Water-soluble dye composition and recording liquid containing the same

Claim 2

A recording liquid comprising at least two water-soluble dyes and a liquid medium, each of the dyes satisfying the condition defined by the following expression (I), and a mixture of these at least two dyes satisfying the condition defined by the following expression (II) ##EQU4## wherein a* and b* are chromaticness indices defined in the CIE 1976 (L*, a*, b*) space, i indicates the ith dye of the dyes used together, and n is an integer of 2 or more wherein at least one of the water-soluble dyes is selected from dyes of group X given below, and one of the others is selected from dyes of group Y given below: Dyes of group X Dyes represented by the following formula [III] ##STR30## wherein A represents a phenyl group substituted by a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group, the group SO 3 M or a phenylazo group which may optionally be substituted by the group SO 3 M, or a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M, B represents a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M or phenyl group substituted by a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group, and M represents an alkali metal cation, ammonium or an amine cation; Dyes represented by the following general formula [IV] ##STR31## wherein C represents a phenyl or naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M, D represents a phenyl group substituted by a C 1 to C 4 alkyl group or a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group or a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, and M is as defined above; C. I. Direct Black-19, -22, -62, -108, -113, -154 and -159; and C. I. Acid Black 7, -9, -29, -48, -52:1, -94:1, -109, -110, -187 and -208. Dyes of group Y Dyes represented by the following formula [V] ##STR32## wherein E represents a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M or a phenyl group substituted by a C 1 to C 4 alkyl group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group, a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, or a phenylazo group which may optionally be substituted by the group SO 3 M, R 1 represents a C 1 to C 4 alkyl group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group or a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, R 2 represents a hydrogen atom or a phenyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M, n represents 0 or 1, and M is as defined above; C. I. Acid Black-27, -137 and -158; C. I. Direct Black-64, -93 and -94; and C. I. Direct Brown-59 and -127.

Claim 3

The recording liquid as in claim 1 wherein the water-soluble dyes are a combination of a dye of the following formula [III] or [IV] and a dye of the following formula [V], ##STR33## wherein A represents a phenyl group substituted by a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group, the group SO 3 M, or a phenylazo group which may optionally be substituted by the group SO 3 M, or a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M, B represents a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M or a phenyl group substituted by a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group, and M represents an alkali metal cation, ammonium or an amine cation, ##STR34## wherein C represents a phenyl or naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M, D represents a phenyl group substituted by a C 1 to C 4 alkyl group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group or a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, and M is as defined above, ##STR35## wherein E represents a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M, or a phenyl group substituted by a C 1 to C 4 alkyl group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group, a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group or a phenylazo group which may optionally be substituted by the group SO 3 M, R 1 represents a C 1 to C 4 alkyl group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group or a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group or a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, R 2 represents a hydrogen atom or a phenyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M, n represents 0 or 1, and M is as defined above.

Claim 4

The recording liquid as in claim 1 or 2, wherein in general formula [III], A is a phenyl group having at least one substituent selected from a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group, the group SO 3 M and a SO 3 M-substituted phenylazo group.

Claim 5

The recording liquid as claim 1 or 2, wherein in the formula [III], A is a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M.

Claim 6

The recording liquid as in claim 1 or 2, wherein in the formula [III], B is a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M, or a di C 1 to C 4 alkoxy-substituted phenyl group.

Claim 7

The recording liquid as in claim 1 or 2, wherein in the formula [III], M is Na or Li.

Claim 8

The recording liquid as in claim 1 or 2, wherein in the formula [IV], C is a phenyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M.

Claim 9

The recording liquid as in claim 1 or 2, wherein in the formula [IV], C is a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M.

Claim 10

The recording liquid as in claim 1 or 2, wherein in the formula [IV], D is a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy-substituted phenyl group or a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino-substituted phenyl group.

Claim 11

The recording liquid as in claim 1 or 2, wherein in the formula [V], E is a phenylazo group substituted by the group SO 3 M.

Claim 12

The recording liquid as in claim 1 or 2, wherein in the formula [V], E is a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M.

Claim 13

The recording liquid as in claim 1 or 2, wherein in the formula [V], R 1 represents a methyl, methoxy, ethoxy or acetylamino group.

Claim 14

The recording liquid as in claim 1 or 2, wherein in the formula [V], R 2 is a phenyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M.

Claim 15

The recording liquid as in claim 1 or 2, wherein in the formula [V], M is Na, Li or a C 1 to C 4 alkanolammonium.

Claim 16

The recording liquid as in claim 1, wherein the water-soluble dyes are a mixture of C. I. Direct Black-154 as a dye of group X and C. I. Direct Brown-59 as a dye of group Y.

Claim 17

The recording liquid as in claim 1, wherein the water-soluble dyes are a mixture of C. I. Direct Black-19 and -109 as dyes of group X and C. I. Direct Black-64 as a dye of group Y.

Claim 18

The recording liquid as in claim 1, wherein the water-soluble dyes are a mixture of a dye of the following formula [a] in group X, and a dye of the following formula [b] in group Y: ##STR36##

Claim 19

The recording liquid as in claim 1, wherein the water-soluble dyes are a mixture of C. I. Direct Black-19 and a dye of the following formula [c] in group X and C. I. Direct Black-93 and a dye of the following formula [d] in group Y: ##STR37##

Claim 20

The recording liquid as in claim 1, wherein the total content of the water-soluble dyes is 0.5 to 15% by weight based on the total weight of the recording liquid.

Claim 21

The recording liquid as in claim 1, wherein the total content of the water-soluble dyes is 1 to 8% by weight based on the total weight of the recording liquid.

Claim 22

The recording liquid as in claim 1, wherein the liquid medium is water or a mixture of water with a water-soluble organic solvent.

Claim 23

A water-soluble dye composition comprising a mixture of at least two water-soluble dyes, each of the dyes satisfying the condition defined by the following expression [I], and the mixture of at least two water-soluble dyes satisfying the condition defined by the following expression [II], ##EQU5## wherein a* and b* are chromaticness indices defined in the CIE 1976 (L*, a*, b*) space, i indicates the ith dye of the dyes used together, and n is an integer of 2 or more wherein at least one of the water-soluble dyes is selected from dyes of group X given below, and one of the others is selected from dyes of group Y given below: Dyes of group X Dyes represented by the following formula [III] ##STR38## wherein A represents a phenyl group substituted by C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group, the group SO 3 M or a phenylazo group which may optionally be substituted by the group SO 3 M, or a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M, B represents a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M or a phenyl group substituted by a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group, and M represents an alkali metal cation, ammonium or an amine cation. Dyes represented by the following general formula [IV] ##STR39## wherein C represents a phenyl or naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M, D represents a phenyl group substituted by a C 1 to C 4 alkyl group a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group or a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, and M is as defined above; C. I. Direct Black-19, -22, -62, -108, -113, -154 and -159; and C. O. Acid Black-7, -9, -29, -48, -52:1, -94:1, -109, -110, -187 and -208. Dyes of group Y Dyes represented by the following formula [V] ##STR40## wherein E represents a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M or a phenyl substituted by a C 1 to C 4 alkyl group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group, a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, or a phenylazo group which may optionally be substituted by the group SO 3 M, R 1 represents a C 1 to C 4 alkyl group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group or a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, R 2 represents a hydrogen atom or a phenyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M, n represents 0 or 1, and M is as defined above; C. I. Acid Black-27, -137 and -158; C. I. Direct Black-64, -93 and -94; and C. I. Direct Brown-59 and -127.

Claim 24

A water-soluble dye composition comprising a mixture of at least two water-soluble dyes, each of the dyes satisfying the condition defined by the following expression [I], and the mixture of at least two water-soluble dyes satisfying the condition defined by the following expression [II], ##EQU5## wherein a* and b* are chromaticness indices defined in the CIE 1976 (L*, a*, b*) space, i indicates the ith dye of the dyes used together, and n is an integer of 2 or more wherein at least one of the water-soluble dyes is selected from dyes of group X given below, and one of the others is selected from dyes of group Y given below: Dyes of group X Dyes represented by the following formula [III] ##STR38## wherein A represents a phenyl group substituted by C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group, the group SO 3 M or a phenylazo group which may optionally be substituted by the group SO 3 M, or a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M, B represents a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M or a phenyl group substituted by a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group, and M represents an alkali metal cation, ammonium or an amine cation. Dyes represented by the following general formula [IV] ##STR39## wherein C represents a phenyl or naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M, D represents a phenyl group substituted by a C 1 to C 4 alkyl group a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group or a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, and M is as defined above; C. I. Direct Black-19, -22, -62, -108, -113, -154 and -159; and C. O. Acid Black-7, -9, -29, -48, -52:1, -94:1, -109, -110, -187 and -208. Dyes of group Y Dyes represented by the following formula [V] ##STR40## wherein E represents a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M or a phenyl substituted by a C 1 to C 4 alkyl group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group, a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, or a phenylazo group which may optionally be substituted by the group SO 3 M, R 1 represents a C 1 to C 4 alkyl group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group or a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, R 2 represents a hydrogen atom or a phenyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M, n represents 0 or 1, and M is as defined above; C. I. Acid Black-27, -137 and -158; C. I. Direct Black-64, -93 and -94; and C. I. Direct Brown-59 and -127.

Claim 25

The water-soluble dye composition as in claim 22 wherein the water-soluble dyes are a combination of a dye of the following formula [III] or [IV] and a dye of the following formula [V]: ##STR41## wherein A represents a phenyl group substituted by a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group, the group SO 3 M or a phenylazo group which may optionally be substituted by the group SO 3 M, or a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M, B represents a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M or a phenyl group substituted by a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group, and M represents an alkali metal cation, ammonium or an amine cation, ##STR42## wherein C represents a phenyl or naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M, D represents a phenyl group substituted by a C 1 to C 4 alkyl group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group or a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, and M is as defined above, ##STR43## wherein E represents a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M or a phenyl group substituted by a C 1 to C 4 alkyl group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group, a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, or a phenylazo group which may optionally be substituted by the group SO 3 M, R 1 represents a C 1 to C 4 alkyl group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group or a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, R 2 represents a hydrogen atom or a phenyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M, n represents 0 or 1, and M is as defined above.

Claim 26

The water-soluble dye composition as in claim 22 or 23, wherein in the formula [III], A is a phenyl group having at least one substituent selected from a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino group, a C 1 to C 4 alkoxy group, the group SO 3 M and a SO 3 M-substituted phenylazo group.

Claim 27

The water-soluble dye composition as in claim 22 or 23, wherein in the formula [III], A is a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M.

Claim 28

The water-soluble dye composition as in claim 22 or 23, wherein in the formula [III], B is a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M or a di-lower alkoxy-substituted phenyl group.

Claim 29

The water-soluble dye composition as in claim 22 or 23, wherein in the formula [III], M is Na or Li.

Claim 30

The water-soluble dye composition as in claim 22 or 23, wherein in the formula [IV], C is a phenyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M.

Claim 31

The water-soluble dye composition as in claim 22 or 23, wherein in the formula [IV], C is a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M.

Claim 32

The water-soluble dye composition as in claim 22 or 23, wherein in the formula [IV], D is a C 1 to C 4 substituted phenyl group of a C 1 to C 4 alkylcarbonylamino-substituted phenyl group.

Claim 33

The water-soluble dye composition as in claim 22 or 23, wherein in the formula [V], E is a phenylazo group substituted by the group SO 3 M.

Claim 34

The water-soluble dye composition as in claim 22 or 23, wherein in the formula [V], E is a naphthyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M.

Claim 35

The water-soluble dye composition as in claim 22 or 23, wherein in the formula [V], R 1 represents a methyl, methoxy, ethoxy or acetylamino group.

Claim 36

The water-soluble dye composition as in claim 22 or 23, wherein in the formula [V], R 2 is a phenyl group substituted by the group SO 3 M.

Claim 37

The water-soluble dye composition as in claim 22 or 23, wherein the formula [V], M is Na, Li, or a C 1 to C 4 lower alkanolammonium.

Claim 38

The water-soluble dye composition as in claim 22, wherein the water-soluble dyes are a mixture of C. I. Direct Black-154 as a dye of group X and C. I. Direct Brown-59 as a dye of group Y.

Claim 39

The water-soluble dye composition as in claim 22, wherein the water-soluble dyes are a mixture of C. I. Direct Black-19 and -109 as dyes of group X and C. I. Direct Black-64 as a dye of group Y.

Claim 40

The water-soluble dye composition as in claim 22, wherein the water-soluble dyes are a mixture of a dye of the following formula [a] in group X, and a dye of the following formula [b] in group Y: ##STR44##

Claim 41

The water-soluble dye composition as in claim 2, wherein the water-soluble dyes are a mixture of C. I. Direct Black-19 and a dye of the following formula [c] in group X and C. I. Direct Black-93 and a dye of the following formula [d] in group Y: ##STR45##