JP2000326559A - Method and apparatus for recording image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and apparatus for recording an image having low quality deterioration by a method wherein load variation in driving of an intermediate transferring body which may occur when a means in relation to image forming contacts the intermediate transferring body is suppressed during the image recording by an ink jet recording head. SOLUTION: There is disclosed an image recording method having a process wherein a material capable of being dissolved or swelled by a liquid on a surface of an intermediate transferring body 21 beforehand and raising a viscosity of the liquid is formed, a process wherein the liquid is supplied to the intermediate transferring body 21 corresponding to an image signal, a process wherein the image is transferred to a recording medium 42 and a process wherein the material is peeled from the intermediate transferring body 21. While the liquid is supplied on the intermediate transferring body 21 in accordance with the image signal and the image is formed on the intermediate transferring body 21, a process in relation to the image forming capable of influencing the movement of the intermediate transferring body 21 is not applied to the intermediate transferring body 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of applying a powder, which is a material capable of dissolving or swelling with ink droplets and increasing the viscosity of ink droplets, onto an intermediate transfer member, and applying the powder to a liquid such as an ink jet. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording method and apparatus for forming a visible image by ejecting ink droplets in accordance with image information by an ejecting apparatus, and thereafter transferring the image to a recording medium. It is about the relationship with the body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image recording apparatus which forms a visible image by ejecting ink droplets according to image information by a liquid ejecting apparatus such as an ink jet, recording with little bleeding on plain paper such as high quality paper is performed. That is an important technical issue. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
There is an invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 89067. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus called an intermediate transfer body type ink jet, which forms an ink image on an intermediate transfer body once, and transfers the ink image to a recording paper at a moderate viscosity, so that ink bleeding on plain paper, etc. Is trying to solve. However, the invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-89067 discloses a method in which a surfactant is applied to an intermediate transfer member in advance to increase the wettability. Therefore, bleeding occurs on the intermediate transfer member and eventually on the recording paper, and is not suitable for high-speed recording.
In particular, in the case of a solid image, bleeding is large. For example, even if an attempt is made to increase the speed by using a line printer or the like, there is a limit to the speedup in terms of the bleeding. On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application No. 10-336741, which is related to the earlier application of the present applicant, discloses that a powder that can be dissolved or swelled by ink droplets and increases the viscosity of ink droplets is applied onto an intermediate transfer member. There is disclosed a technique in which a visible image is formed by ejecting ink droplets according to image information to a powder, this is transferred to plain paper, and the powder is peeled and collected after transfer. According to the present invention, high-speed image recording without bleeding has been made possible. However, in the above-mentioned prior application, even during the image recording by the ink jet recording head, the means relating to the image formation, for example, the powder removing means, the powder applying means, the transfer means, etc. are kept in contact with the intermediate transfer body while the image is being formed. Since the formation is performed, a load fluctuation is given to the driving of the intermediate transfer body, and the driving accuracy of the intermediate transfer body is reduced, the positional accuracy of the image is deteriorated, and as a result, the quality of the image is significantly impaired. was there.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior application. That is, during image recording by the ink jet recording head in particular, load fluctuations on the driving of the intermediate transfer body caused by the means involved in image formation coming into contact with the intermediate transfer body are reduced, and image quality is less deteriorated. It is an object to provide an image recording method and apparatus.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is to provide a material which can be dissolved or swelled in advance with a liquid on the surface of the intermediate transfer member and which can increase the viscosity of the liquid. Forming an image, forming an image on the intermediate transfer body by supplying a liquid onto the intermediate transfer body in accordance with an image signal, transferring the image onto a recording medium, In the image recording method including the step of peeling the material, the step of supplying the liquid onto an intermediate transfer body in accordance with an image signal to form an image on the intermediate transfer body is performed, and The most important feature is that a process related to image formation which affects the movement of the intermediate transfer member is not applied to the transfer member. Claim 2
The invention relates to a process related to image formation that affects the movement of an intermediate transfer member, and forms a material which can be dissolved or swelled by a liquid in advance on the surface of the intermediate transfer member and can increase the viscosity of the liquid. The main feature is that it is a process. The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the step involved in image formation affecting the movement of the intermediate transfer member is a step of transferring an image onto recording paper. The invention according to a fourth aspect is characterized in that the step involved in image formation affecting the movement of the intermediate transfer member is a step of separating the material from the intermediate transfer member. The invention according to claim 5 is a step of forming on the surface of the intermediate transfer member a material which can be dissolved or swelled by a liquid in advance and which can increase the viscosity of the liquid; A step of forming an image on the intermediate transfer body by supplying the intermediate transfer body, the step of transferring the image onto a recording medium, and an image recording method comprising the step of peeling the material from the intermediate transfer body,
The liquid is supplied onto the intermediate transfer member in accordance with the image signal by moving the liquid on the intermediate transfer member when the step related to image formation affecting the movement of the intermediate transfer member is performed. The most main feature is that the speed is higher than the moving speed of the intermediate transfer member in the image forming process.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a material which can be dissolved or swelled with a liquid in advance and which can increase the viscosity of the liquid on the surface of the intermediate transfer member, A step of forming an image on the intermediate transfer body by supplying it on a transfer body, a step of transferring the image onto a recording medium, and an image recording method comprising a step of peeling the material from the intermediate transfer body, The most main feature is that the step of peeling the material from the intermediate transfer body is performed intermittently. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a material applying means for applying a material capable of improving the viscosity of a liquid by adhering a liquid onto the intermediate transfer member, and forming an image on the intermediate transfer member by applying a liquid to the material. An image recording apparatus comprising: a liquid supply unit for transferring the image onto a recording medium; and a peeling unit for peeling the material from the intermediate transfer body. While the liquid supply means for forming an image thereon is in operation, it is most important to have a holding means for holding the means involved in image formation affecting the movement of the intermediate transfer body at a distance from the intermediate transfer body. Characteristics. The invention according to claim 8 is a material applying means for applying a material capable of improving the viscosity of the liquid by adhering the liquid onto the intermediate transfer member, and forming an image on the intermediate transfer member by adhering the liquid onto the material. An image recording apparatus having a liquid supply unit for transferring the image onto a recording medium, and a separating unit for separating the material from the transfer unit, wherein the separating unit separates the material from the intermediate transfer body. The moving speed of the intermediate transfer body during the operation of the liquid supply means for supplying the liquid onto the intermediate transfer body in accordance with the image signal and forming an image on the intermediate transfer body during the operation of the intermediate transfer body. The most important feature is that a speed converting means for increasing the speed is provided. Claim 9
The invention provides a material applying means for applying a material capable of improving the viscosity of a liquid by adhering a liquid onto an intermediate transfer member, and a liquid supply for forming an image on the intermediate transfer member by adhering the liquid to the material. Means, a transfer means for transferring the image onto a recording medium, and an image recording apparatus having a peeling means for peeling the material from the transfer means, wherein a liquid is supplied onto an intermediate transfer body in accordance with an image signal. The most main feature of the present invention is to have a constant-speed driving unit that keeps the moving speed of the intermediate transfer body constant except during the operation of the liquid supply unit that forms an image on the intermediate transfer body.

[0006]

According to the image recording method constructed as described above, according to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, a material which can be dissolved or swelled in advance with a liquid on the surface of the intermediate transfer member and which can increase the viscosity of the liquid. Forming an image on the intermediate transfer member by ejecting a liquid onto the intermediate transfer member in accordance with an image signal; transferring the image onto recording paper; and In the image recording method including the step of peeling the material, while the step of ejecting the liquid onto an intermediate transfer body in accordance with an image signal to form an image on the intermediate transfer body is operating, the intermediate Since a process related to image formation that affects the movement of the intermediate transfer member is not applied to the transfer member, a load variation in driving the intermediate transfer member is reduced, so that an image dot is formed at a predetermined position. And high Place image recording method can be provided. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a step of forming a material which can be dissolved or swelled with a liquid in advance and which can increase the viscosity of the liquid on the surface of the intermediate transfer body, and the step of forming the liquid on the intermediate transfer body in accordance with an image signal Forming an image on the intermediate transfer body by ejecting the image onto the recording medium; and
In the image recording method comprising the step of peeling the material from the intermediate transfer body, the moving speed of the intermediate transfer body when the step related to image formation affecting the movement of the intermediate transfer body is performed, Since the moving speed of the intermediate transfer body in the process of forming an image on the intermediate transfer body by jetting onto the intermediate transfer body in accordance with a signal is to be increased,
Image recording in which the intermediate transfer body moves at high speed except for the step of ejecting liquid onto the intermediate transfer body in accordance with an image signal to form an image on the intermediate transfer body, and a high-quality image can be obtained at high speed. A method can be provided. In the invention according to claim 6, a step of forming in advance a material which can be dissolved or swelled with a liquid and can increase the viscosity of the liquid on the surface of the intermediate transfer body, and the step of forming the liquid on the intermediate transfer body in accordance with an image signal Forming an image on the intermediate transfer member by spraying the intermediate transfer member on the recording medium; and removing the material from the intermediate transfer member. Since the step of peeling the material from is performed intermittently, the step of peeling the material from the intermediate transfer body is performed at a predetermined cycle, and a high-quality image can be obtained at high speed. An image recording method can be provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a material applying means for applying a material capable of improving the viscosity of a liquid by adhering a liquid onto the intermediate transfer body, and a method for applying a liquid to the material to allow the liquid to adhere to the intermediate transfer body. A liquid ejecting means for forming an image on a recording medium, a transfer means for transferring the image onto a recording medium, and a peeling means for peeling the material from the intermediate transfer body; While the liquid ejecting means for forming an image on the intermediate transfer member is in operation, the image forming apparatus has a holding means for holding a unit involved in image formation affecting the movement of the intermediate transfer member at a distance from the intermediate transfer member. Accordingly, load fluctuations in driving the intermediate transfer member are reduced, and accurate image dots are formed at predetermined positions, so that a high-quality image recording apparatus can be provided. According to the invention of claim 8, a material applying means for applying a material capable of improving the viscosity of the liquid by adhering the liquid onto the intermediate transfer body, and forming an image on the intermediate transfer body by adhering the liquid to the material A liquid ejecting unit, a transfer unit for transferring the image onto a recording medium, and a peeling unit for peeling the material from the transfer unit, wherein the peeling unit peels the material from the intermediate transfer body. The movement speed of the intermediate transfer member during the operation of the liquid ejecting means for ejecting liquid onto the intermediate transfer member in accordance with the image signal to form a visible image on the intermediate transfer member during the operation of the intermediate transfer member. Since the speed conversion means for increasing the speed is provided, the intermediate transfer body moves at a high speed except for the step of ejecting the liquid onto the intermediate transfer body in accordance with the image signal to form an image on the intermediate transfer body. And high grade Possible to provide an image recording apparatus capable of obtaining an image at high speed. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a material application unit for applying a material capable of improving the viscosity of the liquid by adhering the liquid onto the intermediate transfer body, and forming an image on the intermediate transfer body by adhering the liquid to the material Liquid ejecting means, and transferring means for transferring the image onto a recording medium,
An image recording apparatus having a peeling means for peeling the material from the transfer means, wherein the liquid ejecting means ejects a liquid onto the intermediate transfer body in accordance with an image signal to form an image on the intermediate transfer body. Except during the interval, since it has a constant speed drive means to keep the moving speed of the intermediate transfer body constant,
Except for the step of ejecting liquid onto the intermediate transfer body in accordance with the image signal and forming an image on the intermediate transfer body, the intermediate transfer body is continuously moved, and the density unevenness of the image due to unevenness at the time of material application. Image recording apparatus with extremely low image quality can be provided.

[0008]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional image recording method and apparatus to which the present invention is applied, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention. The powder applying means 10, the intermediate transfer body means 20, the printing means 30, It comprises a unit 40, a transfer unit 50, a paper discharging unit 60, and a powder removing unit 70. The powder applying means 10 applies the powder (hereinafter, referred to as a setting agent) 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 2 of the intermediate transfer body means 20.
1 comprises an application roller 13 for application. The application roller 13 applies the setting agent 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 21 by rotating. When a print signal is input, the application roller 13 starts an operation of applying the set agent 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 21. Then, a drive unit (not shown) of the intermediate transfer unit 20 operates, the intermediate transfer belt 21 starts to move, and the setting agent 11 is applied onto the intermediate transfer belt 21. When the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 21 on which the set agent 11 is applied moves to the printing area of the ink jet head 31 of the printing means 30, a printing operation starts, and printing is performed along with reciprocation of the carriage. Carriage and intermediate transfer belt 2
1 is controlled, and a printing operation is performed. The above operation is the same in an apparatus using a line head. The paper feeding unit 40 includes a paper feeding cassette 41, recording paper 42, registration rollers 43, and the like. The printing operation starts after the printing signal is input, and at the same time, the paper feeding operation starts.
Depending on the timing, the sheet feeding operation may be performed after the print start signal is output. First, preparations are made to send out the recording paper 42 from the paper feed cassette 41. The recording paper is separated one by one and sent to the registration roller 43. When an image or the like is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 and is sent, the registration roller 43 operates and the recording paper is sent to the transfer unit 50 at the same timing.

The transfer means 50 includes a transfer roller 51. When the image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 rotates, the timing between the image and the recording paper 42 is set, and the transfer roller 51 comes into contact with the roller 23 with pressure before or immediately before being fed. Pressure is applied between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the recording paper 42 between the roller 23 and the transfer roller 51, and an image is transferred to the recording paper. Transfer roller 5
A fixing function can also be added by providing a heater in 1.
When the setting agent 11 using the adhesive property is used, the setting agent 11 on which the image is formed with the paper 42 has a strong bonding force with the recording paper, and the transfer property is improved. Further, a fixing roller or a fixing plate having a fixing function may be provided in front of the transfer roller 51. Thereafter, the recording paper 42 on which printing has been completed is discharged by the discharge means 60. On the intermediate transfer belt 21 that has passed the transfer means 50, the setting agent 1
1, the set agent 11 is collected by the set agent removing unit 70, and the intermediate transfer belt 21 is returned to the initial state.
The set agent removing means 70 includes a scraping blade 71 and the like, and scrapes the set agent 11. The operation of the recording apparatus having such a configuration is as follows. First, when a printing start signal is received, the intermediate transfer body means 20 operates and the coating roller 1
3, the setting agent 11 is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 21. The intermediate transfer member 20 includes three rollers 22, 2
3 and 24, an intermediate transfer belt 21, and a drive motor (not shown), a position control encoder, a housing, and the like. The rotational force of the drive motor is transmitted to the rollers 22, 23, and 24, so that the intermediate transfer belt 21 is rotated. When the set agent 11 is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the applied portion moves to the position of the printing unit 30, a printing operation starts, and the printing unit 30 prints image information on the set agent 11 on the intermediate transfer belt 21. In the present embodiment, the ink jet head 31 of the printing means 30 is
Is shown in the shuttle scanning system that slides along the line, but may be constituted by a line head or the like. When the printing mechanism is constituted by a line head, it is characterized in that printing and transfer are performed at high speed and continuously. During or after printing is performed, a recording sheet 42 is sent out from a sheet feeding cassette 41 of a sheet feeding unit 40 and sent to a registration roller 43. The recording paper 42 is sent out from the registration roller 43 in synchronization with the image information printed on the intermediate transfer belt 21, and the transfer roller 51 of the transfer unit 50 pushes the recording paper 42 from the back surface, thereby the intermediate transfer belt 2.
1 is transferred to the recording paper 42. After a while
The paper is discharged and stocked by the paper discharging means 60. Transfer means 5
On the intermediate transfer belt 21 that has passed through 0, since the setting agent 11 remains in a portion where no printing is performed, the setting agent 11 is scraped off by the setting agent removing means 70 including the scraping blade 71.

Incidentally, in such a conventional image recording method and apparatus, the setting agent applying means 10 and the transferring means 50 are used.
Further, since the set agent removing means 70 remains in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 21 even during the printing operation of the printing device 30, a load variation is given to the driving of the intermediate transfer belt 21, The driving accuracy of the transfer belt is reduced, and the positional accuracy of the image cannot be guaranteed. As a result, there is a disadvantage that the image quality is significantly impaired. Therefore, in the present invention, while the printing device 30 is performing the printing operation, the set agent applying unit 10, the transfer unit 50, and the set agent removing unit 70 are separated from the intermediate transfer belt 21. 2, 3, 4, and 5 show the specific configuration and operation timing chart. In FIG. 2A, the application roller 13 of the setting agent application unit 10 is pulled by a spring 15 with a fulcrum 14 as a fulcrum, and comes into contact with a cam (holding unit) 16 to be in contact with the intermediate transfer body belt 21. It shows the situation. On the other hand, in FIG. 2B, the setting agent applying unit 10 is rotated in the arrow direction B by the rotation of the cam 16 in the arrow direction A. As a result, the application roller 13 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 21. It is shown.

FIG. 3A shows that the transfer roller 51 of the transfer means 50 is pulled by a spring 54 with a fulcrum 53 as a fulcrum.
A state in which the intermediate transfer belt 21 is in contact with the cam (holding unit) 55 by contacting the cam 55 is shown. In contrast, FIG.
In (b), the transfer means 50 is rotated in the arrow direction D by rotating the cam 55 in the arrow direction C, and the transfer roller 5 is rotated.
Numeral 1 indicates a state in which it is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 21. 4A shows the setting agent removing means 70.
7 shows a state in which the scraping blade 71 is pulled by a spring 74 with a fulcrum 73 as a fulcrum, and comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 21 by contacting a cam (holding means) 75.
On the other hand, in FIG. 4B, when the cam 75 rotates in the arrow direction E, the set agent removing means 70 rotates in the arrow direction F, and the scraping blade 71 moves the intermediate transfer belt 2.
The state separated from 1 is shown. The operation of this configuration is as follows. When a print signal is input, the scraping blade 71 comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 21 as described with reference to FIG. 4A, and the intermediate transfer belt 21 contacts the intermediate transfer belt as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 21 is driven. Intermediate transfer belt 21
When the set agent has been removed for one round, the scraping blade 71 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 21 as shown in FIG. 2B. At the same time,
The application roller 13 at the separated position shown in FIG.
Move to the contact position with the intermediate transfer belt shown in FIG.
Setting agent 1 as shown in the timing chart of FIG.
1 is applied. The portion of the intermediate transfer belt 21 where the setting agent has been applied reaches the position of the printing means 30, and FIG.
When the printing operation is started as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 7, the application roller 13 moves to the separated position shown in FIG. 2B again, and does not affect the recording operation of the printing means 30. Next, when the recording by the printing means 30 is completed and the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 21 where the printing has been performed reaches the position of the transfer means 50, until then, it is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 21 shown in FIG. The transfer roller 51 at the position is moved to the position where it contacts the intermediate transfer belt 21 described in FIG. 3A, as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 5, and the image formed on the intermediate transfer belt is removed. The image is transferred to the recording paper 42. At the same time, the set agent removing means 70
As shown in the timing chart, the contact with the intermediate transfer belt is resumed, and the removal of the setting agent is started. When the transfer is completed, the transfer roller moves again to the separated position shown in FIG. 3B to prepare for the next transfer. Thereafter, as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 5, the intermediate transfer belt 21 stops, and one cycle of image formation ends.

In the above description, while the printing means 30 is recording, the setting agent applying means 10 and the transfer means 5
Although the description has been made so as to reduce the load fluctuation on the intermediate transfer member during recording by holding the set agent removing means 70 away from the intermediate transfer belt, the intermediate transfer belt 21 is not necessarily required.
It is not necessary to separate from the intermediate transfer belt, and a method of reducing the load on the drive of the intermediate transfer belt, such as reducing the pressure of the transfer roller, may be used. Also, as the setting agent removing means,
Although the description has been made of the scraping blade 71, the present invention is not limited to this, and a scraping roller or the like may be used. Further, during the recording by the printing means 30, the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is intermittent movement in order to secure the printing quality, and the speed cannot be increased to a certain speed or more. By making the moving speed of the transfer body 21 faster than at the time of recording, a high-speed image recording method and apparatus can be provided. FIG. 6 illustrates a specific embodiment thereof. In FIG. 6, the set agent removing means 70 is provided with a contact sensor 72 using a microswitch or the like for judging whether the scraping blade 71 is in contact with the intermediate transfer body belt 21 or not. The setting agent applying means 10 is provided with a contact sensor 12 using a microswitch or the like for judging whether the applying roller 13 is in contact with the intermediate transfer body belt 21 or not. Further, the transfer means 5
Reference numeral 0 denotes a contact sensor 52 using a microswitch or the like for determining whether the transfer roller 51 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 21 or not. Here, if any one of the contact sensors 12, 52, 72 is determined to be in contact, it means that the printing means 30 is not performing a recording operation, and the rotation speed of the drive motor 25 is increased by speed conversion means (not shown). Then, the moving speed of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is continuously moved at a speed higher than the moving speed during the printing operation of the printing means. On the other hand, when all the contact sensors determine that there is no contact, it means that the printing means 30 is performing a recording operation, and the speed is switched to a speed suitable for the recording operation, and the intermittent movement is performed. In the present embodiment, an example using a contact sensor has been described. However, the printing unit 30 receives a signal indicating whether recording or non-recording is being performed from the sequence control unit that controls the sequence of the entire apparatus, and the driving motor control unit (speed conversion unit) ) Can be used to control the speed.

In the present invention, the setting agent removing means 70
The contact of the recording medium with the intermediate transfer belt 21 to remove the set agent is not always performed after the recording by the printing unit 30 is completed, but is performed immediately after the recording apparatus is turned on after a predetermined number of recordings have been performed. This is performed intermittently at a constant cycle, such as before the power is turned off after the use of the recording apparatus. In a recording apparatus in which almost all the setting agent that has melted or swelled due to droplets and increased in viscosity is transferred to recording paper by the transfer means, it is possible to maintain the image quality for a short time, and the setting is performed by the humidity in the air. When the viscosity of the agent gradually increases and the image quality is degraded, the set agent may be removed at regular intervals as in the present invention. The control for keeping the moving speed of the intermediate transfer body constant is constant except during the operation of the liquid supply means for supplying the liquid onto the intermediate transfer body in accordance with the image signal and forming an image on the intermediate transfer body. Speed drive means. As a result, except for the step of supplying the liquid onto the intermediate transfer body in accordance with the image signal and forming an image on the intermediate transfer body, the intermediate transfer body is continuously moved, and the image due to unevenness at the time of material application is obtained. It is possible to provide an image recording apparatus with extremely low density unevenness.

[0014]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, according to the first to fourth aspects of the invention, the surface of the intermediate transfer member can be dissolved or swelled in advance with a liquid and the viscosity of the liquid can be increased. Forming a material that can be caused to flow, supplying a liquid onto the intermediate transfer body in accordance with an image signal to form an image on the intermediate transfer body, and transferring the image onto a recording medium. In the image recording method comprising the step of peeling the material from the intermediate transfer body, the step of forming an image on the intermediate transfer body by supplying the liquid onto the intermediate transfer body according to an image signal is performed During this time, a process related to image formation that affects the movement of the intermediate transfer body is not applied to the intermediate transfer body, so that a load variation in driving the intermediate transfer body is reduced, and Image dot Made is, high-quality image recording method can be provided. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a step of forming a material which can be dissolved or swelled with a liquid in advance and which can increase the viscosity of the liquid on the surface of the intermediate transfer body, and the step of forming the liquid on the intermediate transfer body in accordance with an image signal Forming an image on the intermediate transfer member by supplying the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium; and removing the material from the intermediate transfer member. The movement speed of the intermediate transfer body when a process related to image formation that affects the movement of the body is performed, and the liquid is supplied onto the intermediate transfer body in accordance with an image signal to form an image on the intermediate transfer body. In this case, the liquid is supplied onto the intermediate transfer member in accordance with an image signal to form an image on the intermediate transfer member, so that the intermediate transfer member is used. Move fast and high Image recording method capable of obtaining a position images at a high speed can be provided.

According to the invention of claim 6, a step of forming a material which can be dissolved or swelled by a liquid and which can increase the viscosity of the liquid in advance on the surface of the intermediate transfer member; A step of forming an image on the intermediate transfer body by supplying it on a transfer body, a step of transferring the image onto a recording medium, and an image recording method comprising a step of peeling the material from the intermediate transfer body, Since the step of peeling the material from the intermediate transfer body is performed intermittently, the step of peeling the material from the intermediate transfer body is performed at a predetermined cycle, and a high-quality image can be formed at high speed. An obtainable image recording method can be provided. In the invention according to claim 7, a material application means for applying a material capable of improving the viscosity of the liquid by adhering the liquid onto the intermediate transfer body, and an image on the intermediate transfer body by applying the liquid to the material. In an image recording apparatus having a liquid supply unit for forming, a transfer unit for transferring the image onto a recording medium, and a separating unit for separating the material from the intermediate transfer body, an intermediate transfer is performed by attaching a liquid to the material. While the liquid supply unit for forming an image on the body is in operation, a holding unit for holding the unit related to image formation affecting the movement of the intermediate transfer body at a distance from the intermediate transfer body is provided. Therefore, a load fluctuation at the time of driving the intermediate transfer body is reduced, and an accurate image dot is formed at a predetermined position, so that a high-quality image recording apparatus can be provided. According to the invention of claim 8, a material applying means for applying a material capable of improving the viscosity of the liquid by adhering the liquid onto the intermediate transfer body, and forming an image on the intermediate transfer body by adhering the liquid to the material An image recording apparatus having a liquid supply unit for transferring the image onto a recording medium, and a separating unit for separating the material from the transfer unit, wherein the separating unit separates the material from the intermediate transfer body. The moving speed of the intermediate transfer body during the operation of the liquid supply means for supplying the liquid onto the intermediate transfer body in accordance with the image signal and forming an image on the intermediate transfer body during the operation of the intermediate transfer body. Since the speed converting means for increasing the level is provided, the intermediate transfer body moves at a high speed except for the step of supplying the liquid onto the intermediate transfer body in accordance with the image signal and forming an image on the intermediate transfer body. , High quality painting The possible to provide an image recording apparatus capable of obtaining a high speed. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a material application unit for applying a material capable of improving the viscosity of the liquid by adhering the liquid onto the intermediate transfer body, and forming an image on the intermediate transfer body by adhering the liquid to the material Liquid supply means, a transfer means for transferring the image onto a recording medium, and a peeling means for peeling the material from the transfer means, wherein the liquid is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body in accordance with an image signal. Except during the operation of the liquid supply means for supplying and forming an image on the intermediate transfer body, the apparatus has a constant speed drive means for keeping the moving speed of the intermediate transfer body constant, so that the liquid is converted into an image signal. The intermediate transfer member is continuously moved except for the step of supplying an image onto the intermediate transfer member and forming an image on the intermediate transfer member, thereby recording an image with extremely little image density unevenness due to unevenness during material application. Equipment provided That.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional image recording method and apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIGS. 2 (a) and (b) are illustrations of a contact state of a setting agent applying unit of the present invention with an intermediate transfer belt.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams of a contact state of a transfer unit of the present invention with an intermediate transfer belt.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are explanatory views of a contact state of a setting agent removing unit of the present invention with an intermediate transfer belt.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart of the operation of the image recording method and apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the control of the moving speed of the intermediate transfer belt of the image recording method and apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 powder application means (setting agent application means), 11 powder (setting agent), 12 contact sensor, 13 application roller, 14 fulcrum, 15 spring, 16 cam, 20 intermediate transfer body means, 21 intermediate transfer belt, 22 roller , 23
Roller, 24 rollers, 25 motor, 30 printing means, 31 inkjet head, 32 rod member, 40
Paper feeding means, 41 paper cassette, 42 recording paper, 43
Registration roller, 50 transfer means, 51 transfer roller, 52 contact sensor, 53 fulcrum, 54 spring, 5
5 cam, 60 paper discharging means, 70 powder removing means (setting agent removing means), 71 scraping blade, 72 contact sensor, 73 fulcrum, 74 spring, 75 cam

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A step of forming in advance a material which can be dissolved or swelled by a liquid and can increase the viscosity of the liquid on the surface of the intermediate transfer body, and supplies the liquid onto the intermediate transfer body in accordance with an image signal Forming an image on the intermediate transfer member, transferring the image onto a recording medium, and separating the material from the intermediate transfer member, wherein the liquid is provided with an image signal. While the process of supplying an image onto the intermediate transfer member and forming an image on the intermediate transfer member is in operation, the intermediate transfer member is involved in image formation that affects the movement of the intermediate transfer member. An image recording method, wherein the process is not performed. 2. The step relating to image formation which affects the movement of the intermediate transfer member is to form a material which can be dissolved or swelled by a liquid in advance on the surface of the intermediate transfer member and which can increase the viscosity of the liquid. 2. The image recording method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: 3. The image recording method according to claim 1, wherein the step involved in image formation affecting the movement of the intermediate transfer member is a step of transferring the image onto a recording medium. 4. The image recording method according to claim 1, wherein the step involved in image formation affecting the movement of the intermediate transfer body is a step of peeling the material from the intermediate transfer body. 5. A step of forming in advance a material which can be dissolved or swelled with a liquid and can increase the viscosity of the liquid on the surface of the intermediate transfer body, and supplies the liquid onto the intermediate transfer body in accordance with an image signal Forming an image on the intermediate transfer member and transferring the image onto a recording medium, and separating the material from the intermediate transfer member. A step of forming an image on the intermediate transfer body by supplying a liquid onto the intermediate transfer body in accordance with an image signal to determine a moving speed of the intermediate transfer body when a step related to image formation affecting movement is performed. An image recording method characterized in that the moving speed is greater than the moving speed of the intermediate transfer member in (1). 6. A step of forming in advance a material which can be dissolved or swelled with a liquid and can increase the viscosity of the liquid on the surface of the intermediate transfer body, and supplies the liquid onto the intermediate transfer body in accordance with an image signal. Forming an image on the intermediate transfer member, transferring the image onto a recording medium, and separating the material from the intermediate transfer member, wherein the image recording method comprises the steps of: An image recording method, wherein the step of removing the material is performed intermittently. 7. A material applying means for applying a material capable of improving the viscosity of the liquid by adhering the liquid onto the intermediate transfer member, and a liquid for forming an image on the intermediate transfer member by adhering the liquid to the material. In an image recording apparatus having a supply unit, a transfer unit that transfers the image onto a recording medium, and a peeling unit that peels the material from the intermediate transfer body, a liquid is attached to the material, and the liquid is attached to the intermediate transfer body. While the liquid supply unit for forming an image is in operation, the image forming apparatus has a holding unit for holding a unit related to image formation that affects the movement of the intermediate transfer body at a distance from the intermediate transfer body. Recording device. 8. A material applying means for applying a material capable of improving the viscosity of the liquid by adhering the liquid on the intermediate transfer member, and a liquid for forming an image on the intermediate transfer member by applying the liquid to the material. In an image recording apparatus including a supply unit, a transfer unit that transfers the image onto a recording medium, and a separation unit that separates the material from the transfer unit, an operation of the separation unit that separates the material from the intermediate transfer body The moving speed of the intermediate transfer member in the middle is larger than the moving speed of the intermediate transfer member during the operation of the liquid supply means for supplying the liquid onto the intermediate transfer member in accordance with the image signal and forming an image on the intermediate transfer member. An image recording apparatus comprising a speed conversion means for smoothing. 9. A material applying means for applying a material capable of improving the viscosity of the liquid by adhering the liquid onto the intermediate transfer member, and a liquid for forming an image on the intermediate transfer member by applying the liquid to the material. In an image recording apparatus having a supply unit, a transfer unit that transfers the image onto a recording medium, and a peeling unit that peels the material from the transfer unit, the liquid is supplied onto the intermediate transfer body according to an image signal. An image recording apparatus comprising: a constant-speed driving unit that keeps the moving speed of the intermediate transfer member constant except during the operation of the liquid supply unit that forms an image on the intermediate transfer member.