JP6295112B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and method for producing printed matter - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit and a post-processing liquid application unit, an image forming system, and a method for producing printed matter.

  Some image forming apparatuses use an inkjet system that is excellent in downsizing and noise reduction of the apparatus. Here, the inkjet method is a method in which ink (droplets) is ejected onto a recording medium to form an image on the surface of the recording medium.

  In Document 1, when an ink jet recording apparatus (image forming apparatus) is applied with a treatment liquid having a component that insolubilizes or agglomerates components in the ink, before the ink is ejected after the treatment liquid is ejected onto the recording medium in advance. Disclosed is a technique for discriminating between processing and post-processing in which a processing liquid is discharged after ejecting ink onto a recording medium, and reducing the difference in quality between the pre-processing portion and the post-processing portion on the recording medium. (For example, see Patent Document 1)

  However, in the above-described technique, a treatment liquid having a component to be insolubilized or aggregated is applied. Varies depending on processing status.

  Therefore, even if the above-described technique is used, image peeling or the like may occur depending on post-processing. For example, when only cutting is performed as post-processing performed after unloading the recording medium, it is necessary to pass the recording medium after image formation to the cutting machine, in order to transport the recording medium in the cutting machine. In some cases, a problem such as peeling of the image portion printed on the recording medium occurs due to the sliding of the conveying roller. Further, the image part peeled off from the recording medium contaminates the inside of the cutting machine, and there is a problem that it takes time for maintenance.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce the occurrence of problems caused by the types of post-processing.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following means.

In one aspect, image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium;
Post-treatment liquid application means for applying a post-treatment liquid to the recording medium on which the image is formed;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a post-processing control unit that adjusts an application amount of the post-processing liquid based on a type of post-processing performed on the recording medium to which the post-processing liquid is applied. Provided.

  According to one aspect, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of problems due to the type of post-processing.

1 is an overall view (schematic side view) illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a pretreatment liquid application unit of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a drying unit of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. (A) is the schematic of the example of an arrangement structure of the droplet discharge head of the image formation means and post-processing liquid provision means which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (b) is a one part enlarged view of (a). . FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional explanatory view in the longitudinal direction of the liquid chamber, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory cross-sectional view in the short direction of the liquid chamber, explaining an example of a droplet discharge head. It is (a) top view and (b) sectional drawing of the example of an image formation in this invention. 1A is a conceptual diagram of an example of an image forming system in the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a schematic configuration diagram of an example of a host device. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a functional block diagram explaining an example of the data management part of the control means in this invention. It is a functional block diagram explaining an example of the image output of the control means in this invention. It is an example (the 1) of the post-processing apparatus which performs post-processing on the recording medium after provision of the post-processing liquid in this invention. It is an example (the 2) of the post-processing apparatus which performs post-processing on the recording medium after provision of the post-processing liquid in this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the pretreatment liquid application amount on a recording medium, and granularity. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to an image forming apparatus to be described later, but can be applied to a droplet (ink) from an ejector (ejecting head, ink head, recording head, ink jet, etc.) in a printer, a scanner, a subject machine, a plotter, a facsimile, a fax machine or the like. Etc.) to form an image on the surface of the recording medium (or printing, printing, printing, recording, etc.).

  The present invention will be described using an inkjet image forming apparatus. Note that the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus described below, but in a printer, a scanner, a subject machine, a plotter, a facsimile, a fax machine, etc., droplets from an ejector (ejecting head, ink head, recording head, ink jet, etc.). Any device can be used as long as it forms an image on the surface of a recording medium (or printing, printing, printing, recording, etc.) by discharging (ink, etc.). The present invention will be described in the following order using an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1. 1. Configuration of image forming apparatus 2. Structure of carrying-in means 3. Configuration of pretreatment liquid application means 4. Configuration of drying means 5. Configuration of image forming means 6. Configuration of post-treatment liquid application means 7. Structure of unloading means 8. Configuration of control means Configuration of post-processing means 10. Example 1 (Image Forming Method (Example of Determination of Post-Processing Amount Based on Post-Processing Type))
11. Example 2 (Image Forming Method (Example of Determination of Post-Processing Amount Based on Post-Processing Type and Glossiness of Recording Medium))
(1. Configuration of image forming apparatus)
An image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus having four color ejection heads (recording head, ink head) of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) will be described. The image forming apparatus to which the invention can be applied is not limited to those having these discharge heads. That is, the image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be used has an ejection head corresponding to green (G), red (R), light cyan (LC) and / or other colors, or black (K). Including those having only a discharge head. Here, in the following description, the symbols given the subscripts K, C, M, and Y correspond to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively.

  In this embodiment, continuous paper wound in a roll shape (hereinafter referred to as “roll paper Md”) is used as the recording medium. However, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can form an image. The medium is not limited to roll paper. That is, the recording medium on which the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can form an image may be a cut sheet. The recording medium on which an image can be formed using the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes plain paper, fine paper, thin paper, cardboard, recording paper and roll paper, and an OHP sheet, a synthetic resin film, a metal Including thin film and other surface capable of forming an image with ink or the like. Here, the roll paper is a continuous paper longer than a standard size. The roll paper includes continuous paper in which severable perforations are formed at predetermined intervals, and continuous paper in which perforations are not formed. In a continuous form in which perforations are formed, a page (page) is an area sandwiched between perforations at a predetermined interval, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a carry-in means 10, a pretreatment liquid applying means 20, a pretreatment liquid drying means 30, an image forming means 40, and a posttreatment liquid applying means. 50, a post-treatment liquid drying means 32, and an unloading means 60. The carrying-in means 10 carries in the roll paper Md (recording medium). The pretreatment means (pretreatment liquid application means) 20 applies the pretreatment liquid to the carried roll paper Md (performs pretreatment). The pretreatment liquid drying means 31 in the drying means 30 dries the pretreated roll paper Md. The image forming unit 40 forms an image on the surface of the roll paper Md. The post-processing means (post-processing liquid applying means) 50 applies the post-processing liquid (post-processing) on the roll paper Md on which the image is formed. The unloading means 60 unloads the post-processed roll paper Md. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 70 (FIG. 7) that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 100.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the roll paper Md is carried in by the carry-in means 10, and the surface of the roll paper Md is pretreated and dried by the pretreatment liquid application means 20 and the pretreatment liquid drying means 31. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on the surface of the roll paper Md after the preprocessing and drying by the image forming unit 40. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 performs post-processing on the roll paper Md on which the image is formed by the post-processing liquid applying unit 50. Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 100 takes up (discharges or carries out) the roll paper Md by the carry-out means 60.

  Hereinafter, each configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be specifically described. The image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be used is based on at least the type of the recording medium, the pretreatment liquid coating means 20, the drying means 30 (the pretreatment liquid drying means 31, the posttreatment liquid drying means 32) and the postprocessing liquid. The operation of the treatment liquid applying unit 50 is controlled. Further, the image forming apparatus may be configured not to include any one or a plurality of pretreatment liquid application units 20 and the like which will be described later.

(2. Configuration of import means)
The carry-in means 10 is a means for transporting the recording medium to the pretreatment liquid application means 20 or the like. In the present embodiment, the carry-in means 10 includes a paper feed unit 11 and a plurality of transport rollers 12. The carry-in means 10 carries in (moves) the roll paper Md that is wound around and held by the paper feed roll of the paper feed unit 11 using the transport roller 12 and the like, and feeds it to a pretreatment liquid coating means 20 (platen) that will be described later. Transport.

(3. Configuration of pretreatment liquid application means)
The pretreatment liquid application unit 20 is a unit that processes the recording medium before the image is formed. In this embodiment, the pretreatment liquid application unit 20 pretreats the surface of the roll paper Md carried in by the carry-in means 10 with the pretreatment liquid.

  Here, the pretreatment is a treatment for uniformly applying a pretreatment liquid (described later) having a function of aggregating ink onto the surface of the roll paper Md (recording medium). As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 uses the pretreatment liquid coating unit 20 to agglomerate ink before forming an image on a recording medium when forming an image on a recording medium other than inkjet-type exclusive paper. A pretreatment liquid having a function can be applied to the surface of the recording medium.

  For this reason, the image forming apparatus 100 can reduce the occurrence of quality problems such as bleeding, density, color tone, and show-through of the formed image, as well as problems related to water resistance, weather resistance, and other image fastness. it can. In other words, the image forming apparatus 100 uses the pretreatment liquid application unit 20 to apply a pretreatment liquid having a function of aggregating ink before forming an image on a recording medium, so that the quality of an image formed thereafter. Can be improved.

  The image forming apparatus 100 may apply the pretreatment liquid having a function of aggregating the ink before forming an image on the ink jet type exclusive paper (recording medium) using the pretreatment liquid application unit 20. Good.

  The pretreatment liquid application unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes, for example, a blade coating method, a gravure coating method, a gravure offset coating method, a bar coating method, a roll coating method, and a knife coating method. , Air knife coating method, comma coating method, U comma coating method, AKKU coating method, smoothing coating method, micro gravure coating method, reverse roll coating method, 4 to 5 roll coating method, dip coating method, curtain coating method, slide A coating method, a die coating method, or the like can be used.

  Moreover, the pretreatment liquid application unit 20 according to the present embodiment can use, for example, a treatment liquid containing a water-soluble aliphatic organic acid as the pretreatment liquid. Here, the treatment liquid containing a water-soluble aliphatic organic acid is a treatment liquid having a property of aggregating a water-dispersible colorant. Aggregation means that water-dispersible colorant particles are adsorbed together.

  Furthermore, the pretreatment liquid coating unit 20 according to the present embodiment can adsorb ions on the surface of the water-dispersible colorant by adding an ionic substance such as a water-soluble aliphatic organic acid to the pretreatment liquid. it can. Thereby, the pretreatment liquid coating unit 20 can neutralize the surface charge of the water-dispersible colorant. Further, the pretreatment liquid coating means 20 can enhance the aggregation action due to the intermolecular force and further aggregate the water-dispersible colorant.

  An example of the pretreatment liquid coating means 20 using the roll coating method will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the pretreatment liquid application means 20 is stored on the surface of the roll paper Md carried (conveyed) into the pretreatment liquid application means 20 by the carry-in means 10 (FIG. 1) in this embodiment. The pretreatment liquid 20L is applied.

  Specifically, the pretreatment liquid application unit 20 first transfers (transfers) the pretreatment liquid 20L to the surface of the application roller 23 in a thin film form by the stirring (supply) roller 21 and the thinning (transfer) roller 22. . Next, the pretreatment liquid coating unit 20 presses the coating roller 23 against the rotating platen roller 24 and rotates the coating roller 23. At this time, the pretreatment liquid application unit 20 can apply the pretreatment liquid 20L to the surface of the roll paper Md by conveying the roll paper Md to the gap between the application roller 23 and the platen roller 24.

  Further, the pretreatment liquid application unit 20 uses the pressure adjusting device 25 to control the nip pressure (pressure acting on the position where the application roller 23 and the platen roller 24 are in contact) when applying the pretreatment liquid. Thereby, the pretreatment liquid application unit 20 controls the application amount (film thickness, liquid amount, adhesion amount, dry adhesion amount, etc.) of the pretreatment liquid 20L by changing the nip pressure using the pressure adjusting device 25 ( Change).

  Further, the pretreatment liquid application unit 20 controls the rotation speeds of the application roller 23 and the platen roller 24. Thereby, the pretreatment liquid application unit 20 can control (change) the application amount of the pretreatment liquid 20L by changing the rotation speed of the application roller 23 and the like. The pretreatment liquid application unit 20 may control the rotation speed of the application roller 23 and the like by controlling the operation of a power source (not shown) that drives the application roller 23 and the platen roller 24, for example. Good.

  As described above, the pretreatment liquid application unit 20 according to the present embodiment uses the application roller 23 and the like to roll paper Md (recording medium) compared to the case where the pretreatment liquid is applied to the recording medium using the ejection head. The pretreatment liquid 20L can be uniformly applied to the surface of That is, the pretreatment liquid application unit 20 according to the present embodiment can apply the pretreatment liquid 20L uniformly and thinly on the roll paper Md even when the pretreatment liquid 20L has a relatively high viscosity. In addition, according to the pretreatment liquid application unit 20 according to the present embodiment, the pretreatment liquid 20L can be uniformly and thinly applied onto the roll paper Md, so that bleeding or the like of an image formed thereafter can be reduced. Can do. Furthermore, according to the pretreatment liquid application unit 20 according to the present embodiment, the pretreatment liquid 20L can be uniformly and thinly applied on the roll paper Md, and bleeding of an image formed thereafter can be reduced. As a result, image quality can be improved.

  In addition, the pretreatment liquid application unit 20 of the present embodiment can control the application amount (film thickness, liquid amount, adhesion amount, dry adhesion amount, etc.) of the pretreatment liquid applied using the application roller 23 or the like. . Therefore, the pretreatment liquid 20L can be applied to the surface of the roll paper Md (recording medium) with a coating amount suitable for subsequent image formation and post-processing.

  Furthermore, according to the pretreatment liquid application unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the application amount of the pretreatment liquid applied using the application roller 23 or the like can be controlled. Based on the type, the application amount of the pretreatment liquid can be controlled. That is, according to the pretreatment liquid application unit 20 according to the present embodiment, the amount of the pretreatment liquid applied can be controlled, so that the quality of the formed image can be improved.

(4. Configuration of drying means)
The drying means 30 is means for drying the recording medium by heating or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the drying unit 30 includes a pretreatment liquid drying unit 31 that dries the roll paper Md that has been pretreated by the pretreatment liquid application unit 20, and a posttreatment liquid application unit 50 that performs the posttreatment. And post-processing liquid drying means 32 for drying the processed roll paper Md. The drying means 30 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has the pretreatment liquid drying strength of the pretreatment liquid drying means 31 and the posttreatment liquid drying strength of the posttreatment liquid drying means 32 according to at least the type of recording medium. Control and dry the roll paper Md.

  The configuration of the pretreatment liquid drying means 31 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the pretreatment liquid drying means 31 uses a plurality of heat rollers 311 to 316 in this embodiment in order to enhance the drying effect. Further, the pretreatment liquid drying means 31 controls (changes) the drying strength (pretreatment liquid drying strength) according to the type of the recording medium. Further, the pretreatment liquid drying means 31 can further control the drying strength by further using the coating amount per unit area of the surface of the recording medium applied by the pretreatment liquid application means 20.

  Specifically, the pretreatment liquid drying means 31 heats the heat roller (311 or the like) to 40 to 100 ° C., for example, and contacts the surface of the roll paper Md coated with the pretreatment liquid to the heat roller (311 or the like). Make them equal. Thereby, the pretreatment liquid drying means 31 heats the surface of the roll paper Md coated with the pretreatment liquid by the heat roller (311 or the like), evaporates the moisture of the pretreatment liquid, and the roll paper Md (pretreatment thereof). Liquid) can be dried.

  The pretreatment liquid drying means 31 lowers the temperature of the heat roller (311 or the like) when the drying strength is weakened. For example, the pretreatment liquid drying means 31 weakens the drying strength when using ink with low permeability, and increases the drying strength when ink with high permeability is used. The pretreatment liquid drying means 31 sets the temperature of the heat roller (311 or the like) to 40 to 80 degrees, for example.

  Further, the pretreatment liquid drying means 31 may increase or decrease the drying strength by increasing or decreasing the number of the used rollers, for example, by heating only the heat roller 311 and the heat roller 312 and not heating the other heat rollers. In this embodiment, the example of controlling the temperature of the heat roller and the number of heat rollers used has been described, but the drying strength may be controlled by only one of them.

  The configuration of the post-processing liquid drying means 32 is the same as the configuration of the pre-processing liquid drying means 31, and the description thereof is omitted. The post-treatment liquid drying unit 32 controls the dry strength (post-treatment liquid dry strength) based on at least the type of the recording medium. Further, the post-processing liquid drying means 32 can control the drying strength by further using the discharge amount per unit area of the surface of the recording medium discharged by the post-processing liquid applying means 50.

  As described above, according to the drying means 30 (the pretreatment liquid drying means 31 and the posttreatment liquid drying means 32) of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the temperature of the heat roller and / or the number of heat rollers used can be determined. The dry strength can be controlled by the combination. Further, according to the drying unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the drying strength can be controlled, so that the drying strength of the recording medium can be optimized at least according to the type of the recording medium. .

  Further, the pretreatment liquid drying means 31 according to the present embodiment controls the pretreatment liquid drying strength based on at least the type of the recording medium, thereby reducing the image quality due to insufficient drying of the pretreatment liquid and recording due to excessive drying. The occurrence of shrinkage of the medium can be suppressed. That is, according to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the quality of image formation (print quality) can be improved.

  Further, according to the post-processing liquid drying unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the image fastness due to insufficient drying of the post-processing liquid is controlled by controlling the post-processing liquid drying strength based on at least the type of the recording medium. Image quality can be suppressed and image quality can be improved. Furthermore, according to the drying unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the occurrence of shrinkage of the recording medium due to excessive drying is suppressed by controlling the post-treatment liquid drying strength based on at least the type of the recording medium. Can do.

  In an image forming apparatus, for example, when droplets are ejected onto a recording medium under the same conditions in an inkjet method, in order to keep the physical properties such as viscosity and surface tension of the ink constant, it is formulated with various additives such as glycerin. There is a case. For this reason, in the image forming apparatus, when blended ink is used, the ink permeability and the gloss after printing differ depending on at least the type of the recording medium. According to the drying unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the pretreatment liquid or the posttreatment liquid can be sufficiently dried even when the image formation is performed with the ink having low permeability to the recording medium. . Thereby, according to the drying means 30 according to the present embodiment, the surface of the recording medium is rubbed with another object (for example, another recording medium) before the post-treatment liquid is dried, and thus the image on the recording medium is peeled off. Can be prevented from occurring. Further, according to the drying means 30 according to the present embodiment, for example, when image formation is performed using ink having high permeability to the recording medium, the recording medium is prevented from shrinking due to excessive drying, and the quality of image formation is reduced. (Print quality) can be improved.

  The drying means 30 that can use the present invention is not limited to a heat roller as a recording medium heating means. That is, the drying means 30 can use infrared drying, microwave drying, warm air drying, and other drying methods. Further, the drying means 30 may use a drying method in which a plurality of drying methods are combined. Further, the drying means 30 may preheat (heat) the roll paper Md (recording medium) before the pretreatment liquid application means 20 applies the pretreatment liquid (preheating step (not shown)).

(5. Configuration of image forming means)
The image forming unit 40 is a unit that forms an image on a recording medium. In this embodiment, the image forming unit 40 discharges droplets (hereinafter referred to as “ink”) onto the roll paper Md dried by the pretreatment liquid drying unit 31, thereby forming an image on the surface of the roll paper Md. Form.

  An example of the outer shape of the image forming unit 40 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 4A is a schematic plan view illustrating an example of the entire configuration of the image forming unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a schematic plan view illustrating an example of a main part of the image forming unit 40 (black (K) ejection head 40K).

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the image forming unit 40 can use a full line type head in this embodiment. That is, the image forming unit 40 includes four ejection heads 40K, 40C, 40M corresponding to black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) from the upstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction Xm. 40Y is arranged.

  In this embodiment, the black (K) ejection head 40K includes four head units 40K-1, 40K-2, 40K-3, and 40K-4 in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction Xm of the roll paper Md. Arranged in a staggered pattern. As a result, the image forming unit 40 can form an image in the entire width direction (direction perpendicular to the transport direction) of the image forming area (printing area) of the roll paper Md (recording medium). The other ejection heads 40C, 40M, and 40Y have the same configuration as that of the black (K) ejection head 40K, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  An enlarged plan view of the head unit 40K-1 of the black (K) discharge head 40K of the image forming means 40 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4B, in the present embodiment, the head unit 40K-1 has a plurality of discharge ports (nozzles, prints) on the nozzle surface (the outer surface of the nozzle plate 43 in FIG. 5A described later). Nozzle) 40N. Here, the plurality of discharge ports 40N are arranged in one row in the longitudinal direction of the head unit 40K-1, and constitute a nozzle row. The head unit 40K-1 may include a plurality of nozzle rows.

  The sectional shape of the ejection head of the image forming unit 40 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a flow path (a cross section in the longitudinal direction of the liquid chamber 40F) of the image forming unit 40. FIG. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section (SC1 in FIG. 5A) of the discharge port 40N of the image forming unit 40 (cross section in the short direction of the liquid chamber 40F (alignment direction of the discharge ports)). .

  In FIG. 5A, the ejection head (40K, etc.) of the image forming means 40 is joined to the flow path plate 41 that forms the path of the ink to be ejected, and the lower surface of the flow path plate 41 (inner direction of the ejection head). The vibration plate 42, the nozzle plate 43 joined to the upper surface of the flow path plate 41 (outward direction of the ejection head), and a frame member 44 that holds the peripheral portion of the vibration plate 42. Further, the ejection head has a pressure generating means (actuator means) 45 for deforming the diaphragm 42.

  The discharge head (40K, etc.) according to the present embodiment is a nozzle communication path that is a flow path communicating with the discharge port (nozzle) 40N by stacking the flow path plate 41, the vibration plate 42, and the nozzle plate 43. 40R and the liquid chamber 40F can be formed. Further, the ejection head can form the ink inlet 40S for supplying ink to the liquid chamber 40F, the common liquid chamber 40C for supplying ink to the liquid chamber 40F, and the like by further stacking the frame members 44. .

  Further, the ejection head can deform (bend deformation) the diaphragm 42 using the pressure generating means 45. Accordingly, the ejection head can change the volume (volume) of the liquid chamber 40F and change the pressure acting on the ink in the liquid chamber 40F. As a result, the ejection head can eject ink from the ejection port 40N.

  As the flow path plate 41, a single crystal silicon substrate having a crystal plane orientation (110) can be used. As a result, the flow path plate 41 is anisotropically etched using an alkaline etching solution such as an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution (KOH), thereby forming a recess and a hole serving as the nozzle communication path 40R and the liquid chamber 40F. be able to. The material that can be used for the flow path plate 41 is not limited to the single crystal silicon substrate. That is, the flow path plate 41 can use a stainless steel substrate, a photosensitive resin, and other materials.

  The diaphragm 42 can be a nickel metal plate. Thereby, the diaphragm 42 can be processed by nickel electroforming (for example, electroforming method, electroforming method). The vibration plate 42 may be a metal plate other than a nickel metal plate or a bonding member between a metal and a resin plate.

  The nozzle plate 43 can be a single crystal silicon substrate. Thereby, the nozzle plate 43 can be processed by anisotropic etching in the same manner as the flow path plate 41. The nozzle plate 43 may be formed with a water repellent layer on the outer surface made of a metal member via a required layer.

  In addition, the nozzle plate 43 includes a plurality of nozzles 40N that eject droplets (ink droplets) in the present embodiment. Specifically, nozzles 40N having a diameter of 10 to 30 μm corresponding to the respective liquid chambers 40F are formed on the nozzle plate 43, respectively.

  The frame member 44 may be made of a thermosetting resin (for example, epoxy resin) or polyphenylene sulfite (PPS). Thereby, the frame member 44 can be processed by injection molding.

  In the present embodiment, the frame member 44 has an accommodating portion for accommodating the pressure generating means 45, a recess serving as the common liquid chamber 40C, and an ink supply port for supplying ink from the outside of the ejection head to the common liquid chamber 40C. 40IN is formed.

  As the pressure generating means 45, an electromechanical conversion element can be used. In the present embodiment, the pressure generating unit 45 includes a piezoelectric element 45P that is an electromechanical conversion element, a base substrate 45B that bonds and fixes the piezoelectric element 45P, and a column portion that is disposed in a gap between adjacent piezoelectric elements 45P. ing. The pressure generating means 45 includes an FPC cable 45C for connecting the piezoelectric element 45P to a drive circuit (drive IC) (not shown).

  Here, as the piezoelectric element 45P, as shown in FIG. 5B, a stacked piezoelectric element (PZT) in which piezoelectric materials 45Pp and internal electrodes 45Pe are alternately stacked can be used. The internal electrode 45Pe has a plurality of individual electrodes 45Pei and a plurality of common electrodes 45Pec. In the present embodiment, the internal electrodes 45Pe connect the individual electrodes 45Pei or the common electrodes 45Pec alternately to the end faces of the piezoelectric elements 45Pp.

  In the embodiment, the piezoelectric element 45P uses the d33 direction as the piezoelectric direction of the piezoelectric element 45Pp. Thereby, the pressure generating means 45 can pressurize or depressurize the ink in the liquid chamber 40F using the piezoelectric effect (displacement in the d33 direction) of the piezoelectric element 45P. The pressure generating means 45 may pressurize or depressurize the ink in the liquid chamber 40F using the displacement of the piezoelectric element 45P in the d31 direction. Further, the pressure generating means 45 may arrange one row of piezoelectric elements for one discharge port 40N.

  In addition, you may form a support | pillar part simultaneously with the piezoelectric element 45P by dividing | segmenting a piezoelectric element member (piezoelectric element 45P). That is, the ejection head can use the piezoelectric element member as a support portion by applying no voltage to the piezoelectric element.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the ejection head ejecting ink from the nozzles 40N (drawing-pushing operation) will be specifically described.

  In the present embodiment, first, the discharge head lowers the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 45P (pressure generating means 45) from the reference potential, and reduces the piezoelectric element 45P in the stacking direction. Further, the ejection head flexes and deforms the diaphragm 42 by reducing the piezoelectric element 45P. At this time, the ejection head expands (expands) the volume (volume) of the liquid chamber 40 </ b> F by the deformation of the vibration plate 42. As a result, the ejection head can cause ink to flow into the liquid chamber 40F from the common liquid chamber 40C.

  Next, the ejection head increases the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 45P, and extends the piezoelectric element 45P in the stacking direction. Further, the ejection head deforms the diaphragm 42 in the direction of the nozzle 40N by the extension of the piezoelectric element 45P. At this time, the ejection head reduces (contracts) the volume (volume) of the liquid chamber 40 </ b> F by the deformation of the vibration plate 42. Thereby, the ejection head can apply pressure to the ink in the liquid chamber 40F. The ejection head can eject (eject) ink from the ejection port 40N by pressurizing the ink.

  Thereafter, the ejection head returns the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 45P to the reference potential, and returns (restores) the diaphragm 42 to the initial position. At this time, the ejection head depressurizes the liquid chamber 40F due to the expansion of the liquid chamber 40F, and fills (replenishes) ink from the common liquid chamber 40C to the liquid chamber 40F. Next, after the vibration of the meniscus surface of the nozzle 40N is attenuated (stable), the ejection head shifts to an operation for ejecting the next ink and repeats the above operation.

  The ejection head driving method in which the present invention can be used is not limited to the above example (pull-push). That is, the ejection head driving method can perform striking or pushing by controlling the voltage (driving waveform) applied to the piezoelectric element 45P.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment uses the image forming unit 40 (four ejection heads 40K, 40C, 40M, and 40Y) to perform the image transfer operation for one recording medium (roll paper Md). A black-and-white or full-color image can be formed over the entire formation region.

  The pressure generating means 45 that can use the present invention is not limited to the above example (piezoelectric element 45P). That is, the pressure generating means 45 uses a method of generating bubbles by heating ink in the liquid chamber 40F using a heating resistor (see, for example, JP-A-61-59911). May be. Further, the pressure generating means 45 is a method (so-called electrostatic type) in which the diaphragm and the electrode are arranged opposite to each other on the wall surface of the liquid chamber 40F, and the diaphragm is deformed by the electrostatic force generated between the diaphragm and the electrode. (For example, refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-71882) may be used.

(6. Configuration of post-treatment liquid applying means)
The post-processing liquid application unit 50 is a unit that processes the recording medium after the image is formed. In the present embodiment, the post-processing liquid application unit 50 post-processes the surface of the roll paper Md on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 40 with the post-processing liquid. As shown in FIG. 4A, the post-processing liquid application unit 50 is disposed downstream of the image forming unit 40 in the conveyance direction Xm of the recording medium in this embodiment. Further, similarly to the image forming unit 40, the post-processing liquid application unit 50 has the ejection heads 50 </ b> H (ejection units) arranged in a staggered manner in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction Xm of the roll paper Md. Further, the post-treatment liquid application unit 50 controls the discharge amount of the post-treatment liquid by controlling the drive waveform input to the ejection head 50H. Accordingly, the post-processing liquid application unit 50 uses the ejection head 50H to apply the post-processing liquid to the entire width direction (direction perpendicular to the transport direction) of the image forming area (printing area) of the roll paper Md (recording medium). Can be discharged. Note that the configuration of the ejection head 50H is the same as the configuration of the image forming unit 40 (FIGS. 4 and 5), and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Here, the post-processing is processing for discharging (depositing) the post-processing liquid onto the roll paper Md (recording medium). The post-treatment liquid is formed in a shape such as a spot shape or a stripe shape. Thereby, the recording medium on which the image is formed can improve scratch resistance and glossiness, storage stability (water resistance, light resistance, gas resistance, etc.) and the like. For example, before the post-processing liquid applying unit 50 starts the post-processing, the roll paper Md is applied with the pre-processing liquid 20L on the surface thereof and further applied with ink 40Ink for forming an image. The post-processing liquid application unit 50 according to the embodiment of the present invention performs a process of discharging (depositing) the post-processing liquid 50L onto the roll paper Md on which the image is formed as post-processing. Note that the recording medium Md after the image is formed on the recording medium Md and the post-treatment liquid is applied as shown in FIG. 6 is referred to as a printed matter produced (printed) by the image forming method according to the present invention.

  Furthermore, the post-processing liquid application unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can discharge the post-processing liquid to an area smaller than the surface area where the pre-processing liquid of the recording medium is applied. Further, the post-processing liquid application unit 50 can discharge the post-processing liquid to an area smaller than the surface area on which the image is formed, at least in the portion of the recording medium where the image is formed.

  Here, on the recording medium Md in the example of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the post-processing liquid 50L is discharged (deposited) in an area smaller than at least the area where the pre-processing liquid 20L is applied. . In addition, in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6B, the ink 40Ink is ejected over the entire surface of the recording medium Md, and the post-treatment liquid 50L is ejected (deposited) in an area smaller than that area.

  Here, a top view (FIG. 6A) and a cross-sectional view (FIG. 6B) of an example of the image-formed product in the present invention are shown. In FIG. 6, the post-treatment liquid 50 </ b> L appears to be formed in a spot shape, but may have a stripe shape in a direction orthogonal to the cross section.

  In the example of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the post-processing liquid 50L is discharged (deposited) to an area smaller than the surface area on which the image is formed, at least in the portion of the recording medium where the image is formed. ing. Further, the post-processing liquid 50L may be ejected (deposited) or not ejected (deposited) in a portion where no image is formed.

  Here, when the recording medium formed in the shape of FIG. 6 rubs against another medium, the surface portion of the layer of the post-treatment liquid 50L rubs. Since the post-processing liquid has a height, not only the ink 40Ink of the portion where the post-processing liquid is deposited but also the ink 40Ink where the post-processing liquid is not deposited is prevented from peeling off the image (ink) due to rubbing. I can do it.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the post-processing liquid (post-processing liquid) is used on the recording medium (roll paper Md) on which the image is formed using the post-processing liquid applying unit 50. 50L) can be deposited (discharged). For this reason, compared with the case where no post-processing liquid is deposited, when the post-processing liquid is applied, the surface of the recording medium Md on which the image is formed is rubbed against another object (for example, another recording medium), and thus on the recording medium. Can be prevented from peeling (stripping). That is, according to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the scratch resistance (scratch resistance) of the image formed on the recording medium using the post-processing liquid applying unit 50. Note that such rubbing of the surface of the recording medium also occurs in a post-processing step described later, and control based on the post-processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Further, according to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the post-processing liquid is deposited (discharged) on the recording medium (roll paper Md) on which the image is formed, using the post-processing liquid applying unit 50. Therefore, the quality of the image formed on the recording medium can be improved. That is, since the image forming apparatus 100 can deposit the post-processing liquid on the recording medium on which the image is formed, quality problems such as bleeding, density, color tone, gloss and show-through of the formed image, and The occurrence of problems related to water resistance, weather resistance and other image fastness can be reduced.

  As a post-processing method, the post-processing liquid application unit 50 according to the embodiment of the present invention deposits (discharges) the post-processing liquid only on a specific portion of the area where the image of the roll paper Md is formed. It is preferable. The post-treatment liquid application means 50 is based on the type of recording medium, permeability, glossiness and / or resolution, and / or the amount of pretreatment liquid applied by the pretreatment liquid application means 20 (liquid amount). It is more preferable to change the discharge amount (application amount) and the discharge (application) method of the post-treatment liquid.

  Further, the post-treatment liquid applying unit 50 according to the present embodiment uses the discharge head to perform post-processing in a desired discharge amount (desired spot shape or desired stripe shape) in an arbitrary region (arbitrary location). The liquid can be discharged.

Specifically, the post-processing liquid application unit 50 discharges (1) the entire area of the roll paper Md (recording medium) where an image can be formed (2) to the area where the image is formed. Discharging,
(3) It is possible to select to discharge only to the area of the image portion (dot discharge portion).
Further, the post-processing liquid application unit 50 selects (4) discharge to a region wider than the image portion of the roll paper Md (recording medium) (such as +1 dot or 2 dots or more with respect to the outer edge of the image portion). be able to. Furthermore, the post-processing liquid application unit 50 can discharge the post-processing liquid in an n% region (a spot shape or a stripe shape) with respect to the selected region for discharging the post-processing liquid.

  Here, n% can be 5 to 50%. Further, n% can be a value determined in advance by experiment or numerical calculation.

Further, the post-treatment liquid application unit 50 according to the present embodiment is a method for discharging the post-treatment liquid 50L,
(1) Discharging based on the print duty,
(2) Discharging based on the droplet amount of the post-treatment liquid 50L to be discharged;
Etc. can be selected. At this time, the post-processing liquid application unit 50 calculates the print duty and the droplet amount of the post-processing liquid 50L from the input information (print image data and the like), and determines a method of discharging based on the calculated print duty and the like. May be.

  Thereby, according to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the post-processing liquid application unit 50 is used to generate an image as compared with the case where the post-processing liquid is applied (discharged) to the entire surface of the recording medium. The post-treatment liquid can be deposited (discharged) only on a specific portion of the formed region. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to shorten the time required for post-processing, particularly the time required for drying the post-processing liquid. Further, according to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the amount of the post-processing liquid applied for the post-processing can be reduced as compared with the case where the post-processing liquid is applied (discharged) to the entire surface of the recording medium. it can. Furthermore, according to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the amount of the post-treatment liquid applied can be reduced compared to the case where the post-treatment liquid is applied (discharged) to the entire surface of the recording medium. The cost required for processing can be reduced.

  The post-treatment method for the post-treatment liquid application unit 50 is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected depending on the type of the post-treatment liquid. Further, as the post-treatment method of the post-treatment liquid application unit 50, the pre-treatment liquid application method of the pre-treatment liquid application unit 20 or the ink discharge method of the image forming unit 40 described above can be used. Further, as the post-processing method of the post-processing liquid application unit 50, it is more preferable to use the same method as the method of ejecting ink of the image forming unit 40 from the viewpoint of downsizing of the apparatus and storage stability of the post-processing liquid. . Here, when discharging the post-treatment liquid, it is preferable to contain an appropriate amount of a water-soluble organic solvent (wetting agent) used in the method of discharging the ink of the image forming unit 40.

Further, post-treatment liquid deposition device 50 according to this embodiment, it is preferable that the dry coverage of post-treatment liquid and ^{0.5g / m 2 ~10g / m 2} . Post-treatment liquid deposition device 50, it is more preferable that the dry adhering amount of post-treatment liquid and ^{2g / m 2 ~8g / m 2} . If the dry adhesion amount of the post-treatment liquid is less than 0.5 g / m ² , the image quality (abrasion resistance, image density, saturation, glossiness and fixability) may be deteriorated. Moreover, when the dry adhesion amount of the post-treatment liquid exceeds 10 g / m ² , the drying property of the protective layer (post-treatment liquid) may be deteriorated (it takes time to dry). Further, when the dry adhesion amount of the post-processing liquid exceeds 10 g / m ² , the effect of improving the image quality by the post-processing is saturated, which may be economically disadvantageous.

  The post-processing liquid application unit 50 according to the present embodiment can use a processing liquid containing a component capable of forming a transparent protective layer on the roll paper Md (recording medium) as the post-processing liquid. The treatment liquid containing a component capable of forming a transparent protective layer is, for example, a water-dispersible resin (resin), a water-soluble organic solvent (wetting agent), a penetrating agent, a surfactant, water, and / or as necessary. And a treatment liquid containing other components. Further, the post-treatment liquid may be a resin composition and / or a thermoplastic resin containing a component that is polymerized by ultraviolet irradiation. Further, the post-treatment liquid is preferably a thermoplastic resin emulsion in order to improve glossiness and fixability. Thereby, the post-treatment liquid application unit 50 increases the gloss of the surface of the roll paper Md on which an image is formed, or the surface of the roll paper Md is a resin layer, depending on the method of ejection (application). Can be protected.

  Here, as the water dispersible resin (resin), for example, an acrylic resin, a styrene-acrylic resin, a urethane resin, an acrylic-silicon resin, a fluorine resin, and the like are preferable. As these water-dispersible resins, those similar to the water-dispersible resins used in the method of discharging the ink of the image forming means 40 can be appropriately selected and used. The content of the water-dispersible resin in the protective layer is preferably 1% by mass to 50% by mass in terms of solid content. Furthermore, when using the method of discharging the ink of the image forming unit 40, the content of the water-dispersible resin in the protective layer is preferably 1% by mass to 30% by mass.

  In addition, when resin content exceeds 50 mass%, the viscosity of a post-processing liquid may become high. In addition, when the resin content is less than 1% by mass, energy required for water evaporation of the post-treatment liquid may increase.

  The average particle diameter (D50) of the water-dispersible resin in the post-treatment liquid is related to the viscosity of the post-treatment liquid. In the case of the same composition, for example, the viscosity of the post-treatment liquid increases as the particle size decreases. Therefore, in order to prevent an excessively high viscosity during post-treatment, it is preferable that the average particle diameter (D50) of the water-dispersible resin is 50 nm or more.

  Moreover, the average particle diameter of the water-dispersible resin in the post-treatment liquid is larger than the nozzle diameter of the ejection head that ejects the post-treatment liquid (the diameter of the ejection port 40N in FIG. 4A) when it is several tens of μm. Therefore, it is not preferable. Even if the average particle diameter of the water-dispersible resin in the post-treatment liquid is smaller than the nozzle diameter, if particles having a large particle diameter are present in the post-treatment liquid, the ejection properties of the ejection head may be deteriorated. Therefore, the average particle diameter (D50) of the post-treatment liquid (water dispersible resin) is more preferably 200 nm or less, and further preferably 150 nm or less.

  When a water-soluble organic solvent (wetting agent) is used, the content of the water-soluble organic solvent contained in the post-treatment liquid is not particularly limited. The content of the water-soluble organic solvent may be 10 to 80% by mass. Moreover, as for content of a water-soluble organic solvent, 15-60 mass% is more preferable. Examples of the water-soluble organic solvent (wetting agent) include 1,3-butadiene and glycerin.

  When the content of the water-soluble organic solvent is greater than 80% by mass, the post-processed recording medium may be difficult to dry. Moreover, when content of a water-soluble organic solvent is smaller than 10 mass%, the composition of a post-processing liquid may change by mixing with a pre-processing liquid.

  There are no particular limitations on the penetrant and the surfactant. The penetrant is, for example, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol. The surfactant is, for example, a perfluoroalkyl polyethylene oxide addition reaction product. As the penetrant and the surfactant, a penetrant or a surfactant contained in the pretreatment liquid used in the pretreatment liquid coating unit 20 or the ink used in the image forming unit 40 may be appropriately selected.

  Note that the post-treatment liquid may further include other components. The post-treatment liquid may further contain, for example, a wax, a pH adjuster, an antibacterial agent, a surface modifier, an antifoaming agent, and the like.

  The wax is, for example, polyethylene wax. The pH adjuster is, for example, 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol. The antibacterial agent is, for example, an active ingredient 1,2-benzothiazol-3-one. The surface modifier is, for example, a mixture of polyether-modified polydimethylsiloxane and polyether (polyether-modified polydimethylsiloxane). The antifoaming agent is, for example, 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-4,7-decanediol.

(7. Configuration of unloading means)
The carry-out means 60 is means for carrying out (ejecting) the recording medium on which an image is formed. As shown in FIG. 1, the carrying-out means 60 is comprised by the storage part 61, several conveyance roller 62 grade | etc., In this embodiment. The carry-out means 60 winds and stores the roll paper Md on which the image is formed on the storage roll of the storage unit 61 using the transport roller 62 or the like.

  Note that, when the roll paper Md is wound around the storage roll of the storage unit 61 and the pressure acting on the roll paper Md becomes large, in order to prevent another image from being transferred to the back surface of the roll paper Md, the winding is performed. You may provide the drying means which dries roll paper Md further just before taking.

(8. Configuration of control means)
The control unit 70 is a unit that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the control unit 70 instructs each component of the image forming apparatus 100 to operate, and controls the operation. The control means 70 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Note that the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may use production printing as a printing system. Here, with production printing, it is possible to print a large amount of printed matter (image forming medium, printed matter) in a short time (image formation, printing) by efficiently performing job management, print data management, and the like. It is a manufacturing system. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of devices, for example, a RIP (Raster Image Processor) device and a printer device. The RIP device is a device that controls the print order of print data and converts the print data into raster image data. The printer device is a control device for a printing operation based on the converted raster image data.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 (control unit 70) according to the present embodiment constructs a workflow system that performs management from creation of print data to distribution of printed matter. In other words, the image forming apparatus 100 (control unit 70) according to the present embodiment prints by separating the apparatuses such as the RIP apparatus and the printer apparatus and distributing the processes in a system with a long processing time such as the workflow. Speed up. The entire image forming system has a control device (RIPS device).

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the control unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a host device (RIP device, DFE, Digital Front End) 71 that performs RIP processing, print processing, and the like. And a printer device 72 for performing the above. Here, the host device 71 and the printer device 72 are connected by a plurality of data lines 70LD and control lines 70LC.

  Hereinafter, the host device 71 and the printer device 72 of the control means 70 according to the present embodiment will be specifically described.

<High-level device>
The host device 71 of the image forming apparatus 100 (control unit 70) according to the embodiment of the present invention performs RIP processing based on print job data (job data, print data) output from a host device (not shown). Device. That is, the host device 71 according to the present embodiment creates raster image data (hereinafter referred to as “print image data”) corresponding to each color based on the print job data. Here, in the present embodiment, the print image data further includes data relating to ejection of the post-treatment liquid ejected by the post-treatment liquid application unit 50 (hereinafter referred to as “image data relating to post-processing”).

  Further, the upper level apparatus 71 according to the present embodiment creates data for controlling the printing operation (hereinafter referred to as “control information data”) based on the print job data and the host apparatus information. Here, the control information data refers to printing conditions (printing type, printing type, feeding / discharging information, printing surface order, printing paper size, data size of printing image data, resolution, paper type information, gradation, color information, and the like. Data on the number of pages to be printed). In the present embodiment, the control information data further includes data related to the discharge of the post-processing liquid discharged by the post-processing liquid application unit 50 (hereinafter referred to as “control data related to post-processing”).

  As shown in FIG. 7B, in the present embodiment, the host device 71 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 71a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 71b, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 71c, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). 71d. The host device 71 includes an external I / F 71e, a control information I / F 71f, and an image data I / F 71g. Furthermore, the host device 71 includes a bus 71h that connects the CPU 71a and the like. That is, the host device 71 is configured to allow the CPUs 71a and the like to transmit and receive each other via the bus 71h.

  The CPU 71a controls the overall operation of the host device 71. The CPU 71a controls the operation of the host device 71 using a control program or the like stored (stored) in the ROM 71b and / or the HDD 71d.

  The ROM 71b, RAM 71c, and HDD 71d store data and the like. The ROM 71b and / or the HDD 71d stores a control program for controlling the CPU 71a in advance. The RAM 71c is used as a work memory for the CPU 71a.

  The external I / F 71e controls communication (transmission / reception) with the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 (host device or the like). The external I / F 71e can control communication corresponding to, for example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

  The control information I / F 71f controls communication (transmission / reception) of control information data. As the control information I / F 71f, for example, PCI Express (Peripheral Component Interconnect Bus Express) can be used.

  The image data I / F 71g controls communication (transmission / reception) of print image data. For example, PCI Express can be used as the image data I / F 71g. In the present embodiment, the image data I / F 71g has a plurality of channels (described later) corresponding to the respective colors of the print image data.

  The host device 71 of the control means 70 according to the present embodiment receives print job data transmitted from the host device by the external I / F 71e and stores it in the HDD 71d using the CPU 71a. Further, the host device 71 reads out print job data from the HDD 71d using the CPU 71a. Further, the host device 71 uses the CPU 71a to generate raster image data of each color (yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K)) based on the read print job data. The generated raster image data for each color is stored in the RAM 71c. Here, the host device 71 (CPU 71a) can generate, for example, PDL (Page Description Language) as RIP processing, generate raster image data of each color, and write it to the RAM 71c.

  Next, the host device 71 compresses and encodes the raster image data of each color written in the RAM 71c, and temporarily stores it in the HDD 71d.

  Thereafter, when the printer device 72 starts a printing operation, the host device 71 (CPU 71a) reads the raster image data of each color encoded from the HDD 71d, decodes it, and writes the raster image data of each color into the RAM 71c. . Next, the host device 71 reads the raster image data of each color from the RAM 71c, and outputs it as print image data of each color to the printer device 72 (printer engine 72E described later) via each channel of the image data I / F 71g. . Here, the host device 71 uses the printer device 72 via each data line 70LD (70LD-Y, 70LD-C, 70LD-M and 70LD-K) shown in FIG. 7 as each channel of the image data I / F 71g. Can output print image data.

  Further, the host apparatus 71 according to the present embodiment uses the CPU 71a to control I / F 71f (control line for control information) with the printer apparatus 72 (printer controller 72C described later) using the CPU 71a according to the progress of the printing operation. 70LC), the control information data is transmitted and received.

  Further, the host device 71 according to the present embodiment relates to post-processing encoded from the HDD 71d using the CPU 71a when post-processing is started in the printer device 72 (post-processing liquid applying unit 50 in FIG. 1). Read image data. At this time, the host device 71 outputs the data to the printer device 72 (printer engine 72E) via the data line 70LD-P (FIG. 8) in the same manner as the raster image data.

<Printer device>
The printer device 72 of the control means 70 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention controls the operation of forming an image on a recording medium based on the print image data and control information data input from the host device 71. Device. In the present embodiment, the printer device 72 includes a printer controller 72C and a printer engine 72E.

  The printer controller 72C controls the operation of a printer engine 72E described later. The printer controller 72C transmits and receives control information data and the like to and from the host device 71 via the control line 70LC. Further, the printer controller 72C transmits / receives control information data and the like to / from the printer engine 72E via the control line 72LC. As a result, the printer controller 72C can write various printing conditions included in the control information data into the register of the printing control unit 72Cc and store the printing conditions. The printer controller 72C can control the printer engine 72E based on the control information data, and can execute printing according to the print job data (control information data).

  As shown in FIG. 8, the printer controller 72C includes a CPU 72Cp and a print control unit 72Cc in the present embodiment. In addition, the printer controller 72C connects the CPU 72Cp and the print control unit 72Cc via a bus 72Cb so that they can transmit and receive each other. Here, the bus 72Cb is connected to the control line 70LC via a communication I / F (not shown).

  The CPU 72Cp controls the overall operation of the printer device 72 using a control program stored in the ROM 71b (FIG. 7). The print control unit 72Cc transmits and receives commands and status information to and from the printer engine 72E based on the control information data transmitted from the host device 71. Accordingly, the print control unit 72Cc can control the operation of the printer engine 72E.

  The printer engine 72E is a device that controls the operation of forming an image on a recording medium based on print image data input from the host device 71 and control information data input from the printer controller 72C. The printer engine 72E performs post-processing based on print image data (image data related to post-processing) input from the host device 71 and control information data (control data related to post-processing) input from the printer controller 72C. It is a device that controls.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the printer engine 72E is connected to a plurality of data lines 70LD (70LD-Y, 70LD-C, 70LD-M, 70LD-K, and 70LD-P). The printer engine 72E receives print image data from the host device 71 via a plurality of data lines 70LD-C and the like. Thus, the printer engine 72E can perform the printing operation and post-processing operation for each color based on the received print image data.

  In this embodiment, the printer engine 72E includes a plurality of data management units 72EC, 72EM, 72EY, 72EK, and 72EP. The printer engine 72E includes an image output unit 72Ei to which print image data and the like are input from the data management unit 72EC and the like, and a conveyance control unit 72Ec that controls conveyance of the recording medium. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the printer engine 72E includes a post-processing liquid output unit 72Ep that receives image data related to post-processing from a data management unit (post-processing control unit) 72EP, and a post-processing liquid drying unit 32 (FIG. 1). And a post-processing post-drying control unit 72Epb for controlling the operation.

  The printer engine 72E may further include a pretreatment liquid application controller, a pretreatment drying controller, a prewinding drying controller, and the like.

  The configuration of the data management unit 72EC will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the other data management units 72EM, 72EY, 72EK, and 72EP is the same as the configuration of the data management unit 72EC, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the data management unit 72EC includes a logic circuit 72ECl and a memory unit 72ECm. The data management unit 72EC (logic circuit 72ECl) is connected to the host device 71 via the data line 70LD-C. The data management unit 72EC (logic circuit 72ECl) is connected to the printer controller 72C (print control unit 72Cc) via the control line 72LC.

  In this embodiment, the logic circuit 72ECl stores (stores) the print image data output from the host device 71 in the memory 72ECm based on the control signal output from the printer controller 72C (print control unit 72Cc). The logic circuit 72ECl reads the print image data Ic (FIG. 8) corresponding to cyan (C) from the memory 72ECm based on the control signal output from the printer controller 72C (print control unit 72Cc), and outputs the image output unit. To 72Ei. In the case of the logic circuit 72ECp (data management unit 72EP), the image data Ip (FIG. 8) relating to the post-processing is output to the post-processing liquid output unit 72Ep.

  Here, the memory unit 72ECm can have a capacity capable of storing print image data for at least three pages. The print image data for three pages includes, for example, print image data corresponding to a page being transferred (received) from the host device 71, print image data corresponding to a page being output to the image output unit 72Ei, and the next page Is print image data corresponding to.

  Note that the data management unit 72EC may use a hardware logic circuit configured by a combination of logic circuits and the like. As a result, the data management unit 72EC can realize faster processing. In addition, the data management unit 72EC may perform logic determination on a control signal based on, for example, a bit string by using the logic circuit 72ECl, and may determine processing to be executed.

  The configuration of the image output unit 72Ei will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the post-processing liquid output unit 72Ep is basically the same as the configuration of the image output unit 72Ei, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the image output unit 72Ei includes an output control unit 72Eic. The output control unit 72Eic outputs print image data corresponding to each color to the ejection heads 40C, 40M, 40Y, and 40K (FIG. 4) corresponding to each color. Thereby, the output control unit 72Eic can control the operation of the ejection head 40C and the like based on the print image data.

  Specifically, the output control unit 72Eic individually controls the plurality of ejection heads 40C and the like. Further, the output control unit 72Eic may simultaneously control the plurality of ejection heads 40C and the like using the input print image data (for example, Ic in FIG. 10). Further, the output control unit 72Eic may control the ejection head 40C and the like based on a control signal input from a control device (not shown). The output control unit 72Eic may control the ejection head 40C and the like based on, for example, a user operation input.

  As described above, the printer device 72 according to the present embodiment uses the data management unit 72EC and the output control unit 72Eic to input print image data output from the host device 71 to the plurality of ejection heads 40C and the like. At this time, the printer device 72 can control the print image data of each color independently of each other. Further, the printer device 72 can easily change the configuration of the printer engine 72E according to the number of colors (C, M, Y and K, or only K colors) of the print image data or the number of ejection heads. It is. That is, the image forming apparatus 100 (printer apparatus 72) according to the present embodiment is advantageous in that the apparatus can be reduced in size and cost by mounting only the necessary data management unit 72EC and the ejection head 40C. Have.

  For example, when the image forming apparatus 100 (printer apparatus 72) according to the present embodiment performs full-color printing with four colors of C, M, Y, and K, the printer engine 72E is provided with all the data management units 72EC and the like. Can do. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 100 (printer apparatus 72) can connect each output of the data management unit 72EC and the like to the ejection head 40C and the like using the output control unit 72Eic.

  Further, for example, when printing with one color of K, the image forming apparatus 100 (printer apparatus 72) can provide only one data management unit 72EK and the ejection head 40K as the apparatus cost priority. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 100 (printer apparatus 72) can connect the output of the data management unit 72EK to the ejection head 40K using the output control unit 72Eic.

  Further, when printing with one color K, for example, the image forming apparatus 100 (printer device 72) can provide one data management unit 72EK and four ejection heads as a priority for the printing speed. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 100 (printer apparatus 72) can connect the output of the data management unit 72EK to each of the four ejection heads using the output control unit 72Eic. In this case, the image forming apparatus 100 (printer apparatus 72) can print the same color (K) a plurality of times (overlapped), so that, for example, compared with a case where an image is formed with one ejection head. As a result, four times faster printing (image formation) can be realized.

  Further, in FIG. 8, a post-processing control unit 201 shown below is further connected to the print control unit 72Cc, which means in the post-processing unit 200 is selected or how many times it is folded. Such information is input. The post-processing unit 200 includes, for example, a cutting device 210, a folding machine 220, and a composite finisher 230 in addition to the post-processing control device 201. Alternatively, the determination unit 74 is used in examples described later.

(9. Configuration of post-processing means)
The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 can be connected to a post-processing apparatus as various finishing apparatuses. You may connect via a high-order apparatus in the case of a connection. The entire image forming system has an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a cutter that cuts a recording medium that is a continuous paper, a folding machine that folds the recording medium, a composite finisher that performs saddle stitching after cutting, a stapler function, a hole, It may have an opening function or the like.

  Here, as an example, a case of a cutting machine having a cutter as the cutting device 210 of the post-processing device 220 will be described with reference to FIG. 11, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-194766. In the cutting apparatus 210 in FIG. 11, cutting is performed using a cutter having a blade span that covers the width direction of the band-shaped recording medium as cutting means. For example, the cutting means for cutting the recording medium after drying cuts while the cutter crosses the transport direction of the strip-shaped recording medium. Specifically, in consideration of the conveyance speed of the band-shaped recording medium, the cutter is traversed with an inclination with respect to the conveyance direction so that the finally cut recording medium has a rectangular shape. Accordingly, since the cutting can be performed without stopping the conveyance of the recording medium after drying, high-speed throughput is possible, and the recording medium after drying after printing can be rectangular. Alternatively, as another example using the above configuration, the means for cutting the recording medium stops the conveyance of the band-shaped recording medium, and cuts while scanning the cutter perpendicularly to the conveyance direction of the band-shaped recording medium. To do. Even in this configuration, the recording medium after printing and drying after cutting can be surely made rectangular. The recording medium thus cut by the cutter is then stored in the storage unit.

  Note that the function of the cutting machine is not limited to cutting, and as an option, a perforation and a streak press may be created, or an LED may be separately provided and positioned using a beam. Such a cutting machine is used, for example, when creating a “peller” which is a printed matter finished with only one sheet of paper.

  As an example of another post-processing, FIG. 12 will be described as having two folding machines for folding and cutting as a folding machine 220 of the post-processing section 200 as shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-202839. The outline of the folding machine is described in the figure, but specifically, for example, the following knife folding or blade folding is used.

  Knife folding is a paper folding with a knife and is a method of folding a paper fold with a plate-like knife and two rolls. In a knife folding machine, the printed paper runs on the belt conveyor at high speed and stops at the end point. At the moment of abutment, the folding knife descends to the center of the printing paper, and the printing paper is folded in half (large fold) by a pair of sandwiching rolls rotating opposite each other. Two needles are attached to the blade edge of the knife, and air is extracted from the inside of the origami. Then, the one folded in half is dropped onto the feed belt and carried onto the two rolls of the twice folding machine, and is folded into four (8) as necessary by the knife and roll folding mechanism. Page).

  The blade fold is a fold by means of a blade (plate) and a roller, and the folding device is a unit system, which can be increased or decreased as necessary, and can be folded in various ways. Also called variable type. The printed book sent from the feed table is abutted against the stopper in the first folding plate by the A and B rollers. Since the paper feeding force continues, bending (buckle) occurs at the entrance of the plate, and it is sandwiched between the B and C rollers to perform the first folding. Next, the sheet is fed into the second plate, and the second parallel folding is performed in the same manner. In this way, the third and fourth folds are performed. If necessary, the plate entrance can be blocked with a turning plate, and the direction of the printed book can be turned 90 degrees with the turning plate to perform right-angle folding.

  Such a folding machine (folding means) is used when creating a “foldable simple printed matter” such as a leaflet, a leaflet, or a leaflet.

  Although not shown in detail, when the composite finisher 230 is used in place of the cutting means and folding means as described above, saddle stitching, stapling function, punching function, etc. after the above-described cutting, etc. These steps can be performed. In this case, a pamphlet, a booklet, or the like that is a “tentatively bound booklet” can be created.

  Although details will be described later, in the present invention, the application amount of the post-treatment liquid is adjusted based on the type of post-processing performed on the recording medium to which the post-treatment liquid is applied. Here, the post-processing apparatus 200 that performs post-processing may be installed in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 100 as described above, and may be connected to the image forming apparatus, or the post-processing apparatus may be installed at a remote location. Then, the post-processing may be carried out by transporting the recording medium, which is a printed matter after the post-process, to the remote place.

(10. Example 1)
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described using an embodiment of an image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus 100A according to the first exemplary embodiment will be described. The configurations of the carry-in means, the pretreatment liquid application means, the drying means, the image forming means, the post-treatment liquid application means, and the carry-out means are basically the same as those in the embodiment shown in FIGS. Therefore, explanation is omitted.

  An operation of forming an image by the image forming apparatus 100A according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the image forming apparatus 100A according to the present embodiment performs image processing based on print job data or the like input from the outside of the image forming apparatus 100A in step S1001 (the following step is simply S). Start forming. Further, the image forming apparatus 100A stores the input print job data or the like in the HDD 71d or the like of the host apparatus 71.

  After the start, the image forming apparatus 100A proceeds to S1002. In S1002, the first determination unit (calculation unit) 73 of the determination unit of the control unit 72C determines the type of the recording medium, the type of post-processing to be performed after the recording medium is unloaded, and the like to the HDD 71d of the host device 71 and the like. The determined type of the recording medium and the type of post-processing to be performed after the recording medium is carried out are stored.

  Here, the control means 70 determines the post-processing information input from the outside of the image forming apparatus 100A (post-processing step (number of rollers for transporting the recording medium Md) as the type of post-processing to be performed after the recording medium Md is unloaded. , The number of times of bending, etc.) may be further stored. Further, the control means 70 performs after the unloading of the recording medium Md in association with the post-processing items stored in advance in the HDD 71d or the like of the host device 71 as the types of post-processing to be performed after unloading of the recording medium Md. The type of post-processing to be performed may be stored. Thereby, the control means 70 can read the kind of post-processing etc. which are implemented after carrying out of the recording medium Md in the subsequent operation | movement, using the matched post-processing item. In the image forming apparatus 100A, a post-processing item or the like can be stored in advance in the HDD 71d or the like of the host apparatus 71 by a user or the like.

  Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 100A proceeds to step S1003. In step S <b> 1003, the image forming apparatus 100 </ b> E generates print image data, control information data, and the like using the host device 71 of the control unit 70.

  Specifically, the host device 71 of the control means 70 performs printing based on the print job data stored in the HDD 71d and the like, the type of the recording medium Md, the type of post-processing performed after the recording medium Md is carried out, and the like. Image data, control information data, and the like are generated.

  Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 100A proceeds to step S1004. In step S1004, the image forming apparatus 100A uses the calculation unit 73 of the determination unit of the control unit 72C to apply the pretreatment liquid application amount and the posttreatment liquid application amount, the pretreatment liquid drying strength, and the posttreatment liquid 50L drying. Calculate the intensity.

  Specifically, the control unit 70 calculates the application amount of the pretreatment liquid 20L of the pretreatment liquid application unit 20 based on the type of the recording medium Md and the like. Here, the control means 70 can increase the coating amount of the pretreatment liquid 20L when the permeability of the recording medium Md is high. Further, the control means 70 can reduce the coating amount of the pretreatment liquid 20L when the permeability of the recording medium Md is low.

  Further, the post-processing control unit 72EP calculates the discharge amount of the post-processing liquid 50L of the post-processing liquid application unit 50 based on the type of post-processing performed after the recording medium Md received by the control unit 72C. The type of post-processing is cutting, bending, or the like of the recording medium Md performed after the recording medium Md is carried out. When performing cutting, it is necessary to pass the recording medium Md after image formation to the cutting machine. At that time, the conveyance roller or belt for conveying the recording medium Md in the cutting machine and the image forming surface slide. If the image portion printed on the recording medium Md has low abrasion resistance, the image quality deteriorates due to peeling or the like.

  In addition, when folding is performed, the image quality deteriorates due to sliding between the conveyance roller and belt for conveying the recording medium Md in the folding machine and the image forming surface, and blade pressing to the portion to be bent.

  Therefore, when the slide to the image portion printed on the recording medium is increased, such as after the recording medium Md is cut by the post-processing means (apparatus) or a plurality of processes are bent, the post-processing control means 72EP The amount of treatment liquid 50L applied can be increased. In addition, when there is little sliding on the image portion printed on the recording medium Md, for example, only the cutting process of the recording medium Md is performed by the post-processing means, the application amount of the post-processing liquid 50L can be reduced.

  That is, the control unit 70 calculates the coating amount of the pretreatment liquid 20L based on the type of the recording medium Md and the like, and discharges the posttreatment liquid 50L based on the type of post-processing performed after the recording medium Md is carried out. The amount (applied amount) can be calculated.

Note that the control means 70 can increase the amount of the pretreatment liquid 20L applied when the amount of adhesion of the pretreatment liquid 20L to the recording medium Md is 1.5 g / m ² or more. . Further, the case where the discharge amount of the post-processing liquid 50L is increased can be a case where the amount of the post-processing liquid 50L attached to the recording medium Md is 1.2 g / m ² or more.

On the other hand, the control means 70 makes the said adhesion amount less than 1.5 g / m < ² > and less than 1.2 g / m < ² > when reducing the application amount of the pretreatment liquid 20L and the discharge amount of the posttreatment liquid 50L. It can be the case. Moreover, the control means 70 can also include the case where it does not apply or discharge, when reducing the application amount of the pretreatment liquid 20L and the discharge amount of the posttreatment liquid 50L. Further, the control means 70 may appropriately change the application amount of the pretreatment liquid 20L and the discharge amount of the posttreatment liquid 50L according to the physical properties of the recording medium Md.

  Regarding the drying strength, the image forming apparatus 100A uses the control unit 70 to determine the drying strength of the pretreatment liquid in S1004 based on the permeability of the recording medium Md, the characteristics such as the thickness, and the coating amount of the pretreatment liquid 20L. In step S1005, the dry strength (drying method) is calculated based on the applied amount of the post-treatment liquid 50L.

  For example, when the permeability of the recording medium Md is high in the pretreatment liquid coating unit 20, the amount of the pretreatment liquid applied increases, so the drying strength of the pretreatment liquid drying unit 31 is increased and the pretreatment liquid is sufficiently dried. . Further, when the permeability of the recording medium Md is low, the amount of the pretreatment liquid applied decreases, so the pretreatment liquid drying means 31 weakens the drying strength and suppresses paper shrinkage due to excessive drying of the recording medium Md.

  In the post-processing liquid application unit 50, if there is a lot of sliding on the image portion printed on the recording medium Md by post-processing based on the type of post-processing in S1005, the scratch resistance (anti-resistance of the recording medium Md). In order to sufficiently improve (rubbing property), the applied amount of the post-treatment liquid 50L increases. Therefore, since the recording medium Md becomes difficult to dry when the application amount of the post-treatment liquid 50L increases, the post-treatment liquid drying means 32 increases the drying strength and sufficiently dries the post-treatment liquid 50L.

  Conversely, when there is little sliding on the image portion printed on the recording medium Md by post-processing, the amount of the post-processing liquid 50L necessary for obtaining the scratch resistance (scratch resistance) decreases, so that post-processing is performed. The liquid drying means 32 weakens the drying strength and suppresses paper shrinkage due to excessive drying of the recording medium Md.

  Thus, by calculating the optimum drying strength in accordance with the type of the recording medium Md and the type of post-processing performed after the recording medium Md is unloaded, the print quality is reduced due to insufficient drying of the recording medium Md and excessively dry. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of paper shrinkage due to the above. Table 1 shows an example of the correlation regarding the type of post-processing, the amount of post-treatment liquid applied, and the control of the amount of drying.

このように前処理液の塗布量及び後処理液５０Ｌの付与量、前処置液の乾燥強度及び後処理液５０Ｌの乾燥強度を算出した後、画像形成装置１００ＡはステップＳ１００５に進む。なお、画像形成装置１００Ａは、予め記憶してある記録媒体Ｍｄの搬出後に実施する後加工の種類に対応する後処理液５０Ｌの付与量を、ＵＩ（ユーザーインターフェース）などを用いて、ユーザー等により選択される構成を用いてもよい。Ｓ１００５において、画像形成装置１００Ａは、搬入手段１０（図１）を用いて、記録媒体Ｍｄを前処理液塗布手段２０等に搬入（搬送）する。なお、画像形成装置１００Ａは、Ｓ１００１の画像形成の開始直後に、ステップＳ１００６を開始してもよい。

After calculating the application amount of the pretreatment liquid and the application amount of the posttreatment liquid 50L, the dry strength of the pretreatment liquid, and the dry strength of the posttreatment liquid 50L in this way, the image forming apparatus 100A proceeds to step S1005. Note that the image forming apparatus 100A determines the amount of post-processing liquid 50L applied corresponding to the type of post-processing performed after unloading the recording medium Md stored in advance by a user or the like using a UI (user interface) or the like. A selected configuration may be used. In step S1005, the image forming apparatus 100A uses the carry-in means 10 (FIG. 1) to carry (convey) the recording medium Md into the pretreatment liquid coating means 20 or the like. Note that the image forming apparatus 100A may start step S1006 immediately after the start of image formation in step S1001.

  After starting the carry-in, the image forming apparatus 100A proceeds to step S1007. In step S <b> 1007, the image forming apparatus 100 </ b> A uses a pretreatment liquid application unit 20 (FIG. 2) as a pretreatment process (pretreatment liquid application process) to apply a pretreatment liquid to the surface of the recording medium Md. To implement.

  Specifically, the pretreatment liquid application unit 20 uses the pressure adjustment device 25 (FIG. 2) to adjust the nip pressure based on the application amount of the pretreatment liquid 20L calculated by the calculation unit 73 of the determination unit in step S1004. To control (change) the coating amount (film thickness, etc.) of the pretreatment liquid 20L. The pretreatment liquid application unit 20 may control the application amount of the pretreatment liquid 20L by changing the rotation speed of the application roller 23 (FIG. 2).

  Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 100A can suppress bleeding of an image (ink) formed thereafter by controlling the application amount of the pretreatment liquid 20L of the pretreatment liquid application unit 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the image forming apparatus 100A reduces the granularity (beading) of ink ejected during image formation by increasing the application amount of the pretreatment liquid 20L of the pretreatment liquid application unit 20. can do. That is, the image forming apparatus 100A can reduce the ink used for image formation to a predetermined granularity Rs or less by increasing the application amount of the pretreatment liquid 20L of the pretreatment liquid application unit 20.

  Here, the predetermined granularity Rs can be a granularity at which the ink on the recording medium Md is difficult to bleed. Further, the predetermined granularity Rs can be a value determined in advance by experiment or numerical calculation.

  Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 100A conveys the recording medium Md to the pretreatment liquid drying unit 31 in FIG. 1, and proceeds to step S1008. In S1008, the image forming apparatus 100A uses the pretreatment liquid drying unit 31 (the heat roller 31h in FIG. 1) to dry the recording medium Md. Here, the pretreatment liquid drying means 31 controls the drying strength based on the information calculated in step S1004.

  Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 100A conveys the recording medium Md to the image forming unit 40 (FIGS. 1 and 4), and proceeds to step S1009. In step S1009, the image forming apparatus 100A forms an image on the surface of the recording medium Md based on the print image data generated in step S1003 using the image forming unit 40 as an image forming process. Here, the image forming unit 40 can form an image by further using the type of the recording medium Md. Further, the image forming unit 40 can control the operation of forming an image by controlling the voltage (drive voltage) applied to the piezoelectric element 45P (the pressure generating unit 45 in FIG. 5).

  Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 100A conveys the recording medium Md to the post-processing liquid applying unit 50 (FIG. 1), and proceeds to step S1010. In step S <b> 1010, the image forming apparatus 100 </ b> A performs post-processing that applies the post-processing liquid 50 </ b> L to any part of the recording medium Md as a post-processing process (post-processing liquid application process) using the post-processing liquid application unit 50. To do.

  Specifically, the post-processing liquid application unit 50 forms an image of the recording medium Md based on the calculated discharge amount of the post-processing liquid 50L (step S1005) and image data related to the post-processing (step S1003). A post-treatment liquid 50L is deposited (discharged) on a specific portion of the region. Here, the post-processing control unit 72EP uses the post-processing liquid output unit 72EP of the control unit 70 to control the discharge amount that the post-processing liquid application unit 50 discharges to the recording medium Md based on the image data related to the post-processing. can do.

  Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 100A conveys the recording medium Md to the drying unit 30 (the post-processing liquid drying unit 32 in FIG. 1), and proceeds to step S1011. In step S1011, the image forming apparatus 100A uses the post-processing liquid drying unit 32 (heat roller 32h) to dry the recording medium Md. Here, the post-processing liquid drying means 32 controls the drying strength based on the information calculated in step S1005, as with the pre-processing liquid drying means 31.

  After drying, the image forming apparatus 100A proceeds to step S1012. In S1012, the image forming apparatus 100A unloads (discharges) the recording medium Md using the unloading means 60 (FIG. 1).

  Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 100A proceeds to END in the drawing, and ends the operation of forming an image.

  In the present invention, as in the above embodiment, by applying the post-treatment liquid 50L, it is possible to improve the abrasion resistance of the image and reduce gloss unevenness.

  Furthermore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in print quality due to the post-processing process by discharging the post-processing liquid 50L which is an optimum condition according to the type of post-processing to be performed after the recording medium Md is carried out. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that creates an image formed product with high quality and excellent image fastness.

  In addition, the application amount of the post-treatment liquid 50L and the drying strength after the application of the post-treatment liquid 50L can be controlled according to the type of post-processing performed after the recording medium Md is carried out. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the target image quality and abrasion resistance from being insufficient due to insufficient adhesion of processing liquid, paper shrinkage due to excessive drying, and insufficient drying due to excessive adhesion of processing liquid. Image formation is possible.

(11. Example 2)
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described using the image forming apparatus 100B.
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described using an embodiment of an image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus 100E according to the first exemplary embodiment will be described. The configurations of the carry-in means, the pretreatment liquid application means, the drying means, the image forming means, the post-treatment liquid application means, and the carry-out means are basically the same as those in the embodiment shown in FIGS. Therefore, explanation is omitted.

  The configuration of the control unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 100B according to the present embodiment is almost the same as the configuration of FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the configuration of the control unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 100B according to the present embodiment is basically the same as the configuration of the control unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 100E according to the first embodiment. For the same reason, different parts will be mainly described.

  In the first embodiment, in S1004, the determination unit including the calculation unit 73 of the control unit 72C determines the type of the recording medium Md and the type of post-processing that is performed after the recording medium Md output from the post-processing control unit 201 is carried out. Based on this, the coating amount of the pretreatment liquid, the discharge amount of the posttreatment liquid 50L, the dry strength of the pretreatment liquid, and the dry strength of the posttreatment liquid 50L were calculated.

  In contrast, the determination unit of the control unit 72C according to the present embodiment performs the calculation in S1004 of the first embodiment on the basis of the type of the recording medium Md, and further sets the discharge amount of the post-processing liquid 50L. Recalculation means 74 for recalculation is further provided.

  In the present embodiment, the recalculation means 74 is added to the pretreatment liquid application amount and the posttreatment liquid 50L application amount calculated in the first embodiment based on input information input to the image forming apparatus 100B by the user. Furthermore, the discharge amount of the post-treatment liquid 50L can be calculated based on the input information. Here, the input information may be the type of the recording medium Md. More specifically, the input information may include information regarding the glossiness of the recording medium Md. Further, the determination unit 74 that is a recalculation unit may determine the glossiness of the recording medium Md based on the type of the recording medium Md, and recalculate the discharge amount of the post-processing liquid 50L based on the determination result. Here, the correlation between the glossiness, the amount of the post-treatment liquid applied, and the control of the drying strength is shown in Table 2.

本実施例に係る画像形成装置１００Ｂが、画像を形成する動作を、図１及び図１５を用いて説明する。

An operation of forming an image by the image forming apparatus 100B according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 </ b> B according to the present embodiment performs steps S <b> 1001 to S <b> 1003 in the same manner as the image forming apparatus 100 </ b> A according to the first embodiment. Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 100B proceeds to steps S1004 and S1005 (step S1201 in FIG. 15).

  In step S1201 (steps S1004 and S1005) in FIG. 14, the image forming apparatus 100B uses the control unit 70 to apply the pretreatment liquid application amount and the posttreatment liquid 50L application amount, the pretreatment liquid dry strength, and the posttreatment. The dry strength of the liquid 50L is calculated. Here, in this embodiment, the control unit 70 further determines the permeability and glossiness of the recording medium Md using the recalculation unit 74 that is the second determination unit.

  Specifically, the control means 70 first outputs the type and the like of the recording medium Md from the HDD 71d of the host device 71 and the like. Then, the control means 70 calculates the discharge amount of the post-treatment liquid 50L of the post-treatment liquid application means 50 based on the determined recording medium Md and the discharge amount of the post-treatment liquid 50L calculated in S1004 of FIG. .

  That is, the control unit 70 (image forming apparatus 100E) further calculates the discharge amount of the post-processing liquid 50L according to the type of post-processing that is performed after the recording medium Md is carried out (step S1005 in FIG. 12), and then further records the recording medium Md. The calculated discharge amount of the post-treatment liquid 50L can be adjusted (recalculated) according to the type (S1206).

  Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 100E allows the recording medium Md to have a high glossiness even if the type of post-processing to be performed after the recording medium Md is carried out may be a small amount of the post-processing liquid 50L. If the glossiness of the area where the image is formed decreases and the difference between the area where the image is formed and the area where the image is not formed is noticeable, the amount of the post-treatment liquid 50L applied is increased. Is possible. Thus, the difference in glossiness between the area where the image is formed (image part) and the area where the image is not formed (non-image part) can be reduced by increasing the discharge amount of the post-processing liquid 50L. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100E can form an image with excellent image quality.

  As the dry strength of the pretreatment liquid, the type of the recording medium Md is output from the HDD 71d of the host apparatus 71 or the like. (S1201) Then, the control means 70 calculates the drying strength of the pretreatment liquid based on the determined recording medium Md and the discharge amount of the pretreatment liquid calculated in S1203 of FIG. 15 (S1205).

  The dry strength of the post-treatment liquid 50L outputs the type of the recording medium Md from the HDD 71d of the host apparatus 71 (S1201), and the control means 70 calculates the determined recording medium Md and the value calculated in S1205 of FIG. Based on the discharge amount of the processing liquid 50L, the dry strength of the post-processing liquid 50L is calculated (S1207).

  After calculating the application amount of the post-treatment liquid 50L and the dry strength of the post-treatment liquid 50L, the image forming apparatus 100B returns to the end of step S1005 in FIG. 13 (step S1006). In S1005 of FIG. 13, the image forming apparatus 100B performs Steps S1006 to S1012 in the same manner as the image forming apparatus 100E according to the first embodiment.

  Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 100B proceeds to END in the drawing, and ends the operation of forming an image.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100B according to the second embodiment of the present invention can obtain the same effects as the control device 100 of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment and the image forming apparatus 100A according to the first embodiment.

  Further, even if the application amount of the post-treatment liquid 50L may be small based on the type of post-processing, the glossiness of the area in which the recording medium Md is formed with the high glossiness is lowered, and the non-image area When the difference between the image areas is conspicuous, the application amount of the post-processing liquid 50L can be increased. Thereby, the discharge amount of the post-treatment liquid 50L can be increased, and the difference in glossiness between the area where the image is formed and the area where the image is not formed can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, Example 1, and Example 2, the image forming apparatus includes the carry-in means 10, the pretreatment liquid application means 20, the pretreatment liquid drying means 30, the image formation means 40, and the posttreatment liquid application means 50. The post-processing liquid drying means 32 and the carry-out means 60 were provided. However, each unit may be a separate device, and these devices may be combined to form a system.

  For example, the image forming system 1000 includes an independent pretreatment liquid coating apparatus, a pretreatment liquid drying apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a posttreatment liquid application apparatus, a posttreatment liquid drying apparatus, and a carry-out apparatus at remote locations. Also good. In this case, the image forming system includes a post-processing device at the rear stage of the carry-out device (winding device) in the recording medium conveyance direction. Further, the image forming system may include a control device including a host device.

  Although the preferred embodiments and examples of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and examples. The present invention can be variously modified or changed in light of the appended claims.

100, 100A, 100B Image forming apparatus 1000 Image forming system 10 Loading means (loading apparatus)
20 Pretreatment liquid application means (Pretreatment liquid application device)
20L Pretreatment liquid 30 Drying means 31 Pretreatment liquid drying means (Pretreatment liquid drying device)
32 Post-treatment liquid drying means (post-treatment liquid drying device)
40 Image forming means (image forming apparatus section)
50 Post-treatment liquid application means (post-treatment liquid application device)
50L post-treatment liquid 60 unloading means (unloading device)
70 Control means (control device)
72EP Post-processing control means (data management unit)
73 Calculation means (determination unit, first determination means)
74 Recalculation unit (determination unit, second determination unit)
200 Post-processing means (post-processing equipment)
Md roll paper (recording medium)

Japanese Patent No. 3181850

Claims (10)

Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium;
Post-treatment liquid application means for applying a post-treatment liquid to the recording medium on which the image is formed;
Post-processing control means for adjusting the application amount of the post-processing liquid based on the type of post-processing performed on the recording medium provided with the post-processing liquid;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing control unit further adjusts the amount of post-processing liquid applied by the post-processing liquid applying unit based on the glossiness of the recording medium. Furthermore, it has post-processing drying means for drying the post-processing liquid on the recording medium,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing drying unit adjusts a drying strength of the post-processing liquid according to an application amount of the post-processing liquid. In addition, before forming an image on the recording medium, it has a pretreatment liquid application means for applying a pretreatment liquid to the surface of the recording medium,
The image forming means forms an image on the pretreatment liquid of the recording medium,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pretreatment liquid application unit adjusts an application amount of the pretreatment liquid based on a type of the post-processing. Furthermore, it has a pretreatment drying means for drying the pretreatment liquid on the recording medium,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pretreatment drying unit adjusts a drying strength of the pretreatment liquid according to an application amount of the pretreatment liquid. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium;
A post-treatment liquid application device for applying a post-treatment liquid to the recording medium on which the image is formed;
A post-processing apparatus for performing post-processing on the recording medium provided with the post-processing liquid;
A control device for adjusting the amount of the post-treatment liquid based on the type of the post-processing;
An image forming system comprising: The control device, the post-treatment liquid image forming system according to claim 6, further adjusted based the application amount to the glossiness of the recording medium, characterized in that the at the post-treatment liquid applying device. Forming an image on a recording medium for printing; and
Applying a post-treatment liquid to the recording medium on which the image is formed,
In the step of applying the post-treatment liquid, the amount of the post-treatment liquid applied to the recording medium on which the image is formed is determined based on the type of post-processing performed on the recording medium to which the post-treatment liquid is applied. A method for producing a printed product comprising adjusting.   The printed matter according to claim 8, wherein the step of applying the post-treatment liquid further includes adjusting an amount of the post-treatment liquid applied to the printed matter based on a glossiness of the recording medium. How to produce.   The method for producing a printed matter according to claim 8, further comprising a post-processing step of performing post-processing on the recording medium to which the post-processing liquid is applied.

Images