JP2011063395A - Device and method for seasoning printed matter, and inkjet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrain a paper sheet from running violently and being folded in, when starting up air blow in seasoning, and to prevent the paper sheet from being folded and a wrinkle from being generated in the paper sheet. <P>SOLUTION: The problem to be solved is solved by this device for seasoning printed matter including a mounting block for mounting, by piling up, the plurality of printing paper sheets imparted with ink on at least one face of the paper sheet, a blowing means for supplying air among the respective paper sheets by blowing the air at a prescribed gas volume from both end faces of a bundle of the printing paper sheets layered on the mounting block, and having an air blow port over the whole area along a piled-up direction of the bundle, and a control means for increasing gradually a gas volume of the blowing means up to the prescribed gas volume, when starting the air blow by the blowing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a seasoning apparatus and method for printed matter, and an ink jet recording apparatus, and more particularly to a seasoning device and method for printed matter and an ink jet recording apparatus for preventing paper folding and wrinkling.

  It has been practiced to improve the paper curling property by blowing air to the end of the stacked paper bundle and sending air between the paper.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a shutter that reciprocates in the vertical direction to change the cross-sectional area of the air flow path and a shift point at which the moving speed of the shutter decelerates on the side where the sheet bundle to be separated is present. There has been proposed a sheet feeding apparatus provided with a control means that changes to the above.

  Patent Document 2 proposes a sheet supply apparatus having air flow changing means for changing the state of the air flow blown from a plurality of outlets with the passage of time.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, the air blowing position is moved in a substantially vertical direction in the case of a thin sheet depending on the weight of the sheet, and fixed in the case of a thick sheet so that air flows in between the sheets. There has been proposed a sheet supply apparatus that reliably separates only one sheet at a time.

  By the way, the paper immediately after the ink is applied by the printing apparatus causes the expansion and contraction of the paper due to the difference in the water content due to the density of the ink (the amount of ink) in the image area. This problem is particularly noticeable in a system that prints on general-purpose paper using water-based ink. Furthermore, when performing double-sided printing, printing on the opposite side (back side) is usually performed after printing on one side (front side), but immediately after printing on the front side, the paper expands and contracts greatly. There arises a problem that the sizes and positions of the images to be printed are shifted (front and back registration is not aligned).

  In addition, not only double-sided printing, but also in single-sided printing, there is a problem that the print quality is deteriorated due to the occurrence of curl and cockle due to the above-mentioned paper deformation, and in addition, a bookbinding process performed after the printing process There is also a problem of adversely affecting post-processing.

  In order to solve such problems, it is conceivable to perform seasoning by introducing air between papers using the devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 3.

JP 2003-31874 A JP 2002-96474 A JP 2008-143015 A

  However, in such an apparatus, when air is ejected at one time at the time of starting, there is a problem that the sheet near the upper part is blown by the wind from the side and becomes violent or folded inward. In addition, when air is blown uniformly, there is a problem in that the paper tends to be in close contact because the weight of the paper is added to the lower part of the paper bundle.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a seasoning device and method for printed matter and an ink jet recording device that prevent paper from being violated or folded at the start of blowing and prevent paper from being folded or wrinkled. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, a seasoning device for printed matter according to claim 1 includes a mounting table for stacking and mounting at least a plurality of printing sheets to which ink is applied on one side of the sheet, and a mounting table on the mounting table. Blower means for supplying air between each sheet by blowing air with a predetermined air volume from both end surfaces of the stack of the stacked printing paper, and a blower means having a blower port extending over the entire stacking direction of the bundle; Control means for gradually increasing the air volume of the air blower until the air flow reaches the predetermined air volume when the air blower starts to blow air is provided.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the air blowing unit starts air blowing, the air volume of the air blowing unit is gradually increased until reaching the predetermined air volume. It is possible to prevent the paper from being folded and wrinkled.

  As shown in claim 2, in the seasoning device for printed matter according to claim 1, the air blowing means includes a pair of fans arranged on the outer periphery of both ends of the bundle so that the air outlets face each other. Arranged in a plurality of stages in the stacking direction of the bundle, the control means sets the air volume of the fans constituting the pair to substantially the same air volume, and at least the lowest fan among the fans arranged in a plurality of stages The air volume is gradually increased.

  Thereby, when a ventilation means starts ventilation, the air volume of a ventilation means can be made to increase gradually until it reaches a predetermined | prescribed air volume.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the seasoning device for printed matter according to the second aspect, the control means adjusts the air volume of at least the lowest fan so that the lower fan always has a larger air volume among the plurality of fans. It is characterized by gradually increasing.

  Thereby, seasoning can be performed appropriately.

  4. The seasoning apparatus for printed matter according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of stages of fans are arranged in a plurality of rows along both sides of the printing paper constituting both end faces of the bundle. It is characterized by.

  Thereby, air can be supplied appropriately in the side direction of the paper.

  5. The seasoning apparatus for printed matter according to claim 4, wherein the control means includes at least a plurality of rows of fans such that the fan is always closer to the center of both sides of the printing paper so that the air volume becomes smaller. It is characterized by gradually increasing the air volume of the lowermost fan.

  Thereby, the air volume of the center part which becomes easy to float compared with a right-and-left part can be reduced, and seasoning can be performed appropriately.

  The seasoning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fan includes a DC motor, and the control means controls the rotational speed of the DC motor to control the air volume of the fan. It is characterized by controlling.

  Thereby, an air volume can be controlled appropriately.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the seasoning device according to the sixth aspect, the control means controls the rotational speed of the DC motor by PWM control.

  Thereby, an air volume can be controlled appropriately.

  The printed matter seasoning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the predetermined air volume is at least one of a size, a material, a thickness, and a number of sheets of the printing paper. It is set based on this.

  Thereby, seasoning can be performed appropriately.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ink jet recording apparatus according to a ninth aspect includes the seasoning device for printed matter according to any one of the first to eighth aspects in a paper discharge section.

  Thereby, the inkjet recording device which can perform the seasoning after printing appropriately can be provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, the seasoning method for printed matter according to claim 10 includes a step of laminating a plurality of printing papers each having an ink applied to at least one side of the paper on the mounting table, A blowing step of blowing air at a predetermined air volume from both end surfaces of the bundle by a blowing means having a blowing port extending in the stacking direction of the stack of the printing paper bundles stacked on the sheet; and the blowing And a control step of gradually increasing the air volume of the air blowing means until the predetermined air volume is reached when the means starts air blowing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the paper from being violated or folded at the start of air blowing, to prevent the paper from being folded or wrinkled, and to improve the productivity of printed matter.

Perspective view of seasoning device The perspective view which showed a mode that the stack of paper was placed on the mounting base of a seasoning apparatus Diagram showing wind convection inside seasoning device Diagram showing electrical configuration of seasoning device Flow chart showing air volume control at the start of seasoning device The figure which showed the air volume transition of each fan at the start of seasoning device The figure which showed the air volume transition of each fan at the start of seasoning device The figure which showed the air volume transition of each fan at the start of seasoning device A diagram showing a configuration example of an inkjet recording apparatus

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

<Configuration of seasoning device>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seasoning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the seasoning apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a mounting table 10 on which a plurality of printing sheets (hereinafter referred to as sheets) can be stacked, and an outer periphery of a sheet bundle stacked on the mounting table 10. Fans 20a to 20f and fans 20a 'to 20f' for blowing air from both sides are provided.

  As shown in the figure, each of the fans 20a to 20f ′ has fans 20a and 20a ′, 20b and 20b ′, and 20c so that air is ejected from both end faces corresponding to the long side of the paper to the inside of the paper bundle. 20c ′,..., 20f and 20f ′ are arranged. These fans are arranged so that the blowing air faces each other, and the fans 20a and 20d, 20a 'and 20d', 20d and 20e,. Yes.

  In this embodiment, the fan 20 is described as an example of a centrifugal fan, but the air blowing method of the fan 20 is not particularly limited, and an axial fan may be used.

  Side plates 12 are erected on the four outer peripheral surfaces of the mounting table 10, and air blowing ports 14 are formed at positions of the blowing ports of the fans 20 a to 20 f ′ of the measuring plate 12. The blower opening 14 blows air at a time to substantially the entire area in the height direction of the sheet accommodation range regulated by the mounting table 10 and the top plate (not shown in FIG. 1, described as reference numeral 18 in FIG. 2). In the sheet stacking direction, the opening length is substantially the same as the height of the sheet accommodation range. With such a configuration, it is possible to apply wind almost uniformly to all the sheets placed on the mounting table 10 at once. Note that the number and specifications of the fans 20 constituting the blower means, the size and shape of the blower opening 14 are appropriately designed in consideration of the paper size, material, thickness, number of sheets, and the like. Further, the height dimension of the side plate 12 is appropriately designed according to the maximum amount of sheets that can be set on the mounting table 10.

  Further, the side plate 12 erected on the side where the fans 20a to 20f ′ are not arranged discharges the air sent out by the fan 20 and ventilates the air generated by the fan 20 efficiently into the sheet bundle. A mouth 16 is formed.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a bundle 32 of sheets 30 is placed on the mounting table 10. As shown in the figure, a bundle 32 of printed sheets 30 is placed on the mounting table 10 and covered with a top plate 18 from above. The top plate 18 plays a role of preventing the sheet 30 from flying up during blowing. The top plate 18 may be configured to be fixed at a predetermined height position such as sealing the top surface of the paper storage space 34 by contacting the upper end surface of the side plate 12, or the top plate 18 according to the number of sheets 30. The structure which can adjust suitably the height position of may be sufficient.

  For example, the top plate 18 is configured to be movable in the stacking direction of the sheets 30 by position adjusting means including a moving mechanism (not shown). Thereby, the height position of the top plate 18 is adjusted according to the number of sheets 30 placed on the mounting table 10, and a sheet storage space 34 having an appropriate size suitable for the number of sheets to be processed is formed.

  Furthermore, the top plate 18 may be configured to rise at the start of air blowing. By starting the air blowing from each of the fans 20a to 20f ′, air is supplied between the papers 30 on the mounting table 10, and an appropriate gap is formed between the papers 30. To rise. As a result, the height position of the uppermost sheet rises more than when no air is blown. As described above, a configuration in which the top plate 18 is raised according to the amount of floating of the paper during blowing is also preferable. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to secure an appropriate amount of gap between the sheets, suppress flapping of the sheets due to air blowing, and avoid damage to the printed matter due to contact between the sheets 30 and the top plate 18. .

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the convection of the wind inside the seasoning device 100, and the arrows in the figure schematically show the flow of the wind. As shown in the figure, the seasoning device 100 is configured to maintain the stability of paper-making by causing the wind to be convected by a fan disposed oppositely to discharge the wind from the vent 16. In order to maintain this stability, fan control is performed such that the airflows of the opposing fans 20a and 20a ′, 20b and 20b ′,..., 20f and 20f ′ are the same. This is because if the airflows of the opposing fans are not the same amount, the state in which the sheets are curled becomes unstable.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the seasoning apparatus 100. As shown in the figure, the seasoning device 100 is supplied with 24V DC, and the fans 20a to 20f 'are connected to the fan drive units 21a to 21f', respectively.

  Each fan drive part 21a-21f 'is provided with the DC motor which is not shown in figure which rotates according to the electric power supplied, and rotates each fan 20a-20f' connected to the motor shaft. Each of the fans 20a to 20f generates air with an air volume corresponding to the rotational speed of the DC motor.

  The air volume of each of the fans 20a to 20f ′, that is, the rotational speed of each DC motor is controlled by so-called PWM control by the CPU 40. As described above, the fans 20a to 20f ′ are arranged in two upper and lower stages, and among these, the fan drive units of the fans 20d, 20e, 20f, 20d ′, 20e ′, and 20f ′, which are upper fans. 21d, 21e, 21f, 21d ′, 21e ′, and 21f ′ are commonly connected to the output terminal 42U of the CPU 40. As a result, the same amount of power is supplied to the drive unit of the upper fan in accordance with the output of the output terminal 42U. Therefore, by using the same (same performance) fans 20d to 20f ′ and fan drive units 21d to 21f ′ in the upper stage, the air volume of the fans in the upper stage is always substantially the same.

  Similarly, the fan drive units 21a, 21b, 21c, 21a ′, 21b ′, and 21c ′ of the fans 20a, 20b, 20c, 20a ′, 20b ′, and 20c ′, which are lower fans, are connected to the output terminal 42D of the CPU 40. Commonly connected. Thus, the same amount of power is supplied to the lower fans according to the output of the output terminal 42D. Therefore, by using the same fan (the same performance) for each of the lower fans 20a to 20c ′ and the respective fan drive units 21a to 21c ′, the air flow of the lower fans is always substantially the same.

    In this embodiment, Sanyo Denki's blower “SanAce B97 (9BMB24P2K01)” (trade name) is used as the fan 20 and the fan drive unit 21.

  The air volume adjustment of each of the fans 20a to 20f ′ is not limited to PWM control, and may be performed using voltage control or switch control using a fixed resistor.

<Control of air volume at start-up>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the air volume control when the seasoning device 100 is started. The upper fans 20d to 20f 'and the fan drive units 21d to 21f', and the lower fans 20a to 20c 'and the fan drive units 21a to 21c' have the same performance. The air volume of each of the fans 20a to 20f ′ is proportional to the duty that drives each fan.

  First, the output of each of the lower fans 20a to 20c ′ is gradually increased from the stopped state until it reaches 20% of the driving capacity (step S1). As described above, the lower fans 20a to 20c ′ are configured to be able to perform PWM control in common by the output of the output terminal 42D of the CPU 40. The CPU 40 changes the duty of the output signal of the output terminal 42D from 0% to 20%. By gradually increasing until it reaches%, the air volume of each fan can be gradually increased from 0% to 20%.

  When the output of the lower fan reaches 20%, the output of the lower fan is gradually increased until it reaches 50% (step S2). That is, the CPU 40 gradually increases the air volume of each fan from 20% to 50% by gradually increasing the duty of the output signal of the output terminal 42D from 20% to 50%.

  When the output of the lower fan reaches 50%, the output of each of the upper fans 20d to 20f ′ is gradually increased from the stopped state to 20% of the driving capacity (step S3). As described above, the upper fans 20d to 20f ′ are configured to be able to perform PWM control in common by the output of the output terminal 42U of the CPU 40. The CPU 40 changes the duty of the output signal of the output terminal 42U from 0% to 20%. The air volume of each fan is gradually increased from 0% to 20%.

  When the output of the upper fan reaches 20%, the output of the upper fan is gradually increased until it reaches 40% (step S4). That is, the CPU 40 gradually increases the duty of the output signal of the output terminal 42U from 20% to 40%, thereby gradually increasing the air volume of each upper fan from 20% to 40%.

  When the output of the upper fan reaches 40%, the output of the lower fan is gradually increased until it reaches 100% of the driving capacity (step S5). When the output of the lower fan reaches 100%, finally, the output of the upper fan is gradually increased until it reaches 80% of the driving capacity (step S6). Therefore, the air volume of the lower fan is finally 100%, and the air volume of the upper fan is 80%.

  In this way, the lower fan is first activated, and the upper fan is activated after the sheet 30 is slightly lifted. Also, the air flow is always increased so that the upper air flow <the lower air flow, and the air flow sent to the lower side of the sheet bundle that is pressurized with the weight of the paper and has increased adhesion is increased. Set. Further, the fans 20a to 20f ′ are controlled so as to gradually increase the air volume without abruptly starting up, so that the paper 30 can be prevented from being violated and folded, thereby preventing the occurrence of paper folding, wrinkles and the like. it can.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the air volume transition when the air volume is controlled more finely than the air volume control shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the driving of the upper fan is started after the driving of the lower fan is started, and the respective air volumes are gradually increased.

  As described above, the air volume control of the lower fan and the upper fan may be performed simultaneously instead of alternately. In addition, it is preferable that time until the air volume of each fan 20a-20f 'becomes a fixed quantity becomes about 5 to 10 second. If this time is too short, paper breaks and wrinkles will occur, and if it is too long, productivity will be hindered.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the air volume control when the number of sheets 30 of the bundle 32 stacked on the mounting table 10 is small. In the case of the figure, the lower fan is controlled so that the air volume gradually increases until it reaches 60% of the driving capacity and the upper fan reaches 20% of the driving capacity. Thus, the final air volume may be determined as appropriate depending on the number of sheets 30. This is because even if the number of sheets is small, if the air volume is too large, paper breaks, wrinkles, etc. occur.

  Further, only the lower fan may be controlled so that the air volume gradually increases. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the air volume of the lower fan is gradually increased, and after the air volume exceeds 20% (after the lower fan exceeds 20% of the driving capacity), The air flow may be started at 20% (the upper fan is driven at 20% of the driving capacity). This is because if the output of the upper fan is small, the paper 30 will not be curled and ramped or folded inward without gradually increasing the air volume. Thus, it is not always necessary to gradually increase the air volume for the upper fan.

  Further, when the number of sheets 30 is small and the uppermost sheet 30 of the sheet bundle 32 does not reach the position of the upper fan, only the lower fan may be operated without using the upper fan. Also in this case, by performing control to gradually increase the output of the lower fan, it is possible to prevent paper breakage, wrinkles and the like.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing air volume control in the case where the air volume is varied according to the position of the fan in the horizontal direction. As shown in the figure, the fans 20a, 20c, 20d, 20f, 20a ′, 20c ′, 20d ′, and 20f ′ are located on the left and right sides in the long side direction when the mounting table 10 is viewed from above. , The upper fans 20d, 20f, 20d ', and 20f' and the lower fans 20a, 20c, 20a ', and 20c' are arranged in the same manner as in FIG. After the fan drive is started, the upper fan drive is started, and control is performed so that the air volume is gradually increased.

  In addition, when the mounting table 10 is viewed from above, the fans 20b, 20e, 20b ′, and 20e ′ positioned in the center in the long side direction are the upper fans 20e and 20e ′ and the lower fans 20d and 20d. In order to always maintain the relationship of 'upper air flow <lower air flow', the upper fan is started to be driven after starting the lower fan, and the air flow is gradually increased.

  Further, both the lower fan and the upper fan are controlled so as to always maintain the relationship of the air volume of the left and right parts> the air quantity of the central part. In order to perform such control, among the fans located on the left and right sides in the long side direction, the upper fans 20d, 20f, 20d ', 20f' and the lower fans 20a, 20c, 20a ', 20c' Among the fans located in the central part in the long side direction, the upper fans 20e and 20e 'and the lower fans 20d and 20d' can control the air volume independently, respectively, and the fan driving unit 21 and the CPU 40 can be controlled independently. Need to be connected to the output terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fans 20 b, 20 e, 20 b ′, and 20 e ′ located in the center part in the long side direction when the mounting table 10 is viewed from above are separated from the ventilation openings 16. The air sent out from these fans is compared with the air sent out from the fans 20a, 20c, 20d, 20f, 20a ′, 20c ′, 20d ′, and 20f ′ closer to the ventilation port 16, It becomes easy to collect in the paper storage space 34. Therefore, the central portion of the paper 30 is more likely to float than the left and right portions.

  Accordingly, the airflow of each fan 20a to 20f 'is blown so as to maintain the relationship of the airflow of the central portion <the airflow of the left and right portions, and the airflow of the central portion of the sheet bundle that is likely to float with the accumulated air is determined from the airflow of the left and right portions. The setting should be reduced. In this way, more favorable seasoning can be performed by changing the air volume according to the position of the fan in the sheet bundle 32.

  In the present embodiment, the fans 20a to 20f ′ are all fans having the same performance, but fans having different performances may not be used as long as similar air volume control can be performed.

  Further, in this embodiment, the fans are used in two upper and lower stages, but may be used in three or more stages. In this case as well, control may be performed so that the upper air volume <the lower air volume is always satisfied.

<About the timing of seasoning>
Although the timing for performing seasoning is not particularly limited, for example, it is performed at the following timing.

  (1) When only one-side printing is performed, seasoning is performed after the one-side printing.

  (2) When performing double-sided printing, seasoning is performed after printing on the front side and before printing on the back side.

  (3) When performing double-sided printing, seasoning is performed after backside printing in addition to the case of (2).

<Application example to inkjet printing system>
An example of a printing system in which the seasoning apparatus described in FIGS. 1 to 8 is combined with an inkjet printer will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the inkjet recording apparatus 200, a plurality of colors are recorded from inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y onto a recording medium 124 (sometimes referred to as “paper” for convenience) held on an impression cylinder (drawing drum 170) of the drawing unit 116. Is an impression cylinder direct drawing type ink jet recording apparatus that forms a desired color image by applying ink droplets of the ink. A treatment liquid (in this case, an aggregating treatment liquid) is applied onto the recording medium 124 before ink ejection. This is an on-demand type image forming apparatus to which a two-liquid reaction (aggregation) method for forming an image on a recording medium 124 by reacting a treatment liquid and an ink liquid is applied.

  As shown in the figure, the ink jet recording apparatus 200 mainly includes a paper feeding unit 112, a treatment liquid application unit 114, a drawing unit 116, a drying unit 118, a fixing unit 120, and a paper discharge unit 122.

  The seasoning apparatus 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 is installed in a portion of the discharge tray 192 of the paper discharge unit 122 (see FIG. 9).

(Paper Feeder)
The paper feeding unit 112 is a mechanism that supplies the recording medium 124 to the processing liquid application unit 114, and the recording medium 124 that is a sheet is stacked on the paper feeding unit 112. The paper feed unit 112 is provided with a paper feed tray 150, and the recording medium 124 is fed from the paper feed tray 150 to the processing liquid application unit 114 one by one.

  In the inkjet recording apparatus 200 of this example, a plurality of types of recording media 124 having different paper types and sizes (paper sizes) can be used as the recording medium 124. A mode is also possible in which a plurality of paper trays (not shown) for separately collecting various recording media are provided in the paper feeding unit 112 and the paper to be sent to the paper feeding tray 150 is automatically switched from among the plurality of paper trays. In addition, a mode is also possible in which the operator selects or replaces the paper tray as necessary. In this example, a sheet (cut paper) is used as the recording medium 124, but a configuration in which continuous paper (roll paper) is cut to a required size and fed is also possible.

(Processing liquid application part)
The processing liquid application unit 114 is a mechanism that applies the processing liquid to the recording surface of the recording medium 124. The treatment liquid contains a color material aggregating agent that agglomerates the color material (pigment in this example) in the ink applied by the drawing unit 116, and the ink comes into contact with the treatment liquid and the ink. And the solvent are promoted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the treatment liquid application unit 114 includes a paper feed drum 152, a treatment liquid drum 154, and a treatment liquid application device 156. The treatment liquid drum 154 is a drum that holds and rotates the recording medium 124. The processing liquid drum 154 includes a claw-shaped holding means (gripper) 155 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the recording medium 124 is sandwiched between the claw of the holding means 155 and the peripheral surface of the processing liquid drum 154. The tip can be held. The treatment liquid drum 154 may be provided with a suction hole on the outer peripheral surface thereof and connected to a suction unit that performs suction from the suction hole. As a result, the recording medium 124 can be held in close contact with the peripheral surface of the treatment liquid drum 154.

  A processing liquid coating device 156 is provided outside the processing liquid drum 154 so as to face the peripheral surface thereof. The processing liquid coating device 156 includes a processing liquid container in which the processing liquid is stored, an anix roller partially immersed in the processing liquid in the processing liquid container, and the recording medium 124 on the anix roller and the processing liquid drum 154. And a rubber roller that transfers the measured processing liquid to the recording medium 124. According to the processing liquid coating apparatus 156, the processing liquid can be applied to the recording medium 124 while being measured.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the application method using the roller is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various methods such as a spray method and an ink jet method can be applied.

  The recording medium 124 to which the processing liquid is applied by the processing liquid applying unit 114 is transferred from the processing liquid drum 154 to the drawing drum 170 of the drawing unit 116 via the intermediate transport unit 126.

(Drawing part)
The drawing unit 116 includes a drawing drum 170, a paper holding roller 174, and ink jet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y. Similar to the treatment liquid drum 154, the drawing drum 170 includes a claw-shaped holding means (gripper) 171 on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The recording medium 124 fixed to the drawing drum 170 is conveyed with the recording surface facing outward, and ink is applied to the recording surface from the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y.

  The inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y are full-line inkjet recording heads (inkjet heads) each having a length corresponding to the maximum width of the image forming area on the recording medium 124. Is formed with a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for ink ejection are arranged over the entire width of the image forming area. Each inkjet head 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y is installed so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 124 (the rotation direction of the drawing drum 170).

  The droplets of the corresponding color ink are ejected from the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y toward the recording surface of the recording medium 124 held in close contact with the drawing drum 170, whereby the processing liquid application unit 114 performs the processing. The ink comes into contact with the treatment liquid previously applied to the recording surface, and the color material (pigment) dispersed in the ink is aggregated to form a color material aggregate. Thereby, the color material flow on the recording medium 124 is prevented, and an image is formed on the recording surface of the recording medium 124.

  In this example, the configuration of CMYK standard colors (four colors) is illustrated, but the combination of ink colors and the number of colors is not limited to this embodiment, and light ink, dark ink, and special colors are used as necessary. Ink may be added. For example, it is possible to add an inkjet head that discharges light-colored ink such as light cyan and light magenta, and the arrangement order of the color heads is not particularly limited.

  The recording medium 124 on which an image is formed by the drawing unit 116 is transferred from the drawing drum 170 to the drying drum 176 of the drying unit 118 via the intermediate conveyance unit 128.

(Drying part)
The drying unit 118 is a mechanism for drying water contained in the solvent separated by the color material aggregating action, and includes a drying drum 176 and a solvent drying device 178, as shown in FIG.

  Similar to the processing liquid drum 154, the drying drum 176 includes a claw-shaped holding unit (gripper) 177 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the holding unit 177 can hold the leading end of the recording medium 124.

  The solvent drying device 178 is disposed at a position facing the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 176, and includes a plurality of halogen heaters 180 and hot air ejection nozzles 182 disposed between the halogen heaters 180.

  Various drying conditions can be realized by appropriately adjusting the temperature and air volume of the hot air blown toward the recording medium 124 from each hot air ejection nozzle 182 and the temperature of each halogen heater 180.

  The surface temperature of the drying drum 176 is set to 50 ° C. or higher. Drying is accelerated by heating from the back surface of the recording medium 124, and image destruction during fixing can be prevented. The upper limit of the surface temperature of the drying drum 176 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of safety of maintenance work such as cleaning ink adhering to the surface of the drying drum 176 (preventing burns due to high temperatures). It is preferably set to 75 degrees or less (more preferably 60 degrees C or less).

  It is held on the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 176 so that the recording surface of the recording medium 124 faces outward (that is, in a state where the recording surface of the recording medium 124 is convex), and is dried while being rotated and conveyed. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the recording medium 124 from being wrinkled or lifted, and to reliably prevent unevenness in drying due to these.

  The recording medium 124 that has been dried by the drying unit 118 is transferred from the drying drum 176 to the fixing drum 184 of the fixing unit 120 via the intermediate conveyance unit 130.

(Fixing part)
The fixing unit 120 includes a fixing drum 184, a halogen heater 186, a fixing roller 188, and an inline sensor 190. Like the processing liquid drum 154, the fixing drum 184 includes a claw-shaped holding unit (gripper) 185 on the outer peripheral surface, and the leading end of the recording medium 124 can be held by the holding unit 185.

  With the rotation of the fixing drum 184, the recording medium 124 is conveyed with the recording surface facing outward. The recording surface is preheated by the halogen heater 186, fixing processing by the fixing roller 188, and by the inline sensor 190. Inspection is performed.

  The halogen heater 186 is controlled to a predetermined temperature (for example, 180 ° C.). Thereby, preheating of the recording medium 124 is performed.

  The fixing roller 188 is a roller member that heats and pressurizes the dried ink to weld the self-dispersing polymer fine particles in the ink to form a film of the ink, and is configured to heat and press the recording medium 124. The Specifically, the fixing roller 188 is disposed so as to be in pressure contact with the fixing drum 184 and constitutes a nip roller with the fixing drum 184. As a result, the recording medium 124 is sandwiched between the fixing roller 188 and the fixing drum 184 and nipped at a predetermined nip pressure (for example, 0.15 MPa), and the fixing process is performed.

  The fixing roller 188 is configured by a heating roller in which a halogen lamp is incorporated in a metal pipe such as aluminum having good thermal conductivity, and is controlled to a predetermined temperature (for example, 60 to 80 ° C.). By heating the recording medium 124 with this heating roller, thermal energy equal to or higher than the Tg temperature (glass transition temperature) of the latex contained in the ink is applied, and the latex particles are melted. As a result, pressing and fixing are performed on the unevenness of the recording medium 124, and the unevenness of the image surface is leveled to obtain glossiness.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, only one fixing roller 188 is provided. However, a structure in which a plurality of fixing rollers 188 are provided may be used depending on the thickness of the image layer and the Tg characteristics of latex particles.

  On the other hand, the in-line sensor 190 is a measuring means for measuring a check pattern, a moisture content, a surface temperature, a glossiness, and the like for an image fixed on the recording medium 124, and a CCD line sensor or the like is applied.

  According to the fixing unit 120 configured as described above, the latex particles in the thin image layer formed by the drying unit 118 are heated and pressurized by the fixing roller 188 and are melted. Can be made. The surface temperature of the fixing drum 184 is set to 50 ° C. or higher. The recording medium 124 held on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing drum 184 is heated from the back surface to accelerate drying, thereby preventing image destruction at the time of fixing and increasing the image strength by the effect of increasing the image temperature. Can do.

  In addition, instead of the ink containing the high boiling point solvent and the polymer fine particles (thermoplastic resin particles), a monomer component that can be polymerized and cured by UV exposure may be contained. In this case, the inkjet recording apparatus 200 includes a UV exposure unit that exposes the ink on the recording medium 124 to UV light instead of the heat-pressure fixing unit (fixing roller 188) using a heat roller. As described above, when ink containing an actinic ray curable resin such as a UV curable resin is used, an actinic ray such as a UV lamp or an ultraviolet LD (laser diode) array is used instead of the fixing roller 188 for heat fixing. Means for irradiating are provided.

(Output section)
As shown in FIG. 9, a paper discharge unit 122 is provided following the fixing unit 120. The paper discharge unit 122 includes a discharge tray 192. Between the discharge tray 192 and the fixing drum 184 of the fixing unit 120, a transfer drum 194, a conveyance belt 196, and a stretching roller 198 are in contact with each other. Is provided. The recording medium 124 is sent to the conveyor belt 196 by the transfer drum 194 and discharged to the discharge tray 192.

  As the discharge tray 192, the seasoning apparatus 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 is employed, which functions both as a mounting table on which printed sheets (printed materials) are stacked and as a seasoning machine.

  Although not shown in FIG. 9, the ink jet recording apparatus 200 of this example includes an ink storage / loading unit for supplying ink to each ink jet head 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y, processing liquid, in addition to the above configuration. A means for supplying a processing liquid to the applying unit 114 and a head maintenance unit for cleaning each ink jet head 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y (nozzle surface wiping, purging, nozzle suction, etc.) Are provided with a position detection sensor for detecting the position of the recording medium 124 and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of each part of the apparatus.

(Support for double-sided printing)
In the case of performing duplex printing, in the inkjet recording apparatus 200 of FIG. 9, seasoning is performed for a predetermined time by the seasoning apparatus 100 after one side (front surface) of the paper is printed. Then, the sheet bundle subjected to the seasoning process is returned to the paper feeding unit 112, and the back side is printed.

  As a result, front and back registration misalignment does not occur, and good duplex printing can be realized in a short time.

  In addition, the inkjet recording apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 9 may include a plurality of seasoning apparatuses 100 used for the discharge tray 192, and each seasoning apparatus 100 may be moved between the paper discharge unit 122 and the paper supply unit 112. Good.

  For example, a configuration in which each seasoning apparatus 100 can run with a caster may be employed, or a configuration in which the seasoning device 100 travels on a rail may be employed.

  During the period when the first seasoning device is seasoning a bundle of printed materials, another (second) seasoning device is set in the paper discharge unit 122 and receives a newly printed output. A bundle of sheets for which seasoning has been completed by the first seasoning apparatus is supplied to the sheet feeding unit 112.

  When a specified number of printed materials are accumulated in the second seasoning device, the second seasoning device retracts from the paper discharge unit 122 and starts seasoning. Then, the third seasoning device or the empty first seasoning device is set in the paper discharge unit 122 and printing is continued. In this way, by configuring a system that uses a plurality of seasoning devices as a wheel, automation can be realized and a large amount of printed matter can be produced efficiently.

<About ink>
The ink used in the practice of the present invention is a water-based ink containing water as a solvent. For example, a water-based pigment ink containing a pigment that is a coloring material (colorant) or polymer fine particles as a solvent-insoluble material is used. .

  The concentration of the solvent-insoluble material is preferably 1 wt% or more and 20 wt% or less considering a viscosity of 20 mPa · s or less suitable for ejection. More preferably, the pigment concentration is 4 wt% or more in order to obtain the optical density of the image.

  The surface tension of the ink is preferably 20 mN / m or more and 40 mN / m or less in consideration of ejection stability.

  The coloring material used for the ink can be a pigment or a mixture of a dye and a pigment. From the viewpoint of aggregability at the time of contact with the treatment liquid, a pigment in a dispersed state in the ink is preferable because it aggregates more effectively. Among the pigments, a pigment dispersed by a dispersant, a self-dispersing pigment, a pigment whose surface is coated with a resin (microcapsule pigment), and a polymer graft pigment are particularly preferable. From the viewpoint of pigment aggregation, a form modified with a carboxyl group having a low dissociation degree is more preferable.

  In the colored ink liquid used in this embodiment, it is preferable to add polymer fine particles not containing a colorant as a component that reacts with the treatment liquid. The polymer fine particles can enhance the thickening action and aggregation action of the ink by reaction with the treatment liquid, and can improve the image quality. In particular, a highly safe ink can be obtained by incorporating anionic polymer fine particles into the ink.

  By using polymer fine particles that react with the treatment liquid and cause thickening and aggregating action in the ink, the quality of the image can be improved. At the same time, depending on the type of polymer fine particles, the polymer fine particles form a film on the recording medium. It also has the effect of improving the scratch resistance and water resistance of the image.

  The dispersion method in the polymer ink is not limited to emulsion, and it may be dissolved or exist in a colloidal dispersion state.

  The polymer fine particles may be obtained by dispersing the polymer fine particles using an emulsifier, or may be dispersed without using an emulsifier. As the emulsifier, a low molecular weight surfactant is usually used, but a high molecular weight surfactant can also be used as an emulsifier. It is also preferable to use capsule type polymer fine particles (core / shell type polymer fine particles having different compositions at the center and outer edge of the particle) whose outer shell is made of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or the like.

  Examples of the resin component added to the ink as polymer fine particles include acrylic resins, vinyl acetate resins, styrene-butadiene resins, vinyl chloride resins, acrylic-styrene resins, butadiene resins, styrene resins, and the like.

  From the viewpoint of imparting high-speed cohesiveness to the polymer fine particles, those having a carboxylic acid group having a low dissociation degree are more preferable. Since the carboxylic acid group is easily affected by pH change, the dispersion state is easily changed and the cohesiveness is high.

  The change of the dispersion state with respect to the pH change of the polymer fine particles can be adjusted by the content ratio of the constituent component in the polymer fine particles having a carboxylic acid group such as an acrylate ester, and the like depending on the anionic surfactant used as the dispersant. Can also be adjusted.

  The resin component of the polymer fine particles is preferably a polymer having both a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion. By having the hydrophobic portion, the hydrophobic portion is oriented inside the polymer fine particle, the hydrophilic portion is efficiently oriented outside, and the effect of increasing the dispersion state with respect to the pH change of the liquid is greater, and aggregation is caused. Done more efficiently.

  Further, two or more kinds of polymer fine particles may be mixed and used in the ink.

  As the pH adjuster added to the ink of the present embodiment, an organic base or an inorganic alkali base can be used as a neutralizing agent. The pH adjusting agent is preferably added so that the inkjet ink has a pH of 6 to 10 for the purpose of improving the storage stability of the inkjet ink.

  The ink of this embodiment preferably contains a water-soluble organic solvent for the purpose of preventing clogging of the nozzles of the inkjet head due to drying. Such water-soluble organic solvents include wetting agents and penetrants.

  Examples of the water-soluble organic solvent include polyhydric alcohols, polyhydric alcohol derivatives, nitrogen-containing solvents, alcohols, sulfur-containing solvents and the like, as in the case of the treatment liquid.

  In addition, surfactants, pH buffers, antioxidants, fungicides, viscosity modifiers, conductive agents, ultraviolet absorbers, and the like can be added as necessary.

  Moreover, thermoplastic resin fine particles can be contained in the ink. By including a thermoplastic resin, film formation progresses in the process of heating, and the image strength can be improved. When a thermoplastic resin is contained, it is more effective to perform a fixing step of heating and pressing an image in addition to a heating process in drying.

  In addition, by containing a UV curable monomer in the ink, after sufficiently evaporating moisture in the drying section, the image is irradiated with UV in a fixing section equipped with a UV irradiation lamp, etc. The monomer can be cured and polymerized to improve the image strength.

<About treatment liquid>
The treatment liquid (aggregation treatment liquid) used in the practice of the present invention is preferably a treatment liquid that causes aggregation of pigments and polymer fine particles contained in the ink by changing the pH of the ink.

  Treatment liquid components include polyacrylic acid, acetic acid, glycolic acid, malonic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, ascorbic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, fumaric acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, sulfonic acid, orthophosphoric acid, pyrrolidone It is preferably selected from 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.

  Moreover, as a preferable example of the treatment liquid, a treatment liquid to which a polyvalent metal salt or polyallylamine is added can be exemplified. These compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  From the viewpoint of pH aggregation performance with the ink, the treatment liquid preferably has a pH of 1 to 6, more preferably 2 to 5, and particularly preferably 3 to 5.

  In addition, the treatment liquid preferably contains water and other additive-soluble organic solvents for the purpose of preventing clogging of the nozzles of the inkjet head due to drying. Such water and other additive-soluble organic solvents include wetting agents and penetrants. These solvents can be used alone or in combination with water and other additives.

  The treatment liquid may further contain a resin component in order to improve fixability and abrasion resistance. The resin component may be any resin component that does not impair the ejection properties from the head when the treatment liquid is ejected by the ink jet method and has storage stability, and water-soluble resins and resin emulsions can be used freely.

  In addition, surfactants, pH buffers, antioxidants, fungicides, viscosity modifiers, conductive agents, ultraviolet absorbers, and the like can be added as necessary.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Mounting stand, 12 ... Side plate, 14 ... Ventilation opening, 16 ... Ventilation opening, 18 ... Top plate, 20a-20f '... Fan, 21 ... Fan drive part, 30 ... Paper, 32 ... Paper bundle, 34 ... Paper accommodation Space, 40 ... CPU, 100 ... Seasoning device, 122 ... Discharge unit, 192 ... Discharge tray, 200 ... Inkjet recording device

Claims (10)

A mounting table for stacking and mounting a plurality of printing sheets with ink applied to at least one side of the sheet;
Blower means for blowing air with a predetermined air volume from both end faces of the bundle of printing sheets stacked on the mounting table and supplying air between the sheets, and has a blowing port extending over the entire stacking direction of the bundle Air blowing means having
Control means for gradually increasing the air volume of the air blowing means to the predetermined air volume when the air blowing means starts air blowing;
A seasoning device for printed matter, comprising: The fan is arranged in a plurality of stages in the stacking direction of the bundle, the fans constituting a pair arranged on the outer periphery of both ends of the bundle so that the respective air outlets face each other.
The control means sets the air volume of the fans constituting the pair to substantially the same air volume, and gradually increases the air volume of at least the lowest fan among the fans arranged in a plurality of stages. The seasoning device for printed matter according to claim 1.   3. The seasoning device for printed matter according to claim 2, wherein the control unit gradually increases the air volume of at least the lowermost fan so that the air volume of the lower fan is always larger among the plurality of fans. 5. .   The seasoning device for printed matter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of stages of fans are arranged in a plurality of rows along both sides of the printing paper constituting both end faces of the bundle.   5. The control means gradually increases the air volume of at least the lowest fan so that the air volume becomes smaller as the fan is closer to the center of both sides of the printing paper among the plurality of rows of fans. A seasoning device for printed matter described in 1. The fan comprises a DC motor;
6. The seasoning device for printed matter according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the air volume of the fan by controlling the rotational speed of the DC motor.   The seasoning device for printed matter according to claim 6, wherein the control unit controls the rotational speed of the DC motor by PWM control.   The seasoning of printed matter according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the predetermined air volume is set based on at least one of a size, a material, a thickness, and a number of sheets of the printing paper. apparatus.   An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: the printed material seasoning apparatus according to claim 1 in a paper discharge unit. A step of laminating a plurality of printing sheets with ink applied to at least one side of the sheet on the mounting table;
A blower that blows air at a predetermined air volume from both end faces of the bundle by a blower having a blower opening that covers the entire stacking direction of the bundle of print sheets stacked on the mounting table. Process,
A control step of gradually increasing the air volume of the air blowing means until the air flow reaches the predetermined air volume when the air blowing means starts air blowing;
A seasoning method for printed matter, comprising:

Images