JP3610109B2 - Inkjet recording method and recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

なお、本発明を実施するにあたって、使用するインクは特に染料インクに限るものではなく、顔料を分散させた顔料インクを用いることもできるし、使用する処理液はその顔料を凝集させるものを用いることができる。前記した処理液と混合して凝集を引き起こす顔料インクの一例として以下のものを挙げることができる。すなわち、下記に述べるようにして、それぞれ顔料とアニオン性化合物とを含むイエロー，マゼンタ，シアン，ブラックの各色インク、Ｙ２，Ｍ２，Ｃ２およびＫ２を得ることができる。
【００５６】
ブラックインクＫ２
アニオン系高分子Ｐ−１（スチレン−メタクリル酸−エチルアクリレート、酸価４００、重量平均分子量６，０００、固形分２０％の水溶液、中和剤：水酸化カリウム）を分散剤として用い、以下に示す材料をバッチ式縦型サンドミル（アイメックス製）に仕込み、１ｍｍ径のガラスビーズをメディアとして充填し、水冷しつつ３時間分散処理を行った。分散後の粘度は９ｃｐｓ、ｐＨは１０．０であった。この分散液を遠心分離機にかけ粗大粒子を除去し、重量平均粒径１００ｎｍのカーボンブラック分散体を作製した。
【００５７】
（カーボンブラック分散体の組成）
・Ｐ−１水溶液（固形分２０％） ４０部
・カーボンブラック Ｍｏｇｕｌ Ｌ （キャブラック製） ２４部
・グリセリン １５部
・エチレングリコールモノブチルエーテル ０．５部
・イソプロピルアルコール ３部
・水 １３５部
次に、上記で得られた分散体を充分に拡散して顔料が含有されたインクジェット用のブラックインクＫ２を得た。最終調製物の固形分は、約１０％であった。
【００５８】
イエローインクＹ２
アニオン系高分子Ｐ−２（スチレン−アクリル酸−メチルメタアクリレート、酸価２８０、重量平均分子量１１，０００、固形分２０％の水溶液、中和剤：ジエタノールアミン）を分散剤として用い、以下に示す材料を用いて、ブラックインクＫ２の作製の場合と同様に分散処理を行い、重量平均粒径１０３ｎｍのイエロー色分散体を作製した。
【００５９】
（イエロー分散体の組成）
・Ｐ−２水溶液（固形分２０％） ３５部
・Ｃ．Ｉ．ピグメントイエロー１８０ ２４部
（ノバパームイエロー ＰＨ−Ｇ、ヘキスト製）
・トリエチレングリコール １０部
・ジエチレングリコール １０部
・エチレングリコールモノブチルエーテル １．０部
・イソプロピルアルコール ０．５部
・水 １３５部
上記で得られたイエロー分散体を充分に拡散して、顔料が含有されたインクジェット用のイエローインクＹ２を得た。最終調製物の固形分は、約１０％であった。
【００６０】
シアンインクＣ２
ブラックインクＫ２の作製の際に使用したアニオン系高分子Ｐ−１を分散剤として用い、以下に示す材料を用いて、前記したカーボンブラック分散体の場合と同様の分散処理を行い、重量平均粒径１２０ｎｍのシアン色分散体を作製した。
【００６１】
（シアン色分散体の組成）
・Ｐ−１水溶液（固形分２０％） ３０部
・Ｃ．Ｉ．ビグメントブルー１５：３ ２４部
（ファストゲンブル−ＦＧＦ、大日本インキ化学）
・グリセリン １５部
・ジエチレングリコールモノブチルエーテル ０．５部
・イソプロピルアルコール ３部
・水 １３５部
上記で得られたシアン色分散体を充分に攪拌して、顔料が含有されたインクジェット用のシアンインクＣ２を得た。最終調製物の固形分は、約９．６％であった。
【００６２】
マゼンタインクＭ２
ブラックインクＫ２の作製の際に使用したアニオン系高分子Ｐ−１を分散剤として用い、以下に示す材料を用いて、前記したカーボンブラック分散体の場合と同様の分散処理を行い、重量平均粒径１１５ｎｍのマゼンタ色分散体を作製した。
【００６３】
（マゼンタ色分散体の組成）
・Ｐ−１水溶液（固形分２０％） ２０部
・Ｃ．Ｉ．ピグメントレッド１２２（大日本インキ化学） ２４部
・グリセリン １５部
・イソプロピルアルコール ３部
・水 １３５部
上記で得られたマゼンタ色分散体を充分に拡散して、顔料が含有されたインクジェット用のマゼンタインクＭ２を得た。最終調製物の固形分は、約９．２％であった。
【００６４】
以上示したそれぞれ処理液（液体組成物）とインクとの混合において、本発明では、上述した処理液とインクが被プリント材上あるいは被プリント材に浸透した位置で混合する結果、反応の第１段階として処理液中に含まれているカチオン性物質の内、低分子量の成分またはカチオン性オリゴマーとインクに使用しているアニオン性基を有する水溶性染料または顔料インクに使用しているアニオン性化合物とがイオン的相互作用により会合を起こし、瞬間的に溶液相から分離を起こす。この結果顔料インクにおいては分散破壊が起こり、顔料の凝集体ができる。
【００６５】
次に、反応の第２段階として、上述した染料と低分子カチオン性物質またはカチオン性オリゴマーとの会合体または顔料の凝集体が処理液中に含まれる高分子成分により吸着されるために、会合で生じた染料の凝集体または顔料の凝集体のサイズがさらに大きくなり、被プリント材の繊維間の隙間に入り込みにくくなり、その結果として固液分離した液体部分のみが記録紙中にしみこむことにより、プリント品位と定着性との両立が達成される。同時に上述したようなメカニズムにより生成したカチオン物質の低分子成分またはカチオン性オリゴマーとアニオン性染料とカチオン性物質とで形成される凝集体または顔料の凝集体は粘性が大きくなり、液媒体の動きとともに移動することがないので、フルカラーの画像形成時のように隣接したインクドットが異色のインクで形成されていたとしても互いに混じり合うようなことはなく、ブリーデイングも起こらない。また、上記凝集体は本質的に水不溶性であり形成された画像の耐水性は完全なものとなる。また、ポリマーの遮蔽効果により形成された画像の耐光堅牢性も向上するという効果も有する。
【００６６】
本実施例では黒記録用に二個の黒記録ヘッドを有した。さらに黒記録ヘッドを３個、４個と増やしても良い。その場合も黒の境界部分では単一の黒記録ヘッドを用いてブリードを防止し、境界部分以外では複数の黒記録ヘッドを用いて濃度を上げることができる。
【００６７】
（実施例２）
第１の実施例では黒のエッジ部分全部を単一の黒記録ヘッドを用いた印字とした。本実施例では黒とその他の色の境界のみ単一のヘッドで記録し、他の色と接していない黒のエッジ部分は複数のヘッドで印字することにより、黒のエッジ部の濃度を下げずに、黒と他の色との間のブリードを少なくする。
【００６８】
図７に本実施例に関わる、記録のためのデータ処理の流れ図を示す。Ｂｋ１，Ｙ，Ｍ，Ｃの記録データ、及び処理液の記録データは実施例１と同様に生成する（Ｓ２１〜Ｓ２４）。Ｂｋ２の記録データは黒のデータから他の色と接している境界部分だけ除いたデータとする（Ｓ２５）。このデータの作成は、公知の黒エッジ検出アルゴリズムで得られる黒エッジ部データとＹ，Ｍ，Ｃデータの論理和データとの論理積データを、もともとの黒記録データから除くことにより得られる。以後の処理は実施例１と同様である。
【００６９】
図８に本実施例での記録の一例を示す。図８（ａ）は境界部の模式図である。本実施例では、図８（ｂ）に示すように、黒とその他の色の境界のみＢｋ１ヘッドを使って記録し、それ以外の領域は、図８（ｃ）に示すように、エッジ部を含めてＢｋ１とＢｋ２の２ヘッドを使用する。
【００７０】
処理液はこの例では黒のエッジ部分とその外周に付与するが、黒とその他の色の境界部分のみでも良い。黒とその他の色の境界部分のみに付与すると、ブリードが防止でき、処理液の使用量の低減が図れる。
【００７１】
（実施例３）
図９は本発明の第３の実施例に関わる、記録のためのデータ処理の流れ図である。実施例１と同様に、まず記録装置の受信バッファに画像データを読み込み（Ｓ３１）、Ｂｋ，Ｃ，Ｍ，Ｙの各色データＤＢｋ，ＤＣ，ＤＭ，ＤＹに展開する（Ｓ３２）。次に各処理の境界を判定する（Ｓ３３）。
【００７２】
次にＳ３４において、処理液ＳのデータをＢｋ，Ｃ，Ｍ，Ｙのデータから作成する。まず、ＤＢｋ，ＤＣ，ＤＭ，ＤＹの論理ＯＲを取り、処理液データＤＳ１を作成する。次にＤＢｋ，ＤＣ，ＤＭ，ＤＹの各データのエッジを検出し、その論理ＯＲを処理液データＤＳ２とする。ＤＳ１からＤＳ２を引いたデータをＤＳ３とする。ＤＳ２データを大発熱体を使うことにより２５ｎｇの吐出量で、ＤＳ３データを小発熱体を使うことにより１５ｎｇの吐出量で記録するためのデータとする。
【００７３】
Ｂｋ１，Ｂｋ２，Ｃ，Ｍ，Ｙの為のデータは第１の実施例と同様に作成する（Ｓ３５，Ｓ３６）。
【００７４】
これらのデータに基づいて、キャリッジの移動により、Ｂｋ１，Ｓ，Ｂｋ２，Ｃ，Ｍ，Ｙの各ヘッドからインクを記録媒体上に吐出させて記録する（Ｓ３７）。
【００７５】
図１０に本実施例での印字の一例を示す。図１０（ａ）は３色の境界部の模式図である。図１０（ｂ）に示すように、黒はイエロー，マゼンタとの境界部では単一の記録ヘッドを使うことにより吐出量が少なく、それ以外では二つのヘッドを使って濃度を上げている。処理液は図１０（ｃ）に示すように、各色の境界部分では大吐出量で記録し、それ以外では小吐出量で記録している。
【００７６】
第１の実施例では黒色のエッジ部分にたくさんの処理液を付与した。第３の実施例では黒以外の色同士間にも重点的に処理液を付与する。これにより、黒以外の色同士のブリードも防止し、より品位の高い画像が得られる。
【００７７】
ここで黒色はエッジ部分だけ単一のヘッドを使用したが、黒とその他の色の境界のみ単一の記録ヘッドを使用しても良い。
【００７８】
（実施例４）
図１１は単色のプリンタにおける記録ヘッドユニット１０３の斜視図であり、図１２は記録ヘッドの前面の拡大図を示したものである。記録ヘッド群１１１は二つの黒記録用ヘッド９２Ｋ１，９２Ｋ２（Ｂｋ１，Ｂｋ２）と、処理液を吐出させるためのヘッド９３が一体になって構成されている。キャリッジ１０１には黒インクと処理液を吐出する記録ヘッド群１１１と、Ｂｋ用タンク９０Ｋ１，９０Ｋ２と、処理液用タンク９１が搭載される。
【００７９】
黒記録には処理液よりも下流側、すなわち処理液よりも遅い時刻に記録する側の黒記録ヘッドを用いる。往記録にはＢｋ２ヘッド９２Ｋ２、復記録にはＢｋ１ヘッド９２Ｋ１を使用する。これにより、往復記録時でも常に黒インクは記録媒体上で処理液の記録後に印字される。
【００８０】
処理液印字データは黒画像データの境界検出処理によりリアルタイムに生成される。処理液は、黒記録画像のエッジ及びその外周部は大吐出量で印字し、それ以外の黒部には小吐出量で印字する。小吐出量で印字する部分の処理液データは適度に間引いても良い。
【００８１】
これにより、フェザリングが防止でき、さらに往復記録により高速化が達成できる。
【００８２】
（実施例５）
以上の実施例では処理液を使う印字方法であったが、処理液を使わないモードも備えても良い。この場合も黒とそれ以外の色とのブリードを防止するために黒の境界処理を行う。
【００８３】
まず、黒とその他の色との境界を検知する。黒の境界では黒記録にはＢｋ１ヘッドのみ使用して境界部のインクの量を減らす。Ｂｋ１ヘッドを使用することにより、黒を印字してからそれ以外の色を印字するまでの時間、または黒以外の色を印字してから黒を印字するまでの時間を長くとることができ、先に印字された色のインクが記録媒体に浸透してから次の色を印字することができる。
【００８４】
さらに、黒とそれ以外の色の境界部分以外ではＢｋ１とＢｋ２の二つのヘッドを使用して黒の濃度を高くする。
【００８５】
黒のヘッドの数は２個に限定されるものではなく、３個、４個と増やしても良い。その場合でも、境界部分は黒以外のインクを吐出させるヘッド群から最も離れた黒記録ヘッドを使用し、黒のエッジ部分以外では複数の黒記録ヘッドを使用することにより、同様の効果が得られる。
【００８６】
（その他）
なお、本発明は、特にインクジェット記録方式の中でも、インク吐出を行わせるために利用されるエネルギとして熱エネルギを発生する手段（例えば電気熱変換体やレーザ光等）を備え、前記熱エネルギによりインクの状態変化を生起させる方式の記録ヘッド、記録装置において優れた効果をもたらすものである。かかる方式によれば記録の高密度化，高精細化が達成できるからである。
【００８７】
その代表的な構成や原理については、例えば、米国特許第４７２３１２９号明細書，同第４７４０７９６号明細書に開示されている基本的な原理を用いて行うものが好ましい。この方式は所謂オンデマンド型，コンティニュアス型のいずれにも適用可能であるが、特に、オンデマンド型の場合には、液体（インク）が保持されているシートや液路に対応して配置されている電気熱変換体に、記録情報に対応していて核沸騰を越える急速な温度上昇を与える少なくとも１つの駆動信号を印加することによって、電気熱変換体に熱エネルギを発生せしめ、記録ヘッドの熱作用面に膜沸騰を生じさせて、結果的にこの駆動信号に一対一で対応した液体（インク）内の気泡を形成できるので有効である。この気泡の成長，収縮により吐出用開口を介して液体（インク）を吐出させて、少なくとも１つの滴を形成する。この駆動信号をパルス形状とすると、即時適切に気泡の成長収縮が行われるので、特に応答性に優れた液体（インク）の吐出が達成でき、より好ましい。このパルス形状の駆動信号としては、米国特許第４４６３３５９号明細書，同第４３４５２６２号明細書に記載されているようなものが適している。なお、上記熱作用面の温度上昇率に関する発明の米国特許第４３１３１２４号明細書に記載されている条件を採用すると、さらに優れた記録を行うことができる。
【００８８】
記録ヘッドの構成としては、上述の各明細書に開示されているような吐出口，液路，電気熱変換体の組合せ構成（直線状液流路または直角液流路）の他に熱作用部が屈曲する領域に配置されている構成を開示する米国特許第４５５８３３３号明細書，米国特許第４４５９６００号明細書を用いた構成も本発明に含まれるものである。加えて、複数の電気熱変換体に対して、共通するスリットを電気熱変換体の吐出部とする構成を開示する特開昭５９−１２３６７０号公報や熱エネルギの圧力波を吸収する開孔を吐出部に対応させる構成を開示する特開昭５９−１３８４６１号公報に基いた構成としても本発明の効果は有効である。すなわち、記録ヘッドの形態がどのようなものであっても、本発明によれば記録を確実に効率よく行うことができるようになるからである。
【００８９】
さらに、記録装置が記録できる記録媒体の最大幅に対応した長さを有するフルラインタイプの記録ヘッドに対しても本発明は有効に適用できる。そのような記録ヘッドとしては、複数記録ヘッドの組合せによってその長さを満たす構成や、一体的に形成された１個の記録ヘッドとしての構成のいずれでもよい。
【００９０】
加えて、上例のようなシリアルタイプのものでも、装置本体に固定された記録ヘッド、あるいは装置本体に装着されることで装置本体との電気的な接続や装置本体からのインクの供給が可能になる交換自在のチップタイプの記録ヘッド、あるいは記録ヘッド自体に一体的にインクタンクが設けられたカートリッジタイプの記録ヘッドを用いた場合にも本発明は有効である。
【００９１】
また、本発明に記録装置の構成として設けられる、記録ヘッドに対しての回復手段、予備的な補助手段等を付加することは本発明の効果を一層安定できるので、好ましいものである。これらを具体的に挙げれば、記録ヘッドに対してのキャッピング手段、クリーニング手段、加圧或は吸引手段、電気熱変換体或はこれとは別の加熱素子或はこれらの組み合わせによる予備加熱手段、記録とは別の吐出を行なう予備吐出モードを行なうことも安定した記録を行なうために有効である。
【００９２】
また、搭載される記録ヘッドの種類ないし個数についても、例えば単色のインクに対応して１個のみが設けられたものの他、記録色や濃度を異にする複数のインクに対応して複数個数設けられるものであってもよい。すなわち、例えば記録装置の記録モードとしては黒色等の主流色のみの記録モードだけではなく、記録ヘッドを一体的に構成するか複数個の組み合わせによるかいずれでもよいが、異なる色の複色カラー、または混色によるフルカラーの少なくとも一つを備えた装置にも本発明は極めて有効である。
【００９３】
さらに加えて、以上説明した本発明実施例においては、インクを液体として説明しているが、室温やそれ以下で固化するインクであって、室温で軟化もしくは液化するもの、あるいはインクジェット方式ではインク自体を３０℃以上７０℃以下の範囲内で温度調整を行ってインクの粘性を安定吐出範囲にあるように温度制御するものが一般的であるから、使用記録信号付与時にインクが液状をなすものであればよい。加えて、積極的に熱エネルギによる昇温をインクの固形状態から液体状態への状態変化のエネルギとして使用せしめることで防止するか、またはインクの蒸発防止を目的として放置状態で固化するインクを用いるかして、いずれにしても熱エネルギの記録信号に応じた付与によってインクが液化し、液状インクが吐出されるものや、記録媒体に到達する時点ではすでに固化し始めるもの等のような、熱エネルギによって初めて液化する性質のインクを使用する場合も本発明は適用可能である。このような場合のインクは、特開昭５４−５６８４７号公報あるいは特開昭６０−７１２６０号公報に記載されるような、多孔質シート凹部または貫通孔に液状又は固形物として保持された状態で、電気熱変換体に対して対向するような形態としてもよい。本発明においては、上述した各インクに対して最も有効なものは、上述した膜沸騰方式を実行するものである。
【００９４】
さらに加えて、本発明の液体噴射記録ヘッドを使用する記録機構を備えた記録装置の形態としては、コンピュータ等の情報処理機器の画像出力端末として用いられるものの他、リーダ等と組合せた複写装置、さらには送受信機能を有するファクシミリ装置の形態を採るもの等であってもよい。
【００９５】
図１３は本発明の記録装置をワードプロセッサ、パーソナルコンピュータ、ファクシミリ装置、複写装置としての機能を有する情報処理装置に適用した場合の概略構成を示すブロック図である。
【００９６】
図中、１８０１は装置全体の制御を行なう制御部で、マイクロプロセッサ等のＣＰＵや各種Ｉ／Ｏポートを備え、各部に制御信号やデータ信号等を出力したり、各部よりの制御信号やデータ信号を入力して制御を行なっている。１８０２はディスプレイ部で、この表示画面には各種メニューや文書情報およびイメージリーダ１８０７で読み取ったイメージデータ等が表示される。１８０３はディスプレイ部１８０２上に設けられた透明な感圧式のタッチパネルで、指等によりその表面を押圧することにより、ディスプレイ部１８０２上での項目入力や座標位置入力等を行なうことができる。
【００９７】
１８０４はＦＭ（Ｆｒｅｑｕｅｎｃｙ Ｍｏｄｕｌａｔｉｏｎ）音源部で、音楽エディタ等で作成された音楽情報をメモリ部１８１０や外部記憶装置１８１２にデジタルデータとして記憶しておき、それらメモリ等から読み出してＦＭ変調を行なうものである。ＦＭ音源部１８０４からの電気信号はスピーカ部１８０５により可聴音に変換される。プリンタ部１８０６はワードプロセッサ、パーソナルコンピュータ、ファクシミリ装置、複写装置の出力端末として、本発明記録装置が適用されたものである。
【００９８】
１８０７は原稿データを光電的に読取って入力するイメージリーダ部で、原稿の搬送経路途中に設けられており、ファクシミリ原稿や複写原稿の他各種原稿の読取りを行なう。１８０８はイメージリーダ部１８０７で読取った原稿データのファクシミリ送信や、送られてきたファクシミリ信号を受信して復号するファクシミリ（ＦＡＸ）の送受信部であり、外部とのインターフェース機能を有する。１８０９は通常の電話機能や留守番電話機能等の各種電話機能を有する電話部である。
【００９９】
１８１０はシステムプログラムやマネージャプログラムおよびその他のアプリケーションプログラム等や文字フォントおよび辞書等を記憶するＲＯＭや、外部記憶装置１８１２からロードされたアプリケーションプログラムや文書情報さらにはビデオＲＡＭ等を含むメモリ部である。
【０１００】
１８１１は文書情報や各種コマンド等を入力するキーボード部である。
【０１０１】
フロッピィディスクやハードディスク等を記憶媒体とする外部記憶装置で、この外部記憶装置１８１２には文書情報や音楽或は音声情報、ユーザのアプリケーションプログラム等が格納される。
【０１０２】
図１４は図１３に示す情報処理装置の模式的外観図である。
【０１０３】
図中、１９０１は液晶等を利用したフラットパネルディスプレイで、各種メニューや図形情報および文書情報等を表示する。このディスプレイ１９０１上にはタッチパネル１８０３の表面を指等で押圧することにより座標入力や項目指定入力を行なうことができる。１９０２は装置が電話器として機能するときに使用されるハンドセットである。キーボード１９０３は本体と脱着可能にコードを介して接続されており、各種文書情報や各種データ入力を行なうことができる。また、このキーボード１９０３には各種機能キー１９０４等が設けられている。１９０５は外部記憶装置２１２へのフロッピーディスクの挿入口である。
【０１０４】
１９０６はイメージリーダ部１８０７で読取られる原稿を戴置する用紙戴置部で、読取られた原稿は装置後部より排出される。またファクシミリ受信等においては、インクジェットプリンタ１９０７より記録される。
【０１０５】
なお、上記でディスプレイ部１８０２はＣＲＴでもよいが、強誘電性液晶を利用した液晶ディスプレイ等のフラットパネルが望ましい。小型、薄型化に加え軽量化が図れるからである。
【０１０６】
上記情報処理装置をパーソナルコンピュータやワードプロセッサとして機能する場合、キーボード部２１１から入力された各種情報が制御部１８０１により所定のプログラムに従って処理され、プリンタ部１８０６に画像として出力される。
【０１０７】
ファクシミリ装置の受信機として機能する場合、通信回線を介してＦＡＸ送受信部１８０８から入力したファクシミリ情報が制御部１８０１により所定のプログラムに従って受信処理され、プリンタ部１８０６に受信画像として出力される。
【０１０８】
また、複写装置として機能する場合、イメージリーダ部１８０７によって原稿を読取り、読取られた原稿データが制御部１８０１を介してプリンタ部１８０６に複写画像として出力される。なお、ファクシミリ装置の受信機として機能する場合、イメージリーダ部１８０７によって読取られた原稿データは、制御部１８０１により所定のプログラムに従って送信処理された後、ＦＡＸ送受信部１８０８を介して通信回線に送信される。
【０１０９】
なお、上述した情報処理装置は図１５に示すようにインクジェットプリンタを本体に内蔵した一体型としてもよく、この場合は、よりポータブル性を高めることが可能となる。同図において、図１４と同一機能を有する部分には、対応する符号を付す。
【０１１０】
以上説明した多機能型情報処理装置に本発明の記録装置を適用することによって、高品位の記録画像を高速かつ低騒音で得ることができるため、上記情報処理装置の機能をさらに向上させることが可能となる。
【０１１１】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように本発明によれば、異なった色間のブリード現象による画像の劣化を防ぎ、黒の濃度を上げる事によって画像品位の向上を図れる。また、色の境界に処理液を多く付与することによってフェザリングも防止できる。さらに、処理液を記録インクに先立って記録媒体上に付着させる事により、耐水性など堅牢性を向上させる事が可能である。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に適用可能な記録装置の斜視図である。
【図２】本発明の実施例１に関わる記録ヘッドユニットの斜視図である。
【図３】実施例１に関わる記録ヘッドの前面の拡大図である。
【図４】本発明に適用可能な記録装置のブロック図である。
【図５】実施例１におけるインク、処理液の吐出量の一例を示す説明図である。
【図６】実施例１における記録のためのデータ処理の流れ図である。
【図７】実施例２における記録のためのデータ処理の流れ図である。
【図８】実施例２におけるインクの吐出量の一例を示す説明図である。
【図９】実施例３における記録のためのデータ処理の流れ図である。
【図１０】実施例３の印字の一例を示す説明図である。
【図１１】実施例４に関わる記録ヘッドユニットの斜視図である。
【図１２】実施例４に関わる記録ヘッドの前面の拡大図である。
【図１３】本発明の記録装置を情報処理装置に適用した場合の概略構成を示すブロック図である。
【図１４】図１３に示した情報処理装置の模式的外観図である。
【図１５】図１３に示した情報処理装置の模式的外観図である。
【符号の説明】
１００ 記録装置
１０１ キャリッジ
１０３ 記録ヘッドユニット
２０Ｋ１，２０Ｋ２ 黒インク用タンク
２０Ｃ シアンインク用タンク
２０Ｍ マゼンタインク用タンク
２０Ｙ イエローインク用タンク
２１ 処理液用タンク
３０Ｋ１，３０Ｋ２ 黒インク吐出ヘッド
３０Ｃ シアンインク吐出ヘッド
３０Ｍ マゼンタインク吐出ヘッド
３０Ｙ イエローインク吐出ヘッド[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to an inkjet recording method and a recording apparatus capable of obtaining a high-quality image on a recording material, and more particularly, to improve image quality by insolubilizing or aggregating recording ink and a coloring material in the recording ink on a recording medium. The present invention relates to an ink jet recording method and a recording apparatus for discharging an agent.
[0002]
The present invention is applicable to all devices using recording media such as paper, cloth, leather, non-woven fabric, OHP paper, and metal. Specific examples of applicable equipment include office equipment such as printers, copiers, and facsimile machines, and industrial production equipment.
[0003]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, inkjet recording methods have been used in printers, copiers, and the like because of low noise, low running cost, easy size reduction, and easy colorization.
[0004]
However, when an image is obtained on a recording material called a so-called plain paper by using these recording apparatuses to which the ink jet recording method is applied, when the image has insufficient water resistance, or when obtaining a color image, A high-density image that does not cause the ink to spread (feathering) along the fiber of the paper and an image that does not bleed between colors (bleed) cannot be made compatible with each other. A color image of good quality was not obtained.
[0005]
As a method for improving the water resistance of an image, an ink in which a color material contained in the ink has water resistance has been put into practical use in recent years. However, its water resistance is still insufficient and, in principle, it is an ink that is difficult to dissolve in water after drying, so the nozzles of the recording head are likely to be clogged, and the apparatus configuration is complicated to prevent this. There was a drawback.
[0006]
In addition, many techniques for improving the fastness of a recording material have been disclosed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 53-24486 discloses a technique in which a dye is raked and fixed by post-processing the dyed product in order to improve the wet fastness of the dyed product.
[0007]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-43733 discloses a method of recording using two or more components that increase the film-forming ability when they are brought into contact with each other at room temperature or when heated. A printed matter is obtained in which the components are in contact with each other to form a tightly adhered film.
[0008]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 55-150396 also discloses a method of applying a water-proofing agent that forms a lake with a dye after ink-jet recording of an aqueous dye ink.
[0009]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-128862 discloses an ink jet recording method in which an image position to be recorded is identified in advance, and recording ink and processing ink are overlapped and recorded. The ink is drawn with processing ink prior to recording ink. A method is disclosed in which processing ink is overlaid on the previously drawn recording ink, or recording ink is overlaid on the previously drawn processing ink, and further processing ink is overlaid.
[0010]
However, they do not disclose a printing mode of a processing liquid for preventing factors that deteriorate an image such as bleeding between different colors (bleed phenomenon) or feathering, and improving a recorded image.
[0011]
In addition, there are no disclosures about problems and effects peculiar to a recording method using a recording apparatus having a plurality of recording heads of the same color.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for obtaining a good color image free from the bleed phenomenon and feathering phenomenon and improving the water resistance of recorded matter.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention uses an ink of a specific color and the specific color in an ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink based on recording data. When ejecting from the nozzle an ink ejection portion capable of ejecting different color ink from the nozzle and a treatment liquid containing a component that insolubilizes or aggregates the components in the ink,FirstDischarge amount orThe second less than the first discharge amountA boundary portion between a treatment liquid ejection unit capable of ejecting the treatment liquid from the nozzle in an ejection amount and an image recorded with ink of a color different from the specific color among images recorded with the specific color ink The treatment liquid isFirstDischarging at a discharge amount, the treatment liquid is applied to the portion other than the boundary portionSecondAnd control means for controlling the discharge of the processing liquid from the processing liquid discharge section so as to discharge at a discharge amount.
[0014]
here,AboveThe control meansFurthermore, the portion is more than the portion other than the boundary.Against the boundaryOf the specific colorAmount of ink appliedTo control ink discharge from the ink discharge section.
[0015]
The ink ejection unit includes a plurality of ejection unit groups in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting the specific color ink are arranged,BoundaryWhen recordingFor specific color inkMultiple ofOf the discharge unit group,AboveSpecific colorDifferent fromcolorInkWithRecordAt the position where the time difference occurs the longestSaidSpecific colorofinkForDischarge partgroupuseWhen recording a portion other than the boundary portion, it is preferable to use a plurality of ejection portion groups for the specific color ink.
[0016]
In addition, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention uses a specific color ink and a color different from the specific color in an ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink based on recording data. When ejecting from the nozzle an ink ejection part that can be ejected from the nozzle, and a treatment liquid containing a component that insolubilizes or aggregates the components in the ink,FirstDischarge amount orThe second less than the first discharge amountOf the image recorded with the treatment liquid ejection unit capable of ejecting the treatment liquid from the nozzle in the ejection amount and the specific color ink, the edge portion and the image recorded with the ink of a color different from the specific color And the treatment liquid with respect to the boundaryFirstDischarge at a discharge amount, and the treatment liquid is applied to portions other than the edge portion and the boundary portion.SecondControl means for controlling the discharge of the processing liquid from the processing liquid discharge section so as to discharge at a discharge amount.
[0017]
The treatment liquid includes a low molecular component and a high molecular component cationic substance, and the ink includes an anionic dye, or the treatment liquid includes a low molecular component and a high molecular component cationic substance, and the ink includes an anion. Or at least an anionic compound and a pigment.
[0018]
The specific color ink is a black ink, and the color ink different from the specific color is a color ink other than black.
[0019]
An ink jet recording method according to the present invention includes an ink discharge portion capable of discharging a specific color ink and an ink different from the specific color from the nozzle, and a treatment liquid including a component that insolubilizes or aggregates the components in the ink. When discharging fromFirstDischarge amount orThe second less than the first discharge amountIn an ink jet recording method for recording an image on a recording medium using a processing liquid discharge section capable of discharging the processing liquid from the nozzle in an amount of discharge, the specific of the images recorded with the specific color ink The boundary with the image recorded with an ink of a color different from the colorFirstThe processing liquid is discharged at a discharge amount, and the portion other than the boundary portion isSecondThe treatment liquid is discharged at a discharge amount.
[0020]
Furthermore, the ink jet recording method according to the present invention includes a processing liquid including a specific color ink and an ink discharge portion capable of discharging a color different from the specific color from the nozzle, and a component that insolubilizes or aggregates the components in the ink. When discharging from the nozzle,FirstDischarge amount orThe second less than the first discharge amountIn an inkjet recording method for recording an image on a recording medium using a treatment liquid ejection unit capable of ejecting the treatment liquid from the nozzle in an ejection amount, an edge portion of the image recorded with the specific color ink And the treatment liquid with respect to a boundary portion between an image recorded with ink of a color different from the specific colorFirstDischarge at a discharge amount, and the treatment liquid is applied to portions other than the edge portion and the boundary portion.SecondIt discharges with discharge amount, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0026]
[Action]
The ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention has a recording head that discharges a treatment liquid containing a component that insolubilizes or aggregates the components in the ink. The ink is mixed with the treatment liquid and insolubilized or aggregated as soon as it reaches the recording medium, so that it does not spread along the fiber of the paper and can prevent feathering. Furthermore, since the colorant insolubilized or aggregated by the treatment liquid is fixed on the recording medium without being dissolved in water, bleeding can be prevented without being mixed with inks of different colors. In addition, image fastness such as water resistance can be improved.
[0027]
Further, in the present invention, by having a plurality of recording heads for discharging black ink, when it is desired to emphasize black, a plurality of heads are used, and it is desired to reduce the amount of ink on the recording medium such as the boundary between black and other colors. Sometimes it is easy to change the amount of ink on the recording medium, such as using a single head.
[0028]
In the present invention, the discharge amount of the processing liquid can be changed.
[0029]
Furthermore, the present invention has means for detecting the boundary of each color from the image data and creating new image data.
[0030]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, a large amount of processing liquid is ejected at the black boundary portion and a small amount is ejected at other portions than the boundary portion, thereby effectively preventing bleeding while reducing the consumption of the processing liquid.
[0031]
In the present invention, the black recording head to be used is selected according to the print mode.
[0032]
With such a configuration, black uses only one head at the boundary between black and other colors to reduce the amount of ink on the recording medium to prevent bleeding, and uses a plurality of black heads outside the boundary to reduce density. A high image can be obtained. Furthermore, bleed can be prevented more satisfactorily by adhering a large amount of treatment liquid to the boundary portion of different colors and the periphery thereof. In addition, since the bleed can be prevented even in bidirectional printing, the printing speed can be increased.
[0033]
Even when the processing liquid is not used, the use of a single head at the black boundary portion and the use of a plurality of black recording heads other than the boundary portion can achieve both prevention of bleeding and improvement in black density.
[0034]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0035]
Example 1
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. The recording medium 106 inserted into the paper feeding position of the recording apparatus 100 is conveyed to a recordable area of the recording head unit 103 by a feed roller 109. A platen 108 is provided below the recording medium in the recordable area.carriageA reference numeral 101 is configured to be movable in a direction determined by two guide shafts of a guide shaft 104 and a guide shaft 105, and reciprocally scans a recording area. The carriage 101 is mounted with a recording head unit 103 that includes a recording head group that discharges a plurality of color inks and processing liquids, and an ink tank that supplies ink and processing liquid to each recording head. The inks of a plurality of colors provided in the ink jet recording apparatus of this example are four colors of black (Bk), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y).
[0036]
At the left end of the area where the carriage can move, there is a recovery system unit 110 at the bottom, which caps the ejection port of the recording head when not printing. This left end is called the home position of the recording head.
[0037]
Reference numeral 107 denotes a switch unit and a display element unit. The switch unit is used for turning on / off the recording apparatus, setting various recording modes, and the like.Display elementThe unit serves to display the status of the recording apparatus.
[0038]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the recording head unit 103. In this example, the black (Bk), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) inks and the processing liquid (S) tank are all interchangeable.
[0039]
The carriage 101 has a recording head group 102 that discharges Bk, C, M, Y and processing liquid, Bk tanks 20K1, 20K2, C tank 20C, M tank 20M, Y tank 20Y, and processing liquid. A tank 21 is mounted. Each tank is connected to the print head group via a connection portion with the print head, and supplies ink and processing liquid to the ejection port.
[0040]
In addition to this example, for example, the treatment liquid and the two Bk tanks may be integrated, or the C, M, and Y tanks may be integrated.
[0041]
FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the front surface (surface facing the recording material) of the recording head group. The recording head group includes heads 30K1 and 30K2 that discharge black ink (Bk1, Bk2), a head 31 that discharges the processing liquid (S), and cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) ink, respectively. The heads 30C, 30M, and 30Y are configured to be ejected, and each head is held by a frame. A head for discharging the treatment liquid is disposed between the two black recording heads 30K1 and 30K2 with respect to the main scanning direction of the recording head. The recording heads 30K1, 30K2, 30C, 30M, and 30Y are the same, and the ejection amount may not be changed. The treatment liquid head 31 can be changed in two stages of large and small discharge amounts.
[0042]
Each head is composed of 160 nozzles. About 40 ng of ink per unit pixel is ejected from the Bk, C, M, and Y nozzles. The head of the treatment liquid has two heating resistance elements in each nozzle, and the discharge amount can be changed by the combination thereof. The discharge amount of the processing liquid recording head is 15 ng per unit pixel when a small heating element is used, and 25 ng when a large heating element is used.
[0043]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. Character or image data to be recorded (hereinafter referred to as image data) is input from the host computer 400 to the reception buffer 401 of the recording apparatus. Further, data for confirming whether or not the data is correctly transferred, data for notifying the operation state of the recording apparatus, and the like are returned from the recording apparatus to the host computer. The data in the reception buffer 401 is transferred to the memory unit 403 and temporarily stored in a RAM (random access memory) under the control of the control unit 402 having a CPU. The mechanical control unit 404 drives a mechanical unit 405 such as a carriage motor or a line feed motor in response to a command from the control unit 402. The sensor / SW control unit 406 sends a signal from the sensor / SW unit 407 including various sensors and SW (switch) to the control unit 402. The display element control unit 408 controls the display element unit 409 including the LEDs of the display panel group, the liquid crystal display element, and the like according to a command from the control unit 402. The recording head control unit 410 controls the recording head 411 according to a command from the control unit 402. In addition, temperature information indicating the state of the recording head 411 is sensed and transmitted to the control unit 402. The image processing unit 402A processes the image data input to the reception buffer 401, detects a boundary between colors and a black edge, and generates data for recording.
[0044]
A printing method using this head unit will be described below. In this embodiment and the following embodiments, a description will be given by taking an example of the boundary of three colors of black, yellow, and magenta.
[0045]
FIG. 5 shows an example of printing. FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram of the boundary portion, where the left side is an image of black and the right side is an image of yellow and magenta, and the boundary portion of three colors is enlarged. As shown in FIG. 5B, in order to increase the density of the black portion, a total of 80 ng of ink is printed per unit pixel by two heads. However, it is necessary to reduce the amount of recording ink in order to prevent mixing of black and other colors at the boundary portion. For this reason, only one black recording head is used at the boundary, and 40 ng of ink is printed per unit pixel. As shown in FIG. 5C, the black edge portion uses only one black recording head.
[0046]
The treatment liquid is applied to the entire image in order to give the recorded matter water resistance. Furthermore, in order to prevent bleeding at the boundary between black and other colors, it is necessary to effectively insolubilize or aggregate the colorant and fix it. Since the discharge amount of the head for discharging the processing liquid can be changed, as shown in FIG. 5D, the boundary portion between black and other colors is a large discharge amount (25 ng), and the rest is small discharge amount ( 15 ng). By concentrating the treatment liquid only on the black boundary portion, the consumption of the entire treatment liquid can be suppressed, and bleeding between black and other colors can be effectively prevented.
[0047]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5E, the treatment liquid is applied with a large discharge amount to a black edge where no other color is adjacent. Since the processing liquid is applied to the outside of the recorded image with black ink, feathering can be prevented.
[0048]
At the edge portion, only the Bk1 head 30K1 is used for black recording. This is for effectively preventing bleeding even during reciprocal recording. At the time of going, it is recorded in the order of black → processing liquid → color (C, M, Y or secondary color thereof), and at the time of recovery, color (C, M, Y or secondary color thereof) → processing liquid → black Recorded in order. When the Bk2 head 30K2 is used, the recording is performed in the order of processing liquid → black → color at the time of going, so the colors do not mix, but at the time of recovery, the order is color → black → processing liquid, and the color and black are mixed After that, the treatment liquid is applied and the effect is lost.
[0049]
Here, in FIG. 5, the “edge portion” is a black edge and one dot outside. This may be increased according to the type of ink, the recording medium, and the like. At least the treatment liquid needs to be one dot or more on the black portion and the outside thereof. Further, the processing liquid may be thinned out appropriately except at the boundary portion.
[0050]
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of data processing for recording. First, image data is read into the reception buffer of the recording device (S11). Next, the image data is developed into Bk, C, M, and Y color data DBk, DC, DM, and DY (S12). Next, it is determined whether black is adjacent to another color (S13).
[0051]
Next, in S14, data of the processing liquid S is created from Bk, C, M, and Y data. First, logical OR of DBk, DC, DM, and DY is taken, and processing liquid data DS1 is created. Next, the edge of DBk is detected, and the inside and outside portions are set as processing liquid data DS2. Data obtained by subtracting DS2 from DS1 is referred to as DS3. The DS2 data is recorded for recording with a discharge amount of 25 ng by using a large heating element, and the DS3 data is recorded for recording with a discharge amount of 15 ng by using a small heating element. The edge data is obtained by a known edge detection algorithm.
[0052]
The Bk head uses Bk1 and Bk2 depending on the area. In S15, the area data obtained by removing the edge data from the DBk data is defined as data DBk2 recorded by the head 30K2 of Bk2. The Bk1 head 30K1 uses the read DBk data as recording data as it is, and C, M, and Y use the read DC, DM, and DY data as recording data (S16).
[0053]
Based on these data, recording is performed by ejecting ink from the respective heads 30K1, 31, 30K2, 30C, 30M, 30Y of Bk1, S, Bk2, C, M, and Y onto the recording medium by moving the carriage ( S17).
[0054]
Here, the prescription of the used ink and the treatment liquid is as follows.
[0055]
When all ink is dye ink

In carrying out the present invention, the ink to be used is not particularly limited to the dye ink, and a pigment ink in which a pigment is dispersed can be used, and a treatment liquid to be used is an agglomerate of the pigment. Can do. The following can be mentioned as an example of the pigment ink which causes aggregation by mixing with the treatment liquid described above. That is, as described below, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color inks Y2, M2, C2, and K2 each containing a pigment and an anionic compound can be obtained.
[0056]
Black ink K2
Anionic polymer P-1 (styrene-methacrylic acid-ethyl acrylate, acid value 400, weight average molecular weight 6,000, 20% solid content aqueous solution, neutralizing agent: potassium hydroxide) was used as a dispersant. The materials shown were charged into a batch type vertical sand mill (manufactured by Imex), filled with 1 mm diameter glass beads as media, and dispersed for 3 hours while cooling with water. The viscosity after dispersion was 9 cps and the pH was 10.0. This dispersion was centrifuged to remove coarse particles, and a carbon black dispersion having a weight average particle diameter of 100 nm was produced.
[0057]
(Composition of carbon black dispersion)
-P-1 aqueous solution (solid content 20%) 40 parts
・ Carbon black Mogul L (manufactured by Cablack) 24 parts
・ Glycerin 15 parts
・ Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether 0.5 parts
・ Isopropyl alcohol 3 parts
・ Water 135 parts
Next, the dispersion obtained above was sufficiently diffused to obtain an inkjet black ink K2 containing a pigment. The final preparation had a solid content of about 10%.
[0058]
Yellow ink Y2
Anionic polymer P-2 (styrene-acrylic acid-methyl methacrylate, acid value 280, weight average molecular weight 11,000, aqueous solution with a solid content of 20%, neutralizer: diethanolamine) is used as a dispersant, and is shown below. Using the materials, a dispersion treatment was performed in the same manner as in the production of the black ink K2, and a yellow color dispersion having a weight average particle diameter of 103 nm was produced.
[0059]
(Composition of yellow dispersion)
-P-2 aqueous solution (solid content 20%) 35 parts
・ C. I. Pigment Yellow 180 24 parts
(Nova Palm Yellow PH-G, made by Hoechst)
・ 10 parts of triethylene glycol
・ 10 parts of diethylene glycol
・ 1.0 parts of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether
・ Isopropyl alcohol 0.5 parts
・ Water 135 parts
The yellow dispersion obtained above was sufficiently diffused to obtain an inkjet yellow ink Y2 containing a pigment. The final preparation had a solid content of about 10%.
[0060]
Cyan ink C2
Using the anionic polymer P-1 used in the production of the black ink K2 as a dispersant, the same dispersion treatment as in the case of the carbon black dispersion described above was performed using the following materials, and the weight average particle size A cyan dispersion having a diameter of 120 nm was prepared.
[0061]
(Composition of cyan dispersion)
-P-1 aqueous solution (solid content 20%) 30 parts
・ C. I. Pigment Blue 15: 3 24 parts
(Fast Genble-FGF, Dainippon Ink Chemical)
・ Glycerin 15 parts
・ Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether 0.5 parts
・ Isopropyl alcohol 3 parts
・ Water 135 parts
The cyan dispersion obtained above was sufficiently stirred to obtain an inkjet cyan ink C2 containing a pigment. The final preparation had a solid content of about 9.6%.
[0062]
Magenta ink M2
Using the anionic polymer P-1 used in the production of the black ink K2 as a dispersant, the same dispersion treatment as in the case of the carbon black dispersion described above was performed using the following materials, and the weight average particle size A magenta color dispersion having a diameter of 115 nm was prepared.
[0063]
(Composition of magenta color dispersion)
-20 parts of P-1 aqueous solution (solid content 20%)
・ C. I. Pigment Red 122 (Dainippon Ink Chemical) 24 parts
・ Glycerin 15 parts
・ Isopropyl alcohol 3 parts
・ Water 135 parts
The magenta color dispersion obtained above was sufficiently diffused to obtain a magenta ink M2 for inkjet containing a pigment. The final preparation had a solid content of about 9.2%.
[0064]
In the mixing of the treatment liquid (liquid composition) and the ink as described above, in the present invention, the above-described treatment liquid and ink are mixed on the print material or at a position where the ink penetrates the print material. Among the cationic substances contained in the treatment liquid as a stage, low molecular weight components or cationic oligomers and anionic compounds used in water-soluble dyes or pigment inks having an anionic group used in the ink Cause association by ionic interaction and instantaneously separate from the solution phase. As a result, dispersion failure occurs in the pigment ink, and a pigment aggregate is formed.
[0065]
Next, as the second stage of the reaction, the association of the above-mentioned dye and the low molecular weight cationic substance or cationic oligomer or the aggregate of the pigment is adsorbed by the polymer component contained in the treatment liquid. As a result, the size of the dye aggregate or the pigment aggregate generated in step 1 is further increased, making it difficult to enter the gaps between the fibers of the print material. Both print quality and fixability are achieved. At the same time, aggregates or pigment aggregates formed from low molecular weight components of cationic substances or cationic oligomers, anionic dyes and cationic substances generated by the mechanism as described above become thicker and move with the movement of the liquid medium. Since they do not move, even if adjacent ink dots are formed of different colors as in the case of full-color image formation, they do not mix with each other and bleeding does not occur. The aggregate is essentially water-insoluble, and the formed image has perfect water resistance. In addition, the light fastness of the image formed by the polymer shielding effect is also improved.
[0066]
In this embodiment, there are two black recording heads for black recording. Further, the number of black recording heads may be increased to three or four. Even in this case, bleeding can be prevented by using a single black recording head at the black boundary portion, and density can be increased by using a plurality of black recording heads at other portions than the boundary portion.
[0067]
(Example 2)
In the first embodiment, all black edges are printed using a single black recording head. In this embodiment, only the boundary between black and other colors is recorded by a single head, and the black edge portion that is not in contact with other colors is printed by a plurality of heads, so that the density of the black edge portion is not lowered. And less bleed between black and other colors.
[0068]
FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of data processing for recording according to the present embodiment. The recording data of Bk1, Y, M, and C and the processing liquid recording data are generated in the same manner as in the first embodiment (S21 to S24). The recording data of Bk2 is data obtained by removing only the boundary portion in contact with other colors from the black data (S25). The creation of this data is obtained by removing the logical product data of the black edge data obtained by a known black edge detection algorithm and the logical sum data of Y, M, C data from the original black recording data. The subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0069]
FIG. 8 shows an example of recording in this embodiment. FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram of the boundary portion. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), only the boundary between black and other colors is recorded using the Bk1 head, and in the other areas, as shown in FIG. 8 (c), edge portions are recorded. Including two heads Bk1 and Bk2.
[0070]
In this example, the processing liquid is applied to the black edge portion and the outer periphery thereof, but only the boundary portion between black and other colors may be used. If it is applied only to the boundary between black and other colors, bleeding can be prevented and the amount of processing solution used can be reduced.
[0071]
(Example 3)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of data processing for recording according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As in the first embodiment, first, image data is read into the reception buffer of the recording device (S31), and developed into Bk, C, M, and Y color data DBk, DC, DM, and DY (S32). Next, the boundary of each process is determined (S33).
[0072]
Next, in S34, data of the processing liquid S is created from Bk, C, M, and Y data. First, logical OR of DBk, DC, DM, and DY is taken, and processing liquid data DS1 is created. Next, an edge of each data of DBk, DC, DM, DY is detected, and the logical OR is set as processing liquid data DS2. Data obtained by subtracting DS2 from DS1 is referred to as DS3. The DS2 data is recorded for recording with a discharge amount of 25 ng by using a large heating element, and the DS3 data is recorded for recording with a discharge amount of 15 ng by using a small heating element.
[0073]
Data for Bk1, Bk2, C, M, and Y are created in the same manner as in the first embodiment (S35, S36).
[0074]
Based on these data, recording is performed by ejecting ink from the heads Bk1, S, Bk2, C, M, and Y onto the recording medium by moving the carriage (S37).
[0075]
FIG. 10 shows an example of printing in this embodiment. FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram of a boundary portion of three colors. As shown in FIG. 10B, the discharge amount is small by using a single recording head at the boundary between black and yellow and magenta, and the density is increased by using two heads in other cases. As shown in FIG. 10C, the processing liquid is recorded with a large discharge amount at the boundary portion of each color, and is recorded with a small discharge amount in other cases.
[0076]
In the first embodiment, a large amount of treatment liquid was applied to the black edge portion. In the third embodiment, the treatment liquid is applied mainly between colors other than black. Thereby, bleeding of colors other than black is prevented, and a higher quality image can be obtained.
[0077]
Here, black uses a single head only at the edge portion, but a single recording head may be used only at the boundary between black and other colors.
[0078]
Example 4
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the recording head unit 103 in a single color printer, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the front surface of the recording head. The recording head group 111 includes two black recording heads 92K1 and 92K2 (Bk1 and Bk2) and a head 93 for discharging the processing liquid. A recording head group 111 that discharges black ink and processing liquid, Bk tanks 90K1 and 90K2, and a processing liquid tank 91 are mounted on the carriage 101.
[0079]
For black recording, a black recording head on the downstream side of the processing liquid, that is, the recording head at a time later than the processing liquid is used. The Bk2 head 92K2 is used for forward recording, and the Bk1 head 92K1 is used for backward recording. As a result, black ink is always printed on the recording medium after recording the treatment liquid even during reciprocal recording.
[0080]
The processing liquid print data is generated in real time by the black image data boundary detection process. The processing liquid prints the edge of the black recording image and its outer peripheral portion with a large discharge amount, and prints the other black portion with a small discharge amount. Processing liquid data for a portion to be printed with a small discharge amount may be thinned out appropriately.
[0081]
As a result, feathering can be prevented and higher speed can be achieved by reciprocal recording.
[0082]
(Example 5)
In the above embodiments, the printing method uses the processing liquid, but a mode in which the processing liquid is not used may be provided. In this case as well, black boundary processing is performed to prevent bleeding between black and other colors.
[0083]
First, the boundary between black and other colors is detected. At the black boundary, only the Bk1 head is used for black recording, and the amount of ink at the boundary is reduced. By using the Bk1 head, it is possible to increase the time from printing black to printing other colors, or printing from a color other than black to printing black. After the color ink printed on the ink penetrates the recording medium, the next color can be printed.
[0084]
Further, the black density is increased by using two heads Bk1 and Bk2 except for the boundary between black and other colors.
[0085]
The number of black heads is not limited to two, and may be increased to three or four. Even in such a case, the same effect can be obtained by using the black recording head that is farthest from the head group that ejects ink other than black at the boundary portion and using a plurality of black recording heads other than the black edge portion. .
[0086]
(Other)
The present invention includes means (for example, an electrothermal converter, a laser beam, etc.) that generates thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink, particularly in the ink jet recording system, and the ink is generated by the thermal energy. In the recording head and the recording apparatus of the type that causes the state change, excellent effects are brought about. This is because such a system can achieve higher recording density and higher definition.
[0087]
As for the typical configuration and principle, for example, those performed using the basic principle disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796 are preferable. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and applying a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, the thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the recording head This is effective because film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the liquid and, as a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding one-to-one with the drive signal can be formed. By the growth and contraction of the bubbles, liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable that the drive signal has a pulse shape, since the bubble growth and contraction is performed immediately and appropriately, and thus it is possible to achieve discharge of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness. As this pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further excellent recording can be performed by employing the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface.
[0088]
As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination configuration (straight liquid channel or right angle liquid channel) of the discharge port, the liquid channel, and the electrothermal transducer as disclosed in each of the above-mentioned specifications, the heat acting part The configurations using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose the configuration in which the lens is disposed in the bending region, are also included in the present invention. In addition, for a plurality of electrothermal transducers, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 59-123670 that discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal transducer or an aperture that absorbs pressure waves of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461 which discloses a configuration corresponding to the discharge unit. That is, whatever the form of the recording head is, according to the present invention, recording can be performed reliably and efficiently.
[0089]
Furthermore, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus. As such a recording head, either a configuration satisfying the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally may be used.
[0090]
In addition, even the serial type as shown in the above example can be connected to the main body of the recording head or attached to the main body of the device so that electrical connection with the main body of the device and ink supply from the main body are possible. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip type recording head or a cartridge type recording head in which an ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself is used.
[0091]
In addition, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus in the present invention, since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specific examples thereof include a capping unit for the recording head, a cleaning unit, a pressurizing or suction unit, an electrothermal converter, a heating element different from this, or a preheating unit using a combination thereof, It is also effective for performing stable recording to perform a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection other than recording is performed.
[0092]
Also, regarding the type or number of recording heads to be mounted, for example, a plurality of recording heads are provided corresponding to a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities, in addition to one provided corresponding to a single color ink. May be used. That is, for example, as a recording mode of the recording apparatus, not only a recording mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but also a recording head may be configured integrally or by a combination of a plurality of different colors, Alternatively, the present invention is extremely effective for an apparatus having at least one of full colors by color mixing.
[0093]
In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, the ink is solidified at room temperature or lower and is softened or liquefied at room temperature, or in the ink jet method, the ink itself. In general, the temperature is adjusted within the range of 30 ° C. to 70 ° C. to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within the stable ejection range. I just need it. In addition, it is possible to prevent the temperature rise by heat energy actively by using it as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or to use ink that solidifies in the left state for the purpose of preventing ink evaporation. However, in any case, the ink is liquefied by the application of the thermal energy according to the recording signal, and the liquid ink is ejected, or the ink already starts to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The present invention can also be applied to the case of using ink having the property of being liquefied for the first time by energy. The ink in such a case is in a state of being held as a liquid or solid in a porous sheet recess or through-hole as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260. Alternatively, the electrothermal converter may be opposed to the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-described inks is to execute the above-described film boiling method.
[0094]
In addition, as a form of a recording apparatus having a recording mechanism using the liquid jet recording head of the present invention, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, in addition to those used as an image output terminal of information processing equipment such as a computer, Further, it may be in the form of a facsimile machine having a transmission / reception function.
[0095]
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when the recording apparatus of the present invention is applied to an information processing apparatus having functions as a word processor, personal computer, facsimile apparatus, and copying apparatus.
[0096]
In the figure, reference numeral 1801 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire apparatus, which includes a CPU such as a microprocessor and various I / O ports, outputs control signals and data signals to each unit, and controls signals and data signals from each unit. Control is performed by inputting. A display unit 1802 displays various menus, document information, image data read by the image reader 1807, and the like on the display screen. Reference numeral 1803 denotes a transparent pressure-sensitive touch panel provided on the display unit 1802. By pressing the surface with a finger or the like, item input or coordinate position input on the display unit 1802 can be performed.
[0097]
Reference numeral 1804 denotes an FM (Frequency Modulation) sound source unit that stores music information created by a music editor or the like as digital data in a memory unit 1810 or an external storage device 1812, and performs FM modulation by reading out from the memory or the like. is there. An electric signal from the FM sound source unit 1804 is converted into an audible sound by the speaker unit 1805. A printer unit 1806 is an output terminal of a word processor, personal computer, facsimile machine, or copying machine to which the recording apparatus of the present invention is applied.
[0098]
Reference numeral 1807 denotes an image reader that photoelectrically reads and inputs document data. The image reader 1807 is provided in the middle of the document transport path, and reads various documents in addition to facsimile documents and copy documents. Reference numeral 1808 denotes a facsimile transmission / reception unit for facsimile transmission of original data read by the image reader unit 1807 and reception and decoding of a transmitted facsimile signal, and has an interface function with the outside. Reference numeral 1809 denotes a telephone unit having various telephone functions such as a normal telephone function and an answering machine function.
[0099]
Reference numeral 1810 denotes a memory unit including a system program, a manager program, other application programs, a ROM that stores character fonts, a dictionary, and the like, an application program loaded from an external storage device 1812, document information, and a video RAM.
[0100]
Reference numeral 1811 denotes a keyboard unit for inputting document information and various commands.
[0101]
An external storage device using a floppy disk, hard disk, or the like as a storage medium. The external storage device 1812 stores document information, music or audio information, user application programs, and the like.
[0102]
FIG. 14 is a schematic external view of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.
[0103]
In the figure, reference numeral 1901 denotes a flat panel display using liquid crystal or the like, which displays various menus, graphic information, document information, and the like. Coordinate input and item designation input can be performed on the display 1901 by pressing the surface of the touch panel 1803 with a finger or the like. Reference numeral 1902 denotes a handset used when the apparatus functions as a telephone. The keyboard 1903 is detachably connected to the main body through a cord, and can input various document information and various data. The keyboard 1903 is provided with various function keys 1904 and the like. Reference numeral 1905 denotes a slot for inserting a floppy disk into the external storage device 212.
[0104]
Reference numeral 1906 denotes a paper placement unit for placing a document read by the image reader unit 1807, and the read document is discharged from the rear part of the apparatus. In facsimile reception or the like, recording is performed by the ink jet printer 1907.
[0105]
Note that the display unit 1802 may be a CRT as described above, but a flat panel such as a liquid crystal display using ferroelectric liquid crystal is desirable. This is because the weight can be reduced in addition to the reduction in size and thickness.
[0106]
When the information processing apparatus functions as a personal computer or a word processor, various information input from the keyboard unit 211 is processed by the control unit 1801 according to a predetermined program and output to the printer unit 1806 as an image.
[0107]
When functioning as a receiver of a facsimile apparatus, facsimile information input from a FAX transmission / reception unit 1808 via a communication line is received and processed according to a predetermined program by a control unit 1801 and output to a printer unit 1806 as a received image.
[0108]
In the case of functioning as a copying apparatus, a document is read by the image reader unit 1807, and the read document data is output as a copied image to the printer unit 1806 via the control unit 1801. When functioning as a receiver of a facsimile machine, document data read by the image reader unit 1807 is transmitted by the control unit 1801 according to a predetermined program, and then transmitted to the communication line via the FAX transmission / reception unit 1808. The
[0109]
Note that the above-described information processing apparatus may be an integrated type in which an ink jet printer is built in the main body as shown in FIG. 15, and in this case, the portability can be further improved. In the figure, parts having the same functions as those in FIG.
[0110]
By applying the recording apparatus of the present invention to the multifunctional information processing apparatus described above, a high-quality recorded image can be obtained at high speed and with low noise, so that the functions of the information processing apparatus can be further improved. It becomes possible.
[0111]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the image quality can be improved by preventing the deterioration of the image due to the bleeding phenomenon between different colors and increasing the density of black. Also, feathering can be prevented by applying a large amount of processing liquid to the color boundary. Furthermore, the fastness such as water resistance can be improved by attaching the treatment liquid onto the recording medium prior to the recording ink.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus applicable to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a recording head unit according to Embodiment 1 of the invention.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the front surface of the recording head according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a recording apparatus applicable to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of ink and processing liquid ejection amounts in the first embodiment.
6 is a flowchart of data processing for recording in Embodiment 1. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of data processing for recording in the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an ink discharge amount according to a second exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of data processing for recording in the third embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of printing according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a recording head unit according to a fourth embodiment.
12 is an enlarged view of the front surface of a recording head according to Embodiment 4. FIG.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when the recording apparatus of the present invention is applied to an information processing apparatus.
14 is a schematic external view of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.
15 is a schematic external view of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 recording device
101 Carriage
103 Recording head unit
20K1, 20K2 Black ink tank
20C Cyan ink tank
20M Magenta ink tank
20Y Yellow ink tank
21 Processing liquid tank
30K1, 30K2 Black ink ejection head
30C cyan ink ejection head
30M magenta ink ejection head
30Y yellow ink ejection head

Claims (9)

In an inkjet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink based on recording data,
An ink ejection section capable of ejecting a specific color ink and a different color ink from the nozzle from the nozzle;
When the processing liquid containing a component that insolubilizes or aggregates the components in the ink is discharged from the nozzle, the processing liquid is discharged from the nozzle with a first discharge amount or a second discharge amount that is smaller than the first discharge amount. A treatment liquid discharger capable of discharging;
Of the image recorded with the specific color ink, the treatment liquid is ejected with the first ejection amount to a boundary portion with an image recorded with an ink of a color different from the specific color, and the boundary Control means for controlling discharge of the processing liquid from the processing liquid discharge section so as to discharge the processing liquid at a second discharge amount to a portion other than the section;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: The control means further controls the ejection of ink from the ink ejection unit so that the amount of ink of the specific color applied to the boundary part is smaller than the part other than the boundary part. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1. The ink ejection unit includes a plurality of ejection unit groups in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting the specific color ink are arranged,
When recording the boundary portion, the specific color ink at the position where the difference in recording time with the ink of a color different from the specific color occurs longest among the plurality of ejection unit groups for the specific color ink Use the discharge unit group for
3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when recording a portion other than the boundary portion, a plurality of ejection portion groups for the ink of the specific color are used. In an inkjet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink based on recording data,
An ink ejection section capable of ejecting a specific color ink and a different color ink from the nozzle from the nozzle;
When the processing liquid containing a component that insolubilizes or aggregates the components in the ink is discharged from the nozzle, the processing liquid is discharged from the nozzle with a first discharge amount or a second discharge amount that is smaller than the first discharge amount. A treatment liquid discharger capable of discharging;
Of the image recorded with the specific color ink, the processing liquid is applied at the first discharge amount to an edge portion and a boundary portion between an image recorded with an ink of a color different from the specific color. Discharge,
Control means for controlling the discharge of the processing liquid from the processing liquid discharge section so as to discharge the processing liquid at the second discharge amount to a portion other than the edge part and the boundary part;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific color ink is a black ink, and the color ink different from the specific color is a color ink other than black. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the treatment liquid includes a low molecular component and a high molecular component cationic substance, and the ink includes an anionic dye. The treatment liquid contains a low molecular component and a high molecular component cationic substance, and the ink contains an anionic dye or at least an anionic compound and a pigment. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of 1 to 5. In discharging from the nozzle a first color ink and an ink discharge portion capable of discharging from the nozzle an ink of a color different from the specific color and a component that insolubilizes or aggregates the components in the ink, the first In an inkjet recording method for recording an image on a recording medium using a processing liquid discharge unit capable of discharging the processing liquid from the nozzle with a discharge amount or a second discharge amount smaller than the first discharge amount ,
Of the image recorded with the specific color ink, the processing liquid is ejected with the first ejection amount to a boundary portion with an image recorded with an ink of a color different from the specific color, and the boundary An ink jet recording method, wherein the treatment liquid is ejected to a portion other than the portion with the second ejection amount. When ejecting from the nozzle an ink ejection unit capable of ejecting from the nozzle a specific color ink and a color different from the specific color, and a component that insolubilizes or aggregates the components in the ink, the first In an inkjet recording method for recording an image on a recording medium using a processing liquid discharge unit capable of discharging the processing liquid from the nozzle with a discharge amount or a second discharge amount smaller than the first discharge amount ,
Of the image recorded with the specific color ink, the processing liquid is discharged with the first discharge amount to the boundary portion between the edge portion and the image recorded with an ink of a color different from the specific color. An ink jet recording method, wherein the processing liquid is ejected to the portion other than the edge portion and the boundary portion with the second ejection amount.

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