JP2017160577A - Inkjet apparatus, and dying method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet apparatus capable of effectively suppressing granular feeling generated on a textile when dying the textile by jetting ink, and a dying method.SOLUTION: The inkjet apparatus 1 includes: a first inkjet head 141 for jetting a colorless ink from a plenty of nozzles; a second inkjet head 142 for jetting a black ink from a plenty of nozzles; a transfer part (rollers 111, 112, and a belt 120 ) for transferring the first inkjet head 141 and the second inkjet head 142 relative to a textile 10; and a control part for controlling the first inkjet head 141, the second inkjet head 142, and the transfer part.The first inkjet head 141 and the second inkjet head 142 are arranged so as to lie next to each other in a transfer direction relative to the textile 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet apparatus and a dyeing method, and more particularly to an ink jet apparatus and a dyeing method suitable for use in dyeing a fabric.

  An inkjet apparatus is an apparatus that performs printing or drawing on a printing surface by ejecting ink from an inkjet head. The inkjet head is provided with a large number of fine nozzles arranged in a row. A nozzle for ejecting ink and an ink ejection amount are set in accordance with a drawing pattern on the printing surface.

  In Patent Document 1 below, a colorless ink containing a transparent agent and inks of three colors, cyan, magenta, and yellow are superposed and ejected in a region along a boundary line defined by a difference in image color. In addition, it is described that only colored ink is ejected in areas other than this area.

JP-A-6-286162

  In general, the fabric is dyed by immersing the fabric in a color dye to be dyed. Therefore, a large amount of dye is required for dyeing. Further, when removing and discarding the dye used for the dyeing, it is necessary to use a large amount of water and to perform a treatment such as decomposing the dye with bacteria, which requires a cost.

  In contrast, when dyeing a fabric with an inkjet device, it is only necessary to discharge the amount of ink necessary for dyeing onto the fabric, so the amount of ink required for dyeing can be greatly reduced, and dye post-treatment Can also reduce the cost required. However, as a result of verification by the present inventors, when ink is ejected onto a cloth with an ink jet device, ink droplets landed on the dot matrix remain on the cloth surface without penetrating the cloth, and are visually granular on the cloth surface. It was found that a feeling occurred. This problem was particularly noticeable when black ink was used.

  In order to solve such a problem, it is possible to use a method of increasing the number of dots while reducing the contrast at the dot outline by using inks of intermediate tones such as gray, light magenta, and light cyan. However, this method requires the addition of a separate head for each ink.

  In view of such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet apparatus and a dyeing method capable of effectively suppressing a graininess generated in a cloth when ink is discharged to dye the cloth.

  A first aspect of the present invention relates to an inkjet apparatus for dyeing a fabric by discharging ink onto the fabric. An inkjet apparatus according to a first aspect includes a first inkjet head that ejects colorless ink from a large number of nozzles, a second inkjet head that ejects colored ink from a large number of nozzles, and the first inkjet head. And a transfer unit that moves the second inkjet head relative to the fabric, and a control unit that controls the first inkjet head, the second inkjet head, and the transfer unit. The first ink jet head and the second ink jet head are disposed adjacent to each other in the movement direction relative to the fabric.

  According to the ink jet apparatus according to this aspect, the colored ink is ejected immediately before the colorless ink is ejected or immediately after the colorless ink is ejected. As a result, the colored ink is mixed with the colorless ink and spreads around the cloth, and the color of the colored ink becomes blurred. Therefore, the graininess that occurs when colored ink is printed on the fabric can be effectively suppressed.

  A second aspect of the present invention relates to a dyeing method for dyeing a fabric using an ink jet head. The dyeing | staining method which concerns on a 2nd aspect has the process of discharging a colorless ink to a fabric, and the process of discharging the colored ink for dyeing to a fabric.

  According to the staining method according to the second aspect, the same effect as in the first aspect can be achieved.

  As described above, according to the ink jet apparatus and the dyeing method of the present invention, it is possible to effectively suppress the graininess generated in the fabric when the ink is discharged to dye the fabric.

  The effects and significance of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example when the present invention is implemented, and the present invention is not limited to what is described in the following embodiment.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram for explaining a printing method according to a comparative example. FIGS. 1B and 1C are schematic diagrams for explaining the printing method according to the embodiment. 2A to 2C are diagrams schematically illustrating the verification results according to the comparative example. FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams schematically illustrating the verification results according to the embodiment. FIGS. 3D to 3F are schematic diagrams for explaining the relationship between the colored ink ejection area and the colorless ink ejection area in the verification of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the ink jet apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 5A is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the head block according to the embodiment. FIG. 5B is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of the lower surface of the head unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 5C is a diagram schematically illustrating an arrangement configuration of the head module when the head block according to the embodiment is viewed in the negative Z-axis direction. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the ink jet apparatus according to the embodiment. 7A to 7C are schematic diagrams for explaining the printing method according to the first modification. 7D to 7F are schematic diagrams for explaining the printing method according to the second modification. FIG. 8A is a flowchart illustrating the control performed by the control unit when the colorless ink according to Modification Examples 1 and 2 is ejected. FIG. 8B is a flowchart illustrating the control performed by the control unit when ejecting colored ink according to the first and second modification examples. FIGS. 9A to 9D are diagrams schematically illustrating the arrangement order of the first to fifth inkjets according to another modification. 10A and 10B are diagrams schematically illustrating a configuration of an ink jet apparatus according to still another modification.

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

  First, the ink printing method in the comparative example and the ink printing method in the embodiment will be described.

  Fig.1 (a) is a figure which shows typically the fabric 10 after the printing of the colored ink 11 based on a comparative example. FIG. 1B is a diagram schematically showing the fabric 10 before printing with the colored ink 11 based on the embodiment. FIG.1 (c) is a figure which shows typically the fabric 10 after the printing of the colored ink 11 based on embodiment.

  In the printing method of the comparative example, only the colored ink 11 is ejected onto the fabric 10 by an inkjet device. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1A, the droplets of the colored ink 11 that has landed on the fabric 10 do not soak into the fabric 10 and remain on the surface of the fabric 10. A grainy feeling will occur.

  On the other hand, in the printing method according to the embodiment, before the colored ink 11 is discharged onto the fabric 10 by the ink jet device, as shown in FIG. The colorless ink 12 is ejected. The colorless ink 12 is a transparent ink from which the dye of the colored ink 11 is removed. Thereafter, similarly to the comparative example, the colored ink 11 is discharged onto the fabric 10. In the printing method of the embodiment, since the colored ink 11 is diluted with the colorless ink 12, the dye concentration of the colored ink 11 is increased in advance.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 1C, the colored ink 11 is mixed with the colorless ink 12 and spreads around, and the color of the colored ink 11 becomes blurred. In other words, the colorless ink 12 ejected earlier causes the colored ink 11 ejected later to spread on the fabric 10 and soak into the fabric 10. In FIG. 1C, for convenience, a region where the colorless ink 12 is ejected is indicated by a dotted line. As described above, according to the printing method of the embodiment, the graininess generated when the colored ink 11 is printed is suppressed.

  The discharge of the colorless ink 12 is not limited to being performed before the colored ink 11 as described above, but may be performed after the colored ink 11. Even when the colorless ink 12 is ejected later, the colored ink 11 is mixed with the colorless ink 12 ejected later and spreads to the surroundings, so that the graininess generated when the colored ink 11 is printed is suppressed. However, in order to more effectively suppress the graininess due to the colored ink 11, as described above, the colorless ink 12 is ejected before the colored ink 11 is ejected. It is desirable that a base for spreading the ink is prepared.

  As the colorless ink 12, for example, a liquid material made of an aqueous glycol solution can be used. Further, as the dye of the colored ink 11, for example, a dye made of aniline black can be used if it is black.

  Next, the present inventor actually printed the colored ink 11 on the fabric 10 based on the printing method of the comparative example and the embodiment, and verified the graininess when using each printing method.

  FIGS. 2A to 2C are diagrams schematically showing verification results based on the printing method of the comparative example.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a result of printing the very small colored ink 11 having a volume of 3 Pl on the fabric 10 at 40% of the maximum density that can be printed by the ink jet apparatus. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a result of printing a small amount of colored ink 11 having a volume of 6 Pl on the fabric 10 at 20% of the maximum density that can be printed by the same inkjet apparatus. FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating a result of printing the medium-color ink 11 having a volume of 12 Pl on the fabric 10 at 10% of the maximum density that can be printed by the same ink jet apparatus.

  In the verification of the comparative example, magenta ink was used as the colored ink 11. Further, the colored ink 11 was ejected onto the fabric 10 in a random pattern.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, according to the printing method of the comparative example, in any case, the droplets of the colored ink 11 remain on the surface of the fabric 10, and thus the fabric 10 When the surface was observed, a granular feeling or a rough feeling due to the colored ink 11 was observed.

  FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams schematically illustrating a verification result based on the printing method according to the embodiment. The colored ink 11 in the verification of the embodiment is the same as the colored ink 11 used in the verification of the comparative example.

  FIG. 3A shows a small droplet of colorless ink 12 having a volume of 3 Pl, which is printed on the fabric 10 at 100% of the highest density that can be printed by an ink jet device, and then colored as in FIG. 2A. It is a figure which shows the result of having printed the ink. FIG. 3B shows a case where a colorless ink 12 having a volume of 6 Pl is printed on the fabric 10 at 100% of the maximum density that can be printed by an ink jet apparatus, and then colored as in FIG. 2B. It is a figure which shows the result of having printed the ink. FIG. 3 (c) shows a medium drop of colorless ink 12 having a volume of 12PL printed on the fabric 10 at 80% of the maximum density that can be printed by an ink jet device, and then colored as in FIG. 2 (c). It is a figure which shows the result of having printed the ink.

  In the verification of the embodiment, magenta ink was used as the colored ink 11. Further, the colorless ink 12 was discharged onto the fabric 10 in a random pattern.

  3A to 3C, the volume of one droplet of the colorless ink 12 is substantially the same as the volume of one droplet of the colored ink 11. Further, since the colored ink 11 and the colorless ink 12 are ejected on the fabric 10 in a random pattern, the locations where the colored ink 11 and the colorless ink 12 are ejected on the fabric 10 do not necessarily match.

  Therefore, under the conditions of FIG. 3 (a), the color ink 11 and the colorless ink 12 are both very small in volume and small in droplets. Therefore, as shown in FIG. And the discharge area of the colorless ink 12 are difficult to overlap. On the other hand, in the condition of FIG. 3B, the liquid amounts of the colored ink 11 and the colorless ink 12 are both increased and the droplets are increased. Therefore, as shown in FIG. The discharge area of the colored ink 11 and the discharge area of the colorless ink 12 are likely to overlap. Further, under the conditions of FIG. 3C, since the droplets of both inks are further increased, as shown in FIG. 3F, the discharge area of the colored ink 11 and the discharge area of the colorless ink 12 on the fabric 10. And are more likely to overlap.

  For the above reasons, in the case of the condition of FIG. 3A, the droplets of the colored ink 11 do not soak into the fabric 10 and remain on the fabric 10, and a granular feeling due to the droplets is observed on the surface of the fabric 10. On the other hand, in the case of the condition of FIG. 3B, since the colored ink 11 and the colorless ink 12 are likely to overlap each other, although the droplets of the colored ink 11 partially remain, the granular feeling due to the colored ink 11 as a whole. Was suppressed. In the case of the condition of FIG. 3C, the colored ink 11 and the colorless ink 12 are more likely to overlap with each other, so that substantially no droplets of the colored ink 11 remain on the surface of the fabric 10, and the colored ink 11 The graininess was further suppressed. From the above verification results, it was confirmed that the graininess due to the colored ink 11 is effectively suppressed by overlapping the discharge area of the colored ink 11 and the discharge area of the colorless ink 12.

  Next, the ink jet apparatus 1 based on the method of the above embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the inkjet apparatus 1. Hereinafter, for convenience, the X, Y, and Z axes orthogonal to each other are appended to each drawing. The X-axis positive direction, the Y-axis positive direction, and the Z-axis positive direction are the rearward direction, leftward direction, and downward direction of the inkjet apparatus 1, respectively.

  The inkjet apparatus 1 includes support columns 101 and 102, rollers 111 and 112, a belt 120, support portions 131 to 135, a first inkjet head 141, a second inkjet head 142, and a third inkjet head 143. A fourth inkjet head 144 and a fifth inkjet head 145. The ink jet apparatus 1 dyes the fabric 10 by ejecting ink onto the fabric 10. In FIG. 4, for convenience, the outer shapes of the support 131 and the first inkjet head 141 are indicated by broken lines, the inside of the first inkjet head 141 is seen through, and the head inside the first inkjet head 141. Block 200 is illustrated.

  The support columns 101 and 102 are frame members extending in the X-axis direction and are separated from each other in the Y-axis direction. Between the column 101 and the column 102, a roller 111 is provided at a position on the X axis negative side, and a roller 112 is provided at a position on the X axis positive side. Each of the rollers 111 and 112 includes support shafts 111a and 112a extending in the Y-axis direction. The support shafts 111a and 112a are supported by the support columns 101 and 102 so as to be rotatable. Further, the support shafts 111a and 112a are rotated clockwise as viewed in the positive direction of the Y axis by a motor (not shown).

  The belt 120 has a predetermined width in the Y-axis direction and is stretched around the rollers 111 and 112. An adhesive resin is applied to the surface of the belt 120 so that the fabric 10 does not slip, and is peeled off from the belt when printing is finished. When the support shafts 111a and 112a are rotated by the motor, the rollers 111 and 112 rotate, and the fabric 10 installed on the belt 120 is conveyed in the positive direction of the X axis.

  The support portions 131 to 135 are frame members extending in the Y-axis direction, and are spanned between the support column 101 and the support column 102. The first inkjet head 141 is installed on the support 131, the second inkjet head 142 is installed on the support 132, and the third inkjet head 143 is installed on the support 133. The fourth inkjet head 144 is installed on the support portion 134, and the fifth inkjet head 145 is installed on the support portion 135. The first inkjet head 141, the second inkjet head 142, the third inkjet head 143, the fourth inkjet head 144, and the fifth inkjet head 145 are arranged in this order in the positive X-axis direction (the fabric 10 conveyance directions). These inkjet heads are installed so as to face the fabric 10 conveyed by the belt 120.

  The first inkjet head 141 ejects colorless ink, the second inkjet head 142 ejects black ink, the third inkjet head 143 ejects magenta ink, and the fourth inkjet head. 144 ejects cyan ink, and the fifth inkjet head 145 ejects yellow ink. The five inkjet heads have the same configuration as each other, and include six head blocks 200.

  FIG. 5A is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the head block 200.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the head block 200 includes a frame 201 and six head modules 210. The head module 210 is installed in the frame 201 so as to fit into a rectangular recess (not shown) formed in the frame 201. An opening for allowing ink to be ejected from the head block 200 in the positive direction of the Z-axis is formed in the recess of the frame 201. The head module 210 includes four head portions 211 arranged in the X-axis direction.

  FIG. 5B is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of the lower surface of the head portion 211.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, on the lower surface of the head portion 211, a large number of nozzles 211a for ejecting ink are arranged in a line in the Y-axis direction. Specifically, the rows L1 to L4 of the nozzles 211a are arranged on the lower surface of the head portion 211. In the rows L1 to L4, a large number of nozzles 211a are provided at regular intervals. Ink supplied from an ink supply unit 302 (see FIG. 6), which will be described later, is ejected downward (Z-axis positive direction) from the nozzle 211a and printed on the fabric 10 on the belt 120.

  FIG. 5C is a diagram schematically illustrating an arrangement configuration of the head module 210 when the head block 200 is viewed in the negative Z-axis direction.

  As described above, the rows L1 to L4 in which the nozzles 211a are arranged in the Y-axis direction are arranged on the lower surface of the head part 211, and the head module 210 includes the four head parts 211 arranged in the X-axis direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5C, when one head module 210 is viewed from the lower surface side, 16 rows of nozzles 211a arranged in the Y-axis direction are arranged in the X-axis direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, the six head modules 210 are arranged so that the positions in the Y-axis direction overlap. That is, the first, third, and fifth head modules 210 from the Y-axis positive side are disposed on the X-axis positive side, and the second, fourth, and sixth head modules 210 from the Y-axis positive side are X-axis negative. Arranged on the side. The two head modules 210 adjacent in the X-axis direction are arranged so as to overlap by a predetermined width w1 in the Y-axis direction. Accordingly, the distance in the Y-axis direction between the nozzle 211a at the Y-axis negative side of the head module 210 on the X-axis positive side and the nozzle 211a at the Y-axis positive side of the head module 210 on the X-axis negative side is reduced. The interval between the nozzles 211a in each of the rows L1 to L4 is the same.

  By arranging the six head modules 210 in this way, the nozzles 211a in one head block 200 are arranged at equal intervals in the Y-axis direction. Thereby, colorless ink droplets can be discharged onto the fabric 10 at equal intervals with a width that is six times the number of nozzles in one row.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the first inkjet head 141 includes six head blocks 200 configured as described above. The six head blocks 200 are arranged so that the nozzles 211a of the six head blocks 200 are arranged at equal intervals in the Y-axis direction. Specifically, the first, third, and fifth head blocks 200 from the Y-axis positive side are arranged on the X-axis positive side, and the second, fourth, and sixth head blocks 200 from the Y-axis positive side are It is arranged on the negative side of the shaft. The two head blocks 200 adjacent to each other in the Y axis direction are arranged so as to overlap each other by a predetermined width in the Y axis direction.

  As a result, the nozzles 211a in the first inkjet head 141 are arranged at equal intervals in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, it is possible to discharge colorless ink droplets onto the fabric 10 with a width that is six times the width in the Y-axis direction in which droplets can be discharged by one head block 200.

  The second inkjet head 142, the third inkjet head 143, the fourth inkjet head 144, and the fifth inkjet head 145 also have six head blocks 200, similar to the first inkjet head 141. Prepare. As a result, the nozzles 211a in each inkjet head are arranged so as to be equally spaced in the Y-axis direction.

  When the fabric 10 is dyed by the ink jet apparatus 1, the fabric 10 is placed on the belt 120, and the rollers 111 and 112 are rotated. As a result, the fabric 10 on the belt 120 is conveyed in the X-axis positive direction so as to pass through the ejection region of each inkjet head. At this time, ink of each color is appropriately discharged from the nozzles 211 a of the first inkjet head 141, the second inkjet head 142, the third inkjet head 143, and the fourth inkjet head 144 to the fabric 10. .

  In this embodiment, black ink, magenta ink, cyan ink, and yellow ink are ejected from the nozzles 211a of the second inkjet head 142, the third inkjet head 143, and the fourth inkjet head 144, respectively. In this case, colorless ink is ejected from the first inkjet head 141 on the upstream side.

  The fabric 10 passes through the ejection regions of the five inkjet heads while being conveyed in the positive direction of the X axis by the belt 120. Thus, after the colorless ink is ejected onto the fabric 10, black ink, magenta ink, cyan ink or yellow ink is ejected. In the inkjet apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the colorless ink is ejected in a predetermined amount only at the position of the fabric 10 where the black ink, the magenta ink, the cyan ink, and the yellow ink are ejected. Is done.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the inkjet apparatus 1.

  The inkjet device 1 includes a first inkjet head 141, a second inkjet head 142, a third inkjet head 143, a fourth inkjet head 144, a fifth inkjet head 145, and a control unit 301. , An ink supply unit 302, a transport unit 303, and an interface 304. The conveyance unit 303 includes rollers 111 and 112, a motor for rotating the rollers 111 and 112, and a belt 120.

  The control unit 301 includes a CPU and a memory, and controls each unit of the inkjet apparatus 1 according to a program stored in the memory. The ink supply unit 302 has a configuration for supplying ink of a color corresponding to each of the five inkjet heads. The interface 304 receives input of the color and tone to be dyed on the fabric 10 and outputs the dyeing information to the control unit 301.

  The control unit 301 controls the five inkjet heads, the ink supply unit 302, and the transport unit 303 according to the input dyeing information, and dyes the fabric 10. As a result, while the fabric 10 is being conveyed in the positive direction of the X axis, ink is ejected from the nozzles 211a of the five inkjet heads onto the fabric 10, and the fabric 10 is dyed.

<Effect of embodiment>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects are exhibited.

  The first inkjet head 141 and the second inkjet head 142 are arranged adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction of the fabric 10. As a result, as described with reference to FIG. 1B, the black ink is mixed with the colorless ink and spreads around on the fabric 10, and the color of the black ink becomes blurred. Thereby, the graininess produced when black ink is printed on the fabric 10 can be effectively suppressed.

  A second inkjet head 142 that ejects black ink is disposed next to the first inkjet head 141 that ejects colorless ink. Accordingly, since the discharge interval between the colorless ink and the black ink can be shortened, the black ink is likely to be mixed with the colorless ink before fixing to the fabric 10. Further, the graininess in the fabric 10 is likely to occur particularly in the case of black ink having a large contrast with the fabric 10. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the graininess caused by the particularly noticeable black ink.

  In addition, the third inkjet head 143 that ejects magenta ink, the fourth inkjet head 144 that ejects cyan ink, and the fifth inkjet head 145 that ejects yellow ink are in the transport direction of the fabric 10 ( (X-axis direction). As a result, the graininess of magenta ink, cyan ink, and yellow ink can also be suppressed by discharging colorless ink from the first inkjet 141.

  In addition, the first inkjet head 141 that discharges colorless ink is upstream (X-axis negative side) of the second inkjet head 142 that discharges black ink in the transport direction (X-axis direction) of the fabric 10. Has been placed. As a result, after the colorless ink is placed on the fabric 10 to prepare the base of the colorless ink, the black ink is placed on the fabric 10. Therefore, the black ink is easily mixed with the underlying colorless ink, and the black ink is less likely to be grainy. Therefore, the graininess of black ink can be more effectively suppressed.

<Modification 1>
In the embodiment described above, the colorless ink is ejected in advance by a predetermined amount of liquid onto the position of the fabric 10 where the black ink, the magenta ink, the cyan ink, and the yellow ink are ejected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and colorless ink may be ejected around a position where colored ink is ejected.

  FIGS. 7A to 7C are schematic diagrams for explaining the printing method of the present modification example. 7A to 7C schematically show a process in which the colored ink 11 and the colorless ink 12 are ejected.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the colorless ink 12 is discharged onto the fabric 10 at the first discharge position P1 where the colored ink 11 is discharged, as in the printing method of the above embodiment. In the printing method according to this modification, the colorless ink 12 is further ejected to the four second ejection positions P2 surrounding the first ejection position P1. The four second discharge positions P2 are the front, rear, left and right (X-axis negative side, X-axis positive side, Y-axis positive side, Y-axis negative side) of the first discharge position P1 when printing at the highest density. Adjacent discharge positions.

  After the colorless ink 12 is discharged to the first discharge position P1 and the second discharge position P2 as shown in FIG. 7A, the first discharge position P1 is colored as shown in FIG. 7B. Ink 11 is ejected. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7C, the colored ink 11 discharged to the first discharge position P1 is not only the colorless ink 12 at the first discharge position P1, but also the colorless ink at the second discharge position P2. The colored ink 11 further spreads around the ink 12 as it is mixed.

  As described above, according to the printing method shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the colored ink 11 is more easily spread on the fabric 10 by being mixed with the colorless ink 12 discharged to the second discharge position P <b> 2. Become. Therefore, if colorless ink is ejected based on the printing method shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the ink jet apparatus 1 uses black ink, magenta ink, cyan ink, and yellow ink. It is possible to blur more effectively, and it is possible to more effectively suppress the graininess due to these colored inks.

  The second discharge position P2 is not limited to being set to the front, rear, left, and right of the first discharge position P1. The second discharge position P2 may be set at four positions in the oblique direction of the first discharge position P1 in the XY plane. Further, the four positions oblique to the front, rear, left and right of the first discharge position P1 may be set as the second discharge position P2.

<Modification 2>
In the first modification, the color tone of the colored ink 11 discharged to the fabric 10 can be changed by adjusting the discharge amount of the colorless ink 12 discharged to the second discharge position P2.

  FIGS. 7D to 7F are schematic diagrams for explaining the printing method of the present modification example. 7D to 7F schematically show a process in which the colored ink 11 and the colorless ink 12 are ejected.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7D, the amount of the colorless ink 12 ejected to the second ejection position P2 is larger than in the example shown in FIG. In this case, when the colored ink 11 is ejected to the first ejection position P1 as shown in FIG. 7 (e), the color of the colored ink 11 spreading on the fabric 10 is diluted as shown in FIG. 7 (f). . Further, when the amount of the colorless ink 12 ejected to the second ejection position P2 is small, the color of the colored ink 11 spreading on the fabric 10 becomes dark.

  As described above, according to the printing method shown in FIGS. 7D to 7F, a desired ink-jet head can be formed without disposing an ink-jet head for ejecting an intermediate color ink such as gray, light magenta, or light cyan. The color of gradation can be expressed on the fabric 10. Therefore, if colorless ink is ejected based on the printing method shown in FIGS. 7D to 7F, in the inkjet apparatus 1, the apparatus can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  The color tone of the colored ink 11 varies not only with the amount of the colorless ink 12 discharged to the second discharge position P2, but also with the amount of the colorless ink 12 discharged to the first discharge position P1. Therefore, it is desirable to adjust not only the second ejection position P2 but also the amount of the colorless ink 12 at the first ejection position P1 in order to express the desired gradation color on the fabric 10.

<Control of inkjet head in modification examples 1 and 2>
FIGS. 8A and 8B are flowcharts illustrating the control performed by the control unit 301 of the inkjet apparatus 1 when colorless ink is ejected to the second ejection position P2 as in the first and second modification examples. .

  FIG. 8A is a flowchart showing control of the first inkjet head 141 that discharges colorless ink.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the control unit 301 combines the first ejection position P1 from which the colored ink is ejected and the plurality of second ejection positions P2 surrounding the first ejection position P1. The position is set as the colorless ink ejection position (S11). Subsequently, the control unit 301 sets a discharge amount of colorless ink discharged to the first discharge position P1 and a discharge amount of colorless ink discharged to the second discharge position P2 (S12). Specifically, the control unit 301 sets the discharge amount of colorless ink according to the color tone discharged to the first discharge position P1.

  Subsequently, the control unit 301 drives the first inkjet head 141 based on the discharge position and the discharge amount set in S11 and S12, and discharges colorless ink onto the fabric 10 (S13). The control unit 301 repeats the processes of S11 to S13 until printing of colorless ink on one fabric 10 is completed.

  FIG. 8B is a flowchart illustrating control of the inkjet head that ejects black ink, magenta ink, cyan ink, and yellow ink. Since the control for discharging each colored ink is the same, only the control of the second inkjet head 142 for discharging black ink will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the control unit 301 sets a first ejection position P1 for ejecting black ink based on the staining information input via the interface 304 in FIG. 6 (S21). Further, a discharge amount of black ink discharged to the first discharge position P1 is set (S22). The control unit 301 drives the second inkjet head 142 based on the set ejection position and ejection amount, and ejects black ink onto the fabric 10. The control unit 301 repeats the process of S21 until the black ink printing on one fabric 10 is completed.

<Other changes>
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the first inkjet head 141, the second inkjet head 142, the third inkjet head 143, and the fourth inkjet head along the conveyance direction (X-axis positive direction) of the fabric 10. The inkjet head 144 and the fifth inkjet head 145 were arranged in this order. However, the arrangement order of the inkjet heads is not limited to the order of the above embodiments.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the third inkjet head 143 may be disposed on the upstream side of the first inkjet head 141. In this way, colorless ink is discharged onto the fabric 10 immediately after magenta ink is discharged onto the fabric 10. In this case, since the magenta ink on the fabric 10 spreads around by the colorless ink ejected later, the graininess due to the magenta ink is suppressed.

  As described above, when the third inkjet head 143 is disposed adjacent to the first inkjet head 141 in the conveyance direction (X-axis direction) of the fabric 10, the discharge interval between the colorless ink and the magenta ink is determined. Can be shortened. This makes it easier for the magenta ink to mix with the colorless ink before it is fixed to the fabric 10. The graininess due to magenta ink is conspicuous next to black ink. Therefore, according to this modified example, it is possible to effectively suppress the graininess due to the magenta ink in which the graininess is noticeable next to the black ink.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the second inkjet head 142 may be arranged on the upstream side of the first inkjet head 141. In this case, since the magenta ink is ejected immediately after the colorless ink, the graininess due to the magenta ink is effectively suppressed. Further, since colorless ink is ejected immediately after black ink, graininess due to black ink is also suppressed. However, when the black ink is ejected immediately after the colorless ink as in the above embodiment, the graininess due to the black ink can be effectively suppressed. Therefore, it is desirable that the black ink that is particularly prone to graininess is ejected immediately after the colorless ink, as in the above embodiment or the modification shown in FIG. 9A.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9C, the arrangement order of the above embodiments may be reversed. In this case, since the colorless ink is ejected immediately after the black ink that is particularly prone to graininess is ejected, the graininess of the black ink is particularly easily suppressed as compared with other colored inks. Further, as shown in FIG. 9D, the second inkjet head 142 is changed to be arranged on the downstream side of the first inkjet head 141 with respect to the arrangement order shown in FIG. Also good. In this way, the graininess due to the black ink is more effectively suppressed as compared with FIG. Further, in the case of FIG. 9C, since colorless ink is ejected immediately after magenta ink, graininess due to magenta ink is also suppressed.

  Note that the yellow ink has a low contrast with the fabric 10, and the graininess due to the droplets is not noticeable. The ink jet head that ejects the color ink that is less noticeable in graininess as described above may be disposed at a position away from the first ink jet head 141 that ejects colorless ink.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the inkjet apparatus 1 of the system by which five inkjet heads are fixed to the support parts 131-135 was shown, it is not restricted to this, For example, as shown to Fig.10 (a), the fabric 10 is shown. The ink jet apparatus may be of a type in which the ink jet heads of the respective colors can move in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction (Y-axis direction). In the configuration of FIG. 10A, the first inkjet head 141 to the fifth inkjet head 145 are supported by the support mechanisms 151 to 155 so as to be movable in the Y-axis positive direction and the Y-axis negative direction, respectively. . The fabric 10 is moved intermittently in the positive direction of the X axis. During the stop period of the fabric 10, the first inkjet head 141 to the fifth inkjet head 145 are moved, and ink of each color is ejected to the fabric 10. Also in this case, the first inkjet head 141 and the second inkjet head 142 are disposed so as to be adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction, which is a relative movement direction with respect to the fabric 10. Thereby, the effect similar to the said embodiment can be show | played.

  Also in the configuration of FIG. 10A, the arrangement of the first inkjet head 141 to the fifth inkjet head 145 in the X-axis direction can be changed as shown in FIGS. Further, the first inkjet head 141 to the fifth inkjet head 145 may be configured by one head block 200, one head module 210, or one head portion 211 shown in FIG.

  In the above embodiment, the ink ejection regions of the five inkjet heads are moved relative to the fabric 10 by feeding the fabric 10 in the X-axis positive direction with the rollers 111 and 112 and the belt 120. A configuration in which the five ink jet heads are moved in the negative X-axis direction without feeding the fabric 10 and the ink discharge areas of the five ink jet heads are moved relative to the fabric 10 may be employed.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the ink ejection regions of the five inkjet heads are moved relative to the fabric 10 by feeding the fabric 10 in the X-axis positive direction with the rollers 111 and 112 and the belt 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, while feeding the fabric 10, the five inkjet heads are moved in the positive Y-axis direction or the negative Y-axis direction, and the ink discharge areas of the five inkjet heads are moved to the fabric 10. The structure may be relatively moved. In the configuration of FIG. 10B, the first inkjet head 141 to the fifth inkjet head 145 are supported by the support mechanism 161 so as to be integrally movable in the Y-axis positive direction and the Y-axis negative direction. The fabric 10 is moved intermittently in the positive direction of the X axis. During the stop period of the fabric 10, the first inkjet head 141 to the fifth inkjet head 145 are integrally moved, and ink of each color is ejected to the fabric 10. Also in this case, the first inkjet head 141 and the second inkjet head 142 are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction, which is a relative movement direction with respect to the fabric 10. Thereby, the effect similar to the said embodiment can be show | played.

  Also in the configuration of FIG. 10B, the arrangement of the first inkjet head 141 to the fifth inkjet head 145 in the Y-axis direction is the first inkjet in the X-axis direction shown in FIGS. The arrangement can be changed in the same manner as the arrangement of the heads 141 to the fifth inkjet head 145. Further, the first inkjet head 141 to the fifth inkjet head 145 may have the same configuration as that of the above embodiment, or one head block 200 and one head module 210 shown in FIG. Alternatively, the head unit 211 may be configured.

  The embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately modified in various ways within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inkjet apparatus 111, 112 ... Roller 120 ... Belt 141 ... 1st inkjet head 142 ... 2nd inkjet head 211a ... Nozzle 301 ... Control part 303 ... Motor

Claims (9)

An ink jet device for discharging ink onto a fabric to dye the fabric,
A first inkjet head that discharges colorless ink from a number of nozzles;
A second inkjet head for discharging colored ink from a number of nozzles;
A transfer section for moving the first inkjet head and the second inkjet head relative to the fabric;
A controller that controls the first inkjet head, the second inkjet head, and the transfer unit;
The first ink jet head and the second ink jet head are arranged adjacent to each other in a relative movement direction with respect to the fabric,
An inkjet apparatus characterized by that. The inkjet apparatus according to claim 1.
The transfer section conveys the fabric so as to pass through the ink discharge area of the first inkjet head and the ink discharge area of the second inkjet head;
An inkjet apparatus characterized by that. The inkjet apparatus according to claim 2,
The second inkjet head ejects black ink;
An inkjet apparatus characterized by that. The inkjet apparatus according to claim 3.
Third, fourth, and fifth inkjet heads that eject magenta, cyan, and yellow ink from a large number of nozzles, respectively, are disposed along the direction of conveyance of the fabric.
An inkjet head characterized by that. The inkjet apparatus according to claim 4.
The third inkjet head that ejects magenta ink is disposed adjacent to the first inkjet head in the fabric conveyance direction,
An inkjet apparatus characterized by that. In the ink jet device according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The first inkjet head is disposed on the upstream side of the second inkjet head in the transport direction of the fabric.
An inkjet apparatus characterized by that. The inkjet device according to any one of claims 2 to 6,
The control unit is configured to position the first ejection position at which the colored ink is ejected by the second inkjet head and positions corresponding to a plurality of second ejection positions surrounding the first ejection position, respectively. Controlling the first inkjet head and the second inkjet head so that the colorless ink is ejected by one inkjet head;
An inkjet apparatus characterized by that. The inkjet apparatus according to claim 7.
The control unit changes the liquid amount of the colorless ink ejected from the first inkjet head to a position corresponding to at least the second ejection position according to the dyeing gradation set on the fabric. ,
An inkjet apparatus characterized by that. A dyeing method for dyeing a fabric using an inkjet head,
Discharging colorless ink onto the fabric;
Discharging colored ink for dyeing onto the fabric,
A staining method characterized by the above.