JP2007076075A - Ink jet recording method and recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance cleaning efficiency of a wiper when such a head as ejection became unstable due to coloring agent fixed to the nozzle surface portion is cleaned with the wiper by imparting processing liquid to the vicinity of a nozzle thereby dissolving or dispersing the coloring agent, and to prevent the nozzle from drying up easily when a recorder is stopped for a long term and the head is stored while being covered with a moisturing cap or a suction cap by ejecting the processing liquid into the cap. <P>SOLUTION: The ink jet recorder comprises a head having a nozzle which can dissolve or disperse the component in recording liquid and ejects processing liquid containing more preservative/mold preventive when water is a major component. When the processing liquid itself is sprayed previously to a paper, generation of mist due to electrostatic charge can be prevented even in case of an ink jet printer having a conveyor belt using an electrostatic attraction belt. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet printer.

Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-234174) describes a method for supplying a solution to a cap, and has a feature that a solution supply port is provided on the cap side. It can be quite needed.
Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-182098) describes a method in which a moisture detection sensor is provided in a cap and ink is discharged according to the signal to keep the inside of the cap moist. However, the ink has a drawback that the moisturizing effect is small, a large amount of ink is required, and the waste liquid tank is filled up quickly.
Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-154681) discloses that a dye ink is preliminarily discharged into a pigment ink cap in order to prevent thickening and fixing of the pigment ink, which is more likely to be thickened and fixed than the dye ink. However, unlike the present invention, it is difficult to avoid undesired color mixing of inks.
Further, in Patent Document 4 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-164463), ink is ejected by driving a recording head and ejecting ink toward an ink adsorbing member made of a sponge facing the ink receiving means. Although it is described that the ink fixed to the periphery of the outlet is allowed to flow, unlike the present invention, there is a problem similar to the problem of the technique described in Patent Document 2.
Further, Patent Document 5 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-334961) is characterized in that an ink cartridge containing moisture for supplying moisture to the periphery of the nozzle sealed by a leaving cap is provided. A printing apparatus is disclosed. However, water alone has the disadvantage that it tends to generate mold during long-term storage and cannot be used in practice.

JP 2002-234174 A JP 2003-182098 A JP 2003-154681 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-164463 JP 2003-334916 A

An object of the present invention is to use a wiper by applying a treatment liquid to the vicinity of a nozzle to dissolve or disperse the colorant when cleaning the head, which has become unstable jetting due to the colorant adhering to the nozzle surface. It is to improve the cleaning efficiency.
Further, when the head is covered with a moisture retaining cap or a suction cap during a long-term stop and stored, the inside of the cap needs to be moisturized. When the inside of the cap is in a dry state, the ink in the nozzle tends to dry. Therefore, the processing liquid is discharged into the cap to increase the humidity in the cap and make the nozzle difficult to dry.
The present invention includes printing the processing liquid (B) itself on a recording medium according to an image signal, and particularly eliminating the graininess in the low image density region.
The present invention includes preventing mist generation even in an ink jet printer apparatus having a transport belt using an electrostatic attraction belt by spraying the treatment liquid (B) itself onto paper in advance.

The said subject is solved by (1)-(18) of this invention.
(1) “A head having a nozzle that can dissolve or disperse the components in the recording liquid (A) and discharges the processing liquid (B) containing water as a main component and optionally containing an antiseptic / antifungal agent. Inkjet recording apparatus characterized by being provided "
(2) “A processing liquid containing water as a main component, which can dissolve or disperse the components in the recording liquid (A) in the vicinity of the nozzle that discharges the recording liquid (A) in the same head surface. Inkjet recording apparatus provided with a nozzle for discharging (B) "
(3) “A suction cap that covers and sucks the recording head surface having the nozzle of the recording liquid (A) and the nozzle of the processing liquid (B), and the nozzle of the processing liquid (B) and the recording liquid (A The cleaning liquid for wiping the head surface with at least the processing liquid (B) adhering to the recording liquid (A) in the vicinity of the recording liquid (A) by simultaneously sucking both liquids from the nozzles of Is from the treatment liquid nozzle side to the recording liquid nozzle side.
(4) “Processing liquid containing water as a main component and capable of dissolving or dispersing the components in the recording liquid (A) in the vicinity of the nozzle for discharging the recording liquid (A) in the same head surface. In the ink jet recording apparatus characterized in that a nozzle for discharging B) is provided, the number of nozzles for discharging recording liquid is different from the number of nozzles for discharging processing liquid, or the nozzle diameter is different even if the number of nozzles is the same. The inkjet recording apparatus according to item (2) or (3) "
(5) “After printing, before or after the head is placed in the suction cap or moisturizing cap, the processing liquid (B) is stored in a cap state after being discharged into the suction cap or moisturizing cap. Inkjet recording apparatus according to item (1) or (4) "
(6) A wiping device having a timely and appropriate amount discharge means for discharging ink in a timely and appropriate amount for purposes other than printing for stable ejection, and scraping off the ink in a container that receives the discharged ink when it becomes solid (1) to (5), characterized in that a smooth scraping operation is possible by means for discharging the treatment liquid (B) to an ink receiving portion. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of
(7) “Inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6) above, which is a page printer having no sub-operation”
(8) “Inkjet printer apparatus having transport belt using electrostatic attraction belt, characterized by having spraying means for spraying treatment liquid (B) mainly composed of water on paper before printing. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7)
(9) “Inkjet recording apparatus according to item (8), wherein the spraying means is spraying means for spraying the processing liquid (B) in a mist”.
(10) The recording liquid (A) is a high-viscosity ink containing a colorant and having a viscosity at 25 ° C. of 7 mPas or more, according to any one of (1) to (9), Inkjet recording apparatus "
(11) “The main component of the processing liquid (B) is water, and has means for printing the processing liquid (B) at the same location before or after the recording liquid (A) is printed on a recording medium. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of items (1) to (10), wherein recording at a low image density is possible.
(12) Item (1) to Item (11), wherein the recording liquid (A) contains a polymer emulsion in which a polymer fine particle contains a water-insoluble or hardly soluble colorant as a colorant. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of
(13) “Low pigment concentration recording liquid containing the same amount of the colorant of the processing liquid (B) as that of the recording liquid (A) or a similar colorant to the recording liquid (A)” The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of (1) to (12) above,
(14) "The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the recording liquid (A) contains a resin"
(15) "Inkjet recording method using the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of (1) to (14)"
(16) “It contains a pH adjuster and is used in the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of (1) to (14) or the ink jet recording method according to (15). Processing liquid (B) characterized by being "
(17) In the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of (1) to (14) above, or the ink jet recording method according to (15), characterized by containing a surfactant. Treatment liquid characterized by being used (B) "
(18) The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of (1) to (14) or the (15), wherein the inkjet recording apparatus is filtered with a filter of 5 μm or less. The treatment liquid (B), which is used in the inkjet recording method of

In the present invention, (1) components in the recording liquid (A), for example, a colorant and a resin, can be dissolved or dispersed in the ink jet recording apparatus. Cleaning efficiency can be increased by providing a head having a nozzle that discharges the processing liquid (B) containing this (this may be simply referred to as “processing liquid” in the following description). (2) In addition, in the vicinity of the nozzle for discharging the recording liquid (A) containing the colorant, the components in the recording liquid (A) such as the colorant and the resin are dissolved or dispersed. By providing the nozzle for discharging the processing liquid (B) containing water as a main component, the processing liquid nozzle and the recording liquid nozzle are on the same head surface, so that the wiping cleaning efficiency is improved and the recording liquid is increased. (3) A suction cap that covers and sucks the recording head surface having the nozzles of the recording liquid (A) and the nozzles of the processing liquid (B), and the processing liquid (B ) And the recording liquid (A) nozzle are simultaneously sucked into the cap to wipe the head surface with at least the processing liquid (B) adhering to the vicinity of the recording liquid (A) nozzle. In addition, the efficiency of washing the recording liquid nozzle portion with the processing liquid is increased by changing the wiping direction from the processing liquid side to the recording liquid nozzle side, and (4) a nozzle for discharging the recording liquid. By changing the number of nozzles and the number of nozzles that discharge processing liquid, or by changing the nozzle diameter even if the number of nozzles is the same, the ratio of the recording liquid to the processing liquid during cap suction is changed. It is possible to increase the amount of the processing liquid that is the cleaning liquid, or in the opposite case, to decrease the processing liquid. (5) After the treatment liquid (B) sucks out a certain amount in the suction cap or moisturizing cap, the cap state (6) In addition, for stable jetting, it is possible to discharge the ink in a timely and appropriate amount for a purpose other than printing, or in a timely and appropriate amount discharging step. When the ink in the container that receives the discharged ink is hardened, it is possible to make the waste ink scraping operation smooth by wiping off the ink. (7) Inkjet recording apparatus that is a page printer without sub-operation When using a line head, it is difficult to maintain the ejection stability due to the use of a line head. By providing a treatment liquid that is mostly water, it is possible to prevent the nozzles of the recording liquid from drying. (8) In addition, an ink jet printer apparatus having a conveyance belt using an electrostatic adsorption belt has water as a main component. Electrostatic spraying by providing spraying means for spraying the processing liquid (B) onto the paper portion before printing, and (9) the spraying means being spraying means for spraying the processing liquid (B) in a mist form. In the case of a paper transport belt using a belt, it is effective to give water to the paper in order to prevent ink droplets from being charged by the static electricity of the belt and disturbing ink ejection. (10) Recording liquid containing the colorant However, even with a high viscosity ink having a viscosity at 25 ° C. of 7 mPas or more and easy to fix the ink, the jetting can be stabilized. (11) In addition, the treatment liquid (B) (mostly water) is defined. The low image density dot is printed to prevent graininess in the low image density area, and the main component of the processing liquid (B) is water, and the recording liquid (A) is recorded. By printing the treatment liquid (B) at the same location before or after printing on the medium, it becomes possible to record at a low image density. (12) Water-insoluble or sparingly soluble in polymer fine particles where pigments easily adhere to the nozzle. (13) Also, the processing liquid (B) is the same as or similar to the colorant of the recording liquid (A). By being an ink jet recording apparatus that is a low pigment concentration recording liquid containing an agent in an amount of 1/3 or less of the recording liquid (A), the treatment liquid itself can also serve as the low colorant concentration liquid of the recording liquid. 14) Resin adheres to the nozzle Nozzle cleaning is facilitated even recording liquid containing pancreatic resin. In addition, (16) the treatment liquid (B) contains a pH adjuster, so that the pH can be adjusted to improve wettability, and (17) the treatment liquid (B) can be obtained by containing a surfactant. The surface tension can be lowered to make it easy to dry. (18) By being filtered with a filter of 5 μm or less, reliability is improved except for impurity particles.
The antiseptic and antifungal agent is effective when used for a long period of time, but is not necessarily required if it is used for a short period of time such that the processing solution is sequentially replaced.

That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to increase the cleaning efficiency by providing a nozzle for discharging the processing liquid (= “processing liquid (B)”, the same applies hereinafter). Further, the treatment liquid nozzle and the colorant nozzle are the same head surface, and the colorant nozzle can be prevented from being clogged. Further, the cleaning efficiency of the recording liquid nozzle is improved by the processing liquid. In addition, the inside of the cap can be moisturized. Further, the waste ink scraping operation can be made smooth. Further, the granularity of the low image density region can be prevented by printing the processing liquid (mostly water) on the image to form low image density dots. In addition, the pH is adjusted to improve the wettability. In addition, the surface tension of the treatment liquid is lowered with a surfactant to facilitate drying. Further, reliability is improved except for impurity particles. The processing liquid itself can also serve as a low colorant concentration liquid for the recording liquid. Generally, when a low image density portion is printed with a high colorant density ink, the graininess deteriorates. Thus, light colorant inks are often used. Since this is below the saturation solubility of the colorant, it has the function of a treatment liquid for dissolving and dispersing in high colorant concentration ink. Accordingly, the cleaning property of the nozzle portion of the high density ink is improved by bringing the low density ink jet nozzle and the high density ink jet nozzle close to each other and discharging the low density ink at the time of wiping to replace the cleaning liquid. Accordingly, in the present invention, “water is a“ main component ”” means that water is 100% by weight or less, water is more than 50% by weight, as in ordinary inkjet inks, and other water-soluble or water-miscible materials. Meaning that the content of a dry solid component such as a colorant that solidifies when dried may be smaller than that of a normal inkjet ink (solid component content of 30% or less). To do. Also, 100% water may be used for short-term use.
Further, since the page printer uses a line head, it is difficult to maintain ejection stability. Therefore, by providing a treatment liquid mostly water in the vicinity of the recording liquid nozzle as in the present invention, it is possible to prevent the recording liquid nozzle from drying.
Further, in the case of a paper conveyance belt using an electrostatic adsorption belt, ink droplets may be charged by the static electricity of the belt, and ink ejection may be disturbed. In order to prevent this, it is effective to give moisture to the paper.
Furthermore, it is also ejected in high-viscosity inks, resin-containing inks, and pigment inks containing polymer emulsions in which water-insoluble or sparingly soluble colorants are contained in polymer fine particles, in which the ink easily adheres to the nozzles and empty discharge receiving portions. Can be stabilized.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ink jet recording apparatus.
The ink jet recording apparatus includes an apparatus main body (1), a paper feed tray (2) for loading paper as a recording medium mounted on the apparatus main body (1), and an image mounted on the apparatus main body (1). And a paper discharge tray (3) for stocking the recorded (formed) paper. Further, one end of the front surface (4) of the apparatus body (1) protrudes forward from the front surface (4). The cartridge loading section (6) is lower than the upper surface (5), and operation sections (7) such as operation keys and a display are arranged on the upper surface of the cartridge loading section (6). The cartridge loading section (6) has an openable / closable front cover (8) for attaching and detaching an ink cartridge (10) which is a liquid storage tank (main tank). Although only four cartridges (colorants: black, cyan, magenta, yellow) are shown in FIG. 1, one to four cartridges for processing liquids (for colorant inks that require processing liquids) are also shown. ) Will be installed. In some cases, a treatment liquid such as a color with high ejection reliability is not necessary.

Next, the mechanism part of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining the overall configuration of the mechanism unit, and FIG.
A carriage (13) is slidably held in the main scanning direction by a guide rod (11) and a stay (12), which are guide members horizontally mounted on left and right side plates (not shown). Move and scan in the direction of the arrow.
On this carriage (13), a recording head (14) comprising an ink jet head for ejecting ink droplets is arranged in a direction crossing the main scanning direction, and the ink droplet ejection direction is directed downward. is doing.
Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the recording head (14) also has a nozzle row (14 yn) composed of a number of nozzles (N) that eject yellow (Y) ink droplets and ink droplets of processing liquid. A droplet discharge head (14a) having a nozzle row (14syn) composed of a large number of nozzles (N) for discharging, a head (14mn, 14smn) having a magenta nozzle row and a nozzle row for treatment liquid, and cyan similarly. The head (14cn, 14scn) having a nozzle row and a nozzle row for processing liquid, and the head (14kn, 14skn) having a nozzle row for black and a processing liquid nozzle row (14kn, 14skn).

Hereinafter, description will be made with the head configuration of FIG.
As an ink-jet head constituting a recording head (14; used in the meaning of a plurality of heads), a phase change due to liquid film boiling using a piezoelectric actuator such as a piezoelectric element or an electrothermal transducer such as a heating resistor. It is possible to use a thermal actuator that uses a magnetic phase change, a shape memory alloy actuator that uses a metal phase change due to a temperature change, an electrostatic actuator that uses an electrostatic force, etc. as an energy generating means for ejecting ink. A head using an actuator (piezoelectric element) as energy generating means is mounted.

Further, the carriage (13) is equipped with a sub tank (15), which is a liquid container of each color, for supplying each color ink to each nozzle row of the recording head (14). The sub tank (15) is supplementarily supplied with ink from the main tanks of the respective colors described above via the ink supply tube (16). Here, the main tank (10) accommodates yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (Bk) inks and processing liquids corresponding to the respective colors. A total of eight cartridges (four recording liquids, four processing liquids) (only four are shown in the figure).
FIG. 5 shows a state in which the colored ink and the processing liquid are supplied to the respective sub tanks (15 right and left) and are mounted on the same head surface. A total of four heads each provided with such a treatment liquid and colored ink sub-tank on the same head surface are provided for each color (if necessary). Such two sub-tanks provided on one head surface is known from Ricoh Manufacturing Ipcio G505. In the Ypsio G505, each of the sub tanks is filled with different colors of ink, but in the present invention, it becomes colored ink and processing liquid. .
If the recording liquid does not need to be fixed and does not require a processing liquid, both nozzles may be used as the recording liquid. Further, each processing liquid may be a light density ink in which the colorant concentration of the corresponding recording liquid is reduced.

  On the other hand, as a sheet feeding unit for feeding the sheet (22) stacked on the sheet stacking unit (pressure plate) (21) of the sheet feeding tray (2), the sheet (22) is fed from the sheet stacking unit (21). Opposite to the half-moon roller (sheet feeding roller) (23) and the sheet feeding roller (23) for separating and feeding one sheet at a time, a separation pad (24) made of a material having a large friction coefficient is provided, and this separation pad (24) is fed. The paper roller (23) is biased.

  Then, as a transport unit for transporting the paper (22) fed from the paper feed unit below the recording head (14), a transport belt (for electrostatically attracting and transporting the paper (22)) 31), a counter roller (32) for conveying the paper (22) sent from the paper supply unit via the guide (25) between the conveyance belt (31), and substantially vertically upward. A conveyance guide (33) for changing the direction of the sheet (22) by approximately 90 ° to follow the conveyance belt (31), and a tip biasing force applied to the conveyance belt (31) side by a pressing member (34). A pressure roller (35). Further, a charging roller (36) which is a charging means for charging the surface of the transport belt (31) is provided.

  Here, the conveyance belt (31) is an endless belt, and is configured to wrap around the conveyance roller (37) and the tension roller (38) and circulate in the belt conveyance direction of FIG. Yes. The charging roller (36) is arranged so as to contact the surface layer of the conveyor belt (31) and rotate following the rotation of the conveyor belt (31), and apply 2.5N to both ends of the shaft as a pressing force. ing.

  In addition, a guide member (41) is disposed on the back side of the conveyor belt (31) so as to correspond to a printing area by the recording head (14). The upper surface of the guide member (41) protrudes closer to the recording head (14) than the tangent line between the two rollers (the conveyance roller (37) and the tension roller (38)) that supports the conveyance belt (31). As a result, the conveyance belt (31) is pushed up and guided by the upper surface of the guide member (41) in the printing region, so that highly accurate flatness is maintained.

  Further, a plurality of grooves are formed in the main scanning direction, that is, in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, on the surface side of the guide member (41) that contacts the back surface of the transport belt (31). , So that the conveyor belt (31) can smoothly move along the surface of the guide member (41).

  Further, as a paper discharge unit for discharging the paper (22) recorded by the recording head (14), a separation claw (51) for separating the paper (22) from the transport belt (31), and paper discharge A roller (52) and a paper discharge roller (53) are provided, and a paper discharge tray (3) is provided below the paper discharge roller (52). Here, the height from the discharge roller (52) and the discharge roller (53) to the discharge tray (3) is increased to some extent in order to increase the amount that can be stored in the discharge tray (3). Yes.

  A double-sided paper feeding unit (61) is detachably mounted on the back surface of the apparatus main body (1). The double-sided paper feeding unit (61) takes in the paper (22) returned by the reverse rotation of the transport belt (31), reverses it, and feeds it again between the counter roller (32) and the transport belt (11). . In addition, a manual paper feed unit (62) is provided on the upper surface of the double-sided paper feed unit (61).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the non-printing area on one side (or both sides) of the carriage (13) in the scanning direction, the state of the nozzle of the recording head (14) is maintained and maintained for recovery. A recovery mechanism (hereinafter referred to as “subsystem”) (71) is arranged. The subsystem (71) includes a cap member (72A, 72B, 72C, 72D) for capping each nozzle surface of the recording head (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d) and a wiper for wiping the nozzle surface. Blade (73) and the like.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus configured as described above, the paper (22) is separated and fed one by one from the paper feed tray (2), and the paper (22) fed substantially vertically upward is guided by the guide (25). Then, the sheet is sandwiched between the conveying belt (31) and the counter roller (32) and conveyed, and further, the leading end is guided by the conveying guide (33) and pressed against the conveying belt (31) by the leading end pressure roller (35). The direction of conveyance is changed by about 90 °.

  At this time, a positive voltage and a negative output are alternately repeated from the high voltage power source to the charging roller (36) by a control circuit (not shown), that is, an alternating voltage is applied, and the charging voltage at which the conveying belt (31) alternates. In the pattern, that is, the sub-scanning direction which is the circumferential direction, plus and minus are alternately charged in a band shape with a predetermined width. When the sheet (22) is fed onto the conveyance belt (31) charged alternately with plus and minus, the sheet (22) is electrostatically attracted to the conveyance belt (31), and the conveyance belt (31) The sheet (22) is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the circular movement.

Therefore, by driving the recording head (14) according to the image signal while moving the carriage (13), ink droplets are ejected onto the stopped sheet (22) to record one line, and the sheet ( 22) After carrying a predetermined amount, the next line is recorded. Upon receiving a recording end signal or a signal indicating that the rear end of the paper (22) has reached the recording area, the recording operation is finished, and the paper (22) is discharged onto the paper discharge tray (3).
During printing (recording) standby, the carriage (13) is moved to the subsystem (71) side, and the recording heads (14a), (72D) are moved by the caps (72A), (72B), (72C), (72D). 14b), (14c), and (14d) are capped, and the nozzle is kept in a wet state to prevent ejection failure due to ink drying. Also, recovery that ejects ink not related to recording before starting recording or during recording is performed. Operate to maintain stable discharge performance.

  Next, details of the ink supply device which is a liquid supply device in the recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a portion related to the ink supply device, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the sub tank (only one side of the sub tank is shown in the figure, but another sub tank is overlapped on the back surface. 7 is a schematic side view of the sub-tank, and FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

  As described above, this ink supply device is mounted on the carriage (13) and has a sub tank (15) which is a liquid container for supplying ink and processing liquid to each recording head (14 (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d)). The sub tank (15) is constituted by a main tank (ink cartridge) (10) for supplying and replenishing ink via a supply tube (16).

  One sub-tank (15) seals an opening (one surface of the sub-tank (15)) of the ink container (100) to a container body (case body) (101) that forms an ink container (100) for containing ink. A flexible film-like member (flexible film-like member) (102) to be stopped is attached by adhesion or welding, and the case body (101) and the film-like member ( 102) is provided with a spring (103) which is an elastic member for urging the film-like member (102) outward.

  Here, the film-like member (102) may have a single-layer structure, but as shown in FIG. 8 (a), a two-layer structure in which different types of the first layer (102a) and the second layer (102b) are laminated. For example, a film-like member made of polyethylene and nylon is laminated, or a silica vapor deposition layer (102c) is formed on the first layer (102a) as shown in FIG.

  By forming the film-like member (102) with two or more layers of different types, it is possible to improve the liquid resistance against the ink to be stored. In this case, by adopting a laminated structure of polyethylene and nylon, it is possible to reliably ensure liquid resistance against ink. Moreover, the liquid resistance with respect to the ink accommodated can also be improved by including a silica vapor deposition layer in the film-like member (102).

  Moreover, it is preferable that it is 10-100 micrometers about the thickness of a film-form member (102). If the thickness is less than 10 μm, damage due to deterioration with time is likely to occur, and if it exceeds 100 μm, flexibility may be reduced and it may be difficult to efficiently generate negative pressure.

  Further, a bulge portion (102d) having a convex shape corresponding to the spring (103) is formed on the film-like member (102), and the reinforcing member (104) is attached to the outer surface thereof. Thus, the elastic member (here, the spring) (103) can be stably held by providing the convex portion on the flexible film-like member (102). In this case, the flexible film-like member (102) can be easily formed by forming a sheet-like film member into a convex shape.

  In addition, the case (101) is provided with an ink introduction path (111) for replenishing ink to the ink containing section (100), and the supply connected to the ink introduction path (111) and the ink cartridge (10). A connecting means (112) for connecting the tube (16) can be detachably mounted. A liquid feed pump as described later is provided between the ink cartridge (10) and the sub tank (15) in order to pressure-feed ink from the ink cartridge (10) to the sub tank (15).

  Further, a connecting member (113) for supplying ink from the ink containing portion (100) to the recording head (14) is attached to the lower portion of the case (101), and the recording head (14) is attached to the connecting member (113). The ink supply path (114) is formed, and a filter (115) is interposed between the ink storage section (100) and the ink storage section (100).

  An air flow path (121) for discharging air from the ink containing part (100) is formed in the upper part of the case (101). The air channel (121) includes an inlet channel part (122) whose opening faces the ink containing part (100), and a channel part (this is referred to as an “orthogonal channel part”) following the inlet channel part (122). (123) and communicates with the atmosphere opening hole (131) provided in the case (101) on the downstream side, and further in the portion lower than the atmosphere opening hole (131) in use. (126) is formed continuously.

  The atmosphere release hole (131) is provided with an atmosphere release valve mechanism (132) which is an atmosphere release means for switching between the sealed state and the atmosphere release state in the sub tank (15). The air release valve mechanism (132) includes a valve seat (134) in a holder (133), a ball (135) as a valve body, and a spring (136) that urges the ball (135) toward the valve seat (134). Is housed and configured.

  The operation of the storage unit (126) will be described. When the apparatus main body is tilted or shaken, there is a high possibility that ink will enter the air flow path (121). Therefore, the ink that has entered from the air flow path (121) can be accumulated in the accumulating section (126), and even if the ink is dropped during transportation and the ink enters, the atmosphere opening (131) and the atmosphere opening that opens and closes the atmosphere opening port (131). The air release valve mechanism (132) is prevented from malfunctioning due to ink entering the valve mechanism (132) and hardening.

  In addition, two detection electrodes (141) for detecting that the amount of ink in the sub tank (15) has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount (this state is “no ink”) is provided above the case (101). ), (142). The conduction state between the detection electrodes (141) and (142) changes between a state in which the detection electrodes (141) and (142) are both immersed in ink and a state in which at least one of the detection electrodes is not immersed in ink. Can detect the absence of ink.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, an air release pin (153) for releasing the air by pressing the ball (135) of the air release valve mechanism (132) of the sub tank (15) against the spring (136) is provided. It is arranged to be able to advance and retreat. A drive unit (162) having a lever (161) for operating the air release pin (153) is disposed on the apparatus main body side.

  Here, in order to arrange the two sub tanks (15), (15) for one recording head (14), the back surfaces of the two sub tanks (15), (15) are arranged as shown in FIG. They are integrated together. In this case, the partition wall portion (100a) between the two ink storage portions (100) can be shared. One side of the sub tank is a recording liquid and one side is a processing liquid. Further, the treatment liquid may be a low pigment concentration recording liquid in which the colorant concentration of the recording liquid is reduced.

  In the ink supply apparatus configured as described above, the air release pin (153) is operated by the drive unit (162) to open the air release valve mechanism (132) of the sub tank (15), so that the sub tank ( 15) The inside is released into the atmosphere.

Then, the ink is supplied from the ink cartridge (10) to the sub tank (15) by the liquid supply mechanism and supplied. At this time, the air in the sub tank (15) is exhausted through the atmosphere release valve mechanism (132).
Since the urging force of the spring (103) is applied to the flexible film member (102), a negative pressure is generated in the sub tank (15).

  Thus, since the negative pressure can be generated in the sub-tank by the flexible film-like member and the elastic member, the negative pressure generating mechanism is simplified.

Next, the configuration of the subsystem (71) will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is an explanatory plan view of the system, and FIG. 10 is a schematic schematic diagram of the same (FIG. 10 does not show two other suction caps (72C) and (72D)).
The frame (211) has four cap holders (212A), (212B), (212C), (212D), an empty discharge receptacle (213), and a wiper that is a wiping member including an elastic body as a cleaning means. The blade (73) and the carriage lock (215) are held so as to be movable up and down.

  In the cap holders (212A), (212B), (212C), (212D) (hereinafter collectively referred to as “cap holder (212)”), the recording heads (14a), (14b), (14c) are provided. ) And (14d) are held with caps (72A), (72B), (72C) and (72D) (hereinafter referred to as “cap (72)”).

  Here, a tube pump (suction pump) (220), which is a suction means, is connected to the cap (72A) held by the cap holder (212A) closest to the printing area via a tube (219). The caps (72B), (72C), and (72D) are not connected to the tube pump (220). That is, only the cap (72A) is a recovery and moisture retention cap, and the other caps (72B), (72C) and (72D) are merely moisture retention caps. Therefore, when the recovery operation of the recording head (14) or the ink supply operation to the sub tank (15) is performed, the head (14) is selectively moved to a capping position by the cap (72A).

  Further, a cam shaft (221) is rotatably disposed below the cap holders (212A), (212B), (212C), (212D), and the cap shaft (221A) is provided on the cam shaft (221). ), (212B), (212C), (212D) cap cams (222A), (222B), (222C), (222D) for raising and lowering, and wiper cams for raising and lowering the wiper blade (73) ( 224) and a carriage lock cam (227) for raising and lowering the carriage lock (215) via the carriage lock arm (217).

  Further, a wiper cleaner (218) for cleaning the wiper blade (73) can be swung in the direction indicated by an arrow on the printing area side of the wiper blade (73), and separated from the wiper blade (73) by a spring (not shown). A wiper cleaner cam (228) for swinging the wiper cleaner (218) is provided on the cam shaft (221).

Here, the cap (72) is moved up and down by the cap cams (222A), (222B), (222C), and (222D). The wiper blade (73) is lifted and lowered by the wiper cam (224), and when the wiper cleaner (218) is advanced, the wiper blade (73) is lowered while being sandwiched between the wiper cleaner (218) and the empty discharge receiver (213). Then, the ink adhering to the wiper blade (73) is scraped off to the empty ejection receiver (213).
Ink often solidifies in the empty discharge receptacle. So there is a scraping mechanism to scrape it off.
Specifically, the wiper structure scrapes ink in one direction. When the processing liquid is printed on this portion, the ink is scraped off smoothly.

The carriage lock (215) is urged upward (in the lock direction) by a compression spring (not shown) and is raised and lowered by the carriage lock arm (217).
Then, in order to rotationally drive the tube pump (220) and the cam shaft (221), the rotation of the motor (231) is transferred to the motor gear (232) provided on the motor shaft (231a) to the pump shaft (220). 220a) is engaged with a pump gear (233), and an intermediate gear (236) with a one-way clutch (237) is connected to the intermediate gear (234) integrated with the pump gear (233) via the intermediate gear (235). The cam gear (240) fixed to the cam shaft (221) via the intermediate gear (239) is engaged with the intermediate gear (238) coaxial with the intermediate gear (236).

  The cam shaft (221) is provided with a home position sensor cam (241) for detecting the home position, and the cap (72) is the lowermost end of the home position sensor (not shown) provided in the subsystem (71). , The home position lever (not shown) is operated, and the sensor is opened to detect the home position of the motor (231) (other than the pump (220)). When the power is turned on, the cap (72) (cap holder (212)) moves up and down (up and down) regardless of the position, the position detection is not performed until the movement is started, and the home position of the cap (72) is being raised. After the detection, the determined amount is moved to the lowest end. Thereafter, the carriage moves left and right, returns to the cap position after position detection, and the recording head (14) is capped.

  In this subsystem (71), when the motor (231) rotates forward, the motor gear (232), the intermediate gear (233), the pump gear (234), the intermediate gears (235) and (236) are rotated, and the tube As the shaft (220a) of the pump (220) rotates, the tube pump (220) operates to suck the inside of the recovery / humidity retention cap (72A). Since the other gears (238) and thereafter are blocked by the one-way clutch (237), they do not rotate (activate).

  Since the one-way clutch (237) is connected by the reverse rotation of the motor (231), the rotation of the motor (231) causes the motor gear (232), the intermediate gear (233), the pump gear (234), and the intermediate gear (235). ), (236), (238), (239) and transmitted to the cam gear (240), and the cam shaft (221) rotates. At this time, the tube pump (220) is structured not to rotate by the reverse rotation of the pump shaft (220a).

Next, an outline of the control unit of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.
The control unit (280) includes a CPU (281) that controls the entire apparatus, a program executed by the CPU (281), a ROM (282) that stores other fixed data, and a RAM that temporarily stores image data and the like. (283), a non-volatile memory (NVRAM) (284) for holding data even while the power of the apparatus is cut off, image processing for performing various signal processing, rearrangement, etc. on the image data, and other entire apparatus And an ASIC (285) for processing input / output signals for controlling the control.

  The control unit (280) includes an I / F (286) for transmitting / receiving data and signals to / from the host side, a head drive control unit (287) for driving and controlling the recording head (14), and A head driver (288), a main scanning motor driving unit (291) for driving the main scanning motor (290), a sub scanning motor driving unit (293) for driving the sub scanning motor (292), and a subsystem A sub-system driving unit (294) for driving the motor (231) of (71), a sub-tank driving unit (295) for driving the driving unit (162) for releasing the sub-tank (15) to the atmosphere, and a sub-tank An I / O (296) for inputting detection signals from the detection electrodes (141) and (142) of (15) and detection signals from various sensors (not shown) is provided.

In addition, an operation panel (297) for inputting and displaying information necessary for the apparatus is connected to the control unit (280).
The control unit (280) receives print data from the host side such as an information processing device such as a personal computer, an image reading device such as an image scanner, and an imaging device such as a digital camera via an I / F (286). ).

  Then, the CPU (281) reads and analyzes the print data in the reception buffer included in the I / F (286), performs necessary image processing, data rearrangement processing, and the like in the ASIC (285), and performs the head processing. The image data is transferred to the drive control unit (287). The generation of dot pattern data for image output may be performed by storing font data in, for example, the ROM (282), or the image data is developed into bitmap data by a printer driver on the host side. You may make it forward to.

  Upon receiving image data (dot pattern data) corresponding to one row of the recording head (14), the head drive control unit (287) synchronizes the dot pattern data for one row with the clock signal to the head. Serial data is sent to the driver (288), and a latch signal is sent to the head driver (288) at a predetermined timing.

  The head drive control unit (287) includes a ROM (can also be configured by a ROM (282)) storing pattern data of a drive waveform (drive signal), and drive waveform data read from the ROM. A waveform generation circuit including a D / A converter for / A conversion and a drive waveform generation circuit including an amplifier and the like are included.

The head driver (288) receives a clock signal from the head drive control unit (287) and serial data as image data, and latches the register value of the shift register from the head drive control unit (287). A latch circuit that latches with a signal, a level conversion circuit (level shifter) that changes the output value of the latch circuit, an analog switch array (switch means) that is turned on / off by the level shifter, and the like. By controlling on / off, a required drive waveform included in the drive waveform is selectively applied to the actuator means of the recording head (14) to drive the head.
Further, the CPU (281) takes in the detection signals of the detection electrodes (141) and (142) via the I / O (296) and detects whether or not the ink amount of the sub tank (15) has been exhausted. Thereby, the liquid amount detection sensor is configured.

The functions of the present invention will be described below.
In recent years, pigment inks having good light resistance and water resistance are also being used in inkjet. In order to obtain a high image density, the concentration of the pigment in the liquid increases from 2 to 3 wt% to 8 wt% or more, and the ink viscosity tends to increase. In this case, the pigment adheres to the vicinity of the nozzle, and problems such as jet bending tend to occur.
In this case, a cleaning operation is performed in which the nozzle surface is wiped off with a wiper in the presence of ink ejected on the head surface after the negative pressure is created or the cleaning cap is sucked. In the case of pigment ink, the fixed pigment is easily wiped off. There are many cases that cannot be taken. As a matter of course, the cleaning efficiency is better when the head surface is cleaned with water or a vehicle free of pigment.
Therefore, as in the present invention, a nozzle array that discharges a processing liquid mainly composed of water is provided next to a recording liquid discharge nozzle array of high pigment concentration, and the fixed pigment is efficiently cleaned by performing cap suction and wiping operations. can do.

Further, when the printing is stopped for a long time, the head is covered with a moisture retaining cap or a suction cap and stored. However, when the humidity in the cap is low, moisture evaporation from the nozzle surface is inevitable. This is especially true for suction caps where dry pigment ink remains. In this case, it is possible to increase the humidity in the cap by discharging the treatment liquid, which is mostly water, into the cap, and to prevent the recording liquid nozzle from sticking due to water evaporation.
Since most of the processing liquid is water, even if it is stored in the waste liquid tank from the suction cap, it evaporates after a certain amount of time, so there is no concern that the waste liquid tank will fill up quickly.

On the other hand, the treatment liquid may be only water (a small amount of antiseptic / antifungal agent or surfactant is optionally added), but a low concentration pigment ink may be used.
In general, in order to obtain a photographic image, a low colorant concentration ink is used to reduce graininess, particularly in a low image density region. Naturally, the low pigment concentration ink also acts as a solution for the high pigment concentration ink (that is, the treatment liquid in this patent). By providing a nozzle row for ejecting low pigment concentration ink along with a nozzle row for ejecting high pigment concentration ink in the same head, it is possible to cope with photographic image quality and to achieve a printing system with high nozzle surface cleaning efficiency.

  In the case where no colorant is added to the treatment liquid, that is, the treatment liquid is mostly water, if the treatment liquid is printed in the same part within a certain period of time after printing the recording liquid, dots will be formed by the treatment liquid. Thus, an image having no graininess can be obtained even in a low image density portion.

Most of the components of the processing liquid are water, but in some cases, components (vehicle) other than the colorant of the recording liquid may be included. However, water alone is effective and can be used for a short period of time. That is, there are a pH adjuster, antiseptic / antifungal agent, high-boiling water-soluble organic solvent, surfactant and the like. However, when the amount of components other than water increases, the disadvantage that the waste liquid tank fills up quickly and the cleaning efficiency of the recording liquid nozzle portion is reduced occur. Therefore, the components other than water are 10% or less, preferably 5%. The following is good.
If the processing liquid and the recording liquid have different liquid properties, the printing conditions must be matched to the liquid physical properties.

  Examples of antiseptic / antifungal agents for treatment liquid include sodium dehydroacetate, sodium sorbate, sodium 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide, sodium benzoate, sodium pentachlorophenol, etc. it can. In addition, all substances effective for antiseptic and fungicides are defined herein as antiseptic and fungicides.

  As the pH adjuster for the treatment liquid, any substance can be used as long as the pH can be adjusted to 7 or more. Examples thereof include amines such as diethanolamine and triethanolamine, hydroxides of alkali metal elements such as lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, quaternary ammonium hydroxide, and quaternary phosphonium. Examples thereof include carbonates of alkali metals such as hydroxide, lithium carbonate, sodium carbonate, and potassium carbonate.

Examples of the surfactant for the treatment liquid include anionic and nonionic surfactants. Fluoro- and silicon-based surfactants are also effective.
(E) The anionic or nonionic surfactant is not particularly limited, and examples of the anionic surfactant include polyoxyethylene alkyl ether acetate, dodecylbenzene sulfonate, laurate, and polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate. Examples include salt.
Nonionic surfactants include, for example, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl amines, polyoxyethylene alkyl amides, and the like. Can be mentioned.
Acetylene glycol surfactants are 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol, 3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol, 3,5-dimethyl. An acetylene glycol type such as -1-hexyn-3-ol (for example, Surfynol 104, 82, 465, 485 or TG manufactured by Air Products (USA)) can be used, and particularly Surfinol 465, 104 and TG. Indicates good print quality. The surfactants can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Examples of the filter for filtration generally include a polypropylene filter (for example, manufactured by Nippon Pole Co., Ltd.), a polyethylene filter, a metal filter, and a cellulose acetate filter.

  In the above embodiment, the present invention has been described with reference to an example in which the present invention is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus. However, the present invention can also be applied to a printer, a facsimile apparatus, a copying apparatus, a printer / fax / copier multifunction machine, etc. It can also be applied to an image forming apparatus using a liquid other than the above.

Example 1
The following high viscosity colorant ink and treatment liquid combinations are used. By applying the treatment liquid into the cap when printing is stopped, character blurring during jetting after printing is stopped (for one week) is reduced. In addition, since the same head has the nozzles of the colored ink and the processing liquid, the colored ink fixed during the wiping cleaning can be cleaned with the processing liquid (the nozzle wiping direction is changed from the processing liquid to the recording liquid).
In general, a pigment with high viscosity is easily fixed in a high viscosity pigment ink, and the treatment liquid works effectively to improve the cleaning.

<Colored ink>
Preparation of Dimethylquinacridone Pigment-Containing Polymer Fine Particle Dispersion With reference to Preparation Example 3 disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-139849, the pigment was changed to Pigment Red 122 to obtain a magenta polymer fine particle dispersion.
About the obtained polymer microparticles | fine-particles, the average particle diameter (D50%) measured with the particle size distribution analyzer (Microtrac UPA, Nikkiso Co., Ltd.) was 127 nm.
This corresponds to a polymer emulsion in which polymer fine particles contain a colorant that is insoluble or hardly soluble in water. Since such a pigment contains a resin, it has been easy to fix in the vicinity of the nozzle in the past, but cleaning efficiency has been improved by cleaning with this treatment liquid.
・ Dimethylquinacridone pigment-containing polymer fine particles 10.0% by mass
(7% by mass of pigment)
Glycerin 7.5% by mass
Butanediol 22.5% by mass
2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol 2% by mass
Polyoxyalkylene derivative surfactant (nonionic surfactant) 1.5% by mass
Antiseptic and fungicide 0.05% by mass
Defoamer 0.1% by mass
Water Remaining viscosity: 8mPas (25 ° C)
<Processing liquid>
Antiseptic / antifungal agent (CAS2634-33-5) 0.05% by mass
The remaining water was adjusted to pH = 10.0 with a pH adjuster (lithium hydroxide).

Example 2
In addition to the following high viscosity colorant ink, a treatment liquid (corresponding to a low colorant concentration ink) in which the colorant ink was diluted with water and a wetting agent was used. Colored ink and treatment liquid were respectively fed from two cartridges to two sub tanks of the same head of the Ricoh Yipio G505. By printing the treatment liquid in the cap when printing is stopped, character blurring in colorant ink printing is reduced during jetting after printing is stopped. It seems that the treatment liquid has more water. In addition, since the processing liquid is also a low colorant concentration ink, the graininess is sensed in the low density image area (when the low colorant concentration ink as the processing liquid is printed rather than printing a small number of high density inks). It is effective for obtaining high-quality photographic image quality with less image quality. Further, since the treatment liquid has a large amount of moisture, the wiping efficiency of the nozzle portion of the colorant ink is improved by cleaning the colorant ink of the same head at the same time.
<Colored ink>
・ Dimethylquinacridone pigment-containing polymer fine particles 10.0% by mass
(7% by mass of pigment)
Glycerin 7.5% by mass
Butanediol 22.5% by mass
2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol 2% by mass
Polyoxyalkylene derivative surfactant (nonionic surfactant) 1.5% by mass
Antiseptic and fungicide ... 0.05% by mass
Defoamer ... 0.1% by mass
Water ... Remaining viscosity: 8 mPas (25 ° C)
<Treatment liquid / Low colorant ink>
10 parts of the colored ink, 20 parts of water and 6 parts of glycerin were added to obtain a low-concentration colorant ink having a viscosity of 2.8 mPas.

Example 3
<Processing liquid>
Antiseptic / antifungal agent (CAS2634-33-5) 0.05% by mass
Nonionic surfactant (polyoxyalkylene derivative) 0.1% by weight
13 Butanediol 5 parts balance The water was adjusted to pH = 10.0 with a pH adjuster (lithium hydroxide).
<Colored ink>
Same as Example 1.
The colored ink and the treatment liquid were respectively fed to the sub tanks of the same head of the Ypsio G505. In the same manner as in Example 1, by applying the treatment liquid to the suction cap and the protective cap, the turbulence in jetting after a long stop was reduced. In addition, the scraping mechanism was smoothed by applying the treatment liquid to the scraping mechanism portion of the empty discharge portion. In addition, by printing the treatment liquid on the image part, the light density part can be reproduced and the graininess is lost.

Example 4
<Colored ink>
・ Copper phthalocyanine pigment-containing polymer fine particles 10% by mass
(Of this, the pigment content is 5% by mass)
Glycerin 5% by mass
20% by weight of butanediol
Acrylic silicon polymer emulsion 5% by mass
Fluorosurfactant 1% by mass
Antiseptic and fungicide ... 0.05% by mass
Defoamer ... 0.1% by mass
Water ... Remaining viscosity: 9mPas (25 ° C)
<Processing liquid>
(For short-term use) 100% ion-exchanged water
Such a polymer emulsion easily adheres to the empty discharge receiving portion in the vicinity of the nozzle, but the cleaning efficiency and the empty discharge receiving portion cleaning efficiency are improved by cleaning together with the treatment liquid according to the present invention.
Also, even in a dry environment of 10 ° C and 15% humidity, if the treatment liquid is sprayed on the paper, even if it is an electrostatic attraction belt, the electrical resistance of the paper decreases and ink droplets are less likely to be charged, resulting in generation of mist. (In addition, it was not 100% ion-exchanged water during long-term use, but was adjusted to pH 9 with an amine-based pH adjuster as a pH adjuster, and an antiseptic and fungicide 0.05% was added. There should be a pH adjuster.)

It is a figure which shows an example of an inkjet recording device. It is a schematic block diagram explaining the whole structure of the mechanism part of an inkjet recording device. It is principal part top explanatory drawing of the mechanism part of an inkjet recording device. It is a figure which shows the recording head part of an inkjet recording device. It is a disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the part which concerns on an ink supply apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of a sub tank. It is typical side surface explanatory drawing of a sub tank. It is a figure explaining the layer structure of a film-like member. It is a top view explaining the structure of a subsystem. It is a typical schematic block diagram explaining the structure of a subsystem. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an overview of a control unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 2 Paper feed tray 3 Paper discharge tray 4 Front surface 5 Upper surface 6 Cartridge loading part 7 Operation part 8 Front cover 10 Ink cartridge (main tank)
11 Guide rod 12 Stay 13 Carriage 14 Recording head 14a Droplet discharge head (recording head)
14b Liquid droplet ejection head (recording head)
14c Liquid droplet ejection head (recording head)
14d Liquid droplet ejection head (recording head)
14yn Nozzle row consisting of a large number of nozzles (N) ejecting yellow (Y) ink droplets 14syn A nozzle row consisting of a large number of nozzles (N) ejecting ink droplets of the treatment liquid 14mn Ejecting magenta (M) ink droplets Nozzle row 14smn consisting of a large number of nozzles (N) Nozzle row 14cn consisting of a large number of nozzles (N) ejecting ink droplets of the treatment liquid Nozzle consisting of a large number of nozzles (N) ejecting cyan (C) ink droplets Row 14 scn Nozzle row 14 kn consisting of a number of nozzles (N) ejecting ink droplets of the treatment liquid Nozzle row 14 kn consisting of a number of nozzles (N) ejecting black (k) ink droplets ejecting ink drops of the treatment liquid Nozzle array 15 consisting of a number of nozzles (N) Sub tank 16 Ink supply tube 21 Paper stacking section (pressure plate)
22 Paper 23 Half-moon roller, paper supply roller 24 Separation pad 25 Guide 31 Conveying belt 32 Counter roller 33 Conveying guide 34 Pressing member 35 Tip pressure roller 36 Charging roller 37 Conveying roller 38 Tension roller 41 Guide member 51 Separating claw 52 Discharging roller 53 Paper Discharge Roller 61 Duplex Paper Feed Unit 62 Manual Paper Feed Unit 71 Maintenance / Recovery Mechanism (Subsystem)
72A Cap member (cap for recovery and moisture retention)
72B Cap member 72C Cap member 72D Cap member 73 Wiper blade 100 Ink storage portion 100a Partition portion 101 Container body (case body)
102 Film-like member (flexible film-like member)
102a First layer 102b of film-like member First layer 102c of film-like member Silica vapor deposition layer 102d Swelling portion 103 Spring (spring)
104 Reinforcing member 112 Connecting means 113 Connecting member 114 Ink supply path 115 Filter 121 Air channel 122 Inlet channel part 123 Channel part (orthogonal channel part)
126 Accumulator 131 Air release hole 132 Air release valve mechanism 133 Holder 134 Valve seat 135 Ball 136 Spring 141 Detection electrode 142 Detection electrode 153 Air release pin 161 Lever 162 Drive unit 211 Frame 212A Cap holder 212B Cap holder 212C Cap holder 212D Cap holder 213 Empty discharge receptacle 215 Carriage lock 217 Carriage lock arm 218 Wiper cleaner 219 Tube 220 Tube pump 220a Pump shaft 221 Cam shaft 222A Cap cam 222B Cap cam 222C Cap cam 222D Cap cam 224 Wiper cam 227 Carriage lock cam 228 Wiper cleaner cam 231 Motor 231a Motor shaft 232 Motor gear 233 Pump gear 23 Intermediate gear 235 intermediate gear 236 intermediate gear 237 one-way clutch 238 intermediate gear 239 intermediate gear 240 cam gear 241 home position sensor cam 280 controller 281 CPU
282 ROM
283 RAM
284 Nonvolatile memory (NVRAM)
285 ASIC
286 I / F
287 Head drive control unit 288 Head driver 290 Main scanning motor 291 Main scanning motor driving unit 292 Sub scanning motor 293 Sub scanning motor driving unit 294 Sub system driving unit 295 Sub tank driving unit 296 I / O
297 Operation panel

Claims (18)

It is possible to dissolve or disperse the components in the recording liquid (A), and to provide a head having a nozzle for discharging the processing liquid (B) containing water as a main component and optionally containing an antiseptic / antifungal agent. An ink jet recording apparatus. In the same head surface, a nozzle for discharging the recording liquid (A), and a component in the recording liquid (A) can be dissolved or dispersed in the vicinity of the nozzle, and a processing liquid (B) containing water as a main component is provided. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising a nozzle for discharging. A suction cap that covers and sucks the surface of the recording head having the nozzle of the recording liquid (A) and the nozzle of the processing liquid (B), and from the nozzle of the processing liquid (B) and the nozzle of the recording liquid (A); A cleaning means for wiping the head surface in a state where the processing liquid (B) is attached at least in the vicinity of the nozzle of the recording liquid (A) by simultaneously sucking both the caps, and the wiping direction is the processing liquid nozzle. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording liquid nozzle side is from the side. A nozzle that discharges the recording liquid (A) in the same head surface, and a processing liquid (B) containing water as a main component that can dissolve or disperse the components in the recording liquid (A) in the vicinity thereof. The number of nozzles for discharging recording liquid and the number of nozzles for discharging processing liquid are different in an ink jet recording apparatus having a nozzle, or the nozzle diameter is different even if the number of nozzles is the same. The ink jet recording apparatus described. After printing, before or after the head is placed in the suction cap or moisturizing cap, the processing liquid (B) is stored in a cap state after being discharged into the suction cap or moisturizing cap. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 4. Ink jet with a wiping device that has a timely and appropriate amount discharge means that discharges ink in a timely and appropriate amount for purposes other than printing for stable ejection, and scrapes off the ink in the container that receives the discharged ink when it becomes solid 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is capable of a smooth scraping operation by means for discharging the treatment liquid (B) to an ink receiving portion. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is a page printer having no sub-operation. 2. An ink jet printer apparatus having a conveying belt using an electrostatic adsorption belt, comprising spraying means for spraying a treatment liquid (B) mainly composed of water onto a paper portion before printing. 8. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of 7 above. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the spraying means is spraying means for spraying the processing liquid (B) in a mist form. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the recording liquid (A) is a high-viscosity ink containing a colorant and having a viscosity at 25 ° C of 7 mPas or more. The main component of the processing liquid (B) is water, and has a means for printing the processing liquid (B) at the same location before or after the recording liquid (A) is printed on a recording medium. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein density recording is possible. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the recording liquid (A) contains, as a colorant, a polymer emulsion in which a polymer fine particle contains a water-insoluble or hardly soluble coloring material. The treatment liquid (B) is a low pigment concentration recording liquid containing the same colorant as the recording liquid (A) or a colorant having a color similar to that of the recording liquid (A). The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording liquid (A) contains a resin. An inkjet recording method using the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1. A treatment liquid (B) containing a pH adjuster and used for the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or the ink jet recording method according to claim 15. A treatment liquid (B) used for the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14 or the ink jet recording method according to claim 15, further comprising a surfactant. ). It is what was filtered with the filter of 5 micrometers or less, It is what is used for the inkjet recording device in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 14, or the inkjet recording method of Claim 15, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. Treatment liquid (B).

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