Ink, ink-jet recording process making use of the ink, and equipment therefor

Claim 2

The ink according to claim 1, wherein said ink contains 2-oxo-oxazolidone.

Claim 3

The ink according to claim 2, wherein said 2-oxo-oxazolidone is contained in an amount of from 0.5% by weight to 30% by weight based on the weight of said compound represented by the above formula.

Claim 4

The ink according to claim 1, wherein said compound represented by the above formula is 1,3-bis-(β-hydroxyethyl)urea.

Claim 5

The ink according to claim 1, wherein said recording agent comprises a pigment.

Claim 6

The ink according to claim 1, wherein said recording agent comprises a dye.

Claim 7

The ink according to claim 1, wherein said recording agent comprises a dye selected from the group consisting of a phthalocyanine dye, a xanthene dye, a triphenylmethane dye, an anthraquinone dye, a monoazo dye, a disazo dye, a trisazo dye and a tetraazo dye.

Claim 8

The ink according to claim 1, wherein said recording agent comprises a dye represented by formula I or II wherein X₁ represents Y₁ represents or and R₁ and R₂ each represent -H, -NH₂, or -SO₃M; R₃, R₄ and R₅ each represent -H, -SO₃H, -SO₃M, -COOH, -COOM, -OH, -NH₂ or R₆ and R₇ each represent -H, -OCH₃, -CH₃, -NH₂ or -NHCOCH₃; and R₈ represent -H, -SO₃H or -SO₃M where M represents an alkali metal atom, ammonium or an amine, or W₂-N=N-X₂-N=N-Y₂-N=N-Z₂   [II] wherein W₂ represents or X₂ represents or Y₂ represents or and Z₂ represents R₉ and R₁₀ each represent -H, -Cl, -NH₂, -CH₃, -SO₃M, -NHCOCH₃ or -NHCONH₂; R₁₁ and R₁₂ each represent -H or OCH₃; R₁₃ represents -H or -SO₃M; R₁₄, R₁₅ and R₁₆ each represent -H, -OH, -SO₃M or -NH₂; R₁₇, R₁₈ and R₁₉ each represent -H, -OH, -NH₂, -SO₃H, -SO₃M, -OCH₃ or -NHCONH₂ where M represents an alkali metal atom, ammonium or an amine.

Claim 9

The ink according to claim 1, wherein said liquid medium comprises water and an organic solvent.

Claim 10

The ink according to claim 1, wherein said liquid medium comprises an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol.

Claim 11

An image forming process to adhere an ink to a recording medium to form an image, wherein said ink comprises a recording agent, a liquid medium capable of dissolving or dispersing the recording agent, and a compound represented by the formula R₁R₂NCONHCH₂CH₂OH wherein R₁ and R₂ each represent hydrogen or C n H 2n OH, where n is 2 or 3, provided that R₁ and R₂ are not hydrogen at the same time, and has a pH of not less than 7 to less than 10.

Claim 12

The image forming process according to claim 11, wherein said recording medium is a recording medium having a recording surface to which fibers are exposed.

Claim 13

An ink-jet recording process to eject an ink in the form of ink droplets to perform recording, wherein said ink comprises a recording agent, a liquid medium capable of dissolving or dispersing the recording agent, and a compound represented by the formula R₁R₂NCONHCH₂CH₂OH wherein R₁ and R₂ each represent hydrogen or C n H 2n OH, where n is 2 or 3, provided that R₁ and R₂ are not hydrogen at the same time, and has a pH of not less than 7 to less than 10.

Claim 14

The ink-jet recording process according to claim 13, wherein said recording is a process in which a heat energy is acted on the ink to eject the ink droplets.

Claim 15

The ink according to claim 13, wherein said ink comprises 2-oxo-oxazolidone.

Claim 16

The ink according to claim 15, wherein said 2-oxo-oxazolidone is contained in an amount of from 0.5% by weight to 30% by weight based on the weight of said compound represented by the above formula.

Claim 17

An ink-jet recording unit comprising an ink holder that holds an ink, and a head assembly for ejecting the ink in the form of ink droplets, wherein said ink is the ink according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Claim 18

The ink-jet recording unit according to claim 17, wherein said head assembly comprises a head in which a heat energy is acted on the ink to eject ink droplets.

Claim 19

An ink cartridge comprising an ink holder that holds an ink, wherein said ink is the ink according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Claim 20

An ink-jet recording apparatus comprising a recording unit comprising an ink holder that holds an ink, and a head assembly for ejecting the ink in the form of ink droplets, wherein said ink is the ink according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Claim 21

The ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said head assembly comprises a head in which a heat energy is acted on the ink to eject ink droplets.

Claim 22

An ink-jet recording apparatus comprising an ink cartridge comprising an ink holder that holds an ink, and a recording head for ejecting the ink in the form of ink droplets, wherein said ink is the ink according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Claim 23

The ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 22, having an ink feed assembly that feed to said recording head the ink held in the ink cartridge.

Claim 24

The ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 22 or 23, wherein said recording head comprises a head in which a heat energy is acted on the ink to eject ink droplets.