JP2009072975A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recorder which is excellent in the fixability of a picture while enabling it to improve the detachability of the picture recorded in an intermediate transcript from the intermediate transcript. <P>SOLUTION: After forming a hardenable solution layer 17A on the intermediate transcript 12, the hardenable solution layer 17A is turned into the state of being hardened or half-hardened by giving a stimulus to the hardenable solution layer 17A. Furthermore, the hardenable solution layer 17B overlies the hardenable solution layer 17A which has been hardened or half-hardened, then a laminated body 40 made by making the hardenable solution layer 17B overlie the hardened or half-hardened hardenable solution layer 17A. The picture T is formed by discharging an ink droplet toward the hardenable solution layer 17B of the laminated body 40. The laminated body 40 in which the picture T has been formed is transferred to the recording medium P from the intermediate transcript 12 so that the not-yet-hardened hardenable solution layer 17B may touch the recording medium P. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus.

  There is an ink jet recording method in which an image or data using ink is recorded. The principle of the ink jet recording system is to record on paper, cloth, film, etc. by discharging liquid or molten solid ink from a nozzle, slit, porous film or the like. As for the method for ejecting ink, the so-called charge control method in which ink is ejected using electrostatic attraction, the so-called drop-on-demand method (pressure pulse method) in which ink is ejected using the vibration pressure of a piezo element. Various methods have been proposed, such as a so-called thermal ink jet method, in which ink is ejected using pressure generated by the formation and growth of bubbles due to high heat. By these methods, extremely high-definition images and data are Records can be obtained.

  In order to perform high-quality recording on various recording media such as penetrating media and non-penetrating media, recording methods using ink, including this ink jet recording method, are recorded on an intermediate transfer member and then transferred to the recording medium. A method has been proposed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that after a surfactant is applied to the surface of a transfer medium, ink droplets are ejected toward the transfer medium coated with the surfactant to form an ink image. The ink image is transferred to the recording medium by applying a pressure to the recording medium in contact with the recording medium.

JP-A-7-256873

  An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus that improves the peelability of an image recorded on an intermediate transfer member from the intermediate transfer member and is excellent in image fixing property.

The above problem is solved by the following means. That is,
The invention according to claim 1 is a supply means for supplying an intermediate transfer body and a curable solution containing at least a curable resin that is cured by an external stimulus in a layered manner on the intermediate transfer body, and Before the surface layer as the curable solution layer farthest from the intermediate transfer body is formed among the laminates of the curable solution layers of the curable solution stacked by the supply unit, the intermediate transfer is performed from the surface layer. A stimulus applying means for applying the stimulus to the curable solution layer on the body side, a means for applying ink toward the surface layer of the laminate formed on the intermediate transfer member, and the laminate to the intermediate A recording apparatus comprising: transfer means for transferring the surface layer of the laminate from the transfer body to the recording medium so that the surface layer is closest to the recording medium; and fixing means for fixing the laminate to the recording medium. is there.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the surface layer of the plurality of curable solution layers of the laminate can fix the colorant in the ink. Recording device.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the substance capable of fixing the colorant in the ink includes an ink-absorbing resin.

  The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the stimulus applying unit applies a stimulus for curing or semi-curing the curable resin. It is.

  The invention according to claim 5 is an ultraviolet curable resin in which the curable resin is cured by ultraviolet rays, and the stimulus is ultraviolet rays. Recording device.

  The invention according to claim 6 is an electron beam curable resin in which the curable resin is cured by an electron beam, and the stimulus is an electron beam. The recording apparatus according to the item.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the thermosetting resin in which the curable resin is cured by heat, and the stimulus is heat, according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Recording device.

  The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the fixing means fixes the laminate to the recording medium by applying the stimulus to the laminate. The recording apparatus according to the item.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided, the image recorded on the intermediate transfer body is improved in peelability from the intermediate transfer body, and the recording is excellent in image fixability. There is an effect that a device is provided.

  According to the second and third aspects of the invention, there is an effect that the image fixing property can be improved as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to efficiently improve the peelability of the image from the intermediate transfer member.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to perform high-speed recording as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided, and in particular, there is an effect that the recording medium is suitable for recording on a non-penetrable medium.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the speed can be increased as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

  According to the invention concerning Claim 7, it has the effect that a small and cheap apparatus structure is attained compared with the case where it does not have the structure of this invention.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that a small and simple device configuration is possible compared to the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is provided to the member which has the substantially same function throughout all the drawings, and the overlapping description may be abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes an endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer body 12 and a supply apparatus 18 that supplies a curable solution (described in detail later) on the intermediate transfer body 12 in a layered manner. And a stimulus applying device 32 for applying a stimulus for curing or semi-curing the curable solution, and discharging the ink droplet 20A to the laminate 40 formed by laminating the curable solution layer of the curable solution on the intermediate transfer body 12. Then, the inkjet recording head 20 that forms the image T, the transfer device 22 that transfers the laminated body 40 on which the image T is formed to the recording medium P, and the laminated body 40 that is transferred to the recording medium P are fixed to the recording medium P. The fixing device 34 is included.

  The intermediate transfer body 12 is provided so as to move in the moving direction (the arrow X direction in FIG. 1). In the present embodiment, the intermediate transfer body 12 has a 400 μm thick ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM) surface layer formed on a 1 mm thick polyimide film base layer.

  The intermediate transfer body 12 may have a belt shape or a cylindrical shape (drum shape) as in the embodiment.

  In the case of a belt shape, the base material can be driven by a belt in the apparatus, has the required mechanical strength, and particularly has the required heat resistance when using heat during transfer / fixing. Good. Specifically, polyimide, polyamideimide, aramid resin, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, polyethersulfone, stainless steel and the like are used.

  In the case of a drum shape, the base material may be aluminum, stainless steel (SUS), copper, glass or the like.

  Examples of the material of the surface layer of the intermediate transfer body 12 include various resins (for example, polyimide, polyamideimide, polyester, polyurethane, polyamide, polyethersulfone, fluorine-based resin) and various rubbers (for example, nitrile). Rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, chloroprene rubber, isoprene rubber, styrene rubber, butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, urethane rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, acrylic rubber, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, and the like. The surface layer may have a single layer structure or a stacked structure.

  In order to exhibit a heating method by electromagnetic induction in a transfer process in the transfer device 22 described later, a heat generating layer may be formed on the intermediate transfer body 12 instead of the transfer device 22. A metal that generates electromagnetic induction is used for the heat generating layer. For example, nickel, iron, copper, aluminum, chromium, or the like can be selected.

  The supply device 18 supplies a plurality of curable solution layers (in FIG. 1, a curable solution layer in FIG. 1) by supplying the curable solution 16 in a layered form on the intermediate transfer member 12. A laminate 40 in which 17A and the curable solution layer 17B are laminated is formed.

  The supply device 18 includes a supply device 18A and a supply device 18B. The supply device 18A and the supply device 18B are arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the movement direction along the movement direction of the intermediate transfer body 12. A supply device 18A is provided upstream of the supply device 18B in the movement direction X of the intermediate transfer body 12. For this reason, after the supply device 18A supplies the curable solution 16A onto the intermediate transfer body 12 to form the curable solution layer 17A on the intermediate transfer body 12, the supply device 18B applies the curable solution layer 17A onto the curable solution layer 17A. The curable solution 16B is supplied, and the curable solution layer 17B can be formed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the supply device 18A supplies a case 19A for storing the curable solution 16A and the curable solution 16A provided and stored in the case 19A to the intermediate transfer body 12. Supply roll 40A, blade 43A for adjusting the supply amount of the curable solution 16A supplied from the supply roll 40A to the intermediate transfer body 12, and a curable solution layer formed by the curable solution 16A supplied onto the intermediate transfer body 12. A blade 43A for adjusting the layer thickness of 17A is included.

  The supply device 18B includes a housing 19B for storing the curable solution 16B, a supply roll 40B for supplying the curable solution 16B provided and stored in the housing 19B to the intermediate transfer body 12, and a supply roll. The blade 43B for adjusting the supply amount of the curable solution 16B supplied from the 40B to the intermediate transfer body 12 and the layer thickness of the curable solution layer 17B by the curable solution 16B supplied onto the intermediate transfer body 12 are adjusted. The blade 43B is included.

  The intermediate transfer body 12 is rotated (moved in the movement direction X), and the curable solution 16A is supplied onto the intermediate transfer body 12 from the supply device 18A, whereby the curable solution layer 17A is formed on the intermediate transfer body 12. Is formed. Then, the region where the curable solution layer 17A is formed by the circumferential movement of the intermediate transfer body 12 passes through the installation region of the supply device 18B, and the curable solution 16B is supplied from the supply device 18B onto the curable solution layer 17A. By being supplied, a curable solution layer 17B made of the curable solution 16B is formed on the curable solution layer 17A.

  Here, the curable solution 16A and the curable solution 16B supplied to the intermediate transfer body 12 from the supply device 18A and the supply device 18B (when collectively referred to as the supply device 18) (the curable solution when collectively referred to). 16 may be referred to).

  The curable solution 16 includes at least a curable resin. Moreover, although mentioned later, the structure which further contains the liquid absorption resin which absorbs ink, the additive mentioned later, etc. may be sufficient.

  Examples of the curable resin include an ultraviolet curable resin, an electron beam curable resin, and a thermosetting resin. The ultraviolet curable resin is easy to cure, has a faster curing speed than other resins, and is easy to handle. The electron beam curable resin does not require a polymerization initiator and is easy to control the coloration of the cured layer. The thermosetting resin is cured without requiring a large apparatus. In addition, curable resin is not restricted to these, For example, curable resin hardened | cured with moisture, oxygen, etc. can also be applied.

  In addition, the curable solution containing the curable resin is preferably low-volatile or nonvolatile at normal temperature (25 ° C.). Here, low volatility means that the boiling point is 200 ° C. or higher under atmospheric pressure. Nonvolatile means that the boiling point is 300 ° C. or higher under atmospheric pressure. The same applies hereinafter.

  Examples of the ultraviolet curable resin include acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, urethane resin, polyester resin, maleimide resin, epoxy resin, oxetane resin, polyether resin, and polyvinyl ether resin. The curable solution contains at least one of an ultraviolet curable monomer, an ultraviolet curable macromer, an ultraviolet curable oligomer, and an ultraviolet curable prepolymer. Moreover, the curable solution contains an ultraviolet polymerization initiator for allowing the ultraviolet curing reaction to proceed as necessary.

  Here, examples of the ultraviolet curable monomer include an acrylate monomer, a methacrylate monomer, an epoxy monomer, an oxetane monomer, and a vinyl ether monomer. Other macromers, oligomers, and prepolymers include those obtained by polymerizing these monomers at a predetermined degree of polymerization, and epoxy acrylates and urethanes in which acryloyl groups and methacryloyl groups are added to epoxy, urethane, polyester, and polyether skeletons. Examples thereof include acrylate, polyester acrylate, polyether acrylate, urethane methacrylate, and polyester methacrylate.

  As ultraviolet polymerization initiators, radical photoinitiators such as acetophenone, benzophenone, benzoin ether, thioxanthone, acylphosphine oxide, peroxide, and titanocene compounds, aryldiazonium salts, diaryliodonium salts, triarylsulfonium salts Etc.

  Examples of the electron beam curable resin include acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, urethane resin, polyester resin, polyether resin, and silicone resin. The curable solution contains at least one of an electron beam curable monomer, an electron beam curable macromer, an electron beam curable oligomer, and an electron beam curable prepolymer.

  Examples of the electron beam curable monomer, macromer, oligomer, and prepolymer include the same materials as the ultraviolet curable material.

  Examples of the thermosetting resin include an epoxy resin, a polyester resin, a phenol resin, a melamine resin, a urea resin, and an alkyd resin. The curable solution contains at least one of a thermosetting monomer, a thermosetting macromer, a thermosetting oligomer, and a thermosetting prepolymer. Further, a curing agent may be added during the polymerization. Further, the curable solution may contain a thermal polymerization initiator for causing the thermosetting reaction to proceed.

  Here, examples of the thermosetting monomer include polyalcohols such as phenol, formaldehyde, bisphenol A, epichlorohydrin, cyanuric amide, urea and glycerin, acids such as phthalic anhydride, maleic anhydride, and adipic acid. . Other macromers, oligomers, and prepolymers include those obtained by polymerizing these monomers at a predetermined degree of polymerization, epoxy prepolymers, polyester prepolymers, and the like.

  Examples of the thermal polymerization initiator include acids such as protonic acid / Lewis acid, alkali catalysts, and metal catalysts.

  Further, the curable solution may contain water or an organic solvent for dissolving or dispersing the main components (monomer, macromer, oligomer, prepolymer, polymerization initiator, etc.) that contribute to the curing reaction. However, the ratio of the main component is, for example, 30% by mass or more, desirably 60% by mass or more, and more desirably 90% by mass or more.

  Moreover, the curable solution may contain various color materials for the purpose of controlling the coloring of the cured layer.

  The viscosity of the curable solution is 5 mPa · s to 10000 mPa · s, desirably 10 mPa · s to 1000 mPa · s, more desirably 15 mPa · s to 500 mPa · s. The viscosity of the curable solution is preferably higher than the viscosity of the ink.

  Hereinafter, the ink applied to the embodiment will be described.

The curable solution 16 includes a material that can fix the colorant in the ink (hereinafter, may be referred to as a liquid absorbing resin).
As these materials, materials having liquid absorbency with respect to ink are preferable. The material having a liquid absorbing property with respect to ink means that the liquid absorbing material and the ink are mixed at a weight ratio of 30: 100 for 24 hours, and then the liquid absorbing material is taken out from the mixed solution with a filter. Is increased by 5% or more with respect to the ink before mixing.
As described above, when the curable solution 16 (see FIG. 1) contains the ink absorbing material, the ink liquid component (for example, water or an aqueous solvent) is quickly taken into the resin layer and the image is fixed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce color mixing at the boundary between inks, image uniformity, and non-uniform transfer of ink due to pressure during transfer.

  Although details will be described later, a curable solution for forming a curable solution layer 17A closer to the intermediate transfer body 12 among the plurality of curable solution layers 17A and the curable solution layer 17B of the laminate 40. It is preferable that the layer 17A has less or no amount of a material having a liquid absorbing property with respect to the ink as compared with the curable solution layer 17B, and is the most surface when formed on the intermediate transfer body 12 as the laminate 40. The curable solution 16B for forming the curable solution layer 17B located on the side is configured to include a liquid absorbing resin.

Examples of the material having a liquid absorbing property with respect to ink include a resin and inorganic fine particles having surface ink affinity.
For example, it can be composed of a homopolymer of a hydrophilic monomer or a copolymer composed of both monomers of a hydrophilic monomer and a hydrophobic monomer. For this purpose, the copolymer is desirable. In addition, not only the monomer but also a graft copolymer or block copolymer in which other units such as a polymer / oligomer structure are copolymerized as a start may be used.

Here, as a hydrophilic monomer, -OH, -EO unit (ethylene oxide group), -COOM (M is alkali metal, such as hydrogen, Na, Li, and K, ammonia, organic amines, etc.). ), - _SO 3 M (M is, for example, hydrogen, Na, Li, alkali metals K, etc., ammonia, organic amines, etc.), - _NR 3 (R is, for example, H, alkyl, phenyl, etc.). - NR ₄ X (R is, for example, H, alkyl, phenyl, etc., and X is, for example, halogen, sulfate radical, acid anions such as carboxylic acid, BF ₄ , etc.) and the like. It is done. Specific examples include 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, acrylamide, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, unsaturated carboxylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, and the like. Examples of hydrophilic units or monomers include cellulose derivatives such as cellulose, ethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, starch derivatives, monosaccharide / polysaccharide derivatives, vinyl sulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, (anhydrous) Polymeric carboxylic acids such as maleic acid, (partially) neutralized salts thereof, vinyl alcohols, vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl pyridine, derivatives such as amino (meth) acrylate and dimethylamino (meth) acrylate, and oniums thereof Salts, amides such as acrylamide and isopropylacrylamide, polyethylene oxide chain-containing vinyl compounds, hydroxyl group-containing vinyl compounds, polyesters composed of polyfunctional carboxylic acids and polyhydric alcohols, especially trimellitic acid Branched polyester containing a large amount of content and terminal carboxylic acid or hydroxyl functionality more acid as a constituent component, a polyester containing polyethylene glycol structure, etc. may be mentioned.

  Examples of the hydrophobic monomer include monomers having a hydrophobic group. Specifically, for example, olefin (ethylene, butadiene, etc.), styrene, α-methylstyrene, α-ethylstyrene, methyl methacrylate, Examples include ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, vinyl acetate, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, and lauryl methacrylate. Hydrophobic units or monomers include styrene derivatives such as styrene, α-methylstyrene, vinyltoluene, vinylcyclohexane, vinylnaphthalene, vinylnaphthalene derivatives, alkyl acrylate esters, phenyl acrylate esters, alkyl methacrylate esters, methacrylic acid Examples thereof include phenyl ester, methacrylic acid cycloalkyl ester, crotonic acid alkyl ester, itaconic acid dialkyl ester, maleic acid dialkyl ester and the like, and derivatives thereof.

  Specific examples of the liquid-absorbing resin which is a copolymer of the hydrophilic monomer and the hydrophobic monomer include (meth) acrylic acid esters, styrene / (meth) acrylic acid / (anhydrous), for example. Preferred examples include maleic acid copolymers, olefin polymers such as ethylene / propylene (or modified products thereof, or carboxylic acid unit introduced products by copolymerization), branched polyesters having improved acid value with trimellitic acid, polyamides, and the like. It is done.

  Examples of the liquid absorbent resin include a neutral salt structure (for example, carboxylic acid). This neutralized salt structure such as carboxylic acid forms an ionomer by interaction with the cation when ink containing a cation (for example, a monovalent metal cation such as Na or Li) is absorbed.

  It is also desirable that the liquid absorbent resin contains a substituted or unsubstituted amino group or a substituted or unsubstituted pyridine group. The group exerts a bactericidal effect and interaction with a recording material having an anionic group (for example, pigment or dye).

  Here, in the liquid-absorbing resin, the molar ratio (hydrophilic monomer: hydrophobic monomer) between the hydrophilic unit (hydrophilic monomer) and the hydrophobic unit (hydrophilic monomer) is, for example, 5 : 95 or more and 70:30 or less.

  Further, the liquid absorbing resin may be ion-crosslinked by ions supplied from the ink. Specifically, a unit containing a carboxylic acid in the resin such as a copolymer containing a carboxylic acid such as (meth) acrylic acid or maleic acid or a (branched) polyester having a carboxylic acid in the liquid-absorbing resin. Can do. Ionic crosslinking and acid / base interaction occur between the carboxylic acid in the resin and the alkali metal cation, alkaline earth metal cation, organic amine / onium cation, etc. supplied from the liquid such as water-based ink.

  The liquid absorbent resin may have a straight chain structure, but a split structure is preferable. Further, the liquid absorbent resin is preferably non-crosslinked or low crosslinked. The liquid absorbent resin may be a linear random copolymer or block copolymer, but a branched polymer (including a branched random copolymer, block copolymer, and graft copolymer) may be used. Furthermore, it can be used suitably. For example, in the case of polyester synthesized by polycondensation, end groups can be increased in a branched structure. This branched structure is generally synthesized by adding so-called cross-linking agents such as divinylbenzene and di (meth) acrylates during synthesis (for example, adding less than 1%) or adding a large amount of an initiator together with the cross-linking agent. It is one of the practical methods.

Furthermore, a charge control agent for electrophotographic toner such as low molecular quaternary ammonium salts, organic borates, and salt-forming compounds of salicylic acid derivatives may be added to the liquid absorbent resin. The conductivity is controlled by conductivity such as tin oxide or titanium oxide (where conductivity means, for example, a volume resistivity of less than 10 ⁷ Ω · cm. The same applies hereinafter unless otherwise specified.) , Semiconductive (here, semiconductive means, for example, a volume resistivity of 10 ⁷ Ωcm or more and 10 ¹³ Ωcm or less. The same applies hereinafter unless otherwise specified). is there.

  The liquid absorbent resin is preferably an amorphous resin, and the glass transition temperature (Tg) thereof is, for example, 40 ° C. or higher and 90 ° C. or lower. The glass transition temperature (and melting point) was determined from the main maximum peak measured according to ASTM D3418-8. DSC-7 manufactured by Perkin Elmer Co. can be used for measurement of the main maximum peak. The temperature correction of the detection part of this apparatus uses the melting point of indium and zinc, and the correction of heat quantity uses the heat of fusion of indium. As the sample, an aluminum pan was used, an empty pan was set as a control, and the measurement was performed at a heating rate of 10 ° C./min.

  As for the weight average molecular weight of liquid absorption resin, 3000-300,000 are mentioned, for example. The weight average molecular weight is measured under the following conditions. For example, GPC uses “HLC-8120GPC, SC-8020 (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation)” apparatus, and two columns are “TSKgel, SuperHM-H (6.0 mm ID × 15 cm, manufactured by Tosoh Corporation)”. And THF (tetrahydrofuran) was used as the eluent. As experimental conditions, a sample concentration of 0.5% and a flow rate of 0.6 ml / min. The experiment was conducted using a sample injection amount of 10 μl, a measurement temperature of 40 ° C., and an IR detector. The calibration curve is “polystylen standard sample TSK standard” manufactured by Tosoh Corporation: “A-500”, “F-1”, “F-10”, “F-80”, “F-380”, “A-2500”. ”,“ F-4 ”,“ F-40 ”,“ F-128 ”, and“ F-700 ”.

  As for the acid value of liquid absorption resin, 50 mgKOH / g or more and 777 mgKOH / g or less are mentioned, for example in conversion of a carboxylic acid group (-COOH). The acid value in terms of this carboxylic acid group (—COOH) was measured as follows.

  The acid value was measured according to JIS K0070 and using a neutralization titration method. That is, an appropriate amount of a sample is taken, 100 ml of a solvent (diethyl ether / ethanol mixed solution) and a few drops of an indicator (phenolphthalein solution) are added, and shaken sufficiently until the sample is dissolved on a water bath. This was titrated with a 0.1 mol / l potassium hydroxide ethanol solution, and the end point was when the red color of the indicator lasted for 30 seconds. When the acid value is A, the sample amount is S (g), the 0.1 mol / l potassium hydroxide ethanol solution used for the titration is B (ml), and f is the factor of the 0.1 mol / l potassium hydroxide ethanol solution. , A = (B × f × 5.611) / S.

  The liquid absorbent resin may be configured in the form of particles and contained in the curable solution 16 or may be in the form of a gel.

  When the liquid-absorbing resin is in the form of particles, the particle diameter of the particles is, for example, 0.1 to 50 μm (preferably 0.5 to 25 μm, more preferably 1 to 10 μm). Range.

  The ratio of the liquid absorbent resin to the entire curable solution 16 is, for example, in the range of 10% or more, desirably 20% or more, and more desirably 30% or more and 70% or less.

Next, other additives contained in the curable solution 16 will be described.
The curable solution 16 may include a component that aggregates or thickens the components of the ink.

  The component having this function may be included as a functional group of a resin (resin water-absorbing resin) constituting the liquid-absorbing resin particles or may be included as a compound. Examples of the functional group include carboxylic acids, polyvalent metal cations, polyamines, and the like.

  Moreover, as the said compound, flocculants, such as an inorganic electrolyte, an organic acid, an inorganic acid, and an organic amine, are mentioned suitably.

  Inorganic electrolytes include alkali metal ions such as lithium ion, sodium ion, potassium ion, aluminum ion, barium ion, calcium ion, copper ion, iron ion, magnesium ion, manganese ion, nickel ion, tin ion, titanium ion, zinc Polyvalent metal ions such as ions, hydrochloric acid, odorous acid, hydroiodic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, thiocyanic acid, and acetic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, fumaric acid, fumaric acid, citric acid, salicylic acid, benzoic acid And the like, and organic carboxylic acids such as salts of organic sulfonic acids.

  Specific examples include lithium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium bromide, potassium bromide, sodium iodide, potassium iodide, sodium sulfate, potassium nitrate, sodium acetate, potassium oxalate, sodium citrate, potassium benzoate and the like. Alkali metal salts and aluminum chloride, aluminum bromide, aluminum sulfate, aluminum nitrate, sodium aluminum sulfate, potassium aluminum sulfate, aluminum acetate, barium chloride, barium bromide, barium iodide, barium oxide, barium nitrate, thiocyanate Barium acid, calcium chloride, calcium bromide, calcium iodide, calcium nitrite, calcium nitrate, calcium dihydrogen phosphate, calcium thiocyanate, calcium benzoate, calcium acetate, salicylic acid Lucium, calcium tartrate, calcium lactate, calcium fumarate, calcium citrate, copper chloride, copper bromide, copper sulfate, copper nitrate, copper acetate, iron chloride, iron bromide, iron iodide, iron sulfate, iron nitrate, oxalic acid Iron, iron lactate, iron fumarate, iron citrate, magnesium chloride, magnesium bromide, magnesium iodide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium acetate, magnesium lactate, manganese chloride, manganese sulfate, manganese nitrate, manganese dihydrogen phosphate , Manganese acetate, manganese salicylate, manganese benzoate, manganese lactate, nickel chloride, nickel bromide, nickel sulfate, nickel nitrate, nickel acetate, tin sulfate, titanium chloride, zinc chloride, zinc bromide, zinc sulfate, zinc nitrate, thiocyanate Examples thereof include salts of polyvalent metals such as zinc acid and zinc acetate.

  Specific examples of organic acids include arginic acid, citric acid, glycine, glutamic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, cysteine, oxalic acid, fumaric acid, phthalic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, lysine, malic acid, and general formula Examples thereof include compounds represented by (1) and derivatives of these compounds.

Here, in the formula, X represents O, CO, NH, NR ₁ , S, or SO ₂ . R ₁ represents an alkyl group, and R ₁ is preferably CH ₃ , C ₂ H ₅ , or C ₂ H ₄ OH. R represents an alkyl group, and R is preferably CH ₃ , C ₂ H ₅ , or C ₂ H ₄ OH. In addition, R may be included in the formula or may not be included. X is preferably CO, NH, NR, O, and more preferably CO, NH, O. M represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal or an amine. M is preferably H, Li, Na, K, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine or the like, more preferably H, Na, K, and still more preferably a hydrogen atom. n is an integer of 3 to 7. n is preferably a case where the heterocyclic ring is a 6-membered ring or a 5-membered ring, and more preferably a 5-membered ring. m is 1 or 2. The compound represented by the general formula (1) may be a saturated ring or an unsaturated ring as long as it is a heterocyclic ring. l is an integer of 1 to 5.

  Specifically, the compound represented by the general formula (1) has a furan, pyrrole, pyrroline, pyrrolidone, pyrone, pyrrole, thiophene, indole, pyridine, quinoline structure, and further has a carboxyl group as a functional group. Compounds. Specifically, 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, 4-methyl-4-pentanolide-3-carboxylic acid, furan carboxylic acid, 2-benzofuran carboxylic acid, 5-methyl-2-furan carboxylic acid, 2,5 -Dimethyl-3-furancarboxylic acid, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, 4-butanolide-3-carboxylic acid, 3-hydroxy-4-pyrone-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, 2-pyrone-6-carboxylic acid, 4-pyrone-2-carboxylic acid, 5-hydroxy-4-pyrone-5-carboxylic acid, 4-pyrone-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, 3-hydroxy-4-pyrone-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, thiophenecarboxylic Acid, 2-pyrrolecarboxylic acid, 2,3-dimethylpyrrole-4-carboxylic acid, 2,4,5-trimethylpyrrole-3-propionic acid, 3-hydroxy-2-yne Carboxylic acid, 2,5-dioxo-4-methyl-3-pyrroline-3-propionic acid, 2-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid, 4-hydroxyproline, 1-methylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid, 5-carboxy-1-methyl Pyrrolidine-2-acetic acid, 2-pyridinecarboxylic acid, 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid, 4-pyridinecarboxylic acid, pyridinedicarboxylic acid, pyridinetricarboxylic acid, pyridinepentacarboxylic acid, 1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1-methyl Examples include nicotinic acid, 2-quinolinecarboxylic acid, 4-quinolinecarboxylic acid, 2-phenyl-4-quinolinecarboxylic acid, 4-hydroxy-2-quinolinecarboxylic acid, and 6-methoxy-4-quinolinecarboxylic acid. .

  The organic acid is preferably citric acid, glycine, glutamic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, phthalic acid, pyrrolidone carboxylic 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. More desirably, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, pyrone carboxylic acid, pyrrole carboxylic acid, furan carboxylic acid, pyridine carboxylic acid, coumaric acid, thiophene carboxylic acid, nicotinic acid, or derivatives of these compounds, or salts thereof. More desirable are pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, pyrone carboxylic acid, furan carboxylic acid, coumaric acid, or a derivative of these compounds, or a salt thereof.

  The organic amine compound may be any of primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary amines and salts thereof. Specific examples include tetraalkylammonium, alkylamine, benzalkonium, alkylpyridium, imidazolium, polyamine, and derivatives or salts thereof. Specifically, amylamine, butylamine, propanolamine, propylamine, ethanolamine, ethylethanolamine, 2-ethylhexylamine, ethylmethylamine, ethylbenzylamine, ethylenediamine, octylamine, oleylamine, cyclooctylamine, cyclobutylamine, cyclohexane Propylamine, cyclohexylamine, diisopropanolamine, diethanolamine, diethylamine, di-2-ethylhexylamine, diethylenetriamine, diphenylamine, dibutylamine, dipropylamine, dihexylamine, dipentylamine, 3- (dimethylamino) propylamine, dimethylethylamine, dimethyl Ethylenediamine, dimethyloctylamine, 1,3-dimethylbutylamine, dimethyl 1,3-propanediamine, dimethylhexylamine, amino-butanol, amino-propanol, amino-propanediol, N-acetylaminoethanol, 2- (2-aminoethylamino) -ethanol, 2-amino-2- Ethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2- (2-aminoethoxy) ethanol, 2- (3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) ethylamine, cetylamine, triisopropanolamine, triisopentylamine, triethanolamine, trioctylamine, Tritylamine, bis (2-aminoethyl) 1,3-propanediamine, bis (3-aminopropyl) ethylenediamine, bis (3-aminopropyl) 1,3-propanediamine, bis (3-aminopropyl) methylamine, Bis (2-ethylhexyl ) Amine, bis (trimethylsilyl) amine, butylamine, butylisopropylamine, propanediamine, propyldiamine, hexylamine, pentylamine, 2-methyl-cyclohexylamine, methyl-propylamine, methylbenzylamine, monoethanolamine, laurylamine, Nonylamine, trimethylamine, triethylamine, dimethylpropylamine, propylenediamine, hexamethylediamine, tetraethylenepentamine, diethylethanolamine, tetramethylammonium chloride, tetraethylammonium bromide, dihydroxyethylstearylamine, 2-heptadecenyl-hydroxyethylimidazoline, lauryl Dimethylbenzylammonium chloride, cetylpyridinium mouth Ride, stearamide methylbiridium chloride, diallyldimethylammonium chloride polymer, diallylamine polymer, monoallylamine polymer and the like can be mentioned.

  More desirably, triethanolamine, triisopropanolamine, 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol, ethanolamine, propanediamine, propylamine and the like are used.

Among these flocculants, polyvalent metal salts (Ca (NO ₃ ), Mg (NO ₃ ), Al (OH ₃ ), polyaluminum chloride, etc.) are preferably used.

  The flocculant may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Moreover, as content of a flocculant, it is desirable that it is 0.01 to 30 mass%. More preferably, it is 0.1 mass% or more and 15 mass% or less, More preferably, it is 1 mass% or more and 15 mass% or less.

  The curable solution 16A supplied from the supply device 18A to the intermediate transfer body 12 and the curable solution 16B supplied from the supply device 18B to the intermediate transfer body 12 may have the same composition, but at least the laminate. The curable solution layer 17B farthest from the intermediate transfer body 12 when configured as 40 (in the state where the laminate 40 is formed on the intermediate transfer body 12, it is positioned on the most surface side of the laminate 40). It is essential that the curable solution 16B that forms a layer) includes both the curable resin and the liquid absorbent resin. On the other hand, the curable solution 16A that forms the curable solution layer 17A that is the layer closest to the intermediate transfer body 12 when configured as the laminated body 40 may be any structure that includes at least the curable resin, The liquid absorbent resin may be included, but it is preferable that the liquid absorbing resin is configured to be less or not included.

The curable solution 16A that forms the curable solution layer 17A that is the layer closest to the intermediate transfer body 12 when configured as the laminate 40 has a configuration in which the liquid-absorbing resin is reduced or not included. When the laminate 40 is formed on the intermediate transfer body 12, the most intermediate transfer body among the plurality of curable solution layers (the curable solution layer 17A and the curable solution layer 17B) constituting the laminate 40. Since the curable solution 16A of the curable solution layer 17A on the 12th side does not contain the liquid absorbing resin, the ink droplet 20A discharged from the inkjet recording head 20 to the laminate 40 formed on the intermediate transfer body 12 is used. However, after penetrating into the curable solution layer 17 </ b> B on the surface of the laminate 40, further penetration into the curable solution layer 17 </ b> A side is suppressed.
As described above, the ink droplet 20A discharged to the curable solution layer 17B on the surface of the laminate 40 is prevented from penetrating into the curable solution layer 17A on the intermediate transfer body 12 side, whereby the ink droplet 20A is cured. Since it spreads in the lateral direction (direction intersecting the thickness direction) within the conductive solution layer 17B, the image uniformity when an image is formed on the recording medium P is improved.

  In addition, the curable solution 16A that forms the curable solution layer 17A, which is the layer closest to the intermediate transfer body 12 when configured as the laminate 40, has a configuration in which the liquid absorbing resin is little or not contained, so that the ink After the droplet 40 is ejected and the laminated body 40 on which the image is formed is transferred to the recording medium P, the curable solution layer 17A made of the curable solution 16A is a layer located on the most surface side on the recording medium P. Therefore, on the recording medium P, the curable solution layer 17B on which the image T is formed by the ejection of the ink droplet 20A is covered with the curable solution layer 17A. A layer containing little or no liquid-absorbing resin has the effect of increasing the strength of the image surface after transferring the liquid-absorbing particles and improving the image fixing property.

  The stimulus applying device 32 is provided on the downstream side in the moving direction X of the intermediate transfer body 12 from the supply device 18A that supplies the curable solution 16A to the intermediate transfer body 12, and from the supply device 18B that supplies the curable solution 16B. It is provided on the upstream side in the movement direction X of the intermediate transfer body 12.

  The stimulus applying device 32 is a curable solution supplied from the supply device 18 (the supply device 18A in the present embodiment) provided upstream of the stimulus applying device 32 in the moving direction X of the intermediate transfer body 12. 16 (in this embodiment, the curable solution 16A supplied from the supply device 18A) is given a stimulus to the extent that the curable solution 16 is cured or semi-cured.

  The stimulus applied by the stimulus applying device 32 is selected according to the type of curable resin contained in the curable solution 16.

  Specifically, for example, when an ultraviolet curable resin is applied as the curable resin contained in the curable solution 16, an ultraviolet irradiation device that irradiates ultraviolet rays as a stimulus is applied as the stimulus applying device 32. In addition, when an electron beam curable resin is applied as the curable resin contained in the curable solution 16, an electron beam irradiation device that irradiates an electron beam as a stimulus is applied as the stimulus applying device 32. In addition, when a thermosetting resin is applied as the curable resin contained in the curable solution 16, a heat applying device that applies heat as a stimulus is applied as the stimulus applying device 32.

  As the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus, any apparatus that is generally used for curing an ultraviolet curable resin can be used. For example, a metal halide lamp, a high-pressure mercury lamp, an ultrahigh-pressure mercury lamp, a deep ultraviolet lamp, a lamp that uses a microwave to excite a mercury lamp from the outside without electrode, an ultraviolet laser, a xenon lamp, a UV-LED, or the like is applied.

  The ultraviolet irradiation conditions are not particularly limited as long as the curable solution 16 containing the ultraviolet curable resin (the curable solution layer formed thereby) can be sufficiently cured. Although it can be selected according to the resin type, the thickness of the layer to be cured, etc., for example, irradiation with a high pressure mercury lamp of 120 W / cm output for 2 seconds or the like.

  Further, as an electron beam irradiation apparatus, for example, there are a scanning type / curtain type, etc. The curtain type draws thermoelectrons generated in a filament by a grid in a vacuum chamber, and further by a high voltage (for example, 70 kV or more and 300 kV or less). It is a device that accelerates at once, becomes an electron flow, passes through the window foil, and emits it to the atmosphere side. The wavelength of the electron beam is generally smaller than 1 nm and the energy is large and ranges up to several MeV. However, the wavelength of the electron beam with an energy of several tens keV to several hundreds keV in the order of pm is applied. .

  The irradiation conditions of the electron beam are not particularly limited as long as the curable solution 16 containing the electron beam curable resin (the curable solution layer formed thereby) can be sufficiently cured. For example, the electron dose is not less than 5 kGy level and not more than 100 kGy level.

  Moreover, as a heat provision apparatus, a halogen lamp, a ceramic heater, a nichrome wire heater, a microwave heating, an infrared lamp etc. are applied, for example. As the heat applying device, an electromagnetic induction heating device can also be applied.

  The heat application condition is not particularly limited as long as the curable solution 16 containing the thermosetting resin (the curable solution layer formed thereby) can be sufficiently cured. Although it can be selected according to the resin type, the thickness of the cured layer, and the like, for example, in air, it is 5 minutes in a 200 ° C environment.

  The fully cured state means a state in which permeable paper (plain paper) is superimposed on the applied curable resin and no transfer occurs even when a load of 200 g is applied.

  Here, “semi-cured” refers to a state in which the curable solution 16 is cured more than immediately after being supplied to the intermediate transfer body 12 and is not a complete liquid. Specifically, when a permeable paper (plain paper) is stacked on the curable resin layer with the curable solution 16 supplied onto the intermediate transfer body 12, no load is applied when it is uncured. However, when the load is not applied, the resin is not transferred to the paper side at all, and the case where the resin is partially transferred when the load of 200 g is applied is determined as the “semi-cured” state.

  A stimulus applying device 32 is provided between the supply device 18A and the supply device 18B (on the downstream side in the movement direction X of the intermediate transfer body 12 from the supply device 18A and on the upstream side in the movement direction X of the intermediate transfer body 12 from the supply device 18B). When the stimulus is applied from the stimulus applying device 32 toward the intermediate transfer member 12, the intermediate transfer member 12 is formed by the supply device 18A and is set in a cured state or a semi-cured state by the stimulus applying device 32. The laminated body 40 in which the curable solution layer 17B in an uncured state is stacked is formed on the curable solution layer 17A by the supply device 18B.

  The recording apparatus 10 of the present embodiment supplies a release agent 14D on the intermediate transfer body 12 and forms a release layer on the upstream side of the supply apparatus 18A in the moving direction X of the intermediate transfer body 12. It is desirable to arrange the agent supply device 14.

  Examples of the release agent 14D include release materials such as silicone oil, fluorine oil, polyalkylene glycol, and surfactant.

Examples of the silicone oil include straight silicone oil and modified silicone oil.
Examples of the straight silicone oil include dimethyl silicone oil and methyl hydrogen silicone oil.
Examples of the modified silicone oil include methylstyryl-modified oil, alkyl-modified oil, higher fatty acid ester-modified oil, fluorine-modified oil, and amino-modified oil.
Examples of the polyalkylene glycol include polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, and polybutylene glycol. Among these, polypropylene glycol is preferable.
Examples of the surfactant include an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant. Among these, a nonionic surfactant is desirable.

  The viscosity of the release agent 14D is preferably, for example, from 5 mPa · s to 200 mPa · s, more preferably from 5 mPa · s to 100 mPa · s, and even more preferably from 5 mPa · s to 50 mPa · s.

The viscosity is measured as follows. The viscosity of the ink obtained was measured using Rheomatt 115 (manufactured by Contraves) as a measuring device. The measurement was performed by placing the sample in a measurement container and mounting it on the apparatus by a predetermined method, under the conditions of a measurement temperature of 40 ° C. and a shear rate of 1400 s ⁻¹ .

  The surface tension of the release agent 14D is, for example, in the range of 40 mN / m or less (desirably 30 mN / m or less, more desirably 25 mN / m or less).

  The surface tension is measured as follows. In an environment of 23 ± 0.5 ° C. and 55 ± 5% RH, the surface tension of the obtained sample was measured using a Wilhelmy type surface tension meter (manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd.).

  The boiling point of the release agent 14D is, for example, in the range of 250 ° C. or higher (preferably 300 ° C. or higher, more preferably 350 ° C. or higher) under 760 mmHg.

  The boiling point is measured as follows. Measurement was performed according to JIS K2254, and the initial boiling point was used as the boiling point.

  The release agent supply device 14 includes a supply roll 14 </ b> C that supplies the release agent to the intermediate transfer body 12, and a blade 14 </ b> B that defines the layer thickness of the release agent supplied to the intermediate transfer body 12. .

  When the intermediate transfer member 12 is moved (moved in the moving direction), a release layer is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer member 12 by the release agent supply device 14. The release agent 14D is supplied to the surface of the intermediate transfer body 12 by the supply roll 14C of the release agent supply device 14, and the layer thickness is defined by the blade 14B.

  At this time, the release agent supply device 14 may be in continuous contact with the intermediate transfer body 12 or may be separated from the intermediate transfer body 12 for the purpose of continuous image formation and printing. .

  The release agent 14D may be supplied to the release agent supply device 14 from an independent liquid supply system (not shown) so that the supply of the release agent 14D is not interrupted.

  By adopting a configuration in which the release agent supply device 14 is provided in the recording apparatus 10, after the release agent 14D is supplied onto the intermediate transfer body 12 by the release agent supply device 14, the release agent 14D releases the release agent. The laminated body 40 is formed on the layer. For this reason, the peelability of the laminate 40 from the intermediate transfer member 12 at the time of transferring the laminate 40 to the recording medium P described later is further improved.

  The intermediate transfer member 12 is rotated in the moving direction X, and the release agent 14D, the supply device 18A, the stimulus applying device 32, and the supply device 18B release the release layer 14D on the intermediate transfer member 12 by the release agent 14D. Is formed, a curable solution layer 17A in a cured or semi-cured state is further formed on the release layer, and an uncured curable solution layer 17B is formed on the curable solution layer 17A. When the laminated body 40 is formed, the laminated body 40 reaches the region where the inkjet recording head 20 is provided by the movement of the intermediate transfer body 12 in the movement direction X.

  The ink jet recording head 20 is provided on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer body 12 from the supply device 18, and the curable solution layer 17 </ b> B that is a layer on the most surface side of the laminate 40 formed on the intermediate transfer body 12. Ink droplets are ejected toward the head.

The inkjet recording head 20 includes an inkjet recording head 20K that ejects black ink droplets, an inkjet recording head 20C that ejects cyan ink droplets, an inkjet recording head 20M that ejects magenta ink droplets, and a yellow ink droplet. The ink jet recording head 20Y is configured to discharge the ink. These ink jet recording heads 20C, an ink jet recording head 20M that ejects magenta ink droplets, and an ink jet recording head 20Y that ejects yellow ink droplets (generally referred to as the ink jet recording head 20). From each of them, ink droplets of each color corresponding to the image to be formed are ejected toward the curable solution layer 17B farthest from the intermediate transfer body 12 of the laminate 40, and an image T is formed on the laminate 40. It is formed.
As the ink jet recording head 20, either a piezoelectric (piezo) or a thermal type may be used. Details of the ink will be described later.

  The transfer device 22 transfers the laminated body 40 on which the image T is formed to the recording medium P. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, the transfer device 22 transfers the laminate 40 onto the recording medium P by sandwiching the recording medium P with the intermediate transfer member 12 and applying pressure to the laminate 40. .

  For this reason, the laminate 40 on the intermediate transfer body 12 is located on the most surface side on the intermediate transfer body 12, and the curable solution layer 17B ejected with the ink droplets 20A is the side closest to the recording medium P. The curable solution layer 17 </ b> A located on the back surface side (intermediate transfer body 12 side) on the intermediate transfer body 12 is transferred to the recording medium P so that it becomes the top surface layer on the recording medium P.

  The transfer device 22 includes a pressure roll 22A and a pressure roll 22B that face each other with the intermediate transfer body 12 interposed therebetween, and the pressure roll 22A and the pressure roll 22B come into contact with each other to form a contact portion. As the pressure roll 22A and the pressure roll 22B, a material in which the outer surface of the aluminum core is coated with silicone rubber and further coated with a PFA tube can be used.

  Transfer may be performed only by pressure, or may be assisted by external energy means such as heating and ultraviolet rays.

  Downstream of the transfer device 22 is disposed a cleaning device 24 for removing the deposits on the intermediate transfer body 12 such as the curable solution 16 remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer body 12 and paper dust. Yes.

  The recording medium P to which the image T has been transferred by transferring the laminate 40 from the intermediate transfer body 12 is conveyed by a conveyance mechanism (not shown) and conveyed to an area where the fixing device 34 is provided. The recording apparatus 10 is discharged to the outside. At this time, the laminate 40 transferred to the recording medium P can be quickly carried out because the ink droplet 20A is absorbed and held in the curable solution layer 17B of the laminate 40.

The fixing device 34 fixes the laminate 40 to the recording medium P by supplying a stimulus for curing the curable solution 16 contained in the laminate 40 to the laminate 40 transferred onto the recording medium P.
As the fixing device 34, the same one as the stimulus applying device 32 is used, and like the stimulus applying device 32, it is a particularly uncured layer among the curable resin layers 17 constituting the laminate 40. What is necessary is just the structure which provides the stimulus for hardening at least the curable resin layer 17A of the uncured state in which the image T was formed.

  As the recording medium P, any of a permeable medium (for example, plain paper, inkjet-coated paper, etc.) and a non-penetrable medium (for example, art paper, resin film, etc.) can be applied. The recording medium is not limited to these, and includes industrial products such as semiconductor substrates.

  Hereinafter, the operation of image formation in the recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

  In the recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the release agent 14 </ b> D is supplied by the release agent supply device 14 to form a release layer by the release agent 14 </ b> D on the intermediate transfer body 12. (Not shown).

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the curable solution 16A is supplied onto the release layer of the intermediate transfer body 12 by the supply device 18A, and the curable solution layer 17A is supplied onto the intermediate transfer body 12. Is formed.

  Further, when the curable solution layer 17A formed on the intermediate transfer body 12 reaches the region where the stimulus applying device 32 is provided by the movement of the intermediate transfer body 12 in the movement direction X, FIG. 1 and FIG. ), The stimulus is applied from the stimulus applying device 32 to the curable solution layer 17A. The curable solution layer 17A to which the stimulus is given transitions from an uncured state to a cured state or a semi-cured state.

  Further, when the curable solution layer 17A, which is in a cured state or a semi-cured state due to the movement of the intermediate transfer body 12 in the movement direction X, reaches a region where the supply device 18B is provided, the supply device 18B causes the curable solution to be curable. The curable solution 16B is supplied in layers on the layer 17A. Thereby, on the intermediate transfer body 12, as shown in FIG. 2C, a laminate in which a curable solution layer 17B in an uncured state is formed on a curable solution layer 17A in a cured or semi-cured state. The body 40 is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 2C and the above, the curable resin layer 17B out of the curable resin layer 17A and the curable resin layer 17B includes at least the liquid absorbing resin 19, and The curable resin layer 17 </ b> A preferably does not include the liquid absorbing resin 19. Since this effect has been described above, it will be omitted.

  Here, the thickness of the laminate 40 formed on the intermediate transfer body 12 is preferably in the range of 1 μm or more and 30 μm or less, more preferably in the range of 3 μm or more and 20 μm or less, and 5 μm or more and 10 μm or less. It is particularly preferable that the value falls within the range.

  If the thickness of the laminate 40 is less than 1 μm, there may be a problem that the image formation on the laminate deteriorates, and if it exceeds 30 μm, there is a problem that the image thickness after transfer increases or the transferability deteriorates. May occur.

Further, the layer thickness of the curable solution layer 17A formed on the most intermediate transfer body 12 side of the laminate 40 formed on the intermediate transfer body 12 is the cured state after the stimulus is applied by the stimulus applying device 32. Alternatively, in the semi-cured state, it is preferably in the range of 0.5 μm to 20 μm, more preferably in the range of 1 μm to 10 μm, and particularly preferably in the range of 1 μm to 5 μm.
If the layer thickness of the curable solution layer 17A is less than 0.5 μm, there may be a problem in the peelability from the intermediate transfer body at the time of transfer, and if it exceeds 20 μm, there is a problem that the image thickness is too large. There is a case.

Similarly, the layer thickness of the curable solution layer 17B formed on the side farthest from the intermediate transfer body 12 of the laminate 40 formed on the intermediate transfer body 12 is in the range of 0.5 μm or more and 20 μm or less. It is preferably within a range of 3 μm or more and 20 μm or less, and particularly preferably within a range of 5 μm or more and 10 μm or less.
When the layer thickness of the curable solution layer 17B is less than 0.5 μm, there may be a problem that image formation on the laminate deteriorates. When the layer thickness exceeds 20 μm, the image thickness after transfer increases. There may be a problem that transferability is deteriorated.

  Further, the layer thickness of the curable solution layer 17A closest to the intermediate transfer body 12 of the laminate 40 formed on the intermediate transfer body 12 is thinner than the layer thickness of the curable solution layer 17B farthest from the intermediate transfer body 12. More preferably, the layer thickness of the curable solution layer 17A is preferably less than half of the layer thickness of the curable solution layer 17B. When the layer thickness of the curable solution layer 17B is smaller than the layer thickness of the curable solution layer 17A, the thickness of the curable solution layer 17B that is the layer to which the ink droplets 20A are applied from the inkjet recording head 20 is thin. The body 40 may not have sufficient ink absorbability, and as a result, image quality may be deteriorated.

  When the laminated body 40 formed by the supply device 18 and the stimulus applying device 32 reaches the region where the ink droplet 20A can be ejected from the ink jet recording head 20 by the movement of the intermediate transfer body 12 in the movement direction X, the ink jet Ink droplets 20 </ b> A corresponding to the image to be formed are ejected from the recording head 20, and an image T by the ink droplets 20 </ b> A is formed on the stacked body 40. Specifically, the ink droplet 20A is ejected toward the curable solution layer 17B, which is the most surface layer of the laminate 40 on the intermediate transfer body 12, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3D. As described above, the image T by the ink droplet 20 </ b> A is formed on the laminated body 40 formed on the intermediate transfer body 12.

  When the laminated body 40 on which the image T is formed reaches the area where the transfer device 22 is provided by the movement of the intermediate transfer body 12, the laminated body 40 is transferred from the intermediate transfer body 12 to the recording medium P by the transfer device 22. (See FIG. 1 and FIG. 3E).

  At this time, in the laminated body 40, as described above, the curable resin layer 17A closest to the intermediate transfer body 12 of the laminated body 40 is in a cured state or a semi-cured state by the stimulus applying device 32. Therefore, when the laminate 40 is transferred to the recording medium P by the transfer device 22, compared with the case where the curable resin layer 17 </ b> A on the intermediate transfer member 12 side is in an uncured state, the laminate 40 is transferred from the intermediate transfer member 12. Good peelability is obtained. Furthermore, if a release layer is formed between the laminate 40 and the intermediate transfer body 12 by the release agent supply device 14, the peelability can be further improved.

  In order to further improve the peelability of the laminated body 40 from the intermediate transfer body 12 during the transfer, the intermediate transfer body 12 and the recording medium are located downstream of the transfer device 22 in the rotational direction X of the intermediate transfer body 12. It is preferable to provide the peeling blade 29 (see FIG. 1) in a region where the P starts to be separated from the contact state.

  The recording medium P to which the laminate 40 has been transferred is transported by a transport device (not shown) of the recording device 10 and transported to the fixing device 34. The recording medium P conveyed to the fixing device 34 gives a stimulus for curing the curable resin layer 17 </ b> A and the curable resin layer 17 </ b> B included in the laminate 40 by the fixing device 34.

  When the laminated body 40 is positioned on the intermediate transfer body 12 (a state before being peeled off from the intermediate transfer body 12 by the transfer device 22), the curable resin layer 17A in a cured state or a semi-cured state is in the middle. The curable resin layer 17A that is closest to the transfer body 12, uncured, and on which the image T is formed is in a state positioned on the side farthest from the intermediate transfer body 12, that is, on the surface. However, when the laminate 40 is transferred from the intermediate transfer body 12 to the recording medium P by the transfer device 22, the uncured curable resin layer 17B is positioned on the side closest to the recording medium P, and the recording is performed. The curable resin layer 17A in a cured state or semi-cured state is located on the side farthest from the medium P, that is, on the surface side.

  As described above, on the recording medium P, the layer constituting the surface of the laminated body 40 transferred to the recording medium P (the side farthest from the recording medium P) is intermediate in the state before transfer. Since it is the curable resin layer 17A closest to the transfer body 12, the surface of the laminate 40 (curable resin layer 17A) on the recording medium P is the curable resin layer 17B from which the ink droplets 20A have been ejected. Compared to the case, the image quality is uniform or nearly uniform, and the image quality can be improved as compared with the case without this configuration.

  Further, in the laminate 40 on the recording medium P, the curable resin layer 17B that is uncured and on which the image T is formed by the ink droplets 20A is located on the side closest to the recording medium P. (Refer to FIG. 3F) The curable resin layer 17B on which the image T is formed is protected by the curable resin layer 17A, and the wear resistance of the image can be improved.

  The curable resin layer 17A and the curable resin layer 17B are configured such that at least the curable resin layer 17B from which the ink droplets 20A are discharged includes a liquid absorbing resin and a curable resin, and the intermediate transfer body 12 In this case, the curable resin layer 17A located on the side closest to the intermediate transfer body 12 may have a configuration including at least a curable resin, and may have the same configuration, but as described above, It has been described above that the curable resin layer 17A located on the side closest to the intermediate transfer body 12 preferably has a configuration that does not include a liquid absorbing resin.

  As described above, in the state where the laminate 40 is formed on the intermediate transfer body 12, the liquid absorbent resin is not included in the curable resin layer 17 </ b> A that is the layer closest to the intermediate transfer body 12 of the laminate 40. With the configuration, even if the ink droplet is absorbed by the liquid absorbing resin contained in the curable resin layer 17B from which the ink droplet is discharged, the ink droplet reaches the curable resin layer 17A via the curable resin layer 17B. Therefore, the ink droplets discharged to the curable resin layer 17B are prevented from penetrating into the laminated body 40 and spreading in the lateral direction (direction intersecting the thickness direction). For this reason, it is possible to further improve the image quality.

  Further, when the curable resin layer 17A does not include a liquid absorbing resin, the ink droplets are suppressed from being absorbed by the curable resin layer 17A and a spherical liquid absorbing resin is contained. Accordingly, the bendability on the recording medium P can be improved, and the curability of the curable resin layer 17A can be improved to improve the strength. For this reason, the image T formed on the recording medium P is protected by the curable resin layer 17A located on the outermost surface on the recording medium P, and the friction resistance is improved as compared with the case without this configuration. improves.

  Through the above steps, the image formation on the recording medium P is completed.

  As described above, in the recording apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, after the curable solution layer 17A is formed on the intermediate transfer body 12, the curable solution layer 17A is stimulated to give the curable solution layer. 17A is set to a cured state or a semi-cured state, and further a curable solution layer 17B is laminated on the curable solution layer 17A in the cured state or the semi-cured state, and then on the curable solution layer 17A in the cured state or the semi-cured state. The laminated body 40 in which the uncured curable solution layer 17B is laminated is formed, and ink droplets are ejected toward the curable solution layer 17B of the laminated body 40 to form an image T. The image T is formed. The laminated body 40 is transferred from the intermediate transfer body 12 to the recording medium P so that the uncured curable solution layer 17B is in contact with the recording medium P.

  As described above, at the time of transfer to the recording medium P, the layer on the most intermediate transfer body 12 side of the laminate 40 formed on the intermediate transfer body 12 is a curable solution layer 17A in a semi-cured state or a cured state. From this, it is considered that the internal cohesive force of the liquid is higher than the adhesive force between the intermediate transfer member and the curable solution, and good peelability of the laminate 40 from the intermediate transfer member 12 is realized.

  Further, the laminated body 40 transferred to the recording medium P is a curable solution in which the layer closest to the recording medium P is uncured on the recording medium P and the image T is formed by the ejection of the ink droplets 20A. Since the curable solution layer 17A in a cured state or a semi-cured state is positioned so as to cover the curable solution layer 17B, the image T is protected by the curable solution layer 17A and is transferred during transfer. The wear of the image is suppressed.

  Furthermore, since the laminate 40 is fixed to the recording medium P by applying a stimulus to the laminate 40 of the recording medium P by the fixing device 34, adhesion to the recording medium can be obtained. That is, good fixability of the image T to the recording medium P can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, the case where the laminate 40 is configured by two layers (the curable solution layer 17A and the curable solution layer 17B) has been described. However, the laminate 40 is configured by three or more curable solution layers. May be.
In this case, when the laminate 40 is formed on the intermediate transfer body 12, at least the layer closest to the intermediate transfer body 12 side is in a semi-cured state or a cured state, and the intermediate transfer body 12 is closest. A plurality of the supply devices 18 and the stimulus imparting devices 32 may be arranged along the moving direction X of the intermediate transfer body 12 so that the layer farthest from the surface remains uncured.

  In the case where the laminate 40 on the intermediate transfer body 12 is composed of a plurality of curable solution layers as described above, at least the layer farthest from the intermediate transfer body 12 includes a liquid absorbing resin. In addition, it is preferable that the layer closest to the intermediate transfer body 12 has a configuration in which the liquid absorbing resin is reduced or not included.

  Finally, the ink applied in the present embodiment will be described in detail. As the ink, either water-based ink or oil-based ink can be used. In any case, the ink is combined with a layer on the intermediate transfer member formed by using a curable solution having a material that absorbs ink. It is preferable to combine them. Also, ultraviolet curable ink can be used. Here, a case where water-based ink is used will be described. Aqueous ink (hereinafter simply referred to as ink) contains an ink solvent (for example, water, a water-soluble organic solvent) in addition to the recording material. In addition, other additives may be included as necessary.

  Examples of the recording material include color materials. As the color material, either a dye or a pigment can be used, but a pigment is preferable. As the pigment, either an organic pigment or an inorganic pigment can be used. Examples of the black pigment include carbon black pigments such as furnace black, lamp black, acetylene black, and channel black. In addition to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow primary pigments, specific color pigments such as red, green, blue, brown, and white, metallic luster pigments such as gold and silver, colorless or light color extender pigments, plastic pigments, etc. May be used. In addition, a newly synthesized pigment may be used for the present invention.

  It is also possible to use particles, such as silica, alumina, polymer beads, etc., having a dye or pigment fixed on the surface thereof, a dye insoluble lake, a colored emulsion, or a colored latex as the pigment.

  Specific examples of black pigments include Raven7000, Raven5750, Raven5250, Raven5000 ULTRAII, Raven3500, Raven2000, Raven1500, Raven1250, Raven1200, Raven1125, Raven10, Raven10, Raven10 Regal 330R, Regal 660R, Mogul L, Black Pearls L, Monarch 700, Monarch 800, Monarch 880, Monarch 900, Monarch 1000, Monarch 1100, Monarch 1300, Monarch 140 0 (manufactured by Cabot Corporation), Color Black FW1, Color Black FW2, Color Black FW2V, Color Black 18, Color Black FW200, Color Black S150, Color Black P160, Color Black P160, Color Black FW2V, Color Black FW2V, Color Black FW200, Color Black FW200 Printex 140V, Special Black 6, Special Black 5, Special Black 4A, Special Black 4 (manufactured by Degussa), No. 25, no. 33, no. 40, no. 47, no. 52, no. 900, no. 2300, MCF-88, MA600, MA7, MA8, MA100 (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation) and the like can be mentioned, but are not limited thereto.

  Specific examples of the cyan pigment include C.I. I. Pigment Blue-1, -2, -3, -15, -15: 1, -15: 2, -15: 3, -15: 4, -16, -22, -60, and the like. It is not limited.

  Specific examples of the magenta color pigment include C.I. I. Pigment Red-5, -7, -12, -48, -48: 1, -57, -112, -122, -123, -146, -168, -177, -184, -202, C.I. I. Pigment Violet-19 etc. are mentioned, However, It is not limited to these.

  Specific examples of yellow pigments include C.I. I. Pigment Yellow-1, -2, -3, -12, -13, -14, -16, -17, -73, -74, -75, -83, -93, -95, -97, -98, -114, -128, -129, -138, -151, -154, -180, and the like, but are not limited thereto.

  Here, when a pigment is used as the color material, it is desirable to use a pigment dispersant together. Examples of the pigment dispersant that can be used include a polymer dispersant, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant.

  As the polymer dispersant, a polymer having a hydrophilic structure portion and a hydrophobic structure portion is preferably used. As the polymer having a hydrophilic structure portion and a hydrophobic structure portion, a condensation polymer and an addition polymer can be used. Examples of the condensation polymer include known polyester dispersants. Examples of the addition polymer include addition polymers of monomers having an α, β-ethylenically unsaturated group. Desired polymer dispersion by copolymerizing a monomer having an α, β-ethylenically unsaturated group having a hydrophilic group and a monomer having an α, β-ethylenically unsaturated group having a hydrophobic group An agent is obtained. A homopolymer of a monomer having an α, β-ethylenically unsaturated group having a hydrophilic group can also be used.

  Monomers having an α, β-ethylenically unsaturated group having a hydrophilic group include monomers having a carboxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, a hydroxyl group, a phosphoric acid group, such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and crotonic acid. , Itaconic acid, itaconic acid monoester, maleic acid, maleic acid monoester, fumaric acid, fumaric acid monoester, vinyl sulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid, sulfonated vinyl naphthalene, vinyl alcohol, acrylamide, methacryloxyethyl phosphate, bismethacrylic acid Examples include roxyethyl phosphate, methacrylooxyethyl phenyl acid phosphate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and diethylene glycol dimethacrylate.

  Examples of the monomer having an α, β-ethylenically unsaturated group having a hydrophobic group include styrene derivatives such as styrene, α-methylstyrene, vinyltoluene, vinylcyclohexane, vinylnaphthalene, vinylnaphthalene derivatives, alkyl acrylate esters, Examples include methacrylic acid alkyl esters, methacrylic acid phenyl esters, methacrylic acid cycloalkyl esters, crotonic acid alkyl esters, itaconic acid dialkyl esters, maleic acid dialkyl esters, and the like.

  Examples of desirable copolymers used as polymer dispersants include styrene-styrene sulfonic acid copolymers, styrene-maleic acid copolymers, styrene-methacrylic acid copolymers, styrene-acrylic acid copolymers, Vinyl naphthalene-maleic acid copolymer, vinyl naphthalene-methacrylic acid copolymer, vinyl naphthalene-acrylic acid copolymer, alkyl acrylate ester-acrylic acid copolymer, alkyl methacrylate ester-methacrylic acid copolymer, styrene -Methacrylic acid alkyl ester-Methacrylic acid copolymer, Styrene-Acrylic acid alkyl ester-Acrylic acid copolymer, Styrene-Methacrylic acid phenyl ester-Methacrylic acid copolymer, Styrene-Methacrylic acid cyclohexyl ester-Methacrylic acid copolymer Etc. . Moreover, you may copolymerize the monomer which has a polyoxyethylene group and a hydroxyl group with these polymers.

  Examples of the polymer dispersant include those having a weight average molecular weight of 2,000 to 50,000.

  These pigment dispersants may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The amount of the pigment dispersant added varies greatly depending on the pigment, so it cannot be generally stated.

  A pigment that can be self-dispersed in water can also be used as the color material. A pigment that can be self-dispersed in water refers to a pigment that has many water-solubilizing groups on the surface of the pigment and disperses in water without the presence of a polymer dispersant. Specifically, it can be self-dispersed in water by subjecting ordinary so-called pigments to surface modification treatments such as acid / base treatment, coupling agent treatment, polymer graft treatment, plasma treatment, oxidation / reduction treatment, etc. Pigments are obtained.

  Further, as pigments that can be self-dispersed in water, in addition to pigments obtained by subjecting the above pigments to surface modification treatment, Cab-o-jet-200, Cab-o-jet-300, IJX- manufactured by Cabot Corporation Commercially available self-dispersing pigments such as 157, IJX-253, IJX-266, IJX-273, IJX-444, IJX-55, Cabot 260, Microjet Black CW-1, CW-2 manufactured by Orient Chemical Co., etc. can also be used.

  The self-dispersing pigment is desirably a pigment having at least sulfonic acid, sulfonate, carboxylic acid, or carboxylate as a functional group on the surface thereof. More desirably, the pigment has at least a carboxylic acid or a carboxylate as a functional group on the surface.

  Furthermore, a pigment coated with a resin can also be used. This is called a microcapsule pigment, and not only commercially available microcapsule pigments manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc., or Toyo Ink, but also microcapsule pigments produced for the present invention may be used. it can.

  In addition, a resin-dispersed pigment in which a polymer substance is physically adsorbed or chemically bonded to the pigment can also be used.

  Other recording materials include hydrophilic anionic dyes, direct dyes, cationic dyes, reactive dyes, dyes such as polymer dyes and oil-soluble dyes, wax powders / resin powders and emulsions colored with dyes, Fluorescent dyes and fluorescent pigments, infrared absorbers, ultraviolet absorbers, magnetic materials such as ferromagnetic materials represented by ferrite and magnetite, semiconductors and photocatalysts represented by titanium oxide and zinc oxide, and other organic and inorganic electrons Examples include material particles.

  The content (concentration) of the recording material is, for example, 5% by mass to 30% by mass with respect to the ink.

  The volume sphere equivalent diameter of the recording material is, for example, 10 nm or more and 1000 nm or less.

  The volume sphere equivalent diameter of the recording material refers to the particle size of the recording material itself, or the particle size to which the additive has adhered when an additive such as a dispersant is attached to the recording material. A Microtrac UPA particle size analyzer 9340 (manufactured by Lees & Northrup) was used as the measuring device for the volume sphere equivalent diameter. The measurement was performed according to a predetermined measurement method with 4 ml of ink placed in a measurement cell. As input values at the time of measurement, the viscosity of the ink was used as the viscosity, and the density of the dispersed particles was used as the density of the recording material.

  As the water-soluble organic solvent, polyhydric alcohols, polyhydric alcohol derivatives, nitrogen-containing solvents, alcohols, sulfur-containing solvents and the like are used.

  Specific examples of the water-soluble organic solvent include polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2, Examples thereof include sugar alcohols such as 6-hexanetriol, glycerin, trimethylolpropane, and xylitol, and sugars such as xylose, glucose, and galactose.

  Polyhydric alcohol derivatives include ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, diglycerin. And ethylene oxide adducts.

Examples of the nitrogen-containing solvent include pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, cyclohexyl pyrrolidone, and triethanolamine. Examples of the alcohol include alcohols such as ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, and benzyl alcohol.
Examples of the sulfur-containing solvent include thiodiethanol, thiodiglycerol, sulfolane, dimethyl sulfoxide and the like.

  In addition, as the water-soluble organic solvent, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, or the like can be used.

  At least one kind of water-soluble organic solvent may be used. As content of a water-soluble organic solvent, 1 mass% or more and 70 mass% or less are mentioned, for example.

  Next, water will be described. As water, it is desirable to use ion-exchanged water, ultrapure water, distilled water, or ultrafiltered water in order to prevent impurities from being mixed.

  Next, other additives contained in the ink will be described. A surfactant can be added to the ink.

  Examples of these surfactants include various anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and the like. Desirably, anionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants are used. An activator is used.

Specific examples of the surfactant are listed below.
Examples of the anionic surfactant include alkylbenzene sulfonate, alkylphenyl sulfonate, alkylnaphthalene sulfonate, higher fatty acid salt, sulfate of higher fatty acid ester, sulfonate of higher fatty acid ester, sulfuric acid of higher alcohol ether. Ester salts and sulfonates, higher alkyl sulfosuccinates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether carboxylates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl phosphates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphates can be used, preferably , Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, isopropylnaphthalenesulfonate, monobutylphenylphenol monosulfonate, monobutylbiphenylsulfonate, monobutylbiphenylsulfonate, dibutylphenylsulfonate Nord disulfonic acid salts and the like are used.

  Nonionic surfactants include polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid esters, glycerin fatty acid esters, poly Oxyethylene glycerin fatty acid ester, polyglycerin fatty acid ester, sucrose fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene alkylamine, polyoxyethylene fatty acid amide, alkyl alkanolamide, polyethylene glycol polypropylene glycol block copolymer, acetylene glycol, polyoxyethylene adduct of acetylene glycol Desirably, polyoxyethylene nonyl pheny is preferable. Ether, polyoxyethylene octyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene dodecyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, fatty acid alkylolamide, polyethylene glycol polypropylene glycol block copolymer Acetylene glycol and polyoxyethylene adducts of acetylene glycol are used.

  In addition, silicone surfactants such as polysiloxane oxyethylene adducts, fluorine surfactants such as perfluoroalkyl carboxylates, perfluoroalkyl sulfonates, and oxyethylene perfluoroalkyl ethers, spicrispolic acid and rhamnolipids Biosurfactants such as lysolecithin can also be used.

  These surfactants may be used alone or in combination. The hydrophilic / hydrophobic balance (HLB) of the surfactant is preferably in the range of 3 to 20 in consideration of solubility and the like.

  The addition amount of these surfactants is preferably 0.001% by mass to 5% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.01% by mass to 3% by mass.

  In addition, the ink has other properties such as polyethyleneimine, polyamines, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethyleneglycol, ethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, etc. for the purpose of controlling properties such as penetrants and ink ejection improvement for the purpose of adjusting permeability. In order to adjust pH, compounds of alkali metals such as potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, etc., pH buffer, antioxidant, antifungal agent, viscosity adjuster, conductive agent as necessary UV absorbers, chelating agents, and the like can also be added.

  Next, preferred characteristics of the ink will be described. First, the surface tension of the ink is 20 mN / m or more and 45 mN / m or less.

  Here, as the surface tension, a value measured in an environment of 23 ° C. and 55% RH using a Wilhelmy type surface tension meter (manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd.) was adopted.

  The viscosity of the ink may be from 1.5 mPa · s to 30 mPa · s.

Here, as the viscosity, a value measured using a rheomat 115 (manufactured by Contraves) as a measuring device under the conditions of a measurement temperature of 23 ° C. and a shear rate of 1400 s ⁻¹ was adopted.

  The ink is not limited to the above configuration. In addition to the recording material, for example, a functional material such as a liquid crystal material or an electronic material may be included.

  In the present embodiment, the ink droplets 20A are selectively ejected from the inkjet recording heads 20 of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan based on the image data so that a full color image is recorded on the recording medium P. However, the present invention is not limited to recording characters and images on a recording medium. That is, the apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to a general droplet discharge (jetting) apparatus used industrially, a method for forming an image by transfer using a plate, an image forming method by screen printing, and the like.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples. However, these examples do not limit the present invention.

Example 1
Using the recording apparatus (see FIG. 1) having the same configuration as that of the above embodiment, the curable solution 16A is formed on the intermediate transfer body by the solution supply apparatus, and then irradiated with ultraviolet rays by the stimulus applying apparatus to be curable solution. After the curable solution layer 17A by 16A is cured, a laminate is formed by supplying the curable solution 16B and forming the curable solution layer 17B on the cured curable solution layer 17A. Each color ink was ejected toward the curable solution layer 17B by an ink jet recording head to form an image. Then, after transferring the laminate to the recording medium with the transfer device, the stimulus was supplied by the fixing device, the laminate was cured, printed, and evaluated. The conditions are as follows.

Intermediate transfer drum: A steel pipe with an outer diameter of 500 mm coated with a tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer (drum (process speed): 400 mm / s)
Feeder: gravure roll coater (layer thickness of curable solution layer 17A is 4 μm, layer thickness of curable solution layer 17B is 7 μm)
- stimulating apparatus: metal halide lamp (ultraviolet irradiation intensity 120W / cm, 20mJ / cm ² irradiated with integrated quantity of light)
Each recording head: Piezo-type recording head (resolution resolution 1200 × 1200 dpi (dpi: number of dots per inch, the same applies hereinafter) drop size 2 pL)
Transfer device (pressure roll): A steel pipe with a diameter of 30 mm coated with a fluorine resin (pressing force against the intermediate transfer drum: linear pressure 2 kgf / cm)
Fixing device: Metal halide lamp (UV irradiation intensity of 240 W / cm, integrated light intensity of 200 mJ / cm ² irradiation)
・ Recording media: Art paper (OK Kanito)

  Moreover, the curable solution 16A, the curable solution 16B, and the ink of each color used what was produced as follows.

-Curing solution 16A containing an ultraviolet curable resin as a curable resin (solution that forms the layer closest to the intermediate transfer member when formed as a laminate)-
-Polyurethane acrylate: 60 parts by weight-1,6-hexanediol diacrylate: 20 parts by weight-Methylbenzoylbenzoate (photopolymerization initiator): 5 parts by weight

-Curing solution 16B containing an ultraviolet curable resin as a curable resin (solution that forms a layer (surface layer) farthest from the intermediate transfer member when formed as a laminate)-
-Polyurethane acrylate: 40 parts by weight-1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (UV curable monomer): 20.0 parts by weight-Sodium polyacrylate (liquid absorbing resin, one having a number average particle size of 5 μm by ball milling): 35.0 parts by weight Methylbenzoylbenzoate (photopolymerization initiator): 5 parts by weight

-Black ink-
Cab-o-jet-300 (manufactured by Cabot) was treated with an ultrasonic homogenizer for 30 minutes, and then centrifuged (7000 rpm) for 20 minutes to obtain a pigment dispersion (carbon concentration: 12.8%). Got.

Next, each of the following components was sufficiently mixed and pressure filtered through a 1 μm filter to prepare an ink. Pigment dispersion: 40 parts by weight Glycerin: 20 parts by weight Surfinol 465: 1.5 parts by weight Pure water: 35 parts by weight

-Ink preparation method 1-
3 parts by weight of sodium neutralized salt of styrene-maleic acid copolymer was added to 30 parts by weight of pigment, and ion exchange water was further added to make the total amount 300 parts by weight. This liquid was dispersed using an ultrasonic homogenizer. This liquid was centrifuged with a centrifugal separator to remove the remaining 100 parts by weight. The supernatant was passed through a 1 μm filter to obtain a dispersion. An appropriate amount of 10 parts by weight of glycerin, 5 parts by weight of diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, 0.03 part by weight of a surfactant, 3 parts by weight of isopropyl alcohol, ion-exchanged water and sodium hydroxide are added to an appropriate amount of the dispersion, and the total amount is 100 parts by weight. The pigment concentration was adjusted to 5% by weight. This was mixed and passed through a 1 μm filter to obtain the intended ink.

-Cyan ink-
An ink having the following composition was obtained according to the ink preparation method 1 described above. I. Acid Blue 199: 5 parts by weight-Styrene-maleic acid-sodium maleate copolymer: 0.3 parts by weight-Glycerin: 15 parts by weight-Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether: 5 parts by weight-Surfactant (Surfinol 465: Nissin (Chemical Co., Ltd.): 1.0 part by weight, isopropyl alcohol: 3 parts by weight, ion-exchanged water: remaining part 100 parts by weight

-Magenta ink-
An ink having the following composition was obtained according to the ink preparation method 1 described above. I. Acid Red 52: 3.5 parts by weight • Styrene-maleic acid-sodium maleate copolymer: 0.3 parts by weight • Glycerin: 20 parts by weight • Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether: 5 parts by weight • Surfactant (Surfinol 465: Manufactured by Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd.): 1.0 part by weight, ion-exchanged water: 100 parts by weight in total

-Yellow ink-
An ink having the following composition was obtained according to the ink preparation method 1 described above. I. Direct yellow 86: 4.0 parts by weight, styrene-maleic acid-sodium maleate copolymer: 0.4 parts by weight, glycerin: 15 parts by weight, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether: 10 parts by weight, surfactant (Surfinol 465: Manufactured by Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd.): 1.0 part by weight, ion-exchanged water: 100 parts by weight in total

Using the above apparatus, the adjusted curable solution 16A is supplied onto the intermediate transfer member to form the curable solution layer 17A, and then the ultraviolet light is irradiated by the stimulating apparatus with an ultraviolet irradiation intensity of 120 W / cm and an integrated light quantity of 20 mJ / The curable solution layer 17A with the curable solution 16A was cured by irradiating cm ² . The thickness of the cured curable solution layer 17A was 4 μm. Further, a laminate was formed by supplying the adjusted curable solution 16B and forming the curable solution layer 17B on the cured curable solution layer 17A. The thickness of the curable solution layer 17B was 7 μm. Furthermore, each color ink adjusted as described above was ejected from the ink jet recording head toward the curable solution layer 17B of the laminate to form an image. Then, after the laminate is transferred to the recording medium by the transfer device, the laminate is cured by irradiating the prepared irradiation device with an ultraviolet irradiation intensity of 240 W / cm and an integrated light quantity of 200 mJ / cm ^2. An image was formed on top.

<Evaluation of peelability of laminate from intermediate transfer member>
Printing test was performed on 5 consecutive sheets using art paper (OK Kanfuji Oji Paper Co., Ltd.) as the transfer medium. The peelability of the laminate was evaluated by visually observing the residue of the intermediate transfer body after the test. When the residue was 10% or less in area per unit area, it was judged that the peelability was good and 10% or more. In this case, it was judged that the peelability was poor.

<Evaluation of image fixability on recording media>
By using art paper (OK Kanfuji Oji Paper Co., Ltd.) as the transfer medium and folding the sample after transfer with the print side inward, the cracked state of the fold is compared with the limit sample, and the image on the recording medium The fixing property was evaluated, and when the crack did not occur or was small, it was determined that the image fixing property was good, and when the crack was large and spread to the periphery, the image fixing property was evaluated as poor. .

In Example 1, in the evaluation of the peelability of the image from the intermediate transfer member, a result that the residue after the transfer member was less than 5% was obtained, and good peelability was confirmed.
In the evaluation of image fixability, a result with small cracks was obtained, and good image fixability was confirmed.

(Comparative Example 1)
Using only the curable solution 16B prepared in Example 1 above, only the curable solution layer 17B of the curable solution 16B is formed as a laminate to a thickness of 10 μm, and the curable solution layer is not used without using the curable solution 16A. Evaluation was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 17A was not formed. In addition, about the curable solution layer 17B in the comparative example 1, like the curable solution layer 17B of Example 1, in the state formed on the intermediate transfer body, irritation | stimulation by a irritation | stimulation apparatus is not provided, but it is unapplied. An image was formed by ejecting ink while cured.

  Using the same inks as in Example 1, each recording head ejected directly onto art paper (OK Kanto) to form an image. Evaluation was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, in Comparative Example 1, the ink did not dry on the art paper and the image was not fixed.

  In Comparative Example 1, in the evaluation of the peelability of the image from the intermediate transfer member, the result that there was a residue of 50% or more per unit area was obtained, and the peelability was inferior to that of Example 1. It was. Further, in the evaluation of the image fixing property, a result that the crack was large and spread was obtained, and the image fixing property was inferior to that of Example 1.

It is a block diagram which shows the recording device which concerns on this embodiment. (A)-(C) In the recording apparatus which concerns on this embodiment, it is a transition diagram which shows typically the process in which a curable resin layer is laminated | stacked on an intermediate transfer body. (D)-(F) In the recording apparatus in this embodiment, a curable resin is laminated | stacked on an intermediate transfer body, a laminated body is comprised, and also it is a transition diagram which shows typically the process transferred to a recording medium. .

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Recording apparatus 12 Intermediate transfer body 16A Curable solution 16B Curable solution 17A Curable solution layer 17B Curable solution layer 18 Supply apparatus 18A Supply apparatus 18B Supply apparatus 20K Inkjet recording head 20C Inkjet recording head 20M Inkjet recording head 20Y Inkjet recording head 20 Inkjet recording head 40 Laminate

Claims (8)

An intermediate transfer member;
A supply means for supplying a curable solution containing at least a curable resin that is cured by an external stimulus in a layered manner on the intermediate transfer member; and
Before the surface layer as the curable solution layer farthest from the intermediate transfer body is formed, the intermediate layer is more intermediate than the intermediate layer. A stimulus applying means for applying the stimulus to the curable solution layer on the transfer body side;
Means for applying ink toward the surface layer of the laminate formed on the intermediate transfer member;
Transfer means for transferring the laminate from the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium so that the surface layer of the laminate is closest to the recording medium;
Fixing means for fixing the laminate to the recording medium;
A recording apparatus.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface layer of the plurality of curable solution layers of the laminate is capable of fixing a colorant in the ink.   The recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an ink-absorbing resin as a substance capable of fixing the colorant in the ink.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stimulus applying unit applies a stimulus for curing or semi-curing the curable resin.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the curable resin is an ultraviolet curable resin that is cured by ultraviolet rays, and the stimulus is ultraviolet rays.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the curable resin is an electron beam curable resin that is cured by an electron beam, and the stimulus is an electron beam.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the curable resin is a thermosetting resin that is cured by heat, and the stimulus is heat.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixing unit fixes the stacked body to the recording medium by applying the stimulus to the stacked body.