JP2001310514A - Image recording apparatus and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording apparatus for shortening a processing time even if recording a borderless image. SOLUTION: This image recording apparatus is composed of a recording head which discharges ink into a transported recording medium 1 to record, a cutting means 5, 5' which can cut the recording medium at a time spaced apart in the direction substantially straight to a transportation direction II of the recording medium 1 after recording, and a control means which controls the cutting means 5, 5'.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging ink onto a conveyed recording medium, and a recording medium used in the image recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a conventional image recording apparatus. In the figure, a recording medium 1 wound in a roll shape
000 is pinched and conveyed in the direction of arrow I (sub-scanning direction) by a pair of rollers 1003 as conveying means.

The recording medium 1 is located downstream of the roller pair 1003.
A recording unit 1020 that performs recording by discharging ink in the width direction of 000 is provided. A recording unit 1020 according to the related art includes a recording head 1021 that discharges ink,
The carriage 1002 conveys the recording head 1021 in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium 1000 (main scanning direction, width direction of the recording medium 1000: a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in the figure).

[0004] Downstream of the recording means 1020, there is provided an ink drying means 1007 for drying the ink jetted onto the recording medium 1000. Further, the recording medium 10
00, the recording means 102
And suction means 10 for sucking the recording medium 1000 to prevent the recording medium 1000 from floating during image recording.
06 is provided.

[0005] Downstream of the ink drying means 1007, there are provided a cutting means 1005 for cutting the recording medium 1000 and a paper discharge tray 1008 for storing the cut recording medium 1000.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the carriage 1002 moves in the width direction of the recording medium 1000 and ejects ink from the recording head 1021, a linear image is recorded on the recording medium 1000 in the width direction.

When a linear image is recorded, the roller pair 1003 is driven, and the recording means 1020 moves in the direction of arrow I by a predetermined amount. And again, the carriage 100
2 moves in the width direction of the recording medium 1000 and ejects ink from the recording head 1021 to record a line-shaped image in the width direction on the recording medium 1000.

By repeating this, recording medium 100
One image is recorded on 0. When recording of one image is completed, the recording medium 1000 is fed in the direction of arrow I by the roller pair 1003 to a position where the end of the recorded image faces the cutting unit 1005.

Then, the cutting means 1005 cuts the vicinity of the end of the image, and the sheet-shaped recording medium 1000
008. After the recording medium 1000 is cut, the roller pair 1003 rotates in the opposite direction to the previous direction, the leading end of the recording medium 1000 is pulled back to a position facing the recording unit 1020, and the next image recording is performed.

[0010]

However, when borderless image recording is performed using the image recording apparatus having the above-described configuration, the boundary between the first image A and the second image B as shown in FIG. Cutting on the line l is difficult due to mechanical precision, and cutting is performed at a and b before and after the boundary line l.

In the above-described image recording apparatus, the first image A and the second image B are continuously recorded, and when the formation of the second image is completed, the cutting means 1005 is used to cut the boundary line l. The front and rear a and b are cut.

While the cutting is being performed, there is a problem that image recording cannot be performed and the processing time becomes longer. Further, since the portion where the image recording is performed is cut, there is also a problem that the cutting unit 1005 becomes dirty.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus having a short processing time even when performing borderless image recording. A second object is to provide an image recording apparatus in which a cutting unit is not stained even when marginless image recording is performed.

A third object is to provide a recording medium in which the cutting means does not become dirty even when borderless image recording is performed.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording head for performing recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium to be transported, and a transport of the recording medium after recording. An image recording apparatus comprising: a cutting unit that can cut the recording medium at a time at intervals in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction; and a control unit that controls the cutting unit.

By providing cutting means for cutting the recording medium at a time at intervals in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium after recording, the processing time can be shortened even when marginless image recording is performed. Become.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the first aspect, the cutting means is two rotary cutters that move in a direction substantially perpendicular to a conveying direction of the recording medium. is there.

Since the cutting means is composed of two rotary cutters which move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium, the processing time is shortened even when borderless image recording is performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the first aspect, the cutting means is two razor cutters that move in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the recording medium is conveyed. is there.

The two razor cutters move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction,
Even if borderless image recording is performed, the processing time is shortened. The invention according to claim 4 is the image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cutting means is two guillotine cutters.

Since the cutting means is composed of two guillotine cutters, the processing time is shortened even when borderless image recording is performed. 6. The punching cutter according to claim 5, wherein the cutting means has two blade surfaces extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to a conveying direction of the recording medium and formed at an interval, and uses an upper blade moving in a vertical direction. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

The cutting means is a punching cutter having two blade surfaces extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium formed at an interval and using an upper blade moving vertically. Even if borderless image recording is performed, the processing time is shortened.

Further, the recording medium can be cut at a time with a single upper blade at intervals in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium after recording, thereby reducing costs.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording head which discharges ink onto a recording medium to be conveyed to perform recording, and is spaced apart from the recording medium in a direction substantially perpendicular to a conveying direction of the recording medium after recording. Two cutting means capable of cutting the recording medium, a first cutting mode for operating one of the two cutting means, and a second cutting mode for operating both of the two cutting means. An image recording apparatus comprising: a control unit for performing selective operation.

The control means selectively performs a first cut mode for operating one of the two cutting means and a second cut mode for operating both of the two cutting means. When performing borderless image recording, the two cutting means are operated in the second cut mode, and the recording medium is cut at one time with an interval in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium.

Therefore, even when borderless image recording is performed, the processing time is shortened. Further, by operating one of the two cutting means in the first cut mode, it is possible to cut the marginal image recording.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the cutter is provided on a carriage for moving the recording head in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the recording medium is conveyed. An image recording apparatus according to any one of the above.

By providing the cutter on the carriage for moving the recording head in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of transport of the recording medium, a mechanism for moving the cutter alone in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of transport of the recording medium is provided. It becomes unnecessary and cost can be reduced.

The invention according to claim 8 is the image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a cleaning means for cleaning the cutting means is provided.
By providing the cleaning means for cleaning the cutting means, the cutting means is not stained.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in a recording medium used in an image recording apparatus, an ink solvent absorbing layer is provided between a base and an ink receiving layer for receiving ink. is there.

By providing the ink solvent absorbing layer between the base and the ink receiving layer for receiving ink, the color material of the ejected ink is absorbed by the ink receiving layer,
The ink solvent is absorbed by the ink solvent absorbing layer, the ink coloring material and the ink solvent are separated, and the cutting means is not stained.

[0032]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 which is a perspective view showing the entire configuration of the image recording apparatus of the embodiment, and FIG. The overall configuration of the target will be described.

In the drawing, a recording medium 1 wound in a roll shape is moved by an arrow I by a pair of rollers 3 as conveying means.
It is pinched and transported in the I direction. The roller pair 3 is a driving means (not shown) (a roller driving motor 3 described later).
1) is driven.

Downstream of the roller pair 3, there is provided a recording means 2 for performing recording by discharging ink in a direction (width direction of the recording medium 1) substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium 1 (direction of arrow II). Is provided.

In the recording means 2, a carriage 20 for ejecting ink to the recording medium 1 is movably engaged with a guide bar 23 provided in the width direction of the recording medium 1.

Pulleys 25 are provided at both ends of the guide bar 23.
Are arranged, and a wire 24 is wound between the pulleys 25. The wire 24 and the carriage 20 are connected to each other, and one pulley 25 is driven to rotate by a driving unit (a carriage driving motor 26 described later) (not shown).

Accordingly, when the pulley 25 is driven, the carriage 20 moves along the guide bar 23. In this embodiment, the guide bar 23
Is set to a length such that the carriage 20 can protrude from an end in a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium 1 and eject ink.

The recording means 2 includes a guide bar 23.
Is provided with a linear encoder (not shown) 97 for detecting the position of the carriage 20 moving along. or,
Downstream of the recording means 2, an ink drying means 7 for drying the ink ejected on the recording medium 1 is provided.

Further, on the surface of the recording medium 1 opposite to the image recording surface, a suction unit 6 which faces the recording means 2 and suctions the recording medium 1 to prevent the recording medium 1 from floating during image recording. Is provided.

Downstream of the roller pair 3, there are provided first cutting means 5 and second cutting means 5 'for cutting the recording medium 1 at intervals in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium 1. ing.

The first cutting means 5 includes a pair of pulleys 52 arranged so as to sandwich the recording medium 1 in the width direction of the recording medium 1, a wire 51 wound between the pulleys 52,
The razor blade 50 is provided on the wire 51. One of the pulleys 52 of the pair of pulleys 52 is driven by driving means (not shown) (a cutter driving motor 5 described later).
3).

Similarly, the second cutting means 5 'includes a pair of pulleys 52' arranged so as to sandwich the recording medium 1 in the width direction of the recording medium 1, and a wire wound between the pulleys 52 '. 51 'and a razor blade 50' provided on the wire 51 '. One pulley 52 'of the set of pulleys 52' is driven by driving means (not shown, a cutter driving motor 53 'described later).

Accordingly, when the pulleys 52, 52 'are driven, the razor blades 50, 50' cut the recording medium 1 while moving in the width direction of the recording medium 1 to form a sheet-shaped recording medium 12.

Further, the first and second cutting means 5,
5 'includes cleaning pads 49, 49' as cleaning means for cleaning the razor blades 50, 50 '.
Is provided. This cleaning pad 49, 4
When the razor blades 50, 50 'come into contact with the razor blades 9', foreign substances adhering to the razor blades 50, 50 'are removed.

On the downstream side of the first cutting means 5, there is provided a paper discharge tray 8 on which the cut sheet-shaped recording medium 12 is stacked. (Carriage 20) FIG. 3 which is a perspective view of the carriage 20, FIG. 4 which is a view as viewed from the direction of arrow IV in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 (a) which is a view as viewed from the direction of arrow V of FIG. The carriage 20 will be described in detail.

The carriage 20 has a Y ink tank 221, an M ink tank 222, and a C ink tank 22 for storing inks of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black: black). 223, K ink tank 2
24, a Y print head 211 for ejecting ink from each of the ink tanks 222 to 224, an M print head 212,
A C recording head 213 and a K recording head 214 are provided.

Each of the recording heads 211 to 214 has a plurality of nozzles 2111, 2121, 2131,
2141 is provided. Each nozzle 2111, 212
1, 2131 and 2141 are as shown in FIG.
It is assumed that N nozzles are arranged at a pitch P.

In this embodiment, the Y ink tank 221 and the Y print head 211, the M ink tank 222 and the M print head 212, the C ink tank 223 and the C print The head 213 has a cartridge type in which a K ink tank 224 and a K recording head 214 are further integrated.

(Suction Unit 6) The suction unit 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 which is a perspective view and FIG. 7 which is a sectional view of FIG.

The suction means 6 comprises a box 60 having a plurality of suction holes 61 formed at regular intervals on the surface facing the recording medium 1.
And two recording medium suction fans 62a and 62b provided in the box 60.

When the recording medium suction fans 62a and 62b are driven, the inside of the box 60 becomes negative pressure,
The recording medium is attracted to the surface on which the recording medium 1 is provided, and the floating of the recording medium 1 is prevented.

(Ink Drying Means 7) A description will be given with reference to FIG. The ink drying means 7 includes a plurality of ejection holes 75 on a surface facing the recording medium 1.
And an ink drying fan 71 provided inside the box 70 and sucking air outside the box 70,
An ink drying heater 72 for heating the air sucked by the ink drying fan 71 is provided.

In this embodiment, the carriage 20 is driven by the dry air jetted from the ink drying means 7.
Nozzles 2111 to 21 of each recording head 211 to 214
In order to prevent the ink in the nozzle 41 from drying and causing nozzle clogging, the direction of the air flow ejected from the ejection hole 75 is set to the direction opposite to the carriage 20.
5 directions are set.

(Electrical Configuration and Operation) A description will be given with reference to FIG. 9 which is a block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes image data to be recorded by the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment (parameters such as image recording size, image data color-separated into YMCK).
Is the host computer that stores The image data sent from the host computer 100 is taken into the image recording apparatus of the present embodiment via the interface unit 91.

Reference numeral 92 denotes an image memory unit for temporarily storing fetched image data, 93 denotes an error diffusion processing unit for expressing a multi-valued image gradation, and 94 denotes an arrangement of image data in the image memory and an output during image recording. A data rearrangement processing unit 95 for changing the order is a recording head driver for driving each of the recording heads 211 to 214.

Reference numeral 98 denotes a signal which receives a signal from the linear encoder 97, generates a pulse signal of ink ejection timing, and supplies ink to an image memory 92, an error diffusion processing unit 93, a data rearrangement processing unit 94, and a print head driver 95. An emission timing generator 9 is a CPU that performs various controls.
And the like.

An operation unit 101 is used by the operator to instruct the control unit 9 to perform borderless image recording or borderless image recording. (Operation) The operation will be described with reference to FIG.

When the operator instructs, via the operation unit 101, either borderless image recording or borderless image recording,
In response, the control unit 9 performs the following operation. In the case of borderless image recording (second cut mode) Here, as an example, as shown in FIG.
m image, cut 1mm before and after 1mm, 60m length
A case where a borderless print of m is created will be described.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG.
The first cutting means 5 is located 40 mm away from the most downstream nozzle position (reference position A in the figure), and the second cutting means 5 'is located further 2 mm away.

The recording head 21 has 125 nozzles arranged at a pitch of 80 μm. That is, 80 μm × 125 = 1 mm in one scan of the recording head 21.
The length of the image can be recorded.

(1) The host computer 100 transfers the image parameters such as the recording size for the first image to be recorded. The image parameters are transferred to the control unit 9 via the interface unit 91.

(2) Following the image parameters, the host computer 100 starts transferring the first image data. The image data is transferred to the image memory 92 via the interface unit 91.

When a predetermined amount (one scan) of data is stored in the image memory 92, the control unit 9 starts a series of operations described below. (3) The control unit 9 operates the motor driver 63 to drive the recording medium suction fans 62a and 62b of the suction unit 6.

(4) The control section 9 operates the motor driver 73 to drive the ink drying fan 71 and the ink drying heater 72. (5) The control unit 9 operates the motor driver 32 to drive the roller driving motor 31 to rotate the roller pair 3,
The recording medium 1 is transported to a predetermined recording start position.

In this embodiment, the leading end of the recording medium 1 is adjusted to a position 1 mm downstream from the most downstream nozzle position of the recording head 21 (reference position A in FIG. 11). (6) The control unit 9 operates the motor driver 27 to drive the carriage drive motor 26. The carriage drive motor 26 moves the carriage 20 on which the recording head 21 is mounted along the guide bar 23 through a pulley 25 and a wire 24 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium 1.

As the carriage 20 moves, the linear encoder 9 provided along the moving direction of the carriage 20
7 generates a pulse signal every time the carriage 20 moves by a predetermined amount, and this pulse signal is input to the ink ejection timing generator 98. Ink ejection timing generator 9
8 generates a timing signal based on the pulse signal and supplies it to the image memory 92, the error diffusion processing unit 93, the data rearrangement processing unit 94, and the recording head driver 95.

Thus, the data of the image to be recorded is sequentially read out from the image memory 92, and the error diffusion processing section 9
3. A signal corresponding to image data is input to the print head driver 95 via the data rearrangement processing unit 94 and supplied to the print head 21 in synchronization with the movement of the carriage 20, and the nozzles 2111 to 1111 provided on the print head 21 are provided. From 2141, Y, M, C, and K inks are ejected toward the recording medium 1, and an image is formed on the recording medium 1.

At this time, image recording is performed up to a position protruding from an end of the recording medium 1 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction. (7) When the carriage 20 moves by a predetermined amount according to the size of the recorded image, the control unit 9 stops the carriage drive motor 26 and stops the carriage 20. Ink ejection also stops.

By the operations (6) and (7), the front end 1 mm of the first image is recorded. (8) The control unit 9 operates the motor driver 32 to drive the roller drive motor 31 to rotate the roller pair 3,
The recording medium 1 is conveyed by 1 mm.

(9) When the conveyance of the recording medium 1 by a predetermined amount is completed, the control section 9 operates the motor driver 27 to rotate the carriage drive motor 26 in the reverse direction to the previous one, and to move the carriage 20 in the reverse direction to the previous one. Go to Thereafter, as in the previous case, ink is ejected from the recording head in synchronization with the movement of the carriage 20, and an image is formed on the recording medium 1.

Thereafter, (6) to (9) are repeated to form a first image. (10) On the other hand, image data is transferred from the host computer in parallel, and is sequentially stored in the image memory 92 via the interface unit 91. The area in the image memory where the already recorded image data is stored is used as a free area, and the new image data is overwritten and the previous data is lost.

If the transfer of the image data from the host computer 100 is not in time and the unrecorded image data transferred and stored in the image memory 92 becomes less than a predetermined amount, the control unit 9 detects this. Then, the movement of the carriage 20 is not started until the stored data is equal to or more than the predetermined amount.

On the other hand, if the image data transfer from the host computer 100 is fast and the free space in the image memory is exhausted or becomes smaller than a predetermined amount, the recording of the image proceeds, and the free space larger than the predetermined amount becomes available. Until it is possible, the image data transfer from the host computer 100 is suspended.

(11) When the scanning of the recording head 21 and the conveyance of the recording medium 1 (each 1 mm) are repeated 41 times, the part to be cut at the front end of the first image (the cutting position P1 in FIG. 10A) is determined. , Reaches the position of the first cutting means 5.

The control unit 9 operates the motor driver to drive the cutter driving motor 53 to rotate the pulley 52,
The razor blade 50 is moved via the wire 51 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the recording medium 1 is conveyed, and the leading end of the first image is cut.

The control unit 9 controls the razor blade 50 so that the recording medium 1
After a predetermined amount of movement according to the width of the cutter drive motor 53, the cutter driving motor 53 is stopped. (12) The above (6) to (9) even after cutting off the leading end of the first image.
Is repeated to record the rest of the second image.

When the scanning of the recording head 21 and the conveyance of the recording medium 1 (each 1 mm) are repeated 21 times, the first image recording is completed. (13) When all the first image data has been transferred from the host computer 100, the second image data is subsequently transferred.

(14) The control section 9 repeats the above operations (6) to (9) in the same manner as the first image, and records the second image. (15) Scanning of recording head 21 and conveyance of recording medium 1 (1)
mm) is repeated 41 times, the part to be cut at the rear end of the first image (the cutting position P2 in FIG.
At the position of the cutting means 5 ′, the part to be cut at the front end of the second image (the cutting position P 3 in FIG. 10A) reaches the position of the first cutting means 5.

The control unit 9 includes motor drivers 54, 54 '
Is operated to drive the cutter driving motors 53, 53 'to rotate the pulleys 52, 52', and to move the razor blades 50, 50 'via the wires 51, 51' in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium 1. Moving, the trailing edge of the first image and the leading edge of the second image are cut simultaneously.

After moving the razor blades 50, 50 'by a predetermined amount according to the width of the recording medium 1, the control unit 9 stops the cutter driving motors 53, 53'. (16) Recording medium 1 on which cut first image is formed
2 are stacked on a paper discharge tray 8.

(17) The control section 9 repeats the above operations (6) to (9), records the rest of the second image, and thereafter performs image recording and cutting in the same manner. Case of Bordered Image Recording (First Cut Mode) Here, for example, as shown in FIG.
A case in which a 6 mm image is recorded, and a marginal print having a length of 60 mm is created with a margin of 2 mm each before and after the image is described.

As shown in FIG. 11, the cutter is 40 mm away from the most downstream nozzle position (reference position A in the drawing) of the recording head 21 as in the description of the second recording mode.
It is assumed that the cutting means 5 is further separated by 2 mm and the second cutting means 5 'is arranged.

The recording head 21 has 125 nozzles arranged at a pitch of 80 μm. That is, an image having a length of 80 μm × 125 = 1 mm can be recorded by one scan of the head.

(1) The host computer 100 transfers image parameters such as the recording size for the first image to be recorded. The image parameters are transferred to the control unit 9 via the interface unit 91.

(2) Following the image parameters, the host computer 100 starts transferring the first image data. The image data is transferred to the image memory 92 via the interface unit 91.

When a predetermined amount of data (for one scan) is stored in the image memory 92, the control section 9 starts a series of operations described below. (3) The control unit 9 operates the motor driver 63 to drive the recording medium suction fans 62a and 62b of the suction unit 6.

(4) The control section 9 operates the motor driver 73 to drive the ink drying fan 71 and the ink drying heater 72. (5) The control unit 9 operates the motor driver 32 to drive the roller driving motor 31 to rotate the roller pair 3,
The recording medium 1 is transported to a predetermined recording start position.

In the present embodiment, the leading end of the recording medium 1 is adjusted to a position 2 mm downstream from the most downstream nozzle position of the recording head 21 (reference position A in FIG. 11). (6) The control unit 9 operates the motor driver 27 to drive the carriage drive motor 26. The carriage drive motor 26 moves the carriage 20 on which the recording head 21 is mounted along the guide bar 23 through a pulley 25 and a wire 24 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium 1.

As the carriage 20 moves, the linear encoder 9 provided along the moving direction of the carriage 20
7 generates a pulse signal every time the carriage 20 moves by a predetermined amount, and this pulse signal is input to the ink ejection timing generator 98. Ink ejection timing generator 9
8 generates a timing signal based on the pulse signal and supplies it to the image memory 92, the error diffusion processing unit 93, the data rearrangement processing unit 94, and the recording head driver 95.

As a result, the data of the image to be recorded is sequentially read from the image memory 92, and the error diffusion processing unit 9
3. A signal corresponding to image data is input to the print head driver 95 via the data rearrangement processing unit 94 and supplied to the print head 21 in synchronization with the movement of the carriage 20, and the nozzles 2111 to 1111 provided on the print head 21 are provided. From 2141, Y, M, C, and K inks are ejected toward the recording medium 1, and an image is formed on the recording medium 1.

At this time, the image is recorded in an area 2 mm inside from the end of the recording medium 1 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction, and the printing is performed as a marginal print. (7) When the carriage 20 moves by a predetermined amount according to the size of the recorded image, the control unit 9 stops the carriage drive motor 26 and stops the carriage 20. Ink ejection also stops.

By the operations (6) and (7), the front end 1 mm of the first image is recorded. (8) The control unit 9 operates the motor driver 32 to drive the roller drive motor 31 to rotate the roller pair 3,
The recording medium 1 is conveyed by 1 mm corresponding to the image recording length.

(9) When the conveyance of the recording medium 1 by a predetermined amount is completed, the control section 9 operates the motor driver 27 to rotate the carriage drive motor 26 in the reverse direction to the previous one, and to move the carriage 20 in the reverse direction to the previous one. Go to Thereafter, as in the previous case, ink is ejected from the recording head in synchronization with the movement of the carriage 20, and an image is formed on the recording medium 1.

Hereinafter, (6) to (9) are repeated. (10) On the other hand, image data is transferred from the host computer in parallel, and is sequentially stored in the image memory 92 via the interface unit 91. The area in the image memory where the already recorded image data is stored is used as a free area, and the new image data is overwritten and the previous data is lost.

If the transfer of the image data from the host computer 100 cannot be made in time and the unrecorded image data transferred and stored in the image memory 92 becomes less than a predetermined amount, the control unit 9 detects this. Then, the movement of the carriage 20 is not started until the stored data is equal to or more than the predetermined amount.

On the other hand, if the image data transfer from the host computer 100 is fast and the free space in the image memory is exhausted or becomes smaller than a predetermined amount, the recording of the image proceeds, and the free space larger than the predetermined amount becomes available. Until it is possible, the image data transfer from the host computer 100 is suspended.

(11) When the scanning of the recording head 21 and the conveyance of the recording medium 1 (each 1 mm) are repeated 56 times, the first image is all recorded. (12) When the recording of the first image is completed, the control unit 9
Operates the motor driver 32, drives the drive motor 31, rotates the roller pair 3, and conveys the recording medium 1 by 4 mm corresponding to the length of the margin between the first image and the second image. .

(13) 1 from the host computer 100
When all of the second image data has been transferred, the second image is subsequently transferred. (14) The control unit 9 performs the operations (6) to
The operation of (9) is repeated, and the second image is recorded.

(15) When the scanning of the recording head 21 and the conveyance of the recording medium 1 (each 1 mm) are repeated 38 times, the cutting position at the boundary between the first image and the second image (the cutting position in FIG. 10B) Q1) reaches the position of the first cutting means 5.

The controller 9 operates the motor driver 54, and in the case of the present embodiment, drives the cutter driving motor 53 of the first cutting means 5 to rotate the pulley 52, and The razor blade 50 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium 1 to cut the recording medium 1.

The control unit 9 controls the razor blade 50 to
After moving a predetermined amount according to the width of the cutter driving motor 5
Stop 3. (16) The cut recording medium 12 is stacked on the paper discharge tray 8.

(17) The control unit 9 performs the processing described in (6) to (9) above.
Is repeated to record the rest of the second image, and thereafter, image recording and cutting are performed in the same manner. Next, the configuration of the recording medium 1 used in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in the figure, the recording medium 1 has a base 1a.
Image receiving layer 1 for receiving ink composed of dye or pigment
c, a three-layer structure in which an ink solvent absorbing layer 1b is provided.

As the ink solvent absorbing layer 1b, one having the following structure was used, but the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, (%) shows weight% unless there is particular notice.

<Preparation of Titanium Oxide Dispersion-1> 20 kg of titanium oxide having an average particle size of about 0.25 μm (Ishihara Sangyo: W
-10) with sodium tripolynate having a pH of 7.5
0 g, polyvinyl alcohol (Kuraray Co., Ltd .: PVA
235, an average degree of polymerization of 3500), 500 g of the cationic polymer (P-1) and 90 g of an aqueous solution containing 10 g of an antifoaming agent SN381 of Sannobuco Co., Ltd., and dispersed with a high-pressure homogenizer (manufactured by Sanwa Kogyo Co., Ltd.). Thereafter, the whole amount was finished to 100 l to obtain a uniform titanium oxide dispersion liquid-1.

<Preparation of Silica Dispersion-1> 125 kg of fumed silica (Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd .: A300) having an average primary particle size of about 0.007 μm was jet-streamed by Mitamura Riken Kogyo Co., Ltd. After suction-dispersing in 620 l of pure water adjusted to pH = 2.5 with nitric acid at room temperature using an inductor mixer TDS, the total amount was reduced to 6%.
Finished with pure water to 94 l. An electron microscopic photograph of particles obtained by diluting this dispersion liquid confirmed that most of the particles had a size of 0.01 μm or less and were dispersed to primary particles.

<Preparation of Silica Dispersion-2> 1.41 kg of cationic polymer (P-2) and 4.2 l of ethanol
25 to 30 ° C. in 18 l of a solution (pH = 2.3) containing
In a temperature range of 69.4 l, 69.4 l of the silica dispersion-1 was added over 20 minutes with stirring, and then 7.0 l of an aqueous solution (pH = 7.3) containing 260 g of boric acid and 230 g of borax.
Is added over about 10 minutes, and the antifoaming agent SN381 is added to 1
g was added. This mixed solution was subjected to 24.5 MPa (250 kgf / square c) with a high pressure homogenizer manufactured by Sanwa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
m), and dispersed twice with pure water to make a total volume of 97 l with pure water to prepare a substantially transparent silica dispersion liquid-3.

<Preparation of Fluorescent Whitening Agent Dispersion-1> Oil-soluble fluorescent whitening agent UIVITEX-O manufactured by Ciba-Geigy Co., Ltd.
B. 400 g was heated and heated in 9000 g of diisodecyl phthalate and 12 l of ethyl acetate, and this was added to and mixed with 3500 g of acid-treated gelatin, 65 l of an aqueous solution containing 6000 ml of a cationic polymer (P-2) and a 50% aqueous solution of saponin, and mixed. With a high pressure homogenizer manufactured by Co., Ltd. at 34.5 MPa (250 kgf / square cm)
After emulsifying and dispersing twice, removing ethyl acetate under reduced pressure
00l. The pH of this dispersion was about 5.3.

<Preparation of Coating Solution> Coating solutions for the first, second and third layers were prepared according to the following procedure. First Layer Coating Solution The following additives were sequentially mixed with 600 ml of the silica dispersion liquid 3 at 40 ° C. (1) Polyvinyl alcohol (Kuraray Industries, Ltd .:
7% aqueous solution of PVA235 (average degree of polymerization: 3500):
194.6 ml (2) Fluorescent brightener dispersion-1: 25 ml (3) Titanium oxide dispersion-1: 33 ml (4) Daiichi Kogyo Co., Ltd .: latex emulsion
AE-803: 18 ml (5) Make up to 1000 ml with pure water. Coating liquid p
As for H, about 4.4 second layer coating liquid The following additives were sequentially mixed with 650 ml of the silica dispersion liquid 1-3 at 40 ° C. while stirring. (1) Polyvinyl alcohol (Kuraray Industries, Ltd .:
7% solution of PVA235 (average degree of polymerization 3500) 20
1.6 ml (2) Fluorescent brightener dispersion liquid-1: 35 ml (3) 5% aqueous solution of anti-fading agent-1: 20 ml (4) Make up to 1000 ml with pure water. Coating liquid p
H was added to 650 ml of about 4.4 third layer coating solution silica dispersion-3 at 40 ° C. while stirring the following additives in order. (1) Polyvinyl alcohol (Kuraray Industries, Ltd .:
7% aqueous solution of PVA235 (average degree of polymerization: 3500): 2
01.6 ml (2) Silicon dispersion (BY-22-839, manufactured by Dow Corning Toray Silicone Co., Ltd.): 15 ml (3) 50% aqueous solution of saponin: 4 ml (4) Make up the total amount to 1000 ml with pure water. The pH of the coating solution is about 4.5. Preparation of 5% aqueous solution of anti-fading agent-1: 90 ml of 5 g of N, N-disulfoethylhydroxyamine disodium salt containing 3 g of cationic polymer (P-13) Solvent in water to make the total volume 100 ml.

The coating solution obtained as described above was filtered with the following filter. 1st layer and 2nd layer: 2 with TCP10 manufactured by Toyo Liquid Paper Co., Ltd.
Step, 3rd layer: Paper support (thickness: 220) coated with polyethylene on both sides with TCP30 manufactured by Toyo Roshi Kaisha Co., Ltd.
13 μm of anatase type titanium oxide contained in polyethylene on the ink absorbing layer surface with respect to polyethylene at μm)
First layer (50 μm) as ink solvent absorbing layer, second layer
Layer (100 μm), the third layer (50
μm). The values in the parentheses indicate the wet film thickness, and the first to third layers were simultaneously applied.

Each coating solution was applied by a three-layer slide hopper at 40 ° C., cooled immediately in a cooling zone maintained at 0 ° C. for 20 seconds, and then blown at 25 ° C. (relative humidity 15 ° C.). %) For 60 seconds at 45 ° C (relative humidity 25
%) For 60 seconds in a 50 ° C wind (relative humidity 25%).
Dry sequentially for 0 seconds, 20-25 ° C, relative humidity 40-6
The sample was wound up in an atmosphere of 0 ° C. for 2 minutes to obtain a recording medium 1.

According to the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained. (1) By providing the first and second cutting means 5 and 5 'that can cut the recording medium 1 at a time at intervals in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium 1 after recording, the margin is reduced. Even if image recording is performed, the processing time is shortened.

(2) The control means 9 operates the first cutting means (the first cutting means 5 in the present embodiment) of one of the first and second cutting means 5 and 5 '. Cutting mode and first and second cutting means 5, 5 '
In the case of performing borderless image recording, the first and second cutting means 5, 5 'are operated in the second cut mode, and the recording medium The recording medium is cut at once with an interval in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium.

Therefore, even if borderless image recording is performed, the processing time is shortened. Further, in the first cut mode, the first cut mode
By operating the cutting means 5 described above, it is possible to cut the marginal image recording.

(3) An ink solvent absorbing layer 1b is provided between the base 1a of the recording medium 1 and the ink image receiving layer 1c for receiving the ink, and the color material of the ejected ink is applied to the ink image receiving layer 1c.
c, the ink solvent is absorbed by the ink solvent absorbing layer, and the ink coloring material and the solvent are separated, so that the razor blades 50, 50 'of the first and second cutting means 5, 5' Not dirty.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the razor blades 50 and 50 'have been described as examples of the first and second cutting means 5 and 5'. However, the cutting means having the following configuration may be used.

(1) As shown in FIG. 13 (a) and FIG. 13 (b) which is a view in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 13 (a), a slider which moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction II of the recording medium 1. 50
0, 500 'two rotary cutters 50
1, 501 '.

(2) As shown in FIG. 14 (a) and FIG. 14 (b) which is a view in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 14 (a), the recording medium 1 is provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction II. A lower blade 512 having two blade surfaces 512a, 512b, and a lower blade 512;
Upper blades 511 and 51 that can move independently in the vertical direction while facing
1 'and two guillotine cutters.

When the first cut mode is not performed, that is, when the marginal image recording is not performed, the cutting means having the following configuration may be used. That is, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 15B, which is a view in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 15A, two blade surfaces 531a and 531b extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction II of the recording medium 1 are formed at intervals. An upper blade 531 that is movable in the vertical direction;
It may be a punch cutter comprising a lower blade 532 having two blade surfaces 532a and 532b opposed to 1.

In this case, the cost can be reduced because the recording medium 1 can be cut at once with one upper blade 531 at intervals in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium 1 after recording.

Further, the razor blades 50, 5 and 5 need to be moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction II of the recording medium 1.
0 ', the rotary cutter 500, 500'
May be provided on the carriage 20.

[0123]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a cut which can cut the recording medium at a time at intervals in a direction substantially perpendicular to a conveying direction of the recording medium after recording. By having the means, the processing time is shortened even when borderless image recording is performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the cutting means is two rotary cutters that move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed, even if edgeless image recording is performed, processing can be performed. Time is shortened.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the two razor cutters move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed, the processing time is shortened even when borderless image recording is performed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the cutting means comprises two guillotine cutters, the processing time is shortened even when borderless image recording is performed. According to the invention as set forth in claim 5, the cutting means uses an upper blade which is formed with a space between two blade surfaces extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium and moves in the vertical direction. By using a punch cutter, the processing time is shortened even when borderless image recording is performed.

Further, the cost can be reduced because the recording medium can be cut at once with one upper blade at intervals in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium after recording.

According to the invention described in claim 6, the control means includes a first cut mode for operating one of the two cutting means and a second cutting mode for operating both of the two cutting means. By selectively performing the cut mode, when performing borderless image recording, the two cutting means are operated in the second cut mode, and the gap is provided at intervals in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. Cut the recording medium at once.

Therefore, even if borderless image recording is performed, the processing time is shortened. Further, by operating one of the two cutting means in the first cut mode, it is possible to cut the marginal image recording.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the carriage for moving the recording head in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium is provided with the cutter. This eliminates the need for a mechanism for moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction described above, thereby reducing costs.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, by providing the cleaning means for cleaning the cutting means,
The cutting means is not dirty. According to the invention of claim 9,
An ink solvent absorbing layer is provided between the base and the ink image receiving layer for receiving ink, and the color material of the ejected ink is absorbed by the ink image receiving layer, and the ink solvent is absorbed by the ink solvent absorbing layer. Since the colorant and the solvent are separated, the cutting means is not stained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an overall configuration of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration view as viewed from the front of an arrow III in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carriage of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view as seen from a direction of an arrow IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view as seen from the direction of arrow V in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the suction means of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sectional configuration diagram of FIG. 6;

8 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the ink drying unit of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of image recording on a recording medium and a cutting position.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of a recording head and a cutting unit.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a recording sheet.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another example.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a conventional image recording apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of borderless image recording.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording medium 5 1st cutting means 5 '2nd cutting means 9 Control part

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Ken Yamazaki 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation F-term (reference) 2C056 HA27 HA29 2C058 AB08 AB18 AC07 AC17 AF51 LA03 LB06 LB09 LB10 LB17 LC11

Claims (9)

[Claims] A recording head that discharges ink onto a recording medium to be conveyed to perform recording; and a recording head that simultaneously prints the recording medium at intervals in a direction substantially perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the recording medium after recording. An image recording apparatus, comprising: cutting means capable of cutting; and control means for controlling the cutting means. 2. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cutting means comprises two rotary cutters which move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction. 3. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cutting means comprises two razor cutters which move in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the recording medium is conveyed. 4. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cutting means comprises two guillotine cutters. 5. The cutting means is a punching cutter having two blade surfaces extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the recording medium is conveyed and formed at an interval, and using an upper blade moving in a vertical direction. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 6. A recording head for performing recording by discharging ink to a recording medium to be conveyed, and capable of cutting the recording medium at intervals in a direction substantially perpendicular to a conveying direction of the recording medium after recording. Control means for selectively performing a first cutting mode for operating one of the two cutting means and a second cutting mode for operating both of the two cutting means. An image recording apparatus, comprising: 7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said cutter is provided on a carriage for moving said recording head in a direction substantially perpendicular to a conveying direction of said recording medium. apparatus. 8. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising cleaning means for cleaning said cutting means. 9. A recording medium used in an image recording apparatus, wherein an ink solvent absorbing layer is provided between a base and an ink image receiving layer for receiving ink.