US6238045B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image forming method, ink-jet recording method and instruments used in such methods
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1998-02-18
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Granted: 2001-05-29
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Expires: 2018-02-18
Abstract
Abstract An image forming method to apply an ink to a printing medium includes applying a liquid composition having a polarity different from a polarity of the ink to an image forming region formed by the ink and the vicinity of the image forming region on the printing medium prior to the application of the ink, wherein a surface tension of the liquid composition is higher than that of the ink.
Inventors
- 👤 Eriko Ono
- 👤 Yutaka Kurabayashi
- 👤 Shinya Mishina
- 👤 Shinichi Sato
- 👤 Katsuhiko Takahashi
- 👤 Masashi Ogasawara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:35
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09D; C09D11/00; C09D11/30; C09D11/40; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/21; B41J2/2107; B41J2/2114
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
An image forming method for forming an image on a printing medium, comprising the steps of: providing a liquid composition; providing a black pigment ink and a color pigment ink, each of which reacts with the liquid composition upon contact with the liquid composition on a printing medium; and applying the liquid composition and at least one of the black ink and the color ink to a printing medium so as to overlap each other, wherein each ink has a surface tension in the range of 20 to 45 dyne/cm at 25° C., and the liquid composition has a surface tension that is higher than the surface tension of each ink.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
An image forming method for forming an image on a printing medium, comprising the steps of: providing a liquid composition; providing a black pigment ink and a color pigment ink, each of which reacts with the liquid composition upon contact with the liquid composition on a printing medium; and applying the liquid composition and at least one of the black ink and the color ink to a printing medium so as to overlap each other, wherein each ink has a surface tension in the range of 20 to 45 dyne/cm at 25° C., and the liquid composition has a surface tension that is higher than the surface tension of each ink.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The image forming method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid composition comprises a cationic compound, and each ink comprises an anionic compound.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The image forming method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid composition comprises a cationic compound, and each ink comprises a pigment having an anionic group.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The image forming method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid composition comprises a cationic compound, and each ink comprises an anionic compound and a pigment having an anionic group.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The image forming method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid composition comprises an anionic compound, and each ink comprises a cationic compound.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The image forming method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid composition comprises an anionic compound, and each ink comprises a pigment having a cationic group.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The image forming method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid composition comprises an anionic compound, and each ink comprises a cationic compound and a pigment having a cationic group.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The image forming method according to claim 1 , wherein the surface tension of the liquid composition is in the range of 40 to 60 dyne/cm at 25° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The image forming method according to claim 1 , wherein the surface tension of the liquid composition is in the range of 45 to 55 dyne/cm at 25° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The image forming method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid composition, the black ink and the color ink are applied to the printing medium by an ink-jet system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
A recording unit comprising ink containers respectively containing a black ink, a color ink and a liquid composition, and an ink-jet head for ejecting the black ink, the color ink and the liquid composition, wherein each of the black ink and the color ink is a pigment ink, and has a surface tension in the range of 20 to 45 dyne/cm at ° C., wherein each ink reacts with the liquid composition upon contact with the liquid composition on a printing medium, and wherein the liquid composition has a surface tension that is higher than the surface tension of each ink.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
101 words
A recording unit comprising ink containers respectively containing a black ink, a color ink and a liquid composition, and an ink-jet head for ejecting the black ink, the color ink and the liquid composition, wherein each of the black ink and the color ink is a pigment ink, and has a surface tension in the range of 20 to 45 dyne/cm at ° C., wherein each ink reacts with the liquid composition upon contact with the liquid composition on a printing medium, and wherein the liquid composition has a surface tension that is higher than the surface tension of each ink.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The recording unit according to claim 11 , wherein the ink-jet head is a type in which thermal energy is applied to the ink-jet ink to eject droplets of ink.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The recording unit according to claim 11 , wherein each ink container contains an ink-absorbing member therein.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The recording unit according to claim 13 , wherein each ink absorbing member is formed of polyurethane, cellulose or polyvinyl acetate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
An ink-jet recording apparatus comprising a recording unit according to claim 14 .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
78 words
An ink cartridge comprising ink containers respectively containing a black ink, a color ink and a liquid composition, wherein each ink is a pigment ink and has a surface tension in a range of 20 to 45 dyne/cm at 25° C., wherein each ink reacts with the liquid composition upon contact with the liquid composition on a printing medium, and wherein the liquid composition has a surface tension that is higher than the surface tension of each ink.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
78 words
An ink cartridge comprising ink containers respectively containing a black ink, a color ink and a liquid composition, wherein each ink is a pigment ink and has a surface tension in a range of 20 to 45 dyne/cm at 25° C., wherein each ink reacts with the liquid composition upon contact with the liquid composition on a printing medium, and wherein the liquid composition has a surface tension that is higher than the surface tension of each ink.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The ink cartridge according to claim 16 , wherein each ink container has a surface formed of a polyolefin with which ink contained in the container comes into contact.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
An ink-jet recording apparatus comprising an ink cartridge according to claim 16 , a recording head for ejecting the black ink, the color ink and the liquid composition, and a feeder for feeding ink and the liquid composition from the ink cartridge to the recording head.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-05-28 | 2004-11-27 | 2005-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-28 | 2008-11-27 | 2009-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-28 | 2012-11-27 | 2013-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |