JP2007117807A - Liquid coating device, and recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid coating device capable of surely preventing liquid leakage due to the inclination or the like of a device posture in a conventional technique. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid coating device is disposed with a counter roller at a position facing to a coating roller for coating paper with liquid, and is provided with a means for coating the paper with the liquid while holding the paper with the coating and counter rollers to convey the paper with the rotation by their cooperation. The device forms a groove for storing excess liquid by forming a groove or flange part in the vicinity of both ends of the counter roller for the purpose of preventing the excess liquid not to be transferred and to be remained on the outside a paper width region from flowing around the bearing at the both ends of the counter roller. The device is also disposed with an absorbing member such as a sponge in the vicinity of the groove to absorb the liquid stored before the groove or flange with the absorbing member, so as to prevent the liquid from flowing around the bearing part and fixing the bearing with the shaft, and to improve the reliability. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid coating apparatus and an ink jet recording apparatus, and more particularly to a liquid coating apparatus that applies a liquid to a medium for a predetermined purpose such as aggregating the pigment when recording with an ink using a pigment as a coloring material. Similarly, an ink jet recording apparatus having a mechanism for applying a liquid to a recording medium used in ink jet recording for the purpose of accelerating the aggregation of the pigment when recording with an ink having a pigment as a coloring material. It is about.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a portion that applies or supplies ink as a coating liquid to a coating roller is sealed as one using a liquid coating mechanism in the field of an ink jet recording apparatus. The application mechanism described in this document is a mechanism that applies ink to an application roller having a printing plate pattern formed on the surface thereof in a gravure printing apparatus.

Here, doctor blades extending in the longitudinal direction of the roller at positions corresponding to the upper and lower two locations along the peripheral surface of the application roller, and elastic members respectively provided on both sides of the two doctor blades, The ink chamber is used. By bringing this chamber into contact with the peripheral surface of the application roller, a liquid chamber is formed with the application roller. Then, when the application roller rotates, the application liquid in the liquid chamber is applied to or supplied to the application roller.
JP-A-08-58069 JP-T-2002-517341

  However, the sealing configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 may have insufficient sealing performance. In other words, the doctor blade and the elastic members on both sides of the doctor blade that are in contact with the roller for sealing are separate members. For this reason, for example, the pressure which contacts a roller may differ greatly between these members. In this case, in particular, there is a difference in the abutting pressure at the joint between the doctor blade and the elastic member, the seal with the smaller abutting pressure may be insufficient, and liquid leakage may occur. An ink chamber provided with a blade and an elastic member engages with a shaft formed with a thread groove and moves by rotation of the shaft. The contact pressure when the doctor blade and the elastic member are in contact with the roller is generated by simply fixing the position of the chamber. For this reason, for example, when there are slight irregularities on the peripheral surface of the roller, the contact following the irregularities may not be performed, the sealing performance may be impaired, and when the posture of the device is inclined, liquid leakage May cause.

  Further, in the liquid application device disclosed in Reference Document 2, a counter roller is provided at a position facing the application roller, and the application roller is urged by an elastic member such as a spring so as to be able to rotate in cooperation with the application roller. A method is adopted in which the recording medium is sandwiched between the application roller and the counter roller and the recording medium is conveyed by cooperative rotation, and at the same time, the coating liquid applied to the surface of the application roller is transferred to the recording medium. The application roller and the counter roller each have a configuration in which both ends thereof are supported by the recording apparatus main body so as to be rotatable by a bearing member.

  However, in the configuration of the conventional example, excess coating liquid scraped off by the doctor blade remains in the vicinity of the end of the coating roller or the counter roller, and the recording roller does not pass through the coating roller outside the recording sheet. Since the applied coating liquid is not transferred to the recording paper by the transfer operation, there is a possibility that it remains as an excess liquid on the surface of the coating roller or the counter roller and at the end.

  These surplus liquids increase as the recording operation is performed, and flow out in the direction of the bearing due to the inclination of the apparatus, etc. The

  An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid coating apparatus capable of reliably preventing liquid leakage due to the inclination of the apparatus posture in the prior art.

  In order to solve the above-described problems of the conventional techniques, the present invention has the following configuration.

  The present invention relates to a transport unit that transports a recording medium along a predetermined transport path, a recording unit that performs recording on the recording medium, and a liquid application that applies a liquid to the recording medium transported along the transport path. And a liquid holding member that forms a liquid holding space that holds the liquid in contact with the application surface of the application member. And improving the sealing performance between the application member and the liquid holding member, providing a counter roller at a position facing the application member, and urging the application member with an elastic member such as a spring. The configuration is such that the application member and the counter roller sandwich the recording medium, and the recording medium is conveyed by cooperative rotation, and at the same time, the application surface of the application member is rotated and moved. The liquid supplied to the cloth surface is applied to the recording medium. In the shaft near the both ends of the coating member or counter roller, a groove or a flange is provided near the inside of the bearing, and the above-described excessive coating is performed. A configuration in which excess liquid does not reach the bearing direction by retaining the liquid in the groove or the flange portion, and further, a configuration in which an absorbing member such as a sponge is brought into contact with the groove or flange to actively absorb the excess liquid. Thus, the recording apparatus is characterized in that the excess liquid is prevented from flowing out of the bearing or the outside of the apparatus.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an application member having an application surface for applying a liquid to a recording medium and a liquid holding member for forming a liquid holding space for holding the liquid with respect to the application surface of the application member are provided. In addition to improving the sealing performance between the coating member and the liquid holding member by abutting, a groove or a flange is provided in the vicinity of the inner side of the bearing at the shaft near the both ends of the coating member or the counter roller. By holding the liquid in the groove or the flange, the excess liquid does not reach the bearing, and further, an absorption member such as a sponge is brought into contact with the groove or the flange to actively absorb the excess liquid. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the coating liquid from leaking out of the bearing or outside of the device even when the entire device is tilted during the movement and transportation of the device. It is possible to improve.

Example 1
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of an embodiment according to a liquid coating apparatus 100 of the present invention.

  The liquid coating apparatus 100 shown here generally includes a liquid coating unit that applies a predetermined coating liquid to a coating medium and a liquid supply unit that supplies the coating liquid to the liquid coating unit.

  The liquid application unit includes a cylindrical application roller 1001, a cylindrical counter roller (medium support member) 1002 disposed to face the application roller 1001, a roller driving mechanism 1003 that drives the application roller 1001, and the like. The roller drive mechanism 1003 includes a roller drive motor 1004 and a power transmission mechanism 1005 having a gear train that transmits the driving force of the roller drive motor 1004 to the application roller 1001.

  Further, the liquid supply means includes a liquid holding member 2001 that holds the coating liquid between itself and the peripheral surface of the application roller 1001, and a liquid channel 3000 (not shown in FIG. 1) that supplies liquid to the liquid holding member 2001. ) And the like. Each of the application roller 1001 and the counter roller 1002 is rotatably supported by mutually parallel shafts whose both ends are rotatably attached to a frame (not shown). Further, the liquid holding member 2001 extends over substantially the entire length of the application roller 1001 and moves to the above-described frame via a mechanism that enables contact with and separation from the peripheral surface of the application roller 1001. It is attached as possible.

  The liquid application apparatus according to the present embodiment further includes an application medium supply mechanism 1006 including a pickup roller for conveying the application medium to the nip portion between the application roller 1001 and the counter roller 1002. In addition, on this application medium conveyance path, on the downstream side of the application roller 1001 and the counter roller 1002, a discharge roller that conveys the application medium coated with the application liquid toward a paper discharge unit (not shown). A paper discharge mechanism 1007 is provided. These paper feed mechanism and paper discharge mechanism also operate by the driving force of the drive motor 1004 transmitted through the power transmission mechanism 1005, like the application roller.

  Next, the elements of the respective parts constituting the liquid coating apparatus that has been outlined above will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory longitudinal sectional side view showing an example of the arrangement of the application roller 1001, the counter roller 1002, the liquid holding member 2001, and the like.

  The counter roller 1002 is urged toward the peripheral surface of the application roller 1001 by an urging means (not shown). By rotating the application roller 1001 in the clockwise direction in the drawing, the application liquid is applied between the two rollers. The application medium P to be applied can be sandwiched and the application medium P can be conveyed in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

  Further, when the liquid holding member 2001 is urged against and abuts against the peripheral surface of the application roller 1001 by the urging force of the spring member (pressing means) 2006, the liquid holding member 2001 extends over the entire liquid application region by the application roller 1001. A long liquid holding space S is formed. In the liquid holding space S, the coating liquid is supplied from a liquid supply path 3000 described later via the liquid holding member 2001. Since the liquid holding member 2001 is configured as follows, In the stop state, it is possible to prevent the coating liquid from inadvertently leaking outward from the liquid holding space S.

  The configuration of the liquid holding member 2100 is shown in FIGS.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the liquid holding member 2001 includes a space forming base material 2002 and an annular contact member 2009 provided on one surface of the space forming base material 2002. The space forming substrate 2002 is formed with a recess 2003 having a circular cross-section at the bottom along the longitudinal direction of the central portion thereof. The abutting member 2009 is fixed so that the linear portion thereof is fixed along the upper edge portion of the recess 2003, and the circumferential portion extends from the upper edge portion to the upper edge portion on the opposite side through the bottom portion. Is done. As a result, when the contact portion 2009 of the liquid holding member 2001 contacts the application roller 1001, contact along the peripheral surface shape of the application roller is possible, and uniform pressure contact can be realized.

As described above, in the liquid holding member in this embodiment, the abutting member 2009 that is integrally formed without a joint abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the application roller 1001 without any gap by the biasing force of the spring member 2006. As a result, the liquid holding space S becomes a substantially closed space by the abutting member 2009, one surface of the space forming substrate, and the outer peripheral surface of the application roller 1001, and the coating liquid is held in this space. When the rotation of the application roller 1001 is stopped, the contact member 2009 and the outer peripheral surface of the application roller 1001 are maintained in a liquid-tight state, and it is possible to reliably prevent the liquid from leaking to the outside. On the other hand, when the application roller 1001 rotates, as will be described later, the application liquid passes between the outer peripheral surface of the application roller 1001 and the contact member 2009 and adheres in layers to the outer peripheral surface of the application roller. Here, the application roller 100
That the outer peripheral surface and the contact member 2009 are in close contact with each other in the stopped state 1 means that liquid is not passed between the inside and the outside of the liquid holding space S as described above. In this case, the abutting state of the abutting member 2009 includes a state in which the abutting member 2009 is in direct contact with the outer peripheral surface of the application roller 1001 and a contact with the outer peripheral surface by solving a liquid film formed by capillary force. It includes the state of contact.

  Further, the left and right side portions in the longitudinal direction of the abutting member 2009 can be viewed from any of the front (FIG. 6), the plane (FIG. 3), and the side (FIGS. 7 and 8), as shown in FIGS. Even if it sees, it has a shape that curves gently. For this reason, even if the contact member 2120 is brought into contact with the application roller 1001 with a relatively strong pressing force, the entire contact member 2009 is elastically deformed substantially uniformly and no large distortion occurs locally. . Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the abutting member 2009 can continuously abut against the outer peripheral surface of the application roller 1001 without a gap, thereby forming the substantially closed space.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the space-forming base material 2002 is configured to have holes each penetrating the space-forming base material 2002 in a region surrounded by the contact member 2009. A supply port 2004 and a liquid recovery port 2005 are provided. These communicate with cylindrical connecting portions 20041 and 20051 protruding from the back side of the space forming substrate. Further, the connecting parts 20041 and 20051 are connected to a liquid supply channel 3000 described later. In this embodiment, the liquid supply port 2004 is formed in the vicinity of one end portion (left end portion in FIG. 3) surrounded by the contact member 2009, and the liquid recovery port 2005 is formed in the other end portion (FIG. 3). In the right end portion). The liquid supply port 2004 supplies the coating liquid supplied from the liquid channel 3000 to the liquid holding space S, and the liquid recovery port 2005 allows the liquid in the liquid holding space S to flow out to the liquid channel 3000. belongs to. By supplying and discharging the liquid, the coating liquid flows from the left end portion to the right end portion in the liquid holding space S.

(Coating solution flow path)
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a liquid channel 3000 connected to the liquid holding member 2001 of the coating liquid supply means.

The liquid flow path 3000 includes a first flow path (supply flow path) 3001 that connects the liquid supply port 2004 of the space forming substrate 2002 constituting the liquid holding member 2001 and a storage tank 3003 that stores the coating liquid, and a space A second flow path (recovery flow path) 3002 that connects the liquid recovery port 2005 of the forming substrate 2002 and the storage tank 3003 is provided. The storage tank 3003 is provided with an air communication port 3004, and the air communication port is provided with an air communication valve 3005 for switching between communication with the atmosphere and blocking. In addition, a switching valve 3006 is provided in the first flow path 3001, and the switching valve 3006 can switch between communication and blocking between the first flow path 3001 and the atmosphere. Further, a pump 3007 for forcibly flowing the coating liquid and air in a desired direction in the liquid channel 3000 is connected to the second channel 3002.

  In this embodiment, the first flow path 3001 and the second flow path 3002 are formed by circular tubes, and the opening formed at the end of each tube is close to the bottom or bottom of the storage tank 3003. The coating liquid in the storage tank 3003 can be completely consumed.

Various switching valves 3006 in this embodiment are applicable as long as they can switch communication and blocking between the first flow path 3001 and the atmosphere. Here, the three-way valve as shown in FIG. A valve is used. The three-way valve 3006 has three ports communicating with each other, and two of the ports are connected to the storage tank side tube 3011, the liquid holding member side tube 3012, and the atmosphere communication port 3013 in the first flow path 3001. It is possible to selectively communicate with any two of the above. By switching the three-way valve 3006, a connection state in which the tube 3011 and the tube 3012 communicate with each other and a connection state in which the tube 3012 and the atmosphere communication port 3013 communicate with each other are selectively switched. It is possible to select and supply either the coating liquid in the storage tank 3003 or the air taken in from the atmosphere communication port 3013 to the space S formed by the 2001 and the coating roller 1001. Note that switching of the three-way valve 3006 is performed by a control signal from a control unit 4000 described later, and filling and supply of the coating liquid are performed.

(Control system)
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system in the liquid coating apparatus of the present embodiment.

  In the figure, reference numeral 4000 denotes a control unit as control means for controlling the entire liquid coating apparatus.

  The control unit 4000 includes a CPU 4001 that executes processing operations such as various calculations, controls, and determinations, a ROM 4002 that stores a control program and the like executed by the CPU 4001 and that will be described later with reference to FIG. A RAM 4003 for temporarily storing data, input data, and the like during this processing operation.

  The control unit 4000 includes an input operation unit 4004 including a keyboard or various switches for inputting predetermined commands or data, a display unit 4005 for performing various displays including an input / setting state of the liquid coating apparatus, The detection unit 4006 including a sensor for detecting the position of the coating medium and the operation state of each unit, the roller driving motor 1004, the pump driving motor 4009, the atmospheric communication valve 3005, the switching valve 3006, and the like are respectively driven circuits 4007, 4008, and 4010. , 4011 are connected.

(Liquid application operation sequence)
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure related to liquid application of the liquid application apparatus of this embodiment. Hereinafter, with reference to this flowchart, each process concerning liquid application will be described.

  That is, when power is turned on to the liquid coating apparatus, the control unit 4000 executes the following coating operation sequence according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Filling Step In step S1, a coating liquid filling step for the coating space S is performed. In this filling step, first, the atmosphere communication valve 3005 of the storage tank 3003 is opened to the atmosphere, and the pump 3007 is driven for a predetermined time. As a result, when the liquid application space S and each of the flow paths 3001 and 3002 are not filled with the application liquid, the internal air is sent to the storage part by the pump and discharged to the atmosphere and applied to each part. Filled with liquid. Further, when each part is already filled with the coating liquid, the coating liquid of each part flows to supply a coating liquid with an appropriate concentration and viscosity. By this initial operation, the application liquid is supplied to the application roller 1001, and application to the application medium becomes possible.

Application Process Here, when an application start command is input (step S2), the pump 3007 starts operating again (step S3), and the application roller 1001 rotates clockwise as indicated by the arrow in FIG. Start (step S4). The application liquid L filled in the liquid holding space S by the rotation of the application roller 1001 resists the pressing force of the contact member 2009 of the liquid holding member 2001 against the application roller 1001 and the contact roller 2009 and the contact member 2009. Slid through the lower edge portion 2011 and adhere to the outer periphery of the application roller 1001 in a layered state. The coating liquid L adhering to the coating roller 1001 is sent to the contact portion between the coating roller 1001 and the counter roller 1002.

  Next, the coating medium is transported between the coating roller 1001 and the counter roller 1002 by the coating medium feeding mechanism 1006, the coating medium is inserted between these rollers, and the coating roller 1001 and the counter roller 1002 are rotated. As a result, the paper is conveyed toward the paper discharge unit (step S5). During this conveyance, the coating liquid applied to the outer peripheral surface of the coating roller 1001 is transferred from the coating roller 1001 to the coating medium P as shown in FIG. Of course, the means for supplying the application medium between the application roller 1001 and the counter roller 1002 is not limited to the above-described feeding mechanism. For example, by manual feed using a predetermined guide member as an auxiliary means. Means may be used in combination, and any means such as a configuration in which manual feeding means is used alone may be used.

  In FIG. 9, a portion expressed by crossing oblique lines indicates the coating liquid L. Here, the thickness of the coating liquid layer on the coating roller 1001 and the coating medium P is considerably larger than the actual thickness in order to clearly illustrate the state of the coating liquid L during coating.

  As described above, the coated portion of the coating medium P is transported in the direction of the arrow by the transport force of the coating roller 2001, and the uncoated portion of the coating medium P is transported to the contact portion between the coating medium P and the coating roller 2001. Then, the coating liquid is applied to the entire coating medium by performing this operation continuously or intermittently.

  Incidentally, FIG. 10 shows an ideal application state in which all of the coating liquid L that has passed through the contact member 2009 and adhered to the application roller 2001 is transferred to the application medium P. Not all of the coating liquid L adhering to the roller 1001 is transferred to the coating medium P. That is, when the transported application medium P is separated from the application roller 1001, the application liquid L adheres to the application roller 1001 and the application liquid L often remains on the application roller 1001. The residual amount of the coating liquid L in the coating roller 1001 varies depending on the material of the coating medium P and the state of minute irregularities on the surface, but when the coating medium P is plain paper, the peripheral surface of the coating roller 1001 even after the coating operation. The coating liquid L remains on the surface.

End Process When the application operation to the application medium is executed as described above, it is determined whether or not the application process can be ended next (step S6). Returning to S5, the coating operation is repeated until the coating process is completed on the entire portion where coating of the coating medium is required.

  When the application process is completed, the application roller 1001 is stopped (step S7), and the driving of the pump 3007 is further stopped (step S8). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2, and if the application start command is input, the operations in steps S2 to S8 are repeated. If the application start command is not input, the application in the application space S and the liquid flow path is performed. Post-processing such as a recovery operation for recovering the liquid is performed (step 9), and the processing related to coating is terminated.

  In the recovery operation, the atmosphere communication valve 3005 and the switching valve 3006 are opened, and the pump 3007 is driven to apply the coating liquid to the coating liquid holding space S and the coating liquid in the second flow path 3002 to the liquid storage tank 3003. By flowing into By performing this recovery operation, evaporation of the coating liquid from the liquid holding space S can be completely prevented. Further, after the recovery operation, the atmosphere communication valve 3005 is closed, and the switching valve 3006 is switched to block communication with the first flow path 3001 and the atmosphere communication port 3013, thereby blocking the storage tank 3003 from the atmosphere. As a result, the evaporation of the coating liquid from the liquid storage tank 3003 can be prevented, and it is possible to completely prevent the coating liquid from flowing out even when the position of the apparatus is inclined during movement, transportation, or the like. it can.

  As described above, in the liquid coating apparatus according to this embodiment, the coating liquid filled in the liquid holding space S is applied to the pressing force of the lower edge portion 2011 of the contact member 2009 against the coating roller 1001 by the rotation of the coating roller 1001. On the contrary, it slips outside the liquid holding space S and is supplied in a layered manner to the peripheral surface of the application roller 1001. The thickness of the coating liquid layer, that is, the supply amount of the coating liquid to the coating roller 1001 is determined by the viscosity of the coating liquid, the relative speed between the outer circumferential surface of the coating roller 1001 and the coating medium, and the outer circumferential surface of the coating roller 1001. It depends on the pressing force of the contact member 2009 and the like.

  Next, the configuration of the application roller and the counter roller will be further described with reference to FIGS.

  The application roller 1001 includes a shaft portion 1001a and a rubber portion 1001b, and a rubber portion is fixed to the outer periphery of the shaft portion by press-fitting or baking. The shaft portion and the rubber portion rotate integrally, and the shaft portion 1001a Application roller bearing members 1007 are inserted in the vicinity of both ends, and the application roller is rotatably supported and fixed to a frame (not shown).

  A roller gear 1009 is press-fitted and fixed to the end of the application roller 1001, and the application roller and the roller gear rotate together to transmit the power transmitted from the drive means through the gear train to the application roller.

  In this embodiment, the counter roller 1002 is made of a metal shaft (stainless steel) and is urged toward the peripheral surface of the application roller 1001 by an urging unit. The counter roller is rotatably inserted and fixed to a frame (not shown).

  The application roller 1001 is rotated by the drive transmitted from the gear train so that the application medium to which the application liquid is to be applied is sandwiched between the application roller 1001 and the counter roller 1002 and the application liquid is applied to the application medium. The coating medium is conveyed in the downstream direction.

  A flange portion 1002b is provided in the vicinity of both end portions of the counter roller 1002 inside the bearing 1008, and a groove portion 1002c is formed by the cylindrical portion 1002a that contacts the application roller and the flange portion 1002b.

As described above, when the application medium to which the application liquid is to be applied is sandwiched between the application roller 1001 and the counter roller 1002 and the application medium is conveyed in the downstream direction while applying the application liquid to the application medium, recording is performed. In the vicinity of the end of the counter roller where the paper does not pass, the counter roller coating liquid transferred from the coating roller is not transferred onto the recording paper by the transfer operation, and therefore remains as surplus liquid on the surface and the end of the counter roller. If the surplus liquid flows out from the cylindrical portion 1002a in contact with the application roller in the direction of the roller by continuing the application operation with the liquid remaining, or by tilting the apparatus, Although the surplus liquid flows into the groove 1002c, the movement of the surplus liquid is blocked by the flange 1002b described above. It is possible to prevent the flowing out to the bearing direction. (Fig. 20)
(Example 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the first embodiment, an example in which a flange portion is provided in the vicinity of the end portion of the counter roller is shown. However, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion that contacts the coating roller and the rotating shaft into which the bearing is inserted is the same. The effect of the present invention is not affected at all by forming a groove 1002c between the contact portion and the bearing.

(Example 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the first and second embodiments, in addition to the above-described configuration, the surplus liquid absorber 1010 is provided with or in contact with the flange portion 1002b or the groove portion 1002c of the counter roller, so that the groove portion is blocked by the flange portion. The example which makes the absorber absorb the excess liquid which accumulated in positive is shown.

  In the present embodiment, flange portions are provided near both ends of the counter roller, and flange portions 1001c are also formed at both ends of the shaft of the application roller, so that the surplus liquid absorber 1010 is similar to the counter roller described above. An example is shown in which the application liquid is positively absorbed in the application roller by the flange portion 1001c of the application roller so that the excess liquid is blocked by the flange portion, and the reliability of the apparatus is further improved. Yes.

  In this embodiment, an example in which flanges are provided at both ends of the application roller has been described. However, even if this is replaced with a groove, the effect of the present invention is not changed.

(Embodiment of inkjet recording apparatus)
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 including an application mechanism having a configuration substantially similar to that of the above-described liquid coating apparatus.

The inkjet recording apparatus 1 is provided with a feeding tray 2 on which a plurality of recording media P are stacked, and a half-moon-shaped separation roller 3 separates the recording media P stacked on the feeding tray one by one. Then feed it to the transport path. An application roller 1001 and a counter roller 1002 that constitute liquid application means of the liquid application mechanism are arranged in the transport path, and the recording medium P fed from the feed tray 2 is placed between the rollers 1001 and 1002. Sent in between. The application roller 1001 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 14 by the rotation of the roller drive motor, and applies the application liquid to the recording surface of the recording medium P while conveying the recording medium P. The recording medium P to which the coating liquid has been applied is sent between the conveying roller 4 and the pinch roller 5, and the conveying roller 4 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing, so that the recording medium P becomes the platen 6. Is moved to a position facing the recording head 7 constituting the recording means. The recording head 7 is an ink jet recording head provided with a predetermined number of nozzles for ejecting ink. While the recording head 7 scans in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in the figure, the recording surface of the recording medium P is printed from the nozzles according to the recording data. Recording is performed by ejecting ink droplets. An image is formed on the recording medium while alternately repeating this recording operation and a predetermined amount of conveying operation by the conveying roller 4. Along with this image forming operation, the recording medium P is sandwiched between the paper discharge roller 8 and the paper discharge spur 9 provided on the downstream side of the scanning area of the recording head in the recording medium conveyance path. The paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 10.

  As the ink jet recording apparatus, a so-called full line type ink jet recording apparatus that performs a recording operation using a long recording head in which nozzles for ejecting ink are arranged over the maximum width of the recording medium is configured. Is also possible.

  The coating liquid used in this embodiment is a processing liquid that accelerates the aggregation of the pigment when recording with the ink using the pigment as the color material. In this embodiment, by using the treatment liquid as the coating liquid, the pigment that is the color material of the ink discharged onto the recording medium coated with the treatment liquid is reacted to accelerate the aggregation of the pigment. This insolubilization can improve the recording density. Furthermore, bleeding can be reduced or prevented. Needless to say, the coating liquid used in the ink jet recording apparatus is not limited to the above example.

  FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a main part of the above-described ink jet recording apparatus. As shown in the figure, a coating mechanism 100 is provided above one end of the feeding tray 2, and a recording mechanism having a recording head 7 and the like is provided above the coating mechanism and above the central portion of the feeding tray 2. It is done.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system of the above-described ink jet recording apparatus. In the drawing, a roller driving mechanism 1004, a pump driving motor 4009, and an air communication valve actuator 3005, which are elements of the liquid application mechanism, are the same elements as those described for the liquid application apparatus described above.

  The CPU 5001 controls the driving of each element of the coating mechanism according to the program of the processing procedure described later in FIG. 17 and drives the LF motor 5013, the CR motor 5015, and the recording head 7 applied to the recording mechanism. Control is performed via circuits 5012, 5014, and 5016. That is, the conveyance roller 4 and the like are rotated by driving the LF motor 5013, and the carriage on which the recording head 7 is mounted is moved by driving the CR motor. Further, control is performed to eject ink from the nozzles of the recording head.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of liquid application and a recording operation associated therewith in the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment.

  In the same figure, the process of step S101, S103-S105, and the process of step S108-S110 are the same as the process of step S1, S3-S5, and S7-S9 shown in FIG. 13, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in this embodiment, when there is a recording start command (step S102), a series of liquid application operations such as pump operation are performed (steps S103 to S105). Then, a liquid is applied to a portion of the recording medium that requires liquid application.

  After this coating process, a recording operation is performed on the recording medium in which the coating liquid is coated on a necessary portion (step S106). That is, the recording head 7 is scanned with respect to the recording medium P conveyed by a predetermined amount by the conveying roller 4, and ink is attached to the recording medium by ejecting ink from the nozzles according to the recording data during this scanning. To form dots. Since the adhering ink reacts with the coating liquid, it is possible to improve the density and prevent bleeding. By repeating the above-described conveyance of the recording medium and scanning of the recording head, recording is performed on the recording medium P, and the recording medium that has finished recording is discharged onto the discharge tray 10. If it is determined in step S107 that the recording has been completed, the processing after step S108 is performed, and this processing is terminated.

  In the present embodiment, recording is sequentially performed on a portion where the application has been completed as the liquid application is performed on the recording medium. That is, when the length of the conveyance path from the coating roller to the recording head is shorter than the length of the recording medium, and the portion where the liquid is applied on the recording medium reaches the scanning area by the recording head, This is a form in which application is performed on the portion by the application mechanism, and liquid application and recording are sequentially performed in different portions of the recording medium every time a predetermined amount of the recording medium is conveyed. However, when the present invention is applied, as another embodiment, recording may be performed after application to one recording medium is completed.

It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of embodiment which concerns on the liquid application apparatus of this invention. It is a vertical side view which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of a coating roller, a counter roller, a liquid holding member, etc. which were shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view of the liquid holding member shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is an end elevation which shows the end surface which cut | disconnected the liquid holding member shown in FIG. 3 by the AA line. It is an end elevation which shows the end surface which cut | disconnected the liquid holding member shown in FIG. 3 by the BB line. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the liquid holding member shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a left side view illustrating a state in which a contact portion of the liquid application member illustrated in FIG. 3 is in contact with a liquid application roller. FIG. 4 is a right side view illustrating a state in which a contact portion of the liquid application member illustrated in FIG. 3 is in contact with a liquid application roller. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a liquid holding space formed by a liquid holding member and an application roller is filled with an application liquid and liquid is applied to an application medium by rotation of the application roller in the embodiment of the present invention. . In embodiment of this invention, it is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which filled the liquid holding space formed with the liquid holding member and the application roller with the application liquid, and rotated the application roller in the absence of the application medium. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the liquid flow path of the liquid coating device in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control system in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the liquid application | coating operation | movement sequence in embodiment of this invention. 1 is a longitudinal side view illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of the inkjet recording device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control system of the inkjet recording device shown in FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a sequence of a liquid application operation and a recording operation executed in the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 20. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device 2 Paper feed tray 3 Separation roller 4 Conveyance roller 5 Pinch roller 6 Platen 7 Recording part 8 Paper discharge roller 9 Paper discharge spur 10 Paper discharge tray 100 Liquid application device 1001 Application roller 1002 Counter roller 1003 Roller drive mechanism 1004 Roller Drive motor 1005 Power transmission mechanism 1007 Application member bearing 1008 Counter roller bearing 2001 Liquid holding member 2002 Space forming member 2003 Recessed portion 2004 Liquid supply port 2005 Liquid recovery port 2009 Contact member 2010 Upper edge portion 2011 Lower edge portion 2012 Left edge portion 2013 Right side Edge 3000 Liquid channel 3001 First channel 3002 Second channel 3003 Storage tank 3004 Atmospheric communication port 3005 Atmospheric communication valve 3006 Switching valve 3007 Pump 4000 Control unit 4 01 CPU
4002 ROM
4003 RAM
4004 Input operation unit 4005 Display unit 4006 Detection unit 4007 Roller drive motor drive circuit 4008 Pump drive motor drive circuit 4009 Pump drive motor 4010 Atmospheric communication valve drive circuit 4011 Switching valve drive circuit

Claims (6)

An application member having an application surface for applying a liquid to the medium; supply means for contacting the application surface of the application member to supply the liquid to the application member; and a cooperative rotation by sandwiching the application member and the recording medium A counter roller that conveys the recording medium, and a holding member that rotatably supports the coating member and the rotation shaft of the counter roller,
A liquid application device for applying the liquid supplied to the application surface to the medium by rotating the application surface of the application member;
In the counter roller, a flange or a groove is formed on a rotation shaft between a contact portion that contacts the coating member and a holding member that rotatably supports the roller.   2. The liquid application apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an absorber is disposed in contact with or in the vicinity of the flange or groove provided on the rotation shaft of the counter roller. An application member having an application surface for applying a liquid to the medium; supply means for contacting the application surface of the application member to supply the liquid to the application member; and a cooperative rotation by sandwiching the application member and the recording medium A counter roller that conveys the recording medium, and a holding member that rotatably holds the coating member and the counter roller,
A liquid application device for applying the liquid supplied to the application surface to the medium by rotating the application surface of the application member;
In the coating member, a liquid coating apparatus is characterized in that a flange or a groove is formed on a rotation shaft between the coating surface and a holding member that rotatably holds the coating member.   4. The liquid application apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an absorber is disposed in contact with or in the vicinity of the flange or groove provided on the rotation shaft of the application member. An application member having an application surface for applying a liquid to the medium; supply means for contacting the application surface of the application member to supply the liquid to the application member; and a cooperative rotation by sandwiching the application member and the recording medium A counter roller that conveys the recording medium, and a holding member that rotatably supports the coating member and the rotation shaft of the counter roller,
A liquid application device for applying the liquid supplied to the application surface to the medium by rotating the application surface of the application member;
In the counter roller, a flange or a groove is formed on a rotation shaft between a contact portion that contacts the application member and a holding member that rotatably supports the roller, and
In the coating member, a liquid coating apparatus is characterized in that a flange or a groove is formed on a rotation shaft between the coating surface and a holding member that rotatably holds the coating member.   6. The liquid coating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an absorber is disposed in contact with or in the vicinity of the flange or groove provided on the rotation shaft of the counter roller and the coating member.

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