JP6402614B2 - SUBSTRATE MODIFICATION DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM, AND MODIFICATION METHOD - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an object modification apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a modification method.

  A technique for modifying the surface of an object to be processed such as a recording medium with plasma is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for displacing the distance between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode used for generating plasma in the facing direction of these electrodes. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228561 discloses that discharge according to the size of the recording medium is performed by selectively driving a plurality of discharge electrodes.

  However, conventionally, in order to cope with recording media of various sizes, there have been cases where the size and complexity of the apparatus have increased. For this reason, conventionally, the discharge width could not be adjusted with a simple configuration.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a transport unit that transports an object to be processed, and a first array that is arranged in a plurality along the transport direction of the object to be processed and intersects the transport direction. A voltage is applied to the plurality of discharge electrodes that are long in the direction and at least one is movably disposed in the first direction, the counter electrode that is disposed to face the discharge electrode, and the discharge electrode and the counter electrode An insulating member provided between a voltage application unit, a part of the first direction in a movable region of the discharge electrode arranged to be movable in the first direction, and the counter electrode; The driving unit that moves the discharge electrode arranged to be movable in one direction, and the discharge width in the first direction in the discharge region formed between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode is changed. A drive control unit for controlling the drive unit; Equipped with a.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that the discharge width can be adjusted with a simple configuration.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus and the object modifying apparatus. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the reforming process. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state after the discharge electrode is moved. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of the workpiece reforming apparatus. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the reforming process. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the pH value of ink and the viscosity of ink. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the printed matter. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of dots. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the printed matter. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of dots. FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between plasma energy and wettability, beading, pH value, and permeability. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus. FIG. 21 is a graph showing the relationship between plasma energy and pH value. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the measurement result of the density with respect to the ink adhesion amount. FIG. 23 is a graph showing the granularity of the recording medium. FIG. 24 is a hardware configuration diagram.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Exemplary embodiments of an object modifying apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a modifying method will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system 1000 according to the present embodiment. The image forming system 1000 includes an object reforming apparatus 11 and a control unit 32. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the processing object reforming apparatus 11 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an object reforming device 11, a recording unit 16, a transport unit 44, and a control unit 32.

  The processing object reforming apparatus 11 is an apparatus that modifies the surface of the processing object with plasma. In the present embodiment, the case where the object to be processed is the recording medium P will be described. The recording medium P is an example of an object to be processed, and the object to be processed by the object modifying apparatus 11 is not limited to the recording medium P.

  The type of the recording medium P is, for example, plain paper, high-quality paper, recycled paper, thin paper, thick paper, coated paper, and the like. The recording medium P is an OHP sheet, a synthetic resin film, a metal thin film, and other surfaces on which an image can be formed with ink or the like. The recording medium P may be roll paper or cut paper. The roll paper is, for example, continuous paper (continuous paper, continuous paper) in which cut perforations are formed at predetermined intervals. When roll paper is used as the recording medium P, a page (page) on the roll paper is, for example, an area sandwiched between perforations at a predetermined interval. The cut sheet is a recording medium P that has been cut into a predetermined size (A4 size, B4 size, etc.) in advance.

  The recording unit 16 is an apparatus that forms an image on the recording medium P. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the recording unit 16 is a known inkjet recording type recording unit that forms an image on the recording medium P by ejecting ink according to the image to be formed.

  The transport unit 44 transports the recording medium P stored in the paper feed unit 28 along the transport path L in the transport direction (hereinafter referred to as the transport direction X). The conveyance unit 44 includes a plurality of conveyance rollers (conveyance roller 35, conveyance roller 36, conveyance roller 38), the conveyance belt 12, and the roller 14.

  The transport unit 44 includes a transport motor 45. The conveyance unit 44 drives a plurality of conveyance rollers (conveyance roller 35, conveyance roller 36, conveyance roller 38), the conveyance belt 12, and the roller 14 by driving a conveyance motor 45.

  The conveyance roller 35 sequentially conveys the recording medium P stored in the paper feeding unit 28 to the conveyance path L. The conveyance roller 36 conveys the recording medium P conveyed from the paper supply unit 28 to the conveyance belt 12. The conveyance belt 12 is a belt that conveys the recording medium P held on the outer peripheral surface. The conveying belt 12 is supported in a state where tension is applied from the inside by a pair of rollers 14 (a driving roller 14A and a driven roller 14B). The driving roller 14 </ b> A is rotated by the transport motor 45. As the driven roller 14B rotates with the rotation of the driving roller 14A, the conveying belt 12 is rotated in the conveying direction X.

  The image forming system 1000 also includes an operation unit 30. The operation unit 30 receives various inputs from the user. The operation unit 30 is, for example, a keyboard or a touch panel. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 30 receives an input of a length (hereinafter referred to as a medium width) of a recording medium P in a first direction (details will be described later), an operation start instruction, and the like from a user.

  The control unit 32 controls the entire image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 32 is electrically connected to each part of the image forming apparatus 10 including the workpiece reforming device 11, the recording unit 16, the transport unit 44, and the operation unit 30, and controls these units. The control unit 32 is a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. Note that the control unit 32 may be configured by a circuit other than the CPU.

  The control unit 32 includes a control unit 32A for controlling the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 and a control unit 32B for controlling the recording unit 16. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the control unit 32A and the control unit 32B are integrally provided as the control unit 32. The control unit 32A and the control unit 32B may be configured separately. In this case, the control unit 32A and the control unit 32B may be electrically connected. Moreover, what is necessary is just to set it as the structure which mounts the control part 32A in the to-be-processed object modification | reformation apparatus 11, and mounted the control part 32B in the recording part 16. FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a part of the image forming apparatus 10 and the processing object reforming apparatus 11.

  The workpiece reforming apparatus 11 includes a transport unit 44, a discharge electrode 18, a counter electrode 22, a voltage application unit 34, an insulating member 20, a drive unit 42, and a control unit 32.

  The transport unit 44 transports the recording medium P in the transport direction X as described above. In the present embodiment, the transport unit 44 transports the recording medium P so that the central portion of the recording medium P in the first direction Y matches the central portion of the transport belt 12 in the first direction Y. Will be explained.

  The discharge electrode 18 has a rod shape that is long in a first direction (hereinafter referred to as a first direction Y) intersecting the transport direction X of the recording medium P. In the present embodiment, the discharge electrode 18 will be described as having a cylindrical shape that is long in the first direction Y. Further, the discharge electrode 18 may be supported so as to be rotatable about an axis along the first direction Y. In the present embodiment, the case where the discharge electrode 18 is cylindrical will be described. However, the shape of the discharge electrode 18 is not limited to a cylindrical shape.

  The workpiece reforming apparatus 11 is provided with a plurality of discharge electrodes 18. The plurality of discharge electrodes 18 are arranged along the conveyance direction X of the recording medium P. The discharge electrode 18 is made of a conductive material.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the to-be-processed object modification | reformation apparatus 11 showed the case where the two discharge electrodes 18 (discharge electrode 18A, discharge electrode 18B) are provided. However, the number of discharge electrodes 18 provided in the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 may be plural, and is not limited to two. In the present embodiment, in order to simplify the description, the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 has a configuration in which two discharge electrodes 18 (a discharge electrode 18A and a discharge electrode 18B) are arranged along the transport direction X. Explain the case. In addition, when generically describing the plurality of discharge electrodes 18A and the discharge electrodes 18B, they are simply referred to as the discharge electrodes 18.

  It is preferable that the plurality of discharge electrodes 18 provided in the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 are arranged in parallel. Specifically, the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B are preferably arranged in parallel.

  In addition, at least one of the plurality of discharge electrodes 18 provided in the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 is arranged to be movable in the first direction Y. In the present embodiment, as an example, a case where both the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B are arranged to be movable in the first direction Y will be described.

  More specifically, the discharge electrode 18A has one direction in the first direction Y (see arrow YA, hereinafter referred to as the right direction YA) and the opposite direction in the first direction Y (see arrow YB). , Hereinafter referred to as the left direction YB). In the example shown in FIG. 2, the discharge electrode 18 </ b> A includes a discharge electrode 18 </ b> A having an end portion in the right direction YA at a position corresponding to the center in the first direction Y on the transport belt 12 and the workpiece reformer 11. It is possible to move at least between the position through which the right end YA end of the recording medium P having the maximum width to be processed passes. Further, the discharge electrode 18A has the left end YB end of the discharge electrode 18A on the left side YB from the position corresponding to the left end YB end in the first direction Y and the center of the first direction Y on the conveyor belt 12. It is possible to move at least between these positions.

  The maximum position on the right direction YA end side of the transport belt 12 where the end portion of the discharge electrode 18A in the right direction YA can be positioned is the recording medium P having the maximum width to be processed by the processing object reforming apparatus 11. It suffices if it is on the right direction YA side from the position through which the right direction YA end passes.

  Similarly, the discharge electrode 18B has one direction in the first direction Y (see arrow YA, hereinafter referred to as the right direction YA) and the opposite direction in the first direction Y (see arrow YB). , Hereinafter referred to as the left direction YB). In the example shown in FIG. 2, the discharge electrode 18 </ b> B includes a position where the end of the discharge electrode 18 </ b> B in the left direction YB corresponds to the center of the transport belt 12 in the first direction Y, and the workpiece reformer 11. It is possible to move at least between the position where the left end YB of the maximum width recording medium P to be processed passes. Further, the discharge electrode 18B has an end in the right direction YA of the discharge electrode 18B on the right direction YA side from a position corresponding to the right direction YA end in the first direction Y and the center of the first direction Y in the transport belt 12. It is possible to move between these positions.

  Note that the maximum position on the left side YB end side of the conveyor belt 12 where the left side YB end of the discharge electrode 18B can be positioned is the maximum width of the recording medium P to be processed by the workpiece reforming apparatus 11. It suffices if it is on the left YB side from the position through which the left YB end passes.

  The length in the first direction Y of each of the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B is the sum of the lengths in the first direction Y of the plurality of discharge electrodes 18 provided in the object modification apparatus 11. Is adjusted in advance so that the recording medium P has a length exceeding the maximum width in the first direction Y.

  In other words, the plurality of discharge electrodes 18 provided in the treatment object reforming apparatus 11 have a predetermined specified length exceeding the maximum width in the first direction Y of the recording medium P assumed to be treated. The length is divided (divided) by the number of discharge electrodes 18 provided in the reformer 11.

  Specifically, the length of the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B in the first direction Y is a length obtained by dividing the specified length by 2 (two divisions).

  Further, in the case where the processing object reforming apparatus 11 is provided with four discharge electrodes 18, the length of each discharge electrode 18 in the first direction Y is obtained by dividing the specified length by four. This is the length obtained by (four divisions).

  In the present embodiment, the case where the transport direction X and the first direction Y are orthogonal to each other will be described. Note that the transport direction X and the first direction Y only need to cross each other, and are not limited to being orthogonal.

  The counter electrode 22 is disposed to face the discharge electrode 18 with the transport belt 12 interposed therebetween. The counter electrode 22 is an electrode that is long in the first direction Y, like the discharge electrode 18.

  Specifically, the counter electrode 22 faces the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B via the transport belt 12, and the entire movable area of the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B is interposed via the transport belt 12. Are opposed to each other. That is, the counter electrode 22 has a surface facing the discharge electrode 18 facing the movable region of the discharge electrode 18 and the facing surface is adjusted to be larger than the movable region.

  The movable region of the discharge electrode 18 indicates a range where the discharge electrode 18 may be located in a three-dimensional space. In the example shown in FIG. 2, it is a range from the position on the transport belt 12 where the right end YA side end of the discharge electrode 18A can be located to the position where the left end YB side end of the discharge electrode 18B can be located. And it is the range from the edge part of the conveyance direction X downstream of the discharge electrode 18A to the edge part of the conveyance direction X upstream of the discharge electrode 18B.

  For this reason, even if the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B are moved to any position in the first direction Y, the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B are disposed to face the counter electrode 22 via the transport belt 12. It becomes the state.

  The voltage application unit 34 is electrically connected to the counter electrode 22 and the discharge electrode 18. The voltage application unit 34 applies a voltage having a frequency and a voltage value capable of forming plasma to the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22. By applying a voltage to the counter electrode 22 and the discharge electrode 18, plasma is generated between these electrodes by discharge. As a result, the surface of the recording medium P that has been transported by the transport belt 12 and reaches the surface facing the discharge electrode 18 is subjected to a modification process.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the reforming process. In the workpiece reforming apparatus 11, a voltage is applied from the voltage application unit 34 to the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22 under the control of the control unit 32A. The voltage value of this voltage is about 10 kV (kilovolt), for example. The frequency is about 20 kHz (kilohertz), for example. By applying such a high-frequency / high-voltage voltage to the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22, plasma due to creeping discharge is generated between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22 (hereinafter referred to as “between electrodes”). To do. In the present embodiment, the region where the plasma between the electrodes is generated will be referred to as a discharge region S.

  When the recording medium P transported in the transport direction X by the transport belt 12 reaches the discharge region S, the surface of the recording medium P on the discharge electrode 18 side is modified by plasma. That is, in the modification process, the recording medium P is irradiated with plasma in the air to cause the polymer on the surface of the recording medium P to react and form a hydrophilic functional group. More specifically, the electrons e emitted from the discharge electrode 18 are accelerated in an electric field to excite and ionize atoms and molecules in the atmosphere. Electrons are also emitted from ionized atoms and molecules, increasing the number of high-energy electrons, and as a result, streamer discharge (plasma) is generated.

Even if the recording medium P is, for example, coated paper, the reforming is performed by high-energy electrons due to the streamer discharge. The coated paper has a surface in which calcium carbonate is hardened with starch as a binder, but the polymer bond in this starch is cleaved by plasma, and recombines with oxygen radicals O ^* and ozone O ₃ in the gas phase. To do. As a result, polar functional groups such as hydroxyl groups and carboxyl groups are formed on the surface of the recording medium P. In the case of coated paper, polar functional groups are also generated inside the coated layer formed on the surface of the coated paper, thereby increasing the permeability of the vehicle. As a result, hydrophilicity, acidity, and permeability are imparted to the surface of the recording medium P. The modification treatment in the present invention refers to imparting hydrophilicity, acidity, and permeability to the member to be treated.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the description will be continued. The insulating member 20 is made of an insulating material. The insulating member 20 only needs to have an insulating property that can inhibit the discharge between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22. A known material may be used for the insulating member 20 as long as this condition is satisfied.

  The insulating member 20 is provided corresponding to the discharge electrode 18 that is arranged so as to be movable in the first direction Y among the plurality of discharge electrodes 18 provided in the workpiece reforming apparatus 11. Further, the insulating member 20 is disposed between a part of the first direction Y in the movable region of the discharge electrode 18 movably disposed in the first direction Y and the counter electrode 22. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the insulating member 20 has a cylindrical shape that covers one end portion of the corresponding discharge electrode 18 in the first direction Y will be described. When the insulating member 20 is cylindrical, the insulating member 20 also has a function as a guide member when the discharge electrode 18 moves along the first direction Y.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, both the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B are arranged to be movable in the first direction Y. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the insulating member 20 includes an insulating member 20A and an insulating member 20B. The insulating member 20A is the insulating member 20 corresponding to the discharge electrode 18A. The insulating member 20B is the insulating member 20 corresponding to the discharge electrode 18B. When the insulating member 20A and the insulating member 20B are described generically, the insulating member 20A will be described.

  The insulating member 20 </ b> A is provided between a part of the first direction Y in the movable region of the discharge electrode 18 </ b> A and the counter electrode 22. In the present embodiment, the insulating member 20A has a cylindrical shape covering at least the left YB side end of the discharge electrode 18A.

  The length of the insulating member 20A in the first direction Y is longer than the length of the discharge electrode 18A in the first direction Y. Further, the length of the insulating member 20A in the first direction Y is shorter than the length of the first direction Y in the movable region of the discharge electrode 18A. For this reason, when the discharge electrode 18A moves along the first direction Y, the area of the area where the discharge electrode 18A and the counter electrode 22 face each other is blocked by the insulating member 20A (the length in the first direction Y). Change).

  Further, in the present embodiment, the left end YB side end of the insulating member 20A is left from the position where the left end YB end of the recording medium P having the maximum width to be processed by the processing object reforming apparatus 11 passes. It is fixed in a state of being located on the direction YB side. The right direction YA side end of the insulating member 20A is located at a position corresponding to the center of the first direction Y through which the recording medium P to be processed by the processing object reforming apparatus 11 passes.

  The insulating member 20B is provided between a part of the first direction Y in the movable region of the discharge electrode 18B and the counter electrode 22. In the present embodiment, the insulating member 20B has a cylindrical shape that covers at least the end portion on the right direction YA side of the discharge electrode 18B.

  The length of the insulating member 20B in the first direction Y is equal to or longer than the length of the discharge electrode 18B in the first direction Y. Further, the length of the insulating member 20B in the first direction Y is shorter than the length of the first direction Y in the movable region of the discharge electrode 18B. For this reason, when the discharge electrode 18B moves along the first direction Y, the area of the area where the discharge electrode 18B and the counter electrode 22 face each other is blocked by the insulating member 20B (the length in the first direction Y). Change).

  Further, in the present embodiment, the right end YA side end portion of the insulating member 20B is on the right side of the position where the right end YA end portion of the recording medium P having the maximum width to be processed by the processing object reforming apparatus 11 passes. It is fixed in a state of being located on the direction YA side. Further, the left direction YB side end portion of the insulating member 20B is located at a position corresponding to the center in the first direction Y through which the recording medium P to be processed by the processing object reforming apparatus 11 passes.

  The diameter of the insulating member 20 may be larger than the diameter of the corresponding discharge electrode 18 and may be a size that allows the corresponding discharge electrode 18 to move in the first direction Y inside the insulating member 20.

  The insulating member 20 only needs to be provided between a part of the movable region of the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22, and the shape is not limited to a cylindrical shape.

  The drive unit 42 moves the discharge electrode 18 movably arranged in the first direction Y. The drive unit 42 moves the discharge electrode 18 in the right direction YA or the left direction YB in the first direction Y, so that the insulating member 20 blocks the area between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22 in the first direction Y. Change the length of. In the region between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22 that is blocked by the insulating member 20, no discharge occurs and a non-discharge region is formed.

  In the present embodiment, the drive unit 42 includes a drive unit 42A and a drive unit 42B.

  The drive unit 42A moves the discharge electrode 18A in the first direction Y. 42 A of drive parts change the length of the 1st direction Y of the area | region which interrupts | blocks between 18 A of discharge electrodes and the counter electrode 22 with the insulating member 20A by moving the discharge electrode 18A.

  The drive unit 42B moves the discharge electrode 18B in the first direction Y. The drive unit 42B moves the discharge electrode 18B to change the length in the first direction Y of the region where the insulating member 20B blocks the gap between the discharge electrode 18B and the counter electrode 22.

  The control unit 32A includes a drive control unit 33B. The drive control unit 33B controls the drive unit 42.

  The drive control unit 33B drives the drive unit 42 (drive unit 42A, drive unit 42B) to move the discharge electrode 18 (discharge electrode 18A, discharge electrode 18B) in the first direction Y or the first direction. The movement direction in Y (right direction YA, left direction YB), the amount of movement, and the like are controlled.

  For example, a rack is formed in advance along the first direction Y on the outer peripheral surface of the discharge electrode 18. And it is set as the structure which provided the pinion which meshes with this rack. The drive direction of the pinion is adjusted by driving the drive unit 42, so that the movement timing of the discharge electrode 18 (discharge electrode 18A, discharge electrode 18B) in the first direction Y and the first direction Y The movement direction (right direction YA, left direction YB), movement amount, and the like are controlled.

  In the present embodiment, the drive control unit 33B controls the drive unit 42 so that the discharge width in the first direction Y in the discharge region S formed between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22 changes.

  The discharge width is the length in the first direction Y of the discharge region S formed between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22. More specifically, the discharge width is the length in the first direction Y of the surface in contact with the surface to be modified of the recording medium P conveyed between the electrodes in the discharge region S formed between the electrodes. is there.

  In the present embodiment, the drive control unit 33B moves the discharge electrode 18 along the first direction Y by controlling the drive unit 42. As a result, the length of the discharge electrode 18 in the first direction Y of the region where the discharge is interrupted by the insulating member 20 changes, and as a result, the discharge width of the discharge region S formed between the electrodes changes.

  In other words, the drive unit 42 moves the discharge electrode 18 along the first direction Y, so that the region exposed from the insulating member 20 on the surface of the discharge electrode 18 facing the counter electrode 22 is exposed in the first direction Y. Change the length.

  4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG.

  4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A ′ of FIG. When a voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 18A and the counter electrode 22 by the voltage application unit 34 (see FIG. 3), plasma is generated between the discharge electrode 18A and the counter electrode 22, and a discharge region S is formed. The Here, in a state where the discharge electrode 18A has moved to the right direction YA, the region exposed from the insulating member 20A of the discharge electrode 18A becomes the discharge region S. For this reason, the discharge width of the discharge region S is the discharge width S1. Further, the region K1 fitted to the insulating member 20A in the discharge electrode 18A becomes a non-discharge region N where the discharge is cut off.

  FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B ′ in FIG. 2. When a voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 18B and the counter electrode 22 by the voltage application unit 34 (see FIG. 3), plasma is generated between the discharge electrode 18B and the counter electrode 22, and a discharge region S is formed. The Here, in a state where the discharge electrode 18B has moved to the left direction YB side, the region exposed from the insulating member 20B of the discharge electrode 18B becomes the discharge region S. For this reason, the discharge width of the discharge region S is the discharge width S2. Further, the region K2 fitted to the insulating member 20B in the discharge electrode 18B becomes a non-discharge region N where the discharge is cut off.

  As described above, it is assumed that the recording medium P having the medium width P1 is transported in the transport direction X in a state where the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B are positioned at the positions illustrated in FIGS. In this case, the right side YA side from the center of the recording medium P is modified by the discharge electrode 18A, and the left side YB side from the center of the recording medium P is modified by the discharge electrode 18B.

  Further, the position PA corresponding to the right direction YA end of the recording medium P and the right direction YA end of the discharge electrode 18A coincide (see FIG. 4A), and the position corresponding to the left direction YB of the recording medium P. By driving the discharge electrode 18 so that the left side YB end of the discharge electrode 18B coincides with the PB (see FIG. 4B), a discharge region S corresponding to the medium width of the recording medium P is formed. It becomes possible.

  On the other hand, it is assumed that the drive unit 42 moves the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B in the reverse direction in the first direction Y by the control of the drive control unit 33B. Specifically, it is assumed that the discharge electrode 18A is moved to the left direction YB side and the discharge electrode 18B is moved to the right direction YA side.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state after the discharge electrode 18 in the state shown in FIG. 2 is moved.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the discharge electrode 18A is moved in the left direction YB, and the discharge electrode 18B is moved in the right direction YA.

  6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG.

  FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A ′ of FIG. 5. From the state of FIG. 4A, the discharge electrode 18A moves to the left YB side. Then, the area | region interrupted | blocked by 20 A of insulating members in 18 A of discharge electrodes becomes wide. That is, the region exposed from the insulating member 20A in the discharge electrode 18A is narrowed. For this reason, the discharge width of the discharge region S by the discharge electrode 18A is shorter than that in FIG. 4A and becomes the discharge width S3. Further, the region K3 fitted to the insulating member 20A in the discharge electrode 18A is longer than that in FIG. 4A, and the non-discharge region N where the discharge is blocked is widened.

  FIG. 6B is a B-B ′ cross-sectional view of FIG. 5. From the state of FIG. 4B, the discharge electrode 18B moves to the right direction YA side. Then, the area | region covered with the insulating member 20B of the 1st direction Y in the discharge electrode 18B becomes large. That is, the region exposed from the insulating member 20B in the discharge electrode 18B is narrowed. For this reason, the discharge width of the discharge region S is narrower than that in FIG. 4B, and becomes the discharge width S4. In addition, the region K4 fitted to the insulating member 20B in the discharge electrode 18B is longer than that in FIG. 4B, and the non-discharge region N where the discharge is blocked is widened.

  Further, the position PC corresponding to the right direction YA end of the recording medium P and the right direction YA end of the discharge electrode 18A coincide (see FIG. 6A), and the position corresponding to the left direction YB of the recording medium P. By driving the discharge electrode 18 so that the PD and the left YB end of the discharge electrode 18B coincide (see FIG. 6B), a discharge region S corresponding to the medium width of the recording medium P is formed. It becomes possible.

  Thus, when the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B are positioned at the positions shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the total width of the discharge width of the discharge region S by the discharge electrode 18 (discharge electrode 18A and discharge electrode 18B) is This is shorter than the case where the discharge electrode 18 is located in FIGS. In this state, it is assumed that the recording medium P having the medium width P2 is transported in the transport direction X. The medium width P2 is less than the medium width P1. In this case, the right side YA side from the center of the recording medium P is modified by the discharge electrode 18A, and the left side YB side from the center of the recording medium P is modified by the discharge electrode 18B.

  Here, as described above, no plasma is generated in the region where the insulating member 20 is interposed between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22. For this reason, in the region between the electrodes where the insulating member 20 is interposed, no discharge occurs and a non-discharge region N is formed. On the other hand, plasma is formed in a region between the electrodes where the insulating member 20 is not interposed, and becomes a discharge region S.

  Then, as described above, the drive unit 42 moves the discharge electrode 18 arranged to be movable in the first direction Y. For this reason, as the discharge electrode 18 moves, the discharge width of the discharge region S formed between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22 changes.

  In the present embodiment, the drive control unit 33B controls the drive unit 42 so that the discharge width changes according to the medium width in the first direction Y of the recording medium P to be processed (details will be described later).

  Next, an electrical configuration of the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of the workpiece reforming apparatus 11.

  The workpiece reforming apparatus 11 includes a control unit 32A, a transport unit 44, an operation unit 30, a voltage application unit 34, and a drive unit 42. The transport unit 44, the operation unit 30, the voltage application unit 34, and the drive unit 42 are electrically connected to the control unit 32A.

  The control unit 32A controls the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 as described above. The control unit 32A is a computer configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and controls the entire workpiece reforming apparatus 11. The control unit 32A may be a circuit other than the CPU.

  The control unit 32A includes an acquisition unit 33A, a drive control unit 33B, a discharge control unit 33C, and a transport control unit 33D. Part or all of the acquisition unit 33A, the drive control unit 33B, the discharge control unit 33C, and the transport control unit 33D may be realized by causing a processing device such as a CPU to execute a program, that is, by software. It may be realized by hardware such as IC (Integrated Circuit) or may be realized by using software and hardware together.

  The acquisition unit 33A receives various operation instructions from the operation unit 30. In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 33A accepts the medium width of the recording medium P to be processed by the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 and an operation start instruction from the operation unit 30.

  The drive control unit 33B controls the drive unit 42 such that the discharge width in the first direction Y in the discharge region S formed between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22 changes.

  In the present embodiment, the drive control unit 33B controls the drive unit 42 so that the discharge width by the discharge electrode 18 matches the medium width acquired by the acquisition unit 33A.

  Specifically, the drive control unit 33B has a first direction Y of the discharge region S by the plurality of discharge electrodes 18 (discharge electrodes 18A and 18B in the present embodiment) provided in the workpiece reforming apparatus 11. The drive unit 42 is controlled so that the total width coincides with the medium width.

  For example, it is assumed that the acquiring unit 33A acquires the medium width P1 of the recording medium P illustrated in FIG. In this case, the drive control unit 33B controls the drive unit 42 so that the total width in the first direction Y of the discharge region S by the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge region S by the discharge electrode 18B matches the medium width P1. .

  Specifically, the drive control unit 33B includes a discharge region S formed by the discharge electrode 18A and a discharge region S formed by the discharge electrode 18B that are continuous in the first direction Y, and the discharge region S is in the first direction Y. The discharge electrode 18A is moved in the right direction YA and the discharge electrode 18B is moved in the left direction YB so that the total width matches the medium width P1 of the recording medium P.

  For this reason, each of the discharge electrode 18 </ b> A and the discharge electrode 18 </ b> B is located in the state of being exposed from the insulating member 20 in the center of the transport belt 12 in the first direction Y. Further, the total width of the lengths in the first direction Y of the regions exposed from the insulating member 20 of the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B coincides with the medium width P1 of the recording medium P.

  When the recording medium P having the medium width P1 is conveyed in the conveying direction X in this state, the right direction YA side of the recording medium P is modified by the discharge electrode 18A, and the left direction YB side of the recording medium P is modified by the discharge electrode 18B. Quality processed. In addition, a region where the recording medium P does not pass in a region where the discharge electrode 18 is movable and the counter electrode 22 becomes a non-discharge region N due to the interposition of the insulating member 20.

  For example, it is assumed that the acquisition unit 33A acquires the medium width P2 of the recording medium P illustrated in FIG. In this case, the drive control unit 33B is configured such that the discharge region S by the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge region S by the discharge electrode 18B are continuous in the first direction Y, and the sum of the discharge regions S in the first direction Y. The discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B are moved in the first direction Y so that the width matches the medium width P2 of the recording medium P.

  For this reason, each of the discharge electrode 18 </ b> A and the discharge electrode 18 </ b> B is located in the state of being exposed from the insulating member 20 in the center of the transport belt 12 in the first direction Y. Further, the total width of the lengths in the first direction Y of the regions exposed from the insulating member 20 of the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B coincides with the medium width P2 of the recording medium P.

  In this state, when the recording medium P having the medium width P2 is conveyed in the conveying direction X, the right direction YA side of the recording medium P is modified by the discharge electrode 18A, and the left direction YB side of the recording medium P is modified by the discharge electrode 18B. Quality processed. In addition, a region where the recording medium P does not pass in a region where the discharge electrode 18 is movable and the counter electrode 22 becomes a non-discharge region N due to the interposition of the insulating member 20.

  The drive control unit 33B stores in advance a table in which the medium width of the recording medium P is associated with the movement amount and movement direction of the discharge electrode 18 for making the discharge width of the discharge region S coincide with the medium width. In this table, the moving amount and moving direction of each of the discharge electrode 18A and the discharging electrode 18B are stored as the moving amount and moving direction of the discharge electrode 18. The moving amount and moving direction are, for example, the moving amount and moving direction of the discharge electrode 18 from a predetermined reference position.

  In this embodiment, the moving direction indicates one side in the first direction Y (right direction YA side) or the other side in the first direction Y (left direction YB side). More specifically, the moving directions of the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B are opposite to the first direction Y. That is, the moving direction of the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B is one of the direction approaching and separating from the first direction Y.

  The drive control unit 33B reads the moving amount and moving direction of the discharge electrode 18 corresponding to the medium width acquired by the acquiring unit 33A. Then, the drive control unit 33B controls the drive unit 42 so as to move the discharge electrode 18 in the read movement amount and movement direction.

  Specifically, the drive control unit 33B controls a motor provided in the drive unit 42. When the motor provided in the drive unit 42 is a DC motor, the drive control unit 33B outputs a PWM instruction value or an analog voltage instruction value to the motor. When the motor is a stepping motor, the drive control unit 33B outputs a pulse signal to the motor.

  The discharge controller 33C controls the voltage application unit 34 so as to apply a voltage having a predetermined voltage value and frequency to the discharge electrode 18. The voltage value of the voltage applied to the discharge electrode 18 and the frequency of the voltage may be fixed for each workpiece reforming apparatus 11, or depending on the type of recording medium P to be processed, the conveyance speed, and the like. You may determine suitably.

  The conveyance control unit 33 </ b> D controls the conveyance unit 44 by controlling the conveyance motor 45. For example, when the conveyance motor 45 is a DC motor, the conveyance control unit 33 </ b> D outputs a PWM instruction value or an analog voltage instruction value to the conveyance motor 45. When the transport motor 45 is a stepping motor, the transport control unit 33D outputs a pulse signal to the transport motor 45.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the reforming process performed in the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 of the present embodiment. In the workpiece reforming apparatus 11, when a power switch (not shown) is operated by the user so that power supply to each part of the apparatus is started, the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 performs the processing shown in FIG. Repeat the routine.

  First, it is determined whether the acquisition unit 33A has acquired an operation start instruction from the operation unit 30 (step S200). If a negative determination is made in step S200 (step S200: No), this routine ends. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S200 (step S200: Yes), the process proceeds to step S202.

  Next, the acquisition unit 33A acquires the medium width of the recording medium P to be processed by the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 from the operation unit 30 (step S202). Next, the drive control unit 33B moves and moves the discharge electrode 18 (discharge electrode 18A, discharge electrode 18B) so that the discharge width of the discharge region S by the discharge electrode 18 becomes the medium width acquired in step S202. The direction is calculated (step S204). The drive control unit 33B reads the movement amount and movement direction corresponding to the medium width acquired in step S202 from the table, thereby calculating the movement amount and movement direction of each of the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B.

  Next, the drive control unit 33B controls the drive unit 42 so as to move each of the corresponding discharge electrode 18A and discharge electrode 18B in the movement amount and movement direction calculated in step S204 (step S206). Specifically, the drive control unit 33B outputs a control signal indicating the movement amount and movement direction corresponding to the discharge electrode 18A, calculated in step S204, to the drive unit 42A. Further, the drive control unit 33B outputs a control signal indicating the movement amount and movement direction corresponding to the discharge electrode 18B calculated in step S204 to the drive unit 42B.

  The drive unit 42 is provided with a pinion provided in the drive unit 42 in a rotation direction according to the movement direction according to the control signal received from the drive control unit 33B and according to the movement amount included in the control signal. Is driven to rotate. As the pinion rotates, the discharge electrodes 18 (discharge electrode 18A and discharge electrode 18B) move along the first direction Y in a direction close to or away from each other.

  And the drive part 42 will output a completion signal to the drive control part 33B, if the movement of the movement amount according to the movement direction contained in the received control signal is complete | finished.

  The drive control unit 33B repeats negative determination until a completion signal is received from the drive unit 42 (step S208: No). When receiving the completion signal from the drive unit 42 (step S208: Yes), the drive control unit 33B proceeds to step S210.

  Next, the control unit 32A transmits a processing start signal to the transport unit 44, the voltage application unit 34, and the control unit 32B (step S210). Specifically, the discharge control unit 33 </ b> C transmits a processing start signal to the voltage application unit 34. In addition, the conveyance control unit 33 </ b> D transmits a conveyance start signal to the conveyance unit 44.

  Receiving the processing start signal, the conveyance unit 44 sequentially sends out the recording medium P from the paper supply unit 28 and starts conveyance. When the voltage application unit 34 is transported in the transport direction X by the transport unit 44 and reaches the gap between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22, the voltage application unit 34 applies a voltage to the counter electrode 22 and the discharge electrode 18. Apply. As a result, the reforming process is performed on the recording medium P that reaches between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22.

  Next, the acquiring unit 33A determines whether to end the process (step S212). The acquisition unit 33A determines whether or not an end signal indicating the end of processing has been received from the operation unit 30 to thereby determine step S212. The acquisition unit 33A repeats negative determination (step S212: No) until an affirmative determination (step S212: Yes). Then, when an affirmative determination is made (step S212: Yes), the control unit 32A outputs an end signal to the transport unit 44 and the voltage application unit 34.

  Next, the drive control unit 33B controls the drive unit 42 so as to move the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B to the reference position (step S216). The reference position is a position in the first direction Y in the initial state of each of the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B, and may be determined in advance. For example, a state in which the discharge electrode 18A is located on the most right side YA side where the discharge electrode 18A is movable and the discharge electrode 18B is located on the most left side YB side where the discharge electrode 18B is movable may be set as the reference position. The reference position may be any position and is not limited to this position.

  As described above, when the above process is performed as described above, the drive unit 42 causes the discharge electrode to change the discharge width of the discharge region S between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22. 18 is moved in the first direction Y.

  For example, it is assumed that the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B are located at the positions shown in FIG. Assume that the recording medium P to be processed has a medium width P1 (see FIG. 2). In this case, by executing the process shown in FIG. 8, the discharge electrode 18A moves to the right direction YA, which is the movement direction calculated in step S204, by the movement amount calculated in step S204 (see FIG. 2). . Similarly, the discharge electrode 18B moves in the left direction YB, which is the movement direction calculated in step S204, by the movement amount calculated in step S204 (see FIG. 2).

  For this reason, the moved discharge electrode 18A is exposed from the insulating member 20A from the position corresponding to the center of the recording medium P in the first direction Y to the position corresponding to the end of the recording medium P in the right direction YA. (See FIGS. 2 and 4A). Further, the discharge electrode 18B after the movement is exposed from the insulating member 20B from a position corresponding to the center of the recording medium P in the first direction Y to a position corresponding to the end of the recording medium P in the left direction YB. (See FIGS. 2 and 4B).

  For this reason, the total width in the first direction Y of the discharge region S by the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge region S by the discharge electrode 18B coincides with the medium width P1 of the recording medium P (see FIG. 2). . Further, the entire region in the first direction Y of the recording medium P passes through the discharge region S formed by the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B.

  Therefore, plasma is formed in a region that coincides with the medium width of the recording medium P between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22 to form a discharge region S. Further, a region other than the discharge region S (region where the insulating member 20 is interposed) between the electrodes of the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22 is a non-discharge region N. For this reason, plasma can be formed only in a region between the electrodes that matches the medium width of the recording medium P to be processed, and plasma can be not formed in regions other than the medium width of the recording medium P.

  As described above, the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment includes the transport unit 44, the plurality of discharge electrodes 18, the insulating member 20, the voltage applying unit 34, the insulating member 20, and the driving unit. 42 and a drive control unit 33B. The transport unit 44 transports the recording medium P. A plurality of discharge electrodes 18 are arranged along the conveyance direction X of the recording medium P, are long in the first direction Y intersecting the conveyance direction X, and at least one of the discharge electrodes 18 is arranged to be movable in the first direction Y. The counter electrode 22 is disposed to face the discharge electrode 18. The voltage application unit 34 applies a voltage to the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22. The insulating member 20 is provided between a part of the first direction Y in the movable region of the discharge electrode 18 arranged to be movable in the first direction Y and the counter electrode 22. The drive unit 42 moves the discharge electrode 18 movably arranged in the first direction Y. The drive control unit 33B controls the drive unit 42 such that the discharge width in the first direction Y in the discharge region S formed between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22 changes.

  Thus, in the to-be-processed object modification | reformation apparatus 11 of this Embodiment, it is set as the structure provided with the insulating member 20, and the discharge width of the discharge area | region S is adjusted by moving the discharge electrode 18 to the 1st direction Y. .

  Therefore, the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 of the present embodiment can easily adjust the discharge width of the discharge region S with a simple configuration.

  In addition, since the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 of the present embodiment can easily adjust the discharge width of the discharge region S with a simple configuration, the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 can be downsized and reduced. It is also possible to reduce costs.

  Moreover, in the to-be-processed object modification | reformation apparatus 11 of this Embodiment, the length of the 1st direction Y of the discharge electrode 18 is the length according to the number of the discharge electrodes 18 provided in the to-be-processed object modification | reformation apparatus 11. The discharge electrode 18 is moved while the position of the corresponding insulating member 20 is fixed. For this reason, the discharge width of the discharge region S can be adjusted with a simple configuration without separately securing a space for adjusting the discharge width of the discharge region S.

  Moreover, in the to-be-processed object modification | reformation apparatus 11 of this Embodiment, the area | region beyond the medium width of the recording medium P of the process target in the area | region which does not require a modification process, for example, the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance belt 12, is non-discharged. Region N can be set. For this reason, in addition to the above effect, the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 can suppress power consumption and suppress deterioration of the outer peripheral surface of the conveyor belt 12.

  Moreover, in the to-be-processed object modification | reformation apparatus 11 of this Embodiment, the modification process can be performed only on the recording medium P by adjusting the discharge width of the discharge area S. FIG. For this reason, the heat generated by the discharge is dissipated by the recording medium P, and the temperature rise of the counter electrode 22 can also be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise of the discharge electrode 18 facing the counter electrode 22. When the temperature rise is high, a defect such as a crack occurs in the conveyor belt 12 due to a difference in linear expansion coefficient between the dielectric (conveyor belt 12) made of ceramic or the like and the core metal of the counter electrode 22 made of metal. In addition, it is necessary to prepare cooling equipment separately. However, in the to-be-processed object modification | reformation apparatus 11 of this Embodiment, since the temperature rise of the discharge electrode 18 or the counter electrode 22 can be suppressed, generation | occurrence | production of these malfunctions is suppressed and cooling equipment is provided separately. There is no need.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the insulating member 20 has a cylindrical shape that covers one end portion in the first direction Y of the discharge electrode 18 movable in the first direction Y.

  By making the insulating member 20 cylindrical, the insulating member 20 can also function as a support member that supports the discharge electrode 18 inside the insulating member 20. Further, by making the insulating member 20 cylindrical, the insulating member 20 can also function as a guide member when the discharge electrode 18 moves in the first direction Y. In addition, the mechanism and components for blocking the opposing region between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22 by the insulating member 20 can be greatly simplified, and the apparatus can be reduced in size and cost can be reduced.

  Moreover, the to-be-processed object modification | reformation apparatus 11 is provided with 33 A of acquisition parts. The acquisition unit 33A acquires the medium width of the recording medium P in the first direction Y. The drive control unit 33B controls the drive unit 42 so that the discharge width matches the medium width.

  For this reason, in addition to the above effects, the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 of the present embodiment is configured so that the discharge width of the discharge region S matches the medium width according to the medium width of the recording medium P to be formed. It can be easily adjusted. In addition, the object modification apparatus 11 of the present embodiment forms plasma only in a region that coincides with the medium width of the recording medium P to be processed between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22 to perform recording. Regions other than the medium width of the medium P can be configured not to form plasma. Therefore, the voltage applied to the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22 can be suppressed. In other words, the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 of the present embodiment does not cause unnecessary discharge exceeding the medium width of the recording medium P, so that the power consumption usage efficiency can be increased. For this reason, the to-be-processed object modification | reformation apparatus 11 can aim at the fall of power consumption in addition to the said effect.

  Further, since the discharge width can be adjusted according to the medium width of the recording medium P, the discharge width can be adjusted according to the medium width even for the irregular recording medium P.

  In addition, the material reforming apparatus 11 of the present embodiment moves a plurality of discharge electrodes 18 (discharge electrodes 18A and 18B) that are movable in the first direction Y in opposite directions to each other in the first direction Y. By doing so, the drive unit 42 is controlled so that the discharge region S changes.

  For this reason, when the recording medium P is transported so that the central portion in the first direction Y of the recording medium P to be processed and the central portion in the first direction Y of the transport belt 12 substantially coincide with each other, The discharge width of the discharge region S can be easily adjusted according to the medium width.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the object modification apparatus 11 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 10 has been described. However, the object modification apparatus 11 is separated from the image forming apparatus 10. It may be configured.

  Returning to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the processing object reforming apparatus 11 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 10 including the recording unit 16. The recording unit 16 is an inkjet recording type recording unit, and forms an image on the recording medium P by ejecting ink corresponding to the image to be formed.

  The object reforming apparatus 11 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 10, and the reforming process is performed by the object modifying apparatus 11 before forming an image by the recording unit 16. Beading and bleeding due to interference) (sometimes referred to as interference).

  The recording unit 16 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction X of the recording medium P from the workpiece reforming apparatus 11. In the present embodiment, the case where the recording unit 16 is a line head that is long in the first direction Y will be described. However, the recording unit 16 may be configured to form an image by scanning and moving in the first direction Y. The recording unit 16 may be a line head having a length in the first direction Y that is equal to or larger than the maximum width assumed by the recording medium P, or by arranging a plurality of heads in a staggered manner. It may be a multi-array head capable of forming an image over a large area.

  The recording unit 16 ejects ink under the control of the control unit 32 </ b> B and forms an image on the recording medium P. Specifically, when the control unit 32A transmits a process start signal by the process of step S210 (see FIG. 8), the control unit 32B accepts the process start signal. The control unit 32B starts image formation on the recording medium P when the sensor detects that the recording medium P has reached the position of the recording unit 16 after receiving the processing start signal from the control unit 32A. This recording medium P is a recording medium P that has been subjected to a modification process by the article modifying apparatus 11. The recording medium P on which the image has been formed is transported to the outside of the image forming apparatus 10 by the transport unit 44.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the processing object reforming apparatus 11 is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction X from the recording unit 16. For this reason, the recording unit 16 forms an image by ejecting ink onto the recording medium P whose surface has been modified by the article modification device 11.

  For this reason, the image forming apparatus 10 can form an image on the recording medium P subjected to the modification process by ejecting ink by the recording unit 16.

  As described with reference to FIG. 3, hydrophilicity, acidity, and permeability are imparted to the surface of the recording medium P by performing the modification treatment. In some cases, the dots formed by the ink ejected onto the recording medium P wet and spread due to the increase in hydrophilicity, and coalesce between the dots. In order to prevent color mixing between dots, colorants (for example, pigments and dyes) contained in the ink are aggregated in the dots, and the vehicle is dried or penetrated into the recording medium P before the vehicle wets and spreads. I found out that it was important to

  For this reason, when an ink jet recording type recording unit is used as the recording unit 16, the recording unit 16 applies ink to the recording medium P whose surface is modified (acidified) by the processing object modification device 11. It is preferable to form an image by discharging the liquid.

  That is, in the present embodiment, after the surface of the recording medium P is acidified by the plasma generated by the object modification apparatus 11, ink is ejected by the recording unit 16 to form an image. As a result, the colorant contained in the ink ejected to the recording medium P by the recording unit 16 can be aggregated, or the vehicle can penetrate into the recording medium P. That is, in the present embodiment, the recording medium P is acidified by the processing object reforming apparatus 11 as a pretreatment performed before image formation by the ink jet recording method.

In the present embodiment, “acidifying” means lowering the pH value of the surface of the recording medium P to a pH value at which the pigment contained in the ink aggregates. Lowering the pH value means increasing the hydrogen ion H ⁺ concentration in the object. The pigment in the ink before touching the surface of the recording medium P is negatively charged, and the pigment is dispersed in the vehicle. This acidification is realized by the above-described plasma modification process.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the relationship between the ink pH value and the ink viscosity. As shown in FIG. 9, the viscosity of the ink increases as the pH value decreases. This is because as the acidity of the ink increases, the negatively charged pigment in the ink vehicle is electrically neutralized, resulting in aggregation of the pigments. Therefore, for example, by reducing the pH value of the surface of the recording medium P by the treatment object modification device 11 so that the pH value of the ink corresponds to the required viscosity in the graph shown in FIG. It is possible to increase the viscosity. This is because when the ink adheres to the surface of the acidic recording medium P, the pigments aggregate as a result of the electrical neutralization of the pigment by hydrogen ions H ^{+ on the} surface of the recording medium P.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent color mixing between adjacent dots and to prevent the pigment from penetrating deeply into the recording medium P (and further to the back surface). However, in order to lower the pH value of the ink so that the pH value corresponds to the required viscosity, the pH value of the surface of the recording medium P needs to be lower than the pH value of the ink corresponding to the required viscosity. is there.

  Further, the pH value for making the ink have a necessary viscosity varies depending on the characteristics of the ink. That is, as shown in ink A in FIG. 9, there is an ink in which the pigment aggregates and the viscosity increases at a pH value relatively close to neutrality, and as shown in ink B having characteristics different from ink A, the pigment In some inks, a pH value lower than that of the ink A is required in order to cause aggregation.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the wettability of the surface of the recording medium P, the cohesiveness and permeability of the ink pigment due to the decrease in pH value are controlled by the modification process, and the pH value change of the recording medium P surface by the modification process is controlled. The ink may be used properly according to the situation.

  Next, the difference in printed matter between when the recording medium P is modified and when it is not modified will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a printed matter obtained by performing the inkjet recording process on the recording medium P that has not been subjected to the modification process according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of dots formed on the image forming surface of the printed matter illustrated in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a printed matter obtained by performing the inkjet recording process on the recording medium P subjected to the modification process according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of dots formed on the image forming surface of the recording medium P illustrated in FIG. In order to obtain the printed matter shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, a desktop type ink jet recording apparatus was used. For the recording medium P, general coated paper provided with a coating layer 21 (see FIGS. 11 and 13) was used.

  The coated paper not subjected to the modification treatment according to the present embodiment has poor wettability of the coated layer 21 on the coated paper surface. Therefore, in the image formed by the inkjet recording process on the coated paper that has not been subjected to the modification process, for example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the shape of the dots ( The shape of the vehicle CT1 is distorted. Further, the pigment P10 is not aggregated. In addition, when the surface wettability is poor, the dots have a high shape due to the surface tension of the vehicle CT1, and a relatively long time is required for drying. When the proximity dots are formed in a state where the dots are not sufficiently dried, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the proximity dots land on the coated paper, the vehicles CT1 and CT2 are united with each other. Also, the movement (mixed color) of P20 occurs, and as a result, density unevenness due to beading or the like may occur.

  On the other hand, in the coated paper subjected to the modification treatment according to the present embodiment, the wettability of the coated layer 21 on the coated paper surface is improved. Therefore, in the image formed by the inkjet recording process on the modified coated paper, for example, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the vehicle CT1 has a relatively flat circular shape on the surface of the coated paper. spread. As a result, the dots have a flat shape as shown in FIG.

  Further, since the coated paper surface becomes acidic due to the polar functional group formed by the modification treatment, the ink pigment is electrically neutralized, and the pigment P10 aggregates to increase the viscosity of the ink. Accordingly, even when the vehicles CT1 and CT2 are united as shown in FIG. 13, the movement (mixed color) of the pigments P10 and P20 between the dots is suppressed. Furthermore, since polar functional groups are also generated inside the coat layer 21, the permeability of the vehicle CT1 is increased. Thereby, it can dry in a comparatively short time. Dots that spread in a perfect circle due to improved wettability aggregate while penetrating, whereby the pigment P10 is evenly aggregated in the height direction, and density unevenness due to beading or the like can be suppressed. FIGS. 11 and 13 are schematic diagrams. Actually, in the case of FIG. 13 as well, the pigment is agglomerated in layers.

  As described above, in the recording medium P subjected to the modification process according to the present embodiment, the surface becomes acidic as a result of the polar functional group being formed by the modification process. As a result, the negatively charged pigment is neutralized on the surface of the recording medium P, so that the pigment aggregates and the viscosity increases. As a result, even if the dots are united, the movement of the pigment can be suppressed. Become. Further, the polar functional group is also generated inside the coating layer 21 formed on the surface of the recording medium P, so that the vehicle quickly penetrates into the inside of the recording medium P, thereby shortening the drying time. In other words, the dots spreading in a perfect circle due to the increase in wettability can maintain a shape close to a perfect circle by penetrating in a state where the movement of the pigment is suppressed by aggregation.

  FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between the plasma energy and the wettability, beading, pH value, and permeability of the surface of the recording medium P according to the present embodiment. FIG. 14 shows how the surface characteristics (wetting property, beading, pH value, permeability (liquid absorption property)) when the recording medium P is printed on coated paper change depending on the plasma energy. Has been. In order to obtain the evaluation shown in FIG. 14, an aqueous pigment ink (an alkaline ink in which a negatively charged pigment is dispersed) having a characteristic that the pigment aggregates with an acid was used as the ink.

As shown in FIG. 14, the wettability of the coated paper surface improves sharply when the plasma energy is low (for example, about 0.2 J / cm ² or less), and does not improve much even if the energy is increased further. On the other hand, the pH value of the coated paper surface decreases to a certain extent by increasing the plasma energy. However, when the plasma energy exceeds a certain value (for example, about 4 J / cm ² ), it becomes saturated. Further, the permeability (liquid absorption characteristics) has been improved rapidly from the point where the decrease in pH value is saturated (for example, about 4 J / cm ² ). However, this phenomenon differs depending on the polymer component contained in the ink.

As a result, the value of beading (granularity) has been very good since the permeability (liquid absorption property) has started to improve (for example, about 4 J / cm ² ). The beading (granularity) here is a numerical value representing the roughness of the image, and is a standard deviation of the average density. In FIG. 14, the density of a solid image of a color composed of two or more dots is sampled, and the standard deviation of the density is expressed as beading (granularity). As described above, the ink ejected onto the coated paper subjected to the plasma treatment according to the present embodiment spreads in a perfect circle shape and permeates while being aggregated, so that image beading (granularity) is improved.

  As described above, in the relationship between the characteristics of the surface of the recording medium P and the image quality, the roundness of the dots is improved by improving the wettability of the surface. This is because the hydrophilic polar functional group generated by the modification process improves the wettability of the surface of the recording medium P and makes it uniform, and in addition, there are water repellency factors such as dust, oil and calcium carbonate. This is considered to be because it was excluded by the reforming process. As a result of improving the wettability of the surface of the recording medium P, the droplets spread evenly in the circumferential direction, and the roundness of the dots is improved.

  Further, by acidifying the surface of the recording medium P (decreasing pH value), aggregation of ink pigment, improvement of permeability, penetration of the vehicle into the coating layer, and the like occur. As a result, since the pigment concentration on the surface of the recording medium P increases, even if the dots are united, it is possible to suppress the movement of the pigment. As a result, the turbidity of the pigment is suppressed and the pigment is uniformly distributed on the recording medium P. It becomes possible to precipitate and agglomerate on the surface. However, the effect of suppressing the pigment turbidity varies depending on the ink components and the ink droplet amount. For example, when the amount of ink droplets is small, the turbidity of the pigment due to coalescence of dots is less likely to occur than in the case of large droplets. This is because when the amount of the vehicle is small droplets, the vehicle dries and penetrates faster, and the pigment can be aggregated by a slight pH value reaction. The effect of the modification process varies depending on the type of recording medium P and the environment (humidity, etc.). Therefore, by setting the plasma energy during the modification process to an optimum value, the surface modification efficiency of the recording medium P is improved, so that further energy saving can be achieved.

  Therefore, in addition to the effect by the to-be-processed object modification | reformation apparatus 11, beading and bleeding can be suppressed effectively. In addition, the color development of the ink can be improved and the amount of ink used can be reduced, and the drying energy required after the image formation can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the case has been described in which the workpiece reforming apparatus 11 is arranged upstream of the recording unit 16 in the transport direction X of the recording medium P. However, the transport direction X from the recording unit 16 is described. You may provide in the downstream of. In this case, the recording unit 16 is not limited to the ink jet recording method, and may have a configuration using a known electrophotographic method.

  Here, when the image forming apparatus 10 is configured to apply a hydrophobic release agent such as silicone oil to the conveyance unit 44 including the conveyance belt 12, the release agent is transferred to the recording medium P and recorded. The surface of the medium P may have hydrophobicity. In addition, when the recording unit 16 has an electrophotographic configuration, the toner-transferred region on the recording medium P has hydrophobicity. In order to satisfactorily perform processing that requires hydrophilicity, acidity, and permeability as post-processing on such a recording medium P, it is necessary to perform modification processing. Providing the processing object reforming device 11 downstream of the recording unit 16 in the transport direction X is particularly effective when performing processing that requires further hydrophilicity, acidity, and permeability after image formation by the recording unit 16. .

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the case where both the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B, which are the plurality of discharge electrodes 18 provided in the workpiece reforming apparatus 11, are movable in the first direction Y is described. did.

  In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which at least one of the plurality of discharge electrodes 18 is fixed so as not to move in the first direction Y.

  FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are diagrams showing an image forming apparatus 10A in the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 </ b> A is the same as the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment except that the object modifying apparatus 11 </ b> A is provided instead of the object modifying apparatus 11.

  The workpiece reforming apparatus 11A includes a discharge electrode 18A and a discharge electrode 18B. In the present embodiment, the discharge electrode 18A is provided to be movable in the first direction Y. On the other hand, the discharge electrode 18B is fixed so as not to move in the first direction Y. In the present embodiment, an insulating member 20A corresponding to the discharge electrode 18A is provided.

  In addition, the to-be-processed object modification | reformation apparatus 11A is not provided with the insulation member 20B, and the to-be-processed object modification | reformation of 1st Embodiment except the discharge electrode 18B being immovably fixed to the 1st direction Y. The configuration is the same as that of the device 11.

  In the present embodiment, the transport unit 44 has a predetermined reference on the left side YB side in the first direction Y of the transport belt 12 at the left end YB side end in the first direction Y of the recording medium P. A case where the recording medium P is conveyed so as to pass through the position will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the workpiece reforming apparatus 11A is provided with a drive unit 42A that drives the discharge electrode 18A as the drive unit 42. The drive unit 42A moves the discharge electrode 18A.

  In the present embodiment, the discharge electrode 18B is arranged so that the left YB end is a reference position through which the recording medium P passes. The right direction YA end of the discharge electrode 18B is adjusted so that the position in the first direction Y is the same position as the right direction YA side end of the insulating member 20A. In this state, the discharge electrode 18B is fixed so as not to move in the first direction Y.

  In the present embodiment, the drive control unit 33B drives the drive unit 42A to move the discharge electrode 18A in the first direction Y and the movement direction in the first direction Y (right direction YA, left direction YB). ) And the amount of movement. In the present embodiment, the drive control unit 33B controls the drive unit 42A so that the discharge width changes according to the medium width in the first direction Y of the recording medium P to be processed.

  In the present embodiment, the drive control unit 33B associates the medium width of the recording medium P with the movement amount and movement direction of the discharge electrode 18A for making the discharge width of the discharge region S coincide with the medium width. The attached table may be stored in advance. Then, the drive control unit 33B reads the moving amount and moving direction of the discharge electrode 18A corresponding to the medium width acquired by the acquiring unit 33A. Then, the drive control unit 33B may control the drive unit 42A so as to move the discharge electrode 18A in the read movement amount and movement direction.

  The reforming process executed by the control unit 32A is the same as that in the first embodiment except that the discharge electrode 18A is moved and the discharge electrode 18B is not moved.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the drive unit 42A moves the discharge electrode 18A in the first direction Y such that the discharge width of the discharge region S between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22 changes. .

  For example, assume that the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B are located at the positions shown in FIG. Assume that the medium width of the recording medium P to be processed is the medium width P2 (see FIG. 16). In this case, in the article reforming apparatus 11A, the discharge electrode 18A is moved in the left direction YB (see FIG. 16). Specifically, in the workpiece reforming apparatus 11A, the discharge electrode 18A is arranged so that the right end YA end of the discharge electrode 18A matches the position corresponding to the right end YA end of the transported recording medium P. Move.

  For this reason, the moved discharge electrode 18A is exposed from the insulating member 20A from the position corresponding to the center of the recording medium P in the first direction Y to the position corresponding to the end of the recording medium P in the right direction YA. (See FIG. 16). Here, the discharge electrode 18B is fixed so as not to move in the first direction Y.

  For this reason, the total width in the first direction Y of the discharge region S by the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge region S by the discharge electrode 18B coincides with the medium width P2 of the recording medium P (see FIG. 16). .

  Therefore, plasma is formed in a region that coincides with the medium width of the recording medium P between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22 to form a discharge region S. Further, a region other than the discharge region S between the discharge electrode 18 and the counter electrode 22 is a non-discharge region N. For this reason, plasma can be formed only in a region between the electrodes that matches the medium width of the recording medium P to be processed, and plasma can be not formed in regions other than the medium width of the recording medium P.

  As described above, in the workpiece reforming apparatus 11A of the present embodiment, at least one of the plurality of discharge electrodes 18 is fixed so as not to move in the first direction Y. Further, at least one of the plurality of discharge electrodes 18 is movable in the first direction Y. And the insulating member 20A is provided with respect to the discharge electrode 18A provided movably.

  For this reason, 11 A of to-be-processed object modification apparatuses of this Embodiment adjust the discharge width of the discharge area S by moving the discharge electrode 18A to the 1st direction Y. FIG.

  Therefore, 11 A of to-be-processed object modification | reformation apparatuses of this Embodiment can adjust the discharge width of the discharge area S easily with a simple structure similarly to 1st Embodiment.

  Further, in the processing object reforming apparatus 11A, the conveyance unit 44 has a left end YB side end in the first direction Y of the recording medium P in advance on the left YB side from the center in the first direction Y of the conveyance belt 12 in advance. When the recording medium P is conveyed so as to pass through the determined reference position, it can be easily adjusted to a discharge width corresponding to the medium width of the recording medium P.

<Third Embodiment>
In the above embodiment, the case where the insulating member 20 has a cylindrical shape that covers one end of the movable discharge electrode 18 in the first direction Y has been described. However, the shape of the insulating member 20 is not limited as long as the insulating member 20 is provided between the movable region of the discharge electrode 18 movably provided and the counter electrode 22. That is, the shape of the insulating member 20 does not have to have a function as a support member or a guide member for the discharge electrode 18.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus 10 </ b> B provided with an insulating member 23 having another shape instead of the insulating member 20.

  Note that the image forming apparatus 10B includes a processing object reforming apparatus 11B. The image forming apparatus 10B is the same as the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment except that the processing object reforming apparatus 11B is provided. The workpiece reforming apparatus 11B is the same as the workpiece reforming apparatus 11A of the second embodiment except that an insulating member 23A is provided instead of the insulating member 20A.

  The insulating member 23 </ b> A has a plate shape parallel to the direction in which the plate surface intersects the opposing direction of the discharge electrode 18 </ b> A and the counter electrode 22. Thus, the insulating member 23A may be plate-shaped. The insulating member 23A is the same as the insulating member 20A except that the shape is different.

  Even in the case where the insulating member 23A is plate-shaped, by moving the discharge electrode 18A, the treatment object reforming apparatus 11B of the present embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment.

  Note that both the insulating member 20A and the insulating member 20B in the first embodiment may have a plate shape shown in the insulating member 23A.

<Fourth embodiment>
Moreover, in the said embodiment, the case where the insulating member 20 was a cylindrical shape which covers one edge part of the 1st direction Y of the discharge electrode 18, or plate shape was demonstrated. However, the shape of the insulating member 20 is not limited as long as the insulating member 20 is provided between the movable region of the discharge electrode 18 movably provided and the counter electrode 22.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus 10 </ b> C provided with an insulating member 21 having another shape. FIG. 18A is a schematic configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 10C. FIG. 18B is a schematic diagram enlarging the portion of the dotted line area A in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 10C includes a processing object reforming apparatus 11C. The image forming apparatus 10C is the same as the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, except that the processing object reforming apparatus 11C is provided. The treatment object reforming apparatus 11C includes an insulating member 21A instead of the insulating member 20A, and the shape of the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B is different from that of the discharge electrode 18A and the discharge electrode 18B. This is the same as the workpiece reforming apparatus 11A.

  In the present embodiment, the article modifying apparatus 11C includes a discharge electrode 19 (discharge electrode 19A, discharge electrode 19B) instead of the discharge electrode 18 (discharge electrode 18A, discharge electrode 18B). The discharge electrode 19 is the same as the discharge electrode 18 except that the shape is different. The discharge electrode 19 is a plate-like member having a curved surface on the side facing the counter electrode 22. The discharge electrode 19 may be cylindrical.

  In the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the discharge electrode 19A is provided so as to be movable in the first direction Y, and the discharge electrode 19B is provided so as not to be movable in the first direction Y. Explain the case. The workpiece reforming apparatus 11C includes an insulating member 21A corresponding to the discharge electrode 19A.

  The insulating member 21A is the same as the insulating member 20A except that the shape is different. The insulating member 21 </ b> A includes a groove that opens in a direction opposite to the direction facing the counter electrode 22. The groove portion of the insulating member 21A has a shape along the outer periphery of the discharge electrode 19A. For this reason, the discharge electrode 19A is supported by the insulating member 21A so as to be movable in the first direction Y while being held in the groove of the insulating member 21A.

  As described above, the insulating member 21A may have a shape including a groove portion along the outer periphery of the discharge electrode 18A. In addition, both the insulating member 20A and the insulating member 20B in the first embodiment may have a shape provided with a groove portion along the outer periphery of the discharge electrode 18, similarly to the insulating member 21A.

  Even in the case of the configuration provided with the insulating member 21A, by moving the discharge electrode 19A in the first direction Y, the treatment object reforming apparatus 11C of the present embodiment has the same effect as the above-described embodiment. Is obtained.

<Fifth embodiment>
In the present embodiment, the object forming apparatuses 11, 11A, 11B, and 11C described in the first to fourth embodiments are used as the object modifying apparatuses 11D, and the image forming apparatus. The form mounted on 10D will be described.

  FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus 10D of the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10D includes an object modification device 11D, a pH value detection unit 180, a recording unit 160, a transport unit 44, an operation unit 30, and a control unit 320.

  The pH value detection unit 180 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction X from the workpiece reforming apparatus 11D and on the upstream side in the transport direction X from the recording unit 160. The pH value detection unit 180 detects the pH value of the surface of the recording medium P. The conveyance unit 44 and the operation unit 30 are the same as those in the above embodiment.

  The recording unit 160 forms an image by an inkjet recording method. In the present embodiment, a case where the recording unit 160 includes four color ejection heads (recording head and ink head) of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) will be described. Note that the present invention is not limited to these ejection heads. That is, you may further have the discharge head corresponding to green (G), red (R), and another color, and you may have the discharge head of only black (K). Here, in the following description, K, C, M, and Y correspond to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively.

  The control unit 320 controls the image forming apparatus 10D. The control unit 320 may be connected to a print control device (not shown) that generates raster data from image data to be printed, for example. Therefore, an image forming system including the image forming apparatus 10D and the print control apparatus (not shown) may be configured. This print control apparatus may be provided inside the image forming apparatus 10D, or may be provided outside via a network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network).

  In the workpiece reforming apparatus 11D, a plurality of discharge electrodes 18 are arranged along the transport direction X. The configuration of each discharge electrode 18 is the same as that of the treatment object reforming apparatuses 11, 11A, 11B, and 11C of the above-described embodiment, and the discharge provided so as to be movable in the first direction Y among the respective discharge electrodes 18. The electrode 18 is provided with the insulating member 20 and the drive unit 42 correspondingly. The configurations of the insulating member 20 and the drive unit 42 are the same as in the above embodiment.

  FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating an enlarged part of the image forming apparatus 10D. In the workpiece reforming apparatus 11D, a plurality of discharge electrodes 18 (discharge electrodes 18A to 18F) are arranged along the transport direction X. The counter electrode 22 has a plate shape facing the plurality of discharge electrodes 18 (discharge electrodes 18A to 18F). The voltage application unit 34 includes a plurality of voltage application units 34 (voltage application unit 34A to voltage application unit 34F). The voltage application units 34A to 34F are electrically connected to the discharge electrodes 18A to 18F and the counter electrode 141, respectively. Each of these voltage application units 34A to 34F applies a voltage between the corresponding electrodes.

  As described in the above embodiment, the insulating member 20 is provided correspondingly to the discharge electrode 18 provided so as to be movable in the first direction Y among the discharge electrodes 18 (shown in FIG. 20). (Omitted).

  In the example shown in FIG. 20, the insulating member 20 has an endless belt shape supported from the inside by a pair of rollers 122. The insulating member 20 is rotated by the rotation of these rollers 122.

  The controller 320 individually controls on / off of each of the plurality of voltage application units 34A to 34F. Moreover, the control part 320 controls the voltage value and frequency of the voltage applied to each voltage application part 34 similarly to the said embodiment. The plurality of voltage application units 34A to 34F apply voltages to the discharge electrodes 18A to 18F in accordance with instructions from the control unit 320, respectively. The voltage may be applied to all the discharge electrodes 18, or may be supplied to the number of discharge electrodes necessary to bring the surface of the recording medium P to a predetermined pH value or less among the discharge electrodes 18 </ b> A to 18 </ b> F. Good. Alternatively, the control unit 320 is necessary to set the frequency and voltage value (corresponding to plasma energy) of the voltage supplied from each of the voltage application units 34A to 34F to be equal to or lower than a predetermined pH value on the surface of the recording medium P. You may adjust to plasma energy.

  The pH value detection unit 180 detects the pH value of the surface of the recording medium P (not shown in FIG. 20) modified by the object modification apparatus 11A and outputs the detected pH value to the control unit 320. Based on the input pH value, the controller 320 controls the number of discharge electrodes 18A to 18F to be driven and / or the plasma energy of the voltage supplied to the discharge electrodes 18A to 18F from the plurality of voltage application units 34A to 34F. Adjust.

  Here, as described above, the pH value at which the pigment of the ink aggregates varies depending on the type (characteristics) of the ink. That is, in the present embodiment, the control unit 320 applies the voltage applied to drive among the plurality of voltage application units 34 (voltage application unit 34A to voltage application unit 34F) according to the type (characteristics) of the ink to be used. The number of parts 34 is selected. Moreover, the control part 320 adjusts the voltage value and frequency of the voltage applied to each discharge electrode 18 (discharge electrode 18A-discharge electrode 18F) from the several voltage application part 34 (voltage application part 34A-voltage application part 34F). . Note that the control unit 320 may adjust these combinations in combination.

  In addition, the control unit 320 reads the movement amount and the movement direction of the discharge electrode 18 corresponding to the medium width detected by the operation unit 30 in the same manner as the control unit 32A described in the first embodiment. Then, the control unit 320 controls the drive unit 42 so as to move the discharge electrode 18 in the read movement amount and movement direction.

  Further, the control unit 320 adjusts the pH value of the surface of the recording medium P after the reforming process by feedback-controlling the workpiece reforming apparatus 11D based on the pH value detected by the pH value detecting unit 180. May be.

  Here, as one of the methods for lowering the surface of the recording medium P to a necessary pH value, it is conceivable to lengthen the time for the modification treatment using plasma. This can be realized, for example, by reducing the conveyance speed of the recording medium P or by reducing the carriage speed. However, when performing image recording on the recording medium P at a high speed, it is desirable to shorten the modification processing time. As a method of shortening the reforming treatment time, the treatment object reforming apparatus 11D is configured to include a plurality of discharge electrodes 18 (discharge electrodes 18A to 18F), depending on the printing speed and the required pH value. A method of driving the required number of discharge electrodes 18 and a method of adjusting the intensity of plasma energy applied to each discharge electrode 18 are conceivable. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and it is possible to appropriately change methods such as a combination of these methods and other methods.

  The control unit 320 according to the present embodiment may select the number of the voltage application units 34 (voltage application unit 34A to voltage application unit 34F) to be driven in proportion to the printing speed information, for example. The voltage value and frequency of the voltage supplied to the application unit 34 (voltage application unit 34A to voltage application unit 34F) may be adjusted, or these controls may be executed in combination. Note that the printing speed information may be information such as a printing mode (color printing, monochrome printing, resolution, etc.), or information such as the rotation speed or throughput of the conveyance unit 44 derived from such information. There may be.

  In addition, the behavior in which the colorant contained in the ink agglomerates in the dots, the drying speed of the vehicle, and the penetration speed into the recording medium P vary depending on the size of the dots (small droplets, medium droplets, large droplets). It varies depending on the amount and the type of the recording medium P. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the plasma energy in the reforming process may be controlled to an optimum value according to the recording medium P, the printing mode (droplet amount), and the like.

  Returning to FIG. 20, the image forming apparatus 10 </ b> D includes a recording unit 160. The recording unit 160 may include a plurality of the same color heads (4 colors × 4 heads). This makes it possible to speed up the inkjet recording process. At that time, for example, in order to achieve a resolution of 1200 dpi at high speed, the heads of the respective colors in the recording unit 160 are fixed while being shifted so as to correct the interval between the nozzles that eject ink. In addition, each color head has a drive pulse with several variations so that the dots of ink ejected from the nozzle correspond to three types of capacities called large drops / medium drops / small drops. Is entered.

  The controller 320 can individually turn on / off the plurality of voltage application units 34 (voltage application unit 34A to voltage application unit 34F). For example, the plurality of voltage application units 34 ( The drive number of the voltage application unit 34A to the voltage application unit 34F) is selected, or the intensity of the plasma energy of the voltage applied to each of the discharge electrodes 18A to 18F is adjusted. In addition, the control unit 320 can drive the number of voltage application units 34 (voltage application unit 34A to voltage application unit 34F) according to the type of the recording medium P (for example, coated paper or PET film), and / or The plasma energy applied to each of the discharge electrodes 18A to 18F may be adjusted.

  In addition, providing the plurality of discharge electrodes 18A to 18F is also effective in uniformly acidifying the surface of the recording medium P. That is, for example, when the same conveying speed (or printing speed) is used, the recording medium P is more plasma space in the case where the reforming process is performed with a plurality of discharge electrodes than when the reforming process is performed with one discharge electrode. It is possible to lengthen the time for passing through. As a result, the surface of the recording medium P can be acidified more uniformly.

  FIG. 21 is a graph showing the relationship between plasma energy and pH value according to the present embodiment. Usually, the pH value is generally measured in a solution, but in recent years, the pH value of a solid surface can be measured. As the measuring instrument, for example, there is a pH value meter B-211 manufactured by Horiba, Ltd.

In FIG. 21, the solid line shows the plasma energy dependence of the pH value of the coated paper, and the dotted line shows the plasma energy dependence of the pH value of the PET film. As shown in FIG. 21, the PET film is acidified with less plasma energy than the coated paper. However, also in the coated paper, the plasma energy when acidifying was about 3 J / cm ² or less. When the image was recorded by the recording unit 160 that discharges alkaline aqueous pigment ink on the recording medium P having a pH value of 5 or less, the dots of the formed image had a shape close to a perfect circle. Further, there was no turbidity of the pigment due to coalescence of dots, and a good image without blur was obtained (see FIG. 23).

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the pH value detection unit 180 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction X of the workpiece reforming apparatus 11D, and information regarding the pH value on the surface of the recording medium P is provided as the pH value detection unit. 180 may be read. Further, by performing feedback control or feedforward control of the treatment object reforming apparatus 11D based on the read information regarding the pH value, the pH value of the surface of the recording medium P is set to a predetermined value (for example, pH value = 5) or less. Also good.

  If the pH value of the recording medium P after the modification process is known in advance, the pH value detection unit 180 may be omitted.

<Sixth Embodiment>
In the present embodiment, an effect when the fifth embodiment is used in combination with the pre-painting process will be described.

  FIG. 22 shows the measurement result of the image (dot) density with respect to the ink adhesion amount between the recording medium P subjected to the pre-coating process and the recording medium P subjected to the modification process. The pre-coating process is a process in which a treatment liquid called an acidic pre-coating agent is applied to the surface of the recording medium P. In FIG. 22, plain paper is used as the recording medium P, and black ink is used as the ink. As shown in FIG. 22, when plain paper is used as the recording medium P, the dot density of the plain paper that has undergone the modification process is equal to the plain paper that has not undergone any modification process (hereinafter, untreated). Compared with plain paper that has been subjected to a pre-coating treatment, its saturation density was low.

  Further, the dot density (halftone density) before the density equilibrium state is increased more efficiently in the reforming process than in the pre-coating process. This is because, when halftone dots are formed, the amount of ink attached to obtain the same dot density is smaller for plain paper that has undergone a modification process than for plain paper that has undergone a pre-coating process. It is shown that. Specifically, the plain paper that has been subjected to the modification treatment can reduce the ink adhesion amount by 1% to 18% compared to the plain paper that has not been treated, and the plain paper that has undergone the pre-coating treatment. And reduced by 15% to 29%.

  The reason why the saturation density of plain paper that has undergone modification treatment is lower than that of plain paper that has undergone pre-coating treatment It is thought that this is because In other words, because the landed dots spread on the modified plain paper, the spread pigment is dispersed and the peak density drops even with the same adhesion amount, but the dots do not spread easily on the plain paper that has been pre-coated. Therefore, it is considered that the saturation concentration increases accordingly.

  From the above results, different effects were obtained in the reforming process and the pre-coating process in the recording medium P that hardly penetrated and the recording medium P that easily penetrated. From this, it can be seen that the combined capability of the recording medium P with respect to image formation can be improved by using the reforming process and the pre-coating process together. Further, the combined use of the reforming process and the pre-coating process makes it possible, for example, to reduce the plasma energy to about 1/20 of that of the reforming process alone and the coating amount to about 3/5 of the pre-coating process alone. This means that a high-quality printed material can be obtained with low energy consumption and low coating amount. Furthermore, since it is possible to obtain a high dot density, the amount of ink to be attached can be reduced. As a result, the printing cost can be further reduced.

  Furthermore, the results shown in FIG. 22 indicate that the modification process effectively acts on the recording medium P that is difficult to penetrate, and the pre-coating process acts effectively on the recording medium P that is easy to penetrate. I understand. This is because it is possible to realize the optimum modification process for the recording medium P by appropriately adjusting the execution conditions of the modification process and the pre-coating process according to the properties of the recording medium P. Show.

FIG. 23 is a graph showing the granularity of the recording medium P that hardly penetrates when the reforming process and the pre-coating process are used in combination. The graph shown in FIG. 23 indicates that the lower the granularity, the better the image. In FIG. 23, the broken line indicates the result with respect to the application amount of the treatment liquid in the pre-coating process when the plasma energy is 0 J / cm ² (that is, when the modification process is not performed), and the solid line indicates the plasma. The result with respect to the application amount of the treatment liquid in the pre-coating process when the energy is 0.14 J / cm ² (that is, when the reforming process and the pre-coating process are used in combination) is shown. As shown in FIG. 23, for example, in order to achieve a granularity of 0.5 or less, a coating amount of about 0.2 mg / cm ² is necessary only with the pre-coating treatment, but in combination with the reforming treatment. Then, it can be seen that about 0.1 mg / cm ² , which is about half the application amount.

  The above optimization control derived from FIG. 23 is for the recording medium P. In view of image optimization, it is more preferable to perform optimization control based on a printed matter obtained by actually printing. For example, a reflection densitometer is incorporated in the image forming apparatus, the energy of the reforming process and the coating amount of the pre-coating process are continuously changed on the recording medium P, and a printing pattern as a reference is printed by the recording unit 160. The print density of the printed product is measured with a reflection densitometer. Then, ink jet recording is performed while performing optimization control so that the processing condition that obtains the highest printing density is set as the optimum condition. As a result, measurement and processing conditions can be changed in a short time, so that the throughput of the image forming process can be improved. It is also possible to store the optimum conditions specified based on the density information taken from the reflection densitometer as a database.

  However, when the ink component and type and the type of the recording medium P are changed, the optimum condition may also change. In this case, by storing and managing the optimum conditions in association with the ink components and types and the type of the recording medium P, optimization control according to various conditions can be realized.

  Furthermore, it is easy to think of deriving the optimum conditions by conducting the above examination after measuring the electrical resistance of the recording medium P and specifying the thickness and properties of the recording medium P to some extent before the modification process. It is done.

  Furthermore, when the recording medium P is a cut sheet, a sensor is provided in each of the discharge unit of the processing object reforming apparatus 11D and the discharge unit of the pre-coating apparatus to grasp the state of each process, and if necessary You may comprise so that reprocessing may be performed through another conveyance path | route L. FIG. In that case, the control unit 320 may perform feedback control or feedforward control on the processing conditions of the workpiece reforming apparatus 11D and the pre-coating apparatus based on information from the sensor, respectively.

  As described above, the combined processing of the reforming process and the pre-coating process enables the downsizing of the image forming apparatus while reducing the energy required for the reforming process, and the processing liquid while reducing the coating amount by the pre-coating process. And the drying time and energy of the vehicle can be reduced. It is also possible to reduce the amount of ink used. Furthermore, when ink jet recording is performed by performing a combination process of a modification process and a pre-coating process, the dots can be made to have a shape close to a perfect circle, and pigments can be prevented from being mixed even if the dots merge. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a good image with less occurrence of bleeding.

  Therefore, by combining the technique of the present embodiment with the first to fifth embodiments, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained and the image quality can be further improved. .

  In the present embodiment, when the recording medium P is a non-penetrating paper such as a coated paper and a slow-penetrating paper, the image quality can be improved particularly effectively.

<Seventh embodiment>
Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatuses 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D and the object modification apparatuses 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D in the above-described embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatuses 10, 10 </ b> A, 10 </ b> B, 10 </ b> C, and 10 </ b> D and the processing object reforming apparatuses 11, 11 </ b> A, 11 </ b> B, 11 </ b> C, and 11 </ b> D in the above embodiment.

  The image forming apparatuses 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D, the object modification apparatuses 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D in the above-described embodiments are a CPU 500, a RAM 520, a ROM 540, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 560, and An I / F (Interface) 580 is included. The CPU 500, RAM 520, ROM 540, HDD 560, and I / F 580 are connected to each other via a bus 64 and have a hardware configuration using a normal computer. The I / F 580 is connected to an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 600 such as a known display device and an operation unit 620 that receives various operations by the user.

  A program for executing the various processes executed by the image forming apparatuses 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D and the object modification apparatuses 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D in the above-described embodiments is a ROM or the like. Provided in advance.

  A program for executing the above-described various processes executed by the image forming apparatuses 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D and the object modification apparatuses 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D in the above-described embodiments is as follows. Provided in a file that can be installed on these devices or in an executable format, recorded on a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). You may comprise.

  In addition, a program for executing the various processes executed by the image forming apparatuses 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D and the processing object reforming apparatuses 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D according to the above-described embodiment, You may comprise so that it may provide by storing on the computer connected to networks, such as the internet, and downloading via a network. In addition, a program for executing the various processes executed by the image forming apparatuses 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D and the processing object reforming apparatuses 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D according to the above-described embodiment, You may comprise so that it may provide or distribute via networks, such as the internet.

  The programs for executing the various processes executed by the image forming apparatuses 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D and the workpiece modification apparatuses 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D in the above-described embodiments are described above. The module configuration includes each part. As actual hardware, the CPU reads each program from a storage medium such as a ROM and executes the program, so that the above-described units are loaded onto the main storage device and generated on the main storage device.

  Although the embodiments have been specifically described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention at the implementation stage. Can be

10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D Image forming apparatus 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D Processing object reforming apparatus 18, 18A, 18B, 19, 19A, 19B Discharge electrode 20, 20A, 20B, 21, 21A, 23, 23A Insulating member 22 Counter electrode 33A Acquisition unit 33B Drive control unit 34 Voltage application unit 42 Drive unit 44 Transport unit

JP 2011-060737 A

Claims (10)

A transport unit for transporting the workpiece;
A plurality of discharge electrodes arranged in a plurality in the transport direction of the workpiece, long in a first direction intersecting the transport direction, and at least one of which is arranged to be movable in the first direction;
A counter electrode disposed opposite to the discharge electrode;
A voltage application unit for applying a voltage to the discharge electrode and the counter electrode;
An insulating member provided between a part of the first direction in the movable region of the discharge electrode arranged movably in the first direction and the counter electrode;
A drive unit for moving the discharge electrode arranged to be movable in the first direction;
A drive control unit that controls the drive unit such that a discharge width in the first direction in a discharge region formed between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode changes;
A to-be-processed material reformer comprising:   2. The treatment object reforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insulating member has a cylindrical shape that covers one end of the discharge electrode movable in the first direction in the first direction.   The workpiece modifying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insulating member includes a groove portion along an outer periphery of the discharge electrode.   2. The treatment object reforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insulating member has a plate shape whose plate surface is parallel to a direction intersecting a facing direction of the discharge electrode and the counter electrode. An acquisition unit that acquires the medium width in the first direction of the object to be processed;
The drive control unit
The to-be-processed object modification | reformation apparatus of any one of Claims 1-4 which controls the said drive part so that the said discharge width may correspond with the said medium width. A plurality of the discharge electrodes movable in the first direction;
The drive control unit is configured to change the discharge width by moving at least two of the plurality of discharge electrodes movable in the first direction in opposite directions to each other in the first direction. The to-be-processed object modification | reformation apparatus of any one of Claims 1-5 which controls these.   The to-be-processed object modification | reformation apparatus of any one of Claims 1-6 with which at least 1 of the several said discharge electrode is being fixed so that a movement in the said 1st direction was impossible. The to-be-processed object modification | reformation apparatus of any one of Claims 1-7,
A recording unit for forming an image;
An image forming apparatus. An image forming system comprising: a workpiece reforming apparatus; and a control unit that controls the workpiece reforming apparatus,
The processing object reforming apparatus is
A transport unit for transporting the workpiece;
A plurality of discharge electrodes arranged in a plurality in the transport direction of the workpiece, long in a first direction intersecting the transport direction, and at least one of which is arranged to be movable in the first direction;
A counter electrode disposed opposite to the discharge electrode;
A voltage application unit for applying a voltage to the discharge electrode and the counter electrode;
An insulating member provided between a part of the first direction in the movable region of the discharge electrode arranged movably in the first direction and the counter electrode;
A drive unit for moving the discharge electrode arranged to be movable in the first direction;
With
The controller is
A drive control unit that controls the drive unit so that a discharge width in the first direction in a discharge region formed between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode changes;
Image forming system. A transport unit for transporting the workpiece;
A plurality of discharge electrodes arranged in a plurality in the transport direction of the workpiece, long in a first direction intersecting the transport direction, and at least one of which is arranged to be movable in the first direction;
A counter electrode disposed opposite to the discharge electrode;
A voltage application unit for applying a voltage to the discharge electrode and the counter electrode;
An insulating member provided between a part of the first direction in the movable region of the discharge electrode arranged movably in the first direction and the counter electrode;
A drive unit for moving the discharge electrode arranged to be movable in the first direction;
A reforming method to be executed by a workpiece reforming apparatus comprising:
Controlling the drive unit so that a discharge width in the first direction in a discharge region formed between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode changes.
Modification method.