JP3372807B2 - Image forming method and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming method and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an ink jet printing method and a printing apparatus capable of obtaining a high-quality image on a printing material at high speed.

The present invention can be applied to all devices using paper, cloth, leather, non-woven fabric, OHP paper and the like, as well as printed materials such as metal. Specific applicable equipment includes office equipment such as printers, copying machines, and facsimiles, and industrial production equipment.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ink jet printing methods are
Low noise, low running cost, easy to downsize the device,
It is used in printers, copiers, etc. because it can be easily colorized.

However, when an image is obtained on a printing material called so-called plain paper by these printing apparatuses to which the ink jet printing method is applied, the water resistance of the image is insufficient, or when a color image is obtained. In contrast, it was not possible to achieve both a high-density image with no feathering and an image with no intercolor bleeding, and a color image with good image fastness and good quality could not be obtained.

As a method of improving the water resistance of an image, an ink in which a coloring material contained in the ink has water resistance has been put into practical use in recent years. However, it cannot be said that its water resistance is still sufficient, and in principle, since it is an ink that is difficult to dissolve in water after drying, nozzle clogging of the print head easily occurs. It had the drawback of becoming complicated.

In addition, many techniques have been disclosed in the past for improving the robustness of printed materials. JP-A-53-24
In No. 486, in order to improve the wet fastness of the dyed product,
A technique is disclosed in which a dye is laked and fixed by post-treating the dyed product.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 54-43733 discloses a method of printing by using an ink jet printing method, using two or more components whose contact-forming properties increase the film-forming ability at room temperature or heating. A printed matter is obtained in which a film is firmly adhered to each other by contacting each component on the material.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 55-150396 also discloses a method of applying a water-resistant material for forming a lake with a dye after inkjet printing an aqueous dye ink.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 58-128862 discloses an ink jet printing method in which the position of an image to be printed is identified in advance, and the printing ink and the processing liquid are superimposed and printed. The printing liquid is drawn before the printing ink. Or, the treatment liquid is overlaid on the previously drawn print ink, or the print ink is overlaid on the previously drawn treatment liquid,
Further, a method of drawing treatment liquids in layers is disclosed. Furthermore, JP-A-63-60783 and JP-A-64-
A similar printing method is disclosed in No. 69381 and the like. However, these do not disclose a head configuration or the like that is peculiar to the inkjet printing apparatus.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and enables high-speed printing on a printing material, and provides an image excellent in printing quality, water resistance, color boundary blurring, etc. An image forming method and an image forming apparatus are provided.

[0011]

As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventors have found that the above problems can be solved by using the following means. That is, the present invention is as follows.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, each ink discharge nozzle array for applying each of a plurality of types of ink, and liquid discharge for applying a liquid containing a substance that insolubilizes or aggregates the color material of the ink. An ejecting unit having a nozzle array is used to apply ink and liquid from the ejecting unit to the recording region of the printing material while reciprocating the ejection unit in the main scanning direction along the recording region of the printing material. Between the main scanning operation, the forward main scanning operation of the ejection unit, and the next main scanning operation in the main scanning direction, the print material is fixed in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. An image forming method for performing printing by a conveyance operation of conveying only the width, the same main scanning operation as the main scanning operation of applying liquid from the liquid discharge nozzle row to a recording region of the printing material. In the main scanning operation different from the main scanning operation of applying the first ink from the first ink discharging nozzle row of each of the ink discharging nozzle rows and applying the liquid to the recording area, There is a step of performing printing on the recording area by applying the second ink to the recording area from a second ink ejection nozzle row different from the first ink ejection nozzle row, and applying the liquid. The second ink applied in a main scan different from the main scan is an ink containing a coloring material that is most insolubilized or aggregated by the application of the liquid among the plurality of types of ink. According to a second aspect of the present invention, each ink discharge nozzle row for applying each of a plurality of types of ink, and a liquid discharge nozzle row for applying a liquid containing a substance that insolubilizes or aggregates the color material of the ink are provided. Main scanning in which ink and liquid are applied from the discharging means to the recording area of the printing material while reciprocating the discharging means in the main scanning direction along the recording area of the printing material. The print material is conveyed by a certain width in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction between the operation, the main scanning operation in the forward direction and the main scanning operation in the next backward direction of the ejection unit. An image forming method for performing printing by a transport operation for causing each of the ink ejection operations to be performed in the same main scanning as the main scanning for applying the liquid from the liquid ejection nozzle array to the recording area of the printing material. A main scan different from the main scan in which the first ink is ejected from the first ink ejection nozzle row of the nozzle rows and the liquid is applied to the recording area. There is a step of performing printing on the recording area by applying the second ink to the recording area from a different second ink ejection nozzle row, and is applied in a main scan different from the main scan for applying the liquid. The second ink to be formed is an ink having the smallest change in chromaticity caused by application of the liquid among the plurality of types of ink. The invention according to claim 11 is
Using an ejection unit having each ink ejection nozzle row for applying each of a plurality of types of ink, and a liquid ejection nozzle row for applying a liquid containing a substance that insolubilizes or aggregates the coloring material of the ink, A main scanning operation of applying ink and liquid from the discharging means to the recording area of the printing material while reciprocating the discharging means in the main scanning direction along the recording area of the printing material; Printing is performed by a conveyance operation that conveys the print material in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction by a certain width between the main scanning operation in the forward direction of the scanning direction and the main scanning operation in the next backward direction. In the image forming apparatus, the main scanning operation is the same as the main scanning operation for applying the liquid from the liquid ejection nozzle row to the recording area of the printing material, A second main scanning operation different from the first main ink discharging nozzle row by a main scanning operation different from the main scanning operation of applying the first ink from one ink discharging nozzle row and applying the liquid to the recording area. A main scan different from the main scan operation for applying the liquid, including a unit that causes the discharge unit to print the recording area by applying the second ink to the recording area from the ink discharge nozzle row. The second ink applied by the operation is an ink containing a coloring material that is most insolubilized or agglomerated by the application of the liquid among the plurality of types of ink. According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, each ink discharge nozzle row for applying each of a plurality of types of ink, and a liquid discharge nozzle row for applying a liquid containing a substance that insolubilizes or aggregates the coloring material of the ink. Main scanning in which ink and liquid are applied from the discharging means to the recording area of the printing material while reciprocating the discharging means in the main scanning direction along the recording area of the printing material. The print material is conveyed by a certain width in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction between the operation, the main scanning operation in the forward direction and the main scanning operation in the next backward direction of the ejection unit. An image forming apparatus that performs printing by a transporting operation that causes the liquid ejection nozzle array to apply liquid to the recording area of the printing material. The first ink ejection is performed by a main scanning operation that is different from the main scanning operation that applies the first ink from the first ink ejection nozzle row of the ejection nozzle rows and applies the liquid to the recording area. A second ink ejection nozzle row different from the nozzle row is provided to apply the second ink to the recording area, and has a means for causing the ejection means to print on the recording area, and applying the liquid. The second ink applied in a main scanning operation different from the main scanning operation is the ink having the smallest change in chromaticity caused by application of the liquid among the plurality of types of ink.

[0013]

1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of an ink jet printing apparatus as an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 is an ink jet printing apparatus. In the inkjet printing apparatus 100, the carriage 101 slidably engages with two guide shafts 104 and 105 extending in parallel with each other. As a result, the carriage 101 can be moved along the guide shafts 104 and 105 by a driving motor and a driving force transmission mechanism (not shown) such as a belt that transmits the driving force of the driving motor. Carriage 10
1 is equipped with an inkjet unit 103 having an inkjet print head, which will be described in detail later, and an ink tank as an ink container that stores ink used in this head.

The ink jet unit 103 serves as a head for ejecting a liquid containing ink and a substance for improving printability (hereinafter referred to as a treatment liquid) and a container for accommodating the ink or treatment liquid supplied thereto. It consists of a tank. That is, each ink of four colors of black (Bk), cyan (C), magenta (M) and yellow (Y) and five heads for respectively ejecting the treatment liquid and tanks provided corresponding to each of these heads are ejected. Is mounted on the carriage 101 as the inkjet unit 103. Each head and the tank are detachable from each other, and are provided so that only the tank can be exchanged for each ink color or the like as necessary when the ink or treatment liquid in the tank is used up. Of course, only the head can be replaced if necessary.
The structure for attaching and detaching the head and the tank is not limited to the above example, and it goes without saying that the head and the tank may be integrally formed.

The paper 106 as a material to be printed is inserted from an insertion opening 111 provided at the front end of the apparatus, and finally the conveyance direction is reversed, and the feed roller 109 conveys it to the lower part of the moving area of the carriage 101. To be done. As a result, the head mounted on the carriage 101 prints on the print area on the paper 106 supported by the platen 108 as the head moves.

As described above, printing is performed on the entire paper 106 while alternately repeating the printing of the width corresponding to the width of the ejection opening array of the head and the feeding of the paper 106, and the paper 106 is discharged to the front of the apparatus. It

At the left end of the movable area of the carriage 101, there is provided a recovery system unit 110 which can face the heads on the carriage 101 and the lower portions thereof, so that the ejection ports of the heads can be used during non-printing. It is possible to perform an operation of capping, an operation of sucking ink from the ejection port of each head, and the like. The predetermined position of the left end is set as the home position of the head.

On the other hand, at the right end of the apparatus, an operation section 107 having a switch and a display element is provided. The switches here are used when turning on / off the power of the apparatus and setting various print modes, and the display element plays a role of displaying various states of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the ink jet unit 103 described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows a configuration example in which the tanks for the black, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks and the treatment liquid can be independently replaced as described above. That is, a head case 102 for detachably mounting each head on the carriage 101, and
k tank 20K, C tank 20C, M tank 20
An M and Y tank 20Y and a processing liquid tank 21 are mounted. The head case 102 has heads 30K and 30 for ejecting Bk, C, M, and Y inks, respectively.
C, 30M, 30Y (not shown) and a head 31 (not shown) for ejecting the processing liquid are mounted. Each head has 160 ejection ports, and 40 ng of ink is ejected from each ejection port. Each of the above tanks is connected to the head via a connecting portion and supplies ink or treatment liquid to the head.

The structure of the tank depends on the expected usage of the ink or treatment liquid contained in the tank.
For example, the treatment liquid and the Bk tank may have an integrated structure, or the C, M, and Y tanks may have an integrated structure.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the structure around the heating element of the above-mentioned ink jet print head. The print head of this example discharges each of the above-mentioned inks or treatment liquids toward the print target material 106 by a predetermined amount to discharge the print target material 1
It is used to form a pixel or a landing area on 06. Explaining ink discharge as an example, in this print head, a heater 30 which is an electrothermal converter corresponds to an ink discharge port (orifice) 23 provided in each of a plurality of nozzles, and a heater 30 which is an electrothermal converter is provided at a predetermined position of an ink flow path 34. It is located in. Heater 30 and this heater 3
The electrode wiring (not shown) for supplying electric power to the substrate 0 is a substrate 3 made of silicon or the like that constitutes the bottom of the ink flow path 34.
3 is formed by depositing a metal such as aluminum on the heater 3 by a film forming technique.
A protective film 36 is provided to prevent the surface from coming into direct contact with liquid such as ink. A common liquid chamber 3 for supplying ink to each ink flow path is provided behind the ink flow path 34.
Two are provided. Above the substrate 33, the orifice 2
3, the partition walls 34 made of various synthetic resins or glass materials that form the ink flow path 34 and the common liquid chamber 32 are stacked. The heaters 30 in all the nozzles are configured to be able to generate heat independently.

In the print head having such a structure, a drive signal corresponding to recorded image information is applied to the heater 30 to heat the heater 30 to heat the ink in the ink flow path 34 to cause film boiling. Bubbles are formed by the film boiling phenomenon, and a predetermined amount of ink is ejected as ink droplets 35 from the orifice 23 by utilizing the pressure due to the abrupt volume change associated with the generation of the bubbles, so that characters and images are printed on the printing material 106. Can be formed. At this time, the volume of the ejected ink droplet is about 15 to 80 ng.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an orifice surface of the print head. The print head of this example is of a color head unit type in which a chip including an ink ejection nozzle array of each color and a chip including a liquid ejection nozzle array are arranged on one orifice surface. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, S (treatment liquid)
Chip 2301 and K (black ink) chip 230
2, C (cyan ink) chip 2303, M (magenta ink) chip 2304, and Y (yellow ink)
The chip 2305 is fixed on the same frame 2306. The chips are arranged at equal intervals along the main scanning direction (arrow X direction in FIG. 4) of the print head at intervals of 1/2 inch, and the nozzle row of each chip is a sub-row orthogonal to the main scanning direction. It extends in the scanning direction (the arrow Y direction in FIG. 4). Nozzle row is 64 in every tip
The number of nozzles is about 70μ.
m. With each chip, it is possible to record a band for 64 nozzles in one main scan at a resolution of 360 dpi. In the print head of this example, the K chip 230
About 80 nl of black ink is ejected from the second nozzle, and the other S, C, M, Y chips 2301, 230
The nozzles 3, 2304 and 2305 are configured to eject about 40 nl of the processing liquid or ink.

Of the above chips, S chips 2301, K
The chip 2302 and the C chip 2303 are arranged on the side preceding the other chip at the recording position in the sub-scanning direction by the recording band width.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a printing operation involving ejection of the processing liquid using the print head having the chip structure shown in FIG.

(Step 1) First, the print head is moved forward in the main scanning direction with respect to the printing material (see FIG. 7).
The band 1 is printed by the S chip, the K chip, and the C chip with a recording width of 64 nozzles while moving in the middle (arrow direction). Here, regarding the S recording data,
Based on the Y, M, C, K data to be recorded in band 1 in time, create OR data of those data and S
This is recorded data, and this data is recorded prior to other data. By this step 1, the treatment liquid S is applied to the printing material before the application of the Y, M, C, and K inks to the areas where the inks are to be recorded. After such recording operation, the print material is moved in the sub-scanning direction (upward in FIG. 7) by the recording bandwidth.

(Step 2) While moving the print head in the return direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 7) which is the opposite direction to the moving direction of the print head in the above step 1,
Print bands 1 and 2.

The band 2 is printed by the S chip, K chip and C chip. Here, as in step 1, Y, M, and
Based on the C and K data, logical sum data of these data is created as S recording data, and this data is recorded prior to other data. Simultaneously with the printing on the band 2, the band 1 is printed by the Y chip and the M chip. The treatment liquid S has already been applied in step 1 to the area for recording the Y and M data. By applying the Y ink and the M ink in step 2,
The coloring materials in both inks can be insolubilized or aggregated by the treatment liquid S on the printing material. After such recording operation, the print material is moved in the sub-scanning direction (upward in FIG. 7) by the recording bandwidth.

(Step 3) While moving the print head in the forward direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 7) which is the opposite direction to the movement direction of the print head in step 2,
Print bands 2 and 3.

The band 3 is printed by S chip, K chip and C chip. Here, similar to steps 1 and 2, based on the Y, M, C, K data to be recorded in the band 3 soon, logical sum data of these data is created as S recording data, and this data is It records before the data of. Simultaneously with the printing on the band 3, the band 2 is printed by the M chip and the Y chip. The treatment liquid S has already been applied to the area for recording the Y and M data in step 2, and by applying the Y ink and the M ink in step 3, the color materials in both inks are printed on the printing material. It can be insolubilized or aggregated by the treatment liquid S. After such a recording operation, a recording band width corresponding to the sub-scanning direction (see FIG.
In the above, the print material is moved upward.

Thereafter, by repeating the recording operation in the same manner, the treatment liquid is always applied to the application area of each ink prior to the application of each ink.

In this embodiment, since the steps shown in FIG. 7 are performed by using the print head shown in FIG. 4, a water-resistant and highly reliable image and less feathering occur. In addition, it is possible to obtain a high-quality image with high recording density and no blurring in the boundary between different colors.

When the treatment liquids A, B and C having the following compositions were used as the treatment liquids used in this embodiment, when the treatment liquid A was used, other treatment liquids B and C were used.
Compared with the above, the feathering was minimal, the recording density was high, and a high-quality image without blurring between different color boundaries was obtained. When the treatment liquid B was used, the print quality was slightly inferior to that of the treatment liquid A, but there was no practical problem. When the treatment liquid C was used, the bleeding at the boundary between different colors was slightly inferior to that of the treatment liquid A, but there was no problem in practical use.

The composition of each ink and the treatment liquids A, B and C used in this embodiment and the preparation method thereof are as follows.

After mixing the following components and thoroughly stirring, pressure filtration was performed with a Fluoropore filter (manufactured by Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd .: trade name) having a pore diameter of 0.22 μm to obtain each ink and the like.

Y ink Glycerin 5.0% by weight Thioglycol 5.0% by weight Urea 5.0% by weight Isopropyl alcohol 4.0% by weight Dye C.I. I. Direct Yellow 142 2.0% by weight Water 79.0% by weight M Ink Glycerin 5.0% by weight Thioglycol 5.0% by weight Urea 5.0% by weight Isopropyl alcohol 4.0% by weight Dye C.I. I. Acid Red 289 2.5 wt% Water 78.5 wt% C ink Glycerin 5.0 wt% Thioglycol 5.0 wt% Urea 5.0 wt% Isopropyl alcohol 4.0 wt% Dye C. I. Direct Blue 199 3.0 wt% Water 78.0 wt% K ink Glycerin 5.0 wt% Thioglycol 5.0 wt% Urea 5.0 wt% Isopropyl alcohol 4.0 wt% Dye Food Black 2 3.0 wt% % Water 78.0 wt% Treatment liquid A Polyallylamine hydrochloride 5.0 wt% Benzalkonium chloride (Cation G50, Sanyo Kasei) 1.0 wt% Diethylene glycol 10.0 wt% Water 83.5 wt% Treatment liquid B Polyethyleneimine hydrochloride 5.0% by weight Cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (Levon TM-16, Sanyo Kasei) 1.0% by weight Diethylene glycol 10.0% by weight Water 83.5% by weight Treatment liquid C Polyallylamine hydrochloride 5.0% by weight % Diethylene glycol 10.0 wt% Water 84.5 wt% (Embodiment 2) FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing another example of the orifice surface of the print head. The print head of this example is a color head unit type in which the chips including the ink discharge nozzle rows of each color and the chips including the liquid discharge nozzle rows are arranged on one orifice surface, as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. belongs to.

The feature of this embodiment is that the first embodiment
Unlike all the chips (S chip 2201, K chip 2202, C chip 2203, M chip 2204, Y chip 2205) have a nozzle row having 128 nozzles, all the chips are in the sub-scanning direction. There is no misalignment with respect to each other, and they are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction, and the other constituent elements are the same as in the first embodiment.
And the description of the common parts is omitted. All the chips are fixed on the same frame 2206.

In the print head of this embodiment, the nozzle pitch of each chip is about 70 μm. With each chip, a band for 128 nozzles can be recorded in one main scan at a resolution of 360 dpi. Then, when printing is performed with application of the treatment liquid, S
Using the 64 nozzles on the downstream side (lower side in FIG. 5) of the chip 2201 and the C chip 2203 in the sub-scanning direction, the processing liquid S
And C ink are applied, and K ink, M ink, and Y ink are applied using 64 nozzles on the upstream side (upper side in FIG. 5) of the K chip 2202, M chip 2204, and Y chip 2205 in the sub-scanning direction. The recording band width is set to 64 nozzles corresponding to half the nozzle row length of each chip. According to this method, it is possible to apply the treatment liquid S and the C ink prior to the application of the K ink, the M ink, and the Y ink. In this example printhead,
About 80 nl of black ink is ejected from the nozzle of the K chip 2202, and each of the other S, C, M, and Y chips 22 is ejected.
The nozzles 01, 2203, 2204, and 2205 are configured to eject about 40 nl of the processing liquid or ink.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a printing operation involving ejection of a processing liquid using the print head having the chip structure shown in FIG.

(Step 1) First, the print head is moved toward the print material in the forward direction (see FIG. 8).
The band 1 is printed with a recording width of 64 nozzles on the lower side of the S chip and the C chip while moving in the middle (arrow direction). Here, regarding the S recording data, based on the Y, M, C, K data to be recorded in band 1 in due time,
The logical sum data of these data is created as S recording data, and this data is recorded prior to other data. By this step 1, Y, M,
The treatment liquid S is applied to the areas where the C and K inks are to be printed, prior to the application of those inks. After such recording operation, the print material is moved in the sub-scanning direction (upward in FIG. 8) by the recording bandwidth.

(Step 2) While moving the print head in the return direction (the arrow direction in FIG. 8), which is the opposite direction to the moving direction of the print head in Step 1,
Print bands 1 and 2.

The band 2 is printed by 64 nozzles below the S and C chips. here,
Similar to step 1, based on the Y, M, C, K data to be recorded in band 2 soon, logical sum data of those data is created as S recording data, and this data precedes other data. To record. Simultaneously with the printing on the band 2, the band 1 is printed by 64 nozzles above the K chip, the Y chip and the M chip.
The treatment liquid S has already been applied in step 1 to the area for recording the K, Y, and M data, and K in step 2
By applying the ink, the Y ink, and the M ink, the color materials in both inks can be insolubilized or aggregated by the treatment liquid S on the printing material. After such recording operation, the print material is moved in the sub-scanning direction (upward in FIG. 8) by the recording bandwidth.

(Step 3) While moving the print head in the forward direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 8) which is the opposite direction to the moving direction of the print head in the step 2,
Print bands 2 and 3.

The band 3 is printed by 64 nozzles below the S and C chips. here,
Similar to steps 1 and 2, based on the Y, M, C, K data to be recorded in band 3 soon, logical sum data of those data is created as S recording data, and this data is used as other data. Record ahead. Simultaneously with the printing on the band 3, the band 2 is printed by the 64 nozzles above the K chip, M chip and Y chip. The treatment liquid S has already been applied to the area for recording the K, Y, and M data in step 2. By applying the K ink, Y ink, and M ink in step 3, the color materials in both inks are removed. Treatment liquid S on printed material
Can be insolubilized or aggregated. After such recording operation, the print material is moved in the sub-scanning direction (upward in FIG. 8) by the recording bandwidth.

Thereafter, by repeating the recording operation in the same manner, the treatment liquid is always applied to the application area of each ink prior to the application of each ink.

In the present embodiment, the steps shown in FIG. 8 are carried out by using the print head shown in FIG. 5, so that a highly reliable image having water resistance and less feathering can be obtained. In addition, it is possible to obtain a high-quality image with high recording density and no blurring in the boundary between different colors.

As the processing liquid used in this embodiment, the processing liquid A used in the first embodiment is also used.
When using the treatment liquids B and C, when the treatment liquid A was used, compared to the other treatment liquids B and C, the feathering was the least, the recording density was high, and a high-quality image without blurring of different color boundaries was obtained. was gotten. When the treatment liquid B was used, the print quality was slightly inferior to that of the treatment liquid A, but there was no practical problem. When the treatment liquid C was used, the bleeding at the boundary between different colors was slightly inferior to that of the treatment liquid A, but there was no problem in practical use.

Further, in the present embodiment, when special paper capable of forming an image with sufficient water resistance and high print quality is used for printing without application of the treatment liquid, K,
By using all 128 nozzles of C, M, and Y ink chips in the same scan, higher speed recording is possible.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing still another example of the orifice surface of the print head. In the print head of this example, as in the case of the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the chips including the color ink discharge nozzle rows and the chips including the liquid discharge nozzle rows are arranged on one orifice surface. It is of the color head unit type.

The feature of this embodiment is that the S chip 2101 is used.
And the K chip 2102 has a nozzle row having 128 nozzles, and the YMC chip 2103 having a monolithic structure has a nozzle row having 64 nozzles each, M for Y ink, M
The point is that the nozzle rows for ink and C ink are divided and arranged in the sub-scanning direction. The S chips 2101, the K chips 2102, and the YMC chips 2103 are arranged at equal intervals of 1/2 inch in the main scanning direction and fixed on the same frame 2104. YMC chip 2103
An inter-color separation unit for 8 nozzles is provided between each ink nozzle row. The pitch of each nozzle is about 70 μm.
According to each chip, it is possible to print at a resolution of 360 dpi in one main scan. In the print head of this example, about 80 nl of black ink is ejected from the nozzle of the K chip 2102 and the other S chips 2101 and YMC.
About 40 nl of the processing liquid or ink is ejected from each nozzle of the chip 2103.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a printing operation involving ejection of a processing liquid using the print head having the chip structure shown in FIG. Next, the printing process of the print head shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 9, but in order to simplify the description, the number of nozzles of the S chip 2101 and the K chip 2102 is 96, and the YMC chip 2
The number of nozzles 103 is 64, and the YMC chip 210
It is assumed that 3 has no color separation part.

(Step 1) First, the print head is moved toward the print material in the forward direction (see FIG. 9) in the main scanning direction.
While moving in the middle (arrow direction), all 96 nozzles are used for the S and K chips, all 64 nozzles are used for the C chip, and the lower side (downstream side in the sub scanning direction) is used for the M chip. Band 1 is printed with a recording width of 96 nozzles by using 32 nozzles corresponding to half. Here, regarding the S recording data,
Based on the Y, M, C, K data to be recorded in band 1 in time, create OR data of those data and S
This is recorded data, and this data is recorded prior to other data. By this step 1, the treatment liquid S is applied to the printing material before the application of the Y, M, C, and K inks to the areas where the inks are to be recorded. After such recording operation, the print material is moved in the sub-scanning direction (upward in FIG. 9) by the recording bandwidth.

(Step 2) While moving the print head in the return direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 9) which is the opposite direction to the moving direction of the print head in the above step 1,
Print bands 1 and 2.

For band 2, similar to the printing for band 1 in step 1, all 96 nozzles are used for chips and K chips, all 64 nozzles are used for C chips, and the lower side (for M chips) ( The band 2 is printed with a recording width of 96 nozzles by using 32 nozzles corresponding to half of (downstream side in the sub-scanning direction). Simultaneously with printing on this band 2, 32 nozzles in the upper half of the M chip and 64 nozzles of the Y chip
Print on band 1 by using all the nozzles. At this time, unlike the previous step 1, even after the recording operation, the printing band width of the printing material is not moved in the sub-scanning direction, and the operation directly proceeds to the next step 3.

(Step 3) In this step, the print head is moved in the forward direction (arrow direction in FIG. 9) of the main scanning direction with respect to the print material, and the S chip and Uses all 96 nozzles for each K tip and 64 for each C tip
The band 2 is printed with a recording width of 96 nozzles by using all the nozzles and using the lower 32 nozzles of the M chip.

Thereafter, by repeating the recording operation in the same manner, the treatment liquid is always applied to the application area of each ink prior to the application of each ink.

In this embodiment, since the steps shown in FIG. 9 are executed by using the print head shown in FIG. 6, a water-resistant and highly reliable image and less feathering occur. In addition, it is possible to obtain a high-quality image with high recording density and no blurring in the boundary between different colors.

As the processing liquid used in this embodiment, the processing liquid A used in the first embodiment is also used.
When using the treatment liquids B and C, when the treatment liquid A was used, compared to the other treatment liquids B and C, the feathering was the least, the recording density was high, and a high-quality image without blurring of different color boundaries was obtained. was gotten. When the treatment liquid B was used, the print quality was slightly inferior to that of the treatment liquid A, but there was no practical problem. When the treatment liquid C was used, the bleeding at the boundary between different colors was slightly inferior to that of the treatment liquid A, but there was no problem in practical use.

The processing liquid used in the present invention is
(1) The function of improving the water resistance of the recorded image, (2) improving the printing quality of the recorded image, and (3) reducing the bleeding between different color boundaries of the recorded image in color printing There is no limitation as long as the treatment liquid contains at least one kind of cationic substance, and the above effect can be exhibited.

The cationic substance is not particularly limited as long as it has a cationic group in the molecule, but a cationic surfactant, a cationic oligomer, a polymer and the like are preferable.

First, regarding the cationic surfactants, preferred specific compounds are listed. Compounds of salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, such as laurylamine, coconut amine, stearylamine, and rosinamine. Hydrochloride, 4th
Ammonium-type compounds, specifically cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryltributylammonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, and other amphoteric surfactants that exhibit cationicity in a certain pH range, specifically amino acid-type Examples include amphoteric surfactants, betaine-type compounds and the like adjusted to have an isoelectric point or lower, but of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. Of these compounds, the quaternary ammonium type compound is particularly preferable.

Next, regarding cationic oligomers and polymers, specific monomer units include vinylamine, allylamine, vinylpyridine, vinylimidazole, N, N-dimethylaminoacrylamide, ethyleneimine, and 2-oxazoline. However, of course, it is not limited to these.

In addition to the above-mentioned homopolymer of a cationic monomer unit, a copolymer with a nonionic monomer unit, a nonionic oligomer, or a polymer obtained by polymerizing a part of a polymer is also used. It is possible.

Among these compounds, allylamine-based oligomers and polymers are particularly preferable.

Furthermore, when a low molecular weight cationic surfactant and polyallylamine are used in combination, blurring at different color boundaries can be reduced at the time of color recording. Therefore, the combination is particularly preferable for color recording.

Next, other components which may be contained in the treatment liquid or ink used in the present invention will be described.

A water-soluble dye can be used as the coloring material in the ink used in the present invention. As the water-soluble dye, one having an anionic group as a solubilizing group is used. The ink used in the present invention includes a water-soluble dye, water, a water-soluble organic solvent, a viscosity adjusting agent, a pH adjusting agent, a fungicide, a neutral or anionic surfactant, and an oxidizing agent as other components. Inhibitors and the like are included as necessary.

The ink colors used in the present invention are as follows:
There are black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and examples of the coloring material include anionic water-soluble dyes.

The anionic water-soluble dye used in the present invention includes a color index (color in
There is no particular limitation as long as it is a water-soluble acid dye, a direct dye or a reactive dye described in dex). Further, even a dye not described in the color index is not particularly limited as long as it has an anionic group, for example, a sulfone group. These dyes are used in the ink in an amount of 1 to 10% by weight, preferably 1 to 5% by weight.

Specific dyes include C.I. I. Direct Yellow 8, 11, 12, 27, 28, 33, 39,
44, 50, 58, 85, 86, 87, 88, 98, 1
00, 110, C.I. I. Direct Red 2, 4, 9,
11, 20, 23, 24, 31, 39, 46, 62, 7
5, 79, 80, 89, 95, 197, 20, 218,
220, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 2
30, C.I. I. Direct Blue 1, 15, 22, 2
5, 41, 76, 77, 80, 86, 90, 98, 10
6, 108, 120, 158, 163, 168, 19
9, 226, C.I. I. Acid Yellow 1, 3, 7, 1
1, 17, 23, 25, 29, 36, 38, 40, 4
2, 44, 76, 98, 99, C.I. I. Acid Red 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 18, 26, 27, 32, 3
5, 42, 51, 52, 80, 83, 87, 89, 9
2, 106, 114, 115, 133, 134, 14
5, 158, 198, 249, 265, 289, C.I.
I. Acid Blue 1, 7, 9, 15, 22, 23, 2
5, 29, 40, 43, 59, 62, 74, 78, 8
0, 90, 100, 102, 104, 117, 127,
138, 158, 161, C.I. I. Direct Black 17, 19, 22, 31, 32, 51, 62, 71, 7
4, 112, 113, 154, 168, C.I. I. Acid Black 2, 48, 5, 52, 110, 115, 15
6, C.I. I. Reactive Black 1, 8, 12, 1
3, C.I. I. Food Black 1, 2 etc. are mentioned. Of course, it is not limited to the above.

In addition to the above, as the coloring material of the ink used in the present invention, (1) a dye having a carboxyl group as a solubilizing group (this includes dyes having solubility dependence on pH), (2) oil Soluble dye, (3) Cationic dye,
(4) It is also possible to use a pigment or the like.

The ink containing these coloring materials has a characteristic that when the ink containing the water-soluble anionic positive dye is brought into contact with the ink, the ink is precipitated at the boundary portion or is incompatible with each other. . In particular, many of the coloring materials (1), (2), and (4) have excellent water resistance.

Examples of the dye having a carboxyl group include those shown below, but of course the present invention is not limited to the dyes having these structures.

The oil-soluble dye is not particularly limited as long as it is described in the color index. Also,
There is no particular limitation even if the dye is a new dye not described in the color index.

The cationic dye is not particularly limited as long as it is described in the color index. In addition, even if it is a new dye not described in the color index, there is no particular limitation.

These dyes and pigments are contained in the ink in an amount of 1-10.
It is used in the range of 1% by weight, preferably 1 to 5% by weight. As the specific color to be printed by scanning different from the treatment liquid used in the present invention, for example, (1) the change in chromaticity of the coloring material due to the application of the treatment liquid is the smallest among the inks used.
(2) It is desirable to use the ink having the largest clogging of the nozzle due to the mist of the treatment liquid among the used inks. The reason for (1) is that when ink is applied in a scan different from the scan in which the treatment liquid is applied, the time interval becomes longer than when the treatment liquid and ink are applied in the same scan. It is more desirable that the ink has a small change in chromaticity. Regarding (2), when ink is applied by a scan different from the scan for applying the treatment liquid, the simplest configuration is to shift the chip in the sub-scanning direction as shown in FIG. As is clear from FIG. 4, the ink applied in a scan different from the scan in which the treatment liquid is applied is naturally far from the chip ejecting the treatment liquid. As a result, the mist of the treatment liquid does not easily reach the nozzle of the ink chip, and clogging of the ink chip due to the mist of the treatment liquid hardly occurs.

The treatment liquid for insolubilizing the ink dye used in the present invention can be obtained, for example, as follows.

That is, after mixing and dissolving the following components,
Furthermore, after pressure filtration with a membrane filter having a pore size of 0.22 μm (trade name: Fluoropore filter, manufactured by Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.), the pH may be adjusted to 4.8 with NaOH to obtain the treatment liquid S. it can.

[Component of S] Low molecular weight component of cationic compound Stearyl trimethyl ammonium salt 2.0 parts (trade name; Electrostriper QE, manufactured by Kao Corporation) or stearyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (trade name: Utamine 86P, Kao Corporation) Co., Ltd. Polymer of cationic compound Copolymer of diallylamine hydrochloride and sulfur dioxide 3.0 parts (average molecular weight: 5000) (Brand name: polyamine sulfone PAS-92, Nitto Boseki Co., Ltd.) Thiodi Glycol 10 parts Water balance The following can be mentioned as a preferable example of the ink which is mixed with the treatment liquid and insolubilized.

That is, the following components were mixed, and the mixture was filtered under pressure with a membrane filter (trade name: Fluoropore filter, manufactured by Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.) having a pore size of 0.22 μm, and then yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Inks Y1, M1, C1, and K1 can be obtained.

Y1 C. I. Direct Yellow 142 2 parts Thiodiglycol 10 parts Trade name; Acetylenol EH 0.05 parts (Kawaken Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd.) Water balance M1 Dye I. Acid Red 289; C1 dye having the same composition as Y1 except that 2.5 parts was replaced with C.I. I. Acid Blue 9; C1 dye having the same composition as Y1 except that 2.5 parts was replaced with C.I. I. In the mixing of the treatment liquid (liquid composition) and the ink having the same composition or more as Y1 except that the food black 2; 3 parts is replaced, in the present invention, the treatment liquid and the ink described above are applied to the printing material or the printing material. As a result of mixing at the position where it penetrates into the printing material, as a first step of the reaction, among the cationic substances contained in the treatment liquid, the low molecular weight component or cationic oligomer and the anionic group used in the ink are mixed. The water-soluble dye that it has undergoes ionic interaction to cause association, and instantaneously causes separation from the solution phase.

Next, in the second step of the reaction, the above-mentioned dye and the association product of the low molecular weight cationic substance or the cationic oligomer are adsorbed by the polymer component contained in the treatment liquid, so that the association occurs. The size of the dye agglomerates further increases, making it difficult for the dye aggregates to enter the gaps between the fibers of the print material, and as a result, only the liquid portion that has undergone solid-liquid separation will soak into the recording paper, thus improving print quality and fixability. The compatibility of both is achieved. At the same time, the low molecular weight component of the cationic substance generated by the mechanism as described above or the aggregate formed by the cationic oligomer and the anionic dye has a high viscosity and does not move with the movement of the liquid medium. Even if adjacent ink dots are formed of different color inks as in formation, they do not mix with each other and bleeding does not occur. Further, the above-mentioned aggregates are essentially water-insoluble, and the water resistance of the formed image is perfect.
Further, it also has the effect of improving the light fastness of the image formed by the shielding effect of the polymer.

As used herein, the term "insolubilization" or "aggregation" means a phenomenon involving only the first stage or a phenomenon including both the first stage and the second stage.

In carrying out 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, or even if it is necessary to use the present invention, Since it is only necessary to supplementarily use it to further improve the effect, the amount used can be minimized. As a result, the reduction of the color developability of the dye, which is a problem when trying to obtain the water resistance effect using the conventional cationic polymer substance or polyvalent metal salt, is eliminated. Can be listed as the effect of.

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

(Others) The present invention is provided with a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating heat energy as energy used for ejecting ink, particularly in the ink jet printing system. The present invention provides excellent effects in a print head and a printing apparatus of the type in which the thermal energy causes a change in the state of ink. This is because such a method can achieve high density and high definition printing.

Regarding the typical structure and principle thereof, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 796 is preferred. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
It can be applied to any of the continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to the sheet holding the liquid (ink) or the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the print information and causing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal converter, and film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the print head. This is effective because bubbles can be generated in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal one-to-one as a result. Due to the growth and contraction of the bubbles, the liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make this drive signal into a pulse shape because bubbles can be immediately and appropriately grown and contracted, so that liquid (ink) ejection with excellent responsiveness can be achieved. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124, which is an invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface, are adopted, more excellent printing can be performed.

As the construction of the print head, in addition to the combination of the ejection port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the straight liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, The present invention also includes a configuration using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which the heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region. In addition, for multiple electrothermal converters,
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670, which discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as the discharge portion of the electrothermal converter, and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 59-63, which discloses a structure in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is associated with the discharge portion. The effects of the present invention are effective even with a configuration based on Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 138461. That is, according to the present invention, regardless of the form of the print head, printing can be surely performed efficiently.

Furthermore, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type print head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a print medium that can be printed by the printing apparatus. As such a print head, a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of print heads,
It may be configured as one print head integrally formed.

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

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the print head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., which are provided in the present invention as a configuration of the printing apparatus, because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. . Specific examples thereof include capping means for the print head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suctioning means, electrothermal converter or other heating element or preheating means by a combination thereof, It is also effective to perform stable printing by performing a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing.

The type or number of print heads to be mounted is, for example, 1 for a single color ink.
Instead of providing only a single piece, a plurality of pieces may be provided corresponding to a plurality of inks having different print colors and densities. That is, for example, the print mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to the print mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but may be either the print head is integrally configured or a plurality of combinations may be used. The present invention is also extremely effective for a device provided with at least one of full colors by color mixing.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and that softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet system. In general, the temperature of the ink itself is adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. Anything can be used. In addition, the temperature rise due to the thermal energy is positively prevented by using it as the energy for the state change of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink that solidifies in the standing state is used for the purpose of preventing the evaporation of the ink. However, in any case, when heat ink is liquefied by applying heat energy according to the print signal and liquid ink is ejected, or when the ink reaches the print medium, it begins to solidify. The present invention is also applicable to the case of using an ink that has a property of being liquefied only by energy. The ink in such a case is as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260.
It may be in a form of facing the electrothermal converter in a state of being held as a liquid or a solid in the concave portion or the through hole of the porous sheet. 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 form of the printing apparatus provided with the printing mechanism using the liquid jet print head of the present invention, besides the one used as an image output terminal of information processing equipment such as a computer, it is combined with a reader or the like. It may be a copying machine or a facsimile machine having a transmission / reception function.

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

In the figure, reference numeral 1801 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire apparatus, which includes a CPU such as a microprocessor and various I / Os.
It has a port and outputs control signals, data signals, etc. to each section, and controls by inputting control signals and data signals from each section. A display unit 1802 displays various menus, document information, image data read by the image reader 1807, and the like on this display screen. A transparent pressure-sensitive touch panel 1803 is provided on the display unit 1802. By pressing the surface of the touch panel 1803 with a finger or the like, items or coordinate positions can be input on the display unit 1802.

1804 is an FM (Frequency M)
sound source section, the music information created by a music editor or the like is stored in the memory section 1810 or the external storage device 18
The data is stored as digital data in 12, and is read 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 a printer to which 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 for photoelectrically reading and inputting original data, which is provided in the middle of the original conveying path and reads various originals such as facsimile originals and copy originals. The image reader unit 1808
It is a transmission / reception unit of a facsimile (FAX) that transmits the original data read in 07 by facsimile and receives and decodes the transmitted facsimile signal, and has an interface function with the outside. Reference numeral 1809 denotes a telephone unit having various telephone functions such as a normal telephone function and an answering machine function.

Reference numeral 1810 denotes a ROM for storing a system program, a manager program, other application programs, etc., a character font, a dictionary, etc.,
It is a memory unit including an application program loaded from the external storage device 1812, document information, a video RAM, and the like.

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

An external storage device using a floppy disk, a hard disk or the like as a storage medium.
Reference numeral 12 stores document information, music or voice information, a user application program, 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 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 or 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 various document information and various data can be input. The keyboard 1903 is also provided with various function keys 1904 and the like. Reference numeral 1905 is an insertion port of a floppy disk into the external storage device 212.

Reference numeral 1906 denotes a sheet placing section for placing an original read by the image reader section 1807. The read original is discharged from the rear of the apparatus. When receiving a facsimile or the like, the image is printed by the inkjet printer 1907.

In the above description, the display unit 1802 is C
Although it may be RT, a flat panel such as a liquid crystal display using a ferroelectric liquid crystal is preferable. This is because in addition to being small and thin, it is possible to reduce the weight.

When the information processing apparatus functions as a personal computer or a word processor, various information input from the keyboard section 211 is processed by the control section 1801 according to a predetermined program, and the printer section 18 is processed.
It is output as an image in 06.

When functioning as a receiver of a facsimile apparatus, the facsimile information input from the FAX transmission / reception unit 1808 via the communication line is received by the control unit 1801 according to a predetermined program and processed by the printer unit 1806.
Is output as a received image.

In the case of functioning as a copying machine, a document is read by the image reader unit 1807, and the read document data is transferred to the printer unit 18 via the control unit 1801.
It is output as a copied image in 06. In addition, when functioning as a receiver of a facsimile apparatus, the image reader unit 1
The document data read by 807 is the control unit 180.
After the transmission processing according to the predetermined program by 1,
It is transmitted to the communication line via the FAX transmission / reception unit 1808.

The information processing apparatus described above may be an integral type in which an ink jet printer is built in the main body as shown in FIG. 12, and in this case, it becomes possible to further enhance the portability. In the figure, parts having the same functions as those in FIG. 11 are designated by the corresponding reference numerals.

By applying the printing apparatus of the present invention to the multifunctional information processing apparatus described above, a high-quality printed image can be obtained at high speed and with low noise.
It is possible to further improve the function of the information processing device.

[0112]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to obtain high-quality images at high speed with excellent water resistance and color development and no blurring between colors.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of an inkjet printing apparatus as an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the inkjet unit described in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a configuration near a heating element of the print head.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an orifice surface of the print head.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing another example of the orifice surface of the print head.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing still another example of the orifice surface of the print head.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a printing operation involving ejection of a processing liquid using the print head having the chip configuration shown in FIG.

8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a printing operation involving ejection of a processing liquid using the print head having the chip configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a printing operation involving ejection of a processing liquid using the print head having the chip configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to the present invention,
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when applied to an information processing device having a function as a personal computer, a facsimile device, and a copying device.

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

FIG. 12 is a schematic external view showing an example in which the printing apparatus of the present invention is applied to an information processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

2101 S chip 2102 K chip 2103 YMC chip 2104 frames 2201 S chip 2202 K chip 2203 C chip 2204 M tip 2205 Y chip 2206 frames 2301 S chip 2302 K chip 2303 C chip 2304 M tip 2305 Y chip

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Miki Ogasawara 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Eriko Saito 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. Incorporated company (56) Reference JP-A-8-281933 (JP, A) JP-A-8-281930 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/01 B41J 2/205 B41M 5/00

Claims (17)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ejection having an ink ejection nozzle row for applying each of a plurality of types of ink, and a liquid ejection nozzle row for applying a liquid containing a substance that insolubilizes or aggregates the coloring material of the ink. A main scanning operation of applying ink and liquid from the discharging means to the recording area of the printing material while reciprocating the discharging means in the main scanning direction along the recording area of the printing material, A transport operation for transporting the print material by a certain width in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction between a main scanning operation in the forward direction and a next main scanning operation in the backward direction of the ejection unit. An image forming method for performing printing by using the ink jetting method, wherein the ink is ejected in the same main scanning operation as the main scanning operation for applying the liquid from the liquid ejection nozzle array to the recording area of the printing material. The first ink ejection nozzle row is a main scanning operation that is different from the main scanning operation that applies the first ink from the first ink ejection nozzle row of the nozzle row and applies the liquid to the recording area. A step of performing printing on the recording area by applying the second ink to the recording area from a second ink ejection nozzle row different from the main scanning different from the main scanning for applying the liquid. The image forming method, wherein the second ink applied in step 1 is an ink containing a coloring material that is most insolubilized or aggregated by application of the liquid among the plurality of types of ink. 2. An ejection having an ink ejection nozzle array for applying each of a plurality of types of ink, and a liquid ejection nozzle array for applying a liquid containing a substance that insolubilizes or aggregates the coloring material of the ink. A main scanning operation of applying ink and liquid from the discharging means to the recording area of the printing material while reciprocating the discharging means in the main scanning direction along the recording area of the printing material, A transport operation for transporting the print material by a certain width in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction between a main scanning operation in the forward direction and a next main scanning operation in the backward direction of the ejection unit. An image forming method for performing printing by using the ink discharge nozzles in the same main scan as that for applying liquid from the liquid discharge nozzle row to a recording area of the print material. A main scan different from the first ink discharge nozzle array for applying the first ink from the first ink discharge nozzle array and applying the liquid to the recording area. There is a step of performing printing on the recording area by applying the second ink to the recording area from two ink ejection nozzle arrays, and is applied in a main scan different from the main scan for applying the liquid. The image forming method, wherein the second ink is an ink having the smallest change in chromaticity caused by application of the liquid among the plurality of types of ink. 3. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the second ink ejection nozzle array is spaced apart from the liquid ejection nozzle array in a transport direction of the print target material. . 4. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the application of the liquid is performed by an inkjet printing method. 5. The ink according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ink is applied by an ink jet printing method.
The image forming method described in 1 .. 6. The liquid according to claim 1, wherein the liquid contains at least a cationic substance, and the ink contains at least an anionic group as a water-soluble group. Image forming method. 7. The image forming method according to claim 6, wherein the cationic substance is polyallylamine. 8. The image forming method according to claim 6, wherein the cationic substance is a cationic surfactant and polyallylamine. 9. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid contains at least an anionic compound, and the ink contains at least a cationic dye. . 10. A print for one pixel of the ink,
The image forming method according to claim 1, which is performed by applying the ink a plurality of times to the printing material. 11. An ejection having an ink ejection nozzle row for applying each of a plurality of types of ink, and a liquid ejection nozzle row for applying a liquid containing a substance that insolubilizes or aggregates the coloring material of the ink. Main scanning operation of applying ink and liquid from the discharging means to the recording area of the printing material while reciprocating the discharging means in the main scanning direction along the recording area of the printing material, A transport operation for transporting the print material by a certain width in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction between a main scanning operation in the forward direction and a next main scanning operation in the backward direction of the ejection unit. An image forming apparatus for performing printing by using the ink jetting apparatus, the same main scanning operation as the main scanning operation of applying liquid from the liquid discharge nozzle row to the recording area of the printing material. The first ink ejection nozzle row is different from the main scanning operation in which the first ink is ejected from the first ink ejection nozzle row of the nozzle row and the liquid is applied to the recording area. A second ink ejecting nozzle row different from that for applying the second ink to the recording area to cause the ejecting means to print on the recording area. The second ink applied in a main scanning operation different from the scanning operation is an ink containing a coloring material that is most insolubilized or aggregated by application of the liquid among the plurality of types of ink. Image forming apparatus. 12. An ejection having an ink ejection nozzle array for applying each of a plurality of types of ink, and a liquid ejection nozzle array for applying a liquid containing a substance that insolubilizes or aggregates the color material of the ink. Main scanning operation of applying ink and liquid from the discharging means to the recording area of the printing material while reciprocating the discharging means in the main scanning direction along the recording area of the printing material, A transport operation for transporting the print material by a certain width in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction between a main scanning operation in the forward direction and a next main scanning operation in the backward direction of the ejection unit. An image forming apparatus for performing printing by using the ink jetting apparatus, the same main scanning operation as the main scanning operation of applying liquid from the liquid discharge nozzle row to the recording area of the printing material. The first ink ejection nozzle row is different from the main scanning operation in which the first ink is ejected from the first ink ejection nozzle row of the nozzle row and the liquid is applied to the recording area. A second ink ejecting nozzle row different from that for applying the second ink to the recording area to cause the ejecting means to print on the recording area. The image forming apparatus, wherein the second ink applied in a main scanning operation different from the scanning operation is an ink having the smallest chromaticity change caused by application of the liquid among the plurality of types of ink. 13. The liquid discharge nozzle array is arranged upstream of the second ink discharge nozzle array in the transport direction of the print material.
The image forming apparatus according to 1 or 12. 14. The liquid ejection nozzle array is arranged downstream of the second ink ejection nozzle array in the transport direction of the printing material.
The image forming apparatus according to 1 or 12. 15. A main scanning area of the liquid ejection nozzle row with respect to the printed material and a main scanning area of the second ink ejection nozzle row with respect to the printed material do not overlap during the same scanning. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13 or 14. 16. The ink discharge nozzle array of the discharge means has an electrothermal converter for generating bubbles in the ink by utilizing thermal energy and discharging the ink based on the generation of the bubbles. 11. The method according to claim 11, wherein
5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of item 5. 17. The liquid discharge nozzle array of the discharge means uses an electrothermal converter for generating bubbles in the liquid by utilizing thermal energy and discharging the liquid based on the generation of the bubbles. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 15, further comprising: