JP3177114B2 - INK JET PRINTING APPARATUS AND INK JET PRINTING METHOD - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink-jet printing apparatus and an ink-jet printing method, and more particularly, to an ink-jet printing method for discharging a liquid for insolubilizing a dye in the ink on a printing material prior to or after the discharge of the ink. The present invention relates to an apparatus and an inkjet printing method. The printing apparatus of the present invention can be applied to all devices that use paper, cloth, nonwoven fabric, OHP paper, etc. as a material to be printed. Examples of such devices include printers, copiers, office machines such as facsimile machines, and textile printing devices. Mass production systems and the like can be mentioned.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The ink jet printing system has various advantages such as low noise, low running cost, easy downsizing and colorization of the apparatus, and has various advantages such as printers and copiers. Used in equipment.

However, there are cases where images and the like on a printing material printed by these apparatuses using an ink jet printing method have insufficient water resistance. In particular, when so-called plain paper to which no ink absorption processing is applied is used, the tendency becomes remarkable. In addition, when printing a color image, if it is attempted to suppress the penetration of the ink color material in order to achieve high density, bleeding between colors is likely to occur, which may degrade the quality of the color image.

[0004] In order to improve the water resistance of a printed image, it has been proposed to use a water-resistant ink for a coloring material contained in the ink in order to improve the water resistance of a printed image. However, its water resistance is not yet practically usable, and since such an ink is in principle difficult to dissolve in water once dried in principle, clogging is likely to occur in the discharge port of the ink jet head. In order to prevent this, there is a problem that the device configuration must be complicated.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Sho 56-84792 discloses a configuration in which a material for fixing a dye to recording paper is applied in advance in order to solve the above-mentioned problem of bleeding between colors. . However, in this configuration, the printing apparatus needs to use a specific recording paper coated with such a fixing material, and in order to apply a material for fixing the dye in advance, the size of the apparatus is increased and the cost is increased. However, there is a problem that it is not so easy to apply the material in a predetermined thickness stably on the recording paper.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-63185 discloses a configuration capable of solving the above-mentioned problem. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-63185 discloses a method in which a colorless liquid for insolubilizing a dye is ejected on recording paper by a head similar to an ink jet head for discharging ink. A technique for adhering to an object is disclosed. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-202328
In the publication, an ink containing a chemical dye having a carboxyl group and a polyvalent metal salt solution are used, and after applying the polyvalent metal salt solution to a substrate such as paper, the ink is applied to obtain water resistance and color bleed. There is disclosed a technique for obtaining an image free from defects.

However, the above two publications do not disclose or suggest a problem that, in a configuration in which a liquid for insolubilizing a dye is ejected by an ink jet head, the ink and the liquid for insolubilizing the ink come into contact in the apparatus. , Etc., may cause a failure or malfunction of the recording apparatus.

As an example of an apparatus configuration that may cause such a problem, there is one related to so-called preliminary ejection.

That is, in a printing operation using an on-demand type ink jet system, all of the plurality of ejection ports provided in one head are not used depending on print data, and unused ejection ports which are not used for a certain time or longer are used. May be present. Further, even in the case of having a print head corresponding to each ink color as in a color printing apparatus, ejection data is not transferred, that is, a print head which does not perform ejection has a case in which all ejection ports are not used. There is also. If ink is not continuously ejected for a certain period of time without capping the ejection port surface for the printing operation, the evaporation and drying of the ink proceeds within the non-ejection ejection port, resulting in ejection. It may cause a decrease in performance and, consequently, a decrease in print quality. In order to prevent such a discharge failure, an ink jet printing apparatus generally discharges ink at a predetermined location at a certain time interval irrespective of print data, and discharges the ink in the discharge port up to that time to freshly discharge the ink. Ink is introduced (this kind of ink ejection operation is hereinafter referred to as preliminary ejection).

The ink discharged by the preliminary discharge is discharged to the ink receiving member provided in the cap of the discharge recovery unit or separately therefrom so as not to scatter and contaminate the print material and the inside of the recording apparatus. And finally stored in a waste ink tank or a waste ink absorber.
However, in the configuration in which the preliminary ejection is performed in the cap, it is necessary to appropriately suction the ink accumulated in the cap by the preliminary ejection, and an operation such as moving the print head for the suction operation is performed. As a result, the throughput is reduced.

Providing a separate ink receiving member for preliminary discharge solves such a problem. However, the ink and the liquid for insolubilizing or aggregating a color material such as a dye are discharged to the same ink receiving member. In this case, the colorant agglomerates in this member, and when this is further evaporated and thickened, the waste ink path from the ink receiving member to the waste ink tank or the like is blocked, and the ink received by the preliminary ejection is removed. It is impossible to discharge the ink, and in some cases, there is a problem that ink or liquid overflows from the receiving member and contaminates the inside of the apparatus. As a method for solving this problem, the present applicant has filed Japanese Patent Application No. 6-188.
186, an ink receiving member for receiving ink ejected from an inkjet head for ejecting ink,
There has been proposed a configuration in which a liquid receiving member for receiving the processing liquid discharged from the inkjet head that discharges the processing liquid is separately provided, or a configuration in which the preliminary discharge of the processing liquid is performed outside the print area of the printing material.

[0012]

However, in the case where an ink receiving member for receiving ink and a liquid receiving member for receiving processing liquid are separately provided at the time of preliminary ejection, if limited to a certain printing apparatus, The distance over which the inkjet head moves increases, and accordingly, the size of the printing apparatus may increase, or the throughput may decrease.

When the outside of the printing region of the printing material is used as a receiving member for the preliminary discharge of the processing liquid, there is a problem that the width of the printing material outside the printing region is relatively narrow, at most about 5 mm. . In other words, since the area that can be ejected is narrow, when performing preliminary ejection, it is necessary to first move the inkjet head to that area, further stop the inkjet head on the spot, and perform ejection.
The operation for this takes time, which may cause a decrease in throughput. Also, since a large number of processing droplets concentrate in one place outside the printing area in a short time, the printing material cannot absorb this processing solution, and as a result, the processing solution eventually becomes spherical on the printing material. May swell. This treatment liquid may come into contact with or adhere to the ink jet head, causing non-ejection or causing a problem such as flowing into the printing apparatus and soiling the apparatus.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent a problem of a decrease in throughput and a decrease in discharge reliability caused by performing a preliminary discharge of a processing liquid. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet printing apparatus and an ink jet printing method that can be used.

[0015]

According to the present invention, there is provided:
Using an ink ejection unit for ejecting ink and a liquid ejection unit for ejecting a liquid for insolubilizing or aggregating a color material of the ink, printing the ink and the liquid from the ink ejection unit and the liquid ejection unit In an ink jet printing apparatus that performs printing by discharging onto a material, the first liquid discharge data used to contact or mix the liquid with the ink on the print target material, the first liquid discharge data corresponding to the discharge position of the ink. Generating means for generating the first liquid discharge data based on the ink discharge data, the first liquid discharge data generated by the generating means, and the liquid not corresponding to the ink discharge position; The third liquid is obtained by calculating the logical sum of the second liquid ejection data used for preliminary ejection on the printing material and the second liquid ejection data. Acquisition means for acquiring output data; scanning means for causing the ink ejection section and the liquid ejection section to scan the printing medium; and scanning of the ink ejection section and the liquid ejection section by the scanning means. Means for discharging the liquid from the liquid discharge unit based on the third liquid discharge data, and discharging the ink from the ink discharge unit based on the ink discharge data. And

An ink discharge unit for discharging ink and a liquid discharge unit for discharging a liquid for insolubilizing or aggregating a color material of the ink are used, and the ink and the liquid are discharged from the ink discharge unit and the liquid discharge unit. In an ink-jet printing method for performing printing by discharging the liquid onto a printing material, the first liquid discharging data used for contacting or mixing the liquid with the ink on the printing material, wherein A generation step of generating the first liquid ejection data based on the ink ejection data corresponding to the ejection position, and the first liquid ejection data generated in the generation step does not correspond to the ink ejection position. The logical sum with second liquid ejection data used for preliminary ejection of the liquid onto the printing material. An acquisition step of acquiring third liquid ejection data by scanning, a scanning step of causing the ink ejection section and the liquid ejection section to scan the print target material, and the ink ejection section in the scanning step. And ejecting the liquid from the liquid ejection unit based on the third liquid ejection data while scanning the liquid ejection unit, and ejecting the ink from the ink ejection unit based on the ink ejection data. And characterized in that:

[0017]

According to the above arrangement, the second liquid ejection data for the so-called preliminary ejection, which is not involved in printing performed by the liquid ejection section for ejecting the liquid for insolubilizing or aggregating the color material of the ink, is based on the ink. The logical sum of the first liquid ejection data and the first liquid ejection data based on the ink ejection data corresponding to the ejection position is combined to form the third liquid ejection data for printing of the ink ejection unit and the liquid ejection unit. , And the preliminary ejection of the liquid ejection unit can be performed as part of the printing operation.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an ink jet printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Here, C is an ink jet cartridge, which has an ink tank above and an ink jet head below, as will be described later with reference to FIG. A connector or the like for receiving is provided. Reference numeral 2 denotes a carriage, which removably mounts five cartridges C, that is, cartridges for storing and ejecting yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks and processing liquids for insolubilizing dyes of these inks. . In this embodiment, a cartridge containing yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks from the left in the figure and a processing liquid for insolubilizing the dye is mounted on the right end. Reference numeral 11 denotes a scanning rail that slidably supports the carriage 2, and 52 denotes a drive belt that transmits a driving force for reciprocating the carriage 2. With these configurations, the carriage 2 can be moved with a printing operation. Becomes Hereinafter, this moving direction is referred to as a main scanning direction. Also, 15, 16 and 1
Reference numerals 7 and 18 denote a pair of transport rollers disposed before and after the printing position of the ink jet head for holding and transporting the print material, and P denotes a print material such as paper, and the print material P denotes the print material. It is pressed against a platen (not shown) for regulating the surface flat. The ink-jet head of each ink-jet cartridge C mounted on the carriage 2 projects downward from the carriage and is positioned between the printing material conveying rollers 16 and 18, and at this time, the ejection port forming surface of the ink-jet head is a platen (not shown).
Is arranged so as to face the print material P pressed against the guide surface at a predetermined distance.

In the ink jet printing apparatus of this embodiment, the ejection recovery system unit is provided on the home position side located on the left side in FIG. In the recovery unit,
Reference numeral 300 denotes a cap unit provided corresponding to each of the inkjet heads, and is provided so as to be movable toward or away from the inkjet heads at the respective opposing positions. Accordingly, when the carriage is at the home position, the carriage is joined to the ink jet head and capped, and the evaporation of the ink in the ejection ports of the ink jet head is suppressed, and the viscosity of the ink and the sticking of ink are prevented. In addition, each of the cap units 300 is connected to a pump unit (not shown), so that the inside of the cap joined to the ink jet head can be set to a negative pressure by using the pump unit, and the ink in the discharge ports can be sucked. This suction processing makes it possible to remove thickened ink and bubbles existing in the liquid path and the like in the discharge port.

Reference numeral 401 denotes a preliminary ejection receiving member for receiving ink ejected from each ink jet head which ejects yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks, which similarly constitutes a recovery system unit. In this embodiment, although not shown, a blade formed of an elastic member such as rubber is provided adjacent to the preliminary ejection receiving member, and the ejection port surface of the inkjet head is moved with the movement of the carriage 2. Is wiped to remove the liquid droplets attached to this surface.

In this ink jet printing apparatus, a processing liquid for insolubilizing a dye in ink to water or the like is discharged from a processing liquid ink jet head onto a printing material prior to the ink, and thereafter, similarly. The ink discharged from the ink jet head is brought into contact with and mixed on the printing material so that the dye has water resistance. Further, since the dye in the ink reacts with the processing liquid on the printing material and instantaneously becomes insoluble, not only the water resistance can be improved but also the bleeding between colors, that is, bleeding can be prevented.

The above colorless liquid as a treatment liquid for insolubilizing the ink dye can be obtained, for example, as follows.

That is, after mixing and dissolving the following components,
Further, after filtration under pressure with a membrane filter having a pore size of 0.22 μm (trade name: Fluoropore Filter, manufactured by Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.), the pH is adjusted to 4.8 with NaOH to obtain a colorless liquid Al.

[Component of Al] Low molecular weight component of cationic compound Stearyl trimethylammonium chloride 2.0 parts (trade name: Electrostopper QE, manufactured by Kao) High molecular weight component of cationic compound Polyamine sulfone (average molecular weight: 5000) 3 0.0 parts (trade name; PAS-92, manufactured by Nitto Boseki Co., Ltd.) Thiodiglycol 10 parts Water balance The following can be mentioned as suitable examples of the ink which is mixed with the above-mentioned colorless liquid and insolubilized.

That is, the following components were mixed, and the mixture was filtered under pressure through a membrane filter having a pore size of 0.22 μm (trade name: chloropore filter, manufactured by Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.), and yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks Y were mixed.
1, M1, C1, and K1 can be obtained.

Y1 C.I. I. Direct Yellow 142 2 parts Thiodiglycol 10 parts Acetyleneol EH (Kawaken Fine Chemical) 0.05 parts Water balance M1 I. Acid Red-289; the same composition as Y1 except that 2.5 parts were used. I. Acid Blue 9: The same composition as Y1 except that 2.5 parts was used. I. Food Black 2: Same composition as Y1 except that 3 parts are replaced. In the mixing of the processing liquid (liquid composition) and the ink shown above, in the present invention, the above-mentioned processing liquid and the ink are coated on the printing material or coated. As a result of mixing at the position where it has penetrated into the printing material, as a first step of the reaction, among the cationic substances contained in the processing solution, low molecular weight components or cationic oligomers and anionic groups used in the ink are used. The water-soluble dye or pigment having the anionic compound used in the ink forms an association by ionic interaction, and instantaneously separates from the solution phase. As a result, dispersion destruction occurs in the pigment ink, and an aggregate of the pigment is formed.

Next, as the second stage of the reaction, the above-mentioned aggregate of the dye and the low molecular weight cationic substance or cationic oligomer or the aggregate of the pigment is adsorbed by the polymer component contained in the treatment liquid. In addition, the size of the aggregate of the dye or the aggregate of the pigment generated in the association is further increased, so that it is difficult to enter the gap between the fibers of the printing material, and as a result, only the liquid portion separated into solid and liquid is recorded on the recording paper. The infiltration achieves both print quality and fixability. At the same time, the aggregates or pigment aggregates formed by the low molecular components of the cationic substance or the cationic oligomer, the anionic dye and the cationic substance generated by the mechanism described above have an increased viscosity,
Since they do not move with the movement of the liquid medium, even if adjacent ink dots are formed of different colors of ink as in the case of full-color image formation, they do not mix with each other and bleeding does not occur. Also,
The agglomerates are essentially water-insoluble and the formed images have perfect water resistance. Further, it also has an effect of improving the light fastness of an image formed by the shielding effect of the polymer.

One example of the insolubilization or agglomeration used herein is a phenomenon of only the first stage, and another example is a phenomenon including both the first stage and the second stage.

In practicing the present invention, it is not necessary to use a cationic polymer substance having a large molecular weight or a polyvalent metal salt as in the prior art. Since it is only necessary to use it supplementarily to further improve the effect, the amount of use can be minimized. As a result, another problem of the present invention is that the decrease in the coloring property of the dye, which has been a problem in the case of using a conventional cationic polymer substance or a polyvalent metal salt to obtain a water resistance effect, is eliminated. This can be mentioned as an effect.

The material to be printed used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and so-called plain paper such as copy paper and bond paper which are conventionally used can be suitably used. Of course, a coated paper or a transparent film for OHP specially prepared for inkjet printing can be suitably used, and general high-quality paper or glossy paper can also be suitably used.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the ink jet cartridge C in the apparatus shown in FIG.

In the mounting position of the cartridge C,
An ink tank unit T is provided above and an ink jet head unit 86 is provided below. A head-side connector 85 for receiving a drive signal of the head 86 and transmitting an ink remaining amount detection signal is connected to the ink tank unit T. Are juxtaposed. Reference numeral 84 denotes an air communication hole of the ink tank portion T. The ink jet head 86 has a discharge port surface 1 provided with a plurality of discharge ports opened toward the lower side in the figure, and discharges ink to a liquid path portion communicating with each discharge port. In this example, an ejection energy generating element for generating energy required in the present embodiment, and an electrothermal converting element for generating thermal energy in this example, are provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the ink jet printing apparatus shown in FIG.

The CPU 22 in the form of a microprocessor controls the exchange of various data with the host computer 21 via an interface (hereinafter also referred to as an I / F) 23. For example, print data continuously transmitted from the host computer 21 is stored in a RAM 25. Is stored in A program indicating a control procedure of the CPU 22 is stored in the ROM 24, and the CPU 21 controls the printing operation of the entire apparatus based on the print data from the host computer 21 stored in the RAM 25 according to the procedure. That is, C
The PU 22 drives the CR motor 52M and the LF motor 32 via the motor drivers 30 and 31 to control the scanning of the carriage 2 and the paper feed, respectively.
The ejection of the inkjet head is controlled via the head driver 29 based on the ejection data stored in the printer. An operation panel 26 allows a user to check the operation state of the printing apparatus based on the operation panel and to perform various inputs. Reference numeral 28 denotes a timer for generating a system clock of the present control configuration, and reference numeral 27 denotes a paper presence sensor for detecting whether or not a print medium is present in a print area by an inkjet head.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a line buffer configured in the RAM 25 shown in FIG. 3, and stores ejection data of the ink jet head. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the number of ejection ports of the inkjet head is H and the position where ink is ejected in the scanning direction is M.

That is, the print data transferred from the host computer is developed as ejection data for one scan (one line) in the line buffer of the RAM 25, and the location where the ejection is required, for example, the number of the ejection port is the number of the ejection port Data such as whether ejection is required at the ejection position is stored in the line buffer. The printing apparatus stores such line buffers in the RAM 25 as many as the number of inkjet heads.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a printing operation including a preliminary ejection operation of this embodiment.

When there is a print command from the host computer 21, it is first determined whether or not the mode is one in which the processing liquid is used (step S501). The mode is set by a user's instruction input via the operation panel 26 or the like. Here, the preliminary ejection means an ejection not directly involved in printing.

The reason why there is a mode in which the processing liquid is not used is that it may be better not to perform the processing for insolubilizing the ink depending on the type of the printing material. For example, in the case of a printing material called a back print film in which a printed image is viewed from the surface opposite to the printed surface, it is necessary that the ejected ink sufficiently penetrate into the printing material. When a treatment liquid for insolubilizing the dye is applied to such a print material, aggregation occurs on the print material, and the required ink penetration is hindered, thereby deteriorating the quality of the printed image viewed from the back side. Sometimes. Therefore, when a specific printing material such as the back print film is used, a mode in which the processing liquid is not used is selected.

If it is determined in step S501 that the mode using the processing liquid has been selected, first, a timer for managing the interval of the preliminary ejection is reset (step S501).
502) Then, measurement of a timer is started (step S503).

It is determined whether or not the measured time of the timer has reached the preset preliminary ejection interval (N) (step S504). If not, step S512 is performed.
Then, the print data for one line transferred from the host computer is developed as ejection data of each ink jet head for ejecting each of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks. Store in the line buffer (step S51)
2). Next, the ejection data of the inkjet head that ejects the processing liquid is created as “OR” of the ejection data of each inkjet head that ejects each ink, and the ejection data of the inkjet head for the processing liquid is written to the line buffer for the processing liquid. (Steps S513 and S51)
4).

Next, the printing operation is started (step S515). FIG. 6 shows an example of this printing operation.

The head position parameter m is initialized, incremented by "1", and the CR motor is driven to move the ink jet head from the home position toward the printing material. With this movement, the ejection position m
(M = 1, 2,..., M), the processing liquid is discharged from the discharge port whose data is “1” based on the discharge data of each discharge port at the discharge position m stored in the line buffer. Alternatively, each ink is ejected. Here, the timing of discharging the processing liquid and each ink naturally has a time interval corresponding to each head position. Next, the CR motor is further driven to move the carriage 2 by the pitch of the ejection position, and the above operation is repeated until no data exists in the line buffer (steps S601 to S601).
S606).

If it is determined that there is no data in the line buffer (step S606), the LF motor is driven to convey the printing material in a predetermined amount (Ln) in the sub-scanning direction.
Thereafter, the inkjet head is moved to the home position by driving the CR motor (steps S607 and S607).
608).

Referring again to FIG. 5, when the printing operation for one main scan described above with reference to FIG. 6 is completed, it is determined whether the transfer of the print data from the host computer has been completed (step S516). If it is determined that print data still exists, the process returns to step S504, and determines whether the time measured by the timer has reached a preset time N. If the number has reached N, the process proceeds to step S505 and subsequent steps.

If the timer measurement time has reached the time to perform the call ejection, first, a preliminary ejection of an ink jet head (hereinafter also referred to as an ink head) for ejecting each of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks is performed. Performed on the ejection receiving member 401 (see FIG. 1) (Step S50)
5).

Next, ejection data is arranged according to a preset preliminary ejection pattern in a line buffer of a processing liquid inkjet head (hereinafter also referred to as a liquid head) (step S506). Next, the above-described step S51
As in the case of 2, the print data for one scan transmitted from the host computer is converted to yellow, magenta, cyan,
The data is developed as ejection data of the ink head that ejects each black ink, and is stored in the line buffer of each inkjet head (step S507). Next, the ejection data of the liquid head that ejects the processing liquid is created as “OR” of the ejection data of the inkjet head that ejects each ink (step S508).

Next, the "OR" of the ejection data for the preliminary ejection arranged in step S506 and the ejection data based on the ejection data created in step S508 is taken as the ejection data of the liquid head and stored in the line buffer for the processing solution. It is stored (step S509).

FIG. 7 shows the process of creating the ejection data of the head in steps S506 to S509.

FIG. 7A shows the arrangement of the ejection data in the line buffer according to the preliminary ejection pattern, FIG. 7B shows the arrangement of the ejection data based on the print data in the line buffer, and FIG. ) Is the above FIG.
This is ejection data as "OR" of the ejection data shown in (a) and (b), and indicates the storage state of the final head ejection data in the line buffer.

As described above, in the printing operation at the timing of performing the preliminary ejection, the ejection of the processing liquid is performed for both the ejection according to the print data and the ejection for the preliminary ejection.

With the storage of each ejection data as described above, the printing operation is started (step S510). This printing operation is performed in steps S601 to S601 shown in FIG.
The operation is the same as the operation described as 608.

When the printing operation for one predetermined main scan is completed, it is determined whether print data from the host computer exists (step S511). If print data exists, the process returns to step S502.
The pre-discharge interval management timer is reset, and measurement of the timer is started again.

The above operation (steps S502 to S51)
6) until print data from the host computer is exhausted.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S501 that the mode does not use the processing liquid, the process proceeds to step S51.
Then, the process proceeds to step S7, and the same processing as steps S502 to S504 is performed. First, the timer for managing the preliminary ejection interval is reset (step S517), and then the timer starts counting (step S518). If it is determined that the measured time of the timer has not reached the preset preliminary ejection interval (step S519), the process proceeds to step S521, and the print data from the host computer is converted into yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The data is developed as ejection data of the ink head that ejects each ink, and is stored in the corresponding line buffer (step S521). Thereafter, a printing operation is performed (step S522). This printing operation is performed in step S6 in FIG.
The operation is the same as the operation described as 01 to S608.

When the printing operation for one predetermined main scan is completed, it is determined whether or not there is print data from the host computer (step S523). If print data still exists, the process returns to step S519, and the timer returns to step S519. It is determined whether or not the measured time has reached the preset time N. If N has been reached, step S52
In step S520, the preliminary ejection of the inkjet head that ejects the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks is performed on the preliminary ejection receiving member 401. Next, returning to step S517, the preliminary ejection interval management timer is reset, and measurement of the timer is started again.

The above operation (steps S517 to S52)
Step 3) is performed until there is no print data from the host computer.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the preliminary discharge of the processing liquid is not performed while moving and stopping to a specific location, but during the main scanning of the liquid head. Can be shortened, and the throughput can be improved. In addition, since the droplets of the preliminary ejection are not concentrated at a specific location of the printing material, the phenomenon that the droplets are not absorbed by the printing material does not occur, and a printing apparatus with excellent ejection reliability can be provided. .

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a printing operation including a preliminary ejection operation according to another embodiment of the present invention.

When a print command is issued from the host computer 21, it is first determined whether or not the printing apparatus is in a mode using the processing liquid. If it is determined in step S801 that the mode using the processing liquid has been selected, first, a timer for managing the preliminary ejection interval is reset (step S802), and measurement of the timer is started (step S803). .

Next, in step S804, it is determined whether or not the measured time of the timer has reached a preset preliminary ejection interval, and if not, (step S80)
4) The process proceeds to step S812, where the print data from the host computer is converted into yellow, magenta, cyan,
The data is developed as ejection data of the ink head that ejects each black ink and stored in each line buffer (step S812). Next, the ejection data of the liquid head that ejects the processing liquid is created as “OR” of the ejection data of the ink head that ejects each ink, and is stored in the line buffer for the processing liquid as the ejection data of the head for the processing liquid ( Steps S813 and S814). When the storage of the ejection data is completed, a printing operation is performed (step S815). This print operation is shown in steps S601 to S608 in FIG. 6 similar to the first embodiment.

When the printing operation for one main scan is completed,
It is determined whether there is print data from the host computer (step S816). If there is print data, the process returns to step S804 to determine whether the time measured by the timer has reached a preset time N. .

If the timer measurement time has reached the preliminary discharge time, the preliminary discharge of the ink head that discharges each of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks is performed on the preliminary discharge receiving member 401 (step S805). Next, similarly to the process in step S812, print data for one scan from the host computer is developed as ejection data of ink heads for ejecting yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks and stored in each line buffer. (Step S806). Next, the ejection data of the liquid head that ejects the processing liquid is created as “OR” of the ejection data of the ink head that ejects each ink (step S807). Next, based on the ejection data of the head created in step S807, the number of ejections for each ejection port of this head in one main scan is calculated (step S807).
808). Further, with respect to the number of ejections of each ejection port calculated in step S808, the number of insufficiencies with respect to the predetermined number of ejections required for preliminary ejection is calculated. Is arranged as ejection data in step S
The data is stored in the line buffer as the head ejection data together with the ejection data created in step 807 (step S).
809).

FIG. 9 shows the above steps S806 to S809.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of creating head ejection data in FIG.

FIG. 9A shows creation of ejection data from print data and calculation of the number of ejections for each ejection port.
FIG. 9B shows a predetermined number of preliminary ejections (in the example shown in FIG.
This indicates that the number of times of insufficient ejection from the second ejection) is set as ejection data in an area having no ejection data for printing.

In this embodiment, the same number of preliminary ejections (10 times) is uniformly set for each ejection port. However, the number of preliminary ejections may be different for each ejection port according to, for example, the temperature distribution of the head. Good.

When the above data storage is completed, a printing operation is performed (step S810). This printing operation is the same as the operation in steps S601 to S608 shown in FIG.

When the printing operation for one main scan is completed, it is determined whether there is print data from the host computer (step S811). If print data exists, the flow returns to step S802 to perform preliminary ejection. Reset the interval management timer and start measuring the timer again. The above operation (steps S802 to S81)
Step 6) is performed until print data from the host computer is exhausted.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S801 that the mode does not use the processing liquid, the process proceeds to step S81.
Then, as in steps S802 to S804, the timer for managing the preliminary ejection interval is reset (step S817), and measurement of the timer is started (step S818).

Next, it is determined whether or not the measured time of the timer has reached a preset preliminary ejection interval. If not (step S819), step S821 is performed.
The print data for one scan from the host computer is developed as ejection data of ink heads for ejecting yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks and stored in corresponding line buffers (step S821). . Then, a printing operation is performed (step S822).

When the printing operation for one predetermined main scan is completed, it is determined whether there is print data from the host computer (step S823). If there is print data, the process returns to step S819. It is determined whether or not the time measured by the timer has reached a preset time N.

If the timer measurement time has reached the preliminary discharge time, the preliminary discharge of the inkjet head that discharges each of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks is performed on the preliminary discharge receiving member 401 (step S820).
Next, the process returns to step S817, resets the preliminary ejection interval management timer, and starts measuring the timer again.

The above operation (steps S817 to S82)
Step 3) is performed until there is no print data from the host computer.

In this embodiment, as described above, the preliminary discharge of the processing liquid is not performed by moving and stopping to a specific place, but is performed during the main scanning of the ink jet head.
The time required for the preliminary ejection can be reduced, and the throughput can be improved. In addition, since the droplets of the preliminary ejection are not concentrated at a specific location of the printing material, the phenomenon that the droplets are not absorbed by the printing material does not occur, and a printing apparatus with excellent ejection reliability can be provided. .

In carrying out the present invention, the ink used is not particularly limited to a dye ink, but a pigment ink in which a pigment is dispersed can be used. Can be used. The following can be mentioned as an example of the pigment ink which causes aggregation by mixing with the above-mentioned colorless liquid A1. That is, as described below, yellow, magenta,
Cyan and black inks, Y2, M2, C2 and K2, can be obtained.

Black ink K2 Anionic polymer P-1 (styrene-methacrylic acid-ethyl acrylate, acid value 400, weight average molecular weight 6,0
00, an aqueous solution having a solid content of 20%, a neutralizing agent: potassium hydroxide) as a dispersant, the following materials were charged into a batch-type vertical sand mill (manufactured by Imex), and glass beads having a diameter of 1 mm were filled as a medium. The dispersion treatment was performed for 3 hours while cooling with water. The viscosity after dispersion was 9 cps and the pH was 10.0. The dispersion was centrifuged to remove coarse particles, thereby producing a carbon black dispersion having a weight average particle diameter of 100 nm.

(Composition of Carbon Black Dispersion) 40 parts of P-1 aqueous solution (solid content: 20%) 24 parts of carbon black Mogul L (manufactured by CABLACK) 24 parts of glycerin 15 parts of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether 0.5 part of Next, the dispersion obtained above was sufficiently diffused to obtain a black ink K2 for inkjet containing a pigment. The solids content of the final preparation was about 10%.

Yellow ink Y2 Anionic polymer P-2 (styrene-acrylic acid-methyl methacrylate, acid value 280, weight average molecular weight 1
1,000, an aqueous solution having a solid content of 20%, and a neutralizing agent: diethanolamine) as a dispersant, and using the materials described below, a dispersion treatment was performed in the same manner as in the preparation of the black ink K2, and the weight average particle size was determined. A 103 nm yellow dispersion was prepared.

(Composition of Yellow Dispersion) 35 parts of P-2 aqueous solution (solid content: 20%) I. Pigment Yellow 180 24 parts (Nova Palm Yellow PH-G, manufactured by Hoechst) Triethylene glycol 10 parts Diethylene glycol 10 parts Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether 1.0 part Isopropyl alcohol 0.5 part Water 135 parts Obtained above The yellow dispersion thus obtained was sufficiently diffused to obtain an inkjet yellow ink Y2 containing a pigment. The solids content of the final preparation was about 10%.

Using the anionic polymer P-1 used in preparing the cyan ink C2 and the black ink K2 as a dispersant, and using the following materials, the same dispersion treatment as in the case of the carbon black dispersion described above was performed. Was carried out to produce a cyan dispersion having a weight average particle size of 120 nm.

(Composition of Cyan Dispersion) 30 parts of P-1 aqueous solution (solid content: 20%) I. Pigment Blue 15: 3 24 parts (Fast Genble-FGF, Dainippon Ink and Chemicals) ・ Glycerin 15 parts ・ Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether 0.5 parts ・ Isopropyl alcohol 3 parts ・ Water 135 parts Cyan color dispersion obtained above Was sufficiently stirred to obtain a cyan ink C2 for inkjet containing a pigment. The solids content of the final preparation was about 9.6%.

Using the anionic polymer P-1 used in the preparation of the magenta ink M2 and the black ink K2 as a dispersant and the following materials, the same dispersion treatment as in the case of the carbon black dispersion described above was carried out. Was carried out to produce a magenta color dispersion having a weight average particle size of 115 nm.

(Composition of magenta color dispersion) 20 parts of P-1 aqueous solution (solid content: 20%) I. Pigment Red 122 (Dainippon Ink and Chemicals) 24 parts ・ Glycerin 15 parts ・ Isopropyl alcohol 3 parts ・ Water 135 parts The magenta color dispersion obtained above is sufficiently diffused to contain a pigment-containing magenta ink for inkjet. M2
I got The solids content of the final preparation was about 9.2%.

(Others) It should be noted that the present invention includes a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for discharging ink, particularly in an ink jet recording system. An excellent effect is obtained in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a type in which the state of ink is changed by the thermal energy. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
Although it can be applied to any type of continuous type, in particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to a sheet holding liquid (ink) or an electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the recording head. Liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis.
This is effective because air bubbles inside can be formed. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as described above, the recording head fixed to the apparatus main body or the electric connection with the apparatus main body or the ink from the apparatus main body is attached to the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as a configuration of the printing apparatus in the present invention, since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. . If these are specifically mentioned, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, Performing a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing is also effective for performing stable printing.

Further, the types and the number of recording heads to be mounted are not limited to those provided only for one color ink, for example, and for a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. A plurality may be provided. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but may be any of integrally forming a printing head or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of full colors by color mixture.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet system In general, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Anything can be used. In addition, the temperature rise due to thermal energy can be positively prevented by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or ink that solidifies in a standing state to prevent evaporation of the ink can be used. In any case, the ink is liquefied by the application of the thermal energy according to the recording signal, and the ink is liquefied, and the liquid ink is discharged. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink that liquefies for the first time by energy is used. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60
As described in JP-A-71260, a configuration may be adopted in which a liquid or solid substance is held in a concave portion or through hole of a porous sheet and opposed to an electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as a mode of a recording apparatus provided with a recording mechanism using the liquid jet recording head of the present invention, in addition to those used as image output terminals of information processing equipment such as a computer, a combination with a reader or the like is provided. Copier,
Further, a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function may be used.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when the recording apparatus of the present invention is applied to an information processing apparatus having functions as a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile apparatus, and a copying apparatus.

In the figure, reference numeral 1801 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire apparatus, such as a CPU such as a microprocessor and various I / Os.
Ports are provided to output control signals, data signals, and the like to each unit, and to control by inputting control signals and data signals from each unit. A display unit 1802 displays various menus, document information, image data read by the image reader 1807, and the like on the display screen. Reference numeral 1803 denotes a transparent pressure-sensitive touch panel provided on the display unit 1802. By pressing the surface of the touch panel with a finger or the like, it is possible to input items, coordinate positions, and the like on the display unit 1802.

Reference numeral 1804 denotes FM (Frequency M).
music information created by a music editor or the like in the memory unit 1810 or the external storage device 18.
Digital data is stored in the memory 12 and read out from the memory or the like to perform FM modulation. FM
The electric signal from the sound source unit 1804 is converted into an audible sound by the speaker unit 1805. The printer unit 1806 is the one to which the recording apparatus of the present invention is applied as an output terminal of a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine.

Reference numeral 1807 denotes an image reader unit which photoelectrically reads and inputs document data. The image reader unit is provided in the middle of the document transport path, and reads various documents such as facsimile documents and copy documents. 1808 is the image reader unit 18
A facsimile transmission / reception unit for facsimile transmission of original data read in step 07 and reception / decoding of the transmitted facsimile signal, and has an external interface function. Reference numeral 1809 denotes a telephone unit having various telephone functions such as a normal telephone function and an answering machine function.

A ROM 1810 stores a system program, a manager program, other application programs, a character font, a dictionary, and the like.
A memory unit including an application program and document information loaded from the external storage device 1812 and a video RAM.

Reference numeral 1811 denotes a keyboard for inputting document information and various commands.

An external storage device using a floppy disk or a hard disk as a storage medium.
Reference numeral 12 stores document information, music or audio information, user application programs, and the like.

FIG. 11 is a schematic external view of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 1901 denotes a flat panel display using a liquid crystal or the like, which displays various menus, graphic information, document information and the like. By pressing the surface of the touch panel 1803 on the display 1901 with a finger or the like, coordinate input and item designation input can be performed.
1902 is a handset used when the device functions as a telephone. The keyboard 1903 is detachably connected to the main body via a cord, and can input various document information and various data. The keyboard 1903 is provided with various function keys 1904 and the like. Reference numeral 1905 denotes a slot for inserting a floppy disk into the external storage device 212.

[0104] Reference numeral 1906 denotes a sheet placing portion for placing a document to be read by the image reader portion 1807, and the read document is discharged from the rear of the apparatus. In the case of facsimile reception or the like, recording is performed by the inkjet printer 1907.

Note that the display unit 1802 is
Although RT may be used, a flat panel such as a liquid crystal display using a ferroelectric liquid crystal is desirable. This is because the weight can be reduced in addition to the reduction in size and thickness.

When the information processing apparatus functions as a personal computer or a word processor, various information input from the keyboard unit 211 is processed by the control unit 1801 according to a predetermined program, and
06 is output as an image.

When functioning as a receiver of a facsimile apparatus, facsimile information input from a facsimile transmission / reception unit 1808 via a communication line is received and processed by a control unit 1801 according to a predetermined program.
Is output as a received image.

When functioning as a copier, a document is read by an image reader 1807 and the read document data is sent to a printer 18 via a controller 1801.
06 is output as a copy image. When functioning as a facsimile receiver, the image reader unit 1
The original data read by 807 is transmitted to control unit 180.
After transmission processing according to a predetermined program by 1
The data is transmitted to the communication line via the FAX transmitting / receiving unit 1808.

The information processing apparatus described above may be integrated with an ink jet printer built in the main body as shown in FIG. 12. In this case, the portability can be further improved. In the figure, parts having the same functions as those in FIG. 11 are denoted by the corresponding reference numerals.

By applying the recording apparatus of the present invention to the multifunctional information processing apparatus described above, a high-quality recorded image can be obtained at high speed and with low noise, so that the function of the information processing apparatus is further improved. It is possible to do.

[0111]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a so-called preliminary discharge for a liquid discharge section which discharges a liquid for insolubilizing or aggregating a color material of ink is not involved in printing. The second liquid ejection data is combined by performing an OR operation with the first liquid ejection data based on the ink ejection data corresponding to the ink ejection position. It is used during the scan for printing of the ejection unit and the liquid ejection unit, whereby the preliminary ejection of the liquid ejection unit can be performed as part of the printing operation.

As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the throughput of the apparatus, and since the droplets of the preliminary discharge are not concentrated at one place, the processing liquid is not absorbed by the print material and the discharge reliability is not reduced. A high inkjet printing apparatus can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an inkjet printing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an inkjet cartridge used in the inkjet printing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the inkjet apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a print line buffer in a RAM shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing procedure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a printing operation in the above procedure.

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are views for explaining a process of creating processing liquid ejection data in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a printing process according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining a process of creating processing liquid ejection data in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of an information processing system using the ink jet printing apparatus of each of the embodiments.

FIG. 11 is an external view of the system.

FIG. 12 is an external view showing another example of the system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Carriage 11 Scanning rail 21 Host computer 22 CPU 24 ROM 25 RAM 26 Operation panel 32 LF motor 52 Drive belt 52M CR motor 300 Cap unit 401 Ink receiving member C Inkjet cartridge P Printed material

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] An ink discharging section for discharging ink and a liquid for insolubilizing or aggregating a color material of the ink.
Using a liquid discharge unit for discharging , the ink discharge unit and
And an ink jet printing apparatus for performing printing by discharging the ink and the liquid from the liquid discharge unit to the printing material, and contacting the liquid with the ink on the printing material.
First liquid ejection data used for touching or mixing
The ink ejection position corresponding to the ink ejection position.
Generating the first liquid ejection data based on the output data;
Generating means; and the first liquid ejection data generated by the generating means.
And the liquid, without corresponding to the ink ejection position.
A second pre-ejection on the printing material;
The third liquid ejection is performed by taking a logical sum with the liquid ejection data of
Obtaining means for obtaining output data; and connecting the ink ejection unit and the liquid ejection unit to the print target.
Scanning means for causing the ink ejection section and the liquid to be scanned by the scanning means.
While scanning the body ejection section, the third liquid ejection data
Discharging the liquid from the liquid discharge unit based on the
From the ink ejection unit based on the ink ejection data
An ink jet printing apparatus comprising: means for discharging ink ; 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second liquid ejection data is set in advance.
2. The ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined ejection pattern data is obtained. Wherein said ink ejecting portion and the liquid-dispensing unit includes a plurality of discharge ports, the first ejection of the liquid ejecting portions based on liquid ejection data
The second liquid ejection data according to the number of ejections for each outlet
Determining the number of ejections for each ejection port of the liquid ejection unit based on
Ink-jet printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in Rukoto. 4. The ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid contains a low molecular component and a high molecular component cationic substance, and the ink contains an anionic dye. 5. The liquid according to claim 1, wherein the liquid contains a cationic substance of a low molecular component and a high molecular component, and the ink contains an anionic compound and a pigment. An inkjet printing apparatus as described in the above. Wherein said ink ejecting portion and the liquid-dispensing unit includes a feature that by using thermal energy to generate a bubble in the ink or the liquid, for ejecting ink or liquid on the basis of the generation of the bubble The inkjet printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: 7. The ink discharge section discharges a plurality of color inks.
The generating means discharges ink of each color.
The logical sum of the ink ejection data of each color corresponding to the output position
Generating the first liquid ejection data by taking
The ink according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein:
Jet printing device. 8. An ink ejection section for ejecting ink and a liquid ejection section for ejecting a liquid for insolubilizing or aggregating a color material of the ink. In an inkjet printing method of performing printing by discharging the liquid onto a print material, the first liquid discharge data used to contact or mix the liquid with the ink on the print material, wherein A generation step of generating the first liquid ejection data based on the ink ejection data corresponding to the ejection position; and the first liquid ejection data generated in the generation step does not correspond to the ink ejection position. Taking the logical sum of second liquid ejection data used for preliminary ejection of the liquid onto the printing material An acquisition step of acquiring third liquid ejection data with: a scanning step of causing the ink ejection section and the liquid ejection section to scan the printing material; and a step of: An ejection step of ejecting the liquid from the liquid ejection unit based on the third liquid ejection data while scanning the liquid ejection unit, and ejecting the ink from the ink ejection unit based on the ink ejection data; An inkjet printing method, comprising: