JP2008080655A - Image forming apparatus and image formation method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remove an unnecessary liquid after a reaction in the case of carrying out image formation using a two pot reaction ink, and also to reduce an amount of waste liquid. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes a head 12 which ejects the ink liquid towards an intermediate transfer 14, a processing liquid applying part 13 (processing liquid giving means) which gives a processing liquid for making a coloring material in the ink liquid insoluble or non disperse to the intermediate transfer 14, a liquid absorbing roller 21 which removes the liquid after solid liquid separation from a surface of the intermediate transfer 14 to which the processing liquid is given and also the ink liquid is given, and a reusing means (consisting including at least any of a filter 24, pools 46 and 42, liquid physical property sensors 28 and 29, and valves 410, 440 and 460) which collects the liquid removed from the surface of the intermediate transfer 14 and supplies to the processing liquid applying part 13. The image forming apparatus may be constituted to directly give the processing liquid and the ink liquid to a recording medium 16 and remove liquid components after solid liquid separation from a surface of the recording medium 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, and more specifically, a so-called intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus and recording medium that discharge an ink liquid toward an intermediate transfer member to form an intermediate transfer image and transfer it to a recording medium The present invention relates to a so-called direct recording type image forming apparatus that forms an image directly on a recording medium by ejecting ink toward the medium, and an intermediate transfer type and direct recording type image forming method.

  Before the ink liquid composed of the color material and the solvent is discharged toward the discharge target body such as the intermediate transfer body or the recording medium, a treatment liquid having a function of aggregating the color material in the ink liquid is previously applied to the discharge target body. A so-called two-liquid reaction type ink jet recording apparatus (image forming apparatus) is known.

  Further, for the purpose of preventing the image quality from deteriorating even if the image recording speed is improved, there is known one in which a liquid solvent is absorbed from a discharge target after image formation.

  Patent Document 1 describes an intermediate transfer type ink jet recording apparatus in which excess liquid on an intermediate transfer member is removed.

Patent Document 2 describes a direct recording type ink jet recording apparatus in which a liquid solvent is absorbed by a liquid solvent absorber.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-136689 JP 2001-179959 A

  In order to perform image formation at high speed and high image quality, it is preferable to use a two-component reactive ink, and it is preferable to remove excess liquid after the reaction. However, the removed liquid has to be discarded outside the inkjet recording apparatus as a waste liquid, and there is a problem that the convenience for the user is impaired.

  In pursuit of high-speed and high-quality images, as the consumption amount of ink liquid and processing liquid per hour increases, the amount of waste liquid also increases, which lowers the merchantability of the inkjet recording apparatus.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a technique for removing excess liquid solvent, but there is no description about reuse of the removed liquid solvent.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an image forming apparatus capable of removing unnecessary liquid after reaction and reducing the amount of waste liquid when performing image formation using a two-component reactive ink, and An object is to provide an image forming method.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 includes an ink discharge unit that discharges an ink liquid containing a coloring material and a solvent toward a predetermined discharge target body to form an image on the discharge target body. A treatment liquid applying means for applying a treatment liquid having a function of insolubilizing or non-dispersing the coloring material in the ink liquid to the discharge target; the treatment liquid is applied by the treatment liquid application means; and the ink A liquid removing means for removing the liquid from the surface of the discharged object in a state where the ink liquid is applied by the discharging means and the color material in the ink liquid is insolubilized or non-dispersed; and a removal from the surface of the discharged object An image forming apparatus comprising: a recycling unit that collects the collected liquid and supplies it to at least one of the ink discharge unit and the treatment liquid application unit.

  Ink liquids include ink in which coloring material is dissolved at the molecular (or ion) level (so-called dye ink), and ink in which coloring material is dispersed in the form of particles (in the form of a lump of molecules) (so-called pigment ink). Can be mentioned.

  The treatment liquid has a function of insolubilizing or non-dispersing the color material in the ink liquid, that is, a function of changing the state in which the color material is dissolved or dispersed in the liquid solvent to a state where it is removed. Solid-liquid separation occurs on the target to which the treatment liquid is applied and the ink liquid is applied. For example, pigments in the ink aggregate.

  Specific examples of the application of the treatment liquid include firstly application by a roller or the like, and secondly discharge by a liquid discharge head.

  As an example of the discharge target, there is a so-called recording medium on which an image is recorded by directly applying the treatment liquid and the ink liquid. An intermediate transfer member described later may be used.

  According to the present invention, in the two-component reaction type image forming apparatus using the processing liquid and the ink liquid, the processing liquid and the ink liquid are mixed on the discharge target body and the color material is insolubilized or non-dispersed. The solvent of the ink liquid and the solvent of the treatment liquid are removed from the surface of the discharge target body by the liquid removal means, and are collected by the reuse means and supplied to at least one of the ink discharge means and the treatment liquid application means. Compared to a conventional image forming apparatus configured to discard the liquid removed from the discharge target, it is possible to form an image with high speed and high quality and to reduce the amount of liquid (waste liquid amount) that must be discarded outside the apparatus.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the discharge target is an intermediate transfer member, and an image formed on the intermediate transfer member is transferred to a predetermined recording medium. An image forming apparatus is provided.

  According to the present invention, even when an intermediate transfer image is formed on an intermediate transfer body that is repeatedly reused, it is possible to record on a recording medium with high speed and high quality, and to reduce the amount of waste liquid.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the liquid removing means has a porous body on the surface.

  According to the present invention, the liquid removed from the body to be discharged is limited to the liquid absorbed by the capillary force of the porous body. Therefore, the basic components and physical properties of the liquid (recovered liquid) after removal and recovery are used. It can be reused without change.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the reuse means includes a filter that filters the liquid removed by the liquid removal means. An image forming apparatus is provided.

  According to the present invention, even if impurities that are not suitable for reuse are contained in the liquid (recovered liquid) removed and recovered from the discharge target, the impurities are removed from the recovered liquid by the filter. Therefore, high image quality can be maintained without deteriorating the quality of at least one of the ejected ink liquid and the applied treatment liquid.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the recycling means removes only a solvent having a specific boiling point from the liquid removed by the liquid removing means. Provided is an image forming apparatus having a distillation means for distillation.

  According to the present invention, even when the liquid removed from the discharge target (recovered liquid) contains a liquid component that is not suitable for reuse, a high-purity solvent suitable for reuse (for example, distillation) Since only water) can be obtained, high image quality can be maintained without degrading the quality of at least one of the ejected ink liquid and the applied treatment liquid.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reuse means detects physical properties of the liquid removed by the liquid removal means; There is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a physical property adjusting unit configured to adjust the physical property of the liquid based on the physical property detected by the physical property detecting unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to confirm the physical property value of the liquid collected for reuse, it is possible to adjust the optimum physical property of the collected liquid, and the quality of the liquid containing the reuse liquid It is possible to maintain high image quality without lowering the image quality.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the physical properties of the liquid detected by the physical property detection means and adjusted by the physical property adjustment means are pH, surface tension, viscosity, metal ion concentration. There is provided an image forming apparatus characterized by being at least one of them.

  According to this invention, since at least one physical property is detected and adjusted among the pH (pH) value, surface tension, viscosity, and metal ion concentration of the recovered liquid, the two-component reaction is one of the physical properties of the liquid to be reused. Necessary physical property values related to the system are appropriately controlled, and high image quality is maintained.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 1, 3 to 7, wherein the discharge target is a recording medium that holds the image, and determines a type of the recording medium. A recording medium type discriminating means for performing the recording medium and a penetrating speed judging means for judging a liquid permeation speed of the recording medium based on the type of the recording medium, and the liquid permeation speed of the recording medium is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. In the image forming apparatus, only the liquid is removed from the recording medium by the liquid removing unit and reused.

  According to the present invention, the recording medium for collecting the liquid can be limited to the non-permeable medium and the slowly permeable medium, and the liquid removal from the permeable medium having a high penetration speed can be eliminated. Mechanisms such as liquid recovery after liquid removal and physical property adjustment can be simplified, and unnecessary influence on the image can be avoided.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a treatment liquid having a function of discharging an ink liquid toward a predetermined discharge target and insolubilizing or non-dispersing a coloring material in the ink liquid is applied to the discharge target. In the image forming method for forming an image on the discharged object, the processed liquid is applied to the discharged object in a state where the treatment liquid is applied and the ink liquid is discharged to insolubilize or non-disperse the coloring material in the ink liquid. Removing the liquid from the surface, collecting the liquid removed from the surface of the discharge target body, adjusting the physical properties of the liquid, and reusing it as a part of at least one of the ink and the processing liquid. An image forming method is provided.

  According to the present invention, when an image is formed using a two-component reactive ink, unnecessary liquid after reaction can be removed and the amount of waste liquid can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus 10a (image forming apparatus) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  The ink jet recording apparatus 10a of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is an intermediate transfer type, and each ink liquid of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) is transferred to an intermediate transfer body 14 described later. A plurality of ink discharge heads (hereinafter simply referred to as “heads”) 12C, 12M, 12Y, and 12K, and a treatment liquid that insolubilizes or non-disperses the color material in the ink liquid. An intermediate transfer image in which an intermediate transfer image mainly composed of a colorant in the ink liquid ejected by the ink ejection section 12 and a processing liquid application section 13 (processing liquid application section) to be applied to an intermediate transfer body 14 described later is formed. The recording medium 16 is disposed facing the intermediate body 14 and the intermediate transfer body 14 while the recording medium 16 is kept flat, and the intermediate transfer image on the intermediate transfer body 14 is transferred to the recording medium 16. That comprises a conveyor transfer unit 15.

  Specific examples of the ink liquid and the treatment liquid will be described in detail later. In the present embodiment, the ink liquid will be described as an example in which the pigment is in the form of particles and dispersed in a liquid solvent, and the treatment liquid has a function of aggregating (non-dispersing) the pigment in the ink liquid. The ink liquid in the present invention is not limited to a so-called pigment-based ink in which a color material is in the form of particles and dispersed in a liquid solvent, but a so-called dye in which a color material is dissolved in a liquid solvent at a molecular (or ionic) level. System ink may be used. The function of the treatment liquid in the present invention is not limited to the case where the particulate color material is aggregated, and may be a function of insolubilizing the molecular (or ion) level color material.

  The treatment liquid application unit 13 is configured by combining a plurality of rollers 13a and 13b (treatment liquid application rollers). Note that the processing liquid application unit 13 in the present embodiment is not particularly limited to one using a roller as long as the processing liquid is uniformly applied to the surface (transfer surface) of the intermediate transfer body 14.

  Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 10a of the present embodiment absorbs the liquid from the surface of the intermediate transfer body 14 and removes it, and sucks the liquid absorbed by the liquid absorption roller 21 from the liquid absorption roller 21. The liquid suction / recovery unit 22 to be recovered, the first recovery liquid pool 45 for storing the liquid suctioned / recovered by the liquid suction / recovery unit 22 (hereinafter referred to as “recovered liquid”), and the first recovery liquid pool 45 to be described later A filter unit feed pump 23 for feeding the collected liquid to the filter unit 24; a filter unit 24 for filtering the collected liquid stored in the first collected liquid pool 45 and fed by the filter unit feed pump 23; A second recovery liquid pool 46 for storing the recovery liquid filtered by the unit 24 is provided. A valve 450 (filter unit communication channel opening / closing valve) is provided in the communication channel from the first recovered liquid pool 45 to the filter unit 24. A valve 241 (waste recovery liquid discharge valve) for discharging a liquid (waste recovery liquid) containing waste substances removed by the filter section 24 is provided on the bottom surface of the filter section 24.

  Details of the liquid absorption roller 21 and the liquid suction / recovery unit 22 will be described later.

  Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 10a of the present embodiment includes a first processing liquid pool 41 that stores processing liquids for initial filling and replenishment (hereinafter referred to as “original processing liquid”), and a first processing liquid pool 41. The liquid in the second recovered liquid pool 46 (recovered liquid) is mixed with the processing liquid to be replenished, and further, the liquid in the physical property adjusting liquid pool 44 (physical property adjusting liquid) is mixed, so that the physical properties are improved. A second processing liquid pool 42 for storing the adjusted processing liquid is provided. The second treatment liquid pool 42 is provided with a liquid agitation unit 27 that agitates the treatment liquid in the second treatment liquid pool 42. For example, a propeller-like member that is rotated by a motor (liquid stirring motor 128 in FIG. 5) is used for the liquid stirring unit 27. The second recovered liquid pool 46 is provided with a first liquid property sensor 28 that detects the physical properties (for example, pH value) of the recovered liquid in the second recovered liquid pool 46, and the second processing liquid pool 42. Is provided with a second liquid property sensor 29 for detecting a physical property (for example, pH value) of the treatment liquid in the second treatment liquid pool 42.

  Between the first treatment liquid pool 41 and the second treatment liquid pool 42, a valve 410 (raw treatment liquid amount adjustment valve) for adjusting the replenishment amount of the raw treatment liquid is provided. A valve 460 (recovered liquid amount adjusting valve) for adjusting the mixing amount of the recovered liquid is provided between the recovered liquid pool 46 and the second processing liquid pool 42, and the physical property adjusting liquid pool 44 and the second property liquid pool 44. A valve 440 (physical property adjusting liquid amount adjusting valve) for adjusting the addition amount of the physical property adjusting liquid is provided between the processing liquid pool 42 and the bottom surface of the second processing liquid pool 42. A valve 421 (an aging treatment liquid discharge valve) for discharging the liquid is provided.

  In the second treatment liquid pool 42 whose physical properties (for example, pH value) are adjusted by the raw treatment liquid amount adjustment valve 410, the physical property adjustment liquid amount adjustment valve 440, the recovered liquid amount adjustment valve 460, and the aging treatment liquid discharge valve 421. Treatment liquid, that is, the treatment liquid containing the collected liquid stored in the second collection liquid pool 46 and whose physical properties are adjusted, is supplied to the third treatment liquid pool 43P (“treatment liquid” via the treatment liquid supply valve 420. (Also referred to as “liquid tank”).

  The intermediate transfer body 14 is endless and is stretched by a plurality of conveying rollers 34 (34a, 34b, 34c, 34d).

  The intermediate transfer body 14 may be made of, for example, a polyurethane resin, a polyester resin, a polystyrene resin, a polyolefin resin, a polybutadiene resin, a polyamide resin, a polyvinyl chloride resin, a polyethylene resin, or a fluorine resin. A known material used for an ordinary endless belt-shaped transfer member such as polyimide resin is preferably used. A resistance adjusting layer in which an appropriate conductive material is dispersed may be provided on the surface of an endless belt made of these materials, and the configuration thereof is preferably a configuration in a normal intermediate transfer member. Further, an endless belt formed of electroformed nickel having a silicon or fluorine-based thin film on the surface and imparting a peeling property is also suitably used as the intermediate transfer member 14. In the present embodiment, an endless belt shape is used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a drum shape (rotary body shape) may be used.

  The conveyance transfer unit 15 has a structure in which an endless belt 17 is stretched between a plurality of conveyance rollers 35 (35a, 35b, 35c), and the recording medium 16 is conveyed by the conveyance transfer unit 15. The power of the motor (the transport motor 112 in FIG. 5) is transmitted to at least one of the plurality of transport rollers 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) around which the belt 17 is wound, so that the belt 17 in FIG. The recording medium 16 driven on the clockwise direction and held on the belt 17 is conveyed from left to right in FIG.

  Note that a roller / nip transport mechanism may be used instead of the belt transport. However, when the image recording area is transported by the roller / nip, the image contacts the image recording surface of the recording medium immediately after the image transfer, so that the image blurs. There is a problem that it is easy. Therefore, as in this example, a mode in which the image recording area is sucked and conveyed without contact is preferable.

  Further, in order to improve the transfer rate at the time of transfer or to control the glossiness of the image surface, the transfer may be performed while heating at the time of transfer.

  The ink liquid tanks 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K supply ink liquids of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) to the heads 12C, 12M, 12Y, and 12K, respectively. .

  Each of the heads 12C, 12M, 12Y, and 12K of the ink discharge unit 12 has a length corresponding to the maximum recording width of the recording medium 16 to be recorded by the inkjet recording apparatus 10a, and has a maximum size on the liquid discharge surface. The recording medium 16 is a full-line head in which a plurality of nozzles for ink discharge are arranged over a length exceeding at least one side (full width of the recordable range) (see FIG. 4A).

  As described above, according to the configuration in which the full-line type heads 12C, 12M, 12Y, and 12K having the nozzle rows covering the entire width of the recording medium 16 on which the image is recorded by the transfer are provided for each color, the intermediate transfer body 14 is provided. On the other hand, it is possible to record an image on the entire surface of the recording medium 16 by performing the operation of relatively moving the ink discharge unit 12 once (that is, by one sub-scan). Accordingly, image recording can be performed at a higher speed and productivity can be improved as compared with a shuttle (serial) head in which the head reciprocates in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction.

  The heads 12C, 12M, 12Y, and 12K are arranged in the order of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) from the upstream side along the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer body 14, and the respective heads. 12C, 12M, 12Y, and 12K are provided so as to extend along a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer body 14.

  In this example, the configuration of KCMY standard colors (four colors) is illustrated, but the combination of ink colors and the number of colors is not limited to this embodiment, and light ink, dark ink, and special color ink are used as necessary. May be added. Also, the arrangement order of the color heads is not particularly limited. The surface of the liquid absorbing roller 21 is composed of a porous member having a large number of fine holes, and the maximum width of the image forming area of the intermediate transfer body 14 (in this example, the maximum width of the recording medium 16). Has a length corresponding to. The rotation axis of the liquid absorbing roller 21 is disposed along a direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer body 14. The liquid absorbing roller 21 supported so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis can be driven in accordance with the conveyance speed of the intermediate transfer body 14 so that the relative speed with respect to the intermediate transfer body 14 becomes 0, and the ink This prevents the rubbing from affecting the image on the recording medium 16.

  The liquid absorbing roller 21 may have a length corresponding to the entire width of the intermediate transfer body 14 by one (single) long roller member as in the present embodiment, or the intermediate transfer body 14 may be realized. May be divided into a plurality of roller modules along a direction (main scanning direction) substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction, and these may be arranged to achieve a required length.

  Further, a vertical movement mechanism 116 for moving the liquid absorbing roller 21 up and down with respect to the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body 14 is provided. The vertical movement mechanism 116 is controlled in accordance with a command from a liquid removal control unit (118 in FIG. 5) to be described later, whereby the relative position between the liquid absorbing roller 21 and the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body 14 (transfer of the intermediate transfer body 14). The relative pressure in the direction perpendicular to the surface) is adjusted, so that the contact pressure with the intermediate transfer member 14 and the clearance with the intermediate transfer member 14 can be varied.

  Then, the mixed liquid of the ink liquid and the processing liquid formed on the intermediate transfer body 14, that is, the liquid solvent after solid-liquid separation (the liquid solvent separated from the color material in the ink liquid, and the liquid in the processing liquid). The intermediate transfer member 14 is moved in the transport direction while bringing the liquid absorbing roller 21 into contact with a liquid mainly composed of a solvent. Thereby, the liquid solvent on the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body 14 is absorbed by the liquid absorption roller 21 by the capillary force of the porous member formed on the surface of the liquid absorption roller 21. In this way, the color material aggregate from which the unnecessary liquid solvent after solid-liquid separation is removed by the liquid absorbing roller 21 increases the binding force between the color materials, and is transferred from the intermediate transfer body 14 to the recording medium 16. Although not shown in the figure, a configuration may be added in which the fixing strength of the color material aggregate on the recording medium 16 is increased by further heating the recording medium 16 after transfer.

  FIG. 1 shows a case where only one liquid absorbing roller 21 is disposed along the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer body 14. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this case, and the liquid absorption roller 21 is arranged in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer body 14. It is good also as a structure which arrange | positions the multiple liquid absorption rollers 21 along. Further, for example, the plurality of first liquid absorption rollers and the second liquid absorption rollers that are retracted from the intermediate transfer body 14 and the positions where they are in standby and in contact with the intermediate transfer body 14 are the same, and are rearranged alternately. It may be a form. Alternatively, the first liquid absorption roller and the second liquid absorption roller may be arranged in the width direction with the intermediate transfer body 14 interposed therebetween and slid to contact the intermediate transfer body 14 alternately.

  In the present embodiment, the filter unit 24 for filtering the recovered liquid, the first liquid physical property sensor 28 for detecting the physical property of the recovered liquid filtered by the filter unit 24, and the mixture of the recovered liquid, the physical property adjusting liquid, and the raw processing liquid Physical properties of the processing liquid formed by mixing the recovered liquid, the physical property adjusting liquid, and the raw processing liquid, and the valves for adjusting the amount (the recovered liquid amount adjusting valve 460, the physical property adjusting liquid amount adjusting valve 440, the raw processing liquid amount adjusting valve 410) And a second liquid physical property sensor 29 for detecting the above and a valve for discharging an old processing liquid (an old processing liquid discharge valve 421).

  In the present embodiment, the case where the recovered liquid is used only as a part of the processing liquid will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case, and the recovered liquid is both the processing liquid and the ink liquid. The recovered liquid may be reused as a part of the ink liquid, or the recovered liquid may be reused only as a part of the ink liquid.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the liquid absorbing roller 21 and a part of the liquid suction / recovery unit 22. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the liquid absorbing roller 21 and a part of the liquid suction / recovery unit 22. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a contact portion 22 a having a rectangular suction port 22 c comes into contact with the surface of the liquid absorbing roller 21. A communication passage 22d communicating with the first recovery liquid pool 45 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the suction port 22c of the contact portion 22a. The liquid suction pump 22b shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the communication passage 22d. Is provided. In FIG. 3, for convenience of illustration, the communication path 22 d is shown by a broken line and is a partially transparent view.

  The liquid absorbed by the first liquid absorbing roller is sucked through the suction port 22c by the suction force of the liquid suction pump 22b in FIG. 1, and is collected into the first collected liquid pool 45 in FIG. 1 through the communication path 22D. To be stored.

  FIG. 4A is a perspective plan view showing the overall configuration of the head 50 denoted by reference numeral 50 as an example of the heads 12C, 12M, 12Y, and 12K in FIG.

  The head 50 shown as an example in FIG. 4A is a so-called full-line type head, and is a direction orthogonal to the relative movement direction of the intermediate transfer body 14 with respect to the head 50 (sub-scanning direction indicated by an arrow S in the drawing) ( In the main scanning direction indicated by an arrow M in the drawing, a number of nozzles 51 for ejecting ink toward the intermediate transfer body 14 are two-dimensionally arranged over a length corresponding to the maximum recording area width Wm of the intermediate transfer body 14. It has the structure arranged in.

  In the head 12, a plurality of ejection elements 54 including a nozzle 51, a pressure chamber 52 communicating with the nozzle 51, and a liquid supply port 53 have a predetermined acute angle θ (with respect to the main scanning direction M and the main scanning direction M). They are arranged along two oblique directions that form 0 degree <θ <90 degrees. In FIG. 4A, only a part of the ejection elements 54 are illustrated for convenience of illustration.

  Specifically, the nozzles 51 are arranged at a constant pitch d in an oblique direction that forms a predetermined acute angle θ with respect to the main scanning direction M, and thus, “on a straight line along the main scanning direction M” d × cos θ ”can be handled equivalently.

  FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional view of one ejection element 54 constituting the head 50 along the line BB in FIG. In FIG. 4B, since only one ejection element 54 is shown, only one nozzle 51 is arranged on the liquid ejection surface 501a. However, in actuality, as shown in FIG. 12, a large number of ejection elements 54 are two-dimensionally arranged, and a large number of nozzles 51 are two-dimensionally arranged on the liquid ejection surface 501a.

  4B, a head 50 mainly includes a nozzle plate 501 in which nozzles 51 are formed, a flow channel structure 502 in which a pressure chamber 52, a common liquid chamber 55, and the like are formed, and a pressure chamber 52. The top plate is configured and includes a diaphragm 56 on which a piezoelectric element 58 is formed.

  Each pressure chamber 52 communicates with a common liquid chamber 55 through a liquid supply port 53. The common liquid chamber 55 communicates with an ink liquid tank (43C, 43M, 43Y, 43K in FIG. 1) as an ink supply source. In other words, the ink supplied from the ink liquid tank is distributed and supplied to each pressure chamber 52 via the common liquid chamber 55.

  On the diaphragm 56 constituting the top surface of the pressure chamber 52, a piezoelectric element 58 is configured as means for generating pressure in the pressure chamber 52.

  When a drive signal generated by a head driver (156 in FIG. 5), which will be described later, is given to the piezoelectric element 58, the piezoelectric element 58 is deformed to change the volume of the pressure chamber 52, and the pressure in the pressure chamber 52 is accordingly increased. As a result of this change, ink is ejected (droplet ejection) from the nozzle 51. As ink is ejected, new ink is supplied from the common liquid chamber 55 through the liquid supply port 53 to the pressure chamber 52.

  Note that the ejection element 54 illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B is an example, and is not particularly limited to such a case. For example, instead of disposing the common liquid chamber 55 below the pressure chamber 52 (that is, on the liquid ejection surface 501a side than the pressure chamber 52), above the pressure chamber 52 (that is, on the side opposite to the liquid ejection surface 501a). A common liquid chamber 55 may be disposed.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus 10a according to this embodiment.

  5, the image forming apparatus 10a according to the present embodiment mainly includes a communication interface 102, a system controller 104, an image memory 106, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 108, a transport motor 112, a transport transfer control unit 114, and a vertical movement mechanism 116. , Liquid removal control unit 118, liquid recovery control unit 122, liquid physical property information memory 124, liquid physical property determination unit 126, liquid stirring motor 128, liquid physical property adjustment unit 130, processing liquid application motor 142, processing liquid application control unit 144, print The control unit 150 includes an image buffer memory 152, an image processing unit 154, a head driver 156, and a speed fluctuation detection unit 158.

  The communication interface 102 functions as an image input unit that receives image data sent from the host computer 190. Various interfaces such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394, Ethernet (registered trademark), and a wireless network can be applied to the communication interface 102. Image data sent from the host computer 190 is taken into the inkjet recording apparatus 10 a via the communication interface 102 and temporarily stored in the image memory 106.

  The system controller 104 includes a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits.

  The image memory 106 is constituted by, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). A magnetic medium such as a hard disk may be used. The image memory 106 is used not only as a storage area for image data but also as a development area and a work area for programs executed by the system controller 104.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 108 stores a program executed by the system controller 104 and various data necessary for the execution. The ROM 108 may be a rewritable storage unit such as an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM).

  The conveyance motor 112 drives the conveyance roller 34 (34a, 34b, 34c, 34d) of the intermediate transfer body 14 in FIG. 1 and the conveyance roller 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) of the conveyance transfer unit 15 in FIG. The conveyance transfer control unit 114 includes a drive circuit for the conveyance motor 112, and controls driving of the conveyance motor 112 in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 104.

  The liquid removal control unit 118 includes a drive circuit for a vertical movement mechanism 116 that moves the liquid absorption roller (21 in FIG. 1) up and down, and moves the vertical movement mechanism 116 up and down according to instructions from the system controller 104. Control.

  The liquid recovery control unit 122 includes a drive circuit for the liquid suction pump 22b, and controls the drive of the liquid suction pump 22b in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 104.

  The liquid physical property information memory 124 is constituted by, for example, an EEPROM, and stores an allowable range of physical properties of the processing liquid as liquid physical property information. The liquid property determination unit 126 includes a microcomputer, and the recovery in the second recovery liquid pool 46 detected by the first liquid property sensor 28 provided in the second recovery liquid pool 46. Based on the physical properties of the liquid and the liquid physical property information stored in advance in the liquid physical property information memory 124, it is determined whether or not the physical properties of the recovered liquid in the second recovered liquid pool 46 are within an allowable range. In addition, the liquid physical property determination unit 126 detects the physical properties of the processing liquid in the second processing liquid pool 42 detected by the second liquid physical property sensor 29 provided in the second processing liquid pool 42, and the liquid physical property information. Based on the liquid physical property information stored in advance in the memory 124, it is determined whether or not the physical properties of the processing liquid in the second processing liquid pool 42 are within an allowable range. The first liquid property sensor 28 and the second liquid property sensor 29 detect, for example, a pH value, a surface tension, a viscosity, a metal ion concentration (multivalent metal ion concentration), and the like as the physical properties of the liquid.

  The liquid property adjusting unit 130 controls the drive of the filter unit feed pump 23 in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 104. Further, the liquid property adjusting unit 130 includes a microcomputer, a drive circuit that drives opening and closing of the filter unit communication passage opening / closing valve 450 in FIG. 1, a drive circuit that drives the filter unit feed pump 23 in FIG. 1, and FIG. A recovery circuit volume adjustment valve 460, a physical property adjustment liquid volume adjustment valve 440, a raw process liquid volume adjustment valve 410, an aging process liquid discharge valve 421, and other drive circuits for driving opening and closing of the liquid physical property adjustment, and a liquid stirring motor A drive circuit for driving 128 is included. The liquid property adjusting unit 130 drives the filter unit feed pump 23 in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 104 and filters the collected liquid by the filter unit 24. Further, the liquid property adjusting unit 130 uses the processing liquid in the second processing liquid pool 42 (that is, from the first processing liquid pool 41) according to the instruction of the system controller 104. And a physical property adjusting solution in the physical property adjusting solution pool 44 are further mixed. Further, the liquid property adjusting unit 130 drives the liquid stirring motor 128 in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 104 to stir the processing liquid in the second processing liquid pool 42. Further, the liquid property adjusting unit 130 opens and closes the aging process liquid discharge valve 421 in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 104 to discharge the aging process liquid in the second process liquid pool 42.

  The treatment liquid application motor 142 drives at least one of the treatment liquid application rollers 13a and 13b. The treatment liquid application control unit 144 includes a drive circuit that drives opening and closing of the treatment liquid supply valve 420 and a drive circuit that drives the treatment liquid application motor 142, and in accordance with instructions from the system controller 104, the treatment liquid is supplied. The driving of the supply valve 420 and the treatment liquid application motor 142 is controlled.

  The print control unit 150 includes an image buffer memory 152, and image data, parameters, and other data are temporarily stored in the image buffer memory 152 when the image processing unit 154 processes image data. In FIG. 5, the image buffer memory 152 is shown in a form associated with the print control unit 150, but it can also be used as the image memory 106. Also possible is an aspect in which the print controller 150 and the system controller 104 are integrated and configured with one processor.

  Further, the print control unit 150 is accompanied by a speed fluctuation detection unit 158 that detects fluctuations in the conveyance speed of the intermediate transfer body 14.

  An outline of the flow of processing from image input to print output is as follows. Image data to be formed is input from the outside via the communication interface 102 and stored in the image memory 106. At this stage, for example, RGB multivalued image data is stored in the image memory 106.

  In the inkjet recording apparatus 10a, a pseudo continuous tone image is formed by changing the droplet ejection density and dot size of fine dots by ink (coloring material) to the human eye. It is necessary to convert to a dot pattern that reproduces the gradation (shading of the image) as faithfully as possible. Therefore, the original image (RGB) data stored in the image memory 106 is sent to the print control unit 150 via the system controller 104, and converted to dot data for each ink color via the print control unit 150.

  In the inkjet recording apparatus 10a, a pseudo continuous tone image is formed by changing the droplet ejection density and dot size of fine dots by ink (coloring material) to the human eye. It is necessary to convert to a dot pattern that reproduces the gradation (shading of the image) as faithfully as possible. Therefore, the original image data (RGB image data) stored in the image memory 106 is sent to the print control unit 150 via the system controller 104 and converted into dot data for each ink color by the image processing unit 154. In other words, the image processing unit 154 that has received a command from the print control unit 150 performs processing for converting the input RGB image data into dot data of ink liquids of four colors of C, M, Y, and K. Thus, the dot data generated by the image processing unit 154 is stored in the image buffer memory 152. This dot data for each color is converted into CMYK droplet ejection data for ejecting ink from the nozzles of the heads 12C, 12M, 12Y, and 12K, and ejection data used for ink ejection is determined.

  The head driver 156 outputs a drive signal for driving the piezoelectric elements 58 corresponding to the nozzles 51 of the heads 12C, 12M, 12Y, and 12K according to the image recording contents based on the dot data given from the print control unit 150. To do. The head driver 156 may include a feedback control system for keeping the head driving condition constant.

  In this way, the drive signal output from the head driver 156 is applied to the heads 12C, 12M, 12Y, and 12K, whereby ink is ejected from the corresponding nozzles 51.

  As described above, the ejection amount and ejection timing of ink droplets from each nozzle are controlled via the head driver 156 based on the ink ejection data generated through the required signal processing in the print control unit 150. Thereby, a desired dot size and dot arrangement are realized. Hereinafter, each control process that is comprehensively controlled by the system controller 104 of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5.

  First, liquid initial filling will be described.

  When the first processing liquid pool 41 of FIG. 1 is initially filled with the raw processing liquid (which is the initial filling and replenishment processing liquid), the liquid physical property adjusting unit 130 of FIG. Are the opening / closing control of the valve 410 between the first treatment liquid pool 41 and the second treatment liquid pool 42 in FIG. 1 and between the second treatment liquid pool 42 and the third treatment liquid pool 43P. The valve 420 is controlled to be opened and closed), and the raw process liquid in the first process liquid pool 41 is filled into the second process liquid pool 42 and the third process liquid pool 43P in a drop amount. .

As the treatment liquid, for example, a treatment liquid comprising the following components is prepared and used.
2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid 10% by weight
・ Diethylene glycol 10% by weight
・ Glycerin 10% by weight
・ Orphine E1010 (surfactant, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry) 1% by weight
・ Sodium hydroxide 2% by weight
・ Ion exchange water remaining weight%
Here, the ion exchange water is water that has been deionized through an ion exchange resin.

  Next, treatment liquid application (treatment liquid application) will be described.

  An appropriate amount of the processing liquid stored in the third processing liquid pool 43 </ b> P is applied to the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body 14 by the processing liquid application unit 13. The amount of treatment liquid applied is adjusted by the coating thickness. For example, it is applied to the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body 14 in such a manner that the coating thickness is desirably 1 μm to 10 μm, more desirably 2 to 5 μm.

  Next, intermediate transfer image formation will be described.

  By ejecting ink toward the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body 14 to which the treatment liquid is applied, the ink discharge unit 12 forms an intermediate transfer image on the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body 14. Here, ink droplets are landed in the area where the treatment liquid is applied.

  When the ink liquid reacts with the treatment liquid, the dispersion state of the pigment (coloring material) in the ink is destroyed, and the pigment component aggregates. That is, the pigment component and the liquid solvent are separated on the intermediate transfer body 14.

For example, an ink comprising the following components is prepared and used.
・ Pigment 3% by weight
・ Diethylene glycol 10% by weight
・ Glycerin 10% by weight
・ Orphine E1010 (surfactant, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry) 1% by weight
・ Ion exchange water remaining weight%
Next, liquid removal will be described.

  The liquid solvent separated from the pigment component on the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body 14 is removed from the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body 14 by the liquid absorbing roller 21. The liquid absorbing roller 21 is a porous body, and the liquid solvent is absorbed by the capillary force of the porous body on the surface of the liquid absorbing roller 21.

  Next, liquid recovery will be described.

  The liquid solvent removed by the liquid absorption roller 21 is collected by suction by the liquid suction / collection unit 22. The liquid solvent collected by suction is stored in the first collected liquid pool 45.

  Next, liquid filtration will be described.

  The liquid physical properties such as pH value, viscosity, and surface tension of the liquid solvent stored in the first recovered liquid pool 45 are close to the liquid physical properties of the liquid solvent of the processing liquid. It can be used as a liquid solvent for repeated treatment liquids.

  The liquid solvent stored in the first recovered liquid pool 45 is sent to the filter unit 24 by the filter unit feed pump 23 and filtered by the filter unit 24 at an appropriate time. The filtered liquid solvent is stored in the second recovered liquid pool 46.

  Filtration is performed by a microfiltration method in which a liquid is sent to a so-called microfiltration filter having pores by pump pressurization. Here, the pump pressurization to the filter unit 24 is desirably adjusted to about 0.1 MPa, and the filtration membrane desirably has a pore diameter of about 0.1 to 10 μm. The pore size of the filtration membrane is more preferably about 1 to 5 μm.

  As a kind of filtration filter, various filters such as a flat membrane filter, a hollow fiber membrane filter, a hollow paper filter, a ceramic filter, and a metal filter can be used. In addition, it is desirable that the filter is configured to be used for a long time by periodically cleaning the deposited layer on the surface of the filter film. The waste removed from the filter unit 24 by the cleaning is collected and accumulated, and appropriate processing such as separate disposal is performed.

  Next, the collected liquid measurement will be described.

  With respect to the liquid solvent stored in the second recovered liquid pool 46, the first liquid physical property sensor 28 detects the physical property as the processing liquid.

  In the case where the processing liquid is configured to include a pH adjuster as the color material flocculant, the pH value of the recovered liquid is measured and is within an allowable range stored in advance in the liquid property information memory 124 of FIG. It is judged whether it is in.

  The liquid physical property sensor 28 of FIG. 1 is configured to automatically measure pH using a pH meter using a glass electrode. The standard range of the pH value is within the standard if it is a value of 3 to 4, for example.

  The liquid physical property detected by the liquid physical property sensor 28 is not particularly limited to the pH value. For example, the viscosity and the surface tension may be detected. Although neither a viscosity nor a surface tension detection mechanism is shown in the figure, a viscosity and surface tension measurement pool is separately provided for detection. The viscosity is measured with a tuning fork vibrator viscometer. The surface tension is measured by the Wilhelmy Plate method or the like. The reference range of the viscosity and the surface tension is within the reference range when the viscosity is 10 mPa · s or less, and within the reference range when the surface tension is 35 mN / m or less. Further, physical properties (for example, metal ion concentration) other than pH, viscosity, and surface tension may be detected.

  Next, adjustment of liquid physical properties will be described.

  When the pH value of the liquid solvent in the second recovery liquid pool 46 is within the reference range, valve opening / closing control (specifically, the second recovery liquid pool 46 and the second treatment liquid pool 42 are And the liquid stored in the second recovered liquid pool 46 is sent to the second processing liquid pool 42. And it is stored in the 2nd processing liquid pool 42, and is used as a processing liquid as it is.

  When the pH value of the liquid solvent in the second recovered liquid pool 46 exceeds, for example, “4” and is outside the reference range, valve open / close control (specifically, the physical property adjusting liquid pool 44 and the second treatment) (The control of opening and closing of the valve 440 with the liquid pool 42) is performed, and a pH adjustment liquid is allowed to flow from the physical property adjustment liquid pool 44 into the second treatment liquid pool 42 by a predetermined amount, and further, the liquid stirring unit 27 The processing liquid is agitated in the second processing liquid pool 42 and adjusted so that the processing liquid in the second processing liquid pool 42 has a predetermined pH value.

  Further, the pH value of the processing liquid in the second processing liquid pool 42 is measured by the liquid property sensor 29 in the second processing liquid pool 42.

  In the present embodiment, the physical property adjusting liquid pool 44 stores a concentrated processing liquid.

  When the surface tension is larger than the specified value, about several ml of “surface tension adjusting liquid” is added from another physical property adjusting liquid pool for surface tension adjustment (not shown).

  If the viscosity is larger than the specified value, a liquid that lowers the viscosity may be added from another physical property adjustment liquid pool for viscosity adjustment (not shown), and it may not be used again as a treatment liquid, but an aging liquid. May be discharged.

  Further, regarding the pH value, if it is determined that the measured value by the second liquid property sensor 29 is at a level that cannot be adjusted by the ph adjusting liquid, the pH value is discharged as an aging liquid.

  In addition, the number of output images, the amount of output image information, etc. are counted, and the amount and timing of adding various additives according to the number of processed images are managed as table values, and control based on predetermined table values is performed. Also good.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus 10b according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The same components as those of the ink jet recording apparatus 10a according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the already described contents is omitted here.

  In FIG. 6, the ink jet recording apparatus 10b according to the present embodiment is an intermediate transfer type similarly to the ink jet recording apparatus 10a according to the first embodiment of FIG. 1, and an intermediate transfer body 14 on which an intermediate transfer image is formed. And a conveyance transfer unit 15 that conveys the recording medium 16 and transfers the intermediate transfer image on the intermediate transfer body 14 to the recording medium 16.

  Specific examples of the ink and the treatment liquid will be described in detail later. In this embodiment, the ink liquid is formed by dispersing a pigment as a coloring material in the form of particles in a liquid solvent, and the processing liquid has an example of a case where it has a function of aggregating (non-dispersing) the pigment in the ink liquid. To do.

  Unlike the image forming apparatus 10a of the first embodiment, the ink jet recording apparatus 10b of the present embodiment is configured to apply the processing liquid to the intermediate transfer body 14 as means for applying the processing liquid to the intermediate transfer body 14 (processing liquid application means). A treatment liquid discharge head 12P (treatment liquid discharge head) for discharging toward the discharge liquid is provided, and a treatment liquid tank 43P is connected to the treatment liquid discharge head 12P. The treatment liquid discharge head 12P may have the same structure as the ink liquid discharge heads 12C, 12M, 12Y, and 12K. For example, the treatment liquid discharge head 12P has the structure shown in FIGS. Hereinafter, the treatment liquid discharge head 12P and the ink liquid discharge heads 12C, 12M, 12Y, and 12K may be simply referred to as “heads”.

  As with the image forming apparatus 10a of the first embodiment, the inkjet recording apparatus 10b of the present embodiment absorbs the liquid absorbing roller 21 that absorbs and removes liquid from the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body 14, and the liquid absorbing roller 21 absorbs the liquid. A liquid suction / recovery unit 22 that sucks and recovers the liquid that has been sucked from the liquid absorption roller 21 is provided. The liquid absorption roller 21 and the liquid suction / recovery unit 22 are as described in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, only the liquid solvent (for example, water) having a specific boiling point is distilled and extracted from the collected liquid sucked and collected by the liquid sucking and collecting unit 22 and stored in the first collected liquid pool 45. The distillation chamber 25 (solvent extraction means) is provided. The liquid solvent distilled in the distillation chamber 25 is stored in the second recovered liquid pool 46.

  A communication channel opening / closing valve 450 is provided in the communication channel from the first recovered liquid pool 45 to the distillation chamber 25.

  A distillation liquid collecting plate 25a is provided in the upper part of the distillation chamber 25, and a liquid solvent having a specific boiling point extracted by distillation is connected through a communication port 25b provided in the vicinity of the distillation liquid collecting plate 25a. Then, it flows into the second recovery liquid pool 46 and is stored in the second recovery liquid pool 46.

  A waste liquid port 25c is provided at the bottom of the distillation chamber 25, and a waste recovery liquid discharge valve 251 is provided in a flow path (waste recovery liquid discharge flow path) connected to the waste liquid port 25c.

  Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 10b of the present embodiment has a processing liquid tank 43P for storing the processing liquid supplied to the processing liquid discharge head 12P and an ink liquid supplied to the ink liquid discharging heads 12C, 12M, 12Y, and 12K. The ink liquid tanks 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K to be stored, the dilution liquid pool 47 for storing the dilution liquid containing the main liquid solvent (for example, water) common to the processing liquid and the ink liquid, and the concentrated liquid of the processing liquid are stored. A concentrated liquid pool 48P and 48C, 48M, 48Y, and 48K for storing the concentrated liquid of the ink liquid of each color are provided. The concentrated liquid of the processing liquid is a main liquid solvent that is common to the processing liquid and the ink liquid than the processing liquid to be supplied to the processing liquid discharge head 12P, and is a liquid solvent having a specific boiling point (distilled in the distillation chamber 25). For example, the treatment liquid has a small amount (% by weight) of water. The concentrated liquid of the ink liquid has an amount (% by weight) of the main liquid solvent (for example, water) common to the processing liquid and the ink liquid, rather than the ink liquid to be supplied to the ink liquid ejection heads 12C, 12M, 12Y, and 12K. There is little ink liquid.

  In the vicinity of the outlet of the second recovery liquid pool 46 (upstream portion of the common flow path from the second recovery liquid pool 46 to the treatment liquid tank 43P and the ink liquid tanks 43C, 43M, 43Y, 43K) There is provided a valve 460 (recovered liquid amount main adjustment valve) that adjusts the supply amount of the recovered liquid amount by opening and closing. In the vicinity of the outlet of the dilution liquid pool 47 (upstream of the common flow path from the dilution liquid pool 47 to the treatment liquid tank 43P and the ink liquid tanks 43C, 43M, 43Y, 43K) There is provided a valve 470 (dilution liquid main adjustment valve) for adjusting the supply amount. Between the recovered liquid amount main adjustment valve 460 and the diluted liquid amount main adjustment valve 470, and the treatment liquid tank 43P and the ink liquid tanks 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K, the mixed liquid of the diluted liquid and the recovered liquid, respectively. Dilution / recovery liquid amount adjustment valves 471P, 471C, 471M, 471Y, and 471K for individually adjusting the supply amount of the liquid are provided. Further, between the processing liquid concentration pool 48P and the ink concentration liquid pools 48C, 48M, 48Y, and 48K and the processing liquid tank 43P and the ink liquid tanks 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K, the concentrated liquid amount adjusting valves 481P and 48K, respectively. 481C, 481M, 481Y, and 481K are provided.

  Of the liquid containing the liquid solvent removed from the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body 14 by the liquid absorbing roller 21, only the liquid solvent having a specific boiling point is distilled in the distillation chamber 25. The distilled liquid solvent is mixed with the liquid in the diluent pool 47 and the concentrated liquid pool 48 to adjust the physical properties, and is reused as the liquid solvent for the ink and the processing liquid. In the present embodiment, a distillation chamber 25 for distilling a liquid solvent having a specific boiling point from the recovered liquid, and valves for adjusting the mixed amount of the recovered liquid, the diluted liquid, and the concentrated liquid (recovered liquid volume adjusting valve 460, diluted liquid volume adjusting valve). 470, a diluted recovery liquid amount adjusting valve 471, and a concentrated liquid amount adjusting valve 481), and the reusing means in the present invention is configured.

  In this embodiment, the case where the recovered liquid is reused as part of both the processing liquid and the ink liquid will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case, and the recovered liquid is used as the processing liquid. The recovered liquid may be used only as part of the ink liquid, or the recovered liquid may be reused only as part of the ink liquid.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus 10b according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same components as those of the ink jet recording apparatus 10a according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the already described contents is omitted here.

  7, the liquid property adjusting unit 130 includes a microcomputer, a heater for heating the recovered liquid in the distillation chamber 25 of FIG. 6, a recovered liquid amount adjusting valve 460, a diluted liquid amount adjusting valve 470, and a diluted recovered liquid amount. Adjustment valve 471 (471P, 471C, 471M, 471Y, 471K), concentration liquid adjustment valve 481 (481P, 481C, 481M, 481Y, 481K), and valves for adjusting liquid physical properties such as aging treatment liquid discharge valve 421 are opened and closed. A drive circuit for driving is included. The liquid property adjusting unit 130 heats the recovered liquid in the distillation chamber 25 according to an instruction from the system controller 104 to distill only the liquid solvent having a specific boiling point from the recovered liquid. Further, the liquid property adjusting unit 130, in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 104, collects the recovered liquid in the second processing liquid pool 46, the diluted liquid in the diluent pool 47, and the processing liquid in the concentrated liquid pool 48P of the processing liquid. The concentrate is mixed. Further, the liquid property adjusting unit 130 follows the instruction of the system controller 104 to collect the recovered liquid in the second processing liquid pool 46, the diluted liquid in the diluted liquid pool 47, and the concentrated liquid pools 48C, 48M, and 48Y of the ink liquid. , Mixed with the concentrated liquid of the ink within 48K.

  Based on the original image data (RGB image data) stored in the image memory 106, the image processing unit 154 receives the dot data of the processing liquid and the dot data of the four colors of inks C, M, Y, and K. Generate the process. The head driver 156 drives the piezoelectric elements 58 corresponding to the nozzles 51 of the heads 12P, 12C, 12M, 12Y, and 12K based on the dot data generated by the image processing unit 154 and given from the print control unit 150. The drive signal is output.

  Hereinafter, each control process will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

  First, liquid initial filling will be described.

  When the concentrates are initially filled in the concentrate pools 48P, 48C, 48M, 48Y, and 48K, valve opening / closing control (specifically, 470, 471P, 471C, 471M, FIG. 471Y, 471K, 481P, 481C, 481M, 481Y, 481K), and the dilution liquid of the dilution liquid pool 47 and the concentration of the concentrate liquid pools 48P, 48C, 48M, 48Y, 48K The liquids are mixed and supplied to the processing liquid tank 43P and the ink liquid tanks 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K for each color and stored.

  The components of the treatment liquid and the ink liquid are the same as those in the example shown in the first embodiment.

  The dilution liquid stored in the dilution liquid pool 47 is a liquid containing water as a main component and additives such as a surface tension adjusting agent, a viscosity adjusting agent, and a preservative.

  Next, processing liquid discharge (processing liquid application) will be described.

  An appropriate amount of the processing liquid stored in the processing liquid tank 43P is discharged toward the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body 14 by the processing liquid discharge head 12P. The application amount of the processing liquid is adjusted by the discharge amount from each nozzle 51 of the head 12P.

  Next, intermediate transfer image formation will be described.

  The ink liquid is ejected by the ink liquid ejection heads 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C toward the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body 14 to which the processing liquid is applied, whereby the intermediate transfer image is transferred to the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body 14. Is formed. Here, ink droplets are landed in the area where the treatment liquid is landed.

  When the ink liquid reacts with the treatment liquid, the dispersion state of the pigment (coloring material) in the ink is destroyed, and the pigment component aggregates. That is, on the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body 14, the pigment component and the liquid solvent are separated.

  Next, liquid removal will be described.

  The liquid solvent separated from the pigment component on the intermediate transfer member 14 is removed from the intermediate transfer member 14 by the liquid absorbing roller 21 as in the first actual embodiment. The liquid absorbing roller 21 is a porous body, and the liquid solvent is absorbed by the capillary force of the porous body on the surface of the liquid absorbing roller 21.

  Next, liquid recovery will be described.

  The liquid solvent removed by the liquid absorption roller 21 is collected by suction by the liquid suction / collection unit 22. The liquid solvent collected by suction is stored in the first collected liquid pool 45.

  Since the recovered liquid component is more than half of water, separating the water from other components and reusing it for the treatment liquid and the ink liquid is an effective resource recycling method.

  Next, distillation (water separation) will be described.

  In the distillation chamber 25, the recovered liquid is heated to evaporate only the water in the recovered liquid, and only the water is separated and recovered and stored in the second recovered liquid pool 46. The recovered liquid contains components other than water, but the temperature at which the organic solvent such as diethylene glycol and glycerin does not volatilize, specifically, the boiling point of the water to be distilled and the organic solvent such as diethylene glycol and glycerin. Only the water is separated by heating the recovered liquid at a temperature lower than the boiling point of the solvent. Residual solvents and impurities after separating the water are separately collected as waste liquid.

  Next, adjustment of liquid physical properties will be described.

  The valve in the second recovery liquid pool 46 (ie, water), the concentrate in the concentrate pool 48 (48P, 48K, 48Y, 48M, 48C), and the diluent in the diluent pool 47 are opened and closed. Control (specifically, the recovered liquid amount adjusting valve 460, the diluted liquid amount adjusting valve 470, the diluted recovered liquid adjusting valve 471P, 471C, 471M, 471Y, 471K, the concentrated liquid adjusting valve 481P, 481C, 481M, 481Y, 481K With the open / close control), the processing liquid and the ink liquid used for the ejection of the heads 12P, 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C are generated by mixing in an appropriate amount. The generated processing liquid is stored in the processing liquid tank 43P, and the generated ink liquid is stored in the ink liquid tanks 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 is an overall configuration diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus 10c according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, the same components as those of the ink jet recording apparatus 10a according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the already described contents is omitted here.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus 10c of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the processing liquid application unit 13 applies the processing liquid to the recording medium 16, and the ink ejection units 12 (heads 12C, 12M, 12Y, 12K) apply to the recording medium 16. This is a so-called direct recording type image forming apparatus that directly ejects ink.

  In the present embodiment, a belt 17 that conveys the recording medium 16 in a state where the recording medium 16 is opposed to the treatment liquid application unit 14 and the ink discharge unit 12 (heads 12C, 12M, 12Y, and 12K), and the belt 17 is tensioned. The transport unit 18 is configured to include the transport rollers 36a, 36b, 36c, and 36d.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus 10c according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 9, the same components as those of the ink jet recording apparatus 10a according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the already described contents is omitted here.

  In FIG. 9, the ink jet recording apparatus 10c of the present embodiment includes a recording medium type determining unit 172 that determines the type of the recording medium 16 (recording medium type), a recording medium type and a speed at which the recording medium penetrates (hereinafter, “liquid permeation”). The liquid permeability information memory 174 that stores liquid permeability information indicating the correspondence relationship with the “speed” in advance and the recording medium type determined by the recording medium type determination unit 172 determine the liquid permeability of the recording medium 16. A liquid permeability determination unit 176 that performs the operation.

  There are various recording medium type determination modes by the recording medium type determination unit 172. For example, firstly, an aspect in which the recording medium type information is acquired from the host computer 190 via the communication interface 102, and secondly, a cassette (not shown) on which the recording medium 16 is placed or a recording medium 16 to the recording medium A mode in which the type information is read, and a third mode in which the recording medium type information input by the user is obtained by operating means (not shown) provided in the inkjet recording apparatus 10c.

  Specifically, the liquid permeability determination unit 176 determines whether or not the liquid penetration rate determined by the recording medium type determination unit 172 is smaller than a predetermined threshold value.

  The liquid removal control unit 118 moves the liquid absorbing roller 21 shown in FIG. 8 to the recording medium 16 by the vertical movement mechanism 116 only when the liquid penetration speed is smaller than the threshold value, that is, only when the liquid penetration is slow, according to an instruction from the system controller 104. When the liquid permeation speed is equal to or higher than the threshold value, that is, when the liquid permeation speed is high, the liquid removal control unit 118 moves the liquid absorption roller 21 in FIG. Set the non-contact position. Further, only when the liquid permeation rate is smaller than the threshold value, that is, only when the liquid permeation is slow, the liquid recovery control unit 122 drives the liquid suction pump 22b to suck the liquid from the liquid absorption roller 21 and the first recovery liquid Collect in the pool 45. Therefore, the liquid removed from the recording medium 16 is reused only when the liquid penetration is slow.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus 10d according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, the same components as those of the ink jet recording apparatus 10b according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the already described contents is omitted here. In FIG. 10, the same components as those of the ink jet recording apparatus 10c according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the already described contents is omitted here.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus 10d of this embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the discharge unit 12 (the processing liquid discharge head 12P and the ink liquid discharge heads 12C, 12M, 12Y, and 12K) directs the processing liquid and ink toward the recording medium 16. This is a so-called direct recording type image forming apparatus that discharges.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the inkjet recording apparatus 10d according to this embodiment. In FIG. 11, the same components as those of the ink jet recording apparatus 10b according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the already described contents is omitted here. In FIG. 11, the same constituent elements as those of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 c according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the already described contents is omitted here.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the third embodiment, only when the liquid permeation rate is smaller than a predetermined threshold, that is, only when the liquid permeation is slow, the treatment liquid and the ink liquid on the recording medium 16 are reacted. The liquid that has been separated into solid and liquid is sucked by the liquid absorbing roller 21 and sucked and collected by the liquid sucking and collecting unit 22. Therefore, the liquid removed from the recording medium 16 is reused only when the liquid penetration is slow.

[Description of ink set]
Next, an ink set (treatment liquid and ink liquid) applied to the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail.

<Ink>
The ink includes water as a solvent, a coloring material (organic pigment), a water-soluble organic solvent, a surface tension adjusting agent (surfactant), and other additives.

(Organic pigment)
The ink used in this embodiment can be used not only for forming a single color image but also for forming a full color image. In order to form a full color image, a magenta color ink, a cyan color ink, and a yellow color ink can be used, and a black color ink may be further used to adjust the color tone. Further, red, green, blue and white inks other than yellow, magenta and cyan color inks, and so-called special color inks in the printing field can be used.

  Specific examples of the pigment used in the present embodiment are shown below.

  Examples of the pigment for orange or yellow include C.I. I. Pigment orange 31, C.I. I. Pigment orange 43, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 12, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 13, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 14, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 15, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 17, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 74, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 93, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 94, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 128, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 138, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 151, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 155, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 180, C.I. I. And CI Pigment Yellow 185.

Examples of the magenta or red pigment include C.I. I. Pigment red 2, C.I. I. Pigment red 3, C.I. I. Pigment red 5, C.I. I. Pigment red 6, C.I. I. Pigment red 7, C.I. I. Pigment red 15, C.I. I. Pigment red 16, C.I. I. Pigment red 48: 1, C.I. I. Pigment red 53: 1, C.I. I. Pigment red 57: 1, C.I. I. Pigment red 122, C.I. I. Pigment pigment red 123, C.I. I. Pigment red 139, C.I. I. Pigment red 144, C.I. I. Pigment red 149, C.I. I. Pigment red 166, C.I. I. Pigment red 177, C.I. I. Pigment red 178, C.I. I. And CI Pigment Red 222.

  Examples of the pigment for green or cyan include C.I. I. Pigment blue 15, C.I. I. Pigment blue 15: 2, C.I. I. Pigment blue 15: 3, C.I. I. Pigment blue 16, C.I. I. Pigment blue 60, C.I. I. And CI Pigment Green 7.

  Examples of black pigments include C.I. I. Pigment black 1, C.I. I. Pigment black 6, C.I. I. Pigment black 7 and the like.

  Further, the average particle diameter of the organic pigment is preferably as small as possible from the viewpoint of transparency and color reproducibility, but is preferably large from the viewpoint of light resistance. As an average particle diameter which balances these, 10-200 nm is preferable, 10-150 nm is more preferable, 10-100 nm is further more preferable. Further, the particle size distribution of the organic pigment is not particularly limited, and any one having a wide particle size distribution or a monodispersed particle size distribution may be used. Two or more kinds of organic pigments having a monodispersed particle size distribution may be mixed and used.

  The addition amount of the organic pigment is preferably 1 to 25% by mass, more preferably 2 to 20% by mass, further preferably 5 to 20% by mass, and particularly 5 to 15% by mass with respect to the ink. preferable.

(Water-soluble organic solvent)
The water-soluble organic solvent used in this embodiment is used for the purpose of preventing drying or promoting wetting. Further, the drying inhibitor is suitably used at the ink ejection port of the nozzle in the ink jet recording method, and prevents clogging due to drying of the ink for ink jet.

  The drying inhibitor is preferably a water-soluble organic solvent having a vapor pressure lower than that of water. Specific examples of the drying inhibitor include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, thiodiglycol, dithiodiglycol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, Polyhydric alcohols represented by acetylene glycol derivatives, glycerin, trimethylolpropane, etc., polyvalent alcohols such as ethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether, triethylene glycol monoethyl (or butyl) ether Lower alkyl ethers of alcohols, 2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, heterocyclic rings such as N-ethylmorpholine, sulfolane, dimethyls Sulfoxide, sulfur-containing compounds such as 3-sulfolene, diacetone alcohol, polyfunctional compounds such as diethanolamine, and urea derivatives. Of these, the drying inhibitor is preferably a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or diethylene glycol. Moreover, said drying inhibitor may be used independently or may be used together 2 or more types. These drying inhibitors are preferably contained in the ink in an amount of 10 to 50% by mass.

  In addition to the above, the water-soluble organic solvent is also used for adjusting the viscosity. Specific examples of water-soluble organic solvents that can be used to adjust the viscosity include alcohols (eg, methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol, sec-butanol, t-butanol, pentanol, hexanol, Cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol), polyhydric alcohols (for example, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, butylene glycol, hexanediol, pentanediol, glycerin, hexanetriol, Thiodiglycol), glycol derivatives (eg, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether) Ter, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol diacetate, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, Triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether), amine (eg, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, N-methyldiethanolamine, N-ethyldiethanolamine, morpholine, N-ethylmorpholine, Tylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, polyethyleneimine, tetramethylpropylenediamine) and other polar solvents (eg, formamide, N, N-dimethylformamide, N, N-dimethylacetamide, dimethylsulfoxide, sulfolane, 2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-oxazolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, acetonitrile, acetone). In addition, a water-soluble organic solvent may be used independently and may use 2 or more types together.

(Surface tension regulator)
Examples of the surface tension adjusting agent used in the present embodiment include nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, betaine surfactants, and the like.

  In addition, the addition amount of the surface tension adjusting agent is preferably an addition amount that adjusts the surface tension of the ink to 20 to 60 mN / m, and preferably an addition amount that is adjusted to 20 to 45 mN / m, in order to eject droplets well by inkjet. More preferable is an addition amount adjusted to 25 to 40 mN / m.

  Specific examples of surfactants include fatty acid salts, alkyl sulfate esters, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, dialkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl phosphate esters, naphthalene sulfonate formalin condensation in hydrocarbons Products, anionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene alkyl sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl allyl ethers, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxy Nonionic surfactants such as ethylene alkylamine, glycerin fatty acid ester and oxyethyleneoxypropylene block copolymer are preferred. Further, SURFYNOLS (Air Products & Chemicals), which is an acetylene-based polyoxyethylene oxide surfactant, is also preferably used. An amine oxide type amphoteric surfactant such as N, N-dimethyl-N-alkylamine oxide is also preferred.

  Further, pages (37) to (38) of JP-A-59-157636, Research Disclosure No. The surfactants described in 308119 (1989) can also be used.

  Also, fluorine (fluorinated alkyl) surfactants, silicone surfactants, and the like described in JP-A Nos. 2003-322926, 2004-325707, and 2004-309806 are disclosed. By using, the abrasion resistance can be improved.

  These surface tension modifiers can also be used as antifoaming agents, and fluorine compounds, silicone compounds, chelating agents represented by EDTA, and the like can also be used.

(Other additives)
Other additives used in the present embodiment include, for example, drying inhibitors (wetting agents), anti-fading agents, emulsion stabilizers, penetration enhancers, ultraviolet absorbers, antiseptics, antifungal agents, and pH adjusters. , Known additives such as antifoaming agents, viscosity modifiers, dispersants, dispersion stabilizers, rust inhibitors and chelating agents. In the case of water-soluble ink, these various additives are added directly to the ink. When an oil-soluble dye is used in the form of a dispersion, it is generally added to the dispersion after the preparation of the dye dispersion, but it may be added to the oil phase or the aqueous phase at the time of preparation.

  The ultraviolet absorber is used for the purpose of improving image storability. Examples of ultraviolet absorbers include benzotriazoles described in JP-A Nos. 58-185677, 61-190537, JP-A-2-782, JP-A-5-97075, JP-A-9-34057, and the like. Compounds, benzophenone compounds described in JP-A No. 46-2784, JP-A No. 5-194433, US Pat. No. 3,214,463, etc., JP-B Nos. 48-30492, 56-211141, Cinnamic acid compounds described in, for example, Kaihei 10-88106, JP-A-4-298503, 8-53427, 8-239368, 10-182621, JP-A-8- No. 501291, etc., triazine compounds, Research Disclosure No. Compounds described in No. 24239, compounds that emit fluorescence by absorbing ultraviolet rays typified by stilbene-based and benzoxazole-based compounds, so-called fluorescent brighteners, can also be used.

  The anti-fading agent is used for the purpose of improving image storage stability. As the antifading agent, various organic and metal complex antifading agents can be used. Organic anti-fading agents include hydroquinones, alkoxyphenols, dialkoxyphenols, phenols, anilines, amines, indanes, chromans, alkoxyanilines, heterocycles, etc. Complex, zinc complex and the like. More specifically, Research Disclosure No. No. 17643, Nos. VII to I, J; 15162, ibid. No. 18716, page 650, left column, ibid. No. 36544, page 527, ibid. No. 307105, page 872, ibid. The compounds described in the patent cited in Japanese Patent No. 15162 and the compounds included in the general formulas and compound examples of typical compounds described on pages 127 to 137 of JP-A-62-215272 can be used.

Examples of the antifungal agent include sodium dehydroacetate, sodium benzoate, sodium pyridinethione-1-oxide, p-hydroxybenzoic acid ethyl ester, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one and salts thereof. These are preferably used in an amount of 0.02 to 1.00% by weight in the ink.
As the pH adjuster, a neutralizer (organic base, inorganic alkali) can be used. For the purpose of improving the storage stability of the inkjet ink, the pH adjuster is preferably added so that the inkjet ink has a pH of 6 to 10, and more preferably added to have a pH of 7 to 10.

<Processing liquid>
The treatment liquid used in this example includes water as a solvent, a water-soluble organic solvent, a surface tension adjusting agent (surfactant), and a color material flocculant (for example, a pH adjusting agent or a polyvalent metal salt). .

  A treatment liquid containing a pH adjusting agent as a color material aggregating agent generates aggregates by changing the pH of the ink. At this time, the pH of the treatment liquid is preferably 1 to 6, more preferably 2 to 5, and still more preferably 3 to 5. In addition, in order to make the treatment solution acidic, a compound having a furan, pyrrole, pyrroline, pyrrolidone, pyrone, pyrrole, thiophene, indole, pyridine, quinoline structure and further having a carboxyl group as a functional group, such as pyrrolidone carboxyl Acid, pyrone carboxylic acid, pyrrole carboxylic acid, furan carboxylic acid, pyridine carboxylic acid, coumaric acid, thiophene carboxylic acid, nicotinic acid, derivatives of these compounds, or salts thereof are added to the treatment liquid.

  Moreover, as said compound, it is preferable that they are pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, pyrone carboxylic acid, furan carboxylic acid, coumaric acid, or these compound derivatives, or these salts. In addition, these compounds may be used by 1 type and may be used together 2 or more types.

  Moreover, it replaces with said compound and a coagulant | flocculant may be added to a process liquid. Examples of such a flocculant include alkali metal ions such as lithium ion, sodium ion and potassium ion, aluminum ion, barium ion, calcium ion, copper ion, iron ion, magnesium ion, manganese ion, nickel ion, tin ion and titanium. Polyvalent metal ions such as ions and zinc ions, hydrochloric acid, odorous acid, hydroiodic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, thiocyanic acid, and acetic acid, oxalic acid, lactic acid, fumaric acid, fumaric acid, citric acid, salicylic acid And organic carboxylic acids such as benzoic acid and salts of organic sulfonic acids.

  In addition, the treatment liquid used in the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described liquid as long as the colorant (organic pigment) dissolved and / or dispersed in the ink is aggregated. Specific examples of the treatment liquid include a treatment liquid that aggregates by changing the pH of the ink (for example, a treatment liquid described in JP-A Nos. 7-1837 and 2004-359841), and an inorganic salt added to the ink. Treatment liquids to be agglomerated (for example, treatment liquids described in JP-A-5-202328, JP-A-5-208548, JP-A-9-29950), a compound having a charge opposite to that of a charged ink colorant, an anion, By changing the solvent composition of the ink (for example, the treatment liquid described in Japanese Patent No. 2667401, Japanese Patent No. 3466756, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-174997, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-199151) that reacts with cations and aggregates. Examples of the treatment liquid include agglomeration.

  Further, the treatment liquid may contain other additives within a range that does not impair the effects of the present invention. Other additives include, for example, anti-drying agents (wetting agents), anti-fading agents, emulsion stabilizers, penetration enhancers, ultraviolet absorbers, preservatives, anti-fungal agents, antifoaming agents, viscosity modifiers, and dispersing agents. Well-known additives such as dispersion stabilizers, rust inhibitors, chelating agents, and the like, and specific examples of other additives contained in the ink described above can be applied.

  In the second embodiment and the fourth embodiment, an example has been described in which only water is distilled and reused in the distillation chamber 25 and the liquid solvent having a boiling point higher than that of water is discarded. Thus, when only water is distilled and reused, a liquid solvent other than water having a boiling point higher than that of water is used.

  The present invention is not limited to the examples described in the present specification and the examples illustrated in the drawings, and various design changes and improvements may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. Side view showing a configuration example of a liquid absorption roller and a liquid suction and recovery unit The perspective view which shows the structural example of a liquid absorption roller and a liquid suction collection | recovery part. (A) is a plan perspective view showing an example of the overall structure of the head, and (B) is a cross-sectional view along the line BB. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus According to Second Embodiment Block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus According to Third Embodiment Block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus According to Fourth Embodiment Block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Inkjet recording device (image forming apparatus), 12 ... Liquid discharge head, 12C, 12M, 12Y, 12K ... Ink liquid discharge head, 12P ... Treatment liquid discharge head, 13 ... Treatment liquid application part, 14 ... Intermediate transfer body, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Conveyance transfer part, 16 ... Recording medium, 17 ... Conveyance belt, 21 ... Liquid absorption roller, 22 ... Liquid suction collection part, 22a ... Contact part of liquid suction collection part, 22b ... Liquid suction pump of liquid suction collection part , 23 ... Filter unit feed pump, 24 ... Filter unit, 25 ... Distillation chamber, 28 ... First liquid property sensor, 29 ... Second liquid property sensor, 41 ... First treatment liquid pool, 42 ... Second Treatment liquid pool, 43 (43C, 43M, 43Y, 43K) ... ink liquid tank, 43P ... treatment liquid tank (third treatment liquid pool), 44 ... physical property adjusting liquid pool, 45 ... first recovered liquid pool 46 ... Second recovery liquid pool, 47 ... Dilution liquid pool, 48 (48P, 48C, 48M, 48Y, 48K) ... Concentrated liquid pool, 104 ... System controller, 112 ... Conveyance motor, 114 ... Conveyance transfer control unit, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 116 ... Vertical motion mechanism, 118 ... Liquid removal control part, 122 ... Liquid collection | recovery control part, 124 ... Liquid physical property information memory, 126 ... Liquid physical property determination part, 128 ... Liquid stirring motor, 130 ... Liquid physical property adjustment part, 142 ... Processing Liquid application motor, 144 ... treatment liquid application control unit, 150 ... print control unit, 172 ... recording medium type determination unit, 174 ... liquid permeability information memory, 176 ... liquid permeability determination part, 241, 251 ... waste collection liquid discharge Valve: 410 ... Raw process liquid amount adjustment valve, 420 ... Process liquid supply valve, 440 ... Physical property adjustment liquid quantity adjustment valve, 450 ... Filter unit communication channel open Valves, 421 ... Aging treatment liquid discharge valve, 460 ... Recovery liquid amount adjustment valve, 470 ... Dilution liquid amount adjustment valve, 471 (471P, 471C, 471M, 471Y, 471K) ... Dilution recovery liquid amount adjustment valve, 481 (481P, 481C, 481M, 481Y, 481K) ... Concentrated liquid adjustment valve

Claims (9)

An ink discharge means for discharging an ink liquid containing a coloring material and a solvent toward a predetermined discharge target body to form an image on the discharge target body;
A treatment liquid applying means for applying a treatment liquid having a function of insolubilizing or non-dispersing the color material in the ink liquid to the discharge target; and
The treatment liquid is applied by the treatment liquid application unit, and the ink liquid is applied by the ink discharge unit, so that the color material in the ink liquid is insolubilized or non-dispersed. Liquid removing means for removing;
A recycling unit that collects the liquid removed from the surface of the discharge target body and supplies the liquid to at least one of the ink discharge unit and the treatment liquid application unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The discharged body is an intermediate transfer body,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image formed on the intermediate transfer member is transferred to a predetermined recording medium.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid removing unit has a porous body on a surface thereof.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reuse unit includes a filter that filters the liquid removed by the liquid removal unit.   The image according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reuse means includes a distillation means for distilling only a solvent having a specific boiling point from the liquid removed by the liquid removal means. Forming equipment. The reuse means is a physical property detection means for detecting physical properties of the liquid component removed by the liquid removal means;
Physical property adjusting means for adjusting the physical properties of the liquid component based on the physical properties detected by the physical property detecting means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The physical property of the liquid detected by the physical property detection means and adjusted by the physical property adjustment means is at least one of pH value, surface tension, viscosity, and metal ion concentration. Image forming apparatus. The discharged object is a recording medium that holds the image;
Recording medium type determining means for determining the type of the recording medium;
A permeation speed determination means for determining a liquid permeation speed of the recording medium based on the type of the recording medium;
With
The liquid removal unit removes the liquid from the recording medium and reuses the liquid only when the liquid permeation speed of the recording medium is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. The image forming apparatus described in the item. An ink liquid is ejected toward a predetermined target body, and a treatment liquid having a function of insolubilizing or non-dispersing the coloring material in the ink liquid is applied to the target body to form an image on the target body. In the image forming method to
The liquid is removed from the surface of the discharged body in a state where the treatment liquid is applied and the ink liquid is applied and the coloring material in the ink liquid is insolubilized or non-dispersed, and is removed from the surface of the discharged body. An image forming method, wherein the collected liquid is collected and reused as a part of at least one of the ink liquid and the processing liquid.

Images