JP2010069735A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily separate ink receiving particles 16 from an intermediate transfer belt 12. <P>SOLUTION: A receiving restraining liquid is applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 by an receiving restraining liquid applying apparatus to form a receiving restraining liquid layer 24A. Ink receiving particles 16 are supplied to the intermediate transfer belt 12 from a particle supply device. At this time, the receiving restraining liquid 24D acts on particles 16B in a lowest layer of an ink receiving particle layer 16A, and the particles 16B in the lowest layer form an ion cross-linking structure and become ink non-absorbing particles. Ink drops are discharged to the ink receiving particle layer 16A from an inkjet recording head to form an image on the intermediate transfer belt 12. The ink receiving particle layer 16A is then pressure-transferred to a recording medium by a transfer member. At this time, ink receiving particles are deformed to adhere to the recording medium. The particles 16B in the lowest layer have no elasticity because of not exhibiting adhesiveness and are easily separated from the intermediate transfer belt 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus.

As a recording apparatus, a recording apparatus using an inkjet head disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. The recording apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a material forming apparatus 10 that forms a layer of a material 11 that can be dissolved or swelled in advance by a liquid and whose viscosity increases after swelling on an intermediate transfer member 21, and an image of the liquid. In the recording apparatus provided with an image forming apparatus 30 that forms an image on an intermediate transfer body by jetting the intermediate transfer body in response to a signal, and a transfer apparatus 50 that transfers the image onto a recording body, the intermediate transfer The body 21 is made of a material that exhibits liquid repellency with respect to the liquid.
JP 2000-355125 A (FIG. 1)

  An object of the present invention is to make it easy to peel liquid-receptive particles from an intermediate transfer member.

  The recording apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention includes an intermediate transfer member, and a reception suppression liquid applying unit that applies a reception suppression liquid that suppresses reception of liquid receiving particles that receive the liquid to the surface of the intermediate transfer member, A particle supply device for supplying the liquid receptive particles to the surface of the intermediate transfer body to which the receptive suppression liquid has been applied by the receptive suppression liquid applying means, and a liquid for the liquid receptive particles supplied by the particle supply device. And a transfer member that transfers the liquid-receptive particles discharged by the liquid discharge head to a recording medium.

  A recording apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the reception suppressing liquid is a liquid that forms a cross-linked structure on the interface side of the liquid receptive particles with the intermediate transfer member.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus according to the second aspect, the liquid receptive particles contain an organic resin having an anionic polar group, and the receptive suppression liquid contains a cationic substance.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the anionic polar group is a carboxylic acid group, and the cationic substance is selected from a polyvalent metal salt and a polyvalent amine salt. One type.

  The recording apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the amount of the reception suppression liquid applied by the reception suppression liquid application unit is the liquid receptive particles. One layer formed is less than the capacity to receive liquid.

  The recording apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the amount of the reception suppressing liquid applied by the reception suppressing liquid applying unit is a single layer formed of the liquid receiving particles. The polyvalent metal salt sufficient to ion-crosslink the carboxylic acid or carboxylate of the polar group contained in the corresponding liquid receptive particle is included.

  According to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the liquid-receptive particles are more easily separated from the intermediate transfer member than the configuration in which the reception-suppressing liquid that suppresses the reception of the liquid-receptive particles is not applied to the intermediate transfer member.

  According to the configuration of the second aspect of the present invention, the liquid-receptive particles are more easily separated from the intermediate transfer member than the configuration in which the reception-suppressing liquid is not a liquid that forms a crosslinked structure.

  According to the configuration of the third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration in which the liquid-receptive particles contain an organic resin having an anionic polar group, the liquid from the intermediate transfer member to the liquid is less than in the case where the acceptance-inhibiting liquid does not contain a cationic substance. The accepting particles are easily peeled off.

  According to the configuration of claim 4 of the present invention, in the configuration in which the anionic polar group is a carboxylic acid group, the cationic substance is not at least one selected from a polyvalent metal salt and a polyvalent amine salt. The liquid receptive particles are easily peeled from the intermediate transfer member.

  According to the configuration of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the liquid-receptive particles are liquid compared to the configuration in which the amount of the acceptance-inhibiting liquid applied is larger than the amount in which one layer formed of the liquid-receptive particles accepts the liquid. A receptive amount for receiving the liquid ejected from the ejection head can be secured, and the liquid receptive particles are easily peeled from the intermediate transfer member.

  According to the configuration of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the polar group carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid salt contained in the liquid receptive particles corresponding to one layer formed of the liquid receptive particles is added to the application amount of the reception suppression liquid. Compared to a configuration that does not contain a polyvalent metal salt sufficient for ionic crosslinking, the liquid receptive particles can secure a receptive amount for receiving the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head, and the liquid receptive particles from the intermediate transfer member can be secured. Easy to peel.

Below, an example of an embodiment concerning the present invention is described based on a drawing.
(Overall configuration of recording apparatus according to this embodiment)
First, the overall configuration of the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 10 according to this embodiment includes an intermediate transfer belt 12 that rotates (circulates) in one direction (A direction in FIG. 1) as an example of an intermediate transfer member.

  On the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 12, as an example of a reception suppression liquid applying unit that applies a reception suppression liquid that suppresses reception of liquid reception particles that receive liquid to the surface of the intermediate transfer member, ink reception particles 16. A reception suppression liquid applying device 24 for applying a reception suppression liquid 24D for suppressing the reception of the toner to the intermediate transfer belt 12 is provided.

  A charging device 14 for charging the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 12 on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 12 when viewed from the acceptance suppressing liquid applying device 24.

  As an example of a particle supply device that supplies liquid-accepting particles to the surface of the intermediate transfer body to which the reception-suppressing liquid is applied by the reception-suppressing liquid applying unit on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 12 as viewed from the charging device A particle supply device 18 that supplies the ink receiving particles 16 to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 to which the reception suppression liquid 24D is applied by the reception suppression liquid application device 24 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 12.

  As viewed from the particle supply device 18, the intermediate transfer belt 12 is supplied by the particle supply device 18 as an example of a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid to the liquid receptive particles supplied by the particle supply device. An ink jet recording head 20 that forms an image by ejecting ink droplets onto the ink receiving particles 16 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 12.

  On the downstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 12 as viewed from the ink jet recording head 20, as an example of a transfer member for transferring the liquid receptive particles discharged by the liquid discharge head to the recording medium, the recording medium P is intermediate transferred. A transfer member 22 for transferring the ink receiving particles 16 from which ink droplets have been ejected to the recording medium P by applying pressure or the like while being superimposed on the belt 12 is disposed.

  On the downstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 12 as viewed from the transfer member 22, the ink receiving particles 16 remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 are removed and collected, and foreign matters other than particles (powder of the recording medium P) Etc.) is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 12.

  In addition, the recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a recording medium accommodation unit (not shown) that accommodates the recording medium P, and a conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium P accommodated in the recording medium accommodation unit to the transfer member 22 ( A fixing device 64 for fixing the ink receiving particles 16 transferred to the recording medium P by the transfer member 22 to the recording medium P, and the recording medium P on which the ink receiving particles 16 are fixed by the fixing device 64. And a recording medium discharge unit (not shown).

  The fixing device 64 includes a heating roll 64A containing a heating source, and a pressure roll 64B provided to face the heating roll 64A. The recording apparatus 10 may be configured without the fixing device 64.

  Further, as the recording medium P, a permeation medium (for example, plain paper, ink jet coated paper, etc.) and a non-penetration medium (for example, art paper, resin film, etc.) can be applied. The recording medium P is not limited to these, and may be an industrial product such as a semiconductor substrate.

(Configuration of intermediate transfer belt)
Next, the configuration of the intermediate transfer belt 12 will be described.

  The intermediate transfer belt 12 is formed in an annular shape, and is composed of, for example, an endless belt. The intermediate transfer belt 12 has, for example, a 400 μm-thick ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM) surface layer formed on a base layer of a polyimide film having a thickness of 1 mm. It is wound around a roll 34 and a driven pressure roll 22B, which will be described later, and rotates.

  The intermediate transfer belt 12 uses an elastic body impregnated with a surfactant or forms a release layer on the surface thereof so that the ink receiving particles 16 can be easily released from the intermediate transfer belt 12. A configuration may also be used (see JP 2000-355125 A and JP 11-320865 A).

(Configuration of charging device)
Next, the configuration of the charging device 14 will be described.

  The charging device 14 is configured to charge the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 to a positive charge by applying a charge opposite to the charge of the ink receiving particles 16 to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12.

  In the present embodiment, the charging device 14 is used to charge the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 by applying a voltage between the charging device 14 and a driven roll 34 disposed with the intermediate transfer belt 12 interposed therebetween. It is said.

  In addition, it is only necessary to form a potential at which the ink receiving particles 16 can be supplied / adsorbed to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 by an electrostatic force generated by an electric field that can be formed between the supply roll 18A of the particle supply device 18 and the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12. .

For example, the charging device 14 forms an elastic layer (foamed urethane resin) in which a conductivity-imparting material is dispersed on a rod-shaped outer peripheral surface made of stainless steel, and has a volume resistivity of 10 ⁶ Ω · cm or more and 10 ⁸ Ω · A roll-shaped member adjusted to about cm or less is used. Furthermore, the surface of the elastic layer is covered with a water / oil repellent coating layer (for example, composed of tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA)) having a thickness of 5 μm to 100 μm.

  The charging device 14 is connected to a high voltage power source, and the driven roll 34 is electrically connected to the ground. The charging device 14 is driven while sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 12 with the driven roll 34, and a predetermined potential difference is generated with the grounded driven roll 34 at the pressing position. An electric charge can be given.

  Here, a voltage is applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 by the charging device 14 such that the surface potential becomes 1 kv, for example, and the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 is charged. The charging device 14 may be a non-contact charging device such as a corotron.

(Configuration of inkjet recording head)
Next, the configuration of the inkjet recording head 20 will be described.

  The inkjet recording head 20 includes an inkjet recording head 20Y that ejects yellow ink droplets from the nozzles, an inkjet recording head 20M that ejects magenta ink droplets from the nozzles, and an inkjet recording head 20C that ejects cyan ink droplets from the nozzles. And an inkjet recording head 20K that discharges black ink droplets from the nozzles. These ink jet recording heads 20 are driven by piezoelectric (piezo), thermal, or the like.

  The ink jet recording head 20 may be a recording head that records an image by ejecting liquid droplets onto the recording medium P without moving in the direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording medium P, with the recording width being equal to or larger than the recording area. Also, a recording head that records an image by ejecting droplets onto the recording medium P while moving in a direction crossing the conveyance direction of the recording medium P may be used.

  The ink ejected from the ink jet recording head 20 can be used for both water-based ink and oil-based ink, but water-based ink is preferably used from the viewpoint of environmental performance. The water-based ink contains an ink solvent (for example, water, a water-soluble organic solvent) in addition to a recording material such as a color material. In addition, other additives may be included as necessary.

(Configuration of transfer member)
Next, the configuration of the transfer member 22 will be described.

  The transfer member 22 is disposed to face the intermediate transfer belt 12 and conveys the recording medium P with the intermediate transfer belt 12 sandwiching the recording medium P, and from the inner periphery of the intermediate transfer belt 12 to the conveyance roll 22A side. And a driven pressure roll 22B that pressurizes the pressure.

  As the transport roll 22A and the driven pressure roll 22B, for example, a roll in which an outer surface of an aluminum core is coated with silicone rubber and further coated with a PFA tube is used.

  In the transfer member 22, when the ink receiving particle layer 16A on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 is transferred to the recording medium P, the recording medium P is intermediate transferred with the driven pressure roll 22B applying pressure to the conveying roll 22A side. The ink receiving particle layer 16A is adhered to the recording medium P by being sandwiched between the belt 12 and the transport roll 22A and transported. Thus, the ink receiving particle layer 16A on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 is transferred to the recording medium P.

  In addition, 22 A of conveyance rolls may be comprised by the heating roll which incorporates a heating source. In this configuration, the transport roll 22A serving as a heating roll applies heat to the ink receiving particle layer 16A on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12, thereby increasing the viscosity of the ink receiving particle layer 16A and recording the ink receiving particle layer 16A. Adhere to medium P.

(Configuration of particle supply device)
Next, the configuration of the particle supply device 18 will be described.

  The particle supply device 18 is a device that supplies the ink receiving particles 16 to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 and forms the ink receiving particle layer 16 </ b> A on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12.

  The particle supply device 18 is provided with a supply roll 18A at a portion facing the intermediate transfer belt 12, and further provided with a charging blade 18B that presses the ink receiving particles 16 on the surface of the supply roll 18A. The charging blade 18B also has a function of regulating the layer thickness of the ink receiving particles 16 supplied to the surface of the supply roll 18A.

  The ink receiving particles 16 are supplied to the supply roll 18A (conductive roll), the ink receiving particle layer 16A is regulated by the charging blade 18B (conductive blade), and the negative polarity is opposite to the charge on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12. Is charged.

  As a result, the ink receiving particles 16 in the particle supply device 18 are supplied to the intermediate transfer belt 12 by the electrostatic force charged by the charging blade 18B (that is, supplied in layers on the intermediate transfer belt 12). Is adjusted).

  The supply roll 18A is a solid aluminum roll, and the charging blade 18B is a metal plate (such as SUS) on which urethane rubber is attached in order to apply pressure.

  The ink receiving particles 16 charged by the charging blade 18B are formed, for example, on the surface of the supply roll 18A as one layer (a layer for one particle, the same applies hereinafter), and face the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 by the rotation of the supply roll 18A. The charged ink-receptive particles 16 are moved to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 by electrostatic force due to the electric field formed by the potential difference between the supply roll 18A and the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12. As a result, a single ink receptive particle layer 16A is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12.

  The supply roll 18A may be formed with a plurality of layers (a plurality of particles, the same applies hereinafter). In this case, the intermediate transfer belt 12 has a plurality of layers of ink receiving members. The active particle layer 16A is formed.

  Further, a cleaning roll 18C for cleaning residual particles remaining on the surface of the supply roll 18A without moving to the surface of the recording medium P while being driven to rotate with the supply roll 18A is provided adjacent to the supply roll 18A.

(Ink-receptive particles)
Next, the ink receiving particles 16 will be described.

  The ink receiving particles 16 in the present embodiment receive ink components when the ink comes into contact with the ink receiving particles 16. Here, the ink receptivity indicates holding at least a part (at least a liquid component) of the ink component.

  As a result, the ink receiving particles 16 can receive various inks and become ink receiving particles with improved liquid absorption.

  The acceptance of the ink receiving particles 16 is suppressed by a reception suppression liquid 24D described later. Although not particularly limited, examples of the mode in which the reception of the ink receiving particles 16 is suppressed include a mode in which a cross-linked structure is formed in the ink receiving particles 16 by the reception suppressing liquid 24D.

From the viewpoint of forming a crosslinked structure in the ink receiving particles 16, the ink receiving particles 16 in the present embodiment contain an organic resin that satisfies at least the following requirement (1), and further includes the following (1) to (3). It is preferable to contain an organic resin that satisfies the above requirements.
(1) having a polar group (2) having at least a neutralized polar group as the polar group (that is, at least a part of the polar group of (1) is neutralized)
(3) The ratio of the monomer component having a polar group to the total monomer component is 10 mol% or more and 90 mol% or less. When the polar group of (1) is an anionic polar group, for example, It is presumed that a reception suppressing liquid containing a cationic substance acts on the ink receiving particles 16 as the reception suppressing liquid 24D, and two or more anionic polar groups form an ionic cross-linked structure by cations supplied from the cationic substance. The On the other hand, when the polar group of (1) is a cationic polar group, for example, a reception suppression liquid containing an anionic substance acts on the ink receiving particles 16 as the reception suppression liquid 24D described later, and It is presumed that the above cationic polar group forms an ionic cross-linked structure with an anion supplied from an anionic substance. The polar group is contained in the polar monomer.

  Moreover, when neutralizing a polar group in an organic resin, a neutralizing agent is used. Examples of the neutralizer include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and the like as alkaline neutralizers.

  On the other hand, the polar monomer containing a polar group is a monomer containing, for example, an ethylene oxide group, a carboxylic acid group, a sulfonic acid group, a substituted or unsubstituted amino group, an ammonium group, or a hydroxyl group as the polar group. .

  For example, the anionic polar group is preferably a carboxylic acid group.

  The polar monomer containing a polar group is, for example, a monomer containing an ethylene oxide group, a carboxylic acid, a sulfonic acid, a substituted or unsubstituted amino group, or a hydroxyl group as a polar group. For example, in the case of imparting positive chargeability, a monomer containing, for example, a (substituted) amino group or a (substituted) pyridine group is desirable. In the case of imparting negative charge, it is desirable to be a monomer of an organic acid including carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid and the like. In particular, carboxylic acid is advantageous in terms of storage stability because it is difficult to dissociate when it is unneutralized (when it does not have a salt structure), and dissociates with ink (a weakly alkaline liquid). Also, the carboxylic acid is crosslinked (pseudo-crosslinked) with ions in the ink, and the entire system (ink + ink receiving particles) is easily fixed, which is advantageous for fixing properties.

  In addition, by having the neutralized polar group as described in the above (2), when the ink comes into contact with the ink receiving particles, the polar group forming the salt is dissociated, and the reverse polarity ion is cross-linked. Easy to create structure.

  Further, as described in (3) above, in the organic resin contained in the ink receiving particles, the ratio of the monomer component having a polar group to the total monomer component is 10 mol% or more, whereby the ink An image can be formed without impairing the liquid absorption ability of the receiving particles.

  The ratio of the monomer component having a polar group (hereinafter also referred to as “polar monomer”) to the total monomer component is more preferably 20 mol% or more and 90 mol% or less.

  In addition, the ratio of a polar monomer is calculated | required as follows. First, the constitution of the organic component is specified from analysis methods such as mass spectrometry, NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), and IR (infrared absorption spectrum). Thereafter, the acid value and base value of the organic component are measured according to JIS K0070 or JIS K2501. The ratio of the polar monomer can be determined by calculation from the constitution of the organic component and the acid value / base value. The same applies hereinafter.

  Whether or not at least a part of the polar group is neutralized is confirmed by determining the ratio of the neutralized polar group to the total polar monomer (monomer having a polar group). The Specifically, first, regarding the unneutralized portion of the polar group, the concentration of the polar functional group is quantified by dissolving or dispersing particles in water or an organic solvent and performing neutralization titration with an alkali.

(Configuration of Acceptance Suppression Solution Application Device)
Next, the configuration of the acceptance suppressing liquid applying device 24 will be described.

  The reception suppression liquid applying device 24 includes a housing 24E that stores the reception suppression liquid 24D. Inside the housing 24E, a supply roll 24C for applying the reception suppression liquid 24D to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 while rotating is provided. Further, a plate-like blade 24B for regulating the layer thickness of the reception suppressing liquid 24D supplied to the intermediate transfer belt 12 by the supply roll 24C is provided downstream of the supply roll 24C.

  As a result, the reception suppression liquid 24D applied from the supply roll 24C to the intermediate transfer belt 12 is regulated by the blade 24B, and a reception suppression liquid layer 24A is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12.

  Note that the supply roll 24 </ b> C of the reception suppression liquid applying device 24 may be configured to always contact the intermediate transfer belt 12, or may be configured to be separated from the intermediate transfer belt 12.

  Further, the reception suppression liquid applying device 24 may be any device that can apply the reception suppression liquid 24D to the intermediate transfer belt 12, and for example, an inkjet recording head, a sprayer, and a web may be used as the reception suppression liquid application device 24. .

(Acceptance inhibitor 24D)
Next, the reception suppression liquid 24D will be described.

  The acceptance suppressing liquid 24D suppresses acceptance of the ink receiving particles 16. Specifically, by forming a cross-linked structure on the interface side of the ink receiving particles 16 with the intermediate transfer belt 12, the ink receiving particles 16 are prevented from receiving the ink and the ink receiving particles 16 absorb ink. Suppress.

  When the ink receptive particles 16 contain an organic resin having an anionic polar group, a reception suppression liquid 24D containing a cationic substance is used. As a result, as described above, the reception suppressing liquid 24D containing the cationic substance acts on the ink receiving particles 16, and two or more anionic polar groups are formed into an ionic crosslinked structure by the cation supplied from the cationic substance. Presumed to form.

  Further, when the ink receiving particles 16 contain an organic resin having a cationic polar group, a reception suppressing liquid 24D containing an anionic substance is used. As a result, as described above, the reception suppressing liquid 24D containing the anionic substance acts on the ink receiving particles 16, and two or more cationic polar groups have an ionic crosslinking structure formed by the anion supplied from the anionic substance. Presumed to form.

  Examples of the cationic substance contained in the acceptance suppressing liquid 24D include polyvalent metal salts and polyvalent amine salts.

  Examples of the polyvalent amine salt include organic amines such as secondary amines, tertiary amines, and quaternary amine salts.

  In addition to the substance for suppressing the reception of the ink receiving particles 16, an additive may be added to the reception suppressing liquid 24D in the present embodiment. As the additive, for example, a surfactant is used.

  The surfactant is preferably a nonionic surfactant, but may be a polar surfactant.

  Further, a surfactant having a polarity opposite to that of the ink receiving particles 16 may be used as the reception suppressing liquid 24D. When the ink receiving particles 16 contain an organic resin having a cationic polar group, an anionic surfactant is used. When the ink receiving particles 16 contain an organic resin having an anionic polar group, a cationic surfactant is used.

  Examples of the cationic surfactant include alkyl trimethyl ammonium salt, dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salt, and alkyl benzyl dimethyl ammonium salt.

  Note that it is possible to form an ionic cross-linking structure for suppression of acceptance even with monovalent ions instead of polyvalent ions.

  The application amount of the acceptance suppressing liquid 24D is preferably smaller than the acceptance amount (liquid absorption amount) in which one layer of the ink receiving particles 16 accepts ink, and more preferably 50% of the acceptance amount of one layer.

  Further, the application amount of the reception suppressing liquid 24D includes a cationic substance sufficient to ion-crosslink the anionic polar group contained in the particles corresponding to one layer of the ink receiving particles 16.

  Specifically, the application amount of the acceptance suppressing liquid 24D is sufficient to ion-crosslink the polar carboxylic acid or carboxylate contained in the particles corresponding to one layer of the ink receiving particles 16. Metal salts are included.

(Operation of the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment)
Next, the operation of the recording apparatus according to this embodiment will be described.
First, the case where the ink receptive particle layer 16A is a plurality of layers formed by overlapping a plurality of ink receptive particles 16 will be described.

  In the recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, first, the intermediate transfer belt 12 is rotated by the driving force of the driving roll 30, and the reception suppression liquid 24 </ b> D is applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 by the reception suppression liquid applying apparatus 24. Further, the layer thickness of the reception suppression liquid layer 24A supplied to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 by the blade 24B is defined, and the reception suppression liquid layer 24A is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 (FIG. 2-1 (A)). reference).

  Next, the ink receiving particles 16 are supplied from the supply roll 18A of the particle supply device 18 to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 on which the reception suppressing liquid layer 24A is formed, thereby forming a plurality of ink receiving particle layers 16A. (See FIG. 2-1 (B)).

  At this time, the reception suppression liquid 24D acts on the particles in the lowermost layer (the layer closest to the intermediate transfer belt 12) 16B of the plural layers of the ink receiving particle layer 16A, and the lowermost particle 16B A crosslinked structure is formed, and particles that do not receive (liquid absorption) ink are formed.

For example, when ink with a drop amount of 2 pl is ejected 300% at a maximum of 1200 dpi, the maximum ink weight is 1.34 [mg / cm ² ], and the ink receptive particles 16 necessary for image formation have an ink receptivity of 5 μm in diameter. This corresponds to about four layers of particles 16. In this case, the ink receptive particles 16 are particles capable of receiving ink about twice as much as their own weight.

The application amount of the reception suppression liquid 24D is desirably 5 to 20% of the maximum ink amount, for example, 0.17 [mg / cm ² ], which corresponds to 12% of the maximum ink amount.

  The application amount of the reception suppressing liquid 24D is an amount that can be absorbed by about 1/4 of the lowermost particle 16B, but before the ink is received, the ink receiving particles 16 are ionized by the reception suppressing liquid 24D. Because of the cross-linking, the ink receiving particles 16 are hardly received (liquid absorption).

  In addition, the amount of 5 to 20% of the maximum ink amount contains a polyvalent metal salt sufficient to ion-crosslink the polar group carboxylic acid or carboxylate contained in one layer of the ink receiving particles 16. ing. For example, a 20 wt% magnesium nitrate aqueous solution is used as the acceptance suppressing liquid 24D.

  Next, the ink receptive particle layer 16A is conveyed to a position facing the inkjet recording head 20 of each color, and ink droplets of each color based on image information are ejected from the inkjet recording heads 20K, 20C, 20M, and 20Y. As a result, the ink receiving particle layer 16A absorbs ink, and a color image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 (see FIG. 2-1 (C)).

  Next, the ink receiving particle layer 16 </ b> A is pressure-transferred to the recording medium P by the transfer member 22. At this time, the particles that have received the ink are deformed and adhere to the recording medium P (see FIG. 2-2 (D)).

  The particles 16B in the lowermost layer of the ink receptive particle layer 16A do not exhibit tackiness, have no elasticity, have little adhesion to the intermediate transfer belt 12, and easily peel off from the intermediate transfer belt 12 (FIG. 2-2). (See (E)).

  The ink receptive particle layer 16A transferred to the recording medium P is heated and pressurized and fixed to the recording medium P by the fixing device 64 to form a uniform layer (see FIG. 2-2 (F)).

  Further, since the ink receiving particles 16 whose ink receiving ability is limited are arranged on the surface of the recording medium P after the transfer, the abrasion resistance and weather resistance (hygroscopicity) are improved.

  Next, the case where the ink receiving particle layer 16 </ b> A is a single layer formed by one ink receiving particle 16 will be described.

  In the recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, first, the intermediate transfer belt 12 is rotated by the driving force of the driving roll 30, and the reception suppression liquid 24 </ b> D is applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 by the reception suppression liquid applying apparatus 24. Further, the layer thickness of the reception suppression liquid layer 24A supplied to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 by the blade 24B is defined, and the reception suppression liquid layer 24A is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 (FIG. 3A). reference).

  Next, the ink receptive particles 16 are supplied from the supply roll 18A of the particle supply device 18 to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 on which the reception suppression liquid layer 24A is formed, thereby forming a single ink receptive particle layer 16A. (See FIG. 3-1 (B)).

  At this time, the reception suppressing liquid 24D acts on the portion 16C of the ink receiving particle layer 16A on the intermediate transfer belt 12 side of the ink receiving particle 16, and the portion 16C of the ink receiving particle 16 on the intermediate transfer belt 12 side. Forms an ionic cross-linked structure and does not accept (absorb) ink.

For example, when ink with a drop amount of 2 pl is ejected 300% at a maximum of 1200 dpi, the maximum ink weight is 1.34 [mg / cm ² ], and the ink receptive particles 16 necessary for image formation have an ink receptivity of 20 μm in diameter. This corresponds to approximately one layer of particles 16. In this case, the ink receptive particles 16 are particles capable of receiving ink about twice as much as their own weight.

The application amount of the reception suppression liquid 24D is desirably 5 to 20% of the maximum ink amount, for example, 0.17 [mg / cm ² ], which corresponds to 12% of the maximum ink amount.

  The application amount of the acceptance suppressing liquid 24D is an amount that can be absorbed by about 1/10 of the particles 16, but before the ink is received, the ink receiving particles 16 are ion-crosslinked by the acceptance suppressing liquid 24D. The ink receiving particles 16 are hardly received (liquid absorption).

  Further, the carboxylic acid or carboxylate of the polar group contained in the ink receiving particles 16C corresponding to about 1/10 of the ink receiving particles 16 is ion-crosslinked to the amount of 5 to 20% of the maximum ink amount. Contains sufficient polyvalent metal salt. For example, a 20 wt% magnesium nitrate aqueous solution is used as the acceptance suppressing liquid 24D.

  Next, the ink receptive particle layer 16A is conveyed to a position facing the inkjet recording head 20 of each color, and ink droplets of each color based on image information are ejected from the inkjet recording heads 20K, 20C, 20M, and 20Y. As a result, the ink receptive particle layer 16A absorbs the ink, and a color image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12 (see FIG. 3C).

  Next, the ink receiving particle layer 16 </ b> A is pressure-transferred to the recording medium P by the transfer member 22. At this time, the particles that have received the ink are deformed and adhere to the recording medium P (see FIG. 3D).

  The particles 16B in the lowermost layer of the ink receptive particle layer 16A do not exhibit adhesiveness, have no elasticity, have low adhesion to the intermediate transfer belt 12, and easily peel off from the intermediate transfer belt 12 (FIG. 3-2). (See (E)).

  The ink receptive particle layer 16A transferred to the recording medium P is heated and pressure-fixed to the recording medium P by the fixing device 64 to form a uniform layer (see FIG. 3-2 (F)).

  Further, since the ink receiving particles 16 whose ink receiving ability is limited are arranged on the surface of the recording medium P after the transfer, the abrasion resistance and weather resistance (hygroscopicity) are improved.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2-1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation in a case where the ink receiving particle layer is a plurality of layers formed of a plurality of ink receiving particles. FIG. 2-2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation in a case where the ink receiving particle layer is a plurality of layers formed of a plurality of ink receiving particles. FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation in a case where the ink receiving particle layer is a single layer formed of one ink receiving particle. FIG. 3-2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation in a case where the ink receiving particle layer is a single layer formed of one ink receiving particle.

Explanation of symbols

10 Recording device 12 Intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer member)
16 Ink receiving particles (liquid receiving particles)
18 Particle supply device 20 Inkjet recording head (liquid ejection head)
22 Transfer member 24D Acceptance inhibitor (reception inhibitor)
24 Acceptance suppression liquid application device (Acceptance suppression liquid application means)
P Recording medium

Claims (6)

An intermediate transfer member;
A reception-suppressing liquid applying means for applying a reception-suppressing liquid that suppresses the reception of the liquid-receptive particles that receive the liquid to the surface of the intermediate transfer member;
A particle supply device for supplying the liquid-accepting particles to the surface of the intermediate transfer body to which the acceptance-inhibiting liquid is applied by the acceptance-inhibiting liquid application unit;
A liquid discharge head for discharging liquid to the liquid receptive particles supplied by the particle supply device;
A transfer member for transferring the liquid-receptive particles discharged by the liquid discharge head to a recording medium;
A recording apparatus comprising:   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reception suppressing liquid is a liquid that forms a cross-linked structure on the interface side of the liquid receptive particles with the intermediate transfer member. The liquid receptive particles contain an organic resin having an anionic polar group,
The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reception suppressing liquid contains a cationic substance. The anionic polar group is a carboxylic acid group;
The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cationic substance is at least one selected from a polyvalent metal salt and a polyvalent amine salt.   5. The application amount of the reception suppression liquid applied by the reception suppression liquid application unit is smaller than the reception amount in which one layer formed of the liquid receptive particles receives liquid. The recording device described.   The application amount of the acceptance suppressing liquid applied by the acceptance suppressing liquid applying means is a polar group carboxylic acid or carboxylate contained in the liquid receiving particles corresponding to one layer formed of the liquid receiving particles. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording apparatus contains sufficient polyvalent metal salt to ion-crosslink.