JP2005103932A - Apparatus for regenerating ink, method for regenerating ink, regenerated ink, and inkjet type recording apparatus equipped with apparatus for regenerating ink - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an apparatus for regenerating an ink dispersing agglomation of an ink compositional content of which discharging characteristics are deteriorated, and regenerating the ink into which is stable in discharging characteristics. <P>SOLUTION: An inkjet head 13 for regenerating the ink has an ink room storing the ink, and a plurality of discharging openings for discharging the ink stored in this ink room. The first ink feeding apparatus 101 is provided so as to communicate with this ink room. The ink discharged from a plurality of the discharging openings of the inkjet head 13 for regenerating the ink is recovered by an ink recovering apparatus 102. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink reproducing apparatus, an ink reproducing method, a reproducing ink, and an ink jet recording apparatus.

  In general, water-based inks, oil-based inks, ultraviolet curable inks, and the like are known as inks used in ink jet recording apparatuses. Some of the recording ink jet heads provided in the ink jet recording apparatus have a plurality of nozzles that eject ink exposed to the air space. In such an ink jet head, the nozzle in the nozzle may become clogged as the ink in the nozzle dries or dust or bubbles in the air space enter the nozzle. Therefore, in such a case, the ink jet head or the ink jet recording apparatus including the ink jet is caused to perform an idle ejection operation for ejecting ink from all the nozzles of the ink jet head toward the ink receiving member, The clogging of the nozzle is eliminated by capping the nozzle surface and performing a discharge recovery operation for forcibly discharging ink from the nozzle by applying a negative pressure to the nozzle surface by a pump or the like.

  However, if the idle ejection operation or the ejection recovery operation is performed, ink is consumed regardless of the operation for forming the image on the recording medium. For this reason, conventionally, attempts have been made to collect the ink ejected by the idle ejection operation or the ejection recovery operation and reuse it for the operation of forming the image on the recording medium.

In addition, since the ink ejected by the idle ejection operation and the ejection recovery operation is once exposed to the atmosphere, when the ink that has been subjected to the idle ejection operation or the ejection recovery operation is reused, The characteristics may have changed. For this reason, in recent years, the solvent in the ink is difficult to evaporate, and therefore, the development of an ink with little change in characteristics is promoted even when the ink ejected by the idle ejection operation or the ejection recovery operation is reused (for example, (See Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-69350 A (paragraphs 0002 to 0018, paragraphs 0043 to 0053, FIG. 9)

  By the way, the cause of nozzle clogging and ejection characteristics deterioration of the inkjet head is not only due to drying of ink in the nozzles and dust / bubbles in the air space entering the nozzles but also being left in a non-ejection state. Aggregation of the resulting ink composition is considered to be one of them. Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus and method for dispersing the agglomeration of the ink composition by physical and mechanical operations in order to suppress ink ejection defects.

  The present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and an ink regeneration device and an ink regeneration method that disperse the agglomeration of the ink composition of the ink with deteriorated ejection characteristics and regenerate the ink with stable ejection characteristics, It is an object of the present invention to provide a regenerated ink with less aggregation of the ink composition and an ink jet recording apparatus capable of suppressing ink ejection defects.

  The ink regenerating apparatus of the present invention communicates an ink chamber of an ink regenerating ink jet head having an ink chamber for storing ink and a plurality of discharge ports for discharging the ink stored in the ink chamber, and the first ink supply device. The ink is supplied from the first ink supply device to the ink chamber, and the regenerated ink regenerated by being ejected from the ink regenerating inkjet head is recovered by the ink recovery device.

  The present invention is an ink regenerating apparatus that regenerates ink by dispersing aggregates corresponding to the composition of an ink by an ejection operation of an ink regenerating inkjet head. That is, according to the present invention, the ink to be regenerated is supplied to the ink chamber of the ink regenerating ink jet head by the first ink supply device, and is discharged from the plurality of ejection ports of the ink regenerating ink jet head. The regenerated ink having the regenerated characteristics can be collected by the ink collecting device.

  According to the present invention, an ink regeneration device and an ink regeneration method for dispersing aggregation of an ink composition of an ink having deteriorated ejection characteristics to regenerate an ink having stable ejection characteristics, a regenerated ink with less aggregation of an ink composition, In addition, an ink jet recording apparatus that can suppress ink ejection failure is obtained.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink regenerating apparatus 100 of this embodiment includes an ink regenerating inkjet head 13, a first ink supply apparatus 101, an ink recovery 102, a control system, and the like. The control system includes a main control unit 30, a sensor detection unit 31, a pump control unit 32, a head control unit 33, a valve control unit 34, and the like.

  Various inks such as water-based inks, oil-based inks, and ultraviolet curable inks are used as inks for ink jet recording apparatuses. In the embodiment of the present invention, for example, an oil-based pigment ink is used. The composition of this oil-based pigment ink is as follows.

2-7wt% pigment
Solvent 83-92wt%
Dispersant 5wt% or less
Others (additives, surfactants, etc.) 1-5wt%
Note that the symbol Nb in the figure indicates ink in which aggregates of these compositions melt.

  As the ink reproducing ink jet head 13 of the present embodiment, for example, an existing ink jet head used for recording in an ink jet recording apparatus can be used.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink regenerating inkjet head 13 is provided with a nozzle plate 50 in which a plurality of discharge ports (nozzles) 50a are formed, and a position facing each of the plurality of discharge ports 50a. A pressure chamber 51 that also serves as a plurality of ink chambers for storing Nb is provided. The plurality of pressure chambers 51 are configured such that ink Nb is supplied from the common ink chamber 52. A wall that forms part of the pressure chamber 51 and faces the nozzle plate 50 is formed by a diaphragm 53. The diaphragm 53 is provided with a plurality of piezoelectric members 54 corresponding to the pressure chambers 51.

  The diaphragm 53 and the piezoelectric member 54 constitute an actuator. The piezoelectric member 54 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the drive signal generation circuit 55. In addition, although the piezoelectric element (piezo element) is used as the piezoelectric member 54, it is not restricted to this. The driving means for discharging the ink Nb in the pressure chamber 51 from the discharge port 50a as the ink droplet M (see FIGS. 4 to 8) includes the vibration plate 53, the piezoelectric member 54, and the drive signal generation circuit 55. Has been.

  The common ink chamber 52 is provided with an ink supply port 56 for supplying ink Nb. A communication pipe 27 extends from the ink supply port 56 (see FIG. 1). The nozzle plate 50 has a plurality of discharge ports 50a formed on a substantially straight line.

  The ink reproducing ink jet head 13 configured as described above causes the ink Nb to be ejected as ink droplets M from the nozzles of the ejection ports 50a of the nozzle plate 50 as follows.

  A drive signal is applied to the piezoelectric member 54 from the drive signal generating circuit 55, and the piezoelectric member 54 is deformed to vibrate the diaphragm 53. Due to this vibration, the volume of the pressure chamber 51 changes. In the process of increasing the volume of the pressure chamber 51, the ink Nb in the common ink chamber 52 is sucked into the pressure chamber 51. In the process of reducing the volume of the pressure chamber 51, the ink Nb in the pressure chamber 51 is discharged as an ink droplet M from the discharge port 50a to the outside.

  In the present embodiment, the piezoelectric member 54 is used as the actuator, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a heating element may be used as the actuator. In this case, water-based ink or the like is mainly used, and the inkjet head 13 is configured to eject the ink Nb as ink droplets M from the ejection port 50a by boiling the ink Nb with a heating element, for example. The ink-reproducing inkjet head 13 is electrically connected to the main control unit 30 via the head control unit 33.

  The first ink supply device 101 includes, for example, an ink reservoir 10, a first liquid supply pump 11 as a first liquid supply means, a supply tank 12B as a supply means, a cartridge tank 12A, and the like. The ink chamber 51 is configured to communicate with the ink chambers 51 and 52 of the inkjet head 13.

  The replenishment tank 12B is for supplying the ink Nb to the ink reservoir 10 so that the amount of ink Nb in the ink reservoir 10 is constant. The inside of the replenishing tank 12B communicates with the atmosphere via a communication pipe 19 having a filter 18 in the middle part. Further, from the replenishing tank B, a communication pipe 25 having a filter 12x in the middle portion and a communication pipe 20 extend upward.

  The cartridge tank 12A is for supplying ink Nb to the supply tank 12B when the ink Nb in the supply tank 12B is insufficient. The cartridge tank 12A has an ink discharge port 12w. A check valve 12v is provided at the ink discharge port 12w. The check valve 12v suppresses inadvertent leakage of the ink Nb of the ink Nb in the cartridge tank 12A in the closed state. On the other hand, the check valve 12v can discharge the ink Nb in the cartridge tank 12A in the open state.

  The ink discharge port 12w of the cartridge tank 12A can be detachably attached to a liquid supply port that is a tip portion of the communication pipe 25 extending from the replenishment tank 12B. The check valve 12v is attached so as to be opened by attaching the ink discharge port 12w of the cartridge tank 12A to the tip of the communication pipe 25. The cartridge tank 12A has a vent hole (not shown). The vent is sealed with a sealing plug (not shown) in the initial state.

  The ink reservoir 10 is for accumulating the ink Nb supplied to the ink chambers 51 and 52 of the inkjet head 13. The ink reservoir 10 has an ink detection sensor 10a that detects that the liquid level of the ink Nb has reached the draft line W1. As such a sensor 10a, for example, an optical sensor that includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit and optically detects the ink surface can be used. The sensor 10 a is electrically connected to the main control unit 30 via the sensor detection unit 31.

  The inside of the ink reservoir 10 communicates with the atmosphere via a communication pipe 21 having a filter 22 in the middle. Further, a communication pipe 23 having a filter 24 at an intermediate part and a communication pipe 27 having a filter 26 at an intermediate part extend upward from the ink reservoir 10. The communication pipe 27 communicates with the ink chambers 51 and 52 of the inkjet head 13 through the ink supply port 56 of the inkjet head 13.

  One end of the first liquid feed pump 11 is connected to the tip of the communication tube 20 extending from the replenishing tank 12B, and the other end is connected to the tip of the communication tube 23 extending from the ink reservoir 10. Has been. The liquid feeding direction of the first liquid feeding pump 11 is a direction in which the first liquid feeding pump 11 flows from the replenishing tank 12B side to the ink reservoir 10 side. The first liquid delivery pump 11 is connected to the main control unit 30 via the pump control unit 32.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink recovery device 102 includes, for example, an ink receiving portion 14 and a regenerated ink tank 15 as an ink recovery storage portion.

  The ink receiver 14 captures the ink droplet M of the regenerated ink Na ejected from the ejection port 50a of the ink regenerating inkjet head 13, and has an opening on the upper wall, for example. A part of the ink receiving portion 14 on the ejection port 50a side of the inkjet head 13 is inserted from the opening. Further, the bottom wall of the ink receiving portion 14 has a convex portion 14a that protrudes in a substantially conical shape toward the vicinity of the lower central portion. A communication tube 28 extends from the vicinity of the center of the convex portion 14a (near the top of the cone) toward the external space.

  The regenerated ink tank 15 collects the regenerated ink Na captured by the ink receiving portion 14 and is provided so as to communicate with the ink receiving portion 14 via the communication pipe 28. In this embodiment, the regenerated ink tank 15 is disposed below the ink receiving portion 14, and the regenerated ink Na captured by the ink receiving portion 14 enters the regenerated ink tank 15 by its own weight via the communication pipe 28. It can be stored. The regenerated ink tank 15 communicates with the atmosphere via a communication pipe 47 having a filter 48 at an intermediate portion.

  The regenerated ink tank 15 has an ink discharge port 15a on the bottom wall. One end of the communication tube 29 is attached to the ink discharge port 15a. A first opening / closing valve 16 is provided at an intermediate portion of the communication pipe 29. When the valve 16 is opened, the regenerated ink Na in the regenerated ink tank 15 is discharged to the outside through the communication pipe 29 due to its own weight. The leading end of the communication tube 29 can be detachably attached to the ink discharge port 12w of the cartridge tank 12A having the same shape as the cartridge tank 12A containing the ink Nb supplied to the ink reservoir 10. In addition, when the cartridge tank 12 </ b> A is not attached to the distal end portion of the communication pipe 29, it is preferable to provide the ink tray 17 below the regenerated ink tank 15.

  By the way, it is preferable that the ink droplet M of the regenerated ink Na ejected from the ink regenerating inkjet head 13 is quickly captured by the ink receiving portion 14 without floating as much as possible.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, a landing plate 40 a that collides with the ink droplet M of the regenerated ink Na ejected from the ejection port 50 a of the inkjet head 13 may be disposed inside the ink receiving portion 14.

  In order to capture the regenerated ink Na ejected from the ink jet head 13 more satisfactorily, the landing plate 40a is preferably disposed so as to be opposed to the ejection port 50a with a distance of about 1 mm to 10 mm. On the other hand, in order to successfully collect the regenerated ink Na captured by the landing plate 40a into the regenerated ink tank 15, the landing plate 40a is inclined so that the captured regenerated ink Na flows downward along the landing plate 40a. It is preferable. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the landing plate 40a may be disposed so as to face the discharge port 50a and to be inclined at a predetermined angle.

  Further, the ink droplet M of the regenerated ink Na ejected from the inkjet head 13 has a predetermined kinetic energy. For this reason, in the landing plate 40a where the ink reservoir is easily formed, the ink droplet M may collide with the ink reservoir, and the ink reservoir may be scattered. Such scattering of the ink reservoir is not preferable because it causes the ink droplet M of the regenerated ink Na to float again in the ink receiving portion 14. Such scattering of the ink reservoir is more likely to occur as the ink ejection speed from the ejection port 50a increases.

  Therefore, when an inkjet head having a high ink ejection speed is applied as the inkjet head 13, an oil repellent film 41 may be applied to the surface of the landing plate 40a facing the ejection port 50a as shown in FIG. . By applying the oil repellent film 41 to the landing plate 40a, the ink droplet M captured by the landing plate 40a can be quickly dropped from the landing plate 40a by its own weight. In FIG. 5, the oil repellent film 41 is applied only to the surface facing the ejection port 50a, but the oil repellent film 41 may be applied to the entire surface of the landing plate 40a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a damping material 42 having ink resistance is arranged on the surface of the landing plate 40a facing the ejection port 50a, and the ink droplets M ejected from the ejection port 50a by the damping material 42 are disposed. You may make it absorb a kinetic energy. As the damping material 42, for example, a sheet material formed of a fluorine-based resin can be used. In FIG. 6, the damping material 42 is provided so as to cover a part of the surface of the landing plate 40a, but the damping material 42 may be provided so as to cover the entire surface of the landing plate 40a.

  Furthermore, an ink receiving portion 14 as shown in FIG. 7 may be used. That is, the ink receiving portion 14 has a function of circulating the liquid in order to keep the heat retaining landing plate 40b, in which a fluid passage (not shown) is formed, in a predetermined temperature range in which the ink ejection characteristics are stable. And a container 43. For example, water can be used as the liquid.

  The heat insulating landing plate 40 b is accommodated in the ink receiving portion 14. The fluid passage in the heat retaining landing plate 40 b communicates with the liquid circulator 43 provided outside the ink receiving portion 14 via the liquid circulation pipe 44. By doing so, the heat retaining landing plate 40b can be kept at a constant temperature, so that the ink viscosity when the ink droplet M of the regenerated ink Na ejected from the inkjet head 13 collides with the heat retaining landing plate 40b. Is maintained and can be quickly dropped onto the bottom of the ink receiving portion 14.

  In this embodiment, the ejection port 50a of the inkjet head 13 is directed downward, but the orientation of the ejection port 50a of the inkjet head 13 is arbitrary. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, an opening is formed in the side portion of the ink receiving portion 14, and a part of the ink jet head 13 on the discharge port 50a side is inserted from the opening so that the discharge port 50a faces the side. May be. Even in such a case, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the oil repellent film 41 and the vibration damping material 42 are provided on the surface of the landing plate 40a facing the discharge port 50a, or the ink receiving member as shown in FIG. It goes without saying that the section 14 may be provided with the heat retaining landing plate 40 b and the circulator 43.

  The main control unit 30 communicates with the sensor detection unit 31, the pump control unit 32, the head control unit 33, and the valve control unit 34, and functions the liquid feed pump 11, the sensor 10a, the ink head for ink regeneration 13 and the valve 16. Let That is, the sensor detection unit 31 controls the sensor 10 a and transmits sensor information to the main control unit 30. The pump control unit 32 controls the start of the liquid feeding pump 11 and the rotation speed (liquid feeding speed, opening and closing of the ink flow path) according to an instruction from the main control unit 30. The head control unit 33 performs drive control of the inkjet head 13 according to an instruction from the main control unit 30. The valve control unit 34 controls opening and closing of the valve 16. The main control unit 30 is electrically connected to the data processing unit 35 (see FIG. 11) and receives a signal from the data processing unit 35.

  The ink regenerating apparatus 100 of this embodiment is used as follows.

  The cartridge tank 12A filled with the ink Nb is filled in the liquid supply port of the communication pipe 25. Thereby, the check valve 12v is opened (becomes an open state). Thereafter, the sealing plug is removed to open the vent hole, whereby the ink Nb in the cartridge tank 12A is supplied to the replenishing tank 12B through the communication pipe 25. Ink supply from the cartridge tank 12A to the supply tank 12B may be appropriately performed when the amount of ink in the supply tank 12B is insufficient.

  The control system is operated while ink is supplied into the replenishment tank 12B. In the present embodiment, when the sensor 10a cannot detect the ink Nb, when the light from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit, the main control unit 30 determines that the liquid level of the ink Nb in the ink reservoir 10 is It is determined that the water line W1 has not been reached, and the first liquid feed pump 11 is operated. As a result, the ink Nb in the replenishing tank 12 </ b> B is sent to the ink reservoir 10. On the other hand, when the sensor 10a detects the ink Nb, in the present embodiment, when the light from the light emitting unit is blocked by the ink Nb and is not received by the light receiving unit, the main control unit 30 It is determined that the liquid level of the ink Nb has reached the water line W1, and the first liquid feed pump 11 is stopped. By repeating this, the amount of ink Nb in the ink reservoir 10 is always kept constant.

  If the amount of ink Nb in the ink reservoir 10 is kept constant at all times, the water head pressure (differential pressure) d1 between the liquid level (draft surface W1) of the ink reservoir 10 and the ejection port 50a of the ink head for ink regeneration 13 will be described. Is always constant. Note that the ink Nb may leak from the ejection port 50a while the ink jet head 13 is being filled with the ink Nb. Therefore, until the ink jet head is operated, the first opening / closing valve 16 may be opened, and the leaked ink Nb may be discharged to the ink tray 17.

  The valve 16 is closed and the inkjet head 13 is driven to start the discharge operation. The ink Nb in the ink chambers 51 and 52 of the inkjet head 13 is ejected from the ejection port 50a in a state where the aggregation of the ink composition is physically dispersed to such a degree that the ejection can be ejected from the ejection port 50a.

  The ink droplet M of the regenerated ink Na regenerated by being discharged from the discharge port 50a of the ink jet head 13 collides with the landing plate 40a of the ink receiving portion 14 in a state where kinetic energy is applied, and this landing plate 40a The kinetic energy is absorbed. The collected ink droplets M fall from the landing plate 40a due to their own weight when they gather and become a predetermined size. The dropped recycled ink Na is stored in the recycled ink tank 15 via the communication pipe 28.

  In the ink regenerating apparatus 100, even when the ink Nb in the ink reservoir 10 is consumed by driving the ink jet head 13, the draft line W1 in the ink reservoir 10 is always maintained as described above. Ink Nb is supplied from the replenishing tank 12B to the ink reservoir 10. Therefore, the water head pressure d1 between the liquid surface of the ink reservoir 10 and the ejection port 50a of the inkjet head 13 can be kept constant at all times.

  The ink tray 17 is replaced with an empty cartridge tank 12A, and the valve 16 is opened. Thereby, the regenerated ink Na collected in the regenerated ink tank 15 is collected in the empty cartridge tank 12A. By repeating the above operation, it is possible to disperse the agglomeration of the ink composition of the ink Nb having deteriorated ejection characteristics, and to obtain a regenerated ink Na having stable ejection characteristics.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the ink Nb to be regenerated is supplied to the ink chambers 51 and 52 of the ink regenerating inkjet head 13 by the first ink supply device 101, and a plurality of discharges of the inkjet head 13 are performed. By ejecting the ink from the outlet 50a, the regenerated ink Na whose ink ejection characteristics are regenerated can be recovered by the ink recovery device 102.

  Therefore, an ink regeneration device 100 and an ink regeneration method that regenerates ink Nab with stable ejection characteristics by dispersing agglomeration of the ink composition of the ink Nb with deteriorated ejection characteristics and an ink regeneration method can be obtained. Regenerated ink Na is obtained.

  Moreover, in the ink regenerating apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the first ink supply apparatus 101 is provided so as to communicate with the ink chambers 51 and 52 of the ink regenerating inkjet head 13, and the ink chambers 51 and 52 of the inkjet head 13 are connected. The ink reservoir 10 for storing the ink Nb supplied to the ink reservoir 52, the replenishment tank 12A as a replenishing means for supplying the ink Nb to the ink reservoir 10, and the ink Nb in the ink reservoir 10 for the ink chambers 51, And a first liquid feeding pump 11 as a first liquid feeding means to be sent to 52. As a result, the amount of ink Nb in the ink reservoir 10 can be kept constant. Accordingly, the water head pressure d1 between the ink liquid level (draft line W1) in the ink reservoir 10 and the discharge port 50a of the ink regenerating inkjet head 13 can always be kept constant, so that the ink regenerating inkjet from the ink reservoir 10 can be maintained. A constant amount of ink Nb can always be supplied to the ink chambers 51 and 52 of the head 13.

  Furthermore, in the ink regenerating apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the ink collecting apparatus 102 includes the ink receiving portion 14 that captures the ink droplet M discharged from the discharge port 50a of the ink regenerating inkjet head 13, and the ink receiving portion 14. A regenerated ink tank 15 is provided as an ink collecting / reserving part which is provided so as to communicate with and collects and stores the regenerated ink Na captured by the ink receiving part 14. That is, in the ink reproducing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the area for capturing the regenerated ink Na and the area for recovering the regenerated ink Na are separated. In this way, the regenerated ink Na ejected from the ejection port 50a of the ink regenerating ink jet head 13 can be quickly captured by the ink receiver 14, and therefore the floating time of the ink droplet M of the regenerated ink Na can be shortened. it can.

  Moreover, in the ink regenerating apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the ink receiving portion 14 has a landing plate 40a that causes the ink droplet M of the regenerated ink Na ejected from the ejection port 50a of the ink regenerating inkjet head 13 to collide. Therefore, the floating time of the ink droplet M of the regenerated ink Na can be further shortened.

  The ink reproducing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can be suitably used for, for example, an ink jet recording apparatus. 9 and 10 show the ink jet recording apparatus 1 provided with the ink reproducing apparatus 100. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a paper feeding device 3 in which a recording medium 2 is set, a recording medium transport device 7 that transports the recording medium 2 supplied from the paper feeding device 3, and And a color ink jet recording head mechanism 8 having a second ink supply device 60 and a recording ink jet head 61, and an ink reproducing device 100 (see FIG. 10). In FIG. 9, the ink reproducing apparatus 100 is omitted.

  The recording medium conveying device 7 includes a feeding unit 4 that feeds the recording medium 2 from the paper feeding device 3, a conveying unit 5 that conveys the recording medium 2 fed from the feeding unit 4, and the conveying unit 5. Discharge means 6 for discharging the recording medium 2 from the recording medium 2. The recording medium conveyance device 7 is electrically connected to the main control unit 30 via a conveyance driving unit 37 (see FIG. 11). Accordingly, the operation of the recording medium transport device 7 is controlled by the main control unit 30.

  Below the apparatus, a sheet feeding device 3 and a feeding means 4 are arranged. The sheet feeding device 3 is electrically connected to the main control unit 30 via the sheet feeding driving unit 36 (see FIG. 11). Thereby, the operation of the sheet feeding device 3 is controlled by the main control unit 30. Further, in the central portion of the apparatus, a transport unit 5, a color ink jet recording head mechanism 8 that discharges the regenerated ink Na onto the recording medium 2 transported by the transport unit 5, and the ink Na are applied by the head mechanism 8. Discharging means 6 for discharging the recording medium 2 is disposed.

  The feeding unit 4 separates the recording medium 2 set in the sheet feeding device 3 one by one from the top by the separation roller 3a, and feeds the recording medium 2 to the conveying unit 5 by two pairs of sheet feeding rollers 4a and 4b. It has become.

  The transport means 5 forms a transport path by spanning a transport belt 5d between a driving roller 5b and a driven roller 5c driven by a stepping motor 5a. A plurality of tension rollers 5e are provided inside the conveyor belt 5d so as to remove the slack of the conveyor belt 5d and maintain a predetermined tension.

  The recording medium 2 is sandwiched between the driven roller 5c and the conveyance roller 5f, conveyed in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 9 while being adsorbed to the conveyance belt 5d, passed through the position facing the head mechanism 8, and the discharge means 6 is The two discharge rollers 6a and 6b are configured to discharge to the discharge paper storage unit 9.

  The head mechanism 8 is disposed above the transport belt 5d. The head mechanism 8 stores four color inks of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium 2. Two ink supply devices 60 are provided. The second ink supply device 60 is connected to four-color recording ink-jet heads 61 of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black via a communication pipe 62. These recording ink jet heads 61 are electrically connected to the main control unit 30 via the head control unit 33.

  As the recording ink-jet head 61, for example, one that is configured in the same manner as the ink-reproducing ink-jet head 13 described above can be used. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an ink regeneration device 100 is provided in correspondence with the second ink supply device 60.

  FIG. 10 shows, for example, an ink regeneration device 100, a second ink supply device 60, and a recording inkjet head 61 corresponding to yellow. The ink reproducing device 100, the second ink supply device 60, and the recording inkjet head 61 corresponding to magenta, cyan, and black can be similarly configured.

  The second ink supply device 60 is in communication with the ink recovery device 102 so that the regenerated ink Na recovered by the ink recovery device 102 included in the ink recovery device 100 is supplied. The second ink supply device 60 is provided so as to supply the regenerated ink Na supplied from the ink recovery device 102 to the ink chamber of the recording inkjet head 61.

  Specifically, the second ink supply device 60 includes a second liquid feeding pump 71 and a main tank 73 as second liquid feeding means. The main tank 73 is for storing the regenerated ink Na supplied to the ink chamber of the recording inkjet head 61. The main tank 73 has an ink detection sensor 73a that detects that the liquid level of the regenerated ink Na has reached the draft line W2. As such a sensor 73a, for example, an optical sensor that includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit and optically detects an ink surface can be used as in the sensor 10a. The sensor 73 a is electrically connected to the main control unit 30 via the sensor detection unit 31.

  The inside of the main tank 73 communicates with the atmosphere via a communication pipe 74 having a filter 75 in the middle part. From the main tank 73, the communication pipe 62 communicating with the ink chamber of the recording inkjet head 61 extends upward. Note that a filter 77 is provided at an intermediate portion of the communication pipe 62. Further, a communication pipe 72 extends upward from the main tank 73.

  One end of the second liquid feed pump 71 communicates with the regenerated ink tank 15 included in the ink recovery device 102 via the communication pipe 70. The other end of the second liquid feed pump 71 communicates with the main tank 73 via the communication pipe 72. The liquid feeding direction of the second liquid feeding pump 71 is a direction that flows from the regenerated ink tank 15 side to the main tank 73 side. The second liquid feed pump 71 is connected to the main control unit 30 via the pump control unit 32.

  The main control unit 30 communicates with the sensor detection unit 31, the pump control unit 32, the head control unit 33, and the valve control unit 34, the liquid feed pumps 11, 71, the sensors 10a, 73a, the ink regenerating ink jet head 13, the recording. The inkjet head 61 and the valve 16 are functioned.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus 1, a waste tank 46 is provided in communication with the regenerated ink tank 15 in place of the cartridge tank 12 </ b> A or the ink tray 17. The inside of the waste tank 46 communicates with the outside.

  As illustrated in FIG. 11, the main control unit 30 receives a signal from the sensor 10 a and a signal from the sensor 73 a via the sensor detection unit 31. Further, the main control unit 30 causes the liquid feed pumps 11, 71, 77 to function via the pump control unit 32. Further, the main control unit 30 causes the ink regeneration inkjet head 13 and the recording inkjet head 61 to function via the head control unit 33.

  The ink jet recording apparatus 1 is used as follows.

  As described above, the reproduction ink Na is obtained by operating the ink reproduction apparatus 100. When the regenerated ink Na has accumulated to some extent in the regenerated ink tank 15, the sensor 73a is operated. In the present embodiment, when the sensor 73a cannot detect the regenerated ink Na, when the light from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit, the main control unit 30 sets the liquid of the regenerated ink Na in the regenerated ink tank 15. It is determined that the surface does not reach the water line W, and the second liquid feeding pump 71 is operated. As a result, the regenerated ink Na in the regenerated ink tank 15 is sent to the main tank 73. On the other hand, when the sensor 73a detects the regenerated ink Na, in the present embodiment, when the light from the light emitting unit is blocked by the regenerated ink Na and is not received by the light receiving unit, the main control unit 30 is in the main tank 73. It is determined that the liquid level of the regenerated ink Na has reached the water line W2, and the second liquid feed pump 71 is stopped. By repeating this, the amount of regenerated ink Na in the main tank 73 is always kept constant. Note that the ink regenerating apparatus 100 may be operated to continue to regenerate the ink Nb while the regenerated ink Na is being sent from the regenerated ink tank 15 to the main tank 73. Thereby, there is no shortage of regenerated ink Na in the regenerated ink tank 15.

  If the amount of regenerated ink Na in the main tank 73 is always kept constant, the water head pressure (difference) between the liquid level (draft surface W2) of the main tank 73 and the discharge port 63 (see FIG. 9) of the recording inkjet head 61 will be described. The pressure d2 is also always constant.

  Next, the recording medium transport device 7 is operated. Ink droplets of regenerated ink Na from each recording ink-jet head 61 onto the recording medium 2 for a predetermined time during which the recording medium 2 transported at a predetermined speed by the recording medium transporting device 7 passes below the recording ink-jet head 61. M is injected. By the way, the aggregates of the ink molecules in the regenerated ink Na to be ejected are physically dispersed to such an extent that they can be ejected from the ejection ports 50a of the ink regenerating inkjet head 13. For this reason, the regenerated ink Na is discharged well from the discharge port 63 and is disposed below the clogging of the discharge port 63 of the recording ink jet head 61 formed in the same manner as the ink regenerating ink jet head 13. The recording medium 2 is applied. As a result, a high-quality ink image is formed (printed) in a region where ink is applied by the recording inkjet head 61 on the upper surface of the recording medium 2.

  As described above, according to the ink jet recording apparatus 1, since the recording apparatus 1 itself includes the ink reproducing apparatus 100, clogging of the discharge ports 63 of the recording ink jet head 61 is suppressed, and recording is performed. Stable ink ejection can be performed by the inkjet head 61. Therefore, stable formation of a high quality image can be realized.

  Note that the ink jet recording apparatus 1 does not necessarily include the entire ink reproducing apparatus 100. In that case, the tank containing the regenerated ink Na regenerated by the ink regenerating apparatus 100, for example, only the regenerated ink tank 15 is communicated with the ink jet recording apparatus 1 (secondly, the liquid feed pump 71 in this embodiment). In this way, the same effect can be obtained.

  The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a three-way valve 79 as an opening / closing body is provided in the downstream portion of the second liquid feeding pump 71. As the three-way valve 79, for example, a three-way electromagnetic valve can be used.

  Specifically, communication pipes 72 a, 72 b, 72 c extend from the valve 79. The tip of the communication pipe 72c communicates with the inside of the ink reservoir 10 from above. That is, the regenerated ink tank 15 and the ink reservoir 10 are communicated. The leading end of the communication pipe 72b communicates with the inside of the main tank 73 from above. That is, the regenerated ink tank 15 and the main tank 73 are communicated. The distal end portion of the communication pipe 72 c is connected to the second liquid feed pump 71.

  The valve 79 closes the space between the regenerated ink tank 15 and the main tank 73 included in the second ink supply device 60 and communicates between the regenerated ink tank 15 and the ink reservoir 10, and regenerated ink. It is possible to switch between the second state in which the communication between the tank 15 and the ink reservoir 10 is blocked and the communication between the regenerated ink tank 15 and the main tank 73 is established. Although not shown, the valve 79 is electrically connected to the main control unit 30 via the valve control unit 34, and its opening / closing is controlled by the main control unit 30. Since the other configurations of the ink reproducing apparatus 100 and the recording apparatus 1 are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, the same description is given with the same reference numerals in FIG.

  In this embodiment, by setting the valve 79 to the second state, it can be used in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Further, according to the present embodiment, the ink stored in the regenerated ink tank 15 can be returned to the ink regenerating apparatus again. This is because the recording inkjet head 61 restarts the ejection operation after the non-ejection state (so-called standby period) of the recording inkjet head 61 exceeds a predetermined time or after the non-operational state (storage) exceeds the predetermined time. It is effective to carry out the process before, so that the ink stored in the regenerated ink tank 15 can be regenerated.

  When the ink stored in the regenerated ink tank 15 is regenerated again, the following process may be performed.

  First, the valve 79 is set to the first state. In the present embodiment, when the sensor 10a cannot detect ink, when the light from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit, the main control unit 30 determines that the ink level in the ink storage unit 10 is the waterline W1. Therefore, the second liquid feeding pump 71 is operated. As a result, the ink in the regenerated ink tank 15 is sent to the ink reservoir 10 via the communication pipe 72c. At this time, the first liquid feeding pump 11 is stopped.

  On the other hand, when the sensor 10a detects ink, in the present embodiment, when the light from the light emitting unit is blocked by the ink and is not received by the light receiving unit, the main control unit 30 performs the ink Nb in the ink storage unit 10. Is determined to have reached the water line W1, and the second liquid feed pump 71 is stopped. By repeating this, the amount of ink in the ink reservoir 10 is always kept constant.

  Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, the inkjet head 13 is driven to start the ejection operation. The regenerated ink Na is again stored in the regenerated ink tank 15.

  By repeating this processing cycle, the regenerated ink tank 15 can always store the regenerated ink Na whose aggregation of the ink composition has just been improved. Therefore, this setting may be performed at a predetermined interval in a so-called standby state in which the recording inkjet head 61 is not operated.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the ink stored in the recycled ink tank 15 can be returned to the ink storage unit 10 again. Therefore, it is possible to form an image on the recording medium 2 with the reproduction ink Na which is always in a good state.

  Note that the ink jet recording apparatus 1 and the ink reproducing apparatus 100 may be formed separately. In that case, for example, using a regenerated ink cartridge or the like, the regenerated ink Na regenerated by the ink regenerating apparatus 100 while maintaining the waterline W2 of the main tank 73 of the ink jet recording apparatus 1, that is, while maintaining the water head pressure d2. Is configured to be supplied to the discharge port 63 of the recording inkjet head 61, the clogging of the discharge port 63 can be suppressed.

  The present invention is not limited to the oil-based pigment ink of the present embodiment, and can also be applied to ink that causes aggregation of the ink composition by being left in a non-ejection state, and an ink jet recording apparatus using the ink.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Schematic explaining the ink reproduction apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an ink regeneration inkjet head provided in the ink regeneration apparatus of FIG. 1. Sectional drawing shown along the III-III line in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an ink receiving portion provided in the ink regeneration device of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an ink receiving portion in a form different from that of FIG. 4. Sectional drawing which shows the ink receiving part of a form different from FIG.4 and FIG.5. Sectional drawing which shows the ink receiving part of a form different from FIGS. Sectional drawing which shows the ink receiving part of a form different from FIGS. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an ink jet recording apparatus including the ink reproducing apparatus of FIG. 1. Schematic explaining the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control system of the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 9. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ink jet recording apparatus including an ink reproducing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inkjet recording apparatus, 2 ... Recording medium, 3 ... Paper feeding apparatus, 7 ... Recording medium conveyance apparatus, 10 ... Ink storage part, 11 ... 1st liquid feeding means (1st liquid feeding pump), 12B ... Replenishing means (replenishing tank), 13 ... Ink-recovering inkjet head, 14 ... Ink receiving part, 15 ... Ink collecting / reserving part (reproducing ink tank), 40a, 40b ... Landing plate, 50a ... Ejection port, 51 ... Ink chamber ( Pressure chamber), 52 ... Ink chamber (common ink chamber), 60 ... Second ink supply device, 61 ... Recording ink jet head, 72c ... Communication means (communication pipe), 79 ... Opening / closing body (three-way valve) 100 ... Ink Reproduction device 101 ... first ink supply device 102 ... ink recovery device Na ... reproduction ink M ... ink droplet

Claims (8)

An ink reproducing ink jet head having an ink chamber for containing ink, and a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting the ink contained in the ink chamber;
A first ink supply device provided in communication with the ink chamber;
An ink recovery apparatus comprising: an ink recovery device that recovers ink ejected from a plurality of ejection ports of the ink regeneration inkjet head. The first ink supply device is provided so as to communicate with an ink chamber of the inkjet head for ink regeneration, and an ink reservoir for accumulating ink to be supplied to the ink chamber of the inkjet head for ink regeneration;
Replenishment means for replenishing ink to the ink reservoir;
First liquid feeding means for feeding the ink in the ink reservoir to the ink chamber of the ink regenerating ink jet head, and
The ink recovery device includes an ink receiving portion that captures ink droplets ejected from an ejection port of the inkjet head for ink regeneration,
2. An ink regenerating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an ink collecting and storing unit that is provided so as to communicate with the ink receiving unit and collects and stores the ink captured by the ink receiving unit.   The ink reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ink receiving portion includes a landing plate that collides ink droplets ejected from a plurality of ejection ports of the ink reproducing ink jet head. A first ink supply provided in communication with the ink chamber in the ink chamber of an ink-reproducing ink jet head having an ink chamber containing ink and a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting ink contained in the ink chamber Supplying ink from the apparatus;
Discharging the ink supplied from the first ink supply device to the ink chamber from the plurality of discharge ports;
And a step of recovering ink discharged from the plurality of discharge ports by an ink recovery device.   Ink is supplied by a first ink supply device provided in communication with the ink chamber in an ink reproducing ink jet head having an ink chamber for storing ink and a plurality of discharge ports for discharging the ink stored in the ink chamber. Regenerated ink that is supplied and collected by an ink collecting device that collects ink discharged from a plurality of discharge ports of the ink reproducing ink jet head. A recording medium transporting device for transporting a recording medium supplied from a paper feeding device;
The recording medium having an ink chamber for storing ink and a plurality of ejection ports for discharging the ink stored in the ink chamber, and arranged to face the recording medium conveyed by the recording medium conveying device An inkjet head for recording that forms a desired image on
An ink regenerating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The ink recovery device is provided in communication with the ink recovery device so that the regenerated ink recovered by the ink recovery device provided in the ink recovery device, and the regenerated ink supplied from the ink recovery device is used as the recording ink jet. And a second ink supply device provided so as to be supplied to the ink chamber of the head. A recording medium transporting device for transporting a recording medium supplied from a paper feeding device;
The recording medium having an ink chamber for storing ink and a plurality of ejection ports for discharging the ink stored in the ink chamber, and arranged to face the recording medium conveyed by the recording medium conveying device An inkjet head for recording that forms a desired image on
An ink regenerating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Second ink provided in communication with the ink chamber of the recording ink-jet head so as to supply the regenerated ink stored in the ink collection and storage section of the ink reproducing device to the ink chamber of the recording ink-jet head An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a supply device;
Communicating means for communicating the ink collecting and storing section and the ink storing section provided in the ink regeneration device;
A second liquid feeding means for feeding the regenerated ink from the ink collection and storage section;
Provided in a downstream portion of the second liquid feeding means, closes between the ink collection and storage section and the second ink supply device and communicates between the ink collection and storage section and the ink storage section. Switchable between a first state and a second state in which communication between the ink collection and storage unit and the ink storage unit is closed and communication between the ink collection and storage unit and the second ink supply device is made. An ink jet recording apparatus. A recording medium transporting device for transporting a recording medium supplied from a paper feeding device;
The recording medium having an ink chamber for storing ink and a plurality of ejection ports for discharging the ink stored in the ink chamber, and arranged to face the recording medium conveyed by the recording medium conveying device An inkjet head for recording that forms a desired image on
A regenerated ink according to claim 5 is stored, and a second ink is provided in communication with the ink chamber of the recording ink jet head so as to supply the regenerated ink to the ink chamber of the recording ink jet head. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising an ink supply device.

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