JP2019014073A - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an inkjet recording device which can keep a high gloss value of an image immediately after fixation even after the lapse of time.SOLUTION: An inkjet recording device includes: image formation means 204 which imparts ink onto a recording medium 208 to form an image; liquid absorption means 205 which is brought into contact with the formed image to remove a liquid component; fixation means 60 which heats, pressurizes and fixes the image from which the liquid component is removed; and control means 303 which controls at least one of the liquid absorption means 205 and the fixation means 60 based on a determined control condition obtained by comparing at least one of recording medium data and image data input from input means 11 with at least one of a liquid absorption condition table and a fixation condition table.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus, and more particularly to an ink jet recording apparatus that can suppress a change in glossiness in a recorded image.

  At the time of image recording by the ink jet method, bleeding that inks applied adjacent to each other and beading that ink that has landed first is attracted to ink that has landed later may occur. Further, curling or cockling may occur due to the recording medium excessively absorbing the liquid component in the ink.

  As one of the methods for solving such a problem, there is a method of reducing a decrease in image quality by drying a recording medium using means such as warm air or infrared rays. In addition, there is a method in which an image is formed on a transfer body, and then a liquid component contained in the image on the transfer body is dried by heat energy, and then the image is transferred to a recording medium such as paper.

  Further, as a means for removing the liquid component contained in the image on the transfer body, the porous body is used as the liquid absorbing member without using thermal energy, so that the liquid component is absorbed from the ink on the transfer body, and the ink A method for removing a liquid component from a liquid has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

  In addition, in the ink jet recording method, the resin particles are formed by applying ink containing resin particles to the recording medium, removing the liquid component in the ink, and then fixing the recording medium with heating and pressing means. A method of creating a recorded image has been proposed. When this method is used, a recorded image can be formed into a film, and the scratch resistance of the recorded image can be improved, and a highly glossy recorded image can be obtained. In Patent Document 2, a solvent in an ink image is removed by removing a solvent contained in an ink image on a recording medium or by applying a liquid having a resin solubility of 20% or less at a fixing temperature (fixing auxiliary liquid) after removing the solvent. Adjust the amount. There has been proposed an image forming method in which the glossiness of a recorded image is controlled by fixing with a heating and pressing means thereafter.

JP 2009-45851 A JP 2005-271290 A

  However, as in Patent Document 2, when the solvent amount of the ink image is adjusted to obtain high glossiness, there is a new problem that the gloss may decrease with the passage of time although the gloss temporarily increases. Occurred. That is, according to the study by the inventors, if the solvent removal amount is reduced, a high 20 degree gloss value can be obtained immediately after fixing by the heating and pressing means. However, with the passage of time, the gloss decreased, and eventually a high gloss image could not be obtained. On the other hand, if the solvent in the image area is excessively removed, the gloss does not decrease with time, but there is a problem that it is difficult to obtain a high gloss image. In view of such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of maintaining a high gloss value of an image immediately after fixing after a lapse of time.

  As a result of intensive studies, the present inventor has found that the following configuration has excellent performance as an ink jet recording means as a result of intensive studies, and has achieved the present invention.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes:
An ink jet recording apparatus for forming an image by applying an ink containing a liquid component on a recording medium,
Input means for inputting at least one of recording medium data and image data;
Image forming means for forming an image by applying the ink on the recording medium;
A liquid absorbing means for removing at least a part of the liquid component in contact with the formed image;
Fixing means for performing heat and pressure fixing of the image from which the liquid component has been removed;
Storage means for storing at least one of a liquid absorption condition table and a fixing condition table;
Based on a control condition determined by comparing at least one of the recording medium data and image data input from the input unit with at least one of the liquid absorption condition table and the fixing condition table, the liquid absorbing unit and the fixing unit Control means for controlling at least one of
It is characterized by having.

The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is
An ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image by applying ink containing a liquid component on a transfer body, and transfers the image to a recording medium,
Input means for inputting at least one of recording medium data and image data;
Image forming means for forming an image by applying the ink on the transfer member;
A liquid absorbing means for removing at least a part of the liquid component in contact with the formed image;
Fixing means for performing heat and pressure fixing of an image transferred from the transfer member onto the recording medium;
Storage means for storing at least one of a liquid absorption condition table and a fixing condition table;
Based on a control condition determined by comparing at least one of the recording medium data and image data input from the input unit with at least one of the liquid absorption condition table and the fixing condition table, the liquid absorbing unit and the fixing unit Control means for controlling at least one of
It is characterized by having.

The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is
Storage means for storing a liquid absorption condition table;
Image forming means for forming an image by applying an ink containing at least water as a liquid component on a recording medium or a transfer member;
A liquid absorbing means for removing at least a part of the liquid component in contact with the formed image;
A removal liquid amount calculation means for calculating a removal liquid amount of the liquid component removed by the liquid absorption means;
Control means for controlling the liquid absorption means based on the liquid absorption conditions selected from the liquid absorption condition table;
Fixing means for performing heat and pressure fixing of an image on the recording medium or an image transferred from the transfer body onto the recording medium;
Correction means for correcting the liquid absorption condition table stored in the storage means;
With
The correction means corrects the liquid absorption condition table based on the removal liquid amount calculated by the removal liquid amount calculation means;
It is characterized by that.

The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is
An image forming means for forming an image by applying an ink containing a liquid component on a recording medium or a transfer member;
A liquid absorbing means for removing at least a part of the liquid component in contact with the formed image;
Fixing means for performing heat and pressure fixing of an image on the recording medium or an image transferred from the transfer body onto the recording medium;
Evaluation means for evaluating the image immediately after fixing;
Storage means for storing a fixing condition table;
Control means for controlling the fixing means based on the fixing conditions selected from the fixing condition table;
Correction means for correcting the fixing condition table stored in the storage means;
With
The correction unit corrects the fixing condition table based on the evaluation value evaluated by the evaluation unit;
It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of maintaining a high gloss value of an image immediately after fixing after a lapse of time.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a transfer type inkjet recording apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a structure of the direct drawing type inkjet recording device in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the whole apparatus in the inkjet recording device shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a printer control unit in the transfer type inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a printer control unit in the direct drawing type inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2. It is an image figure of the evaluation image output thing in the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart of liquid absorption condition table correction | amendment in the Example of this invention. 6 is a flowchart of fixing condition table correction in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram of the fixing means by the roll nip method in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram of the fixing means by the endless press system in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments. In this specification, “recording medium” refers to not only paper used in general printing but also widely includes cloth, plastic, film and other printing media and recording media.

  Examples of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention include an ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image on a transfer body and transfers the image to a recording medium, and an ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image on the recording medium. Each ink jet recording apparatus will be described below. In the present embodiment, an ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image on a transfer member and transfers it to a recording medium is hereinafter referred to as a transfer type ink jet recording apparatus for convenience. An ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium is hereinafter referred to as a direct drawing type ink jet recording apparatus for convenience. In addition, a transfer body used for a transfer type ink jet recording apparatus and a recording medium used for a direct drawing type ink jet recording medium may be referred to as an ejected medium.

(Embodiment 1)
(Transfer type inkjet recording device)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a transfer type inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer type ink jet recording apparatus of Embodiment 1 includes a transfer body 101, a reaction liquid applying unit 103, an ink applying unit 104, a liquid absorbing unit 105, a transfer unit 106, and a fixing unit 50. And have. The transfer body 101 is supported by a support member 102. The reaction liquid applying unit 103 applies a reaction liquid onto the transfer body 101. The ink applying unit 104 applies ink onto the transfer body 101 to which the reaction liquid has been applied, and forms an image (also referred to as an ink image) on the transfer body. The liquid absorbing means 105 absorbs (removes) at least part of the liquid component (hereinafter also referred to as “liquid component” for short) from the image on the transfer body. The transfer unit 106 transfers the image on the transfer body from which the liquid component has been removed onto a recording medium 108 such as paper. The fixing unit 50 fixes the image on the recording medium 108 by heating and pressurizing the recording medium 108. In addition, the transfer type ink jet recording apparatus may include a transfer body cleaning unit 109 that cleans the surface of the transfer body after transfer as necessary.

  The support member 102 rotates about the rotation shaft 102a in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The transfer member 101 is rotated by the rotation of the support member 102. On the rotated transfer body 101, the reaction liquid by the reaction liquid application unit 103 and the ink application by the ink application unit 104 are sequentially performed, and an image is formed on the transfer body 101. The image formed on the transfer body 101 is moved to a position in contact with the liquid absorbing member 105 a included in the liquid absorbing means 105 by the rotation of the transfer body 101.

  The transfer body 101 and the liquid absorbing means 105 rotate in synchronization with each other, and the image passes through a state in contact with the liquid absorbing member 105a. During this time, the liquid absorbing member 105a removes the liquid component from the image. The liquid absorption control condition at this time is determined by comparing the input data with a table using the liquid absorption amount condition as a parameter.

  Note that most of the liquid components are removed by going through the state where the image is in contact with the liquid absorbing member 105a. At this time, in this apparatus configuration, it is particularly preferable that the image and the liquid absorbing member 105a are brought into contact with each other with a predetermined pressing force from the viewpoint of effectively functioning the liquid absorbing member 105a.

  If the removal of the liquid component is described from a different point of view, it can also be expressed as concentrating the ink constituting the image formed on the transfer body (discharged medium). Concentrating the ink means that the content ratio of the solid component such as a coloring material or resin contained in the ink increases as the liquid component contained in the ink decreases.

  Then, the image from which the liquid component has been removed is moved to the transfer unit in contact with the recording medium by the movement of the transfer body 101, and is pressed by the recording medium conveyed to the transfer unit by the recording medium conveying unit 107, thereby recording the image. An image is formed on the medium. The transfer unit includes a transfer pressing member (transfer means) 106 that transfers an image onto a recording medium.

  In addition, since the ink is applied after the reaction liquid is applied on the transfer body to form an image, the reaction liquid remains in the non-image area without reacting with the ink. In this apparatus, the liquid absorbing member 105a is in contact (pressure contact) with an unreacted reaction liquid as well as from an image, and the liquid component of the reaction liquid is also removed.

  Therefore, in the above, it is expressed and described that the liquid component is removed from the image, but this is not a limited meaning of removing the liquid component only from the image, and at least the liquid component is removed from the image on the transfer body. It is used in the sense that it should be.

  The liquid component is not particularly limited as long as it does not have a certain shape, has fluidity, and has a substantially constant volume. For example, water, an organic solvent, or the like contained in ink or a reaction liquid can be used as the liquid component.

  When the recording medium 108 on which the image is formed reaches the position of the fixing unit 50 by the recording medium conveying unit 107, the image is fixed by heating and pressing. The fixing control conditions at this time are determined by comparing the input data with a table using the fixing conditions as parameters. As a result, the amount of liquid components in the image formed on the recording medium can be controlled, and an image having high gloss and no gloss change can be provided.

  Each configuration of the transfer type inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described below.

<Transfer>
The transfer body 101 has a surface layer including an image forming surface. As the member for the surface layer, various materials such as resin and ceramic can be used as appropriate, but a material having a high compression elastic modulus is preferable in terms of durability and the like. Specific examples include condensates obtained by condensing acrylic resins, acrylic silicone resins, fluorine-containing resins, and hydrolyzable organosilicon compounds. In order to improve the wettability and transferability of the reaction solution, surface treatment may be performed. Examples of the surface treatment include flame treatment, corona treatment, plasma treatment, polishing treatment, roughening treatment, active energy ray irradiation treatment, ozone treatment, surfactant treatment, and silane coupling treatment. A plurality of these may be combined. Moreover, arbitrary surface shapes can also be provided in the surface layer.

  The transfer body preferably has a compression layer having a function of absorbing pressure fluctuations. By providing the compression layer, the compression layer absorbs deformation, disperses the fluctuation with respect to the local pressure fluctuation, and can maintain good transferability even during high-speed printing. Examples of the member of the compression layer include acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, acrylic rubber, chloroprene rubber, urethane rubber, and silicone rubber. In molding the rubber material, a predetermined amount of a vulcanizing agent, a vulcanization accelerator, and the like are blended, and a filler such as a foaming agent, hollow fine particles, or salt is blended as necessary to make it porous. Thereby, since the bubble part is compressed with a volume change with respect to various pressure fluctuations, deformation in the direction other than the compression direction is small, and more stable transferability and durability can be obtained. The porous rubber material includes a continuous pore structure in which the pores are continuous with each other and an independent pore structure in which the pores are independent from each other. In Embodiment 1, any structure may be used, and these structures may be used in combination.

  The transfer body preferably has an elastic layer between the surface layer and the compression layer. As the member of the elastic layer, various materials such as resin and ceramic can be used as appropriate. Various elastomer materials and rubber materials are preferably used in terms of processing characteristics and the like. Specifically, for example, fluorosilicone rubber, phenylsilicone rubber, fluorine rubber, chloroprene rubber, urethane rubber, nitrile rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, natural rubber, styrene rubber, isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, ethylene / propylene / butadiene co-polymer Examples thereof include merging and nitrile butadiene rubber. In particular, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, and phenyl silicone rubber are preferable in terms of dimensional stability and durability because they have a small compression set. Further, the change in elastic modulus with temperature is small, which is preferable in terms of transferability.

  Various adhesives and double-sided tapes may be used between each layer (surface layer, elastic layer, compression layer) constituting the transfer body in order to fix and hold them. Moreover, you may provide the reinforcement layer with a high compression elastic modulus in order to suppress lateral elongation at the time of mounting | wearing with an apparatus, and to maintain a firmness. A woven fabric may be used as the reinforcing layer. The transfer body can be produced by arbitrarily combining the layers made of the above materials.

  The size of the transfer body can be freely selected according to the target print image size. The shape of the transfer body is not particularly limited, and specific examples include a sheet shape, a roller shape, a belt shape, and an endless web shape.

<Supporting member>
A roller-shaped transfer body 101 shown in FIG. 1 is supported on a support member 102. Various adhesives and double-sided tapes may be used as a method for supporting the transfer body. Alternatively, the transfer member may be supported on the support member 102 using the installation member by attaching an installation member made of metal, ceramic, resin, or the like to the transfer member.

  The support member 102 is required to have a certain degree of structural strength from the viewpoint of conveyance accuracy and durability. For the material of the support member, metal, ceramic, resin or the like is preferably used. In particular, in addition to rigidity and dimensional accuracy that can withstand pressure during transfer, and to reduce control inertia and improve control responsiveness, aluminum, iron, stainless steel, acetal resin, epoxy resin, polyimide, Polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, polyurethane, silica ceramics, and alumina ceramics are preferably used. It is also preferable to use these in combination.

<Reaction solution applying means>
The ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment includes a reaction liquid applying unit 103 that applies a reaction liquid to a transfer body. When the reaction liquid comes into contact with the ink, the fluidity of a part of the ink and / or ink composition on the medium to be discharged is lowered, and bleeding and beading during image formation by the ink can be suppressed. it can. Specifically, a reactant (also referred to as an ink thickening component) contained in the reaction liquid reacts chemically when it comes into contact with a color material or resin that is a part of the composition constituting the ink. Or physically adsorbed. This causes an increase in the viscosity of the ink as a whole, and a local increase in viscosity due to agglomeration of some of the components constituting the ink, such as the color material, resulting in a partial fluidity of the ink and / or ink composition. Can be reduced. The reaction liquid application unit 103 includes a reaction liquid storage part 103a that stores the reaction liquid, and reaction liquid application members 103b and 103c that apply the reaction liquid in the reaction liquid storage part 103a onto the transfer body 101.

  As the reaction solution applying means, various conventionally known devices can be used as appropriate. Specifically, a gravure offset roller such as the reaction solution applying unit 103 shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet head, a die coating device (die coater), a blade coating device (blade coater), or the like can be given. The application of the reaction liquid by the reaction liquid application unit may be performed before application of the ink or after application of the ink as long as it can be mixed (reacted) with the ink on the medium to be ejected (transfer body in FIG. 1). Good. Preferably, the reaction liquid is applied before applying the ink. By applying the reaction liquid before applying the ink, at the time of image recording by the ink jet method, bleeding in which adjacently applied inks are mixed together, or the ink that has landed first is attracted to the ink that has landed later. It is also possible to suppress ding.

<Reaction solution>
Hereinafter, each component which comprises the reaction liquid applied to this embodiment is demonstrated in detail.

(Reactant)
The reaction liquid agglomerates a component (resin, self-dispersing pigment, etc.) having an anionic group in the ink by contacting with the ink, and contains a reactive agent. Examples of the reactive agent include cationic components such as polyvalent metal ions and cationic resins, and organic acids.

Examples of the polyvalent metal ion include divalent metal ions such as Ca ²⁺ , Cu ²⁺ , Ni ²⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Sr ²⁺ , Ba ²⁺ and Zn ²⁺ , Fe ³⁺ , Cr ³⁺ , Y ³⁺ and Al ^3+. Of the trivalent metal ions. In order to contain a polyvalent metal ion in the reaction solution, a polyvalent metal salt (which may be a hydrate) constituted by combining a polyvalent metal ion and an anion can be used. Examples of the anion include Cl ⁻ , Br ⁻ , I ⁻ , ClO ⁻ , ClO ₂ ⁻ , ClO ₃ ⁻ , ClO ₄ ⁻ , NO ₂ ⁻ , NO ₃ ⁻ , SO ₄ ²⁻ , CO ₃ ²⁻ , HCO _3. ⁻ , PO ₄ ³⁻ , HPO ₄ ²⁻ , and inorganic anions such as H ₂ PO ₄ ⁻ ; HCOO ⁻ , (COO ⁻ ) ₂ , COOH (COO ⁻ ), CH ₃ COO ⁻ , C ₂ H ₄ (COO ⁻ ) ₂ , organic anions such as C ₆ H ₅ COO ⁻ , C ₆ H ₄ (COO ⁻ ) ₂ and CH ₃ SO ₃ ^— . When a polyvalent metal ion is used as the reactant, the content (% by mass) in terms of the polyvalent metal salt in the reaction solution is 1.00% by mass or more and 20.00% by mass or less based on the total mass of the reaction solution. Preferably there is.

  The reaction solution containing an organic acid has a buffering ability in an acidic region (pH less than 7.0, preferably pH 2.0 to 5.0), thereby converting an anionic group of a component present in the ink into an acid form. Aggregates. Examples of organic acids include formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, benzoic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, pyrrole carboxylic acid, furan carboxylic acid, picolinic acid, nicotinic acid, thiophene carboxylic acid, levulinic acid, and coumarin acid. Monocarboxylic acids and salts thereof; oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, sebacic acid, phthalic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, dicarboxylic acids, and the like Examples thereof include salts and hydrogen salts; tricarboxylic acids such as citric acid and trimellitic acid and salts and hydrogen salts thereof; tetracarboxylic acids such as pyromellitic acid and salts and hydrogen salts thereof. The content (% by mass) of the organic acid in the reaction solution is preferably 1.00% by mass or more and 50.00% by mass or less.

  Examples of the cationic resin include a resin having a primary to tertiary amine structure and a resin having a quaternary ammonium salt structure. Specific examples include resins having a structure such as vinylamine, allylamine, vinylimidazole, vinylpyridine, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, ethyleneimine, and guanidine. In order to enhance the solubility in the reaction solution, a cationic resin and an acidic compound can be used in combination, or a quaternization treatment of the cationic resin can be performed. When a cationic resin is used as the reactant, the content (% by mass) of the cationic resin in the reaction solution may be 1.00% by mass or more and 10.00% by mass or less based on the total mass of the reaction solution. preferable.

(Ingredients other than reactants)
As the components other than the reactants, the same materials as the aqueous medium and other additives mentioned above as those that can be used in the ink can be used.

<Ink application means>
An ink jet head is used as the ink applying means (image forming means) 104 for applying ink. As an inkjet head, for example, an ink is ejected by forming a bubble by causing film boiling in the ink by an electro-thermal converter, a form in which the ink is ejected by an electro-mechanical converter, and an ink using static electricity. The form etc. which discharge are mentioned. In the first embodiment, a known inkjet head can be used. Among these, those using an electro-thermal converter are preferably used from the viewpoint of high-speed and high-density printing. The ink applying means receives an image signal and applies a necessary ink amount to each position.

The ink application amount can be expressed by the density value of the image data, the ink thickness, and the like. In the first embodiment, the ink application amount (g) is obtained by multiplying the mass of each ink dot by the application number and dividing by the printing area. / M ² ). Note that the maximum ink application amount in the image region indicates an ink application amount that is applied in an area of at least 5 mm ² or more in the region used as information of the recording medium from the viewpoint of removing the liquid component in the ink. .

  The ink applying unit 104 may include a plurality of ink jet heads in order to apply color ink of each color onto the transfer body 101. For example, when an image is formed using yellow ink, magenta ink, cyan ink, and black ink, the ink jet recording apparatus has four ink jet heads that respectively eject the four types of ink onto a transfer body.

  In addition, the ink application means may include an ink jet head that does not contain a color material or has a very low ratio even if it is contained, and can apply a substantially transparent clear ink. The clear ink may contain a solid content. The clear ink can be used together with the reaction liquid and the color ink to form an ink image. For example, this clear ink can be used to improve the glossiness of an image. The resin component to be blended is appropriately adjusted so that the image after transfer has a glossy feeling, and further, the clear ink ejection position may be controlled. Since the clear ink is preferably on the surface layer side of the color ink in the final recorded matter, the clear ink is applied onto the transfer body 101 before the color ink in the transfer body type recording apparatus. Therefore, the clear ink inkjet head can be arranged upstream of the color ink inkjet head in the moving direction of the transfer body 101 facing the ink applicator 104.

  In addition to the use for gloss, it can be used to improve the transferability of an image from the transfer body 101 to a recording medium. For example, a clear ink can be used as a transferability improving liquid to be applied on the transfer body 101 by adding more components that express adhesiveness than the color ink and applying this to the color ink. For example, in the moving direction of the transfer body 101 facing the ink applicator 104, an inkjet head for clear ink for improving transferability is disposed on the downstream side of the inkjet head for color ink. After the color ink is applied to the transfer body 101, the clear ink is applied to the transfer body after the color ink is applied, so that the clear ink exists on the outermost surface of the ink image. In the transfer of the ink image onto the recording medium at the transfer portion, the clear ink on the surface of the ink image adheres to the recording medium 108 with a certain degree of adhesive force, whereby the ink image after liquid removal moves to the recording medium 108. It becomes easy.

<Ink>
Each component of the ink applied to the first embodiment will be described.

(Coloring material)
As the color material, pigments and dyes can be used. The content of the coloring material in the ink is preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 15.0% by mass or less, and 1.0% by mass or more and 10.0% by mass or less based on the total mass of the ink. Is more preferable.

  Specific examples of the pigment include inorganic pigments such as carbon black; organic pigments such as azo, phthalocyanine, quinacridone, isoindolinone, imidazolone, diketopyrrolopyrrole, and dioxazine. These pigments can be used alone or in combination of two or more as required.

  As a dispersion method of the pigment, a resin dispersion pigment using a resin as a dispersant, a self-dispersion pigment in which a hydrophilic group is bonded to the pigment particle surface, or the like can be used. Further, a resin-bonded pigment in which an organic group containing a resin is chemically bonded to the pigment particle surface, a microcapsule pigment in which the surface of the pigment particle is coated with a resin, or the like can be used.

  As the resin dispersant for dispersing the pigment in the aqueous medium, it is preferable to use a resin dispersant that can disperse the pigment in the aqueous medium by the action of the anionic group. As the resin dispersant, a resin as described later, preferably a water-soluble resin can be used. The content (mass%) of the pigment is a mass ratio with respect to the content of the resin dispersant (pigment / resin dispersant), and is preferably 0.3 times or more and 10.0 times or less.

  As the self-dispersing pigment, a pigment in which an anionic group such as a carboxylic acid group, a sulfonic acid group, or a phosphonic acid group is bonded to the pigment particle surface directly or through another atomic group (-R-) is used. be able to. The anionic group may be either an acid type or a salt type, and when it is a salt type, it may be either partially dissociated or completely dissociated. Examples of the cation serving as a counter ion when the anionic group is a salt type include alkali metal cations; ammonium; organic ammonium. Specific examples of other atomic groups (—R—) include linear or branched alkylene groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms; arylene groups such as phenylene groups and naphthylene groups; carbonyl groups; imino groups; amide groups. Sulfonyl group; ester group; ether group and the like. Moreover, it is good also as group which combined these groups.

  As the dye, one having an anionic group is preferably used. Specific examples of the dye include dyes such as azo, triphenylmethane, (aza) phthalocyanine, xanthene, and anthrapyridone.

(resin)
The ink can contain a resin. The content (% by mass) of the resin in the ink is preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 20.0% by mass or less, and 0.5% by mass or more and 15.0% by mass or less based on the total mass of the ink. More preferably.

  The resin may be added to the ink for the purpose of (i) stabilizing the dispersion state of the pigment, that is, as the above-described resin dispersant and its auxiliary, (ii) improving various characteristics of the recorded image. it can. Examples of the form of the resin include a block copolymer, a random copolymer, a graft copolymer, and combinations thereof. Further, the resin may be in a state of being dissolved as a water-soluble resin in an aqueous medium, or in a state of being dispersed as resin particles in an aqueous medium. The resin particles do not have to include a color material.

  In the present invention, that the resin is water-soluble means that, when the resin is neutralized with an alkali equivalent to the acid value, it does not form particles whose particle diameter can be measured by a dynamic light scattering method. To do. Whether or not the resin is water-soluble can be determined according to the following method. First, a liquid (resin solid content: 10% by mass) containing a resin neutralized with an alkali corresponding to an acid value (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc.) is prepared. Next, the prepared liquid is diluted 10 times (volume basis) with pure water to prepare a sample solution. And when the particle diameter of resin in a sample solution is measured by a dynamic light scattering method, when the particle | grains which have a particle diameter are not measured, it can be judged that the resin is water-soluble. The measurement conditions at this time can be set, for example, as SetZero: 30 seconds, the number of measurements: 3 times, and the measurement time: 180 seconds. As the particle size distribution measuring apparatus, a particle size analyzer (for example, trade name “UPA-EX150”, manufactured by Nikkiso) using a dynamic light scattering method can be used. Of course, the particle size distribution measuring apparatus and measurement conditions to be used are not limited to the above.

  The acid value of the resin is preferably from 100 mgKOH / g to 250 mgKOH / g in the case of a water-soluble resin, and preferably from 5 mgKOH / g to 100 mgKOH / g in the case of a resin particle. The weight average molecular weight of the resin is preferably 3,000 to 15,000 in the case of a water-soluble resin, and preferably 1,000 to 2,000,000 in the case of a resin particle. The volume average particle diameter of the resin particles measured by a dynamic light scattering method (measurement conditions are the same as described above) is preferably 100 nm or more and 500 nm or less.

  Examples of the resin include acrylic resins, urethane resins, and olefin resins. Of these, acrylic resins and urethane resins are preferable.

  As acrylic resin, what has a hydrophilic unit and a hydrophobic unit as a structural unit is preferable. Among these, a resin having a hydrophilic unit derived from (meth) acrylic acid and a hydrophobic unit derived from at least one of a monomer having an aromatic ring and a (meth) acrylic acid ester monomer is preferable. In particular, a resin having a hydrophilic unit derived from (meth) acrylic acid and a hydrophobic unit derived from at least one monomer of styrene and α-methylstyrene is preferable. Since these resins are likely to interact with the pigment, they can be suitably used as a resin dispersant for dispersing the pigment.

  The hydrophilic unit is a unit having a hydrophilic group such as an anionic group. The hydrophilic unit can be formed, for example, by polymerizing a hydrophilic monomer having a hydrophilic group. Specific examples of hydrophilic monomers having a hydrophilic group include acidic monomers having a carboxylic acid group such as (meth) acrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid and fumaric acid, and anions such as anhydrides and salts of these acidic monomers. And the like monomer. Examples of the cation constituting the salt of the acidic monomer include ions such as lithium, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and organic ammonium. The hydrophobic unit is a unit having no hydrophilic group such as an anionic group. The hydrophobic unit can be formed, for example, by polymerizing a hydrophobic monomer having no hydrophilic group such as an anionic group. Specific examples of the hydrophobic monomer include monomers having an aromatic ring such as styrene, α-methylstyrene, benzyl (meth) acrylate; methyl (meth) acrylate, butyl (meth) acrylate, (meth) acrylic acid 2 -(Meth) acrylic acid ester monomers such as ethylhexyl.

  As a urethane-type resin, it can obtain by making polyisocyanate and a polyol react, for example. Further, it may be further reacted with a chain extender. Examples of the olefin resin include polyethylene and polypropylene.

(Water and water-soluble organic solvents)
The ink can contain water and / or a water-soluble organic solvent as a solvent. The water is preferably water deionized by ion exchange or the like. Further, the water content in the ink is preferably 30% by mass or more and 97% by mass or less with respect to the total mass of the ink.

  Moreover, the kind of water-soluble organic solvent to be used is not particularly limited, and any known organic solvent can be used. Specifically, glycerin, diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, triethylene glycol, thiodiglycol, hexylene glycol, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, 2-pyrrolidone, ethanol , Methanol, and the like. Of course, it is also possible to use a mixture of two or more selected from these.

  The content of the water-soluble organic solvent in the ink is preferably 3% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less with respect to the total mass of the ink. The non-volatile solvent in the present invention refers to a solvent having a boiling point higher than the temperature of the heat and pressure roller at the nip in the fixing step and a vapor pressure of 10 Pa or less at 20 ° C. Specific examples include glycerin, diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, triethylene glycol, thiodiglycol, hexylene glycol, and 2-pyrrolidone. Of course, a mixture of two or more selected from these can also be used.

(Other additives)
In addition to the above components, the ink may be variously adjusted as necessary, such as a pH adjuster, a rust inhibitor, a preservative, an antifungal agent, an antioxidant, a reduction inhibitor, a water-soluble resin and its neutralizer, and a viscosity modifier. An additive may be contained.

<Liquid absorption means>
The ink jet recording apparatus includes a liquid absorbing unit 105 that removes a liquid component from an image formed on a transfer body. By removing the liquid component from the image by the liquid absorbing means 105, curl after the image is transferred to a recording medium such as paper due to the residual liquid component included in the image, cockling, Image disturbance such as set-off can be suppressed.

  The liquid absorbing means 105 includes a liquid absorbing member 105 a and a pressing member 105 b that presses the liquid absorbing member 105 a against the image on the transfer body 101. Moreover, there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the shape of the liquid absorption member 105a and the press member 105b. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the pressing member 105b has a cylindrical shape, the liquid absorbing member 105a has a belt shape, and the cylindrical pressing member 105b presses the belt-shaped liquid absorbing member 105a against the transfer body. It may be. The pressing member 105b has a columnar shape, and the liquid absorbing member 105a has a cylindrical shape formed on the peripheral surface of the columnar pressing member 105b. The cylindrical pressing member 105b is a cylindrical liquid absorbing member 105a. May be configured to be pressed against the transfer body. Further, the liquid absorbing means 105 may have a stretching member that stretches the liquid absorbing member. In FIG. 1, 105c, 105d, and 105e are tension rollers as tension members.

In the liquid absorbing means, the liquid absorbing member 105a having a porous body is brought into pressure contact with the image by the pressing member 105b, so that the liquid absorbing member 105a absorbs the liquid component contained in the image and removes the liquid component from the image. As a method for removing the liquid component in the image, in addition to the present method of pressing the liquid absorbing member, various other conventionally used methods, for example, a method using heating, a method of blowing low-humidity air, a method of reducing pressure, etc. are combined. May be. Further, the liquid component may be further reduced by applying these methods to the ink image after the liquid removal in which the liquid component is reduced.
Hereinafter, various conditions and configurations of the liquid absorbing means will be described in detail.

(Preprocessing)
Before the liquid absorbing member having a porous body is brought into contact with the image, pretreatment is preferably performed by pretreatment means (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) for applying a treatment liquid to the liquid absorbing member. The treatment liquid preferably contains water and a water-soluble organic solvent. The water is preferably water deionized by ion exchange or the like. The type of the water-soluble organic solvent is not particularly limited, and any known organic solvent such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol can be used. In the pretreatment of the liquid absorbing member, the application method is not particularly limited, but immersion or droplet dropping is preferable.

(Pressure condition)
If the pressure of the pressure to the liquid absorbing member with respect to the image on the transfer member ^{0.3kgf / cm 2 (1kgf / cm} 2 = 9.8N / cm calculated as ²⁾ above, a shorter time of liquid in the image It is preferable because the liquid component can be removed from the image. The pressure of the liquid absorbing member indicates the nip pressure between the transfer member 101 and the liquid absorbing member 105a, and the surface pressure is measured with a surface pressure distribution measuring instrument (I-SCAN manufactured by Nitta Co., Ltd.). The value was calculated by dividing the weight in the pressurizing region by the area.

(Action time)
The action time for contacting the liquid absorbing member 105a with the image is preferably within 50 ms in order to further suppress adhesion of the coloring material in the image to the liquid absorbing member. The operation time in the first embodiment is calculated by dividing the pressure sensing width in the moving direction of the transfer body 101 in the surface pressure measurement described above by the moving speed of the transfer body 101. Hereinafter, this action time is referred to as a liquid absorption nip time.

(Method for removing liquid from the liquid absorbing member)
The liquid component absorbed in the liquid absorbing member from the image can be removed from the liquid absorbing member 105a by a known means. Examples include a method by heating, a method of blowing low-humidity air, a method of reducing pressure, and a method of squeezing a porous body.

<Liquid absorbing member>
In the present embodiment, at least a part of the liquid component is removed from the image before removing the liquid by bringing it into contact with the liquid absorbing member having a porous body and absorbing it, thereby reducing the content of the liquid component in the image. The contact surface with the image of the liquid absorbing member is the first surface, and the porous body is disposed on the first surface. The liquid absorbing member having such a porous body moves in conjunction with the movement of the medium to be ejected, contacts the image, and then circulates and re-contacts the image before removing another liquid at a predetermined cycle. What has the shape which can absorb is preferable. Examples of the shape include an endless belt shape and a drum shape.

(Porous body)
The porous body of the liquid absorbing member 105a preferably uses a material having an average pore size on the first surface side smaller than the average pore size on the second surface side facing the first surface. In order to suppress adhesion of the ink coloring material to the porous body, the pore diameter is preferably small, and at least the pore diameter of the porous body on the first surface side in contact with the image is preferably 10 μm or less. The pore diameter means an average diameter, and can be measured by a known means such as a mercury intrusion method, a nitrogen adsorption method, or an SEM image observation.

  Further, it is preferable to reduce the thickness of the porous body in order to obtain a uniform high air permeability. The air permeability can be indicated by a Gurley value defined by JIS P8117, and the Gurley value is preferably 10 seconds or less.

  However, if the porous body is thinned, the capacity necessary for absorbing the liquid component may not be sufficiently secured, so the porous body can have a multilayer structure. In the liquid absorbing member 105a, the layer that contacts the image on the transfer body may be a porous body, and the layer that does not contact the image on the transfer body may not be a porous body.

  Next, an embodiment in which the porous body has a multilayer structure will be described. Here, the first layer on the side in contact with the ink image and the layer laminated on the surface opposite to the contact surface with the ink image of the first layer will be described as the second layer. Further, the multilayer structure is also expressed in the order of stacking from the first layer. In the present specification, the first layer may be referred to as an “absorbing layer” and the second and subsequent layers may be referred to as a “support layer”.

[First layer]
In the present embodiment, the material of the first layer is not particularly limited, and either a hydrophilic material having a contact angle with water of less than 90 ° or a water repellent material having a contact angle of 90 ° or more is used. be able to.

The hydrophilic material is preferably selected from a single material such as cellulose or polyacrylamide, or a composite material thereof. Moreover, the surface of the following water-repellent material can also be used after being hydrophilized. Examples of the hydrophilization treatment include sputter etching, irradiation with radiation and H ₂ O ions, and excimer (ultraviolet) laser light irradiation.

  In the case of a hydrophilic material, the contact angle with water is more preferably 60 ° or less. In the case of a hydrophilic material, there is an effect of sucking up liquid, particularly water, by capillary force.

  On the other hand, the material of the first layer is preferably a water-repellent material having a low surface free energy, particularly a fluororesin, in order to suppress adhesion of the coloring material and to improve cleaning properties. Specific examples of the fluororesin include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), perfluoroalkoxy fluororesin (PFA), four Examples thereof include a fluorinated ethylene / hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), an ethylene / tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), and an ethylene / chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer (ECTFE). These resins can be used singly or in combination of two or more as required, and may have a structure in which a plurality of films are laminated in the first layer. In the case of a water-repellent material, there is almost no effect of sucking up the liquid by capillary force, and it may take time to suck up the liquid when contacting the image for the first time. For this reason, it is preferable to impregnate the first layer with a liquid having a contact angle with the first layer of less than 90 °. This liquid can be soaked in the first layer by applying from the first surface of the liquid absorbing member. This liquid is preferably prepared by mixing water with a surfactant or a liquid having a low contact angle with the first layer.

  In the present embodiment, the film thickness of the first layer is preferably 50 μm or less. The film thickness is more preferably 30 μm or less. In the examples of the present embodiment, the film thickness was obtained by measuring the film thickness at 10 arbitrary points with a straight-forward micrometer OMV_25 (manufactured by Mitutoyo) and calculating the average value.

  The first layer can be produced by a known method for producing a thin film porous membrane. For example, the resin material can be obtained by obtaining a sheet-like material by a method such as extrusion and then stretching it to a predetermined thickness. Further, a porous film can be obtained by adding a plasticizer such as paraffin to the material at the time of extrusion molding and removing the plasticizer by heating at the time of stretching. The pore diameter can be adjusted by appropriately adjusting the amount of plasticizer to be added, the draw ratio, and the like.

[Second layer]
The second layer is preferably a breathable layer. A non-woven fabric or a woven fabric may be used. The material of the second layer is not particularly limited, but the contact angle with the first liquid is equal to or greater than that of the first layer so that the liquid absorbed toward the first layer does not flow backward. A low material is preferred. Specifically, a single material such as polyolefin (polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), etc.), polyurethane, nylon, polyamide, polyester (polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc.), polysulfone (PSF), or these A composite material or the like is preferable. The second layer is preferably a layer having a larger pore size than the first layer.

[Third layer]
In the present embodiment, the porous body having a multilayer structure may have three or more layers, and is not limited. The layer after the third layer (also referred to as the third layer) is preferably a nonwoven fabric from the viewpoint of rigidity. The same material as the second layer is used.

[Other materials]
The liquid absorbing member may include a reinforcing member that reinforces the side surface of the liquid absorbing member in addition to the porous body having the above-described laminated structure. Moreover, you may have a joining member at the time of connecting the longitudinal direction edge part of a elongate sheet-shaped porous body to make a belt-shaped member. As such a material, a non-porous tape material or the like can be used, and it may be arranged at a position or a period not in contact with the image.

[Method for producing porous body]
The method for forming the porous body by laminating the first layer and the second layer is not particularly limited. They may be simply overlapped or may be bonded together using a method such as adhesive lamination or heat lamination. From the viewpoint of air permeability, thermal lamination is preferable. Further, for example, a part of the first layer or the second layer may be melted and laminated by heating. Alternatively, a fusing material such as hot melt powder may be interposed between the first layer and the second layer and bonded together by heating. When the third layer or more are stacked, they may be stacked at once or sequentially, and the stacking order is appropriately selected.

  In the heating step, a laminating method is preferred in which the porous body is heated while sandwiching and pressing the porous body with a heated roller.

<Transfer means>
The ink jet recording apparatus has means for transferring an image to a recording medium by bringing the image on the transfer body into contact with the recording medium by the transfer means 106 on the recording medium 108 conveyed by the recording medium conveying means 107. In the image on the transfer body, at least a part of the liquid component is removed. By removing the liquid component contained in the image on the transfer body and then transferring it to the recording medium, it is possible to obtain a recorded image in which curling, cockling, etc. are suppressed. An example of the transfer unit is a pressure roller.

  The transfer means is required to have a certain degree of structural strength from the viewpoint of conveyance accuracy and durability of the recording medium. The material of the transfer means is preferably metal, ceramic, resin or the like. In particular, in addition to rigidity and dimensional accuracy that can withstand pressure during transfer, and to reduce control inertia and improve control responsiveness, aluminum, iron, stainless steel, acetal resin, epoxy resin, polyimide, Polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, polyurethane, silica ceramics, and alumina ceramics are preferably used. Moreover, you may use combining these.

  The time for pressing the image on the transfer body against the recording medium is not particularly limited, but may be 5 ms or more and 100 ms or less so that the transfer is performed well and the durability of the transfer body is not impaired. preferable. The pressure contact time in the first embodiment indicates the time during which the recording medium and the transfer body are in contact with each other, and the surface pressure is measured with a surface pressure distribution measuring instrument (I-SCAN manufactured by Nitta Co., Ltd.). Then, the length in the conveyance direction of the pressurizing region was divided by the conveyance speed to calculate a value.

There is no particular limitation on the pressure at which the image on the transfer body is brought into pressure contact with the recording medium. However, in order to perform transfer well and not to impair the durability of the transfer body, 1 kg / cm ^{2 to} 30 kg. / cm ² or less is preferable. Note that the pressure in the first embodiment indicates the nip pressure between the recording medium and the transfer body, the surface pressure is measured by a surface pressure distribution measuring device, the weight in the pressurizing region is divided by the area, and the value is calculated. Calculated.

  The temperature at which the image on the transfer body is pressed against the recording medium is not particularly limited, but when the ink contains a resin component, it is preferably at least the glass transition point or the softening point of the resin component. In addition, an aspect including a heating unit for heating the image on the transfer body, the transfer body, and the recording medium is preferable.

  The shape of the transfer means is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a roller shape.

<Recording medium and recording medium conveying means>
The recording medium 108 is not particularly limited, and any known recording medium can be used. Examples of the recording medium include rolls and single sheets. Examples of the material include paper, plastic film, wood board, cardboard, and metal film.

  In FIG. 1, the recording medium conveying means 107 for conveying the recording medium is constituted by a recording medium feeding roller 107a and a recording medium take-up roller 107b. It is not limited.

<Fixing means>
It is possible to improve the fixability between the recording medium and the image by pressing the recording medium on which the image is recorded with a roller. It is also preferable to heat the recording medium because the fixability may be improved. It is more preferable to perform these simultaneously using a heat and pressure roller (heat and pressure fixing). Typical fixing methods using a heat and pressure roller include a roller nip method and an endless press method, and each fixing method will be described in detail below.

(Roller nip method)
Here, a roller nip method, which is one of the heat and pressure fixing methods, will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the roller nip method is a method in which a heat and pressure roller 45 and a support roller 46 are in contact with each other, and a recorded image 32 formed on the recording medium 31 passes between these two rollers. is there. The recorded image 32 is softened by applying heat to the recorded image 32 by the heat and pressure roller 45 and smoothed by being pressurized. Here, the surface of the heat and pressure roller 45 must be at least smoother than the desired smoothness desired to be obtained in the recorded image. Further, since the recording image 32 is peeled off from the heating and pressing roller 45 in a heated state, the surface base material of the heating and pressing roller 45 that has good peelability between the heating and pressing roller 45 and the recording image 32 is used. It is necessary to select. As the surface base material of the heating and pressing roller 45, fluororesins such as PTFE and PFA, or Upilex-S (registered trademark, manufactured by Ube Industries, Ltd.) and the like are suitable.

(Endless press method)
Next, the endless press method will be described with reference to FIG. The fixing belt 47 and the support roller 46 wound around the heat and pressure roller 45 are in contact with each other, and the recording image 32 formed on the recording medium 31 passes between these two rollers. The fixing belt 47 is wound around the heat and pressure roller 45 and the peeling roller 49, and the fixing belt 47 and the recording image 32 formed on the recording medium 31 remain in contact until reaching the position of the peeling roller 49. It has become. A cooling device 48 is installed between the heat and pressure roller 45 and the peeling roller 49. When the recording medium 31 reaches the position of the peeling roller 49, the recorded image 32 is cooled. The recorded image 32 can be peeled off at a low temperature. The temperature of the fixing belt 47, the recording medium 31, and the recorded image 32 at the position of the peeling roller 49 is preferably 50 ° C. or less so that the image portion can be peeled without being damaged. Further, as the surface base material of the fixing belt 47, Kapton (registered trademark, manufactured by Toray DuPont Co., Ltd.) is suitable.

<Control means>
The transfer type ink jet recording apparatus has control means for controlling each means. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the entire apparatus in the transfer type ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, a recording data generation unit 301 generates recording data such as an external print server. The operation control unit 302 performs operation control of an operation panel, for example. A printer control unit 303 performs printer control for performing the recording process. The recording medium conveyance control unit 304 performs control for conveying the recording medium. The inkjet device 305 is a device for printing. The input unit 11 inputs recording medium data and image data.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the printer control unit 303 in the transfer type inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. A CPU 401 controls the entire printer. A ROM (storage means) 402 stores the control program for the CPU. The ROM 402 stores a liquid absorption condition table 24c and a fixing condition table 24d. The ROM 402 also temporarily stores recording medium data 24a and image data 24b input from the input unit 11. A RAM 403 is a RAM for executing a program. The ASIC 404 includes a network controller, a serial IF controller, a head data generation controller, a motor controller, and the like. The liquid absorption member conveyance control unit 405 is a control unit for driving the liquid absorption member conveyance motor 406, and is command-controlled from the ASIC 404 via the serial IF. The transfer body drive control unit 407 is a control unit for driving the transfer body drive motor 408, and is similarly command-controlled from the ASIC 404 via the serial IF.

  The liquid absorption device control unit (control unit) 29 controls the liquid absorption device (liquid absorption unit) 105 in accordance with the control conditions determined (selected) from the liquid absorption condition table 24 c stored in the ROM 402. The fixing device control unit (control unit) 30 controls the fixing device (fixing unit) 50 in accordance with the control conditions determined (selected) from the fixing condition table 24 d stored in the ROM 402. Reference numeral 409 denotes a head controller that performs final ejection data generation, drive voltage generation, and the like of the inkjet device 305.

  The configuration of the printer control unit 303 is not necessarily limited to such a configuration. For example, as shown in the third and fourth embodiments, the reading unit 25 may be provided to detect the amount of liquid removed in the liquid absorbing device 105 and the glossiness of the recorded image and reflect them in the control program. Alternatively, the CPU 401 may be realized by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 402 using the RAM 403 as a work area, or may be realized by a hardware configuration such as a dedicated circuit.

<Input means>
The user can input the input data stored as the recording medium data 24a or the image data 24b in FIG. The mode of the input means 11 is arbitrary. As shown in FIG. 4, it may be provided separately from the operation control unit 302 or may also serve as the operation control unit 302. Further, it may be an input port that can receive input data from another terminal device wirelessly or by wire. Data may be input directly from the input means 11 or main input data may be stored in the ROM in advance and selected by the operation control unit 302. As input data necessary to maintain high gloss, for example, recording medium data such as the type of recording medium (paper type), basis weight, recording medium temperature at the time of image formation, and images such as each ink type and its ink ejection amount Data is used. Here, for example, when an ink amount of 38.4 ng at maximum is applied to 600 dpi × 600 dpi, the maximum amount of ink applied to the page or sheet is approximately 21.4 g / m in terms of m ^{2. 2} is calculated. In this case, the minimum unit is 600 dpi × 600 dpi, but the minimum unit may be a print resolution unit, an input data resolution unit, a cm ² unit, or a unit obtained by dividing a sheet into a plurality of units. .

  Hereinafter, a method for creating the liquid absorption condition table and the fixing condition table will be described in detail.

<Liquid absorption condition table>
The liquid absorption condition table 24c is preferably created from the relationship between the liquid absorption conditions and the gloss reduction amount immediately after fixing. Table 1, the ink ejection amount ^{14 g} / ^m 2 in the liquid absorbing apparatus ^{105, 21g / m 2, 28g} / m 2, 35g / m 2 and the nip pressure between the fixing 20 ° immediately and fixing after 24 hours as an example of how to create It is a table | surface showing the relationship of glossiness (gloss value). Table 1 shows the conditions when the nip time is 10 ms and the transfer body temperature at the nip is fixed at 60 ° C. A specular gloss meter PG-IIM (manufactured by Nippon Denshoku) was used for the measurement of the 20 ° gloss. Gloria pure white paper (continuous amount 210.0 g / m ² manufactured by Gojo Paper Co., Ltd.) was used as the paper type.

  According to Table 1, in order to maintain the gloss immediately after fixing, it is necessary to increase the nip pressure as the ink shot amount increases. Further, if the liquid component is removed more than necessary, the gloss immediately after fixing is lowered. Therefore, the liquid absorption means control unit 29 determines the optimum liquid absorption control condition by using the lowest pressure value among the liquid absorption conditions that do not cause a decrease in gloss with respect to each ink ejection amount. Specifically, the liquid absorption control condition is determined (selected) by comparing the data input by the user with Table 1. In this example, the liquid absorption control condition is a table shown in Table 2. The liquid absorption means control unit 29 also functions as a liquid absorption control condition determination means.

  The table creation method described above is not necessarily limited to such a method, and it is preferable to set appropriate liquid absorption conditions including other conditions such as paper type, ink type, nip time, and transfer body temperature at the time of nip. . It is also possible to prioritize the parameters to be changed. For example, when it is desired to fix the printing speed as much as possible, there is a method in which the nip time is fixed and the transfer body temperature and the nip pressure at the nip are controlled parameters. When it is desired to reduce power consumption, the transfer body temperature may be changed in a low range, and the nip pressure and nip time may be mainly changed.

<Fixing condition table>
The fixing condition table 24d is desirably created from the relationship between the fixing conditions and the glossiness immediately after fixing. As an example of the preparation method, Table 3 shows the relationship between the ink ejection amount 14 g / m ² , 21 g / m ² , 28 g / m ² , 35 g / m ² , the fixing nip pressure, and the 20-degree glossiness immediately after fixing. It is. In Table 3, the liquid absorption nip time in the liquid absorption device 105 is fixed at 10 ms, the transfer body temperature at the liquid absorption nip is fixed at 60 ° C., the fixing nip time in the fixing device 50 is fixed at 150 msec, and the fixing nip temperature is fixed at 160 ° C. It is a condition when doing. Gloria pure white paper (continuous amount 210.0 g / m ² manufactured by Gojo Paper Co., Ltd.) was used as the paper type.

  According to Table 3, in order to develop high gloss immediately after fixing, it is necessary to increase the nip pressure as the ink shot amount decreases. Therefore, a fixing control condition table that is considered to be optimal is created using a pressure value that develops high gloss for each ink hit amount. Specifically, the fixing unit control unit 30 determines (selects) a fixing control condition by comparing the data input by the user with Table 3. In this example, the fixing control conditions are as shown in Table 4. The fixing unit control unit 30 also functions as a fixing control condition determining unit.

  The table preparation method described above is not necessarily limited to such a method, and appropriate fixing conditions including other conditions such as paper type, ink type, fixing nip time, fixing nip temperature (recording medium temperature at the time of nip) are set. It is preferable to set. It is also possible to prioritize the parameters to be changed. For example, in order to fix the printing speed as much as possible, there is a method in which the fixing nip time is fixed and the recording medium temperature and fixing nip pressure at the nip are used as control parameters. In order to reduce power consumption, the recording medium temperature may be changed within a low range, and the fixing nip pressure and fixing nip time may be mainly changed.

<Control means>
The control means controls the liquid absorbing device or the fixing device based on the control conditions determined based on the liquid absorbing condition table 24c or the fixing condition table 24d in FIG. For example, the liquid absorption device control unit 29 controls the liquid absorption device 105 in accordance with the determined control condition that minimizes the decrease in gloss over time. Further, the fixing device control unit 30 controls the fixing device 50 in accordance with a control condition that gives the highest gloss immediately after the determined fixing. Hereinafter, a control method for the liquid absorbing unit and the fixing unit will be described in detail.

(Control of liquid absorption conditions)
It has been found that the liquid component containing the non-volatile solvent remaining in the recorded image in the liquid absorbing means affects the developed gloss and the change in gloss over time. When the amount of liquid removed in the liquid absorbing means is small and the liquid component remaining in the recorded image is large, a phenomenon occurs in which the gloss immediately after fixing decreases with time. On the other hand, if the liquid absorption amount is large and the liquid component of the recorded image is too small, the recorded image is too hard to be sufficiently smoothed in the subsequent fixing step and high glossiness immediately after fixing cannot be obtained. Therefore, in order to maintain high gloss immediately after fixing, it is necessary to remove an appropriate amount of liquid component in the liquid absorbing means.

  The liquid removal amount of the liquid component contained in the ink on the recording medium is preferably controlled by changing conditions such as the nip time, the nip pressure, and the temperature of the recording medium at the nip in the liquid absorbing means. Any one of these control parameters may be changed, or a plurality of parameters may be combined and changed. As a standard for determining the liquid absorption condition, for example, in a page or a sheet, various ink ejection amounts vary depending on the location, but when liquid absorption is performed under the same conditions, the location where the ink ejection amount in the image data is the maximum Set the conditions according to. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in gloss at any location within a page or within a sheet.

(Control of fixing conditions)
The glossiness immediately after the fixing step can be controlled by changing conditions such as nip time, nip pressure, and nip temperature in the fixing unit. The nip time can be arbitrarily determined, and the nip pressure is preferably a pressure that can sufficiently smooth the recorded image, and a pressure of about 1 to ²⁰ kgf / cm ² is preferably used. The temperature of the heat and pressure roller at the nip is preferably a temperature that is sufficiently higher than the minimum film-forming temperature (MFT) of the resin fine particles contained in the ink.

  Any one of these control parameters may be changed, or a plurality of parameters may be combined and changed. As a criterion for determining fixing conditions, for example, in a page or a sheet, the amount of liquid component remaining varies depending on the location, but when fixing is performed under the identification condition, the place where the ink ejection amount in the image data is the smallest Set the conditions according to. Thereby, it is possible to express high gloss in any part in a page or a sheet.

<Change in liquid absorption conditions by measuring the amount of liquid removed>
Next, a method for measuring and calculating the actual amount of liquid to be removed and changing the liquid absorption condition according to the value will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, moisture meters 120 and 121 are provided one upstream and one downstream of the liquid absorber 105, respectively, and the amount of moisture in the image area is measured. Specifically, at least one moisture meter is provided upstream and downstream in the conveying direction of the image on the transfer body with respect to the contact position between the transfer body 105 and the liquid absorbing device 105. The removed liquid amount calculating means calculates the amount of water removed from the difference between the measured values in the respective moisture meters, and the ratio of the removed water amount and the amount of the non-volatile solvent is assumed to be constant and is removed by the liquid absorbing means. The amount of liquid component obtained is calculated. In determining whether the calculated liquid component amount is an appropriate amount, a method of determining whether the calculated liquid component amount matches the predetermined recording medium data, image data, and the liquid removal amount under the liquid absorption condition Is mentioned. In case of coincidence, it is preferable to perform the actual printing using the existing liquid absorption condition table, and to create a new liquid absorption condition table if they do not coincide. The method for changing the liquid absorption condition is not limited to the above-described method. For example, the liquid absorption condition is not fixed, and the amount of liquid component that does not cause gloss reduction is obtained using the amount of liquid removed and the amount of gloss reduction under each condition as parameters. Similarly, the liquid absorption condition may be set.

<Fixing condition change by image evaluation>
Next, a method for evaluating the image immediately after fixing and changing the fixing condition by the evaluation will be described. The image evaluation method is preferably a method in which an in-line gloss meter 130 is provided downstream in the conveying direction of the fixing device 50 and the 20-degree glossiness of the image portion is measured as an evaluation value. Whether the measured 20 degree glossiness is appropriate is determined by checking whether the 20 degree glossiness in the predetermined recording medium data, image data, liquid absorption conditions, and fixing conditions matches the measured 20 degree glossiness. The method of judging is mentioned. In case of coincidence, it is preferable to perform actual printing using an existing fixing condition table, and in case of inconsistency, a method of newly creating a fixing condition table is preferable. The method for changing the fixing condition is not limited to the above-described method. For example, the fixing condition may be set so that a desired gloss is exhibited without fixing the fixing condition.

(Embodiment 2)
(Direct drawing type inkjet recording device)
As a second embodiment of the present invention, there is a direct drawing type ink jet recording apparatus. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a direct drawing type ink jet recording apparatus. The direct drawing type ink jet recording apparatus does not have the transfer body 101, the support member 102, and the transfer body cleaning means 109, and uses the same means as the above transfer type ink jet recording apparatus except that an image is formed on the recording medium 208. Have.

  Accordingly, it has a reaction liquid applying unit 203 for applying a reaction liquid to the recording medium 208 and an ink applying unit 204 for applying ink to the recording medium 208. Further, a liquid absorbing member 205a that contacts an image on the recording medium 208 includes a liquid absorbing unit (liquid absorbing device) 205 that absorbs a liquid component contained in the image, and a fixing unit (fixing device) 60 that fixes the image. Moisture meters 120 and 121 can be provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of the liquid absorbing means 205, respectively. Further, a gloss meter 130 can be provided on the downstream side of the fixing unit 60.

  In the direct drawing type ink jet recording apparatus, the liquid absorbing means 205 includes a liquid absorbing member 205 a and a pressing member 205 b that presses the liquid absorbing member 205 a against the image on the recording medium 208. Moreover, there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the shape of the liquid absorption member 205a and the press member 205b, The thing of the shape similar to the liquid absorption member and press member which can be used with a transfer type inkjet recording device can be used. Further, the liquid absorbing means 205 may have a stretching member that stretches the liquid absorbing member. In FIG. 2, 205c, 205d, 205e, 205f, and 205g are stretching rollers as stretching members. In addition, the printing medium for applying ink to the recording medium 208 by the ink applying means 204 and the liquid component removing section for removing the liquid component by pressing the liquid absorbing member 205a against the image on the recording medium are placed below the recording medium. It may have a recording medium support member (not shown) supported from above.

<Recording medium conveying means>
In the direct drawing type ink jet recording apparatus, the recording medium conveying means 207 is not particularly limited, and a known recording medium can be used. As an example, as shown in FIG. 2, there is a recording medium conveying means having a recording medium feeding roller 207a, a recording medium take-up roller 207b, and recording medium conveying rollers 207c, 207d, 207e, and 207f.

<Control means>
The direct drawing type ink jet recording apparatus has control means for controlling each means. A block diagram showing a control system of the entire apparatus of the direct drawing type ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is as shown in FIG. 3 as in the case of the transfer type ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the printer control unit 303 in the direct drawing type ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. A CPU 501 controls the entire printer. A ROM (storage means) 502 stores a control program for the CPU. The ROM 502 stores a liquid absorption condition table 34c and a fixing condition table 34d. The ROM 502 also temporarily stores the recording medium data 34a and the image data 34b input from the input unit 11. A RAM 503 is a RAM for executing a program. The ASIC 504 includes a network controller, a serial IF controller, a head data generation controller, a motor controller, and the like. The liquid absorption member conveyance control unit 505 is command-controlled by the ASIC 504 via the serial IF and drives the liquid absorption member conveyance motor 506. The liquid absorption device control unit (liquid absorption means control unit) 39 is arranged according to control conditions determined based on the liquid absorption condition table 34c stored in the ROM 502 and the input recording medium data 34a and image data 34b. (Absorbing means) 205 is controlled. The fixing device control unit (fixing unit control unit) 40 includes a fixing condition table 34d stored in the ROM 502 and the control conditions determined based on the input recording medium data 34a and image data 34b. Take control. A head control unit 509 performs final ejection data generation, drive voltage generation, and the like of the inkjet device 305. The input unit 11 inputs recording medium data and image data.

  The configuration of the printer control unit 303 is not necessarily limited to such a configuration. For example, as shown in the third and fourth embodiments, the reading unit 25 may be provided when detecting the amount of liquid to be removed and the glossiness of the recorded image in the liquid absorbing device and reflecting them in the control program. Alternatively, the CPU 501 may be realized by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 502 using the RAM 503 as a work area, or may be realized by a hardware configuration such as a dedicated circuit.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples. The present invention is not limited in any way by the following examples as long as the gist thereof is not exceeded. In the description of the following examples, “part” is based on mass unless otherwise specified.

Example 1
In Example 1, the transfer type ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 was used. The transfer body 101 in the first embodiment is fixed to the support member 102 with an adhesive.

In this example, a sheet obtained by coating a PET sheet having a thickness of 0.5 mm with a silicone rubber (KE12 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) to a thickness of 0.3 mm was used as the elastic layer of the transfer body J. Further, glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane and methyltriethoxysilane were mixed at a molar ratio of 1: 1 to prepare a mixture of a condensate obtained by heating under reflux and a photocationic polymerization initiator (SP150 manufactured by ADEKA). The atmospheric pressure plasma treatment was performed so that the contact angle of water on the elastic layer surface was 10 degrees or less. Next, the said mixture was provided on the elastic layer, and it formed into a film by UV irradiation (high pressure mercury lamp, integrated exposure amount 5000mJ / cm < ² >), and thermosetting (150 degreeC for 2 hours). Thus, a transfer body 101 having a surface layer having a thickness of 0.5 μm formed on the elastic layer was produced.

  The surface layer may be formed as follows without providing the elastic layer. For example, the surface of a sheet obtained by coating a PET sheet with a thickness of 0.5 mm with a silicone rubber (KE12 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) to a thickness of 0.3 mm is subjected to plasma surface treatment to form a surface layer. The contact angle of pure water after the plasma treatment is 10 degrees or less.

  In this configuration, although not shown for simplicity of explanation, a double-sided tape is used to hold the transfer body 101 between the transfer body 101 and the support member 102.

  In this configuration, the surface of the transfer body 101 is set to 60 ° C. by a heating means (not shown).

The reaction solution applied by the reaction solution applying means 103 was of the following composition, and the application amount was 1 g / m ² . The balance is an amount that makes the total of all components constituting the reaction solution 100.0 parts.
・ Glutaric acid 21.0 parts ・ Glycerin 5.0 parts ・ Surfactant (Product name: Megafac (registered trademark) F444, manufactured by DIC Corporation)
5.0 parts, remaining ion-exchanged water

The ink was prepared as follows.
<Preparation of pigment dispersion>
Carbon black (product name: Monac (registered trademark) 1100, manufactured by Cabot) 10 parts, resin aqueous solution (styrene-ethyl acrylate-acrylic acid copolymer, acid value 150, weight average molecular weight (Mw) 8,000, 15 parts of an aqueous solution having a content of 20.0% by weight neutralized with an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution) and 75 parts of pure water were mixed and charged into a batch type vertical sand mill (manufactured by IMEX), and 0.3 mm diameter zirconia 200 parts of beads were filled and dispersed for 5 hours while cooling with water. This dispersion was centrifuged to remove coarse particles, and then a black pigment dispersion having a pigment content of 10.0% by mass was obtained.

<Preparation of resin particle dispersion>
20 parts of ethyl methacrylate, 3 parts of 2,2′-azobis- (2-methylbutyronitrile) and 2 parts of n-hexadecane were mixed and stirred for 0.5 hour. This mixture was added dropwise to 75 parts of an 8% aqueous solution of a styrene-butyl acrylate-acrylic acid copolymer (acid value: 130 mgKOH / g, weight average molecular weight (Mw): 7,000) and stirred for 0.5 hour. did. Next, the ultrasonic wave was irradiated for 3 hours with the ultrasonic irradiation machine. Subsequently, a polymerization reaction was performed in a nitrogen atmosphere at 80 ° C. for 4 hours, and after cooling at room temperature, filtration was performed to prepare a resin particle dispersion having a resin content of 25.0% by mass.

<Preparation of ink>
The resin particle dispersion and the pigment dispersion obtained above were mixed with the following components. The balance of ion-exchanged water is such that the total of all components constituting the ink is 100.0% by mass.
Pigment dispersion (coloring material content is 10.0% by mass) 40.0% by mass
・ Resin particle dispersion 20.0% by mass
・ Glycerin 7.0% by mass
Polyethylene glycol (number average molecular weight (Mn): 1,000) 3.0% by mass
Surfactant: Acetylenol (registered trademark) E100 (manufactured by Kawaken Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.)
0.5% by mass
-Ion-exchanged water remainder After sufficiently stirring and dispersing this, pressure filtration was performed with a microfilter (manufactured by Fuji Film Co., Ltd.) having a pore size of 3.0 µm to prepare a black ink.

The ink application unit 104 is an on-demand type ink jet head that uses an electro-thermal conversion element, and the ink application amount is 20 g / m ² .

  The liquid absorbing member 105a is adjusted to have a speed equivalent to the moving speed of the transfer body 101 by transport rollers 105c, 105d, and 105e that transport the liquid absorbing member 105a while stretching it. Further, the recording medium 108 is conveyed by the recording medium feeding roller 107a and the recording medium take-up roller 107b so that the speed is equal to the moving speed of the transfer body 101. In this embodiment, the conveyance speed is 0.5 m / s.

In the present example, the liquid absorbing member was immersed in a treatment liquid consisting of 95 parts of ethanol and 5 parts of water and infiltrated, then replaced with a liquid consisting of 100 parts of water, and then used for liquid removal. The nip pressure between the transfer member 101 and the liquid absorbing member 105a is applied to the pressing member 105b so that the average pressure is 2 kg / cm ² . Further, the pressing member 105b in the liquid absorbing means is a roller having a roller diameter of 200 mm.

  As the liquid absorbing member, hydrophilic PTFE having an average pore diameter of 0.2 μm was used. The galley of this liquid absorbing member was 8 seconds.

Subsequently, as a first embodiment, the main part will be described in detail below. First, recording medium data (paper type, basis weight, etc.) and image data (ink type, ink ejection amount, etc.) were input from the input means 11 as input data. Based on the input data, the liquid absorption condition and the fixing condition at which high gloss is continuously obtained are determined by the liquid absorption control unit 29 and the fixing unit control unit 30. In the input data in this example, Gloria pure white paper (continuous amount 210.0 g / m ² manufactured by Gojo Paper Co., Ltd.) was used as the paper type. As the image data, the image data having a different ink ejection amount depending on the location from the minimum ink ejection amount 14 g / m ² to the maximum ink ejection amount 35 g / m ² was used on one page of the transfer body. As the liquid absorption condition table, as shown in Table 5, the liquid absorption nip time was 10 ms, the temperature of the transfer body 101 at the liquid absorption nip was 60 ° C., and the liquid absorption nip pressure was used as a control parameter. In this example, since the maximum ink shot amount on the transfer body was 35 g / m ² , the liquid absorption nip pressure in the liquid absorption device 105 was determined to be 4 kg / cm ² according to the table in Table 5.

Also, the fixing conditions are determined by the fixing condition table shown in Table 6 corresponding to the input data. In the first embodiment, the fixing nip temperature is 140 ° C., the time for which the recorded image is nipped between the heat and pressure roller 45 and the support roller 46 via the fixing belt 47 is 150 msec, and a table using the nip pressure as a control parameter is used. . In Example 1, since the minimum ink shot amount on the transfer body was 14 g / m ² , the fixing nip pressure in the fixing device 50 was determined to be 8 kg / cm ² according to the table in Table 6. Based on these determined conditions, the liquid absorbing device control unit 29 and the fixing device control unit 30 controlled the liquid absorbing device 105 and the fixing device 50, respectively.

  Subsequently, the reaction liquid applying unit 103 applies a reaction liquid that increases the viscosity of the ink by contacting the color material component in the ink. Next, when the transfer body 101 reaches the position of the ink applying means 104, each ink of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow is ejected from the ink applying means 104, and the reaction liquid previously applied on the transfer body 101 is discharged. To form a recorded image on the transfer body 101. In Example 1, only black ink was ejected according to the amount of ink applied to each image area. Further, when the transfer body 101 reaches the liquid absorbing device 105, the liquid component contained in the recorded image is removed according to the set liquid absorption conditions. Subsequently, when the transfer body 101 reaches the fixing device 50, heating and pressing are performed according to the set conditions. Kapton (registered trademark, manufactured by Toray DuPont) was used as the surface base material of the fixing belt 47 in Example 1. By the above means, an image was developed that exhibited high gloss immediately after fixing and maintained the gloss immediately after sufficient time.

(Example 2)
Next, as a second embodiment, a method for controlling the liquid absorbing device 105 and the fixing device 50 when using a plurality of ink types will be described.

In Example 2, an image is formed using two types of ink, and the liquid absorption nip pressure, the transfer body temperature at the time of the liquid absorption nip, and the nip time are controlled as shown in Table 7 under the liquid absorption conditions. It was a parameter. In the fixing conditions, as shown in Table 8, the fixing nip pressure, the fixing nip temperature, and the fixing nip time were used as control parameters. As input data, Gloria pure white paper (continuous amount 210.0 g / m ² manufactured by Gojo Paper Co., Ltd.) was input as the paper type as recording medium data. As the image data, on the transfer body of one page, the ink A uses data having a different ink placement amount from a minimum ink placement amount 0 g / m ² to a maximum ink placement amount 21 g / m ² , and the ink B is an image portion. Data giving 14 g / m ² uniformly was input to the whole.

In this embodiment, the maximum ink deposition amount of ink A on a transfer body of one page is 21 g / m ² , and the maximum ink ejection amount of ink B is 14 g / m ² . Therefore, according to Table 7, the liquid absorption conditions are determined such that the nip pressure is 4 kgf / cm ² , the nip time is 10 msec, and the transfer body temperature at the nip is 55 ° C. Similarly, since the minimum ink shot amount of ink A on the transfer material for one page is 0 g / m ² and the minimum ink shot amount of ink B is 14 g / m ² , the nip pressure is 10 kgf according to Table 8. / Cm ² , the nip time is set to 50 msec, and the nip temperature is set to 180 ° C.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, it is possible to set appropriate liquid absorption conditions and fixing conditions for a plurality of types of ink, and by having a plurality of control parameters, more detailed and optimum conditions can be obtained. Liquid absorption and fixing can be controlled.

(Comparative Example 1)
Further, as a comparative example, a result of performing liquid absorption and fixing under a fixed condition without using the above-described liquid absorption table and fixing table is shown.

In Comparative Example 1, the nip pressure was 4 kgf / cm ² , the nip time was 20 ms, and the transfer body temperature at the nip was fixed at 55 ° C., which is a liquid absorption condition that can sufficiently remove the liquid component in the image. The fixing conditions were a fixing nip pressure of 8 kgf / cm ² , a nip time of 50 msec, and a nip temperature of 140 ° C. Then, the 20-degree glossiness immediately after fixing and the 20-degree glossiness after 24 hours of fixing were measured. The same paper type and image data as those in Example 1 were used. As a result, an image in which the gloss was not deteriorated but the initial gloss was not sufficient was produced.

(Comparative Example 2)
Next, as Comparative Example 2, in order to develop a high gloss immediately after fixing, the liquid absorption conditions were fixed such that the nip pressure was 2 kgf / cm ² , the nip time was 20 ms, and the transfer body temperature at the nip was 55 ° C. The fixing conditions were such that the high gloss immediately after the fixing was sufficiently expressed, the fixing nip pressure was 10 kgf / cm ² , the nip time was 1000 msec, and the nip temperature was 160 ° C. In this case, although the initial gloss immediately after fixing was high, the gloss decreased with time. Further, since the nip time for fixing was as long as 1000 msec, the printing speed was slow and the productivity was remarkably lowered. Table 9 is a table comparing the results of the above-described Examples and Comparative Examples.

(Example 3)
Next, a method for correcting four liquid absorption conditions in the liquid absorption conditions as shown in Table 2 will be described. By correcting the liquid absorption condition table, it is possible to find an optimal liquid absorption condition even when the apparatus deteriorates due to long-term use. In this embodiment, the correction of the nip pressure in the liquid absorbing device 105 is performed according to the flow shown in FIG. First, using the image forming means (ink applying means) 104, a solid image having a single color ink placement amount of 30 g / m ² as shown in FIG. 6 is formed as a test pattern image (step S10). At this time, the film is first formed using the first condition shown in Table 2. Subsequently, the moisture content of the image portion is measured with a moisture meter 120 installed between the image forming means 104 and the liquid absorbing device 105 (step S11). Next, the liquid component in the image portion is removed by the liquid absorbing device 105 (step S12). The liquid absorption condition at this time is set to 1 kgf / cm ² which is the first liquid absorption nip pressure condition shown in Table 2 to perform liquid absorption. After liquid absorption, the moisture content of the image portion is measured by the moisture meter 121 installed on the downstream side of the liquid absorption device 105 (step S13). Next, the removed liquid amount calculating means calculates the amount of water removed by the liquid absorbing means from the difference between the moisture amounts measured by the moisture meter 120 and the moisture meter 121. Then, assuming that the moisture and the non-volatile solvent content contained in the ink are removed to the same extent, the amount of the removed liquid is calculated (step S14). The removal liquid amount calculation may be executed by the ASIC 404 or a removal liquid amount calculation program stored in the ROM 402. Subsequently, as shown in Table 11, a match / mismatch between the existing value in the removal liquid amount table stored in advance with the liquid absorption condition and the removal liquid amount as parameters is calculated and the calculated removal liquid amount is determined (step S15). ). If they match (step S15; Yes), the process proceeds to the next step S17 without changing the liquid absorption condition table. If they do not match (step S15; No), the liquid absorption condition table is corrected based on the calculated removal liquid amount (step S16), and the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, it is determined whether all the liquid absorption conditions in Table 2 have been executed. When all the liquid absorption conditions are not executed (step S17; No), the liquid absorption condition is changed to the next liquid absorption condition (2 kgf / cm ² ) (step S18), and the process returns to step S10. When all the liquid absorption conditions (1, ^{2, 3, 4} kgf / cm ² ) have been executed (step S17; Yes), the correction of the liquid absorption condition table is terminated. Subsequently, the main printing operation may be performed.

  The method for correcting the liquid absorption condition table is not particularly limited. For example, the correction table of the difference between the measured value of the removed liquid amount and the “removed liquid amount” in Table 11 and the corresponding correction difference of the “liquid absorption nip pressure” is stored in the ROM in advance. At the time of correction, the numerical value of “liquid absorption nip pressure” in the liquid absorption condition table can be corrected with reference to the correction table. Alternatively, a change in the “removed liquid amount” is predicted in advance, and several liquid absorption condition tables of the liquid absorption nip pressure corresponding to the predicted “removed liquid amount” are stored in the ROM. At the time of correction, a liquid absorption condition table having a condition closest to the actually measured value of the removed liquid amount can be selected and used. Such correction may be performed by the liquid absorption means control units (correction means) 29 and 39. Alternatively, the correction program may be stored in the ROMs 402 and 502 and executed by the CPUs 401 and 501.

  Such correction of the liquid absorption condition table can be arbitrarily performed for each of the liquid absorption condition tables stored for each parameter. That is, it is possible to perform correction work by selecting a table to be corrected at an arbitrary time. Further, a necessary table may be corrected immediately before the printing work is performed, or may be performed periodically regardless of whether or not the printing work is performed. The correction work may be performed by a user operation at any time, or may be set to be performed automatically.

(Example 4)
Next, a method for correcting the fixing conditions in the fixing condition table in the table shown in Table 4 will be described. By correcting the table, it is possible to find the optimum fixing conditions even when the apparatus deteriorates due to long-term use. In this embodiment, the correction of the nip pressure in the fixing device 50 is performed according to the flow shown in FIG. First, a test pattern image is formed using image forming means (step S20). As the test pattern image, a solid image having a single color ink ejection amount of 30 g / m ² as shown in FIG. 6 is used. Subsequently, in the liquid absorbing device 105, the liquid component of the image is absorbed and removed by fixing under the conditions that the nip pressure is 3 kg / cm ² , the nip time is 10 ms, and the temperature of the transfer body 101 at the time of nip is 60 ° C. (step S21). Subsequently, the first fixing nip pressure ^{2kgf / cm 2, 4kgf / cm} 2, 6kgf / cm 2, 8kgf / cm 2 according to Table 4 as a fixing condition (step S22). Next, the 20-degree glossiness of the image portion immediately after fixing is measured by an in-line gloss meter 130 provided at the rear of the fixing device 50 in the conveying direction (step S23). The 20-degree gloss value actually measured and the 20-degree gloss value under each fixing condition as shown in Table 12 stored in advance are compared to determine whether or not they match (step S24). If they match (step S24; Yes), the process proceeds to step S26 without correcting the fixing condition table. If they do not match (step S24; No), the fixing condition table is corrected based on the measured gloss value (step S25), and the process proceeds to step S26. In step S26, it is determined whether all the fixing conditions ( ² , 4, 6, 8 kgf / cm ² ) shown in Table 4 have been performed. When all the fixing conditions are not performed (step S26; No), the fixing condition is changed to the next fixing condition (4 kgf / cm ² ) (step S27), and the process returns to step S20. When all the fixing conditions have been performed (step S26; Yes), the fixing condition table correction work is terminated. Or you may continue this printing.

  The method for correcting the fixing condition table is not particularly limited. For example, the correction table of the difference between the actual measured value of the 20-degree gloss value and the “20-degree gloss value” in Table 12 and the corresponding correction difference of the “fixing nip pressure” is stored in the ROM in advance. At the time of correction, the value of “fixing nip pressure” in the fixing condition table can be corrected with reference to the correction table. Alternatively, a change in the “20-degree gloss value” is predicted in advance, and some of the predicted “20-degree gloss value” and fixing condition tables for the fixing nip pressure are stored in the ROM. At the time of correction, it is possible to select and use a fixing condition table having a condition closest to the actually measured value of the 20-degree gloss value. Such correction may be performed by the fixing unit control units (correction units) 30 and 40. Alternatively, the correction program may be stored in the ROMs 402 and 502 and executed by the CPUs 401 and 501.

  Such a fixing condition table correction operation can be arbitrarily performed for each of the stored fixing condition tables. That is, it is possible to perform correction work by selecting a table to be corrected at an arbitrary time. Further, a necessary table may be corrected immediately before the printing work is performed, or may be performed periodically regardless of whether or not the printing work is performed. The correction work may be performed at any time by a user operation, or may be set to be performed automatically in advance.

(Example 5)
Further, the same experiment was performed using the direct drawing type ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2 in which the reaction liquid was directly applied to the recording medium and ink was applied instead of the transfer type. In the image evaluation in the direct drawing type ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2, Gloria pure white paper basis weight 210 g / m ² (manufactured by Gojo Paper Co., Ltd.) was used as a recording medium.

  Other than the recording medium, the reaction liquid composition, the reaction liquid application unit 203, the ink composition, the ink application unit 204, the conveyance speed of the recording medium, and the liquid removal unit 205 are the same as those in the transfer type inkjet recording apparatus used in Examples 1 to 4. It is a condition of.

  As a result, it was confirmed that, as in Examples 1 to 4, it was possible to create an image that exhibited high gloss immediately after fixing and maintained the gloss immediately after sufficient time had passed.

101 Transcript
102 Support member 102a Rotating shaft 103 of support member 103, 203 Reaction liquid applying means 103a, 203a Reaction liquid containing portions 103b, 103c, 203b, 203c Reaction liquid applying members 104, 204 Ink applying means (image forming means)
105, 205 Liquid absorbing means 105a, 205a Liquid absorbing members 105b, 205b Press members 105c, d, e, 205c-g Stretch roller 106 Press member for transfer (transfer means)
107, 207 Recording medium conveying means 107a, 207a Recording medium feeding rollers 107b, 207b Recording medium take-up rollers 108, 208 Recording medium 109 Transfer body cleaning means 120, 121 Moisture meter 207c, d, e, f Recording medium conveying rollers 301 Recording Data Generating Unit 302 Operation Control Unit 303 Printer Control Unit 304 Recording Medium Transport Control Unit 305 Inkjet Device 401, 501 CPU
402, 502 ROM (storage means)
403, 503 RAM
404, 504 ASIC
405, 505 Liquid absorbing member transport controller 406, 506 Liquid absorbing member transport motor 407 Transfer body drive controller 408 Transfer body drive motor 409, 509 Head controller 11 Input means 24a, 34a Recording medium data 24b, 34b Image data 24c, 34c Liquid absorption condition table 24d, 34d Fixing condition table 25 Reading unit 29, 39 Liquid absorption device control unit 30, 40 Fixing device control unit 31 Recording medium 32 Recorded image 45, 55 Heating pressure roller 46, 56 Support roller 47, 57 Fixing belt 48, 58 Cooling device 49, 59 Peeling roller 50, 60 Fixing device (fixing means)

Claims (20)

An ink jet recording apparatus for forming an image by applying an ink containing a liquid component on a recording medium,
Input means for inputting at least one of recording medium data and image data;
Image forming means for forming an image by applying the ink on the recording medium;
A liquid absorbing means for removing at least a part of the liquid component in contact with the formed image;
Fixing means for performing heat and pressure fixing of the image from which the liquid component has been removed;
Storage means for storing at least one of a liquid absorption condition table and a fixing condition table;
Based on a control condition determined by comparing at least one of the recording medium data and image data input from the input unit with at least one of the liquid absorption condition table and the fixing condition table, the liquid absorbing unit and the fixing unit Control means for controlling at least one of
An inkjet recording apparatus comprising: An ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image by applying ink containing a liquid component on a transfer body, and transfers the image to a recording medium,
Input means for inputting at least one of recording medium data and image data;
Image forming means for forming an image by applying the ink on the transfer member;
A liquid absorbing means for removing at least a part of the liquid component in contact with the formed image;
Fixing means for performing heat and pressure fixing of an image transferred from the transfer member onto the recording medium;
Storage means for storing at least one of a liquid absorption condition table and a fixing condition table;
Based on a control condition determined by comparing at least one of the recording medium data and image data input from the input unit with at least one of the liquid absorption condition table and the fixing condition table, the liquid absorbing unit and the fixing unit Control means for controlling at least one of
An inkjet recording apparatus comprising:   The control means selects from the liquid absorption condition table at least one of a nip time, a nip pressure, and a temperature of the recording medium when the liquid absorbing means and the recording medium are in contact with each other. Item 10. The ink jet recording apparatus according to Item 1.   The control means is based on an applied amount of ink in the input image data, and at least one of a nip time, a nip pressure, and a temperature of the recording medium when the liquid absorbing means and the recording medium are in contact with each other. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the inkjet recording apparatus is selected from the liquid absorption condition table.   The control means is at least one of a nip time, a nip pressure, and a temperature of the recording medium when the liquid absorbing means and the recording medium come into contact based on the type of the recording medium in the inputted recording medium data. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein one is selected from the liquid absorption condition table.   The control means selects from the liquid absorption condition table at least one of a nip time, a nip pressure, and a temperature of the transfer body when the liquid absorption means and the transfer body are in contact with each other. Item 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to Item 2.   The control means is based on an applied amount of ink in the input image data, and is at least one of a nip time, a nip pressure, and a temperature of the transfer body when the liquid absorption means and the transfer body are in contact with each other. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: is selected from the liquid absorption condition table.   Based on the type of the recording medium in the input recording medium data, the control means is at least one of a nip time, a nip pressure, and a temperature of the transfer body when the liquid absorbing means and the transfer body are in contact with each other. 8. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein one is selected from the liquid absorption condition table.   The control unit selects from the fixing condition table at least one of a nip time, a nip pressure, and a nip temperature when the fixing unit and the recording medium are in contact with each other. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the above.   The control unit fixes at least one of a nip time, a nip pressure, and a nip temperature when the fixing unit and the recording medium come into contact based on an applied amount of ink in the input image data. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is selected from a condition table.   The control means calculates at least one of a nip time, a nip pressure, and a nip temperature when the fixing means contacts the recording medium based on the type of the recording medium in the input recording medium data. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the inkjet recording apparatus is selected from the fixing condition table. An inkjet recording apparatus,
Storage means for storing a liquid absorption condition table;
Image forming means for forming an image by applying an ink containing at least water as a liquid component on a recording medium or a transfer member;
A liquid absorbing means for removing at least a part of the liquid component in contact with the formed image;
A removal liquid amount calculation means for calculating a removal liquid amount of the liquid component removed by the liquid absorption means;
Control means for controlling the liquid absorption means based on the liquid absorption conditions selected from the liquid absorption condition table;
Fixing means for performing heat and pressure fixing of an image on the recording medium or an image transferred from the transfer body onto the recording medium;
Correction means for correcting the liquid absorption condition table stored in the storage means;
With
The correction means corrects the liquid absorption condition table based on the removal liquid amount calculated by the removal liquid amount calculation means;
An ink jet recording apparatus.   The removal liquid amount calculation means has at least one upstream and downstream in the conveying direction of the image on the recording medium or the transfer body with respect to the contact position of the recording medium or the transfer body and the liquid absorption means. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the amount of liquid removed from the liquid component is calculated using the measured value of water by a moisture meter provided for each.   The correction means includes a nip time, a nip pressure, and a nip pressure when the liquid absorption means and the recording medium are in contact with each other in the liquid absorption condition table based on the removal liquid amount calculated by the removal liquid amount calculation means. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein at least one of the temperatures of the recording medium is corrected.   The correction means includes a nip time, a nip pressure, and a nip pressure when the liquid absorption means and the transfer body are in contact with each other in the liquid absorption condition table based on the removal liquid amount calculated by the removal liquid amount calculation means. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein at least one of the temperatures of the transfer body is corrected. An inkjet recording apparatus,
An image forming means for forming an image by applying an ink containing a liquid component on a recording medium or a transfer member;
A liquid absorbing means for removing at least a part of the liquid component in contact with the formed image;
Fixing means for performing heat and pressure fixing of an image on the recording medium or an image transferred from the transfer body onto the recording medium;
Evaluation means for evaluating the image immediately after fixing;
Storage means for storing a fixing condition table;
Control means for controlling the fixing means based on the fixing conditions selected from the fixing condition table;
Correction means for correcting the fixing condition table stored in the storage means;
With
The correction unit corrects the fixing condition table based on the evaluation value evaluated by the evaluation unit;
An ink jet recording apparatus.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the evaluation unit is a gloss meter provided downstream in the conveyance direction of the fixing unit, and the evaluation value is a gloss level.   The correction unit is configured to calculate at least one of a nip time, a nip pressure, and a nip temperature when the fixing unit and the recording medium are in contact with each other in the fixing condition table based on the evaluation value in the evaluation unit. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein correction is performed.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixing unit is an endless press system.   The inkjet recording according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the image forming unit can apply a clear ink containing at least a solid before or after applying the ink. apparatus.

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