Ink, ink jet recording method employing the same, and apparatus or tool employing the same

Claim 1

An ink comprising (i) a coloring agent in an amount ranging from 0.2 to 20 wt. % based on the total weight of the ink, (ii) a liquid carrier medium comprising a mixture of water in an amount ranging from 50 to 95 wt. % based on the total weight of the ink and a water-soluble organic solvent in an amount ranging from 2 to 50 wt. % based on the total weight of the ink, and (iii) an alkyl ether of a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene random polymer having the following general formula [I]: R1--(X)--O--R2 [I] wherein R1 and R2 each is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, with the proviso that they cannot both be a hydrogen atom, and X is a random polymer of (OC 2 H 4 ) and (OC 3 H 8 ) units with a degree of polymerization of 5-32, wherein the (OC 2 H 4 ) units are in a larger proportion than the (OC 3 H 6 ) units, and wherein said alkyl ether is in an amount ranging from 0.01 to 50 wt. % based on the total weight of the ink, said ink having a surface tension ranging from 30 to 68 dyne/cm at 25° C. and a viscosity of 15 cP or less.