Ink for two-part liquid system recording, and ink set, ink container, recording unit, recording process and recording apparatus using the same

Claim 2

A recording ink suitable for use in image recording together with a liquid composition containing a cationic substance, wherein the recording ink comprises a coloring material and a water-soluble polymeric compound which exhibits nonionic properties in the ink and has an alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycle, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR13## wherein R 1 is hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group or R 5 , where R 5 is one of the alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycles of the formulae ##STR14## R 2 to R 4 are, independently of one another, hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, L 1 to L 4 are, independently of one another, a divalent group having a structure represented by --A--O-- (--A-- is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be substituted by a methyl or ethyl group), s, t and q are proportions of copolymerization, the sum of s and t is 90 to 99% by weight, q is 1 to 10% by weight, n and k are integers the sum of which ranges from 10 to 30, m is an integer of 15 to 30, and p is an integer of 1 to 5.

Claim 3

The recording ink according to claim 1, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound can form an aggregate with the liquid composition in the presence of the coloring material.

Claim 4

The recording ink according to claim 1, wherein the coloring material is an anionic dye.

Claim 5

The recording ink according to claim 1, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a copolymer of (a) an acrylic ester of an ethylene oxide or propylene oxide adduct of a substituted morpholine, (b) acrylic acid and (c) a compound represented by the general formula ##STR15## wherein R 1 , R 2 , L 2 to L 4 , n, m and k have the same meaning as defined in the general formula (1).

Claim 6

The recording ink according to claim 1, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR16## wherein R 2 to R 4 , L 1 to L 4 , k, n, m, p, q, s and t have the same meaning as defined in the general formula (1).

Claim 7

The recording ink according to claim 1, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound has a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 300,000 as determined by gel permeation chromatography.

Claim 8

The recording ink according to claim 6, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound has a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 50,000 as determined by gel permeation chromatography.

Claim 9

The recording ink according to claim 1, which is suitable for use in ink-jet.

Claim 10

A process of recording an image by using a liquid composition containing a cationic substance and the recording ink according to claim 1 in combination to record an image on an image-forming region of a recording medium, which the process comprises the steps of: (A) applying the liquid composition to at least the image-forming region of the recording medium; and (B) applying the recording ink to the image-forming region.

Claim 11

The image-recording process according to claim 9, wherein the recording ink is applied onto the liquid composition applied to the recording medium.

Claim 12

The image-recording process according to claim 9, wherein the liquid composition is applied onto the recording ink applied to the recording medium.

Claim 13

The image-recording process according to claim 9, wherein the application of at least one of the recording ink and the liquid composition to the recording medium is conducted by an ink-jet system.

Claim 14

The image-recording process according to claim 12, wherein the ink-jet system is an On-Demand type ink-jet system.

Claim 15

The image-recording process according to claim 12, wherein the ink-jet system is an ink-jet system in which thermal energy is applied to said at least one liquid to apply the liquid to the recording medium.

Claim 16

An ink set comprising in combination: i) a liquid composition containing a cationic substance; and ii) the recording ink according to claim 1 comprising a coloring material and a water-soluble polymeric compound which exhibits nonionic properties in the ink and has an alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycle, wherein the recording ink is a color ink using, as the coloring material, a coloring material for yellow, magenta, cyan, black, red, blue or green, and at least one ink of these color inks is combined with the liquid composition.

Claim 17

The ink set according to claim 15, wherein three inks of yellow, magenta and cyan colors are combined as the color inks with the liquid composition.

Claim 18

The ink set according to claim 15, wherein four inks of yellow, magenta, cyan and black colors are combined as the color inks with the liquid composition.

Claim 19

An image-recording apparatus comprising: a first recording unit equipped with a recording ink-containing part which contains the recording ink according to claim 1 and a recording ink-applying means for applying the recording ink to a recording medium; and a second recording unit equipped with a liquid composition-containing part which contains a liquid composition containing a cationic substance and a liquid composition-applying means for applying the liquid composition to the recording medium.

Claim 20

The image-recording apparatus according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the recording ink-applying means and the liquid composition-applying means is a means according to an ink-jet system.

Claim 21

An ink container comprising an ink-containing part which contains an ink, wherein the recording ink according to claim 1 is contained as said ink in the ink-containing part.

Claim 22

A recording unit comprising a recording ink-containing part which contains the recording ink according to claim 1 and a recording ink-applying means for applying the recording ink to a recording medium.

Claim 23

A recording ink suitable for use in a process of recording an image by applying an ink to a recording medium together with a liquid composition containing a cationic substance by means of an ink-jet system to form a pixel for the image, wherein the recording ink comprises a coloring material and a water-soluble polymeric compound, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR17## wherein R 1 is hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group or R 5 , where R 5 is one of the alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycles of the formulae ##STR18## R 2 to R 4 are, independently of one another, hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, L 1 to L 4 are, independently of one another, a divalent group having a structure represented by --A--O-- (--A-- is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be substituted by a methyl or ethyl group), s, t and q are proportions of copolymerization, the sum of s and t is 90 to 99% by weight, q is 1 to 10% by weight, n and k are integers the sum of which ranges from 10 to 30, m is an integer of 15 to 30, and p is an integer of 1 to 5, and wherein the recording ink provides substantially no attachment of the liquid composition toopenine of an ejection opening for the recording ink when applying the recording ink onto the liquid composition provided on the recording medium, even under conditions that the liquid composition is attached to the face of an ejection opening for recording ink due to a splash of the liquid composition generated by an impact of an application of a recording ink containing no water-soluble polymeric compound onto the liquid composition provided on the recording medium.

Claim 24

A recording ink suitable for use in a process of recording an image by applying an ink to a recording medium together with a liquid composition containing a cationic substance by means of an ink-jet system to form a pixel for the image, wherein the recording ink comprises a coloring material and a water-soluble polymeric compound, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR17## wherein R 1 is hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group or R 5 , where R 5 is one of the alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycles of the formulae ##STR18## R 2 to R 4 are, independently of one another, hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, L 1 to L 4 are, independently of one another, a divalent group having a structure represented by --A--O-- (--A-- is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be substituted by a methyl or ethyl group), s, t and q are proportions of copolymerization, the sum of s and t is 90 to 99% by weight, q is 1 to 10% by weight, n and k are integers the sum of which ranges from 10 to 30, m is an integer of 15 to 30, and p is an integer of 1 to 5, and wherein the recording ink provides substantially no attachment of the liquid composition toopenine of an ejection opening for the recording ink when applying the recording ink onto the liquid composition provided on the recording medium, even under conditions that the liquid composition is attached to the face of an ejection opening for recording ink due to a splash of the liquid composition generated by an impact of an application of a recording ink containing no water-soluble polymeric compound onto the liquid composition provided on the recording medium.

Claim 25

The recording ink according to claim 22, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a copolymer of (a) an acrylic ester of an ethylene oxide or propylene oxide adduct of a substituted morpholine, (b) acrylic acid and (c) a compound represented by the general formula ##STR19## wherein R 1 , R 2 , L 2 to L 4 , n, m and k have the same meaning as defined in the general formula (1).

Claim 26

The recording ink according to claim 22, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR20## wherein R 2 to R 4 , L 1 to L 4 , k, n, m, p, q, s and t have the same meaning as defined in the general formula (1).

Claim 27

The recording ink according to claim 22, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound has a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 300,000 as determined by gel permeation chromatography.

Claim 28

The recording ink according to claim 25, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound has a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 50,000 as determined by gel permeation chromatography.

Claim 29

An ink-jet recording process for recording an image by using a recording ink and a liquid composition containing a cationic substance in combination, comprising the steps of: (A) applying the liquid composition to at least an image-forming region of a recording medium; and (B) applying the recording ink to the image-forming region of the recording medium, wherein the recording ink comprises a coloring material and a water-soluble polymeric compound, and wherein the recording ink substantially prevents the liquid composition from attaching to a face of an ejection opening for recording ink when applying the recording ink onto the liquid composition on the recording medium, even under conditions that when a recording ink containing no water-soluble polymeric compound is applied onto the liquid composition applied to the recording medium, a splash is generated from the liquid composition on the recording medium due to impact of the application and attached to the face of an ejection opening for recording ink.

Claim 30

An ink-jet recording process for recording an image by using a recording ink and a liquid composition containing a cationic substance in combination, comprising the steps of: (A) applying the liquid composition to at least an image-forming region of a recording medium; and (B) applying the recording ink to the image-forming region of the recording medium, wherein the recording ink comprises a coloring material and a water-soluble polymeric compound, and wherein the recording ink substantially prevents the liquid composition from attaching to a face of an ejection opening for recording ink when applying the recording ink onto the liquid composition on the recording medium, even under conditions that when a recording ink containing no water-soluble polymeric compound is applied onto the liquid composition applied to the recording medium, a splash is generated from the liquid composition on the recording medium due to impact of the application and attached to the face of an ejection opening for recording ink.

Claim 31

An image-recording apparatus comprising: a first recording unit equipped with a recording ink-containing part which contains the recording ink according to claim 22 and a recording ink-applying means for applying the recording ink to a recording medium; and a second recording unit equipped with a liquid composition-containing part which contains a liquid composition containing a cationic substance and a liquid composition-applying means for applying the liquid composition to the recording medium.

Claim 32

An ink set comprising in combination: i) a liquid composition containing a cationic substance; and ii) the recording ink according to claim 22, wherein the recording ink is a color ink using, as the coloring material, a coloring material for yellow, magenta, cyan, black, red, blue or green, and at least one ink of these color inks is combined with the liquid composition.

Claim 33

An ink container comprising an ink-containing part, wherein the recording ink according to claim 22 is contained as said ink in the ink-containing part.

Claim 34

A recording unit comprising a recording ink-containing part which contains the recording ink according to claim 22 and a recording ink-applying means for applying the recording ink to a recording medium.

Claim 35

A recording ink suitable for use in image recording using a bubble ink-jet system together with a liquid composition containing a cationic substance, wherein the recording ink comprises a coloring material and a water-soluble polymeric compound which exhibits nonionic properties in the ink and has an alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycle, and wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR21## wherein R 1 is hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group or R 5 , where R 5 is one of the alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycles of the formulae ##STR22## R 2 to R 4 are, independently of one another, hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, L 1 to L 4 are, independently of one another, a divalent group having a structure represented by --A--O-- (--A-- is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be substituted by a methyl or ethyl group), s, t and q are proportions of copolymerization, the sum of s and t is 90 to 99% by weight, q is 1 to 10% by weight, n and k are integers the sum of which ranges from 10 to 30, m is an integer of 15 to 30, and p is an integer of 1 to 5.

Claim 36

A recording ink suitable for use in image recording using a bubble ink-jet system together with a liquid composition containing a cationic substance, wherein the recording ink comprises a coloring material and a water-soluble polymeric compound which exhibits nonionic properties in the ink and has an alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycle, and wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR21## wherein R 1 is hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group or R 5 , where R 5 is one of the alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycles of the formulae ##STR22## R 2 to R 4 are, independently of one another, hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, L 1 to L 4 are, independently of one another, a divalent group having a structure represented by --A--O-- (--A-- is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be substituted by a methyl or ethyl group), s, t and q are proportions of copolymerization, the sum of s and t is 90 to 99% by weight, q is 1 to 10% by weight, n and k are integers the sum of which ranges from 10 to 30, m is an integer of 15 to 30, and p is an integer of 1 to 5.

Claim 37

The recording ink according to claim 32, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a copolymer of (a) an acrylic ester of an ethylene oxide or propylene oxide adduct of a substituted morpholine, (b) acrylic acid and (c) a compound represented by the general formula ##STR23## wherein R 1 , R 2 , L 2 to L 4 , n, m and k have the same meaning as defined in the general formula (1).

Claim 38

The recording ink according to claim 32, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR24## wherein R 2 to R 4 , L 1 to L 4 , k, n, m, p, q, s and t have the same meaning as defined in the general formula (1).

Claim 39

The recording ink according to claim 32, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound has a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 300,000 as determined by gel permeation chromatography.

Claim 40

The recording ink according to claim 35, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound has a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 50,000 as determined by gel permeation chromatography.

Claim 41

A process of recording an image by using a recording ink comprising a water-soluble polymeric compound having an alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycle and a coloring material, and a liquid composition containing a cationic substance, which the process comprises the steps of: (A) applying the liquid composition to at least an image-forming region of a recording medium; and (B) applying the recording ink to the image-forming region of the recording medium, wherein at least a later step of the steps (A) and (B) comprises a step of applying a liquid to the recording medium by means of a bubble ink-jet system.

Claim 42

A process of recording an image by using a recording ink comprising a water-soluble polymeric compound having an alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycle and a coloring material, and a liquid composition containing a cationic substance, which the process comprises the steps of: (A) applying the liquid composition to at least an image-forming region of a recording medium; and (B) applying the recording ink to the image-forming region of the recording medium, wherein at least a later step of the steps (A) and (B) comprises a step of applying a liquid to the recording medium by means of a bubble ink-jet system.

Claim 43

An image-recording apparatus comprising: a first unit equipped with a recording ink-containing part which contains the recording ink according to claim 32 and a recording ink-applying means for applying the recording ink to a recording medium; and a second unit equipped with a liquid composition-containing part which contains a liquid composition containing a cationic substance and a liquid composition-applying means for applying the liquid composition to the recording medium, wherein at least one of the recording ink-applying means and the liquid composition-applying means is a means for applying a liquid to the recording medium by means of a bubble ink-jet system.

Claim 44

A recording ink suitable for use in image recording together with a liquid composition having fractions not higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight and higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight, respectively, when its molecular weight distribution is measured by means of gel permeation chromatography (GPC), said fractions not higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight and higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight each containing a cationic substance, wherein the recording ink comprises an anionic coloring matter and a water-soluble polymeric compound which has an alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycle and exhibits nonionic properties in a liquid, wherein the water-soluble Polymeric compound is a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR25## wherein R 1 is hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group or R 5 , where R 5 is one of the alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycles of the formulae ##STR26## R 2 to R 4 are, independently of one another, hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, L 1 to L 4 are, independently of one another, a divalent group having a structure represented by --A--O-- (--A-- is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be substituted by a methyl or ethyl group), s, t and q are proportions of copolymerization, the sum of s and t is 90 to 99% by weight, q is 1 to 10% by weight, n and k are integers the sum of which ranges from 10 to 30, m is an integer of 15 to 30, and p is an integer of 1 to 5.

Claim 45

A recording ink suitable for use in image recording together with a liquid composition having fractions not higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight and higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight, respectively, when its molecular weight distribution is measured by means of gel permeation chromatography (GPC), said fractions not higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight and higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight each containing a cationic substance, wherein the recording ink comprises an anionic coloring matter and a water-soluble polymeric compound which has an alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycle and exhibits nonionic properties in a liquid, wherein the water-soluble Polymeric compound is a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR25## wherein R 1 is hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group or R 5 , where R 5 is one of the alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycles of the formulae ##STR26## R 2 to R 4 are, independently of one another, hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, L 1 to L 4 are, independently of one another, a divalent group having a structure represented by --A--O-- (--A-- is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be substituted by a methyl or ethyl group), s, t and q are proportions of copolymerization, the sum of s and t is 90 to 99% by weight, q is 1 to 10% by weight, n and k are integers the sum of which ranges from 10 to 30, m is an integer of 15 to 30, and p is an integer of 1 to 5.

Claim 46

The recording ink according to claim 39, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound forms an aggregate in contact with the liquid composition in the presence of the anionic coloring matter.

Claim 47

The recording ink according to claim 39, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a terpolymer of (a) an acrylic ester of an ethylene oxide or propylene oxide adduct of a substituted morpholine, (b) acrylic acid and (c) a compound represented by the general formula ##STR27## wherein R 1 , R 2 , L 2 to L 4 , n, m and k have the same meaning as defined in the general formula (1).

Claim 48

The recording ink according to claim 39, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR28## wherein R 2 to R 4 , L 1 to L 4 , k, n, m, p, q, s and t have the same meaning as defined in the general formula (1).

Claim 49

The recording ink according to claim 39, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound has a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 300,000 as determined by gel permeation chromatography.

Claim 50

The recording ink according to claim 43, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound has a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 50,000 as determined by gel permeation chromatography.

Claim 51

A process of recording an image by using a recording ink comprising a water-soluble polymeric compound, which has an alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycle and exhibits nonionic properties in a liquid, and an anionic coloring matter, and a liquid composition having fractions not higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight and higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight, respectively, when its molecular weight distribution is measured by means of gel permeation chromatography (GPC), said fractions not higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight and higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight each containing a cationic substance, which the process comprises the steps of: (A) applying the liquid composition to at least an image-forming region of a recording medium; and (B) applying the recording ink to the image-forming region of the recording medium.

Claim 52

A process of recording an image by using a recording ink comprising a water-soluble polymeric compound, which has an alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycle and exhibits nonionic properties in a liquid, and an anionic coloring matter, and a liquid composition having fractions not higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight and higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight, respectively, when its molecular weight distribution is measured by means of gel permeation chromatography (GPC), said fractions not higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight and higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight each containing a cationic substance, which the process comprises the steps of: (A) applying the liquid composition to at least an image-forming region of a recording medium; and (B) applying the recording ink to the image-forming region of the recording medium.

Claim 53

The image-recording process according to claim 45, wherein the recording ink is applied onto the liquid composition applied to the recording medium.

Claim 54

The image-recording process according to claim 45, wherein the liquid composition is applied onto the recording ink applied to the recording medium.

Claim 55

The image-recording process according to claim 45, wherein the application of the recording ink to the recording medium is conducted by an ink-jet system.

Claim 56

The image-recording process according to claim 48, wherein the ink-jet system is an On-Demand type ink-jet system.

Claim 57

The image-recording process according to claim 49, wherein the ink-jet system is an ink-jet system in which thermal energy is applied to the recording ink to move the recording ink toward the recording medium.

Claim 58

The image-recording process according to claim 45, wherein the application of the liquid composition to the recording medium is conducted by an ink-jet system.

Claim 59

The image-recording process according to claim 51, wherein the ink-jet system is an On-Demand type ink-jet system.

Claim 60

The image-recording process according to claim 52, wherein the ink-jet system is an ink-jet system in which thermal energy is applied to the liquid composition to move the liquid composition toward the recording medium.

Claim 61

An ink set comprising in combination: a liquid composition having fractions not higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight and higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight, respectively, when its molecular weight distribution is measured by means of gel permeation chromatography (GPC), said fractions not higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight and higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight each containing a cationic substance; and at least one recording ink of recording inks of yellow, magenta, cyan, black, red, blue and green, wherein the recording ink comprises a water-soluble polymeric compound, which has an alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycle and exhibits nonionic properties in a liquid, and an anionic coloring matter.

Claim 62

An ink set comprising in combination: a liquid composition having fractions not higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight and higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight, respectively, when its molecular weight distribution is measured by means of gel permeation chromatography (GPC), said fractions not higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight and higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight each containing a cationic substance; and at least one recording ink of recording inks of yellow, magenta, cyan, black, red, blue and green, wherein the recording ink comprises a water-soluble polymeric compound, which has an alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycle and exhibits nonionic properties in a liquid, and an anionic coloring matter.

Claim 63

The ink set according to claim 54, wherein the recording inks of yellow, magenta and cyan are combined with the liquid composition, and the recording inks each comprise a water-soluble polymeric compound having an alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycle, and an anionic coloring matter.

Claim 64

The ink set according to claim 54, wherein the recording inks of yellow, magenta, cyan and black are combined with the liquid composition, and the recording inks each comprise a water-soluble polymeric compound having an alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycle, and an anionic coloring matter.

Claim 65

The ink set according to claim 54, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound forms an aggregate in contact with the liquid composition in the presence of the anionic coloring matter.

Claim 66

The ink set according to claim 54, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound has a carboxyl group.

Claim 67

The ink set according to claim 58, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR29## wherein R 1 is hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group or R 5 , where R 5 is one of the alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycles of the formulae ##STR30## R 2 to R 4 are, independently of one another, hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, L 1 to L 4 are, independently of one another, a divalent group having a structure represented by --A--O-- (--A-- is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be substituted by a methyl or ethyl group), s, t and q are proportions of copolymerization, the sum of s and t is 90 to 99% by weight, q is 1 to 10% by weight, n and k are integers the sum of which ranges from 10 to 30, m is an integer of 15 to 30, and p is an integer of 1 to 5.

Claim 68

The ink set according to claim 59, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a terpolymer of (a) an acrylic ester of an ethylene oxide or propylene oxide adduct of a substituted morpholine, (b) acrylic acid and (c) a compound represented by the general formula ##STR31## wherein R 1 , R 2 , L 2 to L 4 , n, m and k have the same meaning as defined in the general formula (1).

Claim 69

The ink set according to claim 59, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR32## wherein R 2 to R 4 , L 1 to L 4 , k, n, m, p, q, s and t have the same meaning as defined in the general formula (1).

Claim 70

The ink set according to claim 59, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound has a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 300,000 as determined by gel permeation chromatography.

Claim 71

The ink set according to claim 62, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound has a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 50,000 as determined by gel permeation chromatography.

Claim 72

An image-recording apparatus comprising: a first recording unit equipped with a container part which contains a recording ink comprising a water-soluble polymeric compound, which has an alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycle and exhibits nonionic properties in a liquid, and an anionic coloring matter, and a means for applying the recording ink to a recording medium; and a second recording unit equipped with a container part which contains a liquid composition having fractions not higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight and higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight, respectively, when its molecular weight distribution is measured by means of gel permeation chromatography (GPC), said fractions not higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight and higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight each containing a cationic substance, and a means for applying the liquid composition to the recording medium.

Claim 73

An image-recording apparatus comprising: a first recording unit equipped with a container part which contains a recording ink comprising a water-soluble polymeric compound, which has an alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycle and exhibits nonionic properties in a liquid, and an anionic coloring matter, and a means for applying the recording ink to a recording medium; and a second recording unit equipped with a container part which contains a liquid composition having fractions not higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight and higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight, respectively, when its molecular weight distribution is measured by means of gel permeation chromatography (GPC), said fractions not higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight and higher than 1,000 in terms of molecular weight each containing a cationic substance, and a means for applying the liquid composition to the recording medium.

Claim 74

The image-recording apparatus according to claim 64, wherein at least one of the means for applying the recording ink to the recording medium and the means for applying the liquid composition to the recording medium is an ink-jet means.

Claim 75

An ink-container comprising a container part containing an ink, wherein the recording ink according to claim 39 is contained as said ink.

Claim 76

A recording ink suitable for use in image recording together with a liquid composition containing a compound having a first polarity, wherein the recording ink comprises a coloring material having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity and a water-soluble polymeric compound having a group, which causes intramolecular polarization, and exhibiting nonionic properties in a liquid, and wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR33## wherein R 1 is hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group or R 5 , where R 5 is one of the alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycles of the formulae ##STR34## R 2 to R 4 are, independently of one another, hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, L 1 to L 4 are, independently of one another, a divalent group having a structure represented by --A--O-- (--A-- is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be substituted by a methyl or ethyl group), s, t and q are proportions of copolymerization, the sum of s and t is 90 to 99% by weight, q is 1 to 10% by weight, n and k are integers the sum of which ranges from 10 to 30, m is an integer of 15 to 30, and p is an integer of 1 to 5.

Claim 77

A recording ink suitable for use in image recording together with a liquid composition containing a compound having a first polarity, wherein the recording ink comprises a coloring material having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity and a water-soluble polymeric compound having a group, which causes intramolecular polarization, and exhibiting nonionic properties in a liquid, and wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR33## wherein R 1 is hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group or R 5 , where R 5 is one of the alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycles of the formulae ##STR34## R 2 to R 4 are, independently of one another, hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, L 1 to L 4 are, independently of one another, a divalent group having a structure represented by --A--O-- (--A-- is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be substituted by a methyl or ethyl group), s, t and q are proportions of copolymerization, the sum of s and t is 90 to 99% by weight, q is 1 to 10% by weight, n and k are integers the sum of which ranges from 10 to 30, m is an integer of 15 to 30, and p is an integer of 1 to 5.

Claim 78

The recording ink according to claim 67, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a copolymer of (a) an acrylic ester of an ethylene oxide or propylene oxide adduct of a substituted morpholine, (b) acrylic acid and (c) a compound represented by the general formula ##STR35## wherein R 1 , R 2 , L 2 to L 4 , n, m and k have the same meaning as defined in the general formula (1).

Claim 79

The recording ink according to claim 67, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR36## wherein R 2 to R 4 , L 1 to L 4 , k, n, m, p, q, s and t have the same meaning as defined in the general formula (1).

Claim 80

The recording ink according to claim 67, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound has a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 300,000 as determined by gel permeation chromatography.

Claim 81

The recording ink according to claim 70, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound has a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 50,000 as determined by gel permeation chromatography.

Claim 82

A process of recording an image on a recording medium by using in combination a liquid composition containing a compound having a first polarity, and a recording ink comprising a coloring material having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity and a water-soluble polymeric compound having a group, which causes intramolecular polarization, and exhibiting nonionic properties in a liquid, which the process comprises the steps of: (A) applying the liquid composition to at least an image-forming region of the recording medium; and (B) applying the recording ink to the image-forming region of the recording medium.

Claim 83

A process of recording an image on a recording medium by using in combination a liquid composition containing a compound having a first polarity, and a recording ink comprising a coloring material having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity and a water-soluble polymeric compound having a group, which causes intramolecular polarization, and exhibiting nonionic properties in a liquid, which the process comprises the steps of: (A) applying the liquid composition to at least an image-forming region of the recording medium; and (B) applying the recording ink to the image-forming region of the recording medium.

Claim 84

An image-recording apparatus comprising: a first recording unit equipped with a liquid composition-containing part which contains a liquid composition containing a compound having a first polarity, and a liquid composition-applying means for applying the liquid composition to a recording medium; a second recording unit equipped with a recording ink-containing part which contains a recording ink comprising a coloring material having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity and a water-soluble polymeric compound having a group, which causes intramolecular polarization, and exhibiting nonionic properties in a liquid, and a recording ink-applying means for applying the recording ink to a recording medium.

Claim 85

An image-recording apparatus comprising: a first recording unit equipped with a liquid composition-containing part which contains a liquid composition containing a compound having a first polarity, and a liquid composition-applying means for applying the liquid composition to a recording medium; a second recording unit equipped with a recording ink-containing part which contains a recording ink comprising a coloring material having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity and a water-soluble polymeric compound having a group, which causes intramolecular polarization, and exhibiting nonionic properties in a liquid, and a recording ink-applying means for applying the recording ink to a recording medium.

Claim 86

An ink container comprising an ink-containing part which contains an ink, wherein the recording ink according to claim 67 is contained as said ink in the ink-containing part.

Claim 87

A recording unit comprising a recording ink-containing part which contains the recording ink according to claim 67 and a means for applying the recording ink to a recording medium.

Claim 88

An ink set comprising in combination: i) a liquid composition containing a compound having a first polarity; and ii) the recording ink according to claim 67, wherein the recording ink is a color ink using, as the coloring material, a coloring material for yellow, magenta, cyan, black, red, blue or green, and at least one ink of these color inks is combined with the liquid composition.

Claim 89

The process according to claim 27, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR37## wherein R 1 is hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group or R 5 , where R 5 is one of the alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycles of the formulae ##STR38## R 2 to R 4 are, independently of one another, hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, L 1 to L 4 are, independently of one another, a divalent group having a structure represented by --A--O-- (--A-- is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be substituted by a methyl or ethyl group), s, t and q are proportions of copolymerization, the sum of s and t is 90 to 99% by weight, q is 1 to 10% by weight, n and k are integers the sum of which ranges from 10 to 30, m is an integer of 15 to 30, and p is an integer of 1 to 5.

Claim 90

A recording ink suitable for use in image recording using an ink-jet system, comprising a coloring material and a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR39## wherein R 1 is hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group or R 5 , where R 5 is one of the alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycles of the formulae ##STR40## R 2 to R 4 are, independently of one another, hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, L 1 to L 4 are, independently of one another, a divalent group having a structure represented by --A--O-- (--A-- is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be substituted by a methyl or ethyl group), s, t and q are proportions of copolymerization, the sum of s and t is 90 to 99% by weight, q is 1 to 10% by weight, n and k are integers the sum of which ranges from 10 to 30, m is an integer of 15 to 30, and p is an integer of 1 to 5.

Claim 91

A recording ink suitable for use in image recording using an ink-jet system, comprising a coloring material and a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR39## wherein R 1 is hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group or R 5 , where R 5 is one of the alicyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycles of the formulae ##STR40## R 2 to R 4 are, independently of one another, hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, L 1 to L 4 are, independently of one another, a divalent group having a structure represented by --A--O-- (--A-- is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be substituted by a methyl or ethyl group), s, t and q are proportions of copolymerization, the sum of s and t is 90 to 99% by weight, q is 1 to 10% by weight, n and k are integers the sum of which ranges from 10 to 30, m is an integer of 15 to 30, and p is an integer of 1 to 5.

Claim 92

The recording ink according to claim 78, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a copolymer of (a) an acrylic ester of an ethylene oxide or propylene oxide adduct of a substituted morpholine, (b) acrylic acid and (c) a compound represented by the general formula ##STR41## wherein R 1 , R 2 , L 2 to L 4 , n, m and k have the same meaning as defined in the general formula (1).

Claim 93

The recording ink according to claim 78, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound is a water-soluble polymeric compound having a repeating unit represented by the general formula ##STR42## wherein R 2 to R 4 , L 1 to L 4 , k, n, m, p, q, s and t have the same meaning as defined in the general formula (1).

Claim 94

The recording ink according to claim 78, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound has a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 300,000 as determined by gel permeation chromatography.

Claim 95

The recording ink according to claim 81, wherein the water-soluble polymeric compound has a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 50,000 as determined by gel permeation chromatography.