JP5402144B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus.

As a method of recording images, data, etc. using ink, in order to record on various recording media such as penetrating media and non-penetrating media, it is recorded on an intermediate transfer body and then transferred to the recording medium. A method has been proposed.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that before a flying ink droplet is transferred to an intermediate transfer member, a liquid is attached to the surface of the intermediate transfer member, and after ink is attached to the liquid, A recording method for transferring ink to a printing medium together with a liquid is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 2, a curable solution layer is formed by a curable solution on an intermediate transfer drum, an ink droplet is ejected onto the curable solution layer to form an image, and a recording medium is used as an intermediate transfer drum. Recording in which an image is formed by transferring a curable solution layer on which an image is formed on a recording medium by superimposing and applying pressure, and supplying a stimulus for curing the curable solution layer to cure the curable solution layer A method is disclosed.

  Further, Patent Document 3 discloses that at least one surfactant having a surface tension of 25 mN / m or less in a solution prepared by dissolving a 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate in a critical micelle concentration on a recording medium is 0. An undercoat liquid containing 0.001% or more and a critical micelle concentration or less is applied, the applied undercoat liquid is semi-cured, and ink curable by irradiation with active energy rays is ejected onto the semi-cured undercoat liquid. Thus, a recording method for recording an image is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-212956 JP 2008-068429 A JP 2008-105378 A

  An object of the present invention is to suppress the problem that a solid image portion is not filled and color mixing and blurring occur compared to a case where a liquid that improves the permeability of ink is not used.

The above problem is solved by the following means. That is,
The invention according to claim 1
An intermediate transfer member;
A curable solution layer forming apparatus for supplying a curable material and a hydrophobic curable solution containing at least liquid-absorbing particles that are cured by an external stimulus onto the intermediate transfer body to form a curable solution layer;
A liquid application device that applies a liquid that improves ink permeability to the curable solution layer formed on the intermediate transfer member;
An ink application device for applying aqueous ink to a region of the curable solution layer to which the liquid is applied;
A transfer device for bringing the curable solution layer provided with the ink into contact with a recording medium and transferring the curable solution layer from the intermediate transfer member to the recording medium;
And a stimulus supply device that supplies the stimulus for curing the curable solution layer to the curable solution layer.

The invention according to claim 2
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is amphiphilic.

The invention according to claim 3
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid contains a curable material that is cured by an external stimulus.

The invention according to claim 4
The liquid applying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the liquid applying device applies the liquid to a region where an image is formed and does not apply the liquid to at least a part of a region where an image is not formed. An image recording apparatus.

The invention according to claim 5
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid applying device is a droplet discharge device.

The invention according to claim 6
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid applying apparatus is a liquid applying apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the problem that the solid image portion is not filled and color mixing or blurring is suppressed as compared with the case where no liquid that improves ink permeability is used.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the problem that the solid image portion is not filled is suppressed as compared with the case where the liquid for improving the ink permeability is not amphiphilic.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the problem of color mixing and blurring is suppressed as compared with the case where the liquid that improves the permeability of the ink does not contain a curable material that is cured by an external stimulus.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the blur occurs at the boundary between the solid image and the line image, as compared with the case where the region to which the liquid that improves the ink permeability is not taken into consideration according to the region where the image is formed. The problem of doing is suppressed.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the liquid application device is not a droplet discharge device, the application of the liquid to improve the ink permeability is easily performed.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 6, compared with the case where a liquid application apparatus is not a liquid application apparatus, the application | coating to the wide area | region of the curable solution layer surface of the liquid which improves the permeability | transmittance of an ink is performed easily.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the image recording device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

  The image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment supplies a curable solution containing at least an intermediate transfer body, a curable material that is cured by an external stimulus, and liquid-absorbing particles onto the intermediate transfer body. A curable solution layer forming apparatus for forming a liquid and a liquid for improving ink permeability (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “permeability improving liquid”) is applied to the curable solution layer formed on the intermediate transfer member. A liquid application device that applies ink, an ink application device that applies ink to a region of the curable solution layer to which the liquid has been applied, and the curable solution layer to which the ink has been applied is brought into contact with a recording medium, and the intermediate transfer A transfer device that transfers the curable solution layer from a body to the recording medium, and a stimulus supply device that supplies the stimulus for curing the curable solution layer to the curable solution layer.

  From the viewpoint of improving the water resistance of the finally obtained image, the curable solution layer is generally controlled to be hydrophobic. However, when water-based ink is applied to a hydrophobic curable solution layer, the water-based ink is difficult to spread on the surface of the curable solution layer, and the water-based ink does not easily penetrate into the curable solution layer. It was. For this reason, the quality of the image has deteriorated such that the water-based ink does not spread and the solid image portion does not fill, and the non-penetrated water-based ink remains on the surface, so that color mixing or lines are blurred.

  On the other hand, in the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, after the hydrophobic curable solution layer is formed on the intermediate transfer member, the curable solution is applied before the aqueous ink is applied to the curable solution layer. The permeability improving liquid is applied to the layer. Thereby, the permeability of the water-based ink into the curable solution layer is improved, and the spreadability of the water-based ink on the surface of the curable solution layer is also improved.

  Further, in this embodiment, after the hydrophobic curable solution layer is formed on the intermediate transfer body, the permeability improving liquid is applied to the curable solution layer, but is applied to the intermediate transfer body in advance. When the permeability improving liquid is added to the curable solution, the initial viscosity of the curable solution itself is increased, and it is difficult to form a thin film layer (curable solution layer) using the curable solution. In addition, since the hygroscopicity of the curable solution itself increases, the water resistance and temporal stability of the cured film (film cured by applying a stimulus to the curable solution layer) transferred and formed on the recording medium, and the curable solution There is a disadvantage that the storage stability of itself deteriorates.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is provided to the member which has a substantially equal function through all the drawings, and the overlapping description may be abbreviate | omitted.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image recording apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment has, for example, an endless belt-like intermediate transfer belt 10 (intermediate transfer body) around the intermediate transfer belt 10 in the moving direction (arrow direction). In order from the upstream side, a curable solution layer forming apparatus 12 that supplies a hydrophobic curable solution 12A (described later in detail) onto the intermediate transfer belt 10 to form a curable solution layer 12B, and is permeable to the curable solution layer 12B. An ink jet recording head (droplet discharge device) 13 for a permeability improving liquid as a liquid applying apparatus for applying an improving liquid (a liquid for improving ink permeability) 13A, and an improvement in the permeability of the curable solution layer 12B. Ink jet recording head 14 (ink application device) for forming an image T by applying aqueous ink droplets 14A to the region to which the liquid 13A has been applied; The transfer device 16 for transferring the curable solution layer 12B on which the image T is formed by bringing the liquid layer 12B into contact with the recording medium P and applying pressure thereto, and the curable solution remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 A cleaning device 20 is disposed to remove the residue on the layer 12B, adhered foreign matter (paper dust etc. of the recording medium P), and the like.

  Further, inside the intermediate transfer belt 10, there is provided a stimulus supply device 18 that supplies a stimulus for curing the curable solution layer 12B to the curable solution layer 12B during the contact between the curable solution layer 12B and the recording medium P. Yes. That is, the stimulus supply device 18 is installed facing the area where the curable solution layer 12B is in contact with the recording medium P.

  The intermediate transfer belt 10 is supported and arranged so as to rotate while applying tension from the inner peripheral surface side by, for example, three support rolls 10A to 10C and a pressure roll 16B (transfer device 16). Further, the intermediate transfer belt 10 has a width (length in the axial direction) equal to or greater than the width of the recording medium P.

(Intermediate transfer belt)
The material of the intermediate transfer belt 10 is a known material generally used as an intermediate transfer belt, for example, various resins (for example, polyimide, polyamideimide, polyester, polyurethane, polyamide, polyethersulfone, fluorine resin, etc. ), Various rubbers (for example, nitrile rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, chloroprene rubber, isoprene rubber, styrene rubber, butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, urethane rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, acrylic rubber, silicone rubber, fluoro rubber) Etc.) and metal materials such as stainless steel. The intermediate transfer belt 10 may have a single layer configuration or a stacked configuration.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, since the stimulus supply device 18 is provided inside the intermediate transfer belt 10, the stimulus is supplied to the curable solution layer 12 </ b> B after passing through the intermediate transfer belt 10. Therefore, it is desirable that the intermediate transfer belt 10 has high stimulus permeability in order to efficiently supply stimulus to the curable solution layer 12B. Further, it is desirable that the intermediate transfer belt 10 has high stimulus resistance.

For example, when the stimulus supply device 18 is an ultraviolet irradiation device, it is desirable that the intermediate transfer belt 10 has high ultraviolet transmittance and high durability against ultraviolet rays. Specifically, for example, it is desirable that the ultraviolet transmittance of the intermediate transfer belt 10 is 70% or more.
Specific examples of the material forming the intermediate transfer belt 10 include ETFE (ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer), polyimide film, polyolefin film, and the like.

In the first embodiment, it is desirable that the surface free energy (γ _T ) of the intermediate transfer belt 10 on the surface in contact with the curable solution layer 12B is low. In particular, the surface free energy (γ _T ) is preferably lower than the surface free energy (γ _P ) of the recording medium P on the surface in contact with the curable solution layer 12B, and more preferably a condition that satisfies the following formula.
Formula: γ _P −γ _T > 10

The value of the surface free energy is obtained by the following method, for example.
Specifically, the contact angle meter CAM-200 (manufactured by KSV) was used, and the calculation was performed by the program calculation of the internal organs of the apparatus using the Zisman method.

In order to reduce the value of the surface free energy (γ _T ), the intermediate transfer belt 10 may be provided with a surface release layer on the surface in contact with the curable solution layer 12B.
Examples of the material used for the surface release layer include fluorine-based resin materials. Specifically, for example, fluorine resin, fluorine-modified urethane and silicone resin, copolymerized fluorine rubber, fluorine resin-copolymerized vinyl ether, Powder paint or resin tube such as PFA (tetrafluoroethylene perfluoroalkoxy resin), FEP (tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoropropylene copolymer paint), PTFE (tetrafluoroethylene) paint, PTFE-dispersed urethane paint, Furthermore, an ETFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) tube, PVdF (polyvinylidene fluoride), a PHV (polytetrafluorovinylidene) resin material, etc. are mentioned.
Among these, it is desirable to use a material that is highly permeable to the above stimuli. Moreover, when using the material with low permeability | transmittance with respect to the said stimulus, it is desirable to make the film thickness of a surface release layer thin.

(Curing solution layer forming device)
The curable solution layer forming apparatus 12 includes, for example, a supply roller 12D that supplies the curable solution 12A to the intermediate transfer belt 10 in a housing 12C that stores the curable solution 12A, and the supplied curable solution 12A. And a blade 12E that defines the layer thickness of the formed curable solution layer 12B.

  The curable solution layer forming apparatus 12 may be configured such that the supply roller 12 </ b> D continuously contacts the intermediate transfer belt 10 or is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 10. Further, the curable solution layer forming apparatus 12 may supply the curable solution 12A to the housing 12C from an independent solution supply system (not shown) so that the supply of the curable solution 12A is not interrupted. Details of the curable solution 12A will be described later.

  The curable solution layer forming apparatus 12 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and a known supply method (coating method: for example, die coating method, bar coating method, spray coating method, inkjet coating method, air knife coating) Apparatus using a blade method, a blade-type coating method, a roll-type coating method, or the like.

(Inkjet recording head for penetrability improving liquid (droplet discharge device))
The ink jet recording head 13 for penetrability improving liquid has a distance between the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 and the nozzle surface of the recording head 13 on the non-bent region of the intermediate transfer belt 10 that is rotated and supported by tension. It arrange | positions at 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less.

The ink jet recording head 13 is preferably a line type ink jet recording head having a width equal to or larger than the width of the recording medium P, for example, but a conventional scan type ink jet recording head may be used.
The application method of the permeability improving liquid 13A of the ink jet recording head 13 is not limited as long as it can apply the permeability improving liquid 13A, such as a piezoelectric element driving type and a heating element driving type. The details of the permeability improving liquid 13A will be described later.

(Inkjet recording head for ink (ink applicator))
The inkjet recording head 14 includes, for example, a recording head 14K for applying black ink, a recording head 14C for applying cyan ink, and a magenta ink from the upstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 10. The recording head 14 </ b> M and the recording head 14 </ b> Y for applying the yellow ink are configured to include recording heads of respective colors. Of course, the configuration of the recording head 14 is not limited to the above configuration, and may be configured by only the recording head 14K, or may be configured by only the recording head 14C, the recording head 14M, and the recording head 14Y.

  Each recording head 14 has a distance between the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 and the nozzle surface of the recording head 14 on the non-bending region of the intermediate transfer belt 10 that is rotated and supported by tension, for example, 0.7 to 1. 5 mm is arranged.

Each recording head 14 is preferably a line type ink jet recording head having a width equal to or larger than the width of the recording medium P, but a conventional scanning ink jet recording head may be used.
The ink application method of each recording head 14 is not limited as long as the ink droplets 14A can be applied, such as a piezoelectric element driving type and a heating element driving type. Details of the ink will be described later.

(Transfer device)
The transfer device 16 is configured as follows. Specifically, for example, the intermediate transfer belt 10 is stretched by the pressure roll 16B and the support roll 10C to form a non-bending region. In the non-bending region of the intermediate transfer belt 10, a support 22 for supporting the recording medium P is provided at a position facing the pressure roll 16B and the support roll 10C. The pressure roll 16 </ b> A is disposed at a position facing the pressure roll 16 </ b> B of the intermediate transfer belt 10 and contacts the recording medium P through an opening (not shown) provided in the support 22.
That is, a position where the intermediate transfer belt 10 and the recording medium P are sandwiched by the support roll 10C and the support 22 from a position where the intermediate transfer belt 10 and the recording medium P are sandwiched by the pressure rolls 16A and 16B (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “contact start position”). In the transfer region up to (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “peeling position”), the curable solution layer 12B is in contact with both the intermediate transfer belt 10 and the recording medium P.

(Stimulation supply device)
The stimulus supply device 18 is provided inside the intermediate transfer belt 10 and stimulates the curable solution layer 12B in contact with both the intermediate transfer belt 10 and the recording medium P via the intermediate transfer belt 10 in the transfer region. Supply.

The kind of the stimulus supply device 18 is selected according to the kind of the curable material contained in the curable solution 12A to be applied. Specifically, for example, when an ultraviolet curable material that is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays is applied, the stimulus supply device 18 is an ultraviolet ray that irradiates the curable solution 12A (the curable solution layer 12B formed thereby) with ultraviolet rays. Apply irradiation equipment.
Moreover, when applying the electron beam curable material hardened | cured by irradiation of an electron beam, the electron beam irradiation apparatus which irradiates an electron beam to the curable solution 12A (the curable solution layer 12B formed by this) as the stimulus supply apparatus 18 Apply.
Moreover, when applying the thermosetting material hardened | cured by provision of heat, the heat provision apparatus which provides heat to the curable solution 12A (the curable solution layer 12B formed by this) as the stimulus supply apparatus 18 is applied.

Here, examples of the ultraviolet irradiation device include metal halide lamps, high-pressure mercury lamps, ultra-high pressure mercury lamps, deep ultraviolet lamps, lamps that excite mercury lamps from the outside using microwaves, ultraviolet lasers, xenon lamps, UV-LEDs, etc. Applies.
Here, the irradiation condition of ultraviolet rays is not particularly limited, and may be selected according to the type of ultraviolet curable material, the thickness of the curable solution layer 12B, and the like. For example, when a metal halide lamp is used, the integrated light amount is 20 mJ. / Cm ² or more and 1000 mJ / cm ² or less.

Further, as an electron beam irradiation device, for example, there are a scanning type / curtain type, etc. The curtain type draws thermoelectrons generated in a filament by a grid in a vacuum chamber, and further, by a high voltage (for example, 70 to 300 kV), It is a device that accelerates at once, becomes an electron flow, passes through the window foil, and is released to the atmosphere side. The wavelength of an electron beam is generally smaller than 1 nm and has a large energy and ranges up to several MeV. However, an energy of several tens keV or more and several hundreds keV or less is applied when the wavelength of the electron beam is on the order of pm.
Here, the electron beam irradiation conditions are not particularly limited and may be selected according to the type of electron beam curable material, the thickness of the curable solution layer 12B, and the like. For example, the electron dose is 5 kGy or more and 100 kGy or less. It is.

Moreover, as a heat provision apparatus, a halogen lamp, a ceramic heater, a nichrome wire heater, a microwave heating, an infrared lamp etc. are applied, for example. An electromagnetic induction heating device is also used as the heat application device.
Here, the heat application condition is not particularly limited, and may be selected according to the thermosetting material type, the thickness of the curable solution layer 12B, and the like. is there.

(recoding media)
As the recording medium P, a permeation medium (for example, plain paper, coated paper, etc.) and a non-penetration medium (for example, art paper, resin film, etc.) are applied. The recording medium P is not limited to these, and includes other industrial products such as semiconductor substrates.

(Image recording process)
Hereinafter, an image recording process of the image recording apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment will be described.

  In the image recording apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment, the intermediate transfer belt 10 is rotationally driven. First, the curable solution layer forming apparatus 12 supplies the curable solution 12A to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 to thereby provide the curable solution. Layer 12B is formed.

  Here, the layer thickness (average film thickness) of the curable solution layer 12B is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 μm or more and 50 μm or less, and more preferably 3 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

  For example, if the thickness of the curable solution layer 12B is set so that the ink droplets 14A do not reach the lowermost layer of the curable solution layer 12B, the curable solution layer after the transfer of the curable solution layer 12B to the recording medium P is performed. The region where the ink droplet 14A is present in 12B is not exposed, and the region where the ink droplet 14A is not present in the curable solution layer 12B functions as a protective layer after curing.

Next, a penetrability improving liquid (a liquid for improving the ink penetrability) 13A is applied to the curable solution layer 12B formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10 from the ink jet recording head 13 for the penetrability improving liquid. .
The application of the permeability improving liquid 13A by the ink jet recording head 13 is based on the predetermined image information, and the region where the image on the surface of the curable solution layer 12B is formed (that is, the ink droplet 14A by the ink jet recording head 14 for ink). Is preferably applied to the region to which is provided. Further, it is preferable not to apply the permeability improving liquid 13A to at least a part of the region where no image is formed (more preferably, the entire surface of the region where no image is formed).

  Further, even in the region where the image is formed, the permeability improving liquid 13A is not applied in a region where the formed image is an “image for which the spread of the ink droplet 14A is to be suppressed” such as a fine line or a solid boundary portion. It is good also as an aspect.

  At this time, the application of the permeability improving liquid 13A by the ink jet recording head 13 is performed on a non-bent region in the intermediate transfer belt 10 which is rotated and supported by tension. That is, the permeability improving liquid 13A is applied to the curable solution layer 12B in a state where the belt surface is not bent.

  The application amount of the permeability improving liquid 13A is preferably 10% by volume or more and 100% by volume or less, and 20% by volume or more and 50% by volume or less with respect to the amount of ink droplets applied from the inkjet recording head 14. More preferably.

  Next, aqueous ink droplets 14 </ b> A are applied to the region of the curable solution layer 12 </ b> B to which the permeability improving liquid 13 </ b> A is applied by the ink jet recording head 14 for ink. The ink jet recording head 14 applies ink droplets 14 </ b> A to a region where an image of the curable solution layer 12 </ b> B is formed based on predetermined image information.

  At this time, the application of the ink droplets 14A by the ink jet recording head 14 is performed on a non-bent region in the intermediate transfer belt 10 which is rotated and supported by tension. That is, the ink droplets 14A are applied to the curable solution layer 12B in a state where the belt surface is not bent.

  Next, the recording medium P and the intermediate transfer belt 10 are sandwiched between the pressure rolls 16A and 16B of the transfer device 16, and pressure is applied. At this time, the curable solution layer 12B on the intermediate transfer belt 10 contacts the recording medium P (contact start position). Thereafter, until the position (peeling position) sandwiched between the support roll 10 </ b> C and the support 22, the state where the curable solution layer 12 </ b> B is in contact with both the intermediate transfer belt 10 and the recording medium P is maintained.

  Here, the pressure applied to the curable solution layer 12B by the pressure rolls 16A and 16B is preferably 0.001 MPa or more and 2 MPa or less, and more preferably 0.001 MPa or more and 0.5 MPa or less.

  Next, a stimulus is supplied via the intermediate transfer belt 10 by the stimulus supply device 18 to the curable solution layer 12B in contact with (in contact with) both the intermediate transfer belt 10 and the recording medium P. The curable solution layer 12B is cured. Specifically, stimulation supply is started after the curable solution layer 12B on the intermediate transfer belt 10 contacts the recording medium P (after passing through the contact start position), and the curable solution layer 12B is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 10. The stimulation supply is terminated before being peeled off (before reaching the peeling position).

The stimulus supply amount is desirably an amount that cures the curable solution layer 12 </ b> B to such an extent that it can be easily peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 10. Specifically, for example, when the stimulus is ultraviolet light, the integrated light amount is preferably in the range of 10 mJ / cm ^{2 to} 1000 mJ / cm ² .

  Next, the curable solution layer 12B is peeled from the intermediate transfer belt 10 at the peeling position, whereby a curable resin layer (image layer) including the image T by the ink droplets 14A is formed on the recording medium P.

  Then, the residue and foreign matter of the curable solution layer 12B remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 after the curable solution layer 12B is transferred to the recording medium P are removed by the cleaning device 20, and again on the intermediate transfer belt 10. In addition, the curable solution layer forming apparatus 12 supplies the curable solution 12A to form the curable solution layer 12B, and the image recording process is repeated.

  As described above, the image recording apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment performs image recording.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the curable solution layer 12B starts the stimulus supply after passing through the contact start position and ends the stimulus supply before reaching the peeling position. Not limited to.
Specifically, for example, the stimulus supply may be started when the curable solution layer 12B passes through the contact start position, or the stimulus supply may be started before passing through the contact start position. Further, for example, the stimulus supply may be terminated when the curable solution layer 12B reaches the peeling position, or the stimulus supply may be terminated after passing through the peeling position. Further, the stimulus supply may be resumed after the stimulus supply is temporarily stopped from the start to the end of the stimulus supply.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the stimulus supply device 18 is disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 10, and the stimulus is supplied to the curable solution layer 12B after passing through the intermediate transfer belt 10. Not limited to. Specifically, for example, the stimulus supply device 18 is disposed outside the intermediate transfer belt 10, and the intermediate transfer is performed directly (or after passing through the support 22 and the recording medium P) without passing through the intermediate transfer belt 10. The form which supplies irritation | stimulation to the curable solution layer 12B on the belt 10 may be sufficient.

  In addition, for example, there may be a form in which the stimulus transmitted through the intermediate transfer belt 10 is supplied to the curable solution layer 12B while the body of the stimulus supply device 18 is disposed outside the intermediate transfer belt 10. Specifically, for example, when the stimulus supply device 18 is an ultraviolet irradiation device, the ultraviolet irradiation device main body is disposed outside the intermediate transfer belt 10, and ultraviolet light is transmitted from the ultraviolet irradiation device main body to the intermediate transfer belt using, for example, an optical fiber or the like. For example, the curable solution layer 12 </ b> B may be irradiated with ultraviolet light after being guided inside 10 and passing through the intermediate transfer belt 10.

  Further, for example, an intermediate transfer drum may be arranged instead of the intermediate transfer belt 10.

  In the first embodiment, ink droplets 14A are selectively applied from the inkjet recording heads 14 of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan colors based on image data so that a color image is recorded on the recording medium P. However, the image may be recorded using only one color ink. Further, the present invention is not limited to the recording of characters and the like on a recording medium. That is, the present invention may be applied to industrially used droplet application (jetting) devices.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image recording apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image recording apparatus 102 according to the second embodiment is a liquid application apparatus (that is, the ink jet recording head 13 for permeability improving liquid) in the image recording apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. In addition, the liquid coating apparatus (roll coating apparatus) 23 is changed to a roll coating type.

(Roll coating device (liquid coating device))
The roll coating device 23 is disposed so that a part thereof is immersed in a container 23C that stores a penetrability improving liquid (liquid that improves the penetrability of ink) 23A and a penetrability improving liquid 23A that is stored in the container 23C. The first roll 231 holding the permeability improving liquid 23A on the outer peripheral surface, and the permeability improving liquid 23A held on the outer peripheral surface of the first roll 231 is transferred to the outer peripheral surface and the transferred permeability. A second roll 232 that further transfers the improvement liquid 23A to the outer peripheral surface of the third roll 233, which will be described later, and a curable solution layer formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10 with the permeability improvement liquid 23A transferred from the second roll 232 And a third roll 233 applied to the surface of 12B.

  The first roll 231, the second roll 232, and the third roll 233 have, for example, a width that is equal to or greater than the width of the recording medium P. In addition, the first roll 231, the second roll 232, and the third roll 233 are arranged in contact with each other or separated by a distance equal to or less than the thickness of the permeability improving liquid 23A to be held.

  Further, the third roll 233 is disposed on a non-bending region of the intermediate transfer belt 10 that is rotated and supported by tension, and the distance between the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 and the third roll 233 is formed, for example. The curable solution layer 12B is disposed so as to be separated by a thickness.

  In the image recording apparatus 102 according to the second embodiment, since the configuration described in the first embodiment is employed as it is except that the liquid coating apparatus is changed to the roll coating apparatus 23, the description thereof is omitted here.

Next, the image forming process will be described.
As described above, in the image recording apparatus 102 according to the second embodiment, the configuration described in the first embodiment is employed as it is except that the liquid coating apparatus is changed to the roll coating apparatus 23. Only the process of applying the permeability improving liquid 23A to the surface of the curable solution layer 12B by the apparatus 23 will be described.

The application of the permeability improving liquid 23A by the roll coating device 23 is performed by the first roll 231 in which the permeability improving liquid 23A stored in the container 23C is first soaked in part in the permeability improving liquid 23A. It is held on the outer peripheral surface. Next, the permeability improving liquid 23 </ b> A held on the outer peripheral surface of the first roll 231 is transferred and held on the outer peripheral surface of the second roll 232. Furthermore, the surface of the curable solution layer 12 </ b> B formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 after the permeability improving liquid 23 </ b> A held on the outer peripheral surface of the second roll 232 is transferred and held on the outer peripheral surface of the third roll 233. (Transferred).
In the roll coating apparatus 23 shown in FIG. 2, the permeability improving liquid 23A is applied to the entire surface of the curable solution layer 12B.

  At this time, the application of the permeability improving liquid 23A by the roll coating device 23 is performed on the non-bending region of the intermediate transfer belt 10 that is rotated and supported by tension. That is, the permeability improving liquid 23A is applied to the curable solution layer 12B in a state where the belt surface is not bent.

  Note that the application amount of the permeability improving liquid 23A is preferably 10% by volume or more and 100% by volume or less, and 20% by volume or more and 50% by volume or less with respect to the amount of ink droplets applied from the inkjet recording head 14. More preferably.

  Further, the roll coating device 23 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and a device using a known coating method (for example, a bar coater coating method, a spray coating method, an air knife coating method, a blade coating method, or the like). May be applied.

  Next, the permeability improving liquids 13A and 23A, the curable solution 12A, and the ink used in the image recording apparatuses according to the first and second embodiments will be described in detail.

<Permeability improving solution>
The liquids (penetration improving liquids) 13A and 23A for improving the ink permeability are applied to the surface of the curable solution layer 12B, whereby the ink droplets 14A to be applied thereafter into the curable solution layer 12B. Represents a liquid with improved permeability and spreadability.
Whether or not the liquid is a permeability improving liquid is determined by filling the ink jet recording head with a sample liquid (liquid for determining whether or not it is a permeability improving liquid) and discharging 2 picoliters or more and 20 picoliters or less. When the sample liquid is landed on the curable solution and the contact angle of the sample liquid on the curable solution is 20 degrees or less (measurement limit) by 100 ms after the landing, it is determined as the permeability improving liquid.
In addition, the contact angle of the sample solution was observed using a high-speed camera (photographing speed: 3000 fps, manufactured by FASTCAM APX Photolon), and the change in contact angle and surface spread of the sample solution on the curable solution after landing were observed. And measure. In this specification, it measured by this method.

The permeability improving liquids 13A and 23A are preferably amphiphilic. Here, “amphiphilic” means having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, and means that an amphiphilic substance having a hydrophilic group and a hydrophobic group is contained in the molecule. .
The determination as to whether or not the substance is amphiphilic is performed by mixing the sample liquid (liquid for determining whether or not the substance is amphiphilic) with the curable solution at a ratio of 1: 1 (mass ratio). In both cases of mixing with water (pure water) and 1: 1 (mass ratio), those that remain transparent after being left for 1 hour without separation or clouding are determined to be amphiphilic.

Specific examples of the permeability improving liquids 13A and 23A include curable materials that are cured by external stimulation, and more specifically, acrylic, methacrylic, urethane, polyester, maleimide having amphiphilic properties, Examples thereof include energy curable monomers such as epoxy, oxetane, polyether, and polyvinyl ether, energy curable macromers, energy curable oligomers, and energy curable prepolymers.
Of these, acrylic and methacrylic monomers, macromers, oligomers and prepolymers are preferred.

  Specific examples of the amphiphilic acrylic monomer include, for example, acryloylmorpholine (for example, ACMO manufactured by Kojin Kasei Co., Ltd.) and silicon-modified acrylate (for example, TEGO-2200N, 2250 manufactured by TEGO Chemie). Etc.) is preferably used.

  Further, if the permeability improving liquids 13A and 23A are curable materials that are cured by an external stimulus, the permeability improving liquid itself is also cured at the time of transfer / fixing to a recording medium. Compared to a case where the material is not cured, the occurrence of color mixing and bleeding is suppressed.

The viscosity of the permeability improving liquids 13A and 23A is preferably 500 mPa · s or less, and more preferably 100 mPa · s or less. In addition, the said viscosity is measured by the following method, and the numerical value as described in this specification is measured by the said method.
-Measurement method of viscosity-
The measurement is performed at a shear rate of 500 [1 / s] using MARS manufactured by HAAKE as a viscosity measuring device.

  Further, it is preferable that the permeability improving liquids 13A and 23A have the property that they do not separate and become cloudy after being left for 1 hour when mixed with the curable solution 12A at a ratio of 1: 1 (mass ratio).

<Curable solution>
Next, details of the curable solution 12A will be described.
In the first and second embodiments, a hydrophobic curable solution 12A including at least a curable material that is cured by an external stimulus and liquid-absorbing particles is used.

  Here, the curable solution 12A being hydrophobic means having a property of separating after being left for 1 hour when mixed with water (pure water) at 1: 1 (mass ratio).

-Curable material The curable solution 12A contains at least a curable material that is cured by an external stimulus (energy). Here, the “curable material curable by external stimulus (energy)” contained in the curable solution 12A means a material that is cured by an external stimulus and becomes a “curable resin”. Specific examples include curable monomers, curable macromers, curable oligomers, and curable prepolymers.

  Examples of the curable material include an ultraviolet curable material, an electron beam curable material, and a thermosetting material. UV curable materials are most desirable because they are easy to cure, have a faster cure speed and are easier to handle than others. The electron beam curable material does not require a polymerization initiator, and it is easy to control the coloration of the cured layer. Thermoset materials are cured without the need for extensive equipment. The curable material is not limited to these, and a curable material that is cured by moisture, oxygen, or the like may be applied.

  Examples of the “ultraviolet curable resin” obtained by curing the ultraviolet curable material include acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, urethane resin, polyester resin, maleimide resin, epoxy resin, oxetane resin, polyether resin, and polyvinyl ether resin. Etc. The curable solution 12A contains at least one of an ultraviolet curable monomer, an ultraviolet curable macromer, an ultraviolet curable oligomer, and an ultraviolet curable prepolymer. The curable solution 12A desirably contains an ultraviolet polymerization initiator for causing the ultraviolet curing reaction to proceed. Furthermore, the curable solution 12A may contain a reaction aid, a polymerization accelerator, and the like for further proceeding the polymerization reaction as necessary.

  Here, examples of the ultraviolet curable monomer include alcohol / polyhydric alcohol / amino alcohol acrylic ester, alcohol / polyhydric alcohol methacrylate, acrylic aliphatic amide, acrylic alicyclic amide, acrylic aromatic Radical curable materials such as aromatic amides; and cationic curable materials such as epoxy monomers, oxetane monomers, and vinyl ether monomers. As the ultraviolet curable macromer, the ultraviolet curable oligomer, and the ultraviolet curable prepolymer, in addition to those obtained by polymerizing these monomers with a predetermined polymerization degree, epoxy, urethane, polyester, polyether skeleton, Examples include radical curable materials such as epoxy acrylate, urethane acrylate, polyester acrylate, polyether acrylate, urethane methacrylate, and polyester methacrylate to which acryloyl group or methacryloyl group is added.

When the curing reaction is a type that proceeds by radical reaction, examples of the ultraviolet polymerization initiator include benzophenone, thioxanthone, benzyldimethyl ketal, α-hydroxyketone, α-hydroxyalkylphenone, α-aminoketone, α-aminoalkyl. Examples include phenone, monoacylphosphine oxide, bisacylphosphine oxide, hydroxybenzophenone, aminobenzophenone, titanocene type, oxime ester type, and oxyphenylacetate type.
When the curing reaction is a type that proceeds by a cationic reaction, examples of the ultraviolet polymerization initiator include arylsulfonium salts, aryldiazonium salts, diaryliodonium salts, triarylsulfonium salts, allene-ion complex derivatives, and triazine-based initiators. Etc.

  Examples of the “electron beam curable resin” obtained by curing the electron beam curable material include acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, urethane resin, polyester resin, polyether resin, and silicone resin. The curable solution 12A contains at least one of an electron beam curable monomer, an electron beam curable macromer, an electron beam curable oligomer, and an electron beam curable prepolymer.

  Here, as the electron beam curable monomer, electron beam curable macromer, electron beam curable oligomer, and electron beam curable prepolymer, those listed as ultraviolet curable materials are used as they are. Is done.

  Examples of the “thermosetting resin” obtained by curing the thermosetting material include an epoxy resin, a polyester resin, a phenol resin, a melamine resin, a urea resin, and an alkyd resin. The curable solution 12A contains at least one of a thermosetting monomer, a thermosetting macromer, a thermosetting oligomer, and a thermosetting prepolymer. Further, a curing agent may be added during the polymerization. Further, the curable solution 12A may include a thermal polymerization initiator for causing the thermosetting reaction to proceed.

  Here, examples of the thermosetting monomer include polyalcohols such as phenol, formaldehyde, bisphenol A, epichlorohydrin, cyanuric amide, urea and glycerin, acids such as phthalic anhydride, maleic anhydride, and adipic acid. It is done. Examples of the thermosetting macromer, thermosetting oligomer, and thermosetting prepolymer include those obtained by polymerizing these monomers at a predetermined polymerization degree, epoxy prepolymers, polyester prepolymers, and the like. .

  Examples of the thermal polymerization initiator include acids such as protonic acid / Lewis acid, alkali catalysts, and metal catalysts.

As described above, the curable material may be anything as long as it is cured (for example, cured by the progress of the polymerization reaction) by external energy such as ultraviolet rays, electron beams, and heat.
Among the curable materials, a material having a high curing rate (for example, a material having a high polymerization reaction rate) is desirable. Examples of the curable material include radiation-curable curable materials (the ultraviolet curable material, the electron beam curable material, and the like).

  The curable material may be modified with Si, fluorine, or the like in consideration of wettability with the intermediate transfer member or the like. Moreover, it is desirable that the curable material contains a polyfunctional prepolymer in consideration of the curing speed and the degree of curing.

  Further, the curable solution may contain water or an organic solvent for dissolving or dispersing main components (monomer, macromer, oligomer, prepolymer, polymerization initiator, etc.) that contribute to the curing reaction. However, the ratio of the main component is, for example, 30% by mass or more, desirably 60% by mass or more, and more desirably 90% by mass or more.

Liquid-absorbing material The curable solution 12A contains a material (liquid-absorbing material) having a liquid-absorbing property with respect to ink as a material for fixing the colorant in the ink. The liquid-absorbing material is a mixture of the liquid-absorbing material and ink at a mass ratio of 30: 100 for 24 hours, and when the liquid-absorbing material is taken out of the mixed liquid by a filter, Increase by more than 5%.

Examples of the liquid-absorbing material include a resin (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a liquid-absorbing resin) and inorganic particles (for example, silica, alumina, zeolite, etc.) having surface ink affinity, and the like, depending on the ink used. Selected.
Specifically, in the first and second embodiments that use water-based ink as the ink, it is desirable to use a water-absorbing material as the liquid-absorbing material.

  Specific examples of the water-absorbing material include polyacrylic acid and salts thereof, polymethacrylic acid and salts thereof, (meth) acrylic acid ester- (meth) acrylic acid and salts thereof, and styrene. -Copolymer composed of (meth) acrylic acid and its salt, styrene- (meth) acrylic ester-Copolymer composed of (meth) acrylic acid and its salt, styrene- (meth) acrylic ester A copolymer composed of an ester formed from an alcohol having an aliphatic or aromatic substituent having a carboxylic acid and a salt structure thereof and (meth) acrylic acid, (meth) acrylic acid ester-carboxylic acid and a salt thereof It consists of an ester formed from an alcohol having an aliphatic or aromatic substituent having a structure and (meth) acrylic acid. Copolymer, ethylene- (meth) acrylic acid copolymer, butadiene- (meth) acrylic acid ester- (meth) acrylic acid and its salt, butadiene- (meth) acrylic acid ester A copolymer composed of an ester formed from an alcohol having an aliphatic or aromatic substituent having a carboxylic acid and its salt structure and (meth) acrylic acid, polymaleic acid and its salt, styrene-maleic acid and its Examples thereof include copolymers composed of salts, sulfonic acid-modified products of the respective resins, phosphoric acid-modified products of the respective resins, and the like. Desirably, polyacrylic acid and salts thereof, styrene- (meth) Copolymers composed of acrylic acid and its salts, styrene- (meth) acrylic acid ester- (meth) acrylic acid and Consists of a copolymer composed of a salt thereof, styrene- (meth) acrylic acid ester-carboxylic acid and an ester formed from (meth) acrylic acid and an alcohol having an aliphatic or aromatic substituent having a salt structure thereof And a copolymer composed of (meth) acrylic acid ester- (meth) acrylic acid and a salt thereof. These resins may be uncrosslinked or crosslinked.

  The ratio of the liquid absorbing material to the entire curable solution 12A is, for example, preferably 10% or more by mass ratio, more preferably 20% or more, and particularly preferably in the range of 25% or more and 70% or less.

-Other additive Next, the other additive contained in the curable solution 12A is demonstrated.
The curable solution 12A may include a component that aggregates or thickens the components of the ink.

  The component having this function may be included as a functional group of a resin (resin water-absorbing resin) constituting the liquid-absorbing resin particles or may be included as a compound. Examples of the functional group include carboxylic acids, polyvalent metal cations, polyamines, and the like.

  Moreover, as the said compound, flocculants, such as an inorganic electrolyte, an organic acid, an inorganic acid, and an organic amine, are mentioned suitably.

  Further, the curable solution 12A may contain various color materials for the purpose of controlling the coloring of the cured layer.

  The viscosity of the curable solution 12A is preferably 5 mPa · s or more and 10,000 mPa · s or less, more preferably 10 mPa · s or more and 1000 mPa · s or less, and particularly preferably in the range of 15 mPa · s or more and 500 mPa · s or less. The viscosity of the curable solution is preferably higher than the viscosity of the ink.

<Ink>
Next, details of the ink will be described.

  As the ink in the first and second embodiments described above, an aqueous ink containing an aqueous solvent as a solvent is used. Examples of the water-based ink include an ink in which a water-soluble dye or pigment is dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous solvent as a recording material.

  First, the recording material will be described. As the recording material, a color material is mainly used. As the coloring material, either a dye or a pigment is used, but a pigment is desirable from the viewpoint of durability. As the pigment, either an organic pigment or an inorganic pigment can be used. Examples of the black pigment include carbon black pigments such as furnace black, lamp black, acetylene black, and channel black. In addition to black, cyan, magenta and yellow primary pigments, special color pigments such as red, green, blue, brown and white, metallic luster pigments such as gold and silver, colorless or light body pigments, plastic pigments, etc. May be used. Also, a newly synthesized pigment may be used.

  Further, there is a method in which particles having silica or alumina, polymer beads, or the like as a core and having a dye or pigment fixed on the surface thereof, an insoluble raked product of dye, a colored emulsion, or colored latex are used as a pigment.

  Here, when a pigment is used as the color material, it is desirable to use a pigment dispersant together. Examples of the pigment dispersant used include a polymer dispersant, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant.

As the polymer dispersant, a polymer having a hydrophilic structure portion and a hydrophobic structure portion is preferably used. As the polymer having a hydrophilic structure portion and a hydrophobic structure portion, a condensation polymer and an addition polymer are used. Examples of the condensation polymer include known polyester dispersants. Examples of the addition polymer include addition polymers of monomers having an α, β-ethylenically unsaturated group. Desired polymer dispersion by copolymerizing a monomer having an α, β-ethylenically unsaturated group having a hydrophilic group and a monomer having an α, β-ethylenically unsaturated group having a hydrophobic group An agent is obtained. A homopolymer of a monomer having an α, β-ethylenically unsaturated group having a hydrophilic group is also used.
Examples of the polymer dispersant include those having a weight average molecular weight of 2000 to 50000. These pigment dispersants may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  A pigment that can be self-dispersed in water is also used as a coloring material. A pigment that can be self-dispersed in water refers to a pigment that has many water-solubilizing groups on the surface of the pigment and disperses in water without the presence of a polymer dispersant. Specifically, it can be self-dispersed in water by subjecting ordinary so-called pigments to surface modification treatments such as acid / base treatment, coupling agent treatment, polymer graft treatment, plasma treatment, oxidation / reduction treatment, etc. Pigments are obtained.

  The self-dispersing pigment is preferably a pigment having at least sulfonic acid, sulfonate, carboxylic acid, or carboxylate as a functional group on the surface thereof. More desirably, the pigment has at least a carboxylic acid or a carboxylate as a functional group on the surface.

  Furthermore, a pigment coated with a resin is also used. This is called a microcapsule pigment, and not only commercially available microcapsule pigments manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc., or Toyo Ink, but also microcapsule pigments produced for the present invention are used.

  In addition, a resin-dispersed pigment in which a polymer substance is physically adsorbed or chemically bonded to the pigment is also used.

  Other recording materials include hydrophilic anionic dyes, direct dyes, cationic dyes, reactive dyes, dyes such as polymer dyes and oil-soluble dyes, wax powders / resin powders and emulsions colored with dyes, Fluorescent dyes and fluorescent pigments, infrared absorbers, ultraviolet absorbers, magnetic materials such as ferromagnetic materials represented by ferrite and magnetite, semiconductors and photocatalysts represented by titanium oxide and zinc oxide, and other organic and inorganic electrons Examples include material particles.

  The content (concentration) of the recording material is, for example, in the range of 5 to 30% by mass with respect to the ink.

  Next, the aqueous solvent will be described. Examples of the aqueous solvent include water. In particular, ion exchange water, ultrapure water, distilled water, and ultrafiltered water are preferably used. A water-soluble organic solvent may be used together with the aqueous solvent. As the water-soluble organic solvent, polyhydric alcohols, polyhydric alcohol derivatives, nitrogen-containing solvents, alcohols, sulfur-containing solvents and the like are used.

  Specific examples of the water-soluble organic solvent include polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2, Examples thereof include sugar alcohols such as 6-hexanetriol, glycerin, trimethylolpropane, and xylitol, and sugars such as xylose, glucose, and galactose.

  Polyhydric alcohol derivatives include ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, diglycerin. And ethylene oxide adducts.

Examples of nitrogen-containing solvents include pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, cyclohexyl pyrrolidone, and triethanolamine. Examples of alcohols include alcohols such as ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, and benzyl alcohol.
Examples of the sulfur-containing solvent include thiodiethanol, thiodiglycerol, sulfolane, dimethyl sulfoxide and the like.

  As the water-soluble organic solvent, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, and the like are also used.

  At least one kind of water-soluble organic solvent may be used. As content of a water-soluble organic solvent, the range of 1 mass% or more and 70 mass% or less is mentioned, for example.

  Next, other additives will be described. In addition, a surfactant is added to the ink as necessary.

Examples of these surfactants include various anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and the like. Desirably, anionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants are used. An activator is used.
These surfactants may be used alone or in combination.

  In addition, the ink has other properties such as polyethyleneimine, polyamines, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethyleneglycol, ethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, etc. for the purpose of controlling properties such as penetrants and ink ejection improvement for the purpose of adjusting permeability. In order to adjust pH, compounds of alkali metals such as potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, etc., pH buffer, antioxidant, antifungal agent, viscosity adjuster, conductive agent as necessary Further, an ultraviolet absorber, a chelating agent and the like are also added.

  The viscosity of the ink is 1.5 mPa · s or more and 30 mPa · s or less, preferably 1.5 mPa · s or more and 20 mPa · s or less. The viscosity of the ink is desirably 20 mPa · s or less. The viscosity of the ink is preferably lower than the viscosity of the curable solution 12A.

Here, as the viscosity, a value measured using a rheomat 115 (manufactured by Contraves) as a measuring device under the conditions of a measurement temperature of 23 ° C. and a shear rate of 1400 s ⁻¹ was adopted.

  The ink is not limited to the above configuration. In addition to the recording material, for example, a functional material such as a liquid crystal material or an electronic material may be included.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples. However, these examples do not limit the present invention.

<Example 1>
Images were recorded using the image recording apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
First, the curable solution layer forming apparatus 12 supplies the curable solution 12A to the intermediate transfer belt 10 to form the curable solution layer 12B, and the ink jet recording head 13 penetrates the image forming area of the curable solution layer 12B. Improvement liquid 13A was applied. Next, each color ink was applied to the region of the curable solution layer 12B to which the permeability improving liquid 13A was applied by an ink jet recording head 14 (14K, 14C, 14M, 14Y) to form an image. Then, the stimulus was supplied by the stimulus supply device 18 while the curable solution layer 12B was brought into contact with the recording medium P by the transfer device 16, and the curable solution layer 12B was cured and peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 10 for evaluation. The conditions are as follows. The following ultraviolet irradiation intensity and integrated light amount are the ultraviolet irradiation intensity and integrated light amount after passing through the intermediate transfer belt 10.

Intermediate transfer belt 10: ETFE endless belt having a thickness of 0.1 mm, a belt width of 350 mm, and an outer diameter of Φ168 mm coated with a fluorine resin (process speed: 400 mm / s)
Curing solution layer forming device 12: Gravure roll coater (layer thickness of curable solution layer 12B 15 μm)
Inkjet recording head 13 for penetrability improving liquid: recording head with 14174 nozzles / resolution 1200 dpi (dpi: number of dots per inch) (12 inch prototype head with two 600 dpi / 7087 nozzle heads arranged in a staggered manner)
Ink-jet recording head 14 for ink: recording head of 14174 nozzles / resolution of 1200 dpi (dpi: number of dots per inch) (12-inch prototype head in which 600 dpi / 7087 nozzle heads are arranged in two rows in a staggered manner for four colors ( (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow) arranged in parallel)
Transfer device (pressure roll): A steel pipe with a diameter of 30 mm coated with a fluorine resin (pressing force against the intermediate transfer belt: linear pressure 2 kgf / cm)
・ Stimulus supply device: Metal halide lamp (UV irradiation intensity of 240 W / cm with integrated light intensity of 100 mJ / cm ² irradiation)
・ Recording medium: A plain paper (C2 manufactured by Fuji Xerox Interfield)
・ Printing pattern: J6 chart (JEITA standard pattern)

  Moreover, the following were used for the curable solution, the permeability improving liquid, and the ink of each color.

-Penetration improver-
ACMO (low-viscosity acrylic monomer: acryloylmorpholine, manufactured by Kojin Kasei Co., Ltd., viscosity: 12 mPa · s, surface tension 44.6 mN / m)

-Curing solution (hydrophobic)-
[composition]
・ Silicon-modified urethane acrylate: 20 parts by mass. Sodium polyacrylate (absorbing resin, ball milled to have a number average particle size of 3.5 μm): 25 parts by mass. 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (UV curing monomer) ): 52 parts by mass-Irgacure 369 (manufactured by Ciba Japan Co., Ltd., UV initiator): 3 parts by mass The above compositions were mixed to obtain a curable solution. The viscosity was 948 mPa · s.

-Black ink-
[composition]
Mogul L (manufactured by Cabot) (pigment / no surface functional group): 4 mass. Styrene-acrylic acid-sodium acrylate copolymer: 0.6 mass%
・ Diethylene glycol: 15% by mass
Diglycerin ethylene oxide adduct: 5% by mass
Polyoxyethylene-2-ethylhexyl ether: 0.75% by mass
-Ion exchange water: remainder The pH of this liquid was 8.2, the volume average particle size was 120 nm, the surface tension was 32 mN / m, and the viscosity was 3.3 mPa · s.

-Cyan ink-
[composition]
・ CIPigment Blue 15: 3: 4% by mass
Styrene-acrylic acid-sodium acrylate copolymer: 0.6% by mass
・ Diethylene glycol: 20% by mass
・ Glycerin: 5% by mass
-Acetylene glycol ethylene oxide adduct: 1% by mass
-Ion exchange water: remainder The pH of this liquid was 8.8, the volume average particle diameter was 92 nm, the surface tension was 31 mN / m, and the viscosity was 3.1 mPa.s.

-Magenta ink-
[composition]
・ CIPigment Red 122: 4% by mass
Styrene-acrylic acid-sodium acrylate copolymer: 0.75% by mass
・ Diethylene glycol: 20% by mass
・ Glycerin: 5% by mass
-Acetylene glycol ethylene oxide adduct: 1% by mass
-Ion exchange water: remainder The pH of this liquid was 8.6, the volume average particle diameter was 106 nm, the surface tension was 31 mN / m, and the viscosity was 3.2 mPa · s.

-Yellow ink-
[composition]
・ CIPigment Yellow 128: 4% by mass
Styrene-acrylic acid-sodium acrylate copolymer: 0.6% by mass
・ Diethylene glycol: 20% by mass
・ Glycerin: 5% by mass
-Acetylene glycol ethylene oxide adduct: 1% by mass
-Ion exchange water: remainder The pH of this liquid was 8.7, the volume average particle diameter was 115 nm, the surface tension was 31 mN / m, and the viscosity was 3.2 mPa.s.

[Determination of permeability improvement liquid]
Whether the permeability improving liquid (ACMO) used above corresponds to the permeability improving liquid was determined by the following method.
-Distinguishing method-
A prototype inkjet head is filled with a penetrability improving liquid, discharged from 2 picoliters to 20 picoliters and landed on the curable solution, and landed using a high-speed camera (shooting speed: 3000 fps, manufactured by FASTCAM APX Photolon). The change in the contact angle and surface spread of the permeability improving liquid on the subsequent curable solution were observed, and the time until the contact angle became 20 degrees or less was measured.
The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[Amphipathic determination]
The permeability improving liquid (ACMO) used above has a hydrophilic group and a hydrophobic group as a molecular structure, and has amphiphilic properties.
The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[Evaluation of solubility between curable solution and permeability improver]
The curable solution and the permeability improving liquid are mixed at a ratio of 1: 1 (mass ratio), and after being left for 1 hour, it is judged whether or not they are separated and clouded, and the solubility of the curable solution and the permeability improving liquid is determined. It was used as an index.
The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[Image quality evaluation]
(Water resistance evaluation)
Ion-exchanged water (25 ° C.) was sprayed on the surface of the obtained printed pattern, left for 10 minutes and then rubbed with a finger for visual sensory evaluation.
○: Image is not disturbed ×: Image is disturbed

-Filling of solid part About the obtained printing pattern, visual sensory evaluation was performed according to the following evaluation criteria.
○: The occurrence of streaks (missing) cannot be confirmed.
Δ: The occurrence of streaks (missing) can be confirmed, but it is not noticeable.
X: Many streaks (missing) can be confirmed and noticeable.

・ Color mixing (ICB)
The obtained printed pattern was subjected to visual sensory evaluation according to the following evaluation criteria.
○: Bleeding at the boundary between two colors cannot be confirmed.
(Triangle | delta): Although the blur of the boundary part between 2 colors can be confirmed, it is not conspicuous.
X: Many blurrings at the boundary between two colors can be confirmed and are conspicuous.

<Example 2>
In Example 1 above, the ink jet recording head 13 for the penetration improving liquid was changed to the roll coating apparatus 23 shown in FIG. 2 (that is, the image recording apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 was used). A printed pattern was formed by the method described in Example 1 and evaluated.

In addition, the conditions of the used roll coating device 23 are as follows.
The first roll (liquid supply sponge roller) 231 was formed by winding a urethane sponge (Asker A hardness 40 °) having a thickness of 5 mm (outer diameter φ20 mm) around a metal shaft φ10 mm. The rotational speed is the same as the rotational peripheral speed of a second roll (liquid supply roller) 232 described later, and the rotational direction is rotating.
The second roll (liquid supply roller) 232 and the third roll (liquid application roller) 233 are coated with an elastic layer (for example, thickness 200 μm) made of urethane rubber (hardness JIS-A 30 °) on a metal shaft φ20 mm, and polyimide. A three-layer structure of layers (for example, a thickness of 10 μm) was adopted.
The roller width was 310 mm and the linear pressure was 50 gf / cm.
-The rotation speed was adjusted to be equal to the process speed.

<Comparative Example 1>
In Example 1 above, a printing pattern was formed and evaluated by the method described in Example 1 except that the ink jet recording head 13 for the permeability improving liquid was removed and the permeability improving liquid 13A was not applied.

10 Intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer member)
12 Curable Solution Layer Forming Device 12A Curable Solution 12B Curable Solution Layer 13 Inkjet Recording Head (Liquid Application Device)
13A Penetration improving liquid 14 Inkjet recording head (ink applicator)
14A Ink Drop 16 Transfer Device 18 Stimulation Supply Device 23 Roll Coating Device (Liquid Application Device)
23A Penetration improving liquid 23C Container 231 First roll 232 Second roll 233 Third roll 101, 102 Image recording apparatus

Claims (6)

An intermediate transfer member;
A curable solution layer forming apparatus for supplying a curable material and a hydrophobic curable solution containing at least liquid-absorbing particles that are cured by an external stimulus onto the intermediate transfer body to form a curable solution layer;
A liquid application device that applies a liquid that improves ink permeability to the curable solution layer formed on the intermediate transfer member;
An ink application device for applying aqueous ink to a region of the curable solution layer to which the liquid is applied;
A transfer device for bringing the curable solution layer provided with the ink into contact with a recording medium and transferring the curable solution layer from the intermediate transfer member to the recording medium;
And a stimulus supply device that supplies the stimulus for curing the curable solution layer to the curable solution layer.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is amphiphilic.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid contains a curable material that is cured by an external stimulus.   The liquid applying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the liquid applying device applies the liquid to a region where an image is formed and does not apply the liquid to at least a part of a region where an image is not formed. Image recording device.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid applying device is a droplet discharge device.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid applying apparatus is a liquid applying apparatus.

Images