JP2019101147A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that, when transferring an image formed on a medium to another medium, such as a cloth, can form a high-quality image on the another medium.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a first image forming unit that forms a textile printing toner image by using a textile printing toner containing a textile printing dye; a second image forming unit that forms a pigment toner image by using a pigment toner containing a pigment; and a control unit that controls the first image forming unit and second image forming unit so that the pigment toner image is formed in an area where the textile printing toner image is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image using a printing toner containing a printing dye.

  Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses are widely used. This is because a clear image can be obtained in a short time as compared with an image forming apparatus of another type such as an inkjet type.

  An electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a medium using toner. In the image forming process, after the toner attached to the electrostatic latent image is transferred to the medium, the toner is fixed to the medium.

  Various proposals have been made for applications of images formed using an image forming apparatus. Specifically, after an image is formed on a medium, the image is transferred from the medium to another medium such as fabric, whereby an image corresponding to the image formed on the medium is formed on the other medium. (See, for example, Patent Document 1). In this case, textile toner including textile dye is used as toner for forming an image.

JP 2014-202880 A

  Although it has been proposed to form an image on another medium such as a fabric by using an image formed on the medium, the quality of the image formed on the other medium is still insufficient, so there is room for improvement.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and it is an object of the present invention to form a high quality image on another medium when the image formed on the medium is transferred to the other medium such as fabric. Providing an image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first image forming unit forming a textile toner image using a textile toner containing textile dye and a second image forming a pigment toner image using a pigment toner containing pigment. An image forming unit, and a control unit that controls the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit so that a pigment toner image is formed in a region where a textile toner image is to be formed.

  Another image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention forms a pigment toner image using a first image forming unit that forms a textile toner image using a textile toner containing textile dye and a pigment toner containing a pigment A second image forming unit, and a control unit that controls the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit so that the textile toner image and the pigment toner image are superimposed on each other.

  Still another image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention forms a pigment toner image using a first image forming unit that forms a textile toner image using a textile toner containing textile dye and a pigment toner containing a pigment And a control unit for controlling the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit so that the pigment toner image is formed after the textile toner image is formed on the medium. It is a thing.

  Still another image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention forms a pigment toner image using a first image forming unit that forms a textile toner image using a textile toner containing textile dye and a pigment toner containing a pigment And a control unit for controlling the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit so that a textile toner image is formed after a pigment toner image is formed on the medium. It is a thing.

  Here, "a pigment toner image is formed in an area where a textile toner image is formed" means not only when a pigment toner image is formed in an area where a textile toner image is formed, but also a textile toner image is formed. It is also included that the pigment toner image is formed in an area slightly larger than the area to be formed.

  The "region in which a printing toner image is formed" is a region in which a printing toner image is formed using printing toner, and more specifically, is an area defined by the outer edge (outline) of the printing toner image .

  The "area slightly larger than the area where the print toner image is formed" is an area defined by the outer edge shifted outward by a predetermined distance than the outer edge of the above-described print toner image. That is, the "area slightly larger than the area where the print toner image is formed" is an area in which the above-described "area where the print toner image is formed" is extended outward by a predetermined distance. The details of the "predetermined distance" will be described later.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention, since the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit are controlled so that the pigment toner image is formed in the area where the textile toner image is formed, When the formed image is transferred to another medium such as fabric, a high quality image can be formed on the other medium.

  According to another image forming apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention, since the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit are controlled such that the textile toner image and the pigment toner image are superimposed on each other, When the transferred image is transferred to another medium such as fabric, a high quality image can be formed on the other medium.

  According to still another image forming apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention, the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit are configured to form the pigment toner image after the textile toner image is formed on the medium. Therefore, when the image formed on the medium is transferred to another medium such as fabric, a high quality image can be formed on the other medium.

  According to still another image forming apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention, the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit are configured to form a textile toner image after the pigment toner image is formed on the medium. Therefore, when the image formed on the medium is transferred to another medium such as fabric, a high quality image can be formed on the other medium.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the developing unit shown in FIG. 1 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. It is a top view showing composition of a medium in order to explain the formation range of a picture. It is a top view showing each composition (example 1 of composition) of a textile toner image and a pigment toner image. It is sectional drawing showing each structure of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image which followed the AA shown to FIG. 5A. It is a top view showing each composition (construction example 2) of a textile toner image and a pigment toner image. It is sectional drawing showing each structure of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image which followed the AA shown to FIG. 6A. It is a top view showing each composition (construction example 3) of a textile toner image and a pigment toner image. It is sectional drawing showing each structure of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image which followed the AA shown to FIG. 7A. It is a top view showing each composition (example 4 of composition) of a textile toner image and a pigment toner image. It is sectional drawing showing each structure of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image which followed the AA shown to FIG. 8A. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an intermediate transfer belt on which a print toner image and a pigment toner image are formed. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a medium on which a textile toner image and a pigment toner image are transferred. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a medium on which an image (a textile toner image and a pigment toner image) is formed. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a medium on which an image (a textile toner image) is formed by the image forming apparatus of the first comparative example. It is sectional drawing showing the structure of the medium in which the image (pigment toner image) was formed by the image forming apparatus of the 2nd comparative example. It is a top view showing the composition of the image forming device of a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view showing each composition (example 5 of composition) of a pigment toner image and a textile toner image. It is sectional drawing showing each structure of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image which followed the AA shown to FIG. 15A. It is a top view showing each composition (example 6 of composition) of a pigment toner image and a textile toner image. It is sectional drawing showing each structure of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image which followed the AA shown to FIG. 16A. It is a top view showing each composition (the example of composition 7) of a pigment toner image and a textile toner image. It is sectional drawing showing each structure of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image which followed the AA shown to FIG. 17A. It is a top view showing each composition (example 8 of composition) of a pigment toner image and a textile toner image. It is sectional drawing showing each structure of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image which followed the AA line shown to FIG. 18A. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an intermediate transfer belt on which a pigment toner image and a print toner image are formed. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a medium on which a pigment toner image and a textile toner image have been transferred. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a medium on which an image (pigment toner image and print toner image) is formed. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of each of a medium and another medium in order to explain a method of transferring an image formed by the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an image transfer method following FIG. 22; It is sectional drawing showing each structure of a medium and another medium in order to demonstrate the transfer method of the image formed by the image forming apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the image transfer method continued from FIG. 24; It is a top view showing the modification (modification 1-1) regarding each composition of the textile toner image and pigment toner image in a 1st embodiment. FIG. 26B is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a textile toner image and a pigment toner image along the line AA shown in FIG. 26A. It is a top view showing the modification (modification 1-2) regarding each composition of the textile printing toner image in a 1st embodiment, and a pigment toner image. FIG. 27B is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a textile toner image and a pigment toner image along the line AA shown in FIG. 27A. It is a top view showing the modification (modification 1-3) regarding each composition of the textile toner image and pigment toner image in a 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing showing each structure of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image which followed the AA shown to FIG. 28A. It is a top view showing the modification (modification 1-4) regarding each composition of the textile toner image and pigment toner image in a 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing showing each structure of the printing toner image and pigment toner image which followed the AA shown to FIG. 29A. It is a top view showing the modification (modification 2-1) regarding each composition of the pigment toner image in a 2nd embodiment, and a textile toner image. It is sectional drawing showing each structure of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image which followed the AA shown to FIG. 30A. It is a top view showing the modification (modification 2-2) regarding each composition of the pigment toner image in a 2nd embodiment, and a textile toner image. It is sectional drawing showing each structure of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image which followed the AA shown to FIG. 31A. It is a top view showing the modification (modification 2-3) regarding each composition of the pigment toner image in a 2nd embodiment, and a textile toner image. It is sectional drawing showing each structure of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image which followed the AA shown to FIG. 32A. It is a top view showing the modification (modification 2-4) regarding each composition of the pigment toner image in a 2nd embodiment, and a textile toner image. It is sectional drawing showing each structure of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image which followed the AA shown to FIG. 33A. It is a top view showing the modification (modification 4-1) about the composition of the image forming device of a 1st embodiment. It is a top view showing the modification (modification 4-2) regarding the composition of the image forming device of a 2nd embodiment. It is a top view showing the composition of other media in order to explain the measurement position of concentration.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The order to be described is as follows.

1. Image forming apparatus (first embodiment)
1-1. Overall configuration 1-2. Configuration of developing unit 1-3. Block Configuration 1-4. Composition of image 1-5. Configuration of Toner 1-6. Operation 1-7. Action and effect 2. Image forming apparatus (second embodiment)
2-1. Overall configuration 2-2. Block configuration 2-3. Composition of image 2-4. Operation 2-5. Action and effect 3. Application of Image 3-1. Image formed by image forming apparatus (first embodiment) 3-2. Image formed by image forming apparatus (second embodiment) Modified example

<1. Image Forming Apparatus (First Embodiment)>
First, an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The image forming apparatus described here is, for example, an apparatus for forming an image G (see FIG. 11) on a medium M (see FIG. 1) described later using toner, and is a so-called electrophotographic full-color printer.

  More specifically, the image forming apparatus is, for example, an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus that forms an image G on the medium M using an intermediate transfer belt 41 described later.

  The type of medium M is not particularly limited, and is, for example, one or more of paper, film, and the like.

<1-1. Overall configuration>
First, the entire configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows a plan configuration of the image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus, in the process of forming the image G, the medium M is transported along each of the transport paths R1 to R5 indicated by the broken line.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus includes the tray 10, the delivery roller 20, the developing unit 30, the transfer unit 40, and the fixing unit 50 inside the housing 1. , Conveyance rollers 61 to 68, and conveyance path switching guides 69 and 70.

  For example, the image forming apparatus can form an image G on one side of a medium M and can form an image G on both sides of the medium M.

  Hereinafter, when the image forming apparatus forms the image G only on one side of the medium M, the side on which the image G is formed is referred to as the “surface” of the medium M. Also, when the image forming apparatus forms the image G on both sides of the medium M, the side on which one image G is formed is referred to as the “surface” of the medium M and the medium M on which the other image G is formed. The face of the face (the face opposite to the face described above) is referred to as "the back face".

  That is, when the image G is formed on only one side of the medium M, the image G is formed on the surface of the medium M, whereas when the image G is formed on both sides of the medium M, An image G is formed on each of the front and back surfaces of the medium M.

[Case]
The housing 1 contains, for example, any one or more of a metal material and a polymer material. For example, the stacker 2 is provided in the housing 1, and the medium M on which the image G is formed by the image forming apparatus is discharged to the stacker 2 from the discharge port 1H.

[Tray and delivery roller]
The tray 10 stores the medium M. The tray 10 is, for example, mounted so as to be attachable to and detachable from the housing 1. The delivery roller 20 is, for example, a cylindrical member that extends in the Y-axis direction and is rotatable around the Y-axis.

  Among components of the image forming apparatus described later, components including the word “roller” in the name extend in the Y-axis direction and rotate around the Y-axis, similarly to the delivery roller 20 described above. It is a possible cylindrical member.

  In the tray 10, for example, a plurality of media M are stored in a stacked state. The plurality of media M stored in the tray 10 are taken out of the tray 10 one by one by the delivery roller 20, for example.

  The number of trays 10 is not particularly limited, and may be one or two or more. Similarly, the number of delivery rollers 20 is not particularly limited, and may be one or two or more. FIG. 1 shows, for example, the case where the number of trays 10 is one and the number of delivery rollers 20 is one.

[Development unit]
The developing unit 30 uses toner to perform toner adhesion processing (development processing) on the electrostatic latent image. Specifically, for example, the developing unit 30 forms an electrostatic latent image, and adheres the toner to the electrostatic latent image using Coulomb force.

  Here, the image forming apparatus includes, for example, five developing units 30 (30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC). Each of the developing units 30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC is, for example, mounted so as to be attachable to and detachable from the housing 1, and is arranged along a movement path of an intermediate transfer belt 41 described later. ing. Here, the developing units 30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC, for example, are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the movement direction (arrow F5) of the intermediate transfer belt 41.

  Each of the developing units 30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC has the same configuration as each other except that, for example, the type of toner stored in a cartridge 38 (see FIG. 2) described later is different. .

  Here, textile toner and pigment toner are used as the toner. A textile toner is a toner containing a textile dye as a colorant, and a pigment toner is a toner containing a pigment as a colorant.

  Specifically, the developing unit 30Y contains, for example, a pigment toner (pigment yellow toner). The developing unit 30C contains, for example, a pigment toner (pigment cyan toner). The developing unit 30SY contains, for example, a printing toner (printing yellow toner). The developing unit 30SM contains, for example, a textile toner (a textile magenta toner). The developing unit 30SC stores, for example, a printing toner (printing cyan toner).

  A textile toner (a textile yellow toner, a textile magenta toner and a textile cyan toner) is a toner mainly used to form a full color image G. More specifically, the textile toner is a colored toner which can dye the other medium L by transferring to another medium L described later (see FIG. 22) by utilizing the printing property (so-called sublimation transferability) at the time of heating. is there. The “other medium L” is a medium different from the medium M on which the image G is formed using the image forming apparatus, and is, for example, a cloth or the like.

  On the other hand, pigment toners (pigment yellow toner and pigment cyan toner) are mainly used to reinforce a full color image G formed by the above-mentioned printing toner from the viewpoint of weatherability improvement (density maintenance) . More specifically, the pigment toner is a color toner generally used to form a full color image G in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  In the following, the pigment yellow toner, the pigment cyan toner, the textile yellow toner, the textile magenta toner and the textile cyan toner will be individually referred to, and generic names will be used as needed. Specifically, first, pigment yellow toner and pigment cyan toner are generically referred to as "pigment toner". Second, the textile yellow toner, the textile magenta toner and the textile cyan toner are generically referred to as "textile toner". Third, pigment yellow toner, pigment cyan toner, textile yellow toner, textile magenta toner and textile cyan toner are collectively referred to as "toner".

  The developing units 30Y and 30C form a pigment toner image Z2 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) using pigment toner (pigment yellow toner and pigment cyan toner) as described later. On the other hand, as described later, the developing units 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC use a textile toner (a textile yellow toner, a textile magenta toner and a textile cyan toner) to print a textile toner image Z1 (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

  In particular, in the present embodiment, as described later, after the developing units 30Y and 30C form the pigment toner image Z2, the developing units 30SY, 30SM and 30SC form the textile toner image Z1 (see FIG. 9).

  The configuration of each of the developing units 30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC will be described later (see FIG. 2). Further, the configurations of pigment yellow toner, pigment cyan toner, textile yellow toner, textile magenta toner and textile cyan toner will be described later.

[Transfer unit]
The transfer unit 40 performs a transfer process using the toner developed by the developing unit 30. Specifically, for example, the transfer unit 40 transfers the toner attached to the electrostatic latent image by the developing unit 30 to the medium M.

  The transfer unit 40 includes, for example, an intermediate transfer belt 41, a drive roller 42, a driven roller 43, a backup roller 44, a primary transfer roller 45, a secondary transfer roller 46, and a cleaning blade 47. There is.

  The intermediate transfer belt 41 is an intermediate transfer medium to which the toner is temporarily transferred before the toner is transferred to the medium M, and is, for example, an endless elastic belt. The intermediate transfer belt 41 contains, for example, one or more of polymer materials such as polyimide. The intermediate transfer belt 41 is movable in the direction of the arrow F5 according to the rotation of the drive roller 42 in a state of being stretched by the drive roller 42, the driven roller 43, and the backup roller 44, for example.

  The drive roller 42 is rotatable, for example, via a belt motor 91 (see FIG. 3) described later. Each of the driven roller 43 and the backup roller 44 is rotatable, for example, according to the rotation of the drive roller 42.

  The primary transfer roller 45 transfers (primary transfer) the toner attached to the electrostatic latent image to the intermediate transfer belt 41. The primary transfer roller 45 is in pressure contact with a photosensitive drum 32 (see FIG. 2) described later via the intermediate transfer belt 41. The primary transfer roller 45 is rotatable, for example, via a roller motor 88 (see FIG. 3) described later.

  The number of primary transfer rollers 45 is not particularly limited, and may be one or two or more. Here, the image forming apparatus corresponds to, for example, the five primary transfer rollers 45 (45Y, 45C, 45SY, 45SM) corresponding to the five developing units 30 (30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, 30SC) described above. , 45 SC). On the other hand, the image forming apparatus includes one secondary transfer roller 46 corresponding to one backup roller 44, for example.

  The secondary transfer roller 46 transfers (secondary transfer) the toner transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41 to the medium M. The secondary transfer roller 46 is in pressure contact with the backup roller 44, and includes, for example, a core made of metal and an elastic layer such as a foamed rubber layer covering the outer peripheral surface of the core. The secondary transfer roller 46 is rotatable, for example, via a roller motor 88 (see FIG. 3) described later.

  The cleaning blade 47 is in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt 41 and scrapes out foreign substances such as unnecessary toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41.

  In particular, as described later, in the transfer unit 40, after the pigment toner image Z2 and the textile toner image Z1 are formed in this order on the intermediary transfer belt 41 (see FIG. 9), the textile toner from the intermediary transfer belt 41 to the medium M The image Z1 and the pigment toner image Z2 are transferred (see FIG. 10).

[Fixing unit]
The fixing unit 50 performs a fixing process using the toner transferred to the medium M by the transfer unit 40. Specifically, the fixing unit 50 fixes the toner on the medium M, for example, by applying heat and pressure to the medium M onto which the toner has been transferred by the transfer unit 40.

  The fixing unit 50 includes, for example, a heating roller 51 and a pressure roller 52.

  The heating roller 51 heats the toner transferred to the medium M. The heating roller 51 includes, for example, a metal core and a resin coat that covers the surface of the metal core. The resin coat contains, for example, one or more of polymeric materials such as, for example, a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkylvinylether (PFA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It is.

  For example, a heater 92 (see FIG. 3) described later is installed inside the heating roller 51 (metal core), and the heater 92 includes, for example, a halogen lamp. In the vicinity of the heating roller 51, for example, a thermistor 93 (see FIG. 3) described later is disposed so as to be separated from the heating roller 51. The thermistor 93 measures, for example, the surface temperature of the heating roller 51.

  The pressure roller 52 is in pressure contact with the heating roller 51, and presses the toner transferred to the medium M. The pressure roller 52 includes, for example, a metal core and a heat-resistant elastic layer covering the surface of the metal core. The heat-resistant elastic layer contains, for example, one or more of rubber materials such as silicone rubber.

  In particular, the fixing unit 50 fixes the textile toner image Z1 and the pigment toner image Z2 to the medium M after the textile toner image Z1 and the pigment toner image Z2 are transferred to the medium M as described later (see FIG. 10). ). As a result, an image G including the print toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 is formed on the medium M.

  Here, the image forming units 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC, the transfer unit 40, and the fixing unit 50 are the "first image forming unit" in the embodiment of the present invention. The image forming units 30Y and 30C, the transfer unit 40, and the fixing unit 50 are the "second image forming unit" in one embodiment of the present invention.

[Conveying roller]
Each of the transport rollers 61 to 68 includes a pair of rollers disposed to face each other via the transport paths R1 to R5, and transports the medium M taken out by the delivery roller 20.

  When an image is formed only on one side (front surface) of the medium M, the medium M is conveyed along the conveyance paths R1 and R2 by the conveyance rollers 61 to 64, for example. On the other hand, when an image is formed on both sides (front and back) of the medium M, the medium M is conveyed along the conveyance paths R1 to R5 by the conveyance rollers 61 to 68, for example.

[Transportation path switching guide]
Each of the transport path switching guides 69 and 70 switches the transport direction of the medium M according to the type of the image formed on the medium M. The image format is, for example, a format in which an image is formed on only one side of the medium M (single-sided image formation mode) and a format in which an image is formed on both sides of the medium M (double-sided image formation mode).

<1-2. Configuration of developing unit>
Next, the configuration of the developing unit 30 will be described. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the developing unit 30 (30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, 30SC) shown in FIG.

  For example, as described above, each of the developing units 30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC has the same configuration as each other except that the type of toner stored in the cartridge 38 is different.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the developing units 30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC includes the photosensitive drum 32, the charging roller 33, the supply roller 34, and the developing roller 35. , A developing blade 36, a cleaning blade 37, and a cartridge 38. A light source 39, for example, is attached to each of the developing units 30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC.

  The photosensitive drum 32, the charging roller 33, the supply roller 34, the developing roller 35, the developing blade 36 and the cleaning blade 37 are housed, for example, inside the housing 31. The cartridge 38 is mounted so as to be attachable to and detachable from the housing 31, for example. The light source 39 is, for example, disposed outside the housing 31.

  Each of the developing units 30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC is movable between a retracted position and a contact position, for example, via a moving motor 90 (see FIG. 3) described later. The retreat position is a position where the photosensitive drum 32 is not pressed by the primary transfer roller 45 via the intermediate transfer belt 41 since the photosensitive drum 32 is retracted so as to be away from the intermediate transfer belt 41. On the other hand, the contact position is advanced at the position where the photosensitive drum 32 is pressed by the primary transfer roller 45 via the intermediate transfer belt 41 since the photosensitive drum 32 advances so as to approach the intermediate transfer belt 41. is there.

[Case]
The housing 31 contains, for example, one or more of metal materials and polymer materials. The housing 31 is provided with, for example, an opening 31 K 1 for partially exposing the photosensitive drum 32 and an opening 31 K 2 for guiding the light output from the light source 39 to the photosensitive drum 32. .

[Photosensitive drum]
The photosensitive drum 32 is a latent image bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and which carries the electrostatic latent image. The photosensitive drum 32 extends in the Y-axis direction and is rotatable about the Y-axis. The photosensitive drum 32 is, for example, an organic photosensitive member including a cylindrical conductive support and a photoconductive layer covering the outer peripheral surface of the conductive support, and a drum motor 89 (described later) 3) can be rotated. A part of the photosensitive drum 32 is exposed from an opening 31 K 1 provided in the housing 31.

[Charging roller]
The charging roller 33 is in pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 32 and charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 32. The charging roller 33 includes, for example, a metal shaft and a semiconductive epichlorohydrin rubber layer covering the outer peripheral surface of the metal shaft.

[Supply roller]
The supply roller 34 is in pressure contact with the developing roller 35, and supplies toner to the surface of the developing roller 35. The supply roller 34 is, for example, a so-called sponge roller which includes a metal shaft and a semiconductive foam silicone sponge layer covering the outer peripheral surface of the metal shaft.

[Developing roller]
The developing roller 35 is in pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 32, carries the toner supplied from the supply roller 34, and adheres the toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32. The developing roller 35 includes, for example, a metal shaft and a semiconductive urethane rubber layer covering the outer peripheral surface of the metal shaft.

[Development blade]
The developing blade 36 is a plate-like member that regulates the thickness of the toner supplied to the surface of the developing roller 35. The developing blade 36 is disposed, for example, at a position separated by a predetermined distance from the developing roller 35, and the thickness of the toner is controlled based on the distance (interval) between the developing roller 35 and the developing blade 36. Be done. The developing blade 36 includes, for example, one or more of metal materials such as stainless steel.

[Cleaning blade]
The cleaning blade 37 is a plate-like elastic member for scraping foreign substances such as unnecessary toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32. The cleaning blade 37 extends, for example, in a direction substantially parallel to the extending direction of the photosensitive drum 32, and is in pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 32. The cleaning blade 37 contains, for example, one or more of polymeric materials such as urethane rubber.

[cartridge]
The cartridge 38 is a storage member for storing toner. The details of the toner stored in the cartridge 38 are as described above.

[light source]
The light source 39 is an exposure device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 by exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum 32. The light source 39 is, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) head including an LED element and a lens array. The LED elements and the lens array are arranged, for example, such that light output from the LED elements forms an image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32.

<1-3. Block configuration>
Next, the block configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 3 shows a block configuration of the image forming apparatus. However, FIG. 3 also shows some of the components of the image forming apparatus described above.

  FIG. 4 shows a planar configuration of the medium M in order to explain the formation range of the image G formed on the medium M by the image forming apparatus. As described later, this image G is a textile toner image G1 formed using textile toner by the developing units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC, and a pigment toner image G2 formed using pigment toner by the developing units 30Y, 30C. And (see FIG. 11). FIG. 4 shows, for example, the case where the planar shape of the medium M is rectangular (rectangular).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus includes an image formation control unit 71, an interface (I / F) control unit 72, a reception memory 73, an editing memory 74, a panel unit 75, and an operation unit. 76, various sensors 77, light source control unit 78, charging voltage control unit 79, supply voltage control unit 80, development voltage control unit 81, transfer voltage control unit 82, roller drive control unit 83, drum A drive control unit 84, a movement control unit 85, a belt drive control unit 86, and a fixing control unit 87 are provided.

[Image formation control unit]
The image formation control unit 71 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus. The image formation control unit 71 includes, for example, one or more types of electronic components such as a control circuit, a memory, an input / output port, and a timer. The control circuit includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The memory includes, for example, any one or more of storage elements such as read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). Here, the image formation control unit 71 is a “control unit” according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In particular, as described later, the image formation control unit 71 controls the operation of the image forming units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC, etc. forming the above-mentioned textile toner image G1, and also forms an image forming the above-mentioned pigment toner image G2. The operations of the units 30Y and 30C are controlled (see FIGS. 9 to 11).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the image G (the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2) is formed on the medium M, the textile image G1 is formed on the medium M as shown in FIG. The control unit controls the forming operation of the textile toner image G1 and the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2 so that the pigment toner image G2 is formed in the area. The details of the "region where the textile toner image G1 is formed" will be described later.

  In this case, for example, as described later, the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 may be superimposed on each other (see FIGS. 5A, 5B, 7A and 7B), or the textile toner image. G1 and the pigment toner image G2 may be adjacent to each other without being superimposed on each other (see FIGS. 6A, 6B, 8A and 8B). When the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 are superimposed on each other, the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 may be entirely superimposed on each other (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). And the printed toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 may be partially overlapped with each other (see FIGS. 7A and 7B).

  In addition, the image formation control unit 71 performs, for example, the operation of forming the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 such that the pigment toner image G2 is formed after the textile toner image G1 is formed on the medium M. The forming operation is controlled (see FIG. 11).

  Here, "the pigment toner image G2 is formed in the area where the textile toner image G1 is formed" means that the pigment toner image G2 is formed in the area (area R1) where the textile toner image G1 is formed as described above. Not only the case where it is formed, but also the case where the pigment toner image G2 is formed in a region (region R2) slightly wider than the region R1 is meant.

  The area R1 is an area where the textile toner image G1 is formed using the textile toner, and more specifically, an area defined by the outer edge (outline) of the textile toner image G1. FIG. 4 shows, for example, the case where the planar shape of the region R1 is a rectangle corresponding to the planar shape of the medium M.

  The region R2 is a region defined by the outer edge shifted by a predetermined distance V toward the outer side than the outer edge of the above-described region R1. That is, the region R2 is a region in which the region R1 is expanded outward by a predetermined distance V.

  The predetermined distance V can be set arbitrarily as long as it is difficult for a user of the image forming apparatus to recognize poor image quality such as color misregistration. Among them, the distance V is preferably 130 μm or less, more preferably 100 μm or less, and still more preferably 80 μm or less. Here, for example, since the planar shape of the region R1 is a rectangle, the region R2 is a region corresponding to a region in which the region R1 is expanded in a square by a predetermined distance V. Therefore, the planar shape of the region R2 is, for example, a rectangle corresponding to the planar shape of the region R1.

  The predetermined distance V is in the above-described range, as will be described later, in the plural image unit lines L (L1, L2) so as to be structural examples 2 to 4 (FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B to FIG. Even in the case where) is set, the quality of the image G formed on the medium M is secured. That is, even when the image unit lines L1 and L2 are adjacent to each other (configuration examples 2 and 4) and the image unit lines L1 and L2 partially overlap each other (configuration example 3), the user of the image forming apparatus As a result, it is difficult for the naked eye to recognize poor image quality such as color shift, so that even if the image G includes the print toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, an image G having excellent image quality can be obtained.

  The detailed configuration of the image G (the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2) formed on the medium M while the forming operation is controlled by the above-described image formation control unit 71 will be described later (FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B. ~ See Figures 8A and 8B).

[I / F control unit]
The I / F control unit 72 receives information such as data transmitted from the external apparatus to the image forming apparatus. This external device is, for example, any one type or two or more types of personal computers and the like usable by the user of the image forming apparatus, and information transmitted from the external device to the image forming apparatus is, for example, It is image data or the like used to form an image.

[Receive memory and edit memory]
The reception memory 73 stores information such as data received by the image forming apparatus. The editing memory 74 stores, for example, data obtained by editing image data stored in the receiving memory 73.

[Panel unit and operation unit]
The panel unit 75 includes, for example, a display panel that displays information necessary for the user to operate the image forming apparatus. The type of the display panel is not particularly limited, and is, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The operation unit 76 includes, for example, buttons operated by the user at the time of operation of the image forming apparatus.

[Various sensors]
The various sensors 77 include, for example, one or more of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an image density sensor, a medium position detection sensor, a toner remaining amount detection sensor, a human detection sensor, and the like.

[Light source control unit, charging voltage control unit, supply voltage control unit, development voltage control unit and transfer voltage control unit]
The light source control unit 78 controls, for example, the exposure operation of the light source 39 and the like. The charging voltage control unit 79 controls, for example, a voltage applied to the charging roller 33. The supply voltage control unit 80 controls, for example, a voltage applied to the supply roller 34. The developing voltage control unit 81 controls, for example, a voltage applied to the developing roller 35. The transfer voltage control unit 82 controls, for example, a voltage applied to each of the primary transfer roller 45 and the secondary transfer roller 46. These voltages can be set, for example, in accordance with an instruction of the image formation control unit 71, and can be arbitrarily changed in accordance with an instruction of the image formation control unit 71.

  Although FIG. 3 simplifies the illustration, the image forming apparatus includes, for example, five light source control units 78 corresponding to five developing units 30 (30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, 30SC). It is. Specifically, for example, a light source control unit 78 that controls the light source 39 attached to the developing unit 30Y, a light source control unit 78 that controls the light source 39 attached to the developing unit 30C, and an attachment to the developing unit 30SY A light source control unit 78 for controlling the light source 39, a light source control unit 78 for controlling the light source 39 attached to the developing unit 30SM, and a light source control unit 78 controlling the light source 39 attached to the developing unit 30SC. And

  What has been described regarding the light source control unit 78 is the same as, for example, each of the charging voltage control unit 79, the supply voltage control unit 80, the developing voltage control unit 81, and the transfer voltage control unit 82. That is, the image forming apparatus includes, for example, five charging voltage control units 79, five supply voltage control units 80, and five development voltage control units 81 corresponding to the five developing units 30, And five transfer voltage control units 82.

[Roller Drive Controller, Drum Drive Controller, Movement Controller, Belt Drive Controller, and Fixing Controller]
The roller drive control unit 83 controls, for example, rotation operations of a series of rollers such as the charging roller 33, the supply roller 34, the developing roller 35, the primary transfer roller 45, and the secondary transfer roller 46 via the roller motor 88. . The drum drive control unit 84 controls, for example, the rotation operation of the photosensitive drum 32 via the drum motor 89. The movement control unit 85 controls, for example, the movement operation of the developing unit 30 via the movement motor 90. The belt drive control unit 86 controls, for example, the movement operation of the intermediate transfer belt 41 via the belt motor 91. The fixing control unit 87 controls the operation of the heater 92 based on, for example, the temperature measured by the thermistor 93, and controls the rotational operation of the heating roller 51 and the pressure roller 52 via the fixing motor 94. .

  What has been described above with regard to the light source control unit 78 is, for example, the same for each of the roller drive control unit 83, the drum drive control unit 84 and the movement control unit 85. That is, the image forming apparatus includes, for example, five roller drive control units 83, five drum drive control units 84, and five movement control units 85 corresponding to five development units 30. It is.

<1-4. Image configuration>
Next, the configuration of the image G formed by the image forming apparatus will be described in detail.

  The configuration of the image G, more specifically, the respective configurations of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 are the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 while the forming operation is controlled by the image formation control unit 71 as described above. If each of is formed, it will not be limited in particular.

  Specifically, as the configuration of the image G, for example, various configurations can be considered according to the types of a plurality of image units constituting each of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2. The “plurality of image units” is a plurality of image patterns (pixels) constituting each of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2.

  Here, for example, by taking the case of using a plurality of linear image units (a plurality of image unit lines L) as an example, specific images of several images G (a textile toner image G1 and a pigment toner image G2) A configuration example will be described.

[Configuration Example 1]
FIG. 5A shows planar configurations of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 (Configuration Example 1 for a plurality of image unit lines L). FIG. 5B shows cross-sectional configurations of the printed toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 along the line AA shown in FIG. 5A.

  In each of FIGS. 5A and 5B, a part (part Z) of the medium M shown in FIG. 4 is enlarged. Further, in FIG. 5B, the surface of the medium M is shown as a line (surface line S) to simplify the illustration.

  In each of FIGS. 5A and 5B, only three image unit lines L are shown, and the interval P between two image unit lines L adjacent to each other is made sufficiently large. In practice, this interval P is sufficiently small that the user of the image forming apparatus can not recognize it with the naked eye, so the interval P is not visually recognized by the user as a linear white spot.

  The supplementary items regarding FIGS. 5A and 5B described above are the same as for FIGS. 6A and 6B to 8A and 8B described later.

  Each of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 is formed on the medium M as described above. In the configuration example 1 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, for example, in the direction (Z-axis direction) intersecting the surface of the medium M, the pigment toner image G2 is formed after the textile toner image G1 is formed. The textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 are entirely superimposed on one another.

  Specifically, the textile toner image G1 includes, for example, a plurality of image unit lines L (L1) extending in the Y-axis direction, and the plurality of image unit lines L1 intersect, for example, the Y-axis direction. They are arranged at intervals P in the X-axis direction. Here, the plurality of image unit lines L1 are “a plurality of textile toner image units” according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The pigment toner image G2 has, for example, the same configuration as the above-described textile toner image G1. That is, the pigment toner image G2 includes, for example, a plurality of image unit lines L (L2) extending in the Y-axis direction, and the plurality of image unit lines L2 are separated by an interval P in the X-axis direction, for example. While being arranged. In FIG. 5A, the plurality of image unit lines L2 are shaded. Here, the plurality of image unit lines L2 are "a plurality of pigment toner image units" in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The configurations of the textile toner image G1 (plural image unit lines L1) and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit lines L2) described above are the same as in FIGS. 6A and 6B to 8A to 8B described later. is there.

  Here, for example, after the print toner image G1 (plural image unit lines L1) is formed on the medium M, the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit lines L2) is formed on the print toner image G1. Therefore, the print toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 are stacked in this order on the medium M. That is, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 is disposed on each of the plurality of image unit lines L1.

  Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 and each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 overlap each other in the Z-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of group image unit lines L12 are formed by overlapping one image unit line L1 and one image unit line on the whole, and the plurality of group images are formed. The unit lines L12 are arranged at intervals P in the X-axis direction. In this case, the textile toner image G1 (a plurality of image unit lines L1) is formed in the area R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of image unit lines L2) is also formed in the area R1.

  In this configuration example 1, for example, the image formation control unit 71 forms the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner so that the plurality of image unit lines L1 and the plurality of image unit lines L2 are formed in this order on the medium M. It controls the forming operation of the image G2. Further, the image formation control unit 71 forms, for example, the textile toner image G1 so that each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 and each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 overlap each other in the Z-axis direction. The operation and the operation of forming the pigment toner image G2 are controlled.

[Configuration Example 2]
FIG. 6A shows planar configurations (Structural Example 2 of a plurality of image unit lines L) of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, respectively, and corresponds to FIG. 5A. FIG. 6B shows cross-sectional configurations of the printed toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 along the line AA shown in FIG. 6A, and corresponds to FIG. 5B.

  In Configuration Example 2 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, for example, after a textile toner image G1 (a plurality of image unit lines L1) is formed on a medium M, a pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of textile toner images G1 An image unit line L2) is formed. In FIG. 6A, the plurality of image unit lines L1 is lightly shaded, and the plurality of image unit lines L2 is thickly shaded.

  Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 and each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of group image unit lines L12 are formed by a single image unit line L1 and a single image unit line being adjacent to each other, and the plurality of group image unit lines are formed. L12 are arranged at intervals P in the X-axis direction. In this case, the textile toner image G1 (a plurality of image unit lines L1) is formed in the area R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of image unit lines L2) is formed in the area R2.

  In this configuration example 2, the image formation control unit 71, for example, forms the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner so that the plurality of image unit lines L1 and the plurality of image unit lines L2 are formed in this order on the medium M. It controls the forming operation of the image G2. Further, the image formation control unit 71 may, for example, each (one image unit line L1) of the plurality of image unit lines L1 and each (one image unit line 12) of the plurality of image unit lines L2 in the X-axis direction. Are controlled so as to be adjacent to each other, the forming operation of the printed toner image G1 and the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2.

[Configuration Example 3]
FIG. 7A shows planar configurations (Structural Example 3 of a plurality of image unit lines L) of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, and corresponds to FIG. 5A. FIG. 7B shows cross-sectional configurations of the printed toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 along the line AA shown in FIG. 7A, and corresponds to FIG. 5B.

  In the configuration example 3 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, for example, after a textile toner image G1 (a plurality of image unit lines L1) is formed on the medium M, a pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of textile toner images G1 An image unit line L2) is formed.

  Further, for example, a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 and a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 overlap with each other in the Z-axis direction. That is, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 is formed so as to partially run on each of the plurality of image unit lines L1. Therefore, for example, while a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 is disposed on the medium M, the remaining part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 is , And each of the plurality of image unit lines L1. More specifically, for example, a plurality of group image unit lines L12 are formed by partially overlapping one image unit line L1 and one image unit line with each other, and the plurality of group images are formed. The unit lines L12 are arranged at intervals P in the X-axis direction. In this case, the textile toner image G1 (a plurality of image unit lines L1) is formed in the area R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of image unit lines L2) is formed in the area R2.

  In Configuration Example 3, for example, the image formation control unit 71 forms the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner so that the plurality of image unit lines L1 and the plurality of image unit lines L2 are formed in this order on the medium M. It controls the forming operation of the image G2. Further, the image formation control unit 71 may, for example, print toner image G1 so that a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 and a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 overlap each other in the Z-axis direction. Control the formation operation of the toner and the pigment toner image G2.

[Configuration Example 4]
FIG. 8A shows planar configurations (Structural Example 4 of a plurality of image unit lines L) of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, respectively, and corresponds to FIG. 5A. FIG. 8B shows cross-sectional configurations of the printed toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 along the line A-A shown in FIG. 8A, and corresponds to FIG. 5B.

  In the configuration example 4 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, for example, after a textile toner image G1 (a plurality of image unit lines L1) is formed on the medium M, a pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of textile toner images G1 An image unit line L2) is formed.

  Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 and each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of group image unit lines L12 are formed by two image unit lines L1 and two image unit lines being adjacent to each other and alternately arranged. A plurality of group image unit lines L12 are arranged at intervals P in the X-axis direction. In this case, the textile toner image G1 (a plurality of image unit lines L1) is formed in the area R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of image unit lines L2) is formed in the area R2.

  In Configuration Example 4, for example, the image formation control unit 71 forms the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner so that the plurality of image unit lines L1 and the plurality of image unit lines L2 are formed in this order on the medium M. It controls the forming operation of the image G2. In addition, the image formation control unit 71, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 (two image unit lines L1) and each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 (two image unit lines 12) in the X-axis direction. Are controlled so as to be adjacent to each other, the forming operation of the printed toner image G1 and the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2.

[Content of image]
The image pattern of the textile toner image G1 and the image pattern of the pigment toner image G2 are not particularly limited. However, since the image G is formed by the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, the image pattern of the printing toner image G1 and the image pattern of the pigment toner image G2 correspond to each other on the color surface and the content surface. Is preferred.

  Specifically, when each of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 is a full color image, each of the image pattern of the textile toner image G1 and the image pattern of the pigment toner image G2 is image data common to each other. Preferably, it is formed on the basis of Since the image pattern of the textile toner image G1 and the image pattern of the pigment toner image G2 are common to each other, the image G having excellent image quality can be obtained even if the image G includes the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2. It is from.

  When each of the image pattern of the textile toner image G1 and the image pattern of the pigment toner image G2 is a single color image such as a solid image, each of the color of the textile toner image G1 and the color of the pigment toner image G2 is identical. It is preferably a color (a color adjacent to each other or a color close to each other in the hue circle). Since the color system of the printing toner image G1 and the color system of the pigment toner image G2 are common to each other, even if the image G includes the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, an image G having excellent image quality can be obtained. It is from.

  The above-mentioned “similar color” means, for example, the color difference ΔE between the color of the textile toner image G1 (textile toner) and the color of the pigment toner image G2 (pigment toner) within 34.6, preferably within 26.5, Preferably it means that it is within 12.0. Since it is difficult for the user of the image forming apparatus to recognize poor image quality such as color shift with the naked eye, the image G having excellent image quality can be obtained even if the image G includes the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2. is there.

<1-5. Configuration of toner>
Next, the configuration of the toner will be described.

[Toner type]
The toner described here is, for example, a negatively charged toner of a one-component development system. That is, the toner has, for example, a negative charge polarity.

  The one-component developing method is a method of providing an appropriate charge amount to the toner itself without using a carrier (magnetic particles) for applying charge to the toner. On the other hand, the two-component developing method is a method of imparting an appropriate charge amount to the toner by mixing the above-described carrier and the toner, utilizing the friction between the carrier and the toner.

  The method for producing the toner is not particularly limited as long as it is any one or two or more of arbitrary production methods. Specifically, the toner may be produced by, for example, a pulverization method, a polymerization method, or any other method. The polymerization method is, for example, an emulsion polymerization aggregation method or a solution suspension method.

[Pigment toner]
The pigment toner is, for example, a pigment yellow toner and a pigment cyan toner as described above.

(Pigment yellow toner)
The pigment yellow toner contains, for example, a binder, a release agent, a charge control agent, an external additive and the like together with a colorant (yellow pigment). The yellow pigment is, for example, pigment yellow 74 or the like.

  The binding agent binds a coloring agent and the like. The binder contains, for example, one or more of high molecular compounds, and the high molecular compounds include, for example, polyester resins, styrene-acrylic resins, epoxy resins and styrene. -A butadiene resin and the like. The crystalline state of the polymer compound is not particularly limited, and may be crystalline or amorphous.

  The release agent improves the fixing property and the offset resistance of the toner. This mold release agent is, for example, any one kind or two of waxes such as aliphatic hydrocarbon wax, oxide of aliphatic hydrocarbon wax, fatty acid ester wax, and deoxidization of fatty acid ester wax. Contains more than types. In addition to this, the release agent may be, for example, a block copolymer of a series of waxes described above.

  Aliphatic hydrocarbon waxes are, for example, low molecular weight polyethylene, low molecular weight polypropylene, copolymer of olefin, microcrystalline wax, paraffin wax and Fischer-Tropsch wax. The oxide of the aliphatic hydrocarbon wax is, for example, oxidized polyethylene wax. Examples of fatty acid ester waxes include carnauba wax and montanic acid ester wax. Deoxidation of a fatty acid ester wax is a wax in which part or all of the fatty acid ester wax is deoxidized, and is, for example, deacidified carnauba wax.

  The charge control agent controls the triboelectric chargeability of the toner. The charge control agent used for the negatively charged toner includes, for example, one or more of an azo complex, a salicylic acid complex, and a calixarene complex.

  The external additive improves the flowability of the toner by suppressing the aggregation of the toners. The external additive contains, for example, one or more of an inorganic material and an organic material. The inorganic material is, for example, hydrophobic silica. The organic material is, for example, melamine resin.

(Pigment cyan toner)
The pigment cyan toner has, for example, the same configuration as the pigment yellow toner except that it contains a cyan pigment in place of the yellow pigment as a colorant. The cyan pigment is, for example, phthalocyanine blue (CI Pigment Blue 15: 3).

[Textile toner (textile yellow toner, textile magenta toner and textile cyan toner)]
The textile toners are, for example, textile yellow toners, textile magenta toners and textile cyan toners as described above. Each of the printing yellow toner, the printing magenta toner and the printing cyan toner contains a coloring agent (printing dye) of a color corresponding to the respective color, and the printing dyes include yellow printing dye, magenta printing dye and cyan printing dye It is. As described above, the “print dye” is a dye that can be transferred to another medium L by using the printability (sublimation transferability) at the time of heating, and is a so-called sublimation dye. However, the type of material used as a printing dye is not particularly limited as long as it can be transferred to another medium L at the time of heating, so the printing dye can be transferred to another medium L at the time of heating Dyes other than dyes may be included.

(Printed yellow toner)
The textile yellow toner has, for example, the same structure as the pigment yellow toner except that it contains a yellow textile dye instead of a yellow pigment as a colorant. Yellow textile dyes are, for example, C.I. L Reactive Yellow 2, C.I. L Disperse Yellow 54, Disperse Yellow 160 and C.I. L Yellow 114 and the like.

  However, unlike the pigment yellow toner, the textile yellow toner may not contain a releasing agent. In this case, different thermal physical properties (endothermic characteristics) are obtained between the printing yellow toner and the pigment yellow toner mainly due to the presence or absence of the releasing agent. The difference in heat absorption characteristics will be described later.

(Imprinted magenta toner)
The print magenta toner has, for example, the same configuration as the print yellow toner except that it contains a magenta print dye instead of the yellow print dye as a colorant. For example, C.I. L Reactive Red 3, C.I. L Disperse Red 50 and C.I. L Disperse Red 92 etc.

(Printed cyan toner)
The print cyan toner has, for example, the same configuration as the print yellow toner except that it contains a cyan print dye instead of the yellow print dye as a colorant. Examples of cyan printing dyes include C.I. L Disperse Blue 60, C.I. L Reactive Blue 15, C.I. L Disperse Blue 359, C.I. L Solvent Blue 63, C.I. L Disperse Blue 165 and Cibacron Turquoise Blue FGF-P.

<1-6. Operation>
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional configuration of the intermediate transfer belt 41 on which the textile toner image Z1 and the pigment toner image Z2 are formed. FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional configuration of the medium M to which the textile toner image Z1 and the pigment toner image Z2 have been transferred. FIG. 11 shows the cross-sectional configuration of the medium M on which the image G (the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2) is formed.

  When forming the image G on the medium M, the image forming apparatus performs, for example, the developing process, the primary transfer process, the secondary transfer process, and the fixing process in this order as described below, as necessary. Perform the cleaning process. A series of operations of the image forming apparatus described here are controlled by the above-described image formation control unit 71 (FIG. 3).

[Development processing]
First, the medium M stored in the tray 10 is taken out by the delivery roller 20. The medium M taken out by the delivery roller 20 is transported by the transport rollers 61 and 62 in the direction of the arrow F1 along the transport path R1.

  In the developing process, in each of the developing units 30Y and 30C, when the photosensitive drum 32 rotates, the charging roller 33 rotates and applies a DC voltage to the surface of the photosensitive drum 32. Thereby, the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 is uniformly charged.

  Subsequently, the light source 39 applies light to the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 based on the image data. Thus, on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32, an electrostatic latent image is formed because the surface potential is attenuated (light attenuated) in the area irradiated with the light.

  On the other hand, in each of the developing units 30Y and 30C, the pigment toner (pigment yellow toner and pigment cyan toner) stored in the cartridge 38 is discharged toward the supply roller 34.

  When a voltage is applied to the supply roller 34, the supply roller 34 rotates. Thereby, the pigment toner is supplied from the cartridge 38 to the surface of the supply roller 34.

  When a voltage is applied to the developing roller 35, the developing roller 35 rotates while being in pressure contact with the supply roller 34. As a result, the pigment toner supplied to the surface of the supply roller 34 adheres to the surface of the developing roller 35, and the pigment toner is conveyed utilizing the rotation of the developing roller 35. In this case, since a part of the pigment toner attached to the surface of the developing roller 35 is removed by the developing blade 36, the thickness of the pigment toner attached to the surface of the developing roller 35 is equalized. .

  After the photosensitive drum 32 rotates while being in pressure contact with the developing roller 35, the pigment toner attached to the surface of the developing roller 35 is transferred to the surface of the photosensitive drum 32. Thereby, the pigment toner adheres to the surface (electrostatic latent image) of the photosensitive drum 32.

[Primary transfer processing]
In the transfer unit 40, when the drive roller 42 rotates, the driven roller 43 and the backup roller 44 rotate according to the rotation of the drive roller 42. Thus, the intermediate transfer belt 41 moves in the direction of the arrow F5.

  In the primary transfer processing, a voltage is applied to each of the primary transfer rollers 45Y and 45C. Since each of the primary transfer rollers 45Y and 45C is in pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 32 via the intermediate transfer belt 41, the primary transfer rollers 45Y and 45C are adhered to the surface (electrostatic latent image) of the photosensitive drum 32 in the development process described above. The pigment toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, a pigment toner image Z2 is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 using pigment toners (pigment yellow toner and pigment cyan toner).

  Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 41 on which the pigment toner image Z2 is formed continues to move in the direction of the arrow F5. Thus, in the developing units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC and the primary transfer rollers 45SY, 45SM, 45SC, the developing process and the primary transfer process are performed in the same procedure as the developing units 30Y, 30C and the primary transfer rollers 45Y, 45C. Is done. Thus, the printing toner is transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41.

  Specifically, the printing yellow toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41 by the developing unit 30SY and the primary transfer roller 45SY. The print magenta toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41 by the developing unit 30SM and the primary transfer roller 45SM. The print cyan toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41 by the developing unit 30SC and the primary transfer roller 45SC.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, a printing toner image Z1 including the printing dye N is formed using the printing toner (printing yellow toner, printing magenta toner and printing cyan toner).

  Of course, whether or not development processing and primary transfer processing are actually performed on each of the developing units 30Y and 30C and each of the primary transfer rollers 45Y and 45C depends on the color (color necessary for forming the pigment toner image Z2 It depends on the combination of Similarly, whether or not development processing and primary transfer processing are actually performed in each of developing units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC and in each of primary transfer rollers 45SY, 45SM, 45SC is to form textile toner image Z1. It is decided according to the required color (combination of colors).

[Secondary transfer processing]
The medium M transported along the transport path R1 passes between the backup roller 44 and the secondary transfer roller 46.

  In the secondary transfer process, a voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 46. Since the secondary transfer roller 46 is in pressure contact with the backup roller 44 via the medium M, the pigment toner and the textile toner transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41 in the above-described primary transfer process are transferred to the medium M. Ru.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the print toner image Z1 and the pigment toner image Z2 are transferred to the medium M.

Fixing process
After the toner is transferred to the medium M in the secondary transfer process, the medium M is subsequently conveyed in the direction of the arrow F1 along the conveyance path R1, and thus is fed to the fixing unit 50.

  In the fixing process, the surface temperature of the heating roller 51 is controlled to be a predetermined temperature. When the pressure roller 52 rotates while being in pressure contact with the heating roller 51, the medium M is conveyed so as to pass between the heating roller 51 and the pressure roller 52.

  As a result, the toner transferred to the medium M is heated, so that the toner is melted. Moreover, since the toner in the molten state is in pressure contact with the medium M, the toner is in close contact with the medium M.

  As a result, the toner is fixed to the medium M, and an image G is formed on the medium M as shown in FIG. The image G includes a textile toner image G1 formed by fixing the textile toner image Z1 and a pigment toner image G2 formed by fixing the pigment toner image Z2. In FIG. 11, the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 are laminated in this order to simplify the contents of the illustration, but the constitution of each of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 is, for example, the constitution described above Any of Examples 1 to 4 may be used.

  In addition, as described later, for example, the image G formed on the medium M utilizes the characteristics of the textile dye that can be transferred to another medium L other than the medium M (see FIGS. 22 and 23) by being heated. Can be transferred from the medium M to the other medium L. For this reason, when the image G is formed on the medium M, the image G is formed, for example, in a state in which the right and left sides are reversed so as to be in a normal direction when transferred to the other medium L. .

  The medium M on which the image G is formed is transported by the transport rollers 63 and 64 in the direction of the arrow F2 along the transport path R2. Thus, the medium M is discharged to the stacker 2 from the discharge port 1H.

[Media transport procedure]
The conveyance procedure of the medium M is changed according to the format of the image formed on the medium M.

  For example, when an image is formed on both sides of the medium M, the medium M having passed through the fixing unit 50 is conveyed in the direction of arrows F3 and F4 by the conveyance rollers 65 to 68 along the conveyance paths R3 to R5. After that, the sheet is again conveyed by the conveyance rollers 61 and 62 in the direction of the arrow F1 along the conveyance path R1. In this case, the direction in which the medium M is transported is controlled by the transport path switching guides 69 and 70. Thereby, development processing, primary transfer processing, secondary transfer processing, and fixing processing are performed on the back surface of the medium M (the surface on which the image is not formed yet).

[Cleaning process]
In the developing unit 30, unnecessary foreign matter such as toner may remain on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32. The unnecessary toner is, for example, part of the toner used in the primary transfer processing, such as toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 without being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41.

  Therefore, in the developing unit 30, the photosensitive drum 32 rotates in a state of being in pressure contact with the cleaning blade 37, so that foreign matters such as toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 are scraped off by the cleaning blade 37. Thus, the foreign matter is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 32.

  Further, in the transfer unit 40, a part of the toner transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 in the primary transfer processing is not transferred to the surface of the medium M in the secondary transfer processing, and remains on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41. May.

  Therefore, in the transfer unit 40, when the intermediate transfer belt 41 moves in the direction of the arrow F5, the toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 47. Thus, unnecessary toner is removed from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41.

<1-7. Action and effect>
Next, the operation and effects of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.

[Major actions and effects]
In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, when the image G (the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2) is formed on the medium M, the pigment toner is formed in a region (region R1 or region R2) where the textile toner image G1 is formed. The formation operation of the textile toner image G1 and the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 are controlled so that the image G2 is formed. Therefore, when the image G formed on the medium M is transferred to the other medium L such as a cloth, a high quality image I can be formed on the other medium L for the reason described below.

  FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional configuration of the medium M on which the image G is formed by the image forming apparatus of the first comparative example, and corresponds to FIG. Since the image forming apparatus of the first comparative example does not include the developing units 30Y and 30C, the same configuration as the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is provided except that the image G is formed only by the textile toner image G1. Have.

  FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional configuration of the medium M on which the image G is formed by the image forming apparatus of the second comparative example, and corresponds to FIG. The image forming apparatus of the second comparative example is the same as the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment except that the image G is formed of only the pigment toner image G2 because the developing units 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC are not provided. It has a configuration.

  As an application of the image G formed on the medium M using the textile toner, as described above, the image I corresponding to the image G is transferred to the other medium L by transferring the image G to the other medium L such as fabric. It is conceivable to form it (see FIGS. 22 and 23). The image forming method is, for example, so-called T-shirt printing when the other medium L is a T-shirt.

  In the image G formed on the medium M by the image forming apparatus of the first comparative example, as shown in FIG. 12, since the image G is formed only by the textile toner image G1, the image G (textile toner) is Contains the textile dye N. As a result, when the medium M is heated in a state in which the medium M is in close contact with the other medium L, the printing dye N contained in the image G is transferred to the other medium L, whereby the other medium L is The image G is transferred to the other medium L because it is dyed by the printing dye N. In the transfer process of this image G, when the image G contains a binder and the like together with the printing toner, only the printing dye N is transferred from the medium M to the other medium L while the binder and the like remain in the medium M. Do. Thus, the image I is formed on the other medium L. In this case, depending on the material of the other medium L, in particular, the other medium L is easily dyed by the printing dye N, so the density of the image I becomes sufficiently high.

  However, the printing dye N essentially has the property of being easily decomposed (volatilized) in response to light. In this case, since the weather resistance of the printing dye N is insufficient, in the image I formed using only the printing toner image G1, the density is likely to decrease with time due to the decomposition of the printing dye N. Become. As a result, the color reproducibility deteriorates and the outline becomes unclear, so that it is difficult to maintain the image quality of the image I. Therefore, it is difficult to form a high quality image I on the other medium L. In this case, in particular, depending on the degree of density reduction, it may be difficult to even recognize what the image I was originally.

  Further, in the image G formed on the medium M by the image forming apparatus of the second comparative example, as shown in FIG. 13, the image G is formed by only the pigment toner image G2. As a result, when the medium M is heated in a state in which the medium M is in close contact with the other medium L, the pigment contained in the image G (pigment toner) is transferred to the other medium L, thereby the pigment Since the image is fixed to the other medium L, the image G is transferred to the other medium L. Thus, the image I is formed on the other medium L. In this case, in particular, the pigment toner has the property of being difficult to be decomposed in response to light, so the density of the image I becomes difficult to change with time.

  However, since the migration amount of the pigment at the time of heating is significantly smaller than the migration amount of the printing dye N at the time of heating, the density of the image I is Run short. This makes it difficult to ensure the image quality of the image I because the color reproducibility is insufficient and the outline is also unclear. Therefore, it is difficult to form a high quality image I on the other medium L.

  On the other hand, in the image G formed on the medium M by the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the image G is formed by the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2. The print toner image G1 forming operation and the pigment toner image G2 forming operation are controlled such that the pigment toner image G2 is formed in the region R1 or the region R2. Thus, when the medium M is heated in a state where the medium M is in close contact with the other medium L, as described above, the printing dye N contained in the printing toner image G1 (printing toner) is the other medium In order to shift to L, the other medium L is dyed by the printing dye N, and the pigment contained in the pigment toner image G2 (pigment toner) is transferred to the other medium L, so the pigment is fixed to the other medium L Do. Thus, since the image G is transferred to the other medium L, the image I is formed on the other medium L.

  In this case, depending on the material of the other medium L, the other medium L is easily dyed by the printing dye N, so the density of the image I becomes sufficiently high. Further, even if the printing dye N is decomposed according to the light, the density of the image I is compensated with the pigment which is difficult to be decomposed according to the light, so that the density of the image I hardly changes with time. For this reason, even if the density of the image I is lowered due to the decomposition of the printing dye N, it is difficult to reach a situation where it is difficult to recognize what the image I was originally. From these facts, in addition to the fact that the color reproducibility is sufficient and the outline is clear, the image quality of the image I is easily maintained.

  In addition, since the pigment toner image G2 is formed in the region R1 or the region R2, the formation range of the pigment toner image G1 is made appropriate with respect to the formation range of the textile toner image G1. And, even if the toner includes the pigment toner image G2, it is difficult for the naked eye to recognize poor image quality such as color misregistration.

  Thus, a high quality image G capable of realizing a high quality image I can be formed on the medium M. Therefore, it is possible to form a high quality image I on another medium L using the image G.

[Other actions and effects]
In particular, in the present embodiment, if the printing operation of the printing toner image G1 and the operation of the pigment toner image G2 are controlled such that the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 are entirely or partially overlapped with each other, Compared to the case where the printing toner image G1 forming operation and the pigment toner image G2 forming operation are controlled such that the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 are adjacent to each other, color misregistration etc. is more difficult to be recognized Higher effect can be obtained.

  Further, if the forming operation of the textile toner image G1 and the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2 are controlled so that the pigment toner image G2 is formed after the textile toner image G1 is formed on the medium M, as described above, As described above, since the image G is stably transferred from the medium M to the other medium L, the image I is stably formed on the other medium L. Thus, the reproducibility with respect to the formation of the image I is improved, so that higher effects can be obtained.

  In this case, if the configuration of the image G (the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2) is any one of the configuration examples 1 to 4 described above, the reproducibility regarding the formation of the image I is further improved. Even higher effects can be obtained.

<2. Image Forming Apparatus (Second Embodiment)>
Next, an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

<2-1. Overall configuration>
The configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as that of the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment described above (see FIGS. 1 and 2) except that the configuration of the developing unit 30 is different, for example.

  FIG. 14 shows a plan configuration of the image forming apparatus, and corresponds to FIG. In this image forming apparatus, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, five developing units 30 (30SY, 30SM, 30SC, 30Y, 30C) are downstream from the upstream side in the moving direction (arrow F5) of the intermediate transfer belt 41. It is arranged in this order toward the side.

  In particular, as described later, in the transfer unit 40, after the textile toner image Z1 and the pigment toner image Z2 are formed in this order on the intermediate transfer belt 41 (see FIG. 19), the pigment toner is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 41 to the medium M. The image Z2 and the textile toner image Z1 are transferred (see FIG. 20).

  Further, as described later, the fixing unit 50 fixes the pigment toner image Z2 and the textile toner image Z1 to the medium M after the pigment toner image Z2 and the textile toner image Z1 are transferred to the medium M (see FIG. 21). . As a result, an image G including the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1 is formed on the medium M.

2-2. Block configuration>
The block configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as the block configuration (see FIG. 3) of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment described above, except that the control contents of the image forming control unit 71 are different. is there.

  As in the first embodiment, the image forming control unit 71 controls the forming operation of the image forming units 30Y, 30C, etc. forming the pigment toner image G2, and also forms the textile toner image G1, the image forming unit 30SY, The forming operation of 30SM, 30SC, etc. is controlled (see FIGS. 19 to 21).

  Specifically, when the image G (the pigment toner image G2 and the print toner image G1) is formed on the medium M, the image formation control unit 71 forms the pigment toner image G2 in the region R1 or the region R2 The control unit controls the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the forming operation of the textile toner image G1.

  In this case, for example, as described later, the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1 may be superimposed on each other (see FIGS. 15A, 15B, 17A, and 17B), or the pigment toner image. G2 and the textile toner image G1 may be made to be adjacent to each other without being superimposed on each other (see FIGS. 16A, 16B, 18A and 18B). When the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 are superimposed on each other, the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 may be entirely superimposed on each other (see FIGS. 15A and 51B). , And the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 may be partially overlapped with each other (see FIGS. 17A and 17B).

  In addition, the image formation control unit 71 performs, for example, the operation of forming the pigment toner image G2 and the operation of the textile toner image G1 such that the textile toner image G1 is formed after the pigment toner image G2 is formed on the medium M. The forming operation is controlled (see FIG. 21).

  The detailed configuration of the image G (pigment toner image G2 and print toner image G1) formed on the medium M while the forming operation is controlled by the above-described image formation control unit 71 will be described later (FIGS. 15A and 15B). ~ See Figures 18A and 18B).

<2-3. Image configuration>
The constitution of the image G, more specifically, the constitution of each of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1 is controlled as described above by the image formation control section 71 while the forming operation is controlled by the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1. If each of is formed, it will not be limited in particular.

  Specifically, as the configuration of the image G, for example, various configurations can be considered according to the types of a plurality of image units constituting each of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1. Here, as in the first embodiment, by taking the case of using a plurality of linear image units (a plurality of image unit lines L) as an example, several images G (pigment toner image G2 and textile toner image) A specific configuration example of G1) will be described. The details regarding the configuration of each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 and L2 described below are as described above.

[Configuration Example 5]
FIG. 15A illustrates planar configurations (configuration examples 5 of a plurality of image unit lines L) of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1, respectively, and corresponds to FIG. 5A. FIG. 15B shows a cross-sectional configuration of each of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1 along the line A-A shown in FIG. 15A, and corresponds to FIG. 5B.

  In each of FIGS. 15A and 15B, a part (part W) of the medium M shown in FIG. 4 is enlarged. This supplementary matter applies to FIGS. 16A and 16B to 18A and 18B described later.

  In Configuration Example 5 shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, for example, after a pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of image unit lines L2) is formed on a medium M, a textile toner image G1 (a plurality of textile toner images G2) is formed on the pigment toner image G2. Since the image unit line L1) is formed, the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1 are stacked in this order on the medium M. That is, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 is disposed on each of the plurality of image unit lines L2.

  Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 and each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 overlap each other in the Z-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of group image unit lines L12 are formed by overlapping one image unit line L2 and one image unit line L1 with each other as a whole, and the plurality of group image unit lines L12 are formed. Image unit lines L12 are arranged at intervals P in the X-axis direction. In this case, the textile toner image G1 (a plurality of image unit lines L1) is formed in the area R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of image unit lines L2) is also formed in the area R1.

  In this configuration example 5, the image formation control unit 71 performs, for example, the operation of forming the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner so that the plurality of image unit lines L2 and the plurality of image unit lines L1 are formed in this order on the medium M. It controls the forming operation of the image G1. Further, the image formation control unit 71 forms the pigment toner image G2 so that, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 and each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 overlap each other in the Z-axis direction. The operation and the forming operation of the textile toner image G1 are controlled.

[Configuration Example 6]
FIG. 16A shows planar configurations (Structural Example 6 for a plurality of image unit lines L) of each of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1, and corresponds to FIG. 15A. FIG. 16B shows cross-sectional configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1 taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 16A, and corresponds to FIG. 15B.

  In the configuration example 6 shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, for example, after the pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of image unit lines L2) is formed on the medium M, the textile toner image G1 (a plurality of image unit lines L1) is formed.

  Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 and each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of group image unit lines L12 are formed by a single image unit line L2 and a single image unit line L1 being adjacent to each other, and the plurality of group image units are formed. The lines L12 are arranged at an interval P in the X-axis direction. In this case, the textile toner image G1 (a plurality of image unit lines L1) is formed in the area R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of image unit lines L2) is formed in the area R2.

  In this configuration example 6, for example, the image formation control unit 71 forms the pigment toner image G2 and prints toner so that the plurality of image unit lines L2 and the plurality of image unit lines L1 are formed in this order on the medium M. It controls the forming operation of the image G1. Further, the image formation control unit 71 may, for example, each (one image unit line L2) of the plurality of image unit lines L2 and each (one image unit line L1) of the plurality of image unit lines L1 in the X-axis direction. Are controlled so as to be adjacent to each other, the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the formation operation of the textile toner image G1.

[Configuration Example 7]
FIG. 17A shows planar configurations (Structural Example 7 for a plurality of image unit lines L) of each of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1, corresponding to FIG. 15A. FIG. 17B shows cross-sectional configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1 along the line AA shown in FIG. 17A, and corresponds to FIG. 15B.

  In Configuration Example 7 shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, for example, after a pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of image unit lines L2) is formed on a medium M, a textile toner image G1 (a plurality of textile toner images G2) is formed on the pigment toner image G2. Image unit line L1) is formed.

  Further, for example, a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 and a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 overlap each other in the Z-axis direction. That is, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 is formed to partially run over each of the plurality of image unit lines L2. Therefore, for example, while a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 is disposed on the medium M, the remaining part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 is , And each of the plurality of image unit lines L2. More specifically, for example, a plurality of group image unit lines L12 are formed by partially overlapping one image unit line L2 and one image unit line L1 with each other, and the plurality of group images L1 and L2 are formed. Image unit lines L12 are arranged at intervals P in the X-axis direction. In this case, the textile toner image G1 (a plurality of image unit lines L1) is formed in the area R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of image unit lines L2) is formed in the area R2.

  In this configuration example 7, the image formation control unit 71 performs, for example, the operation of forming the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner so that the plurality of image unit lines L2 and the plurality of image unit lines L1 are formed in this order on the medium M. It controls the forming operation of the image G1. In addition, the image formation control unit 71, for example, sets the pigment toner image G2 such that a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 and a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 overlap each other in the Z axis direction. Control operation of the image forming apparatus 1 and the forming operation of the textile toner image G1.

[Configuration Example 8]
FIG. 18A illustrates planar configurations (Configuration Example 8 of a plurality of image unit lines L) of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1, respectively, and corresponds to FIG. 15A. FIG. 18B shows cross-sectional configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1 along the line AA shown in FIG. 18A, and corresponds to FIG. 15B.

  In Configuration Example 8 shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, for example, after a pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of image unit lines L2) is formed on a medium M, a textile toner image G1 (a plurality of textile toner images G2) is formed on the pigment toner image G2. Image unit line L1) is formed.

  Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 and each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of group image unit lines L12 are formed by alternately arranging two image unit lines L2 and two image unit lines L1 adjacent to each other. The plurality of group image unit lines L12 are arranged at intervals P in the X-axis direction. In this case, the textile toner image G1 (a plurality of image unit lines L1) is formed in the area R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of image unit lines L2) is formed in the area R2.

  In Configuration Example 8, for example, the image formation control unit 71 forms the pigment toner image G2 and prints toner so that a plurality of image unit lines L2 and a plurality of image unit lines L1 are formed in this order on the medium M. It controls the forming operation of the image G1. Further, the image formation control unit 71 may, for example, each (two image unit lines L2) of the plurality of image unit lines L2 and each (two image unit lines L1) of the plurality of image unit lines L1 in the X-axis direction. Are controlled so as to be adjacent to each other, the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the formation operation of the textile toner image G1.

<2-4. Operation>
In the operation of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, in the process of forming the image G, the operation of forming the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 so that the printing toner image G1 is formed after the pigment toner image G2 is formed. Is the same as the operation of the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment described above except that the forming operation of the image forming apparatus is controlled.

  FIG. 19 shows a sectional configuration of the intermediate transfer belt 41 on which the textile toner image Z1 and the pigment toner image Z2 are formed, and corresponds to FIG. FIG. 20 shows a cross-sectional configuration of the medium M to which the pigment toner image Z2 and the textile toner image Z1 have been transferred, and corresponds to FIG. FIG. 21 shows a cross-sectional configuration of the medium M on which the image G (pigment toner image G2 and textile toner image G1) is formed, and corresponds to FIG.

  Specifically, in the developing process and the primary transfer process, the print toner (print yellow toner, print magenta toner and print cyan on the surface (electrostatic latent image) of the photosensitive drum 32 in each of the developing units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC After the toner is attached, the printed toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41. Subsequently, after pigment toner (pigment yellow toner and pigment cyan toner) is attached to the surface (electrostatic latent image) of the photosensitive drum 32 in each of the developing units 30Y and 30C, the pigment toner is attached to the intermediate transfer belt 41. Transcribed.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 19, after the textile toner image Z1 is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 using textile toner (textile yellow toner, textile magenta toner and textile cyan toner), pigment toner (pigment yellow toner) And pigment cyan toner) to form a pigment toner image Z2.

  Thereafter, the secondary transfer processing is performed, whereby the pigment toner image Z2 and the textile toner image Z1 are transferred to the medium M as shown in FIG. Therefore, by performing the fixing process, as shown in FIG. 21, the image G (the pigment toner image G2 and the print toner image G1) is formed on the medium M. In FIG. 21, a pigment toner image G2 and a textile toner image G1 are stacked in this order to simplify the contents of the illustration, but the configuration of each of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1 is, for example, the above-described configuration Any of Examples 5 to 8 may be used.

<2-5. Action and effect>
In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the pigment toner is formed so that the pigment toner image G2 is formed in the area R1 or the area R2 when the image G (the pigment toner image G2 and the print toner image G1) is formed on the medium M An operation of forming an image G2 and an operation of forming a textile toner image G1 are controlled. In this case, since the density of the image I is compensated by the pigment for the same reason as the first embodiment described above, the density of the image I is less likely to change with time, and the print toner image G1 is formed. Since the formation range of the pigment toner image G2 is optimized with respect to the range, even if the image G includes the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, it becomes difficult to recognize image quality defects such as color misregistration. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, when the image G formed on the medium M is transferred to another medium L such as a cloth, a high quality image I can be formed on the other medium L.

  In particular, if the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the forming operation of the printing toner image G1 are controlled such that the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 are entirely or partially overlapped with each other, the pigment toner image G2 and Compared with the case where the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the forming operation of the textile toner image G1 are controlled such that the textile toner image G1 and the textile toner image G1 are adjacent to each other, color deviation and the like are more difficult to be recognized. You can get the effect.

  In addition, if the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the forming operation of the printing toner image G1 are controlled such that the printing toner image G1 is formed after the forming of the pigment toner image G2 on the medium M, As described above, since the image G is stably transferred from the medium M to the other medium L, the image I is stably formed on the other medium L. Thus, the reproducibility with respect to the formation of the image I is improved, so that higher effects can be obtained.

  In this case, if the configuration of the image G (the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1) is any one of the above-described configuration examples 5 to 8, the reproducibility regarding the formation of the image I is further improved. Even higher effects can be obtained.

<3. Application of image>
Next, applications of the image G formed using the above-described image forming apparatus will be described.

  As described above, the image G formed on the medium M by the image forming apparatus can be transferred to another medium L other than the medium M by heating, utilizing the characteristics (sublimation transferability) of the printing dye. Transfer from the medium M to another medium L is possible. Therefore, the image G is used in various applications according to the type of the other medium L.

  The type of the other medium L is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include paper, cloth, wood, metal, glass, pottery and resin. More specifically, the fabric is a garment such as, for example, a T-shirt, and the pottery is a dishware such as, for example, a mug. However, the cloth is not limited to clothes, and the pottery is not limited to dishes. The resin is not limited to, for example, the above-mentioned polyester resin, and may be a resin other than polyester resin.

<3-1. Image Formed by Image Forming Apparatus (First Embodiment)>
First, as a use of the image G formed by the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment, a method of transferring the image G from the medium M to the other medium L will be described.

  Here, for example, as described above, a case where the image G formed on the medium M is transferred to another medium L (cloth) will be described. The transfer method of the image G described here is, for example, ironing using an iron as a heating source. However, the type of heating source is not limited to the iron. The other medium L is, for example, clothing such as a T-shirt, and the material (material) of the T-shirt is not particularly limited.

  Each of FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 shows the cross-sectional configuration of each of the medium M and the other medium L in order to explain the method of transferring the image G from the medium M to the other medium L, and corresponds to FIG. .

  In the case of transferring the image G to the other medium L, first, as shown in FIG. 22, the image G (a textile toner image G1 and a pigment toner image G2) is formed on the other medium L to be transferred. The medium M is made to face. In this case, the medium M is disposed such that the pigment toner image G2 faces the other medium L.

  Subsequently, the medium M is brought into close contact with the other medium L, and then the medium M is supplied with thermal energy H by pressing the iron against the medium M. In FIG. 22, only the thermal energy H is shown, and the illustration of the iron is omitted. The conditions such as the temperature of the iron, the pressing time of the iron against the other medium L, and the weight supplied to the medium M via the iron can be set arbitrarily.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 23, the pigment toner image G2 separated from the textile toner image G1 is transferred to the other medium L by using the thermal energy H, and the textile toner image G1 (textile toner) The printing dye N contained therein is transferred to the other medium L. In this case, a part of the textile toner image 1 is transferred to the other medium L together with the pigment toner image G2. As a result, the other medium L is dyed by a part of the printing dye N, and the rest of the printing dye N is fixed to each of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2. Thus, the image I corresponding to the image G is formed on the other medium L.

  In this case, as described above, when the pigment toner image G2 is formed after the textile toner image G1 is formed in the process of forming the image G, the image G is transferred to the other medium L. And the density of the image I hardly changes with time. Therefore, the image quality of the image I can be easily maintained, so that the high quality image I can be formed on the other medium L.

<3-2. Image Formed by Image Forming Apparatus (Second Embodiment)>
A method of transferring the image G from the medium M to another medium L will be described as an application of the image G formed by the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment. Details regarding the transfer method of the image G formed by the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment are, for example, the transfer of the image G formed by the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment described above, except as described below. It is the same as the details about the method.

  Each of FIGS. 24 and 25 shows the cross-sectional configuration of each of the medium M and the other medium L in order to explain the method of transferring the image G, and corresponds to FIGS. 22 and 23.

  When transferring the image G to the other medium L, first, as shown in FIG. 24, the medium M on which the image G (the pigment toner image G2 and the print toner image G1) is formed is opposed to the other medium L After the heating, heat energy H is supplied to the medium M using an iron. In this case, the medium M is disposed such that the textile toner image G1 faces the other medium L. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 25, the printed toner image G1 peeled off from the pigment toner image G2 is transferred to the other medium L by using the heat energy H, and the printed toner image G1 (printed toner) The printing dye N contained therein is transferred to the other medium L. In this case, a part of the pigment toner image G2 is transferred to the other medium L together with the textile toner image G1, and the rest of the textile toner image G1 remains on the medium M. Thereby, the other medium L is dyed by a part of the printing dye N. Thus, the image I corresponding to the image G is formed on the other medium L.

  In this case, as described above, when the textile toner image G1 is formed after the pigment toner image G2 is formed in the process of forming the image G, the image G is transferred to the other medium L. Since the printed toner image G1 is transferred so as to be in direct contact with the other medium L, the color developability (density) of the image I derived from the printed dye N is increased. Moreover, when the other layer L is dyed with the printing dye N by the uppermost layer of the image I becoming the pigment toner image G2, while the other medium L is protected from the outside by the pigment toner image G2, the printing dye N Therefore, the loss of the dyed amount (colored amount) by the printing dye N caused by external factors such as external force is reduced. Therefore, the image quality of the image I is improved, so that the high quality image I can be formed on the other medium L.

<4. Modified example>
The configuration of the image forming apparatus described above can be changed as appropriate.

[Modification 1]
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B to 8A and 8B, a plurality of linear image units (a plurality of image unit lines L) are used as a plurality of image units. However, the type of the plurality of image units is not particularly limited, and can be arbitrarily changed.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B to 29A and 29B corresponding to FIGS. 5A and 5B to 8A and 8B, a plurality of dot-shaped images as a plurality of image units A unit (a plurality of image unit dots D) may be used. Also in these cases, the same effects can be obtained by forming the image G (the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2) on the medium M while the forming operation is controlled by the image formation control unit 71 as described above. be able to.

(Modification 1-1)
FIG. 26A shows planar structures (Modification Example 1-1 of a plurality of image unit dots D) of each of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, and corresponds to FIG. 5A. FIG. 26B shows cross-sectional configurations of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 along the line AA shown in FIG. 26A, and corresponds to FIG. 5B.

  In the modification 1-1 shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B, the textile toner image G1 includes, for example, a plurality of image unit dots D (D1), and the pigment toner image G2 includes, for example, a plurality of image units. The dot D (D2) is included. Here, the plurality of image unit dots D1 are “a plurality of textile toner image units” in the embodiment of the present invention. Further, the plurality of image unit dots D2 are the “plurality of pigment toner image units” in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The planar shape of each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, circular. For example, the plurality of image unit dots D1 are arranged at intervals P in the X axis direction, and are arranged at intervals P in the Y axis direction intersecting the X axis direction. That is, the plurality of image unit dots D1 are arranged in a matrix so as to be, for example, a plurality of rows × a plurality of columns. The interval P in the X-axis direction and the interval P in the Y-axis direction may be the same as or different from each other.

  The planar shapes and arrangement states of the plurality of image unit dots D2 are similar to, for example, the planar shapes and arrangement states of the plurality of image unit dots D1 described above. In FIG. 26A, the plurality of image unit dots D2 are shaded.

  The configurations of the above-described textile toner image G1 (plural image unit dots L1) and pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots L2) are the same as in FIGS. 27A and 27B to 29A to 29B described later. is there.

  Here, for example, after the print toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed on the medium M, the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is formed on the print toner image G1. Therefore, the print toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 are stacked in this order on the medium M. That is, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 is arranged on each of the plurality of image unit dots D1.

  Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 overlap each other in the Z-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of aggregate image unit dots D12 are formed by overlapping one image unit dot D1 and one image unit dot D2 entirely with each other, and the plurality of aggregate image unit dots D12 are formed. Image unit dots D12 are arranged at intervals P in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In this case, the textile toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is also formed in the region R1.

  In the modified example 1-1, the image formation control unit 71 performs, for example, an operation of forming the textile toner image G1 so that a plurality of image unit dots D1 and a plurality of image unit dots D2 are formed in this order on the medium M. The operation of forming the pigment toner image G2 is controlled. Further, the image formation control unit 71 forms, for example, the textile toner image G1 so that each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 overlap each other in the Z-axis direction. The operation and the operation of forming the pigment toner image G2 are controlled.

(Modification 1-2)
FIG. 27A illustrates planar configurations (modification examples 1-2 regarding a plurality of image unit dots D) of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, respectively, and corresponds to FIG. 6A. FIG. 27B shows cross-sectional configurations of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 along the line AA shown in FIG. 27A, and corresponds to FIG. 6B.

  27A and 27B, for example, after a textile toner image G1 (a plurality of image unit dots D1) is formed on the medium M, a pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of images is formed on the medium M). Unit dots D2) are formed. In FIG. 27A, the plurality of image unit dots D1 is lightly shaded, and the plurality of image unit dots D2 is thickly shaded.

  Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of group image unit dots D12 are formed by a single image unit dot D1 and a single image unit dot D2 being adjacent to each other, and the plurality of group image units are formed. The dots D12 are arranged at intervals P in each of the X axis direction and the Y axis direction. In this case, the textile toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is formed in the region R2.

  In the modified example 1-2, the image formation control unit 71 performs, for example, an operation of forming the textile toner image G1 so that the plurality of image unit dots D1 and the plurality of image unit dots D2 are formed in this order on the medium M. The operation of forming the pigment toner image G2 is controlled. In addition, the image formation control unit 71, for example, forms the printing toner image G1 and the pigment so that each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 are adjacent to each other in the X axis direction. An operation of forming the toner image G2 is controlled.

(Modification 1-3)
FIG. 28A shows planar structures (Modifications 1-3 of a plurality of image unit dots D) of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, respectively, and corresponds to FIG. 7A. FIG. 28B shows cross-sectional configurations of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 along the line AA shown in FIG. 28A, and corresponds to FIG. 7B.

  In the modification 1-3 shown in FIGS. 28A and 28B, for example, after the textile toner image G1 (a plurality of image unit dots D1) is formed on the medium M, the pigment toner image G2 is formed on the textile toner image G1. (A plurality of image unit dots D2) are formed.

  Further, for example, a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 and a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 overlap with each other in the Z-axis direction. That is, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 is formed to partially run on each of the plurality of image unit dots D1. Therefore, for example, while a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 is disposed on the medium M, the remaining part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 is , And each of the plurality of image unit dots D1. More specifically, for example, a plurality of aggregate image unit dots D12 are formed by partially overlapping one image unit dot D1 and one image unit dot D2 with each other, and the plurality of aggregate image unit dots D12 are formed. Image unit dots D12 are arranged at intervals P in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In this case, the textile toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is formed in the region R2.

  In the modified example 1-3, the image formation control unit 71 performs, for example, an operation of forming the textile toner image G1 so that a plurality of image unit dots D1 and a plurality of image unit dots D2 are formed in this order on the medium M. The operation of forming the pigment toner image G2 is controlled. Further, the image formation control unit 71 may print the textile toner image G1 so that, for example, a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 and a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 overlap each other in the Z-axis direction. Control the formation operation of the toner and the pigment toner image G2.

(Modification 1-4)
FIG. 29A shows planar configurations of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 (Modifications 1-4 of the plurality of image unit dots D), and corresponds to FIG. 8A. FIG. 29B shows cross-sectional configurations of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 along the line AA shown in FIG. 29A, and corresponds to FIG. 9B.

  In Modification Example 1-4 shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B, for example, after a textile toner image G1 (a plurality of image unit dots D1) is formed on a medium M, a pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of images is formed on the medium M Unit dots D2) are formed.

  Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of aggregate image unit dots D12 are formed by two image unit dots D1 and two image unit dots D2 being adjacent to each other, and the plurality of aggregate image units are formed. The dots D12 are arranged at intervals P in each of the X axis direction and the Y axis direction. In this case, the textile toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is formed in the region R2.

  In the modified example 1-4, the image formation control unit 71 performs, for example, an operation of forming the textile toner image G1 so that the plurality of image unit dots D1 and the plurality of image unit dots D2 are formed in this order on the medium M. The operation of forming the pigment toner image G2 is controlled. In addition, the image formation control unit 71, for example, forms the printing toner image G1 and the pigment so that each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 are adjacent to each other in the X axis direction. An operation of forming the toner image G2 is controlled.

[Modification 2]
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B to 18A and 18B, a plurality of linear image units (a plurality of image unit lines L) are used as a plurality of image units. However, the type of the plurality of image units is not particularly limited, and can be arbitrarily changed.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B to 33A and 33B corresponding to FIGS. 15A and 15B to 18A and 18B, a plurality of dot-shaped images as a plurality of image units A unit (a plurality of image unit dots D) may be used. Also in these cases, the same effect can be obtained by forming the image G (the pigment toner image G2 and the printed toner image G1) on the medium M while the forming operation is controlled by the above-described image formation control unit 71. it can.

(Modification 2-1)
FIG. 30A shows planar configurations (Modification Example 2-1 of a plurality of image unit dots D) of each of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1, and corresponds to FIGS. 15A and 26A. FIG. 30B shows cross-sectional configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1 along the line A-A shown in FIG. 30A, and corresponds to FIGS. 15B and 26B.

  In the modification 2-1 shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B, for example, after a pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of image unit dots D2) is formed on the medium M, a textile toner image G1 is formed on the pigment toner image G2. Since (a plurality of image unit dots D1) is formed, the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1 are stacked in this order on the medium M. That is, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 is disposed on each of the plurality of image unit dots D2.

  Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 overlap each other in the Z-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of aggregate image unit dots D12 are formed by overlapping one image unit dot D2 and one image unit dot D1 entirely with each other, and the plurality of aggregate image unit dots D12 are formed. Image unit dots D12 are arranged at intervals P in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In this case, the textile toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is also formed in the region R1.

  In the modified example 2-1, the image formation control unit 71 performs, for example, an operation of forming the pigment toner image G2 so that the plurality of image unit dots D2 and the plurality of image unit dots D1 are formed in this order on the medium M. An operation of forming a textile toner image G1 is controlled. Further, the image formation control unit 71 forms, for example, the pigment toner image G2 so that each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 overlap each other in the Z-axis direction. The operation and the forming operation of the textile toner image G1 are controlled.

(Modification 2-2)
FIG. 31A illustrates planar configurations (modification examples 2-2 regarding a plurality of image unit dots D) of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1, respectively, and corresponds to FIGS. 16A and 27A. 31B shows cross-sectional configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1 along the line AA shown in FIG. 31A, and corresponds to FIGS. 16B and 27B.

  In the modification 2-2 shown in FIGS. 31A and 31B, for example, after a pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of image unit dots D2) is formed on a medium M, a textile toner image G1 (a plurality of images is formed on the medium M Unit dots D1) are formed.

  Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of group image unit dots D12 are formed by a single image unit dot D2 and a single image unit dot D1 being adjacent to each other, and the plurality of group image units are formed. The dots D12 are arranged at intervals P in each of the X axis direction and the Y axis direction. In this case, the textile toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is formed in the region R2.

  In this modification 2-2, the image formation control unit 71 performs, for example, the operation of forming the pigment toner image G2 so that the plurality of image unit dots D2 and the plurality of image unit dots D1 are formed in this order on the medium M. An operation of forming a textile toner image G1 is controlled. In addition, the image formation control unit 71 performs, for example, a pigment toner image G2 forming operation and printing so that each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. An operation of forming a toner image G1 is controlled.

(Modification 2-3)
FIG. 32A shows planar configurations (modification 2-3 relating to a plurality of image unit dots D) of each of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1, corresponding to FIGS. 17A and 28A. 32B shows cross-sectional configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1 along the line AA shown in FIG. 32A, and corresponds to FIGS. 17B and 28B.

  In the modification 2-3 shown in FIGS. 32A and 32B, for example, after a pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of image unit dots D2) is formed on the medium M, a textile toner image G1 is formed on the pigment toner image G2. (A plurality of image unit dots D1) are formed.

  Further, for example, a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 and a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 overlap each other in the Z-axis direction. That is, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 is formed to partially run over each of the plurality of image unit dots D2. Therefore, for example, while a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 is disposed on the medium M, the remaining part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 is , Is disposed on each of a plurality of image unit dots D2. More specifically, for example, a plurality of aggregate image unit dots D12 are formed by partially overlapping one image unit dot D2 and one image unit dot D1 with each other, and the plurality of aggregate image unit dots D12 are formed. Image unit dots D12 are arranged at intervals P in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In this case, the textile toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is formed in the region R2.

  In the modified example 2-3, the image formation control unit 71 performs, for example, the operation of forming the pigment toner image G2 so that the plurality of image unit dots D2 and the plurality of image unit dots D1 are formed in this order on the medium M. An operation of forming a textile toner image G1 is controlled. In addition, the image formation control unit 71 may, for example, use the pigment toner image G2 so that a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 and a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 overlap each other in the Z axis direction. Control operation of the image forming apparatus 1 and the forming operation of the textile toner image G1.

(Modification example 2-4)
FIG. 33A shows planar structures (Modifications 2-4 related to a plurality of image unit dots D) of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1, respectively, and corresponds to FIGS. 18A and 29A. FIG. 33B shows cross-sectional configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1 along the line AA shown in FIG. 33A, and corresponds to FIGS. 18B and 29B.

  In the modified example 2-4 shown in FIGS. 33A and 33B, for example, after the pigment toner image G2 (a plurality of image unit dots D2) is formed on the medium M, the textile toner image G1 (a plurality of images Unit dots D1) are formed.

  Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. More specifically, for example, plural image unit dots D2 and two image unit dots D1 are mutually adjacent to form a plurality of collective image unit dots D12, and the plural collective image units are formed. The dots D12 are arranged at intervals P in each of the X axis direction and the Y axis direction. In this case, the textile toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is formed in the region R2.

  In the modified example 2-4, the image formation control unit 71 performs, for example, the operation of forming the pigment toner image G2 so that the plurality of image unit dots D2 and the plurality of image unit dots D1 are formed in this order on the medium M. An operation of forming a textile toner image G1 is controlled. In addition, the image formation control unit 71 performs, for example, a pigment toner image G2 forming operation and printing so that each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. An operation of forming a toner image G1 is controlled.

[Modification 3]
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the group image unit line L12 is formed by the two image unit lines L1 and the two image unit lines L2. However, the number of image unit lines L1 included in collective image unit line L12 is not limited to two, and may be three or more, and the number of image unit lines L2 included in collective image unit line L12 is two. Since it is not limited to, three or more may be sufficient. The number of image unit lines L1 and the number of image unit lines L2 may be the same as or different from each other. The same applies to the second embodiment (FIGS. 18A and 18B).

  Further, in the modification 1 (modification 1-4), as shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B, a group image unit dot D12 is formed by two image unit dots D1 and two image unit dots D2. I did it. However, the number of image unit dots D1 included in the collective image unit dots D12 is not limited to two, and may be three or more, and the number of image unit dots D2 included in the collective image unit dots D12 is two. 3 or more may be sufficient, since it is not limited to. The number of image unit dots D1 and the number of image unit dots D2 may be the same as or different from each other. The same applies to the second modification (FIGS. 33A and 33B as the second modification).

  Also in these cases, the same effect can be obtained by forming the image G (the pigment toner image G2 and the printed toner image G1) on the medium M while the forming operation is controlled by the above-described image formation control unit 71. it can.

[Modification 4]
Although the intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus for forming an image on the medium M using the intermediate transfer belt medium 41 has been described, a direct transfer type image forming apparatus for forming an image on the medium M without using the intermediate transfer belt 41 May be.

(Modification 4-1)
Specifically, in the first embodiment, for example, the direct transfer type image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 34 corresponding to FIG. 1 may be used. The direct transfer image forming apparatus has, for example, the same configuration as that of the intermediate transfer image forming apparatus (FIGS. 1 to 3) except as described below.

  First, the image forming apparatus includes five transfer rollers 48 (48Y, 48C, 48SY) corresponding to five primary transfer rollers 45 (45Y, 45C, 45SY, 45SM, 45SC) instead of the transfer unit 40. , 48 SM, 48 SC). Second, the developing units 30 (30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, 30SC) and the transfer rollers 48 (48Y, 48C, 48SY, 48SM, 48SC) are arranged along the conveyance path R1. Third, the developing units 30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, 30SC and the transfer rollers 48Y, 48C, 48SY, 48SM, 48SC are, for example, the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the medium M in the transport path R1. It is arranged in order.

  The operation of the direct transfer type image forming apparatus is similar to the operation of the intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus except that, for example, transfer processing is performed instead of primary transfer processing and secondary transfer processing. The contents of this transfer process are the same as the contents of the primary transfer process. That is, in the transfer process, each of the pigment toner and the textile toner attached to the electrostatic latent image in the development process is transferred to the medium M.

  Here, the image forming units 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC, the transfer rollers 48SY, 48SM, and 48SC, and the fixing unit 50 are the “first image forming unit” in the embodiment of the present invention. The image forming units 30Y and 30C, the transfer rollers 48Y and 48C, and the fixing unit 50 are the "second image forming unit" in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Also in this direct transfer type image forming apparatus, for example, after the development units 30Y and 30C form the pigment toner image Z2 using pigment toner, the development units 30SY, 30SM and 30SC use the textile toner, and the textile toner image Z1. The image G including the print toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 is formed on the medium M. Therefore, when the image G formed on the medium M is transferred to another medium L such as a fabric, for the same reason as that described in regard to the intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus (first embodiment), the other medium L High quality image I can be formed.

  Other functions and effects of the direct transfer type image forming apparatus are similar to those of the intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus.

(Modification 4-2)
Specifically, in the second embodiment, for example, the direct transfer type image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 35 corresponding to FIG. 1 may be used. In this direct transfer type image forming apparatus, for example, the developing units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC, 30Y, and 30C are disposed in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the medium M in the transport path R1. Except for this, it has the same configuration as that of the direct transfer type image forming apparatus (FIG. 34) described in the above-described modification 3-1.

  The operation of the direct transfer type image forming apparatus is, for example, the operation of the direct transfer type image forming apparatus described in the modification 4-1 except that the order of formation of the textile toner image Z1 and the pigment toner image Z2 is different. It is similar. Specifically, for example, after the developing units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC form a printing toner image Z1 using a printing toner, the developing units 30Y, 30C form a pigment toner image Z2 using a pigment toner, An image G including a pigment toner image G2 and a print toner image G1 is formed on the medium M. Therefore, when the image G formed on the medium M is transferred to another medium L such as a fabric, for the same reason as described in the intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus (second embodiment), the other medium L High quality image I can be formed.

[Modification 5]
By using three types of textile toners (textile yellow toner, textile magenta toner and textile cyan toner) and two types of pigment toners (pigment yellow toner and pigment cyan toner), a total of five toners were used. However, the type of toner, that is, the type of textile toner and the type of pigment toner are not particularly limited and can be arbitrarily changed.

  Specifically, for example, by using three types of print toners (print yellow toner, print magenta toner and print cyan toner) and three types of pigment toner (pig yellow toner, pigment magenta toner and pigment cyan toner), the total is obtained. May use six types of toners. This pigment magenta toner has, for example, the same configuration as that of the pigment yellow toner except that it contains a magenta pigment in place of the yellow pigment as a colorant. The magenta pigment is, for example, quinacridone.

  In this case, for example, a developing unit 30M that performs a developing process using a pigment magenta toner may be added to the image forming apparatus. Specifically, in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), for example, the developing units 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC move from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction (arrow F5) of the intermediate transfer belt 41. They are arranged in this order. In the second embodiment (see FIG. 14), for example, the developing units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC, 30Y, 30M, 30C are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction (arrow F5) of the intermediate transfer belt 41. Be done. In the modified example 4-1 (see FIG. 34), for example, the developing units 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the medium M in the transport path R1. Ru. In modification 4-2 (see FIG. 35), for example, development units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC, 30Y, 30M, and 30C are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of medium M in transport path R1. Ru.

  Further, for example, by using three types of textile toners (textile yellow toner, textile magenta toner and textile cyan toner) and four kinds of pigment toner (pigment yellow toner, pigment magenta toner, pigment cyan toner and pigment black toner), A total of seven types of toner may be used. The pigment black toner has, for example, the same configuration as the pigment yellow toner except that it contains a black pigment instead of the yellow pigment as a colorant. The black pigment is, for example, carbon.

  In this case, for example, a developing unit 30M that performs a developing process using a pigment magenta toner and a developing unit 30K that performs a developing process using a pigment black toner may be added to the image forming apparatus. Specifically, in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), for example, the developing units 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30K, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC move from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction (arrow F5) of the intermediate transfer belt 41. Arranged in this order toward the side. In the second embodiment (see FIG. 14), for example, the developing units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC, 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K move from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction (arrow F5) of the intermediate transfer belt 41. Arranged in order. In the modified example 4-1 (see FIG. 34), for example, the developing units 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30K, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC move from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the medium M in the transport path R1 in this order. Be placed. In the modification 4-2 (see FIG. 35), for example, the developing units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC, 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K move from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the medium M in the transport path R1 in this order. Be placed.

  Also in these cases, the same effect can be obtained by forming the image G (the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2) on the medium M while the forming operation is controlled by the above-described image formation control unit 71. it can.

  The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

(Experimental example 1-1 to 1-15)
After the image G was formed on the medium M using the image forming apparatus according to the following procedure, the performance of the image was evaluated.

[Preparation of image forming apparatus etc.]
First, an image forming apparatus, toner and medium M were prepared. As an image forming apparatus, a color printer MICROLINE VINCI C941 dn manufactured by Oki Data Co., Ltd. was used. As the medium M, A4 printer paper (excellent white, size = 297 mm × 210 mm) manufactured by Oki Data Co., Ltd. was used.

(Type and composition of toner)
As toners, a total of 6 types can be obtained by using 3 types of pigment toners (pigment yellow toner, pigment magenta toner and pigment cyan toner) and 3 types of print toner (print yellow toner, print magenta toner and print cyan toner) The toner of

The composition of the pigment yellow toner is as follows.

Yellow pigment: pigment yellow 74 5 parts by mass Binder: amorphous polyester 100 parts by mass Releasing agent: paraffin wax (SP-0145 manufactured by Nippon Seishin Co., Ltd., melting point = 62 ° C.) 4 parts by mass Charge control agent: Bontron P-51 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 1 part by mass External additive: complex oxide particles (STX801 manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., average primary particle diameter = 18 nm) 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner matrix particles Department
Colloidal silica (Sol-gel silica X-24-9163A manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., average primary particle diameter = 100 nm) 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner base particles
Silica powder (VPRY40S manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., average primary particle diameter = 80 nm) 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner base particles
Silica powder (RY50 manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., average primary particle diameter = 40 nm) 1.5 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner base particles

The composition of the pigment magenta toner is as follows.

Magenta pigment: quinacridone 5 parts by mass Binder: amorphous polyester 100 parts by mass Releasing agent: paraffin wax (SP-0145 manufactured by Nippon Seishin Co., Ltd., melting point 62 ° C.) 4 parts by mass Charge control agent: Bontron P -51 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 1 part by mass External additive: complex oxide particles (STX 801 manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., average primary particle diameter = 18 nm) 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner base particles
Colloidal silica (Sol-gel silica X-24-9163A manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., average primary particle diameter = 100 nm) 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner base particles
Silica powder (VPRY40S manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., average primary particle diameter = 80 nm) 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner base particles
Silica powder (RY50 manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., average primary particle diameter = 40 nm) 1.5 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner base particles

The composition of the pigment cyan toner is as follows.

Cyan pigment: Phthalocyanine blue (CI Pigment Blue 15: 3) 5 parts by mass Binder: amorphous polyester 100 parts by mass Releasing agent: Paraffin wax (SP-0145 manufactured by Nippon Seisen Co., Ltd., melting point = 62 ° C.) 4 parts by mass Charge control agent: Bontron P-51 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 1 part by mass External additive: complex oxide particles (STX 801 manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., average primary particle diameter = 18 nm) Toner 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of mother particles
Colloidal silica (Sol-gel silica X-24-9163A manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., average primary particle diameter = 100 nm) 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner base particles
Silica powder (VPRY40S manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., average primary particle diameter = 80 nm) 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner base particles
Silica powder (RY50 manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., average primary particle diameter = 40 nm) 1.5 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner base particles

The composition of the textile yellow toner is as follows.

Textile yellow dye: C.I. L Reactive Yellow 2 5 parts by mass Binder: Amorphous polyester 100 parts by mass Charge control agent: Bontron P-51 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industries Co., Ltd.) 1 part by mass External additive: Hydrophobic silica fine powder (Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) Manufactured by R972, average primary particle diameter = 16 nm) 3 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner base particles

The composition of the dyed magenta toner is as follows.

Textile magenta dye: C.I. L Reactive Red 3 5 parts by mass Binder: amorphous polyester 100 parts by mass Charge control agent: Bontron P-51 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industries, Ltd.) 1 part by mass External additive: hydrophobic fine silica powder (Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) Manufactured by R972, average primary particle diameter = 16 nm) 3 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner base particles

The composition of the printed cyan toner is as follows.

Textile cyan dye: C.I. L Disperde Blue 60 5 parts by mass Binder: amorphous polyester 100 parts by mass Charge control agent: Bontron P-51 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industries Co., Ltd.) 1 part by mass External additive: hydrophobic fine silica powder (Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) Manufactured by R972, average primary particle diameter = 16 nm) 3 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner base particles

(Method of manufacturing toner)
In order to obtain pigment toner (pigment yellow toner, pigment magenta toner and pigment cyan toner), the pigment toner was manufactured using the dissolution suspension method.

  Specifically, first, a continuous phase was prepared. In this case, first, 1,024 parts by weight of a suspension stabilizer (industrial trisodium phosphate dodecahydrate) is mixed with 329,676 parts by weight of an aqueous solvent (pure water), and then the mixture (temperature = 60 ° C) Was stirred. As a result, the suspension stabilizer was dissolved to obtain a first aqueous solution. After this, dilute nitric acid for pH adjustment was added to the first aqueous solution. Subsequently, 43,234 parts by weight of an aqueous solvent (pure water) was mixed with 5319 parts by weight of a suspension stabilizer (an industrial grade calcium chloride anhydrate), and the mixture was then stirred. As a result, the suspension stabilizer was dissolved to obtain a second aqueous solution. Subsequently, after the first aqueous solution and the second aqueous solution are mixed, the mixture (temperature = 60 ° C.) is stirred using a stirrer (Line Mill manufactured by Primix Corporation) (rotation number = 3566 rotations / minute, stirring time =) 50 minutes). This gave a continuous phase.

  Next, the dispersed phase was prepared. In this case, first, an organic solvent (ethyl acetate, temperature = 50 ° C.) was prepared. Subsequently, after a coloring agent (yellow pigment, magenta pigment or cyan pigment), 1086 parts by weight of a releasing agent, and 28 parts by weight of a brightening agent are mixed in this order with 76565 parts by weight of an organic solvent, the mixture is mixed. It stirred. Subsequently, the mixture was mixed with 13361 parts by weight of a binding agent, and the mixture was stirred until the solid disappeared. Thereby, a dispersed phase was obtained. The mixing ratio of the colorants was adjusted so that the composition of each of the pigment yellow toner, the pigment magenta toner, and the pigment cyan toner was as described above.

  Next, toner base particles were formed by granulation using a continuous phase and a dispersed phase. In this case, after mixing the continuous phase and the dispersed phase, the mixture (temperature = 55 ° C.) was stirred (rotation number = 2000 rotations / minute, stirring time = 50 minutes) using the above-described stirring apparatus. As a result, since the mixture was suspended and granulated, a slurry solution containing the granulated material was obtained. Subsequently, the slurry solution was distilled under reduced pressure to volatilize the organic solvent (ethyl acetate) contained in the slurry solution. Subsequently, the pH was adjusted to be 1.5 by adding a pH adjuster (nitric acid) to the slurry solution, and then the suspension stabilizer was dissolved and removed by filtering the slurry solution. Subsequently, the granulated material contained in the slurry solution was dehydrated, and then the granulated material was re-dispersed in an aqueous solvent (pure water). Subsequently, the granulated product was washed with an aqueous solvent (pure water), and then the granulated product was filtered. Subsequently, the granulated product was dehydrated and dried, and then the granulated product was classified. Thus, toner mother particles were obtained.

  Finally, a toner to be dyed was produced by subjecting the toner base particles to an external additive treatment. In this case, after the toner base particles are mixed with an external additive, the mixture is stirred using an agitator (Henshell mixer manufactured by Nippon Coke Industry Co., Ltd.) (rotation number = 5400 revolutions / minute, agitation time = 10 minutes )did. Thereby, a to-be-stained toner was obtained.

  Also, in order to obtain a textile toner (a textile yellow toner, a textile magenta toner and a textile cyan toner), a textile toner was manufactured using a pulverization method.

  Specifically, first, a mixture was obtained by mixing a printing dye (yellow printing dye, magenta printing dye or cyan printing dye), a binder and a charge control agent. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred using a Henschel mixer, and then the mixture was melt-kneaded using a twin-screw extruder to obtain a kneaded product. After this, the kneaded material was cooled. Subsequently, the kneaded material is pulverized using a cutter mill equipped with a screen (diameter = 2 mm), and then the kneaded material is pulverized using an impact plate crusher (dispersion separator manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Mfg. Co., Ltd.) Thus, a crushed material was obtained. Subsequently, the pulverized material was classified using an air classifier to obtain toner base particles. Finally, after the external additive was mixed with the toner mother particles, the mixture was stirred using a Henschel mixer (stirring time = 3 minutes). As a result, a textile toner was obtained. The mixing ratio of the printing dye was adjusted so that the compositions of the printing yellow toner, the printing magenta toner and the printing cyan toner had the above-mentioned compositions.

(Physical properties of toner)
When the thermal properties (endothermic characteristics) of the above-described six types of toners were examined using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), the results shown in Table 1 were obtained. In this case, a DSC 6220 manufactured by Hitachi High-Tech Science Co., Ltd. was used as a differential scanning calorimeter.

  The measurement conditions of the endothermic curve (temperature program pattern of the differential scanning calorimeter) at the time of measurement of the thermal physical properties are as follows. At the first temperature rise, leave each toner at 20 ° C for 10 minutes, heat each toner to 200 ° C at a temperature rise rate of 10 ° C / min, and leave each toner at 200 ° C for 5 minutes After that, each toner was cooled to 0 ° C. at a temperature decrease rate of 90 ° C./min, and left at 0 ° C. for 5 minutes. At the second temperature rise, each toner is heated to 20 ° C. at a temperature rise rate of 60 ° C./min, left at 20 ° C. for 10 minutes, and then 200 at a temperature rise rate of 10 ° C./min. Each toner was heated to ° C.

  In Table 1, as the thermal physical properties of each toner, the glass transition temperature Tg 1st (° C.) of each toner at the first temperature rise, and the glass transition temperature Tg 2nd (° C.) of each toner at the second temperature rise, The heat absorption amount (mJ / mg) of the release agent (wax) is shown.

  In Table 1, “Y, M, C” represents the type (color) of pigment toner, that is, yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C), and “SY, SM, SC” , The type (color) of textile toner, that is, yellow (SY), magenta (SM) and cyan (SC). The written contents regarding the color of these toners are the same as in Table 2 described later.

  As shown in Table 1, when the thermal physical properties of the pigment toner and the thermal physical properties of the textile toner are compared, a large difference occurs depending on the presence or absence of the release agent.

  Specifically, in the case of pigment toners containing a releasing agent (pigment yellow toner, pigment magenta toner and pigment cyan toner), a large amount of heat absorption was obtained regardless of the type (color). On the other hand, in the case of a textile toner (a textile yellow toner, a textile magenta toner and a textile cyan toner) which does not contain a release agent, the type (color) is compared with the toner to be dyed containing the above-mentioned release agent. Endothermic heat was significantly reduced.

[Formation of image]
Next, an image G was formed on the medium M using the above-described image forming apparatus. In this case, the configuration of the image G is made to be five types of configurations (Configuration A to Configuration E) described below. In addition, the environmental conditions at the time of formation of the image G were set to temperature = 22 degreeC and humidity = 55%. The conditions for forming the image G were the image forming speed (linear velocity of the outermost periphery of the photosensitive drum) = 58.7 mm / min, and the traveling direction of the medium M = longitudinal direction.

(Configuration A)
In Experimental Examples 1-1 to 1-3, as described in the first embodiment, the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 were formed in this order for each color (yellow, magenta and cyan) (see FIG. 11). In this case, a plurality of image unit lines L1 and L2 are used to form each of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, and the entire plurality of image unit lines L1 and the plurality of image unit lines L2 are used. The whole of each is superimposed on each other (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). Further, each image pattern of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 is made a rectangular (rectangular) solid image, and the printing rate is 100%.

The formation of printed toner image is formed by using a printing yellow toner G1 is 0.40 mg / cm ^2, the amount of the formed printing toner images G1 formed by using the printing magenta toner 0.41 mg / cm ^2, The formation amount of the printed toner image G1 formed using the printed cyan toner was 0.51 mg / cm ² .

Further, the formation amount of the pigment toner image G2 formed using the pigment yellow toner is 0.38 mg / cm ² , the formation amount of the pigment toner image G2 formed using the pigment magenta toner is 0.49 mg / cm ² , The formation amount of the pigment toner image G2 formed using the pigment cyan toner was 0.41 mg / cm ² .

  The formation amounts of the above-described textile toner image G1 and pigment toner image G2 are the same as in the configurations B to E described later.

(Configuration B)
In Experimental Examples 1-4 to 1-6, as described in the above-described second embodiment, Experimental Examples 1-1 to 1- 1 except that the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1 are formed in this order. The image G was formed by the procedure similar to 3 (refer FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B and FIG. 21).

(Configuration C)
In Examples 1-7 to 1-9, for comparison, the image G is formed in the same manner as in Examples 1-1 to 1-3 except that only the textile toner image G1 is formed as the image G. It formed (refer FIG. 12).

(Configuration D)
In Examples 1-10 to 1-12, for comparison, the image G is formed in the same manner as in Examples 1-1 to 1-3 except that only the pigment toner image G2 is formed as the image G. It formed (refer FIG. 13).

(Configuration E)
In Experimental Examples 1-13 to 1-15, an image G was formed in the same manner as in Experimental Examples 1-7 to 1-9 except that the printing ratio was changed to 200% for comparison. See Figure 12).

The formation amount of the textile toner image G1 formed using the textile yellow toner is 0.80 mg / cm ² , and the formation amount of the textile toner image G1 formed using the textile magenta toner is 0.82 mg / cm ² , The formation amount of the printed toner image G1 formed using the printed cyan toner was 1.02 mg / cm ² .

[Image Performance Evaluation]
Next, the performance of the image G formed on the medium M was evaluated by performing iron printing in accordance with the above-described procedure. In this case, when the initial density, residual rate (%) and image quality of the image I were examined as indexes for evaluating the performance of the image G according to the following procedure, the results shown in Table 2 were obtained.

  In Table 2, "Configuration" represents the configuration (Configuration A to Configuration E) of the image G described above, and "Color" represents the type (color) of toner used to form the image G. ing.

(Initial concentration)
In order to check the initial density, first, iron print (T-shirt print) was performed using the medium M on which the image G was formed. In this case, as described with reference to FIGS. 22 to 25, after the medium M is brought into close contact with the other medium L, the heating source is pressed against the medium M. As a result, an image I corresponding to the image G is formed on the other medium L.

  As the other medium L, a 100% polyester fabric (T-shirt) was used. As a heat source, a heat press Model HTP234PS1 manufactured by Magic Touch was used. The temperature of the heat source was 200 ° C., and the pressing time of the heat source against the other medium L was 120 seconds.

  Subsequently, the density (initial density) of the image I formed on the other medium L was measured. The “initial concentration” described here is the concentration before the weathering test described later is performed.

  FIG. 36 shows a planar configuration of another medium L on which an image I is formed, in order to explain the measurement position of density. In FIG. 36, the formation range of the image I is shaded.

  In FIG. 36, a virtual line S1 is a line which bisects the image I in the lateral direction, and a virtual line S2 is a line which bisects the image I in the longitudinal direction. Positions P1 to P9 indicate the measurement positions of concentration. Positions P1, P3, P7, and P9 are positions of four corners of the image I, respectively. Each of the positions P2 and P8 is a position where two edges E1 extending in the short direction of the image I and the imaginary line S1 cross each other. Each of the positions P4 and P6 is a position at which two longitudinally extending edges E2 of the image I and the imaginary line S2 cross each other. The position P5 is a position where the virtual lines S1 and S2 cross each other.

  When measuring the initial concentration, nine concentrations were measured at positions P1 to P9, and then the average value of the nine concentrations was calculated. As a concentration measuring instrument, a spectrodensitometer manufactured by X-rite was used.

(Survival rate)
In order to check the residual rate, first, a weathering test was performed using an image I (other medium L) whose initial density was measured. In this weathering test, a xenon weathering tester Ci4000 type manufactured by Toyo Seiki Seisaku-sho, Ltd. was used as a weathering tester. Moreover, irradiation conditions of the test light (ultraviolet light) using a xenon lamp made illumination intensity 55000 lux, and made irradiation time 700 hours.

  Subsequently, after the weathering test was completed, the density of the image I (post-test density) was measured again according to the above-mentioned procedure. That is, after measuring nine concentrations at positions P1 to P9 shown in FIG. 36, an average value of the nine concentrations was calculated.

  Finally, the remaining rate (%) was calculated based on the calculation results of the initial concentration and the post-test concentration described above. The residual rate was calculated by residual rate (%) = (concentration after test / initial concentration) × 100.

(image quality)
In order to check the image quality of the image I, after forming the image I on the other medium L, the quality of the image I was visually judged. In this case, when the color reproducibility is insufficient and the outline is unclear, it is judged as "poor", and when the color reproducibility is sufficient and the outline is "good" .

[Discussion]
As shown in Table 2, each of the initial density, the residual rate, and the image quality largely fluctuated according to the configuration of the image G formed on the medium M.

  Specifically, in the case where the image G is formed only by the textile toner image G1 (Experimental examples 1-7 to 1-9 to which the configuration C is applied), the initial density is high and the image quality is also good. However, the survival rate has dropped.

  In the case where the image G was formed only by the pigment toner image G2 (Experimental examples 1-10 to 1-12 to which the configuration D was applied), the initial density was significantly lowered and the image quality was also poor. In this case, the weathering test was not conducted because the initial concentration was extremely low. That is, the survival rate was not examined.

  On the other hand, when the image G is formed of the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 are formed in this order (Experimental Example 1 in which the configuration A is applied) In the same manner as in (1-1) to (1-3), the initial density is almost equal as compared with the case where the image G described above is formed only by the textile toner image G1 (Experimental examples 1-7 to 1-9). The same image quality was obtained and the survival rate increased.

  This tendency is observed when the image G is formed by the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1, and the pigment toner image G2 and the textile toner image G1 are formed in this order (Experiment 1 to which the configuration B is applied. Also in 4 to 6), it was obtained similarly.

  Incidentally, for reference, the image G is formed only by the textile toner image G1, but when the printing rate is set double (Experimental examples 1-13 to 1-15 in which configuration E is applied), Compared with the case where the image G is formed by the textile toner image G1 and the pigment toner G2 (Experimental example 1-1 to 1-6), the initial density is higher and the same image quality is obtained, but the residual rate is Was lowered. From this result, when the printing rate is set to 2 times, while the initial density becomes high, it is expected that the remaining rate tends to decrease when the test time of the weather resistance test (the irradiation time of the test light) is extended.

  From these reasons, the control unit controls the forming operation of the printing toner image G1 and the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2 so that the pigment toner image G2 is formed in the region (region R1 or region R2) where the printing toner image G1 is formed. As a result, when the image G formed on the medium M is transferred to another medium L such as a fabric, a high initial density and a high residual rate are obtained while securing a good image quality. Therefore, a high quality image I was formed on the other medium L.

  As mentioned above, although the present invention was explained about an embodiment, the mode of the present invention is not limited to the mode explained in one embodiment, and various modification is possible.

  Specifically, for example, the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to a printer, and may be a copier, a facsimile, a multifunction machine, or the like.

  30 (30S, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, 30SC) ... development unit, 40 ... transfer unit, 50 ... fixing unit, 71 ... image formation control unit, G, I ... image, G1 ... textile toner image, G2 ... pigment toner image , L: other medium, M: medium, N: textile dye, Z1: textile toner image, Z2: pigment toner image.

Claims (16)

A first image forming unit for forming a textile toner image by using textile toner containing textile dye;
A second image forming unit for forming a pigment toner image using a pigment toner containing a pigment;
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit such that the pigment toner image is formed in a region where the textile toner image is formed. A first image forming unit for forming a textile toner image by using textile toner containing textile dye;
A second image forming unit for forming a pigment toner image using a pigment toner containing a pigment;
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit such that the textile toner image and the pigment toner image are superimposed on each other. A first image forming unit for forming a textile toner image by using textile toner containing textile dye;
A second image forming unit for forming a pigment toner image using a pigment toner containing a pigment;
A control unit for controlling the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit so that the pigment toner image is formed after the textile toner image is formed on the medium; apparatus. A first image forming unit for forming a textile toner image by using textile toner containing textile dye;
A second image forming unit for forming a pigment toner image using a pigment toner containing a pigment;
A control unit configured to control the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit such that the textile toner image is formed after the pigment toner image is formed on the medium; apparatus. Forming the printed toner image on a medium and forming the pigmented toner image on the printed toner image;
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Forming the pigment toner image on a medium and forming the printed toner image on the pigment toner image;
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Each of the textile toner image and the pigment toner image is formed on a medium,
The textile toner image comprises a plurality of textile toner image units, and the pigment toner image comprises a plurality of pigment toner image units,
In the direction intersecting the surface of the medium, the respective whole of the plurality of textile toner image units and the respective whole of the plurality of pigment toner image units are superimposed on one another.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Each of the textile toner image and the pigment toner image is formed on a medium,
The textile toner image comprises a plurality of textile toner image units, and the pigment toner image comprises a plurality of pigment toner image units,
In a direction intersecting the surface of the medium, a portion of each of the plurality of textile toner image units and a portion of each of the plurality of pigment toner image units are superimposed on one another.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Each of the textile toner image and the pigment toner image is formed on a medium,
The textile toner image comprises a plurality of textile toner image units, and the pigment toner image comprises a plurality of pigment toner image units,
Each of the plurality of textile toner image units and each of the plurality of pigment toner units are adjacent to each other in a direction along the surface of the medium.
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The textile dye comprises a sublimable dye,
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The textile dye is the sublimable dye,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 10. The respective colors of the printing toner and the pigment toner are similar.
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The color difference ΔE between the color of the textile toner and the color of the pigment toner is 34.6 or less.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 12. The textile toner further includes a binder.
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13. The first image forming unit transfers the printing toner to a medium, and the second image forming unit transfers the pigment toner to the medium.
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14. The first image forming unit fixes the textile toner transferred to the medium to the medium, and the second image forming unit fixes the pigment toner transferred to the medium to the medium.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 15.

Images