal from the main unit. It has an electrode terminal part H1303 (not shown) for making an electrical connection with the electric contact board H2200, and the electrode terminal H1302 and the electrode terminal 1303 are connected by a continuous copper foil wiring pattern.

The electrical wiring tape H1300, the first recording element substrate 1100, and the second recording element substrate H1101 are electrically connected to each other, and the connection method is, for example, the electrode portion 1104 of the recording element substrate and the electrical wiring tape H1300. The electrode terminal H1302 is electrically bonded by a thermosonic bonding method.

The second plate H1400 is, for example, a single plate-like member having a thickness of 0.5 to 1 mm, for example, alumina (Al).₂O₃) And other ceramics and metal materials such as Al and SUS. The shape has an opening larger than the external dimensions of the first recording element substrate H1100 and the second recording element substrate H1101 which are adhesively fixed to the first plate H1200. Further, the first recording element substrate H1100 and the second recording element substrate H1101 and the electric wiring tape H1300 are electrically bonded to the first plate H1200 by the second adhesive H1203 so as to be electrically connected in a plane. The back surface of the wiring tape H1300 is adhesively fixed by the third adhesive H1306.

The electrical connection portion between the first recording element substrate H1100 and the second recording element substrate H1101 and the electrical wiring tape H1300 is sealed with a first sealant H1307 (not shown) and a second sealant H1308. It protects the electrical connections from ink corrosion and external shocks. The first sealant mainly seals the back surface side of the connection portion between the electrode terminal H1302 of the electric wiring tape and the electrode portion H1105 of the recording element substrate and the outer peripheral portion of the recording element substrate, and is a second sealant. Seals the front side of the connection portion.

Further, an electric contact substrate H2200 having an external signal input terminal H1301 for receiving an electric signal from the main body device at the end of the electric wiring tape is thermocompression-bonded using an anisotropic conductive film or the like to be electrically connected.

The electrical wiring tape H1300 is then bent at one side surface of the first plate H1200 and adhered to the side surface of the first plate H1200 with a third adhesive H1306 (not shown). As the third adhesive H1306, for example, a thermosetting adhesive having a thickness of 10 to 100 μm containing an epoxy resin as a main component is used.

(1-2) Ink Supply Unit The ink supply member H1500 is formed by, for example, resin molding. As the resin material, it is desirable to use a resin material containing 5 to 40% by mass of a glass filler in order to improve the shape rigidity.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the ink supply member H1500 is a component of the ink supply unit H1003 for guiding ink from the ink tank H1900 to the recording element unit H1002, and the flow path forming member H1600 is ultrasonically welded. By doing so, the ink flow path H1501 is formed. In addition, a filter H1700 for preventing the ingress of dust from the outside is joined to the joint H1517 that engages with the ink tank H1900 by welding, and further, in order to prevent the ink from evaporating from the joint H1517 part, Seal rubber H1800 is installed.

Further, the ink supply member H1500 also has a part of a function of holding the detachable ink tank H1900, and has a first hole H1503 for engaging the second claw H1910 of the ink tank H1900.

Further, a mounting guide H1601 for guiding the recording head cartridge H1000 to the carriage M4001 of the inkjet recording device main body to the mounting position, an engaging portion H1508 for mounting and fixing the recording head cartridge to the carriage M4001 by a headset lever, and a carriage M4001. The abutting portion H1509 in the X direction (carriage scan direction), the abutting portion H1510 in the Y direction (recording media transport direction), and the abutting portion H1511 in the Z direction (ink ejection direction) for positioning at a predetermined mounting position. I have. Further, it has a terminal fixing portion H1512 for positioning and fixing the electric contact board H2200 of the recording element unit H1002, and a plurality of ribs are provided on the terminal fixing portion H1512 and its surroundings to increase the rigidity of the surface having the terminal fixing portion H1512. ing.

(1-3) Combining the recording head unit and the ink supply unit As shown in FIG. 4 above, the recording head H1001 is completed by coupling the recording element unit H1002 to the ink supply unit H1003 and further coupling the tank holder H2000. To do. The combination is performed as follows. Communicate the ink supply port of the recording element unit H1002 (ink supply port H1201 of the first plate H1200) and the ink supply port of the ink supply unit H1003 (ink supply port H1601 of the flow path forming member H1600) so that ink does not leak. Therefore, each member is fixed with screws H2400 so as to be crimped via the joint rubber H2300. At the same time, the recording element unit H1002 is accurately positioned and fixed with respect to the reference positions in the X, Y, and Z directions of the ink supply unit.

The electrical contact board H1301 of the recording element unit H1002 is positioned and fixed to one side surface of the ink supply member H1500 by the terminal positioning pins H1515 (2 places) and the terminal positioning holes H1309 (2 places). The fixing method is, for example, fixed by tightening the terminal coupling pin H1515 provided on the ink supply member H1500, but it may be fixed by using other fixing means. The completed drawing is shown in Fig. 9. Further, the recording head H1001 is completed by fitting the coupling hole and the coupling portion of the ink supply member H1500 with the tank holder into the tank holder H2000 and coupling them. The completed drawing is shown in Fig. 10.

(2) Explanation of the recording head cartridge The above-mentioned FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are diagrams for explaining the mounting of the recording head H1001 and the ink tanks H1901, H1902, H1903, and H1904 constituting the recording head cartridge H1000. Ink tanks H1901, H1902, H1903, and H1904 contain ink of the corresponding color.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, each ink tank is formed with an ink supply port H1907 for supplying the ink in the ink tank to the recording head H1001. For example, when the ink tank H1901 is attached to the recording head H1001, the ink supply port H1907 of the ink tank H1901 is pressed against the filter H1700 provided at the joint portion H1520 of the recording head H1001, and the black ink in the ink tank H1901 is supplied with ink. It is supplied from the port H1907 to the first recording element substrate through the first plate H1200 via the ink flow path H1501 of the recording head H1001. Then, ink is supplied to the foam chamber H1109 having the electric heat conversion element H1103 and the discharge port H1107, and is discharged toward the recording paper which is the recording medium by the heat energy given to the electric heat conversion element H1103.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following Examples as long as the gist thereof is not exceeded. In the following description, "%" is based on mass unless otherwise specified.

&lt;Examples and Comparative Examples&gt; Each component shown in Tables 2 and 3 was mixed, sufficiently stirred to dissolve the components, and then pressure-filtered with a 0.20 μm filter to perform Examples 1 to 9 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6. Inks were prepared respectively. The pH of these inks was 6 or more in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5, and 5 to 6 in Examples 3 to 9 and Comparative Example 6.

<img file="JP2005298610A_D0011.tif" />

<img file="JP2005298610A_D0012.tif" />

&lt;Evaluation&gt; On-demand that ejects ink by applying thermal energy corresponding to a recording signal to each ink of the ink sets of Examples 1 to 9 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6 obtained above. It was mounted on a color inkjet printer, which is an inkjet recording device having a type multi-recording head, and the following (1), (2), and (3) were evaluated according to the following methods and criteria. Tables 4 to 7 below show the evaluation results obtained using these inks.

(1) Absorbance The ink prepared as described above was diluted 2,000 times with pure water, and the absorbance was measured with a self-recording spectrophotometer U-3300 manufactured by HITACHI.

(2) Color development The ink created as described above is packed in an ink cartridge for Canon PIXUS 950i, and the ink injection amount is changed between 100 and 0% using the PIXUS 950i to patch. Was printed. At this time, PR-101 manufactured by Canon Inc. was used as the recording medium. Allow the print to air dry for 24 hours, then CIE L^*a^*b^*With Gretag Spectrolino (trade name: Gretag), C^*Calculate (saturation) and H (hue angle) by the following formula, and C^*Judgment was made by the value of the highest patch. C^*= (L^*2+ a^*2+ b^*2)^1/2 H = 180 ° -tan^-1(b^*/ a^*) a^*0, b^*≧0

<img file="JP2005298610A_D0013.tif" />

<img file="JP2005298610A_D0014.tif" />

<img file="JP2005298610A_D0015.tif" />

Comparative Examples 3 and 4 have an absorption peak below 390 nm. In the above Examples and Comparative Examples, no peak was present at 450 nm or more and less than 610 nm.

(3) Image evaluation The printer is filled with the ink used in the ink cartridges BCI-6Y, BCI-6M, BCI-6C, and BCI-6BK (all manufactured by Canon Inc.) and green ink. A natural image of fresh green was printed on glossy paper (PR-101; manufactured by Canon Inc.) having an ink receiving layer containing alumina hydrate. At that time, the saturation when printing with the BCI-6Y ink was 99, the hue angle was 91 °, and the brightness was 90, and the saturation was 69, the hue angle was 240 °, and the brightness was 47 for the BCI-6C ink. Table 7 shows the results of visually observing the images obtained using Examples 5, 6, 7, and 9 and Comparative Examples 2, 5, and 6 as green inks and evaluating them according to the following criteria. : An image was obtained in which the color of the green part was bright and vivid and the gradation was smooth. Δ: The color of the green part was bright and vivid, but the vividness of the halftone was insufficient. ×: No vividness was seen in the color development of the green part.

<img file="JP2005298610A_D0016.tif" />

When the green ink of the present invention is used, it is possible to provide an image having a wide color reproduction range, high brightness / saturation, vividness, and excellent contrast with a sense of transparency. Further, it is possible to have an image having smooth gradation and high color reproduction in the cyan to green to yellow region.

<figref num="1">It is a perspective view which shows the appearance structure of the inkjet printer in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="2">It is a perspective view which shows the state which the exterior member was removed of what is shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 3 (a) is a perspective view of a suitable recording head cartridge to which the inkjet recording head of the present invention can be mounted, and FIG. 3 (b) is an exploded perspective view thereof.</figref><figref num="4">It is an exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the recording head shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="5">It is an exploded perspective view which disassembled the recording head shown in FIG. 3 more finely.</figref><figref num="6">It is a partial cut-out explanatory perspective view which shows the structure of the recording element substrate of the recording head cartridge of FIG.</figref><figref num="7">It is a partial cut-out explanatory perspective view which shows the structure of the other recording element substrate of the recording head cartridge of FIG.</figref><figref num="8">It is sectional drawing of the main part of the recording head cartridge of FIG.</figref><figref num="9">It is a perspective view which shows the assembly of the recording element unit and the ink supply unit of the recording head cartridge of FIG.</figref><figref num="10">It is a perspective view which shows the bottom side of the recording head cartridge of FIG.</figref>

Code description

M1000: Device body M1001: Lower case M1002: Upper case M1003: Access cover M1004: Discharge tray M2015: Paper-to-paper adjustment lever M3001: LF roller M3006: Paper discharge roller M3019: Chassis M3022: Automatic feeding unit M3029: Conveying unit M3030: Discharge M4001: Carriage M4002: Carriage cover M4007: Headset lever M4021: Carriage shaft M5000: Recovery unit E0001: Carriage motor E0002: LF motor E0018: Power key E0019: Resume key E0020: LEDH1000: Recording head cartridge H1001: Recording head (Inkjet recording head) H1002: Recording element unit H1003: Ink supply unit H1100: First recording element substrate H1101: Second recording element substrate H1102: Ink supply port (supply port) H1103: Electrothermal conversion element (recording element) H1104: Electrode H1105: Bump H1106: Ink flow path wall H1107: Discharge port H1108: Discharge port group H1110: Si substrate H1200: First plate (first support member) H1201: Ink communication port H1202: First adhesive H1203: Second adhesive H1300: Electrical wiring tape (flexible wiring board) H1301: External signal input terminal H1302: Electrode lead H1306: Third adhesive H1307: First sealant H1308: Second Sealant H1309: Terminal positioning hole H1310: Terminal fixing part H1400: Second plate H1500: Ink supply member H1501: Ink flow path H1503: First hole H1509: X Abutment part H1510: Y Abutment part H1511: Z Butt part H1512: Terminal fixing part H1516: Terminal positioning pin H1520: Joint part H1600: Flow path forming member H1601: Mounting guide H1602: Ink communication port H1700: Filter H1800: Seal rubber H1900: Ink tank H1901: Black ink tank H1902: Cyan Ink Tank H1903: Magenta Ink Tank H1904:Yellow ink tank H1907: Ink communication port H1910: Second claw H2000: Tank holder H2200: Electrical contact board H2300: Joint seal member H2400: Screw