JP2003276176A - Inkjet recorder, overcoat device, and method of manufacturing inkjet-recorded material - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet recorder, an overcoat device, and a method of manufacturing an inkjet-recorded material whereby a flat inkjet-recorded material without curling can be obtained by a simple process and at a comparatively low cost. <P>SOLUTION: An inkjet printer 1 comprises an inkjet recording section 2 and the overcoat device 3. The overcoat device 3 is equipped with a laminated sheet forming section 31 for forming a laminated sheet M-S consisting of a recording medium M and a transferring sheet S, a curved conveyance path 32 for conveying the laminated sheet M-S by bending it to the side of the recording medium M, a heating/pressing section 33 which is provided to the part of the curved conveyance path 32 and heats and presses the laminated sheet M-S to stick the laminated sheet M-S, and a peeling section 34 for peeling a support body BS from the laminated sheet M-S. The heating/pressing section 33 heats and presses the laminated sheet M-S under the condition that the laminated sheet M-S passing through the curved conveyance path is bent to the side of the recording medium M-S. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus provided with an overcoat device for forming an overcoat layer for covering an image on a recording surface of a recording medium on which an image is formed by an ink jet method. The present invention relates to an overcoat device, and an inkjet recorded material on which the overcoat layer is formed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording method is a recording method in which ink droplets are ejected from minute nozzles according to image data and adhered to a recording medium for recording. Inkjet recordings recorded by the inkjet recording method have reached a high level comparable to silver halide photography in terms of image quality, but in terms of image fastness such as light resistance, gas resistance, and abrasion resistance. However, the reality is that it still falls short of silver salt photography. Improving image robustness is due to the expanded use of inkjet recording technology for digital photo services and commercial printing, etc.
In recent years, it has become more and more important.

Further, as a method for improving the image fastness and gloss of an ink jet recorded matter, a transparent film made of a thermoplastic resin is thermally transferred (laminated) onto the recording surface on which an image is formed to form an overcoat layer. A known overcoat treatment is known. Regarding this overcoat treatment, various improvement techniques have been proposed with respect to the material and structure of the overcoat layer, the forming method, and the like.

[0004]

In general, an ink jet recorded matter has an image formed on one side of a recording medium such as plain paper or coated paper. When an overcoat layer is provided only on one side of the recording medium, As shown in FIG. 3, there is a problem that curling (plus curling) occurs on the overcoat layer side due to heat shrinkage of the overcoat layer after lamination. Although many proposals have already been made regarding the method of removing (correcting) the generated curl, in the manufacturing process of the inkjet recorded matter that requires an overcoat process in addition to the inkjet recording, the problem of the curl is post-corrected. However, it is not preferable because it complicates the manufacturing process and increases the size of the apparatus, which leads to an increase in manufacturing cost.

As a method for preventing the occurrence of curl due to the overcoat treatment in advance, a method of providing a backcoat layer on the surface opposite to the recording surface on which the transparent film is laminated is conceivable. Since a step of providing a back coat layer (for example, a coating / drying step) is required, it is inevitable that the manufacturing process becomes complicated and the device becomes large.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an ink jet recording apparatus capable of providing a flat ink jet recorded matter having an overcoat layer and having no curl by a relatively simple process, and An object of the present invention is to provide an overcoat device and a method for manufacturing an inkjet recorded matter.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention which solves the above-mentioned problems, includes an ink jet recording section for ejecting ink onto a recording surface of a recording medium to form an image, and the ink recording unit on which the image is formed. A transfer sheet having a recording layer and a transfer layer provided on a support is supplied so that the recording surface and the transfer layer face each other, and the recording sheet and the transfer sheet are superposed on each other. A laminated sheet forming unit for forming a laminated sheet, a curved conveyance path for conveying the laminated sheet while curving the laminated sheet to the recording medium side, and a portion provided in the curved conveyance path,
A heating / pressurizing section for heating and pressurizing the laminated sheet for pressure bonding,
A peeling section for peeling the support from the laminated sheet after pressure bonding, wherein the heating / pressurizing section is arranged such that the laminated sheet passing through the curved conveyance path is curved toward the recording medium side. At a certain time, the laminated sheet is heated and pressed.

Further, the present invention is an overcoat device for forming an overcoat layer on a recording surface of a recording medium on which an image is formed by an ink jet system, wherein the recording layer is formed on the recording surface. A transfer sheet provided with a transfer layer is supplied so that the recording surface and the transfer layer face each other, and the transfer sheet and the transfer sheet are stacked to form a stack sheet of the recording medium and the transfer sheet. , A curved conveying path for conveying the laminated sheet while curving to the recording medium side, and a heating / pressurizing portion provided in a part of the curved conveying path for heating and pressurizing the laminated sheet to press-bond the sheet. And a peeling section for peeling the support from the laminated sheet later, wherein the heating and pressurizing section is configured such that when the laminated sheet passing through the curved conveyance path is curved toward the recording medium. Heating the laminated sheet There is provided an overcoat apparatus characterized by.

Further, in the present invention, it is preferable that the curved conveying path has a bending angle of 90 to 160 degrees.

Further, according to the present invention, a transfer sheet having a transfer layer provided on a support is superposed on a recording surface of a recording medium on which an image is formed by an ink jet method to form a laminated sheet. After heating and pressurizing the transfer layer onto the recording surface, the support is peeled off from the transfer sheet, and an overcoat layer composed of the transfer layer is provided on the recording surface. A method for producing an inkjet recorded matter, comprising a coating treatment step, wherein the laminated sheet is heated and pressed while being curved toward the recording medium side. is there.

According to the present invention, the laminated sheet of the recording medium and the transfer sheet is heated and pressed in the state of being curved toward the recording medium so as to be pressure-bonded. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of plus curl due to heat shrinkage of the coating layer), and
It can be provided at a relatively low cost with a simple process.

[0012]

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus (printer) of the present invention. This printer 1 has a basic structure in which an overcoat device is incorporated behind a recording head of an inkjet printer for roll paper, and on the recording surface of a recording medium on which inkjet recording is performed by the recording head,
The overcoat layer can be formed. Figure 1
Medium 2 is an inkjet recording unit, and 3 is an overcoat device.

The ink jet recording section 2 includes a paper feed roller 2
1, the recording medium M wound in a roll shape is moved to the platen 2
2 is ejected onto the recording surface of the recording medium M from the recording head 23, and each color ink is ejected based on the received image data to form an image.

The recording head 23 is mounted on a carriage (not shown) movable in the main scanning direction, and ejects ink droplets from an ink jet nozzle (not shown) to form an image on the recording medium M. Form. The ink ejection method includes a continuous method in which ink is continuously ejected from a nozzle at regular time intervals and an ejected ink droplet is deflected to form an image, and an ink is ejected corresponding to image data. There is an on-demand method, but there is no particular limitation. Further, ink ejection control includes a method of controlling by voltage using a piezoelectric element such as a piezo element and a method of controlling by thermal energy using a heating resistor element, but any method may be used. In addition, the recording head 23,
It may be a cartridge type in which an ink tank is integrally provided in itself, or a type in which ink is supplied from an ink tank arranged separately from the recording head via a tube or the like.

The overcoat device 3 includes a laminated sheet forming section 31 for forming a laminated sheet MS of the recording medium M and the transfer sheet S which have passed through the ink jet recording section 2, and the laminated sheet MS for the recording medium M side. A curved conveyance path 32 that conveys the laminated sheet MS while curving the sheet, a heating and pressurizing unit 33 that heats and presses the laminated sheet M-S, and a support B of the transfer sheet S from the laminated sheet M-S after pressure bonding. _The peeling part 34 which peels _S is provided.

The laminated sheet forming section 31 includes a sheet shaft 311.
The transfer sheet S wound in a roll shape is unrolled and fed onto the recording surface of the recording medium M on which an image is formed in the inkjet recording unit 2, and is superposed by a press roller pair 312 to form a laminated sheet M-S. To do. The transfer sheet S has a structure in which a transfer layer C _S having the same width is provided on a support B _S having the same width as the recording medium M, and the transfer layer C _S and the recording surface are opposed to each other. As described above, the recording medium M is supplied.

The curved conveyance path 32 has a laminated sheet forming section 31.
And a peeling section 34, and has a curved portion which is curved and formed so as to form the top 321 on the supply side of the transfer sheet S by a plurality of rollers (not shown). The degree of bending of the curved portion varies depending on the heat shrinkage characteristics of the resin component that constitutes the transferred layer C _S , etc., but the bending angle θ (the direction A of entry of the laminated sheet M-S to the top 321 and the direction from the top 321). The angle with the separating direction B) is 90 to 160
It is preferable that the adjustment is made at a desired frequency. Minus curl when the bending angle θ is less than 90 degrees (curl on the recording medium side)
May increase, and if it exceeds 160 degrees, the effect of preventing the occurrence of plus curl (curl on the overcoat layer side) is poor.

A pair of rollers 331 and 332 are arranged on the top 321 of the curved conveyance path 32 so as to sandwich the curved conveyance path 32, and constitute a heating / pressurizing section 33. The roller 331 is a heat roller for controlling the temperature of the transfer target layer C _S to a bondable temperature, and has a configuration in which a heater 331 a is provided inside a hollow cylindrical aluminum material. The roller 332 is a pressing roller, and the laminated sheet M-S is
While passing between the rollers 331 and 332, the roller 331 (heat roller) heats and pressurizes the transfer sheet S side.

Thus, the top portion 321 of the curved conveyance path 32 is
By providing the heating / pressurizing unit 33 (rollers 331 and 332) on the laminated sheet M- which is passing through the curved conveyance path 32,
When S is curved toward the recording medium M at the top 321, the laminated sheet M-S can be heated and pressed to be pressure-bonded.

The peeling section 34 passes through the curved conveyance path 32,
The support B _S is peeled off by the sheet shaft 341 from the laminated sheet M-S in which the transferred layer C _S is fixed on the recording surface, and is wound and collected.

An automatic cutter 4 is provided behind the peeling section 34 so that the continuous sheet-shaped ink jet recorded matter P passing through the peeling section 34 can be cut into a unit length. The inkjet recorded matter P cut into unit lengths is stocked on the paper discharge tray 5.

The mode for manufacturing the ink jet recorded matter P having the overcoat layer in one pass by using the ink jet recording apparatus having the construction in which the overcoat apparatus is incorporated has been described above.
Can also be manufactured by using an ordinary inkjet recording device (having no overcoat treatment mechanism) and an overcoat device having the above-described configuration.

The transfer sheet S will be described. As described above, the transfer sheet S is formed by providing the layer to be transferred C _S on the support B _S.

As the support B _S , heat resistance and mechanical strength capable of stably maintaining the shape under a predetermined heating and pressurizing condition at the time of lamination, and a transfer layer thermocompression-bonded on the recording surface are used. A material having a good releasability from C _S is used. Examples of such a support include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP), 1,4-polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate (PE).
N), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyether sulfone (PES), polystyrene, polypropylene, aramid, polycarbonate, polyvinyl alcohol, cellophane, cellulose derivatives such as cellulose acetate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, polyimide, ionomer and other materials. A film composed of: a paper such as a condenser paper or a paraffin paper; a non-woven fabric; a paper or a composite film of a non-woven fabric and a resin film. Particularly, PET film and OPP film are preferable.

The thickness of the support B _S may be set so as to obtain the above-mentioned function and is not particularly limited, but is preferably 4 to 100 μm, more preferably 6 to 50 μm. If it is less than 4 μm, the releasability of the transferred layer C _S may decrease, and if it exceeds 100 μm, the adhesion of the transferred layer C _{S to} the recording surface may decrease.

Further, on the surface of the support B _{S on which} the transferred layer C _S is laminated, good releasability, prevention of adhesion of dust due to static electricity,
In order to improve the design of the surface of the overcoat layer, various surface treatments such as releasing treatment using silicone or the like, antistatic treatment, corona discharge treatment, embossing treatment and the like can be performed.

The transferred layer C _S is a layer which is thermally transferred onto the recording surface of the recording medium M to be an overcoat layer, and is made of resin. The resin is preferably a resin that has excellent adhesion to a recording medium, high transparency, is resistant to discoloration by heat or light, and can form a coating film having excellent chemical / physical barrier properties.
Specifically, the glass transition temperature (Tg) is 20 to 120 ° C.
Are preferred. In addition, it is preferable to select the resin so that the surface hardness of the transferred layer C _S becomes a pencil hardness of 2H or more in a pencil hardness test according to JIS K5600.

As the resin constituting the transferred layer C _S , a thermoplastic resin or a resin for hot melt adhesive can be used. Specifically, for example, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), silanol modified PVA, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), carboxymethyl cellulose (CM
C), polyvinyl acetal, polyacrylamide, cellulose derivative, casein, gelatin, urethane, acrylic resin, styrene-acrylic resin, polyethylene, vinyl acetate, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA),
Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride resin, water-based alkyd resin, epoxy resin, acetate resin, polyester resin, wax, acrylic styrene, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), acrylic acid ester, and the like. One kind or a blend of two or more kinds can be used. Among these, it is particularly preferable to use an acrylic resin in terms of light resistance.

The transferred layer C _S may have a single layer structure,
Further, it may have a multilayer structure of two or more layers having different compositions.
The thickness of the transferred layer C _S is preferably 2 to 30 μm.
m, and more preferably 5 to 20 μm. If it is less than 2 μm, it may be difficult to obtain a uniform thickness and the image protection effect may be poor, and if it exceeds 30 μm, the transparency may be lowered.
The transparency of the transferred layer C _S is generally preferably high, but the type of resin used is appropriately selected, and inorganic fine particles such as silica and colloidal silica, and organic fine particles such as polymer beads are added. It can also be controlled as appropriate by means such as the above.

The transfer sheet S is prepared by dispersing or dissolving one or more of the above resins in a suitable solvent such as water or a resin emulsion or aqueous solution (coating solution) using a known coating device to form a support. The layer to be transferred C _S is coated on B _S and dried.
Is manufactured by forming. If necessary, various additives such as silicone-based surfactants, defoamers, antistatic agents, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS), etc. are added to the coating liquid. You can also do it.

The recording medium M will be described. Recording medium M
As the material, plain paper (non-coated paper), so-called inkjet recording paper (coated paper) or the like may be used as long as it can be used in inkjet recording, and can be appropriately selected according to the required image quality level and the like. it can. When a high quality image is required, it is preferable to use an inkjet recording paper. The ink jet recording paper usually has a structure in which an ink receiving layer containing porous inorganic particles as a main component is provided on a base material such as paper or film. As the porous inorganic particles, colloidal silica, fumed silica, alumina hydrate, γ-type aluminum oxide and the like are preferably used. Further, the ink receiving layer is described in J. TAPPI No. Four
The porosity measured according to 8-85 is preferably 30% or more.

The ink used in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can be used in ink jet recording. Ink jet recording ink generally contains water containing a coloring agent such as a dye or a pigment, and usually further contains various organic solvents and surfactants for moisturizing, permeation adjustment and the like. . Among ink jet recording inks, pigment inks are particularly excellent in light resistance and water resistance of recorded images as compared with dye inks, and in combination with the image protection effect of the overcoat layer, long-term image It is preferable because it can be stored. In the case of forming a color image, inks of three primary colors of subtractive color mixture of yellow, magenta, and cyan, or four or more inks in which inks of black and other colors are added are used as usual.

The overcoat device of the present invention (including the one which is a part of the constitution of the ink jet recording device of the present invention) has the following characteristics:
A transfer sheet having a transfer layer provided on a support is supplied so that the recording surface and the transfer layer face each other, and stacked to form a laminated sheet of the recording medium and the transfer sheet. A sheet forming section, a curved conveyance path for conveying the laminated sheet while curving the laminated sheet to the recording medium side, and a heating and pressurizing section provided in a part of the curved conveyance path for heating and pressurizing the laminated sheet for pressure bonding. A state in which the heating / pressurizing section is arranged such that the laminated sheet passing through the curved conveyance path is curved toward the recording medium side. In this case, the laminated sheet may be heated and pressed, and the specific configuration and shape of each part are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Is.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the curved conveyance path 3
The heating / pressurizing unit 33 ′ can also be configured by arranging a plurality of pairs of rollers with the top portion 321 of the second member as the center of symmetry. In addition, the pressing roller 33 that constitutes the heating and pressing unit 33.
Similarly to 331, 2 may be a heat roller. Similarly, for the heating / pressurizing unit 33 ', the pressing roller (see FIG.
In the middle, the three rollers shown below the laminated sheet M-S) may be heat rollers. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the inkjet recording apparatus corresponding to so-called roll paper is used, but the recording medium usable in the present invention is not limited to roll paper, and cut paper of A4 size or the like may be used.

[0035]

According to the present invention, since the laminated sheet of the recording medium and the transfer sheet is heated and pressed under the condition that the recording medium is curved, the transfer layer after the pressure-bonding treatment is performed. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a positive curl due to the heat shrinkage of the (overcoat layer), and it is possible to provide an ink jet recorded matter with a curl-free flat overcoat layer at a relatively low cost in a simple process. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of a heating / pressurizing unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an ink jet recorded product in a state of plus curl.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Printer 2 Inkjet Recording Unit 21 Paper Feed Roller 22 Platen 23 Recording Head 3 Overcoat Device 31 Laminated Sheet Forming Unit 32 Curved Conveying Path 33 Heat Pressing Unit 331 Heat Roller 332 Pressing Roller 34 Peeling Unit 4 Auto Cutter 5 Paper Discharge Tray M Recording medium P Inkjet recorded matter S Transfer sheet B _S Support C _S Transfer layer M-S Laminate sheet (of recording medium M and transfer sheet S)

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A transfer comprising an inkjet recording section for forming an image by ejecting ink onto a recording surface of a recording medium, and a transfer layer provided on a support on the recording surface on which the image is formed. A sheet is supplied so that the recording surface and the transfer layer face each other, and a laminated sheet forming unit for superposing them to form a laminated sheet of the recording medium and the transfer sheet, and the laminated sheet are used for the recording medium. A curved conveyance path that conveys the curved sheet to the side, a heating and pressurizing unit that is provided in a part of the curved conveyance path and heats and pressurizes the laminated sheet, and the support from the laminated sheet after pressure bonding. And a peeling section for peeling the
The inkjet recording apparatus, wherein the heating / pressurizing unit heats and presses the laminated sheet while the laminated sheet passing through the curved conveyance path is curved toward the recording medium. 2. The bending angle of the curved conveying path is 90 to 16
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inkjet recording apparatus is 0 degree. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heating and pressing unit includes a heat roller that heats and presses the laminated sheet from at least the transfer sheet side. 4. An overcoat device for forming an overcoat layer on a recording surface of a recording medium on which an image is formed by an inkjet method, wherein the transfer layer is formed on a support on the recording surface. A transfer sheet provided is supplied so that the recording surface and the transfer layer face each other, and a stacking sheet forming section for stacking them to form a stacking sheet of the recording medium and the transfer sheet, and the stacking sheet A curved transport path for transporting while curving to the recording medium side;
A heating / pressurizing unit which is provided in a part of the curved conveyance path and which heats and pressurizes the laminated sheet to press-bond it, and a peeling unit which peels the support from the laminated sheet after pressure-bonding are provided. The overcoat device, wherein the pressure section heats and presses the laminated sheet while the laminated sheet passing through the curved conveyance path is curved toward the recording medium. 5. The bending angle of the curved conveying path is 90 to 16
The overcoat device according to claim 4, wherein the overcoat device is 0 degree. 6. The overcoat device according to claim 4, wherein the heating and pressing unit includes a heat roller that heats and presses the laminated sheet from at least the transfer sheet side. 7. A transfer sheet having a transfer layer provided on a support is superposed on a recording surface of a recording medium on which an image is formed by an inkjet method to form a laminated sheet, and the laminated sheet is heated and pressed. And then press-bonding the transfer layer onto the recording surface, peeling off the support from the transfer sheet, and providing an overcoat layer consisting of the transfer layer on the recording surface. A method for producing an inkjet recorded article, comprising: heating and pressing the laminated sheet in a state of being curved toward the recording medium side. 8. The method for producing an ink jet recorded matter according to claim 7, wherein the image is formed with a pigment ink.