JP7367518B2 - Image forming method and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming method and an image forming apparatus.

In recent years, demand for special color printing and high value-added printing has been increasing in the on-demand printing market. Among these, demands regarding metallic printing and pearl printing have been particularly large, and a wide variety of studies have been conducted.

As one method, a method of transferring metal foil or resin foil using toner as an adhesive layer has been studied. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a method in which a toner image is formed and a transfer foil is adhered only to the toner portion. This method has a problem in that if the foil is transferred to only a portion of the image, all the remaining foil is wasted. Additionally, when printing multiple metallic expressions such as mirror tone and glitter tone, it was necessary to prepare separate foils for each.

On the other hand, studies have also been conducted on adding glitter pigments to toners. For example, Patent Document 2 proposes a method of forming a metallic image only in necessary areas by incorporating a glitter pigment into a toner. However, this method does not achieve the required metallic or pearly feel.

In order to solve these problems, Patent Document 3 proposes a method of depositing paint powder on an image made of a heat-fusible material.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 01-200985 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-157249 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-178452

However, in the image forming method disclosed in Patent Document 3, in order to form a metallic image portion and a solid image portion on the same recording medium, two or more types of heat-melting materials having different thermal properties are used. I needed to. On the other hand, when using a heat-fusible material with the same or similar thermal properties, if the solid image area and the decorative base area are formed at the same time, the decorative material will also adhere to the solid image area. A method is known in which an image portion is printed first and then a solid image portion is output. This method not only requires an increase in the number of steps, but also has the problem that it is difficult to align images in which metallic images and solid images are intricately intertwined, resulting in a significant deterioration in quality. The solid image portion is a resin image portion that is not decorated with a metallic image, a pearl image, or the like. A resin image is an image formed by an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method using toner, ink, or the like whose main component is resin.

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and provides an image forming method that can suppress the increase in the number of steps and prevent deterioration in quality even in images where decorative images (metallic images) and solid images are finely intricate. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of implementing the image forming method.

The above problem is solved by the following means.

1. An image forming method comprising the steps of: adjusting the softening state of a part of a resin image placed on a recording medium; and applying powder onto the softened resin image.

2. The image forming method as described in 1 above, further comprising the step of forming a resin image on the recording medium.

3. 3. The image forming method as described in 1 or 2 above, wherein the resin image is formed by an electrophotographic method.

4. Items 1 to 3 above, characterized in that the step of adhering the powder onto the softened resin image is performed by transferring the powder by bringing an orientation member on which the powder is oriented into contact with the image. The image forming method according to any one of the above.

5. 5. The image forming method according to any one of items 1 to 4 above, wherein the step of adjusting the softening state of a part of the resin image is performed by supplying a softener.

6. An image forming apparatus comprising: means for adjusting the softening state of a portion of a resin image on a recording medium; and means for applying powder onto the softened resin image.

7. means for adjusting the softening state of a part of the resin image on the recording medium based on image data; and means for attaching powder onto the softened resin image based on the image data. 7. The image forming apparatus according to 6 above.

8. The means for adjusting the softening state of a part of the resin image on the recording medium based on the image data includes the means for softening the resin image on the recording medium and the softening state of the resin image on the recording medium based on the image data. 8. The image forming apparatus according to 7 above, including means for adjusting the softening state.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 6 to 8 above, wherein the softening means includes a softening agent supplying means.

In the present invention, by performing a process to adjust the softening state of a part of the resin image on the recording medium, a part of the resin image is selectively softened, and the powder is selectively applied only to the softened part. By attaching it, it is possible to output a decorative image (metallic image, etc.) and a solid image on the same paper surface. Further, even if a positional shift occurs in an image in which a decorative image portion (metallic image portion, etc.) and a solid image portion are finely intricate, it is possible to form an image that is less noticeable. As a result, it is possible to implement an image forming method that can suppress the increase in the number of steps and prevent deterioration in quality even for images in which decorative images (metallic images, etc.) and solid images are finely intricate, and the image forming method can be implemented. An image forming apparatus can be provided.

FIG. 1A is a diagram schematically showing the state of the powder supplied onto the decorative base portion, which is a part of the resin image formed on the recording medium S, before being rubbed. FIG. 1B schematically shows the state after the powder on the decorative base part, which is a part of the resin image formed on the recording medium S, is rubbed after a small amount of softener is supplied to the decorated base part. FIG. FIG. 1C shows the state of the powder on the decorative base part, which is a part of the resin image formed on the recording medium S, after being rubbed with a moderate softening agent. It is a figure shown typically. FIG. 1D schematically shows the state after the powder on the decorative base part, which is a part of the resin image formed on the recording medium S, is rubbed after a large amount of softener is supplied to the decorated base part. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a partial decoration forming section used in a thin layer formation transfer method, as a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a partial decoration forming section used in a pressing method, as a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a partial decoration forming section used in an image overprinting method. As a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, after softening a resin image with a softener, parts other than the decorative base part are heated to volatilize the softener, so that only the decorative base part is softened. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus including a partial decoration forming section that is softened by the process. As a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a partial decoration forming section used in a modified or modified form of the image rubbing method (or pressing method) is schematically shown. It is a diagram. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 10A is a diagram schematically showing an image in which a metallic image portion and a solid image portion exist on the same paper surface, which was attempted in Example 1. FIG. 10B is a diagram schematically showing a black resin image (black toner image) represented by image data 1. FIG. 10C is a diagram schematically showing a part of the resin image represented by image data 2 (decoration base part; part to be decorated metallically: black painted part). FIG. 10D is a diagram schematically showing a solid image portion (non-decorated base portion; black painted portion) and a decorated base portion (white portion) of the resin image (black toner image) represented by image data 3. It is.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Note that the present invention is not limited only to the following embodiments. Furthermore, in this specification, the range "X to Y" includes X and Y, and means "more than or equal to X and less than or equal to Y." Further, in this specification, unless otherwise specified, operations and measurements of physical properties, etc. are performed at room temperature (20 to 25° C.)/relative humidity of 40 to 50% RH.

[I] Image Forming Method An image forming method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a process of adjusting the softening state of a part of a resin image placed on a recording medium (hereinafter simply referred to as The method includes a step of attaching powder onto the softened resin image (also referred to simply as a "powder attachment step" in this specification). By having such a configuration, the effects of the invention described above can be effectively exhibited. The image forming method of the present invention may further include a step of forming a resin image on the recording medium (herein also simply referred to as "resin image forming step"). As a result, for example, by combining on-demand printing and decorative printing, a series of operations from forming a resin image to forming a decorative image can be performed in a continuous and controlled manner. The image forming method and image forming apparatus of the present invention are excellent in that they can prevent positional shift and form high-quality images even in images where the image portions are intricately detailed. This is thought to be due to the following mechanism of action. Note that the mechanism of action described below is based on speculation, and the present invention is not limited to the mechanism of action described below.

Conventional image forming methods for depositing powder on resin images include heating the entire surface of the resin image formed on the recording medium using a hot plate or heated roller, wire bar coating, and spray coating. The entire surface of the resin image formed on the recording medium is softened, and unless the resin image is intentionally made to have a different softening characteristic, all parts that do not want to be decorated can be softened uniformly. There was a problem that it was decorated.

In Patent Document 3, it is necessary to differentiate the thermal characteristics of the toner forming the solid portion and the toner forming the decorative portion so that only the decorative portion softens even when the entire surface is uniformly heated. , special toner was required for the decorative portion.

In the present invention, in order to be able to perform processing to adjust the softening state of a part of the resin image placed on the recording medium, the resin image area (selective In this method, a resin image area (portion to be softened) and a resin image area (portion to be left as an image without being selectively softened), which will become a solid image area, are formed simultaneously (in advance). By doing this, the softening state can be adjusted only for the resin image portion that is the base of the decorative image portion of the formed resin image, without using a special toner with a large difference in thermal properties as in Patent Document 3. They have discovered that high-quality decoration can be achieved by partially softening the material through treatment and applying decorative powder only to the softened areas.

Furthermore, it has been found that the problem of having to prepare separate foils for each when printing a plurality of metallic expressions such as a mirror tone and a glitter tone as described in Patent Document 1 can be resolved as follows. That is, in the present invention, the amount of intrusion of the flat powder into the decorative base part can be changed depending on the softening state of a part of the resin image (decorative base part). As a result, the powder cannot penetrate into the interior of the decorative base portion, which has a weak degree of softening, but adheres to the surface in a lined manner, resulting in a mirror-like image. On the other hand, in the case of a decorated base part that has a high degree of softening, the powder can penetrate into the inside of the decorated base part, so that the adhesion angle of the powder becomes random, resulting in a glitter-like image. Furthermore, the metallic feel (texture) between mirror tone and glitter tone can be continuously changed by adjusting the degree of softening. In addition, among the resin images, the resin image (resin image area) that is the base of the decorative image area is also referred to as a "decoration base area."

Each step will be explained below.

(1) Resin image forming step In the image forming method according to one embodiment of the present invention, before the partial softening step and the powder adhesion step, there is a step of forming a resin image on the recording medium (resin image forming step). process). In the image forming method of the present invention, without performing the resin image forming step, a recording medium on which a resin image is formed is separately prepared, and the partial softening step and powder adhesion step are performed. Good too. In this case, an individual or a printing company prepares a resin image formed on a recording medium using a normal image forming device, and a decoration processing company (another printing company) brings it in from the individual or printing company. Examples include cases in which a recording medium on which a resin image is formed is subjected to a partial softening process and a powder adhesion process as decoration using the image forming apparatus capable of partially decorating the present invention. It is not limited to. Preferably, the steps from the resin image forming step to the partial softening step to the powder adhesion step are performed sequentially using an image forming apparatus capable of performing a series of steps. This makes it possible to form a resin image for the base of the decoration part and a resin image for the solid image part in the same image forming apparatus, and then partially soften the base for the decoration part. In order to prevent misalignment of the parts to be softened (for example, measures to increase the accuracy of the decoration (softening) position using advanced paper conveyance technology that has been put into practical use in on-demand printing machines), This is because it can be incorporated.

In the resin image forming step, a resin image is formed on a recording medium. There are no particular restrictions on the method of forming a resin image on a recording medium. For example, it is formed by dissolving a resin and optionally included other components (e.g., colorant, mold release agent, etc.) in an appropriate solvent, applying a solution to the surface of the recording medium, and drying it. I can do it. In this case, the solution can be applied by commonly used methods such as gravure coating, roll coating, blade coating, and extrusion coating.

In addition, as a method for forming a resin image on a recording medium, conventionally known methods such as a dry electrophotographic method, a wet electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, etc. are used to form a resin image on a recording medium. Any method for forming an image can be used as appropriate. Image formation using an inkjet method or an electrophotographic method can be performed using a known image forming apparatus, respectively. That is, the resin image may be formed on a recording medium by any of the above-mentioned coating methods, electrophotography, inkjet method, or other known image forming methods, but toner images formed by electrophotography may also be used. The toner image is preferably a toner image formed by a dry electrophotographic method. Resin images (toner images) produced by electrophotography, especially dry electrophotography, can be printed on demand, and compared to other printing methods, the thickness of the resin layer that makes up the resin image can be made thicker. It is. For example, when flat particles are used as powder for forming a decorative image portion (also referred to as decorative powder), the decorative powder is placed on a resin layer constituting a resin image ( The flat particles (flat surfaces) are attached to the surface of the resin layer in a state parallel to the surface of the resin layer, or are fixed in a state in which some or all of them have entered the resin. When the resin layer is thin, when flat particles enter the resin layer obliquely, the fixing force is weak, so that they can only be attached approximately parallel to the resin layer surface. Therefore, it is difficult to freely control the texture of the decorative image area from mirror, pearl, and gloss to glitter and matte, making it difficult to freely control the texture of the decorative image area. Are suitable. On the other hand, if the resin layer is thick, the flat particles can be fixed even if they are not parallel to the surface of the resin layer but at an angle, and as a result, it is possible to form an image with a high degree of glitter with a lot of diffused reflection. Become. That is, it is preferable that the texture of the decorative image area can be freely controlled from mirror, pearl, and gloss to glitter and matte.

On the other hand, it is also preferable to use non-flat particles as the decorative powder because if the resin layer is thick, the embedded state of the powder can be changed, and the texture of the decorative image area can be controlled. .

From the viewpoint of more easily achieving the effects of the present invention, the resin image is preferably a resin image formed by an electrophotographic method, particularly a dry electrophotographic method, as described above. In the electrophotographic method, toner particles are attached to an electrostatic latent image pattern on the surface of a photoreceptor to form a toner image, and the toner image is transferred to a recording medium such as paper and fixed, thereby forming a resin onto the recording medium. A printed image (toner image) is formed. Here, toner particles forming a toner image generally contain a thermoplastic resin as a binder resin. Therefore, since a resin image (toner image) formed by an electrophotographic method is easily softened (or melted) by the partial softening process, it is considered that the effects of the present invention can be more prominently exhibited.

Furthermore, in the image forming method according to one embodiment of the present invention, the resin image may be an image before being fixed on a recording medium (unfixed image), or an image that has been fixed (fixed image). It may be. It is said that it is easy to selectively place decorative powder on the surface of the resin layer that makes up the resin image, and the selectively placed decorative parts can easily form an image with sufficient gloss (any texture). From this point of view, the resin layer is preferably a fixed image fixed on a recording medium. That is, the image forming method according to one embodiment of the present invention preferably includes a fixed image forming step as the resin image forming step. The fixed image has a uniform and smooth surface. Therefore, embedding of the decorative powder into the selectively softened resin layer is suppressed, and an image with high gloss can be formed. In addition, since the decorative powder can be selectively placed on the surface of the softened resin layer while suppressing the embedding of the decorative powder, there is no need to use a large amount of the decorative powder, making it more economical. It is also preferable from the viewpoint.

The fixed image forming step can be performed by a known fixed image forming apparatus, particularly an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method. As an example of a fixed image forming method, a method may be adopted in which a fixing unit applies heat and pressure to a recording medium onto which a toner image has been transferred, thereby fixing the toner image on the recording medium onto the recording medium. By performing the image forming method according to one embodiment of the present invention using the toner image formed by the method as a resin image (resin layer), decoration can be applied to the selectively softened resin layer as described above. Powder embedding can be suppressed, and images with excellent gloss can be formed.

[recoding media]
In the image forming method according to one embodiment of the present invention, the recording medium is not particularly limited as long as a resin image can be formed and placed thereon. There are no particular restrictions on the recording medium, and examples include plain paper from thin paper to thick paper, high-quality paper, coated printing paper such as art paper or coated paper, water-soluble paper, commercially available Japanese paper, postcard paper, etc. Examples include, but are not limited to, paper; plastic films such as polypropylene (PP) film, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, and triacetyl cellulose (TAC) film; cloth and leather. Further, the color of the recording medium is not particularly limited, and recording media of various colors can be used.

On the other hand, when partial softening by supplying a softener is used in the partial softening step, the recording medium preferably has resistance to the softener (that is, chemical resistance; specifically, solvent resistance). Note that "solvent resistance" as used herein means that the change in the surface state of the recording medium, chemical change, and physical change are all small between before and after the softening agent is supplied.

Further, when light irradiation is used in the partial softening step, the recording medium preferably has resistance to the irradiated light (that is, light resistance). Note that "light resistance" means that the change in surface state, chemical change, and physical change of the recording medium is small before and after irradiation with light, especially ultraviolet light.

When the resin layer constituting the resin image contains a thermoplastic resin or a thermofusible resin, the recording medium is preferably heat resistant. By using such a recording medium, the resin layer and the powder disposed on the resin layer are stably held, and the durability of the obtained decorative image and solid image is improved. Note that "heat resistance" refers to changes in the surface state of the recording medium, chemical changes, This means that any physical changes are small. Further, when partial heating with a thermal head is used in the partial softening step, it is preferable that the material has resistance to heat (that is, heat resistance). In addition, when using partial softening by supplying a softener in the partial softening process, heat resistance is not required in the partial softening process, but "heat resistance" is required when forming a resin image on a recording medium. It can be said that it is preferable that the recording medium has heat resistance.

[Resin image]
In the image forming method according to one embodiment of the present invention, the resin image is formed and placed on a recording medium. This resin image is composed of a resin layer made of toner or ink (solid content). This resin layer may have a single-layer structure or may have a laminated structure of two or more layers from the viewpoint of forming a solid image and a base image for the decorated image portion. The combination of the recording medium and the resin image (resin layer) is not particularly limited, and any combination can be used as appropriate.

[Resin layer]
The resin layer constituting the resin image (the solid image and the base image of the decorated image portion) is not particularly limited as long as it contains resin and is selectively softened by the softening method (or means) in the partial softening step. In addition to the resin, this resin layer may contain other components such as a colorant, a dispersant, a surfactant, a plasticizer, a mold release agent, and an antioxidant.

The resin contained in the resin layer may be any resin that can be softened or plasticized by selectively softening the resin layer. Examples of such resins include thermoplastic resins that are plasticized and thermofusible resins that are melted by heat generated by photothermal conversion due to partial heating with a thermal head or light irradiation. Further, it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin or a thermofusible resin that is softened by partial supply of a softener. In this way, the resin contained in the resin layer needs to be softened by heat generated by photothermal conversion due to partial heating with a thermal head or light irradiation, or by a softening agent, so it is necessary to include a thermoplastic resin. On the other hand, curable resins cannot be used alone because they cannot go back and forth between softening and hardening. In addition, when forming a resin image (resin layer) on a recording medium, such resins are used in dry electrophotography, etc., in order to melt the toner and fix it on the recording medium. Preferably, a meltable resin is used.

Furthermore, the resin layer constituting the resin image may be colored or colorless. Further, it may be transparent or opaque. The colored resin layer can be colored with any color or black that can be created from the three primary colors using the above-mentioned coloring agent. The colorless resin layer may not use the above-mentioned coloring agent. For the opaque resin layer, an opaque resin may be used, or a powdery resin additive (such as titanium oxide) may be used to eliminate transparency and gloss. For the transparent resin layer, a transparent resin should be used, and no powdery resin additives (such as titanium oxide) should be used to eliminate transparency or gloss.

The thermoplastic resin is not particularly limited, and any known thermoplastic resin can be used. Further, the heat-melting resin is not particularly limited, and any known resin having heat-melting properties can be used.

Examples of thermoplastic resins or thermofusible resins include vinyl resins such as (meth)acrylic resins, styrene resins, styrene-acrylic resins, and olefin resins (including cyclic olefin resins); polyester resins, polycarbonate resins, and polyamides. Resin, polyphenylene ether resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, halogen-containing resin (polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, fluororesin, etc.), polysulfone resin (polyether sulfone, polysulfone, etc.), cellulose derivatives (cellulose esters, cellulose carbamates, cellulose) ethers, etc.), silicone resins (polydimethylsiloxane, polymethylphenylsiloxane, etc.), polyvinyl ester resins (polyvinyl acetate, etc.), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers (ABS resins), polyvinyl alcohol resins and their derivative resins , rubber or elastomer (diene rubber such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene copolymer, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer, acrylic rubber, urethane rubber, etc.). The above thermoplastic resins and thermofusible resins can be used alone or in combination of two or more. In this specification, "(meth)acrylic" refers to "acrylic and/or methacryl."

The thermoplastic resin and the thermofusible resin may be copolymers. When the thermoplastic resin and the thermofusible resin are copolymers, the form of the copolymer may be any of block copolymers, random copolymers, graft copolymers, and alternating copolymers.

Furthermore, as the thermoplastic resin and the thermofusible resin, synthetic products or commercially available products may be used. The polymerization method for synthesizing these thermoplastic resins and thermofusible resins is not particularly limited, and known methods can be used. Examples include high-pressure radical polymerization, medium-low pressure polymerization, solution polymerization, slurry polymerization, bulk polymerization, emulsion polymerization, and gas phase polymerization. In addition, there are no particular restrictions on the radical polymerization initiator or catalyst used during polymerization; for example, radical polymerization initiators such as azo or diazo polymerization initiators, peroxide polymerization initiators; peroxide catalysts, Ziegler-Natta A catalyst, a polymerization catalyst such as a metallocene catalyst, etc. can be used.

Among the above-mentioned resins, (meth)acrylic resin, It is preferable that the resin contains at least one selected from the group consisting of styrene resin, styrene-acrylic resin and polyester resin, and more preferably styrene-acrylic resin.

The styrene-acrylic resin in the present invention is formed by polymerizing at least a styrene monomer and a (meth)acrylic acid ester monomer. Here, the styrene monomer includes not only styrene represented by the structural formula of CH ₂ =CH-C ₆ H ₅ but also those having a structure having a known side chain or functional group in the styrene structure.

Furthermore, the (meth)acrylic acid ester monomer is one having a functional group having an ester bond in its side chain. Specifically, in addition to acrylic acid ester monomers represented by _CH2 =CHCOOR (R is an alkyl group), methacrylic acid esters represented by _CH2 =C( _CH3 )COOR (R is an alkyl group) Includes vinyl ester compounds such as monomers.

In addition to the above-mentioned copolymers formed only from styrene monomers and (meth)acrylic acid ester monomers, styrene-acrylic resins also contain general vinyl monomers (olefins, vinyl esters, etc.). , vinyl ethers, vinyl ketones, N-vinyl compounds, etc.).

Furthermore, in addition to styrene monomers, (meth)acrylic acid ester monomers, and other general vinyl monomers, styrene-acrylic resins also contain polyfunctional vinyl monomers and ionic dissociation in side chains. Also included are copolymers formed using vinyl monomers having groups (carboxyl groups, sulfonic acid groups, phosphoric acid groups, etc.). Examples of such vinyl monomers include, for example, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, and the like.

The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin contained in the resin layer is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of 35 to 70°C, more preferably in the range of 40 to 60°C. Such a range has the advantage that the surface state (partially softened state) of the resin layer in the partial softening step can be easily controlled, and the texture of the decorative expression can be easily adjusted.

The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin can be controlled by selecting the type of monomers constituting the resin, adjusting the copolymerization ratio (mass ratio) and molecular weight of the monomers, and the like. For example, taking styrene-acrylic resin as an example, the glass transition temperature (Tg) is lowered by increasing the copolymerization ratio (mass ratio) of n-butyl acrylate, which has a lower glass transition temperature, to the entire monomer. be able to. Furthermore, the glass transition temperature (Tg) can be increased by increasing the copolymerization ratio (mass ratio) of styrene, which has a high glass transition temperature.

(Method for measuring glass transition temperature (Tg) of resin)
The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin can be measured using a Tg measuring device, for example, "Diamond DSC" (manufactured by PerkinElmer). When using the "Diamond DSC", first, 3.0 mg of a measurement sample (resin) is sealed in an aluminum pan and set in the sample holder of the "Diamond DSC". An empty aluminum pan is used as a reference. Then, a first heating process in which the temperature is raised from 0°C to 200°C at a heating rate of 10°C/min, a cooling process in which the temperature is cooled from 200°C to 0°C at a cooling rate of 10°C/min, and a heating rate of 10°C/min. A DSC curve is obtained under measurement conditions (heating/cooling conditions) in which the temperature is raised from 0° C. to 200° C. in this order in this order. Based on the DSC curve obtained by this measurement, the extension line of the baseline before the rise of the first endothermic peak in the second temperature rising process and the maximum between the rising part of the first peak and the peak apex. A tangent line indicating the slope is drawn, and the intersection thereof is defined as the glass transition temperature (Tg). Even when using another Tg measuring device, the Tg may be determined according to the specifications and instruction manual of the measuring device.

The weight average molecular weight of the resin contained in the resin layer is not particularly limited, but is preferably from 2,000 to 1,000,000, more preferably from 5,000 to 100,000, particularly preferably from 10,000 to 50,000.

(Method for measuring weight average molecular weight (Mw) of resin)
A device "HLC-8320GPC" (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation), one column "TSKguardcolumn" and three columns "TSKgelSuperHZ-M" (all manufactured by Tosoh Corporation) are used in conjunction. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) is flowed as a carrier solvent at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min while maintaining the column temperature at 40°C. The measurement sample (resin) is dissolved in tetrahydrofuran to a concentration of 1 mg/mL. The solution is prepared by processing at room temperature for 5 minutes using an ultrasonic disperser. Next, a sample solution is obtained by processing with a membrane filter having a pore size of 0.2 μm, and 10 μL of this sample solution is injected into the apparatus together with the above carrier solvent, and detected using a refractive index detector (RI detector). The molecular weight distribution of the measurement sample is calculated based on a calibration curve created using monodisperse polystyrene standard particles. The calibration curve is manufactured by Tosoh Corporation "polystylene standard sample TSK standard": "A-500", "F-1", "F-10", "F-80", "F-380", "A-2500" , "F-4", "F-40", "F-128", and "F-700". Note that the data collection interval in sample analysis is 300 ms.

The content of the resin in the resin layer is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of partially softening the surface side of the resin layer in the partial softening step and making it easier to control the surface state (partially softened state) of the resin layer, the content of the resin layer is It is preferably 60 to 100% by mass, more preferably 75 to 95% by mass based on the total mass.

On the other hand, when the resin layer contains other components (e.g., colorant, mold release agent, etc.) together with the resin, the content of the other components is not particularly limited, but the surface side of the resin layer is partially softened in the partial softening step. From the viewpoint of easily controlling the surface state (partially softened state) of the resin layer, the amount is preferably 3 to 40% by mass, more preferably 5 to 25% by mass, based on the total mass of the resin layer.

The coloring agent as the other component is not particularly limited, and known dyes and pigments can be used. Examples of such colorants include carbon black, magnetic material, iron/titanium composite oxide black; C.I. I. Dyes such as Solvent Yellow 19 and Solvent Yellow 44; C.I. I. Pigments such as Pigment Yellow 14 and Pigment Yellow 17; C.I. I. Dyes such as Solvent Red 1 and Solvent Red 49; C.I. I. Pigments such as Pigment Red 5 and Pigment Red 122; C.I. I. Dyes such as Solvent Blue 25 and Solvent Blue 36; C.I. I. Examples include, but are not limited to, pigments such as Pigment Blue 1 and Pigment Blue 7.

Further, the mold release agent as the other component is not particularly limited, and any known mold release agent can be used. Examples of such mold release agents include polyolefin waxes such as polyethylene wax and polypropylene wax; branched chain hydrocarbon waxes such as microcrystalline wax; long chain hydrocarbon waxes such as paraffin wax and Sasol wax; and distearyl ketone. Dialkyl ketone waxes such as carnauba wax, montan wax, behenyl behenate, trimethylolpropane tribehenate, pentaerythritol tetrabehenate, pentaerythritol diacetate dibehenate, glycerin tribehenate, 1, Examples include, but are not limited to, ester waxes such as 18-octadecanediol distearate, tristearyl trimellitate, and distearyl maleate; and amide waxes such as ethylenediamine behenylamide and tristearyl trimellitate.

The thickness of the resin layer is not particularly limited as long as the powder can be retained. The thickness of the resin layer may be uniform or non-uniform. As a guideline for the thickness of the resin layer, in the case of flat powder, it is preferably thicker than the thickness of the powder to be held, and in the case of non-flat powder, it is preferably thicker than the size of the powder. For example, when the resin layer is formed of toner (when the resin layer constituting the resin image is a toner image formed by electrophotography), the amount of toner adhering to the recording medium is 0.1 g/m ² to 25 It is preferably .0 g/m ² , more preferably 1.0 g/m ² to 20.0 g/m ² .

(2) Partial softening process The image forming method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a process of adjusting the softening state of a part of the resin image placed on the recording medium (partial softening process). It is.

As a means of selectively (partially) softening by performing processing to adjust the softening state of a part of the resin image placed on the recording medium (only the resin image part that is the base of the decorative image part). There are no particular limitations on the method, and examples include those using heat, light, and softeners. Specifically, in place of conventional heating means such as heating rollers for the entire surface, partial heating with a thermal head, softening by light irradiation, and softening by partial supply of a softener can be used. Multiple softening states can coexist on the same image using grayscale image data in all processes such as on-demand printing, supplying softening agent using an inkjet method, partial heating using a thermal head, and partial melting using partial light irradiation.

(1) Softening due to partial heating with a thermal head The thermal head has a mechanism in which minute heating elements are arranged in a line and the heating elements are selectively heated by applying electricity in accordance with the image data. It can be softened by selectively heating the areas. In this softening caused by partial heating with a thermal head, by placing the thermal head so as to touch (pressure) the surface of the resin image on the recording medium, a part of the resin image placed on the recording medium can be softened. (Only the resin image portion underlying the decorative image portion) can be selectively heated (softened). Note that partial heating may be performed while the thermal head is fixed and the recording medium is conveyed, or partial heating (softening) may be performed while the recording medium being conveyed is stopped at a predetermined position and the thermal head is scanned (moved). You may do so. Further, the thermal head may be arranged so as to cover the entire recording medium, or may be arranged so as to cover a part of the recording medium (for example, a direction (width direction) perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the medium). There is no particular restriction, such as, but is not particularly limited to.

(2) Softening by partial heating using photothermal conversion due to light irradiation In the light irradiation of this embodiment, the surface of a part of the resin image (decoration base portion) is softened using photothermal conversion. At this time, the orientation of the powder placed on the surface of a part of the resin image (decoration base part) changes depending on the condition (softness) of the surface of the part of the resin image (decoration base part). do. Therefore, by controlling the surface condition of a part of the resin image (decoration base part) depending on the amount of light irradiation (cumulative amount of light), the orientation of the powder can be controlled. Reflection characteristics can be changed in various ways. Therefore, by controlling the amount of light irradiation and the irradiation range, it is possible to form images with different glossy textures using the same powder.

In addition, since the texture and decoration range of the decoration can be controlled by light irradiation, there is no need to change the decorating material or toner to provide glossiness with different textures, and it is possible to create glossiness with different textures. Images can be formed by a simple method, and the configuration and control of the image forming apparatus are simplified.

Furthermore, in the image forming method according to one embodiment of the present invention, in order to control the surface condition of a part of the resin image (decorative base part) by light irradiation, the decorative image (the part where the powder is placed) and the solid Even if the image (non-decorated image; the part where no powder is placed) is finely intricate, it can be drawn and decorated on the same paper without degrading the quality. In addition, it is also possible to minutely and continuously change the surface condition of a part of the resin image (decorative base part) on the same sheet of paper, making it possible to form images with even greater expressiveness. It also has the advantage of being

In softening by partial heating using photothermal conversion caused by light irradiation, the light irradiation device is placed above (non-contact with) the surface of the resin image on the recording medium. By selectively irradiating a part of the area (only the resin image area that is the base of the decorative image area) and converting the irradiated light energy into heat, only the light irradiated area can be partially heated. Note that the light irradiation device may be fixed and the recording medium may be conveyed while softening by partial heating by light irradiation, or the recording medium being conveyed may be stopped at a predetermined position and the light irradiation device scanned (moved). Partial heating by light irradiation may be performed while the heating is performed. Further, the light irradiation device may be arranged so as to cover the entire recording medium, or may be arranged so as to cover a part of the recording medium (for example, a direction (width direction) perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the medium). There is no particular restriction, such as that it may be done.

(3) Softening by partial supply of softener In softening by partial supply of softener, the inkjet head is placed above (non-contact with) the surface of the resin image on the recording medium using a softener supply means, for example, an inkjet system. , the softening agent is supplied by selectively spraying (supplying) the softening agent (ink) to a part of the resin image placed on the recording medium (only the resin image area that is the base of the decorative image area). Only the parts can be partially softened. Note that partial softening may be performed by supplying a softener while the inkjet head is fixed and the recording medium is conveyed, or the recording medium being conveyed may be stopped at a predetermined position and softened while the inkjet head is scanned (moved). Partial softening may be performed by supplying a chemical agent. Further, the inkjet head may be arranged so as to cover the entire recording medium, or may be arranged so as to cover a part of the recording medium (for example, a direction (width direction) perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the medium). There are no particular restrictions, such as, but is not limited to.

(4) After softening the resin image with a softener, parts other than the decorative base portion are partially heated to soften the decorative base portion.Furthermore, in this embodiment, a portion of the resin image placed on the recording medium The means for adjusting the softening state of the resin image area on the base of the decorative image area (also referred to as the decorative base area) includes a part of the resin image on the recording medium (the decorative base area). A means for softening a partial area or the entire surface, and image data (data selecting a position to be treated with powder), for example, page image data consisting of a plurality of pixels corresponding to a position to be treated with powder, is used to soften a resin image. It may also have means for adjusting the softening state. As a means for softening a part including a part of the resin image (decorative base part) or the entire surface of the resin image on the recording medium, for example, a softening agent can be applied to a partial area including a part of the resin image (decoration base part) or the entire area. Examples include means for supplying and softening the entire surface. Further, as a means for adjusting the softening state of the resin image based on image data, a portion other than the resin image portion of the base of the decorated image portion (non-processed portion) of the partial area or the entire surface softened by the softening means An example of such a method is to partially heat the base (also referred to as a decorative base portion) using a thermal head or light irradiation based on image data (means to adjust the softening state). A part of the resin image (decoration base part) is selected by heating the softener in the non-decorated part by means of heating the part (means to adjust the softening state) and partially drying (hardening) it. It can be adjusted so that it is in a softened state. As a means for supplying the softening agent to a partial area including a part (decoration base part) of the resin image or to the entire surface, the above-described inkjet method or technique used for applying a solution can be applied. Specifically, it can be performed by an inkjet method, commonly used methods such as gravure coating, roll coating, blade coating, extrusion coating, dip coating, and spin coating. It is preferable to use an inkjet method, which can supply the softener uniformly and further, can supply the softener without contacting the resin image. As the partial heating means using a thermal head or light irradiation, the above-mentioned thermal head or partial softening means using light irradiation can be applied.

Among the means for adjusting the softening state of a part (decorative base part) of the resin image placed on the recording medium described above, from the viewpoint of ease of adjusting the softening time, the use of a softening agent is Preference is given to using softening means by partial feeding.

Hereinafter, a softening means by partial supply of a softener, which is a suitable softening means, will be explained in detail.

When a softening agent is partially supplied to the surface of a part of the resin image (decorative base part), the resin constituting the resin layer of the decorative base part partially dissolves or the resin swells, causing the softening effect to increase. The surface side of the resin layer of the decorative base portion softens. The softened resin layer (softened resin portion) has adhesive force (adhesive force) generated by softening, and thus adheres the powder supplied to the softened resin portion. As described above, the image forming method of the present embodiment partially supplies a softening agent to a part of the resin image (decorative base part), and utilizes the adhesive force generated in the softened resin layer to form a resin layer ( Powder is adhered to the softened resin part). Therefore, it is possible to selectively decorate a part of an image without heating to a temperature that would deform the recording medium or cause unexpected deterioration, discoloration, or deformation of the powder (decoration material). Therefore, it becomes possible to form a decorative image using a recording medium or powder with low heat resistance.

[Softener]
The softening agent used in the partial softening step of the image forming method according to one embodiment of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can soften the resin image (resin layer). Examples of softeners include alcohols having 4 or more carbon atoms, ketones, esters, ethers, or solutions containing them, and specifically, isobutyl adipate, ethyl acetate, acetone, tetrahydrofuran ( THF) or solutions containing them. Each may be used alone or in combination. It can also be used in combination with a substance that does not have a softening effect. Although it depends on the type of resin constituting the resin image, if the resin image is a toner image, water; lower alcohols having 3 or less carbon atoms such as ethanol and isopropyl alcohol are examples of substances that do not have a softening effect. . By mixing with a substance that does not have a softening effect, effects such as adjusting the softening state, adjusting the softening time, and increasing the bulk of the softener can be obtained.

[Means for partially supplying softener]
Partial supply of the softener is not particularly limited as long as the softener can be partially supplied to the surface of a part (decoration base part) of the resin image. As a means for partially supplying the softener, partial supply (coating) using an inkjet method can be used, as described above. If the powder adhesion process is performed before the partial softening process, in places where the surface of the decorative base part and the powder are in close contact with each other without any gaps, even if the softener is supplied later, it will only be supplied to the powder surface and will not adhere tightly. The partial softening process is necessary because it is not possible to soften the decorative base portion of the area and the powder at the adhesion area cannot be bonded, and after the recording medium is output, the powder at the adhesion area may peel off and uneven decoration may occur. It is preferable to carry out this step before the step of supplying powder to the surface of a portion (decorative base portion) of the resin image (powder adhesion step). Even in the case of softening due to partial heating or light irradiation using a thermal head, if the powder adhesion process is performed before the partial softening process, the thermal head will come into contact with the unbonded powder, causing the powder to be dragged by the thermal head. Problems such as the formation of streaks in the powder, the powder being heated and deteriorating, and the heat not being sufficiently transferred to the decorative base underneath the powder may occur, and even when exposed to light. From the viewpoint that if the powder adhesion process is performed before the partial softening process, light will be irradiated onto the powder and problems such as heat not being sufficiently transmitted to the decorative base underneath the powder will likely occur. It is preferable that the partial softening step is performed before the step of supplying decorative powder to the surface of a portion (decorative base portion) of the resin image (powder adhesion step).

The supply amount of the softener may be adjusted for each partial region set within the decorative base portion of the resin image, and the softener may be supplied so that a plurality of softened states exist within the decorative base portion of the resin image. The adhesion state of the supplied powder differs between regions with different softening states, and the resulting decorative effects (especially texture) differ. Therefore, multiple decorative effects (different You will be able to create textures.

Further, the supply amount of the softener may be arbitrarily adjusted depending on the resin layer (type of resin) of the decorative base portion, the powder, the desired decorative effect, etc., and is not particularly limited. For example, the softener may be adjusted and partially supplied so as to have a predetermined film thickness (the thickness of the softener liquid film or droplets formed on the surface of the decorated base portion). The thickness of the supplied softener is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 μm to 10 μm, more preferably 0.5 μm to 5 μm, and even more preferably 1 μm to 3 μm. Further, for example, from the viewpoint of obtaining a mirror-like or pearl-like decorative effect, the film thickness of the softener is preferably 0.7 μm to 1.3 μm, and from the viewpoint of obtaining a glitter-like decorative effect, the film thickness of the softener is The film thickness is preferably 2 μm to 4 μm, and from the viewpoint of obtaining a decorative effect between a mirror or pearl-like decorative effect and a glitter-like decorative effect, the film thickness of the softener is more than 1.3 μm and 2 μm. Less is preferred. The film thickness of the supplied softener can be measured in the film thickness measurement mode of the Keyence Laser Microscope VK-250 before the softener evaporates, preferably immediately after supply (within 10 seconds from supply). .

Further, in partial supply using the inkjet method, the supply amount of the softener may be adjusted by adjusting the supply amount per dot instead of adjusting the film thickness of the softener described above. In this case, the amount of softener supplied is preferably, for example, 1 to 20 pl per dot, more preferably 1 to 10 pl, and even more preferably 1 to 5 pl. For example, from the viewpoint of obtaining a mirror-like or pearl-like decorative effect, the supply amount of the softener is preferably 1 to 2 pl per dot, and from the viewpoint of obtaining a glitter-like decorative effect, the supply amount of the softener is preferably 1 to 2 pl per dot. The supply amount is preferably 4 to 6 pl per dot, and from the viewpoint of obtaining a decoration effect between a mirror or pearl-like decoration effect and a glitter-like decoration effect, the supply amount of the softener is 1. 2 to 4 pl per dot is preferred. Here, in this specification, the size of one dot is 12 μm. By adjusting the supply amount of the softener, the depth at which the softener penetrates from the surface of the resin image (proportional to the supply amount) can be adjusted, and different textures can be expressed as described above. Furthermore, the softening time can be adjusted by adjusting the supply amount of the softener. Thereby, by adjusting the time during which the resin image has adhesive properties by supplying the softener, it is possible to maintain the adhesive properties of the resin image until the powder is attached. Further, by drying (hardening) the softened resin image before the subsequent recording medium is output, decorative printing can be performed continuously.

(Supplementary heating of resin images)
In the partial softening step of the image forming method according to one embodiment of the present invention, in addition to partially supplying a softening agent to adjust the softening state of a portion (decoration base portion) of the resin image (resin layer), The resin image on the medium may be heated indirectly and auxiliary from the side of the recording medium (the lower surface on which the resin image is not formed). Indirect and auxiliary heating of resin images is carried out so that the temperature of the recording medium is lower than the temperature at which deformation occurs in the recording medium, or the temperature of the powder is lower than the temperature at which the powder deteriorates, discolors, or deforms. Do this so that the temperature is lower than that. Indirect and auxiliary heating of the resin image may occur after partial application of softener, before partial application of softener, or in combination with partial application of softener. It can be done at the same time. It can be used to adjust the softening time by indirectly and auxiliary heating of the resin image to promote the softening of a part of the resin image (decoration base) or to accelerate drying after softening. . To indirectly and auxiliarily heat the recording medium (the lower surface on which the resin image is not formed), use an appropriate heating means, such as a heater (see heating section (heater 75) in FIG. 8). I can do it.

(3) Powder adhesion step The image forming method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a step of adhering powder onto a softened resin image (decorative base portion) (powder adhesion step). be. The powder adhesion step in this embodiment is not particularly limited, and examples include (1) the method described in JP-A No. 2013-178452 (method of supplying powder), and (2) the method of applying powder onto a smooth transfer member. A method such as transferring an oriented image onto a resin image can be used.

Specifically, as a method for attaching the decorative powder onto the decorative base portion, which is a softened resin image, as described in (1) above, the decorative powder is supplied to the entire surface of the resin image. , a method of attaching (adhering) decorative powder to a softened decorative base portion. In this method, it is preferable to use in combination a method of collecting (removing) unbonded powder on the unsoftened resin image (non-decorated base portion). Alternatively, as the method (2) above, there is a method in which an orientation member on which powder is oriented in advance is brought into contact with a resin image to transfer the powder only to the softened decorative base portion. In this case, since the powder is not transferred to the unsoftened resin image (non-decorated base part), the unbonded powder on the unsoftened resin image (non-decorated base part) as described in (1) above There is no need to use a method for collecting (removing) powder. However, this embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned means.

[powder]
The powder used in the powder adhesion step can be appropriately selected depending on the desired final image. For example, powder with metallic luster is used for metallic images such as gold and silver, glass flakes and glass beads are used to change the texture of the image, phosphorescent pigment is used for phosphorescent images, and thermal expansion material is used for embossed images. Various powders can be used, including thermoresponsive materials such as microcapsules. These powders are not particularly limited as long as they adhere to the surface of the decorative base portion of the resin image that has been partially softened in the partial softening step. Decorative powder is a collection of particles, is substantially insoluble in softeners, and does not have the ability to fix onto a recording medium by itself. The powder is supplied to the partially softened resin image (decorative base part) and adhered to the resin image to create a special appearance that corresponds to the color of the powder and the decorative base part of the resin image. Add to image. If the color of the decorative base of the resin image is black and the decorative powder is a powder with metallic luster (gold powder or silver powder), the decorative part will appear to the human eye. Appears as a gold or silver image with metallic luster. In addition, if the tint of the decorative base part of a resin image is magenta and the decorative powder is a powder with metallic luster (silver powder), the decorative part looks magenta pearl-like to the human eye. It appears as. In addition, if the color of the decorative base part of the resin image is clear (colorless and transparent) and the decorative powder is a powder with metallic luster (silver powder), the decorative part may appear metallic to the human eye. Appears as a shiny silver image. Furthermore, if the tint of the decorative base part of the resin image is black and the decorative powder is silver (silver-coated glass powder), the decorative part has a metallic luster texture to the human eye. It appears as a silver image. These utilize human visual effects, and depending on the relationship between the decorative powder and the color of the decorative base of the resin image, it is possible to create metallic-like images, pearl-like images, etc. depending on the desired final image. It can be given as appropriate.

The particles of the powder may be magnetic particles or non-magnetic particles. The shape of the particles may be spherical particles or non-spherical particles. Further, the powder may be a synthetic product or a commercially available product. Furthermore, the powder may be a mixture of particles of two or more different materials. Note that the powder is not toner.

Further, the powder may be one in which particles are coated. For example, the particles are metal particles, and may be metal particles whose surfaces are coated with a metal, metal oxide, or resin different from the metal. Further, the particles are metal oxide particles, and may be metal oxide particles whose surfaces are coated with a metal, a metal oxide different from the metal oxide, or a resin. Further, the particles are resin particles, and may be resin particles whose surfaces are coated with a metal, a metal oxide, or a resin different from the resin. Powder can also be made by spreading metal into a plate shape and pulverizing it (non-spherical particles), coating it with various materials, or depositing metal on resin film (piece) or glass (flake or beads). It may also be wet-coated (non-spherical particles). From the viewpoint of being able to freely adjust the texture, non-spherical particles, particularly flat particle shapes, are preferable to spherical particles. In order to obtain a metallic image, the metal particles preferably contain metal, and the metal content is preferably 0.2% by mass or more and 100% by mass or less.

Non-spherical particles are particles other than spherical particles. Spherical particles are particles whose cross-sectional shape or projected shape has an average circularity of 0.970 or more. Note that the average circularity can be determined by a known method, or may be a catalog value.

It is preferable that the non-spherical particles have a flat particle shape from the viewpoint of orienting and adhering the powder along the surface of the resin image (resin layer). The "flat particle shape" of non-spherical particles refers to the maximum length of a non-spherical particle as the major axis, the maximum length in the direction orthogonal to the major axis as the minor axis, and the minimum length in the direction orthogonal to both the major axis and the minor axis. When "thickness" is defined as thickness, it means a shape in which the ratio of the short axis to the thickness (breadth axis/thickness) is 5 or more.

The thickness of the non-spherical particles is preferably from 0.2 to 10 μm, more preferably from 0.2 to 3.0 μm, from the viewpoint of fully expressing the appearance effect due to the oriented attachment of the non-spherical particles. If the thickness is too small, the plane direction of the non-spherical particles, including the major axis and minor axis directions, attached to the surface of the resin image (resin layer) will be substantially aligned with the surface direction of the resin image (resin layer). In some cases, a good alignment state along the direction is not sufficiently formed. If the thickness of the non-spherical particles is too large, powder may come off when the image is rubbed.

The material of the non-spherical particles is not limited. The non-spherical particles are preferably metal particles or metal oxide particles from the viewpoint of developing a pearl-like, mirror-like, or glitter-like appearance as the desired appearance of the final image.

Examples of non-spherical powders include Sunshine Baby Chrome Powder, Aurora Powder, Pearl Powder (all manufactured by GG Corporation), ICEGEL Mirror Metal Powder (manufactured by TAT Corporation), Pica Ace MC Shine Dust, and Effect C (manufactured by TAT Corporation). Made by Kurachi, "Pika Ace" is a registered trademark of the company), PREGEL Magic Powder, Mirror Series (manufactured by Preampa Co., Ltd., "PREGEL" is a registered trademark of the company), Bonnail Shine Powder (manufactured by K's Planning Co., Ltd., "BON NAIL") is a registered trademark of the company), Metashine (manufactured by Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd., a registered trademark of the company), Elgy neo (manufactured by Oike Kogyo Co., Ltd., a registered trademark of the company), Astroflake (manufactured by Nippon Moisture Industry Co., Ltd., Hajime Okazaki) ), aluminum pigment (manufactured by Toyo Aluminum Co., Ltd.), and Powdal (manufactured by SCHLENK).

The powder may include particles of thermoresponsive material. A thermoresponsive material is a material that causes changes in shape such as expansion, contraction, and deformation, as well as color changes such as development, decolorization, and discoloration, when stimulated by heat. Examples of thermoresponsive materials include thermally expandable microcapsules, temperature-sensitive capsules, and the like. Examples of thermally expandable microcapsules include Matsumoto Microspheres (manufactured by Matsumoto Yushi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) and Kureha Microspheres (manufactured by Kureha Co., Ltd.), and examples of thermosensitive capsules include thermosensitive dye capsules (manufactured by Kureha Co., Ltd.). (manufactured by the company Nippon Capsule Products).

After the heat-responsive material is supplied to the surface of the resin image, it may be heated, for example, after the orientation process described below. When a thermoresponsive material is heated, it undergoes a thermal response, such as expansion, as described above. As a result, for example, an embossed decorative effect can be obtained.

The powder may include particles of luminescent pigment. Phosphorescence refers to the property of substances that store light (electromagnetic waves) (e.g. visible light, UV light, etc.) and emit light even after the light irradiation is stopped. The light emitted by a luminescent substance in the dark is called phosphorescence. Luminescent pigments are known as pigments that store light in bright conditions and emit it continuously in the dark for a certain period of time. Examples of phosphorescent pigments include high-brightness phosphorescent pigment α-Vega (manufactured by LTI Co., Ltd.), inorganic phosphorescent pigment LCG1S (manufactured by Shinroihi Co., Ltd.), and the like.

The powder can be supplied using a known device depending on the properties of the powder. For example, the powder supply means described in Patent Document 2 can be used. The powder may be supplied after the partial softening step as described above. This is because if it is performed before the partial softening step, the above-mentioned problems are likely to occur.

In this embodiment, the texture of the decorative portion can be arbitrarily adjusted by changing the orientation of the powder in the powder adhesion step. In order to orient the powder, it is sufficient to perform a process of rubbing the powder (also simply referred to as "rubbing process" or "orientation process"), and if the powder is not to be oriented, the above-mentioned method may be used. Powder may be attached to a part of the resin image without performing an orientation process.

(Press method; method that does not orient the powder)
When the powder is not oriented, the powder may be attached to a part of the resin image without performing an orientation process. Specifically, in the partial softening step, a part of the resin layer (decoration base portion) constituting the resin image is made to have adhesive strength (adhesive strength) to which powder can be attached. Next, as shown in FIG. 1A, in a powder adhesion step, powder P consisting of flat particles is supplied to a part or the entire surface of the resin layer. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1A, the powder P is randomly supplied onto the resin layer 100 constituting the resin image. By pressing in this state, as shown in FIG. 1D, part of the powder P enters only into the partially softened decorative base portion 100a of the resin layer 100, and adheres in a disordered state. Therefore, in the formed decorative portion, the powder P is not oriented and is in a disordered state. As a result, glitter-like expression is possible (see Example 13). In addition, when the powder P consisting of flat particles is supplied to the entire surface of the resin layer, the excess powder that has been supplied to areas other than the decorative base area and has not been bonded (adhered) can be removed by an appropriate method after pressing. For example, it may be removed or collected using an adhesive roller. In the above-mentioned pressing method, it is preferable to supply the powder only to a portion of the resin layer (decorative base portion) that has adhesive properties due to softening. This is because there is no need to collect excess powder. Furthermore, from the viewpoints of reuse, cost reduction, and environmental protection, it is preferable to collect and reuse excess powder. Powder adhering to the collection roller may be reused by spraying water or a solvent to weaken its adhesion, then scraping it off with a blade, etc., but is not limited to these methods. .

(Image rubbing method; method of orienting the powder on the image)
Next, in the image forming method according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the partial softening step, a part of the resin layer (decoration base portion) constituting the resin image is bonded with adhesive strength (adhesive strength) that allows powder to adhere. ). Next, in the powder adhesion step, powder consisting of flat particles is supplied to a part or the entire surface of the resin layer (see FIG. 1A). In the image rubbing method, a process is performed in which the powder that is in contact with a part or the entire surface of the resin layer is rubbed. As shown in FIG. 1B, when the powder P on a part or the entire surface of the resin image (resin layer) 100 is rubbed, the powder P supplied on the surface of the resin layer 100 is rubbed, and the resin image (resin layer) 100 is rubbed. is deposited in a flat and oriented manner on the surface of the Therefore, the formed decorative portion is in a state in which the powder P is oriented. As a result, a mirror-like or pearl-like appearance with metallic luster can be achieved (see Example 2). Also in the above-mentioned image rubbing method, it is preferable to supply the powder only to a part of the resin layer (decoration base part) which has adhesive properties due to softening. This is because there is no need to collect excess powder.

On the other hand, when the resin layer 100 is further softened (for example, when the supply amount of the softener is increased and the softener infiltrates deep into the resin layer), even if the same rubbing process is performed, As shown in FIG. 1D, part of the powder P enters into the resin layer 100. As a result, glitter-like expression is possible (see Example 3).

Note that FIG. 1C shows a case where the softened state of the resin layer 100 is between the case of FIG. 1B and the case of FIG. 1D, and can be adjusted by the supply amount of the softener. As a result, it is possible to create an expression between a mirror tone, a pearl tone, and a glitter tone.

(Thin layer formation transfer method; method of transferring powder by bringing an orientation member on which powder is oriented into contact with a partially softened resin image)
Next, in the image forming method according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the partial softening step, a part of the resin layer (decoration base portion) constituting the resin image is bonded with adhesive strength (adhesive strength) that allows powder to adhere. ). In the powder adhesion step, the thin layer transfer method is characterized in that the powder is transferred by bringing an orientation member on which the powder is oriented into contact with the image. Specifically, an orientation member in which powder is oriented is prepared in advance. For example, using a powder holding member having a powder holding surface that holds powder by adhesion, supplying powder made of flat particles onto the powder holding surface, and subjecting this powder to a rubbing treatment. Then, an orientation member in which the powder is oriented is produced. Next, the orientation member on which the powder is oriented is brought into contact with the partially softened resin image to transfer the powder to a decorative base portion having stronger adhesive strength. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1B, the powder P is adhered to the surface of a part (decoration base portion) of the resin layer 100 in a flat and oriented state to form a decorative image 101. Therefore, the formed decorative portion (also referred to as a decorated image or decorated image portion) is in a state in which the powder P is oriented. As a result, a mirror-like or pearl-like appearance with metallic luster can be achieved (see Example 1). In the thin layer formation transfer method described above, since the powder is transferred (adhered) only to the decorative base portion which has adhesive strength due to softening, no surplus powder is generated, and therefore no recovery process is necessary.

The powder holding member is not particularly limited as long as it can hold powder. Examples of the shape of the powder holding member include, but are not limited to, a sheet, a roller, and a belt. The material used for the powder holding member is preferably a material that is capable of following deformation, and includes, but is not limited to, silicone rubber, fluororubber, urethane rubber, and acrylic rubber. When partial softening is performed using a softener, it is preferable to use a material that does not dissolve or swell due to the softener, and when partial softening is performed by heating, it is preferable to use a heat-resistant material. Although the surface is preferably smooth, it can be changed as appropriate in consideration of powder retention properties, mold releasability, powder orientation, and the like. Additionally, surface treatments, coatings, etc. can be performed for various purposes.

(Process for orienting powder)
The process of orienting the powder is a process of aligning the orientation of the powder that is in contact with the resin layer constituting the resin image or the powder holding surface of the powder holding member. If it is possible, the alignment treatment is not particularly limited. Orientation can be performed, for example, by rubbing or by using wind pressure, and if the powder contains magnetic particles, it can also be performed by using magnetic force. Hereinafter, as an example of the orientation process, a process using "sliding" will be explained.

[Rubbing]
Rubbing refers to sliding a rubbing member that has come into contact with the surface of a resin image (resin layer) on a recording medium or the powder holding surface of a powder holding member against the resin image or powder holding member along the said surface. means to move relatively. It is preferable that the rubbing be accompanied by pressure, from the viewpoint of orienting the powder on the surface of the resin image or powder holding member, and from the viewpoint of strengthening the adhesion of the powder to the resin image or powder holding member. "Press" means pressing the resin image or the surface of the powder holding member in a direction (for example, perpendicular direction) intersecting the surface of the resin image or the powder holding member.

During rubbing, if the relative speed of the rubbing member to the resin image or powder holding member is too slow, the orientation of the powder along the surface of the resin image or powder holding member will be insufficient, resulting in poor alignment of the final image. Although it becomes difficult to express the appearance of the decorative portion in a mirror tone or pearl tone, it is not particularly limited because it is possible to express the appearance of the decorative portion close to a glitter tone. If the speed is too high, the adhesion of the powder may be insufficient, resulting in insufficient orientation of the powder along the surface of the resin image or powder holding member, resulting in decorative parts such as mirror or pearl tones in the final image. Although the clarity of the appearance may be reduced, it is possible to express the appearance of the decorative part such as magenta pearl tone where the base image (magenta, etc.) contributes to the color tone of the entire decorative part. There are no particular restrictions. By adequately adhering and orienting the powder on the surface of the resin image or powder holding member, the relative speed difference can be , 5 mm/sec to 500 mm/sec, more preferably 70 mm/sec to 130 mm/sec.

In addition, during rubbing, if the contact width of the rubbing member on the surface of the resin image or powder holding member is too narrow, powder may be removed when the rubbing member moves along the surface of the resin image or powder holding member. Variations in the orientation of the recording medium tend to occur, and the orientation of the powder adhering to the resin image or the powder holding member may become insufficient, and if the contact width is too wide, it becomes difficult to convey the recording medium. From the viewpoint of fully realizing the intended (desired) orientation of the powder adhering to the surface of the resin image or powder holding member and the transportability of the recording medium, the contact width is determined by the resin image or powder holding member. This is the length in the moving direction of the sliding member relative to the recording medium, and the length may be sufficient as long as it covers the entire width of the recording medium, but it is preferably 1 mm to 1000 mm, and more preferably 1 mm to 200 mm.

In addition, if the pressing force is too low, the adhesion strength of the powder may become weak, and if it is too high, the resin image or powder holding member itself may be disturbed; The torque may be high when transporting or rotating. From the viewpoint of realizing smooth conveyance and rotation of the resin image and powder holding member and saving labor, the image formed on the resin image and the holding of the powder oriented on the powder holding surface of the powder holding member. From the viewpoint of increasing the adhesion strength of the powder, the pressing force against the surface of the resin image or powder holding member is preferably 1 to 30 kPa, and more preferably 7 to 13 kPa.

The sliding member may be a rotating member, or may be a non-rotating member such as a reciprocating member or a fixed member. The rubbing member is in contact with the surface of a resin image having a substantially horizontal surface or a powder holding member having a drum-shaped rotating surface (powder holding surface) and moves horizontally relative to the surface. It may be a material that is perpendicular to the surface of the powder holding member that is in contact with the surface of the resin image that has a substantially horizontal surface or a powder holding member that has a drum-shaped rotating surface (powder holding surface). It may be a member that rotates relatively with the direction as a rotation axis, or it may be a rotatable roller that contacts the resin image or the surface of the powder holding member.

The sliding member is configured such that its surface is movable relative to the surface of the resin image (resin layer) or the powder holding member while pressing the resin image or the powder holding member. The rubbing by the rubbing member can be carried out, for example, by rubbing the resin image being conveyed or the rotating powder holding member with a fixed rubbing member, or by adjusting the conveying speed of the resin image or the powder holding member. By rubbing with a roller that rotates at a slower speed than the rotation speed of the body holding member, or by rubbing with a roller that rotates in the opposite direction to the conveyance direction of the resin image or the rotational direction of the powder holding member. Alternatively, by rubbing with a rotatable roller whose axis of rotation is oblique to the conveying direction of the resin image or the rotation direction of the powder holding member, or by rubbing the resin image This is done by rubbing with a member that reciprocates on the surface of the powder holding member, or by rubbing with a member that rotates with the axis of rotation perpendicular to the surface of the resin image or powder holding member. Is possible.

Therefore, if the rubbing member is configured to be able to move in different directions relative to the resin image (resin layer) and the powder holding member while pressing the surface of the resin image (resin layer) and the powder holding member. good.

Moreover, it is preferable that the sliding member has flexibility. The flexibility of the sliding member is, for example, such that the surface of the sliding member deforms to the extent that it can follow the shape of the resin image or the surface of the powder holding member when pressed (deformation followability). . Examples of such flexible rubbing members include sponges and brushes.

[II] Image Forming Apparatus An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a means for performing processing to adjust the softening state of a part of a resin image on a recording medium, and a means for applying a process to adjust a softened state of a resin image on a part of the resin image on a recording medium. means for attaching the body. Preferably, means for adjusting the softening state of a part of the resin image on the recording medium based on image data, and applying powder onto the softened resin image based on the image data. and means for causing. In addition, the above-mentioned "means for adjusting the softening state of a part of the resin image on the recording medium based on the image data" includes a means for softening the resin image on the recording medium and a means for adjusting the softening state of a part of the resin image on the recording medium based on the image data. and means for adjusting the softening state of the resin image based on the softening state of the resin image. Examples of the above-mentioned "image data" include page image data consisting of a plurality of pixels corresponding to the position to be subjected to powder processing. That is, the above-mentioned "based on image data" refers to inputting data on the portion to be softened and the degree of softening as image data to an inkjet head, a thermal head, or a light irradiation device. When using a softener, the softening time and softening state can be adjusted by adjusting the injection amount of the softener, the type of softener, the blending ratio of the softener, and the blending ratio of the softener to a substance that does not have a softening effect. It is possible. In the case of a thermal head, the temperature of the resin image layer can be adjusted by adjusting the heating time, heating temperature, etc., and in the case of light irradiation, by adjusting the irradiation time, irradiation intensity, etc. Among these, items that can be input as image data to change the output include the amount of softener to be ejected, the heating temperature of the thermal head, and the intensity of light irradiation. In addition, the above-mentioned "means for adjusting the softening state of a part of the resin image (also referred to as partial softening means)" is, as explained in the image forming method, a thermal head or partial heating such as light irradiation. For example, a softening agent supplying means may be used, but from the viewpoint of ease of adjusting the softening time, it is preferable to have a softening agent supplying means. Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus using a softening agent supplying means, which is a preferable partial softening means, will be described in detail.

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control section 50, a resin image forming section 60, a partial decoration forming section 70, and a data receiving section 80, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The control unit 50 executes various processes. The resin image forming section 60 is a part that forms a resin image (resin layer) on a recording medium. The partial decoration forming section 70 is a section that processes and decorates the surface of the resin image formed by the resin image forming section 60. The data reception unit 80 receives various data and input data, such as image data describing resin images and decorative image positions.

The resin image forming section 60 has a configuration similar to that of a known color printer. The resin image forming section 60 includes an image reading section, an image forming section, a paper transport section, a paper feeding section, and a fixing section 27.

The image reading section includes a light source 11, an optical system 12, an image sensor 13, and an image processing section 14.

The image forming section includes an image forming section that forms an image made of yellow (Y) toner, an image forming section that forms an image made of magenta (M) toner, an image forming section that forms an image made of cyan (C) toner, It has an image forming section that forms an image made of black (K) toner, and an intermediate transfer belt 26. Note that Y, M, C, and K represent toner colors.

The image forming section includes a photosensitive drum 21 as a rotating body, and a charging section 22, an optical writing section 23, a developing device 24, and a drum cleaner 25 arranged around the photosensitive drum 21. The intermediate transfer belt 26 is wound around a plurality of rollers and supported so as to be movable.

The paper transport section includes a feed roller 31 , a sorting roller 32 , a transport roller 33 , a loop roller 34 , a registration roller 35 , a paper discharge roller 36 , and a paper reversal section 37 . The paper feed section includes a plurality of paper feed trays 41, 42, and 43 that accommodate recording media S.

The control unit 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The CPU controls the components of the resin image forming section 60, such as the image reading section, the image forming section, the paper transport section, and the paper feeding section, as well as the partial decoration forming section 70, etc., according to the program stored in the ROM. Then, the calculation results are stored in the RAM. Further, the control unit 50 analyzes print data received from the outside, generates bitmap format image data, and writes an image (decoration base portion and solid image portion) on the recording medium S based on the image data. Control the formation. The above program includes a program for adjusting the softening agent supply position (decoration base portion) and the softening agent supply amount (texture and softening time of the decorative image) in the partial decoration forming section 70, and the rubbing conditions. Contains a program for setting the texture of the decorative image.

The control unit 50 also connects to an external device (for example, a personal computer) connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) via a data reception unit 80 that also functions as a communication unit. Sends and receives various data between the The control unit 50 receives, for example, image data transmitted from an external device or input data regarding a decorative image to be formed, which is received by the data reception unit 80 via a touch panel or the like, and displays this image. An image is formed on the recording medium S based on the data (input image data). The function of the communication unit is configured by a communication control card such as a LAN card, for example.

The resin image formed by the resin image forming section 60 is conveyed to the partial decoration forming section 70 and decorated.

(1) Form of the partial decoration forming part used in the thin layer formation transfer method (a method in which the powder is transferred by bringing the orientation member on which the powder is oriented into contact with the partially softened resin image) as shown in Figure 4. As shown, the partial decoration forming part 70a used in the thin layer formation transfer method includes, for example, a part of the resin image 100 (decoration base part) formed on the main surface of the recording medium S. A powder for forming a decorative image (for example, a mirror-like or pearl-like image, also referred to as a decorative part) 101 by orienting and pasting the glossy powder P. , and is disposed downstream of the resin image forming section 60 with respect to the conveying direction x of the recording medium S, and at a subsequent stage. For example, the partial decoration forming section 70a is configured to supply a softening agent as a softening agent supplying means, which is one of the means (partial softening means) for performing a process of adjusting the softening state of a part of the resin image on the recording medium. A supply section 91, a powder holding section 93 consisting of a cylindrical powder holding member, etc. as a means for adhering powder onto the softened resin image (also simply referred to as "powder adhering means"); A powder supply section 94 made of a powder supply member etc. disposed around the section 93, a sliding section 95 made of a sliding member such as a rubbing roller, and a facing section 96 made of a facing member such as a counter roller. , a powder recovery section 97, and a heating section (not shown) such as a heater as necessary. The configuration of each of these members will be explained below. The structure of the powder for forming a decorative image (decorative powder) used here is as described in the image forming method.

(Softener supply section 91)
The softener supply unit 91 applies the softener 90 only to a part of the surface (decoration base portion) 100a of the formed resin image 100 formed on the main surface of the recording medium S by the resin image forming unit 60. Supply selectively. The softener supply section 91 is not particularly limited as long as it can supply a softener. As an example of the softener supply section 91, an inkjet device equipped with an inkjet head or the like can be used.

The powder supply unit 94 supplies powder P to a portion (decoration base portion) 100a of the resin image 100. As the powder supply means, a known means can be used, and for example, the powder supply means described in Patent Document 3 can be used. Preferably, the configuration is as described below.

(Powder holding part 93)
The powder holding part 93 is cylindrical and rotates around a cylindrical shaft by a drive motor, and has a cylindrical side peripheral surface serving as a powder holding surface 93a. The powder holding surface 93a of this powder holding part 93 has adhesiveness and holds powder P, which will be described next, by adhesiveness.

It is preferable that such a powder holding surface 93a has an adhesive force (also referred to as adhesive force) of 28 kPa or more, and as a result, it is possible to hold the powder P well as shown in the following examples. be. Further, the upper limit of the adhesive force of the powder holding surface 93a is determined when the powder is Powder is selectively transferred from the holding surface 93a to a portion (decorative base portion) 100a of the resin image 100. Therefore, the upper limit of the adhesion force of the powder holding surface 93a is 470 kPa or less, preferably 350 kPa or less. It is possible to selectively transfer the body. Examples of materials constituting the powder holding surface 93a include fluororubber, silicone rubber, and urethane rubber, but are not limited to these rubber materials. Other resin materials or metal materials may be used as long as they have adhesive strength that allows the adhesive to be used.

Further, such a powder holding section 93 is arranged on the downstream side of the softener supply section 91 on the conveyance path of the recording medium S and on the main surface side of the recording medium S on which the resin image 100 is formed. . The powder holding section 93 is configured to rotate in a direction along the conveyance direction x of the recording medium S on the side facing the recording medium S. In addition, when the softener supply section 91 selectively supplies the softener 90 to only a part of the surface (decoration base section) 100a of the resin image 100 to soften it and develop tackiness, or when the heating section ( In the case of a configuration including a heater) (not shown), heat is also transferred to the powder holding part 93, so the material making up the powder holding part 93, especially the material making up the powder holding surface 93a, has heat resistance. It is preferable to have. Among the rubber materials mentioned above, silicone rubber is preferably used as such a material.

(Powder supply section 94)
The powder supply section 94 is for supplying powder P to the powder holding surface 93a of the powder holding section 93, and is provided along the axial direction of the cylindrical powder holding section 93. . Such a powder supply section 94 has a storage section 94a made up of a storage container etc. that stores the powder P, and a conveyance section 94b made up of a conveyance member etc. accommodated in the storage section 94a.

Of these, the storage section 94a has an opening disposed along the axial direction of the powder holding surface 93a of the cylindrical powder holding section 93.

Further, the conveyance section 94b is made of a member having a shape suitable for conveying (supplying) the powder P to the powder holding surface 93a, such as a rotating cylindrical brush or sponge, or even a screw shape. It is. By rotating in the opposite direction to the rotational direction of the cylindrical powder holding section 93, the conveyance section 94b conveys the powder P stored in the storage section 94a to the opening of the storage section 94a, and The powder P is supplied to the powder holding surface 93a of the body holding section 93.

Note that the powder supply unit 94 is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, the powder holding surface 93a of the powder holding unit 93 may be brought into direct contact with the powder P stored in the storage 94a. It may also be configured to allow

(Sliding part 95)
The rubbing section 95 rubs the powder P supply portion from the powder supply section 94 against the powder holding surface 93a of the cylindrical powder holding section 93, thereby removing the powder from the powder holding section 93. This is for orienting the powder P on the holding surface 93a, and is arranged downstream of the powder supply section 94 with respect to the rotational direction of the powder holding section 93. Further, it is preferable that the rubbing section 95 includes a powder collecting section 95a.

This sliding part 95 has a cylindrical shape and is arranged in contact with the powder holding surface 93a, so that it is configured to rub the powder holding surface 93a of the rotating powder holding part 93. There is. Further, it is preferable that the side circumferential surface of the sliding portion 95 that rubs against the powder holding surface 93a is made of a material having a void for accommodating the powder P. Such materials include, for example, porous materials such as brushes, sponges or non-woven fabrics.

Furthermore, the sliding section 95 rubs the powder holding surface 93a of the rotating powder holding section 93, thereby removing the powder P supplied to the powder holding surface 93a having adhesive properties. Excess powder P that is not attached to 93a is removed. At this time, excess powder P is captured in the gap on the side peripheral surface of the sliding portion 95.

As a result, one layer of powder P is left directly adhered to the sticky powder holding surface 93a. At this time, if the powder P has a non-spherical shape, the powder P is rubbed by the sliding portion 95 on the powder holding surface 93a, thereby aligning the directionality of the powder P with respect to the powder holding surface 93a. be able to. In this way, the above-mentioned "orientation member in which the powder is oriented" in the partial decoration forming part 70a used in the thin layer formation transfer method is a powder holding part in which the powder P is oriented on the powder holding surface 93a. 93 applies.

Further, it is preferable that the sliding portion 95 be configured to rotate around a cylindrical shaft. As a result, the powder P captured and housed in the gap can be continuously transported in the rotational direction, thereby preventing the powder P from accumulating in the nip between the powder holding surface 93a and the sliding portion 95. , the effect of removing excess powder P from the powder holding surface 93a becomes higher. Moreover, this makes it possible to stabilize the sliding properties of the powder holding surface 93a by the sliding portion 95.

Further, if the rotating direction of the sliding part 95 is the same as the rotating direction of the powder holding part 93, the relative speed of the sliding part 95 with respect to the powder holding part 93 is further increased, and the sliding part 95 The powder holding surface 93a of the holding part 93 can be rubbed at a higher speed, and a higher rubbing effect can be obtained.

Further, the pressing force [N] of the sliding portion 95 against the powder holding surface 93a of the powder holding portion 93 is preferably 1 to 10 kPa, more preferably 1 to 5 kPa. If the pressing force [N] is 1 kPa or more, the pressing force in the axial direction of the powder holding part 93 will be stable. On the other hand, if the pressing force [N] is 10 kPa or less, the torque for rotating the sliding part 95 will not become too large, and the occurrence of uneven driving of the sliding part 95 will be prevented, and the sliding part 95 and Deterioration of the material of the powder holding portion 93 can be suppressed.

Further, the powder collecting section 95a provided in the sliding section 95 is arranged to face the side peripheral surface of the sliding section 95, and collects the powder P accommodated in the gap on the side peripheral surface of the sliding section 95. to recover. Such a powder collecting section 95a may be of an air suction type, or a member in the form of a roller or a blade may be brought into contact with the side circumferential surface of the sliding section 95 to form the side circumferential surface of the sliding section 95. The structure may be such that the powder P is repelled from the void by the restoring force of the material.

By providing such a powder collection part 95a for the sliding part 95, it becomes possible to maintain the effect of removing the powder P by the sliding part 95, and the powder holding surface 93a by the sliding part 95 can be maintained. It is possible to maintain the abrasion properties for a long period of time. In addition, the above-mentioned sliding part 95 may have a structure that also serves as the conveyance part 94b in the powder supply part 94.

(Opposing part 96)
The facing part 96 transfers the powder P adhesively held on the powder holding surface 93a of the powder holding part 93 to a part of the resin image 100 (decoration base part) formed on the main surface of the recording medium S. 100a. This facing portion 96 is roller-shaped and constitutes a nip portion between which the recording medium S is held between the facing portion 96 and the powder holding portion 93 . As a result, the powder in the powder holding part 93 is applied to the decorative base part 100a, which has been softened and developed strong adhesiveness by partially supplying only the decorative base part 100a by the softener injection from the softener supply part 91. Powder P adhesively held in a state oriented to the holding surface 93a comes into contact with and is pressed, and the powder P is oriented from the powder holding surface 93a to a part (decoration base portion) 100a of the resin image 100. is transcribed. That is, the adhesiveness of the surface of the decorative base portion softened by the softener is much stronger than the adhesiveness of the powder holding surface 93a, so that the adhesiveness of the powder holding surface 93a is much stronger. The powder P comes into contact with and is pressed against the softened surface of the decorative base portion, so that all of the powder P is transferred onto the surface of the decorated base portion. Here, each adhesive force may be adjusted so that the adhesive force of the surface of the softened decorative base portion 100a exceeds the adhesive force of the powder holding surface 93a. Adhesive strength can be measured according to JIS Z 0237:2009. Further, a part (decoration base part) 100a of the resin image 100 passes through a softener supply section 91 (the softener is supplied during this time), and after the powder is transferred, the supplied softener is The agent will volatilize and harden over time. Through such curing, the part (decorative base part) 100a of the resin image 100 develops adhesive properties (adhesive solidification phenomenon), and the powder P transferred to the decorative base part 100a is adhesively held. As a result, the powder P having a decorative function is applied to the surface of the part (decoration base part) 100a of the resin image 100 made of a resin layer (for example, toner, etc.) made of resin as an adhesive material. It is possible to obtain a decorative image 101 (for example, a metallic image or a pearl image having a mirror-like or pearl-like luster) that is pasted in an oriented state. Thereby, the decorative image 101 and the grid image 102 can be output (printed out) on the same recording medium (paper surface).

(Powder collection section 97)
The powder collecting section 97 is for collecting excess powder P on the recording medium S that has passed through the nip between the powder holding section 93 and the opposing section 96. This powder collecting section 97 is arranged on the downstream side of the nip between the powder holding section 93 and the opposing section 96 on the conveyance path of the recording medium S, and on the side of the recording medium S on which the resin image 100 is formed. be done. Here, the excess powder P on the recording medium S is the powder P that is not adhesively held on the part (decoration base part) 100a of the resin image 100.

An example of such a powder collecting section 97 is one configured to suck the powder P by air suction, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

(2) Form of partial decoration forming section used in the pressing method (method in which powder is not oriented) In the partial decoration forming section 70b used in the pressing method shown in FIG. 5, the thin layer forming transfer method shown in FIG. The structure is the same as that shown in FIG. 4 except that the rubbing part 95 and the powder collecting part 95a are not used among the partial decoration forming part 70a used. Therefore, in FIG. 5, the same components as in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals unless otherwise specified.

Specifically, the partial decoration forming section 70b used in the pressing method shown in FIG. It is a powder for forming a decorative image (for example, a glitter-like image) 101 by pasting a glossy powder P without orienting it, and it is used in the conveyance direction of the recording medium S. It is located on the downstream side of the resin image forming section 60 with respect to x, and is arranged at the rear stage. For example, the partial decoration forming section 70b is configured to supply a softening agent as a softening agent supplying means, which is one of the means (partial softening means) for adjusting the softening state of a part of the resin image on the recording medium. The supply section 91, as a means for adhering powder onto the softened resin image (also simply referred to as "powder adhesion means"), does not include the rubbing section 95 and the powder collection section 95a, but instead uses a cylindrical powder. A powder holding part 93 made of a body holding member etc., a powder supply part 94 made of a powder supplying member etc. disposed around the powder holding part 93, and a facing part 96 made of a facing member such as a facing roller. , a powder recovery section 97, and a heating section (not shown) such as a heater as necessary. The configuration of each of these members will be explained below. The composition of the decorating powder used here is as described in the image forming method.

In the partial decoration forming section 70b shown in FIG. 5, a softening agent supply section 91, a powder supply section 94, a powder holding section 93, a powder holding surface 93a, a powder supply section 94, a storage section 94a, and a conveyance section 94b are provided. , the opposing part 96 and the powder collecting part 97 are the same as those described in connection with the partial decoration forming part 70a used in the thin layer forming transfer method shown in FIG. Moreover, the rubbing part 95 and the powder collecting part 95a are not provided.

Therefore, by rotating the conveyance section 94b of the powder supply section 94 in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the cylindrical powder holding section 93, the powder P stored in the storage section 94a is transferred to the opening of the storage section 94a. By conveying the powder P to the powder holding section 93 and supplying the powder P to the powder holding surface 93a of the powder holding section 93, the powder P is adhesively held.

Next, in the facing part 96, the powder P adhesively held on the powder holding surface 93a of the powder holding part 93 is transferred to a part of the resin image 100 (decorative) formed on the main surface of the recording medium S. (base part) 100a. As a result, the powder holding part 93 holds the powder against the decorative base part 100a, which has been softened and developed adhesiveness by partially supplying only the decorative base part 100a by the softener injection from the softener supply part 91. Powder P adhesively held in an unoriented state comes into contact with the surface 93a and is pressed, and the powder P is pressed from the powder holding surface 93a to a part of the resin image 100 (decoration base portion) 100a in an unoriented state. of powder P is transferred. Further, a part (decoration base part) 100a of the resin image 100 passes through a softener supply section 91 (the softener is supplied during this time), and then the unoriented powder P is transferred. After that, the supplied softening agent evaporates over time and hardens. By this curing, the part (decorative base part) 100a of the resin image 100 develops adhesive properties, and the unoriented powder P transferred to the decorative base part 100a is adhesively held. As a result, the powder P having a decorating function is oriented on the surface of a part (decoration base part) 100a of the resin image 100 made of a resin layer (for example, toner, etc.) made of resin as an adhesive material. It is possible to obtain a decorative image 101 (for example, an image having gloss such as a glitter-like image) 101 that is pasted in a state where it is not colored. Thereby, the decorative image 101 and the grid image 102 can be output (printed out) on the same recording medium (paper surface).

(3) Form of the partial decoration forming section used in the image rubbing method (a method of orienting powder on an image) In the partial decoration forming section 70c used in the image rubbing method shown in FIG. Of the partial decoration forming section 70a used in the thin layer forming transfer method shown in FIG. A sliding part 95' and a powder collecting part 95a' are arranged on the downstream side of the nip part with the powder collecting part 97 and on the upstream side of the powder collecting part 97, and further on the side of the recording medium S on which the resin image 100 is formed. The structure is the same as that shown in FIG. 4 except that a sliding portion 95' is provided with an opposing portion 96'. Therefore, in FIG. 6, the same components as in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals unless otherwise specified.

Specifically, the partial decoration forming part 70c used in the image top-sliding method shown in FIG. For example, it is a powder for decoration, and is used to form a decorative image (for example, a mirror-like or pearl-like image) 101 by orienting and pasting a powder P having luster, and is used for recording. It is disposed on the downstream side of the resin image forming section 60 with respect to the transport direction x of the medium S, and at a subsequent stage. As an example, the partial decoration forming section 70 supplies a softening agent as a softening agent supplying means, which is one of the means (partial softening means) for adjusting the softening state of a part of the resin image on the recording medium. A supply section 91, a powder holding section 93 consisting of a cylindrical powder holding member, etc. as a means for adhering powder onto the softened resin image (also simply referred to as "powder adhering means"); A powder supply section 94 consisting of a powder supply member etc. disposed around the section 93, an opposing section 96 consisting of an opposing member such as an opposing roller, a sliding section 95', and further a powder recovery section 97, and A heating unit (not shown) such as a heater is provided as necessary. The configuration of each of these members will be explained below. The composition of the decorating powder used here is as described in the image forming method.

In the partial decoration forming section 70c shown in FIG. 6, a softening agent supply section 91, a powder supply section 94, a powder holding section 93, a powder holding surface 93a, a powder supply section 94, a storage section 94a, and a conveying section 94b are provided. , the opposing part 96 and the powder collecting part 97 are the same as those described in connection with the partial decoration forming part 70a used in the thin layer forming transfer method shown in FIG.

Therefore, by rotating the conveyance section 94b of the powder supply section 94 in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the cylindrical powder holding section 93, the powder P stored in the storage section 94a is transferred to the opening of the storage section 94a. By conveying the powder P to the powder holding section 93 and supplying the powder P to the powder holding surface 93a of the powder holding section 93, the powder P is adhesively held.

Next, in the facing part 96, the powder P adhesively held on the powder holding surface 93a of the powder holding part 93 is transferred to a part of the resin image 100 (decorative) formed on the main surface of the recording medium S. (base part) 100a. As a result, the powder holding part 93 is applied to the decorative base part 100a, which has been softened and developed adhesiveness by partially supplying the softener only to the decorative base part 100a by the softener injection from the softener supply part 91. The powder P adhesively held in an unoriented state comes into contact with the powder holding surface 93a and is pressed, and the powder P is oriented from the powder holding surface 93a to a part of the resin image 100 (decoration base portion) 100a. Powder P in a state where it has not been transferred is transferred.

(Sliding part 95')
The rubbing part 95' rubs the non-oriented powder P transferred to a part (decorative base part) 100a of the resin image 100 on the recording medium S, thereby removing the surface of the decorative base part 100a. It is for orienting the powder P, and furthermore, the resin image 100 is formed on the recording medium S on the downstream side of the nip between the powder holding section 93 and the facing section 96 and on the upstream side of the powder collecting section 97. Located on the formed side. Moreover, it is preferable that this sliding part 95' includes a powder collection part 95a'.

This sliding portion 95' has a cylindrical shape, and is arranged so as to be in contact with the surface of the decorative base portion 100a of the resin image 100 on the recording medium S. The surface of the decorative base portion 100a of the resin image 100 is rubbed. Further, it is preferable that the side peripheral surface of the sliding portion 95' that rubs against the surface of the decorative base portion 100a is made of a material having a void for accommodating the powder P. Such materials include, for example, porous materials such as brushes, sponges or non-woven fabrics.

Further, the rubbing portion 95' rubs the surface of the decorative base portion 100a of the resin image 100 on the recording medium S to be conveyed, thereby softening the surface of the decorative base portion 100a and making it sticky. Of the powder P transferred to the surface, the excess powder P that has not adhered to the surface of the decorative base portion 100a, which has become sticky due to softening, is removed. At this time, excess powder P is captured in the gap on the side peripheral surface of the sliding portion 95'.

On the surface of the decorative base portion 100a rubbed by the sliding portion 95', one layer of powder P is directly adhered and left in an oriented state. At this time, if the powder P has a non-spherical shape, the powder P is rubbed on the surface of the decorative base part 100a by the sliding part 95', so that the powder P is rubbed against the surface of the decorative base part 100a. It is possible to align the direction of

Further, it is preferable that the sliding portion 95' be configured to rotate around a cylindrical shaft. As a result, the powder P captured and housed in the void can be continuously transported in the rotational direction, so that the powder P is deposited in the nip between the surface of the decorative base part 100a and the sliding part 95'. This increases the effect of removing excess powder P from the surface of the decorative base portion 100a. Moreover, this makes it possible to stabilize the sliding property of the surface of the decorative base portion 100a by the sliding portion 95'.

Furthermore, if the rotating direction of the sliding part 95' is the same as the conveying direction of the surface of the decorative base part 100a, the relative speed of the sliding part 95' with respect to the surface of the decorative base part 100a becomes faster, and the sliding The surface of the decorative base portion 100a can be rubbed at a higher speed by the rubbing portion 95', and a higher rubbing effect can be obtained.

Further, the pressing force [N] of the sliding portion 95' against the surface of the decorative base portion 100a is preferably 1 to 10 kPa, more preferably 1 to 5 kPa. If the pressing force [N] is 1 kPa or more, the pressing force on the surface of the decorative base portion 100a will be stable. On the other hand, if the pressing force [N] is 10 kPa or less, the torque for rotating the sliding part 95' will not become too large, preventing uneven driving of the sliding part 95', and 95' material deterioration can be suppressed.

Further, the powder collection part 95a' provided in the sliding part 95' is arranged to face the side peripheral surface of the cylindrical sliding part 95', and is located in the gap on the side peripheral surface of the sliding part 95'. The contained powder P is recovered. Such a powder collecting section 95a' may be of an air suction type, or a member in the form of a roller or blade may be brought into contact with the side circumferential surface of the sliding section 95'. The structure may be such that the powder P is repelled from the void by the restoring force of the material constituting the material.

By providing such a powder collection part 95a' for the cylindrical sliding part 95', it becomes possible to maintain the removal effect of the powder P by the sliding part 95'. It is possible to maintain the abrasion properties of the surface of the decorative base portion 100a for a long period of time.

(Opposing part 96')
The opposing part 96' of the sliding part 95' is provided so that an appropriate sliding force is applied to a part (decoration base part) 100a of the resin image 100 on the recording medium S during sliding. It is being The configuration of the facing part 96' can be the same as the facing part 96 of the powder holding part 93 described above, as appropriate. This facing portion 96' is roller-shaped, and constitutes a nip portion between which the recording medium S is held between the opposing portion 96' and the cylindrical sliding portion 95. As a result, the powder P adhesively held in a non-oriented state on the surface of the decorative base portion 100a is brought into contact (pinched) and pressed, and the powder P on the surface of the decorative base portion 100a becomes oriented. .

Further, the decorative base portion 100a of the resin image 100 passes through the softener supply section 91 (the softener is supplied during this time), and after the powder is transferred and rubbed (orientated), it is not supplied. The softener will volatilize and harden over time. By this curing, a part (decorative base part) 100a of the resin image 100 develops adhesive properties, and the powder P transferred and rubbed (orientated) on the decorative base part 100a is adhesively held. As a result, the powder P having a decorative function is applied to the surface of the part (decoration base part) 100a of the resin image 100 made of a resin layer (for example, toner, etc.) made of resin as an adhesive material. It is possible to obtain a decorative image 101 (for example, a metallic image or a pearl image having a mirror-like or pearl-like luster) that is pasted in an oriented state. Thereby, the decorative image 101 and the grid image 102 can be output (printed out) on the same recording medium (paper surface).

(Powder collection section 97)
The powder collecting section 97 collects excess powder P on the recording medium S that has passed through the nip between the powder holding section 93 and the opposing section 96 and further passed through the nip between the rubbing section 95' and the opposing section 96'. It is for collection. The powder collecting section 97 is located downstream of the nip between the powder holding section 93 and the opposing section 96 and between the sliding section 95' and the opposing section 96' on the conveyance path of the recording medium S, and is located downstream of the nip between the powder holding section 93 and the opposing section 96, and on the downstream side of the nip between the sliding section 95' and the opposing section 96'. It is placed on the side of the medium S on which the resin image 100 is formed. Here, it is assumed that the excess powder P on the recording medium S is the powder P that is not adhesively held on the resin image 100.

An example of such a powder collecting section 97 is one configured to suck the powder P by air suction, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

(4) Form of a partial decoration forming section that softens the resin image with a softener, then partially heats the parts other than the decorative base part and softens only the decorative base part with the softener In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. As the partial decoration forming part 70d, a part (decoration base part) of the resin image 100 formed on the main surface of the recording medium S is coated with, for example, a decorative powder to give gloss. This is for forming a decorative image (for example, a mirror-like image, a pearl-like image, a glitter-like image, etc.) 101 by pasting the powder P in a non-oriented or oriented manner, and the transport direction x of the recording medium S is In contrast, it is disposed on the downstream side of the resin image forming section 60 and at the rear stage. As an example, the partial decoration forming section 70d includes a means for softening the resin image on the recording medium, and a means for adjusting the softening state of a part of the resin image on the recording medium. and means for adjusting the softening state of the resin image based on image data, for example, page image data consisting of a plurality of pixels corresponding to a position to be subjected to powder processing. Among these, a softening agent supply section 91 is provided as means for softening the resin image on the recording medium. In addition, as a means for adjusting the softening state of the resin image based on image data, for example, page image data consisting of a plurality of pixels corresponding to the position to be processed with powder, the resin image (formation area) It is equipped with a thermal head that partially heats parts other than the decorative base part. By adjusting the softening state of the resin image in this manner, only a part of the resin image (the decorative base portion) can be softened with the softener. Next, each of the methods (1) to (3) above can be used as a means for adhering powder onto the softened resin image (powder adhering means). In FIG. 7, a powder holding section 93 consisting of a cylindrical powder holding member etc. explained in (1) above, and a powder supplying section consisting of a powder supplying member etc. arranged around the powder holding section 93 are shown. 94, a sliding part 95 made of a sliding member such as a sliding roller, and a facing part 96 made of a facing member such as a facing roller, further comprising a powder collecting part 97, and a heating part such as a heater ( (not shown). However, this embodiment is not limited to the method (1) above, and methods (2) and (3) above may also be applied. The configuration of each of these members will be explained below. The composition of the decorating powder used here is as described in the image forming method. Also, in FIG. 7, unless otherwise specified, the same components as in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Softener supply section 91)
The softener supply unit 91 of this embodiment supplies the softener 90 to the entire surface of the resin image 100 formed on the main surface of the recording medium S by the resin image forming unit 60. The softener supply section 91 is not particularly limited as long as it can supply a softener. As an example of the softener supply unit 91, an inkjet device or the like can be used. Other general coating devices such as a gravure coating device, a roll coating device, a blade coating device, etc. may also be used.

(Thermal head 92)
Based on the image data, the thermal head 92 of this embodiment partially heats the softener other than a part of the resin image 100 (decoration base portion) 100a among the softeners supplied to the entire surface of the resin image 100. It is used to volatilize and return to the state before softening (hardening). This thermal head 92 is arranged downstream of the softener supply section 91 and upstream of the powder supply section 94 so as to press against (contact) the surface of the resin image 100 on the recording medium S. There is.

Further, the thermal head 92 is arranged in a band shape in the width direction of the recording medium S. As a result, there is no need to scan the recording medium S in the width direction, and even if the thermal head 92 is fixed, the recording medium S passes through the thermal head 92 and automatically scans the entire surface of the resin image 100 ( (partial heating) target area. For example, partial heating can be performed by bringing a heating element array attached to a thermal head into pressure contact with the surface of the resin image 100 and causing each heating element corresponding to the dot size to generate heat in accordance with the image data. However, it is not limited to a heating element array. Further, the thermal head may be provided with a conventionally used configuration, such as a heat sink for heat radiation and a cooling fan that blows air to the heat sink as a cooling means for suppressing the temperature rise of the heat generating element. Furthermore, a heater or the like may be provided as a heating means for preheating the thermal head when it is on standby.

In order to partially heat the softener other than the decorative base portion 100a, it is necessary to cause each heating element of the thermal head 92 to generate heat to a temperature corresponding to the image data. This temperature needs to be above the temperature at which the softener can volatilize and below the temperature at which the resin image will not melt when heated. The temperature may be set as appropriate depending on the temperature, preferably in the range of 40 to 100°C, more preferably in the range of 40 to 80°C. The size (heating range) of each heating element may be the same as the dot size when the softener is supplied (approximately equivalent to 113 μm ² ), or it may be in the range of 25 to 31400 μm ² , preferably in the range of 50 to 250 μm ² .

Further, it is preferable that the thermal head 92 is provided with a mechanism that can control the thermal head 92 in the vertical direction depending on the combination of recording media S of different thicknesses and resin images 100. For example, the mechanism includes a laser, a sensor, etc. that can measure the distance and position to the surface of the resin image 100 that is the object, and output data based on the distance and position information (the thermal head 92 is moved vertically). Examples include, but are not limited to, a mechanism that moves the thermal head 92 in the vertical direction depending on the amount of drive of a moving motor, etc.). This automatically controls the position at which the thermal head 92 is heated at each time in accordance with the conveyance speed, based on the image data, for the formed resin image 100 formed on the main surface of the recording medium S being conveyed. By doing so, it is possible to partially heat the resin image 100 other than the decorative base portion 100a. As a result, the softening agent other than the decorative base part 100a can be volatilized and returned to the state before softening (hardening), and the softening agent remains only in the decorative base part 100a of the resin image 100, resulting in a softened state. The softener supply unit 91 of (1) to (3) above (including (3a) and (2a) below; the same applies hereinafter) can hold a part of the resin image 100 (decoration). The same state can be achieved as if a softening agent was supplied to only the base portion 100a to soften it. Therefore, the configuration provided on the downstream side of the thermal head 92 may be a combination of any of the configurations (systems) on the downstream side of the softener supply section 91 described in (1) to (3) above. Instead of partial heating using a thermal head in (4) above, a heating means that does not contact the softener may be used. As a heating means that does not contact the softener, there is a method that partially heats the material by photothermal conversion using light irradiation (for example, laser irradiation), or a method that uses a thermal head from the back side of the recording medium S (the side on which the resin image is not formed). It is also possible to apply means for partially heating the area by applying (irradiating) light (laser light, etc.).

As described above, each of the embodiments shown in (1) to (4) above is merely for explaining the embodiments of the present invention, and simple modifications and changes to these embodiments are within the skill of the art in this technical field. Any such modification or modification that can be easily implemented by a person having knowledge is included within the technical scope of the present invention. As an example, other forms (3a) and (2a) that are simple modifications or changes to the above methods (3) and (2) will be explained below. , all of which are included in the technical scope of the present invention. Therefore, in FIG. 8, unless otherwise specified, the same components as in FIG. 7 are given the same reference numerals.

(3a) A modified or modified form of the image rubbing method (3) The partial decoration forming section 70e shown in FIG. , a sliding section 95'' consisting of a sliding roller, a heater 75, and a powder collecting section 97.

The softener supply section 91 is the same as that described in the method (3) above. Note that the method (4) above, which is different from the method (3) above, may be applied. That is, as described above, the softener supply unit 91 and the thermal head 92 may be combined to soften the part (decoration base portion) 100a of the resin image 100 with the softener.

The powder supply unit 94 supplies powder to the entire surface of the resin image 100. As the powder supply means, a known means can be used, and for example, the powder supply means described in Patent Document 3 can be used.

The powder supply section 94 includes a container (storage section) 94a for accommodating the powder P, a conveyance screw (transport section) 94b for conveying the powder P to the opening of the container 94a, and a conveyance screw (conveyance section) 94b for conveying the powder P to the opening of the container 94a. It has a brush roller (removal part) 94c for taking out the powder from the container 94a, and a flicker (repelling part) 94d for flicking off the powder P held by the brush roller 94c. The powder P is, for example, the non-spherical powder having the flat particle shape described above.

The opening of the container 94a is formed in a size that makes contact with the tip of the brush of the brush roller 94c in order to regulate the amount of powder P held by the brush roller 94c. The flicker 94d is a plate-shaped member, and is arranged at a position in contact with the brush roller 94c. The amount of biting of the flicker 94d into the brush roller 94c can be determined by taking into consideration, for example, the amount of powder P supplied and the uneven wear of the brush. It can be determined by taking into account the supply amount of P, its dropout, etc.

The flicker 94d may be fixed at a position where it contacts the brush roller 94c, but the flicker 94d may be configured to be movable so that the flicker 94d separates from the brush roller 94c when the brush roller 94c stops. .

The sliding portion 95'' consisting of a sliding roller has a rotation axis in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium S and perpendicular to the surface (paper surface) of the recording medium S, and It is configured to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow, and is configured to be biased by a biasing member (not shown).The sliding portion 95'' consisting of a sliding roller is, for example, a cylindrical core metal. and an elastic layer such as a resin sponge disposed on the outer circumferential surface thereof. The length in the axial direction of the sliding portion 95'' made of a sliding roller is longer than the width of the recording medium S.

Although the sliding part 95'' is shown as a sliding roller in FIG. 8, the sliding part 95'' is not particularly limited as long as it can perform sliding, and may be a member that moves back and forth, or may be made of resin. It may be a member that rotates about a direction perpendicular to the surface of the image 100 as an axis of rotation, or it may be a fixed member. Note that the powder collecting section 95a used in methods such as (1) above may be combined with the sliding section 95''.

The heater 75 is placed, for example, in a position in front of the softener supply section 91, a position opposite to the softener supply section 91, a position opposite to the powder supply section 94, and a position opposite to the sliding section 95'' consisting of a sliding roller. In addition, the heater 75 is provided at a position behind the sliding portion 95'' made of a rubbing roller, for example. The heater 75 is, for example, a hot plate. The heater 75 is used to preheat and keep the resin layer constituting the resin image 100 at a temperature that does not soften it, adjust the volatilization rate (softening time) of the softener, increase the process speed, and heat the resin layer constituting the resin image 100. For various purposes, such as stably holding the recording medium S on which the resin image 100 is formed on the heater 75 and preventing the recording medium from being bent, the recording medium and powder are prevented from deteriorating or changing in quality. It may be used within a temperature range that does not cause the resin image to soften, but also within a temperature range that does not soften the resin image.

The powder collecting section 97 is, for example, a powder collector for sucking the excess powder P out of the powder P supplied from the powder supply section 94. The powder collector is arranged so that the suction port opens at a position at an appropriate height from the conveyance path of the recording medium S, and, for example, the powder collector is arranged so that the suction port opens at a position at an appropriate height from the conveyance path of the recording medium S. configured to drive.

(2a) A modified or modified form of the pressing method (2) In the present embodiment, in a modified or modified form (3a) of the image-sliding method (3), among the partial decoration forming portions 70e shown in FIG. Instead of the sliding part 95'' consisting of a sliding roller, a normal pressing (pressing) roller 98 is provided.This allows the non-oriented powder P to be made of resin without being rubbed or oriented. It can be attached (adhered) only to a part (decorative base part) 100a of the image 100.

Next, an embodiment of how a resin image is formed and how the formed resin image is decorated will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 8, and 9. In the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. 2, the control section 50 controls the operations of the resin image forming section 60 and the partial decoration forming section 70.

In the image reading section, the light emitted from the light source 11 is irradiated onto the document placed on the reading surface, and the reflected light is transmitted through the lens and reflecting mirror of the optical system 12 to the image sensor 13 that has been moved to the reading position. image is formed. The image sensor 13 generates an electrical signal according to the intensity of light reflected from the original. The generated electrical signal is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal in the image processing unit 14, and then subjected to correction processing, filter processing, image compression processing, etc., and is stored in the memory of the image processing unit 14 as image data. Ru. In this way, the image reading section reads the image of the document and stores the image data.

In the image forming section, the photosensitive drum 21 is rotated at a predetermined speed by a drum motor. The charging unit 22 charges the surface of the photoreceptor drum 21 to a desired potential, and the optical writing unit 23 writes an image information signal to the photoreceptor drum 21 based on the image data, and writes image information to the photoreceptor drum 21. Forming a latent image based on the signal. The latent image is then developed by the developing device 24, and a toner image, which is a visible image, is formed on the photoreceptor drum 21. In this way, unfixed toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are formed on the photoreceptor drums 21 of each YMCK image forming section, respectively. In this way, the image forming section forms a toner image using an electrophotographic image forming process.

The toner images of each color formed by the YMCK image forming sections are sequentially transferred onto the running intermediate transfer belt 26 by the primary transfer section. In this way, a color toner image in which yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner layers are superimposed is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 26.

In the paper transport section, the recording medium S is sent out to the transport path one by one from paper feed trays 41, 42, and 43 of the paper feed section by a feed roller 31 and a sorting roller 32. The recording medium S sent out to the conveyance path is conveyed along the conveyance path by a conveyance roller 33 to a secondary transfer roller via a loop roller 34 and a registration roller 35. Then, the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred onto the recording medium S.

The fixing section 27 applies heat and pressure to the recording medium S onto which the color toner image has been transferred, thereby fixing the color toner image on the recording medium S to the recording medium S as a color toner layer. In this way, a resin image (resin layer) 100 is produced on the recording medium S. The recording medium S having the resin image (resin layer) 100 is sent to the partial decoration forming section 70e via the paper discharge roller 36.

Note that the fixed recording medium S can be guided to the paper reversing section 37, and the recording medium S can be turned over and discharged. Thereby, images can be formed on both sides of the recording medium S.

An example of control of the partial decoration forming section 70e by the control section 50 will be described. In this example, the softener supply amount is selected in three stages, but it may be stepless (in which any value between the lowest and highest set values is selected).

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 50 can control, for example, a desired expression (for example, texture of the decorated image portion; mirror tone, glitter tone, etc.) for the decorated image portion of the final image. When selected by the operator using a touch panel or the like that is input to the section 50 (step 101), it is determined whether the input expression (texture of the decorated image part) is a glossy mirror tone or a pearl tone. is determined (step 102). If the input expression is mirror tone/pearl tone, the control unit 50 selects a small amount of softener to be supplied (step 103), and controls the amount of softener supplied from the softener supply unit 91 to a small amount. (step 104). As a result, the inside (deep part) of the resin image (resin layer) 100 is not softened, and the powder P does not penetrate into the inside (deep part) of the resin image 100. It is possible to almost completely orient the powder P. Note that the decorative base portion 100a of the resin image 100 does not have to have a single texture; You can express multiple textures (from mirror-like, pearl-like, gloss-like to glitter-like and matte-like) by performing the operation.Furthermore, you can express gold, silver, pearl, fluorescent, etc. for each decorative base part 100a in various places. The type of powder P may also be appropriately selected and supplied.In this case, separate partial decoration forming parts 70 may be provided for each powder, or one partial decoration forming part 70 may be provided for each powder. A plurality of sets from the softener supply section to the powder recovery section may be arranged inside the set 70. Also, in the above, the texture of the decorated image portion may be changed.

(Softener supply section 91)
We have shown an example of changing the amount of softener supplied to change the texture of the decorative image area, but by increasing the film thickness of the resin image area and adjusting the rubbing conditions at the rubbing area and the opposing area. By adjusting the clamping force, etc., it is possible to express everything from a completely oriented state to a non-oriented state (from mirror-like, pearl-like, glossy to glitter-like and matte-like) as shown in Figure 1. The texture of the decorated image portion may be changed by adjusting the operations and usage conditions of various device sections.

If the input expression (texture of the decorated image portion) is not a glossy mirror tone or pearl tone without diffused reflection, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the expression is a glitter tone without gloss. (Step 105). If the input expression is glitter-like, the control section 50 selects a large amount of softening agent to be supplied (step 106), and controls the amount of softening agent supplied from the softening agent supply section 91 to a large amount (step 106). 104). As a result, the inside (deep part) of the resin image (resin layer) 100 is softened, and the powder P enters into the inside (deep part) of the resin image 100. It is possible to make the powder P almost non-oriented as shown in FIG. The rubbing roller may be operated as a pressing roller by simply pressing (pressing) without rubbing the roller.

If the input expression (texture of the decorated image portion) is between a glossy mirror tone/pearl tone with little diffused reflection and a glossy glitter tone with a lot of diffused reflection, the control unit 50 softens the image by a medium amount. The agent supply amount is selected (step 107), and the softener supply amount from the softener supply section 91 is controlled to a medium amount (step 104). As a result, the inside (slightly deep) of the resin image (resin layer) 100 is softened, and the powder P enters inside (slightly deep) the resin image 100, so that the sliding portion 95" As shown, the powder P can be oriented to some extent.

Note that the control unit 50 may control the presence or absence and degree of heating by the heater 75 without controlling the amount of softening agent supplied, or may control the degree and presence of heating by the heater 75, depending on the input expression (texture of the decorated image portion). Both the supply amount of the agent and the presence or absence and degree of heating by the heater 75 may be controlled.

By supplying the softener by the softener supply unit 91, the part (decorative base part) 100a of the resin image (resin layer) 100 is adjusted to a desired softened state, and adhesive strength is applied to the surface of the decorative base part 100a. occurs.

In the powder supply section 94, the powder P contained in the container 94a is conveyed to the brush roller 94c by the conveyance screw 94b. The brush roller 94c rotates counterclockwise and captures the powder P, for example. The powder P captured by the brush roller 94c is flicked off by the flicker 94d and scattered onto the recording medium S and the resin image (resin layer) 100.

The sliding part 95'' made of a rubbing roller is urged toward the recording medium S and rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure.The sliding part 95'' made of a rubbing roller It is rotating in the opposite direction to the conveyance direction of S. The rubbing part 95'' made of a rubbing roller rotates while pressing the powder P on the resin image 100 with an appropriate pressing force (for example, about 10 kPa), and thus the rubbing part 95'' made of a rubbing roller rotates. The surface of the resin image 100 to which the powder P is supplied is rubbed. The surface of a part (decoration base part) 100a of the resin image 100 has adhesive properties due to the selective supply of a softener, is supplied with powder P, and has a rubbing part 95 made of a rubbing roller. '', the powder P is arranged and adheres to the surface of the decorative base portion 100a in the direction along the surface.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1A, the powder P is not oriented when it is supplied to the surface of the resin image 100. However, the powder P has a flat particle shape. Therefore, it is easy to arrange them along a plane including a long axis and a short axis (a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction). In addition, of the resin image 100, the powder P on the decorative base portion 100a to which the softener has been selectively supplied is rubbed while being moderately pressed by the rubbing portion 95'' consisting of a rubbing roller. A portion of the resin image 100 that is not sticky (a portion to which the powder P does not adhere), such as a portion other than the decorative base portion 100a to which a softener is not selectively supplied, is a rubbing portion 95''. Because it does not adhere to the surface of the resin image 100 due to the rubbing, it is collected by the powder collection section 97 on the downstream side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1B, the powder P is arranged and adhered to the surface of the decorative base portion 100a along the surface. This makes it possible to output (print out) a decorative image (a glossy mirror-like or pearl-like metallic image, etc.) and a solid image on the same sheet of paper.

If a medium amount of softening agent is selected in step 105 of FIG. 9, the decorative base portion 100a becomes softer when the softening agent is supplied. Therefore, part of the powder P is pushed into the interior of the decorative base portion 100a during rubbing. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1C, for example, a part of the powder P is arranged along the surface of the decorative base part 100a, and the remaining part is pushed into the interior of the decorative base part 100a in a random direction. .

When a large amount of softener supply is selected in step 105 of FIG. 9, the part (decoration base portion) 100a of the resin image 100 is further softened by supplying a large amount of softener. Therefore, the powder P supplied onto the softened decorative base portion 100a is more likely to be pushed into the interior of the decorative base portion 100a during rubbing. Therefore, the powder P is pushed into the interior of the decorative base portion 100a, for example, in a random direction, as shown in FIG. 1D. This makes it possible to output (print out) a decorative image (glitter-like metallic image, etc.) and a solid image on the same sheet of paper.

In the recording medium S having the resin image 100 supplied with the powder P, for example, in a subsequent process, the softening agent supplied onto the decorative base portion 100a evaporates, and the decorative base portion 100a solidifies (hardens). ), the powder P is fixed on a part (decorative base part 100a) of the resin image 100, and as a result, the recording medium S, the resin image 100 (including the decorative base part 100a) and An image having a decorated image layer of powder P on a decorated base portion in this order is finally formed. However, the decorative image layer made of powder P on the decorative base portion is pressed during rubbing, etc., so that the solid image portion in the resin image 100 and the decorative image layer are almost flush with each other. In addition to the visual effect, the effect of touch, which is one of the five senses, can be used in cases where a smooth, flat texture without any unevenness is preferred, such as on a banknote, or on a Christmas card. The pressing force can be adjusted according to the user's request, such as when the decorative image layer is raised and the user prefers a texture that emphasizes the decorative image layer, such as in the case of decorative cards. You can also adjust the effects etc.

Of the powder P scattered on the recording medium S, surplus powder P existing in the resin image 100 other than the decorative base portion 100a and the surrounding area where the recording medium S is exposed is The powder is sucked into the powder collecting section 97 by the air flow generated by the powder collecting section 97, and is removed and collected from the recording medium S, the resin image 100, and the conveyance path.

In the decorative image formed on a part of the final image (on the decorative base portion 100a), the presence state of the powder P shown in FIGS. 1B to 1D described above is preserved depending on the rubbing conditions. Therefore, for example, in a decorative image that occupies a part of the final image formed with a small amount of softener supplied, the powder P falls onto the surface of the adhesive decorative base portion 100a due to the above-mentioned rubbing, and the powder The plane direction of the body P is substantially parallel to the above-mentioned surface, and only the powder P on the decorative base part 100a, where the adhesive strength of the decorative base part 100a is exerted, is attached to the decorative base part 100a. It adheres and remains on the surface.

In this way, the powder P adheres to the surface of the decorative base portion 100a substantially in one layer by rubbing. The entire surface of the decorative base portion 100a is not covered with P. For example, the concealment rate by the non-spherical powder P on the surface is about 60%. Therefore, for example, when the decorative base portion is a magenta image, if silver powder is attached thereto, a magenta pearl-like decorative image is obtained (see Example 8). The fact that a magenta pearl-like decorative image is obtained indicates that the concealment rate by the non-spherical powder P is about 60%. On the other hand, when the decorative base part is a black image, if silver or gold powder is attached thereto, a decorated image with silver or gold luster can be obtained. All of these utilize the visual effects of color (for example, brightness contrast, color relative ratio, saturation contrast, complementary color contrast, edge contrast, assimilation effect, color shade phenomenon, area effect, etc.).

Therefore, in the final image, the visual effect of the color of the solid image and the decorated image, that is, the decoration consisting of the powder P and the decorative base portion (base image) that is not hidden by the powder P. The appearance is a combination of the visual effect of the image and the visual effect of the recording medium S and the resin image other than the decorated image area, and is composed of a mirror-like or pearl-like decorative image and a solid image on the same paper surface. , it is possible to obtain an exterior with extremely elegant color tones (metallic, mirror-like to glitter-like luster, fluorescence, etc.) and a three-dimensional effect that cannot be expressed even with full-color printers.

In addition, when powder P is used to create a final image consisting of a decorated image and a solid image formed by rubbing with a large amount of softening agent supplied, part or all of the powder P is applied to the decorative base. It is fixed in a state that it has entered the inside of 100a. Therefore, the decorative image that occupies a part of the final image has a glitter-like appearance (metallic luster with a lot of diffused reflection).

The desired appearance, from mirror-like/pearl-like to glitter-like, can be determined by conventional methods, for example, the results of a sensory test compared with a reference image by multiple persons skilled in the art are expressed as an average score. It can be determined by the method of measuring the glossiness, or by measuring the glossiness, more specifically, by the half-width of the main peak in a reflected light measuring device. The smaller the half-width is, the more mirror-like or pearl-like appearance is exhibited, and the larger the half-width is, the more glitter-like appearance is exhibited.

In the illustrated embodiment, the image forming apparatus is integrated with an electrophotographic color printer, but it may be configured separately. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus may be incorporated into the color printer and configured integrally with the color printer.

Hereinafter, specific examples of this embodiment will be described together with comparative examples. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited only to the following examples.

<Preparation of black toner and black developer>
(1) Preparation of black colorant fine particle dispersion 11.5 parts by mass of sodium n-dodecyl sulfate was added to 160 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water, dissolved and stirred to prepare an aqueous surfactant solution. 15 parts by mass of a coloring agent (carbon black: Mogul L) was gradually added to this surfactant aqueous solution, and dispersion treatment was carried out using "Clear Mix W Motion CLM-0.8" (manufactured by M Technique Co., Ltd.). A black colorant fine particle dispersion was prepared.

The black colorant fine particles in the black colorant fine particle dispersion had a volume-based median diameter of 220 nm. The volume-based median diameter was measured using "MICROTRAC UPA-150" (manufactured by HONEYWELL) under the following measurement conditions.

Sample refractive index: 1.59
Sample specific gravity: 1.05 (in terms of spherical particles)
Solvent refractive index: 1.33
Solvent viscosity: 0.797 (30°C), 1.002 (20°C)
Zero-point adjustment: Adjustment was made by adding ion-exchanged water to the measurement cell.

(2) Preparation of resin particles for core portion Resin particles for core portion having a multilayer structure were prepared through first stage polymerization, second stage polymerization, and third stage polymerization shown below.

(a) First-stage polymerization An interface in which 4 parts by mass of sodium polyoxyethylene-2-dodecyl ether sulfate was dissolved in 3040 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water in a reaction vessel equipped with a stirring device, a temperature sensor, a cooling tube, and a nitrogen introducing device. An activator solution was charged, and the internal temperature was raised to 80° C. while stirring at a stirring speed of 230 rpm under a nitrogen stream.

A polymerization initiator solution prepared by dissolving 10 parts by mass of potassium persulfate in 400 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water was added to the above surfactant aqueous solution, and after raising the temperature to 75°C, a monomer consisting of the following compound was added. The mixture was added dropwise into the reaction vessel over a period of 1 hour.

Styrene 532 parts by mass n-butyl acrylate 200 parts by mass methacrylic acid 68 parts by mass n-octyl mercaptan 16.4 parts by mass.

After dropping the monomer mixture, the system was heated and stirred at 75° C. for 2 hours to perform polymerization (first stage polymerization) to produce resin particles [A1].

(b) Second-stage polymerization A monomer mixture consisting of the following compounds was put into a flask equipped with a stirring device, and paraffin wax "HNP-57" (manufactured by Nippon Seiro Co., Ltd.) 93.8% was used as a mold release agent. Parts by mass were added and heated to 90°C to dissolve.

Styrene 101.1 parts by mass, n-butyl acrylate 62.2 parts by mass, methacrylic acid 12.3 parts by mass, n-octyl mercaptan 1.75 parts by mass.

On the other hand, an aqueous surfactant solution was prepared by dissolving 3 parts by mass of sodium polyoxyethylene-2-dodecyl ether sulfate in 1,560 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water, and heated to 98°C. After adding 32.8 parts by mass (solid content equivalent) of resin particles [A1] to this surfactant aqueous solution and further adding the monomer mixture containing the paraffin wax, a mechanical Mixing and dispersion was carried out for 8 hours using a dispersing machine "Clear Mix" (manufactured by M Technique Co., Ltd.). An emulsified particle dispersion containing emulsified particles having a dispersed particle diameter of 340 nm was prepared by mixing and dispersing.

Next, a polymerization initiator solution prepared by dissolving 6 parts by mass of potassium persulfate in 200 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water was added to this emulsified particle dispersion, and the system was heated and stirred at 98°C for 12 hours to initiate polymerization. (Second stage polymerization) was performed to produce resin particles [A2].

(c) Third-stage polymerization A polymerization initiator solution prepared by dissolving 5.45 parts by mass of potassium persulfate in 220 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water was added to the resin particles [A2], and the following was performed under a temperature condition of 80°C. A monomer mixture consisting of compounds was added dropwise over 1 hour.

Styrene 293.8 parts by mass n-butyl acrylate 154.1 parts by mass n-octyl mercaptan 7.08 parts by mass.

After completion of the dropwise addition, polymerization (third stage polymerization) was performed by heating and stirring for 2 hours, and after completion of the polymerization, the mixture was cooled to 28° C. to produce resin particles for the core portion.

(3) Production of resin particles for the shell The polymerization reaction and post-reaction treatment were carried out in the same manner except that the monomer mixture used in the first stage polymerization in the production of the resin particles for the core was changed to the following. The following steps were conducted to prepare shell resin particles.

Styrene 624 parts by mass 2-ethylhexyl acrylate 120 parts by mass Methacrylic acid 56 parts by mass n-octyl mercaptan 16.4 parts by mass.

(4) Preparation of black toner and black developer (a) Formation of core part In a reaction vessel equipped with a stirring device, temperature sensor, cooling pipe, and nitrogen introducing device,
Core part resin particles 420.7 parts by mass (solid content equivalent)
900 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water and 300 parts by mass of black colorant fine particle dispersion were added and stirred. After adjusting the temperature inside the reaction vessel to 30° C., a 5 mol/liter aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added to adjust the pH to 8 to 11.

Next, an aqueous solution of 2 parts by mass of magnesium chloride hexahydrate dissolved in 1000 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water was added at 30° C. over 10 minutes with stirring. After standing for 3 minutes, the temperature was started to increase, and the temperature of the system was increased to 65° C. over 60 minutes to cause association of the particles. In this state, the particle size of the associated particles was measured using a precision particle size distribution analyzer "Multicizer 3" (manufactured by Beckman Coulter), and when the volume-based median diameter of the associated particles reached 5.8 μm, sodium chloride An aqueous solution in which 40.2 parts by mass was dissolved in 1000 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water was added to stop the association.

After the association was stopped, the liquid temperature was raised to 70° C. and heated and stirred for 1 hour as a ripening treatment to continue fusion bonding to produce a core portion.

The average circularity of the core portion was measured with a flow type particle image analyzer "FPIA2100" (manufactured by Sysmex Corporation) and was found to be 0.912.

(b) Formation of shell Next, the above solution was heated to 65°C, and 50 parts by mass of shell resin particles (solid content equivalent) were added, and further, 2 parts by mass of magnesium chloride hexahydrate were added to 1000 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water. After adding the aqueous solution dissolved in 50% over 10 minutes, the temperature was raised to 70° C. and stirred for 1 hour. After the resin particles for the shell were fused to the surface of the core portion in this manner, an aging treatment was performed at 75° C. for 20 minutes to form a shell.

Thereafter, an aqueous solution of 40.2 parts by mass of sodium chloride dissolved in 1000 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water was added to stop shell formation. Furthermore, the particles generated by cooling to 30°C at a rate of 8°C/min are filtered, repeatedly washed with 45°C ion-exchanged water, and then dried with 40°C hot air to form a shell on the surface of the core. Black toner particles having the following were prepared.

(c) Preparation of black toner The following external additives were added to black toner particles, and the external additive treatment was performed using a "Henschel mixer" (manufactured by Nippon Coke Kogyo Co., Ltd.) to produce a black toner.

Hexamethylsilazane-treated silica fine particles: 0.6 parts by mass; n-octylsilane-treated titanium dioxide fine particles: 0.8 parts by mass.

The external addition treatment using the Henschel mixer was carried out under conditions of a stirring blade peripheral speed of 35 m/sec, a treatment temperature of 35° C., and a treatment time of 15 minutes.

(d) Preparation of black developer A ferrite carrier coated with methyl methacrylate and cyclohexyl methacrylate resin and having a volume average particle diameter of 40 μm was mixed with this black toner to prepare a black developer having a toner concentration of 6%.

<Preparation of magenta toner and magenta developer>
(1) Preparation of magenta colorant fine particle dispersion In the above "(1) Preparation of black colorant fine particle dispersion", magenta colorant (C.I. pigment) was used instead of black colorant (carbon black: Mogul L). A magenta colorant fine particle dispersion was prepared in the same manner except that Red 122) was used.

The magenta colorant fine particles in the magenta colorant fine particle dispersion had a volume-based median diameter of 130 nm.

(2) Preparation of resin particles for core portion, (3) Preparation of resin particles for shell, and (4) Preparation of magenta toner and magenta developer. Preparation of resin particles and (4) Preparation of black toner and black developer, magenta toner particles and magenta toner were prepared in the same manner except that a magenta colorant fine particle dispersion was used instead of a black colorant fine particle dispersion. and a magenta developer was prepared.

<Preparation of clear toner and clear developer>
(1) Preparation of resin particles for core portion, (2) Preparation of resin particles for shell, and (3) Preparation of clear toner and clear developer. Clear toner particles, clear toner, and clear developer were produced in the same manner as in "Preparation of resin particles and (4) Preparation of black toner and black developer" except that the black colorant fine particle dispersion was not used.

<Example 1>
An attempt was made to form an image in which a metallic image area and a solid image area exist on the same paper surface as shown in FIG. 10A. The overall size was 2 cm x 4 cm, and the stripe portion on the left side was formed so that the widths of the metallic image portion and the solid image portion were each 0.2 cm. The square on the right side was formed so that the metallic image area was 1 cm x 1 cm.

(Base image forming process)
"OK Top Coat + 157 gsm" manufactured by Oji Paper Co., Ltd. was used as a recording medium, and a full color digital printing system AccurioPress (registered trademark) C3080 (manufactured by Konica Minolta Co., Ltd.) was used as an output machine. A black developer was stored in this output device, a recording medium was set, and image data 1 shown in FIG. 10B was input. A resin image (black toner image) whose entire area (2 cm x 4 cm) was painted black using black toner based on image data 1 was formed (printed) on a recording medium and output (printed out). As a result, the recording medium on which the image of data 1 was printed was taken out.

(Image partial softening process)
An inkjet printer having an inkjet head KM1024SHB manufactured by Konica Minolta Co., Ltd. connected to an inkjet control system IJCS-1 was used as a softener supply device. Isobutyl adipate was used as a softener. This softener was filled into an ink cartridge of an inkjet printer, a recording medium on which the image of data 1 was printed was set, and data of image data 2 shown in FIG. 10C was input into the inkjet control system. Based on image data 2, inject and supply softener at 6 pl per dot to the surface of a part of the resin image (black toner image) (decoration base area; area where you want to decorate metallically: black painted area in Figure C). While drawing, the decorative base was softened.

(Powder adhesion process)
Metallic powder "Elgy neo#325SILVER" manufactured by Oike Kogyo Co., Ltd. was used as a powder and oriented by rubbing on a silicone rubber sheet using a makeup puff (Lamige Makeup Sponge square type manufactured by Grace Co., Ltd.) as a rubbing member. The image was prepared and partially supplied with a softening agent, and then superimposed on the image so that the surface on which the powder was oriented and the toner image surface were aligned. Pressure was applied from above the rubber sheet at 200 kPa for 10 seconds to peel off the silicone rubber sheet. In Table 1, this operation (step) was described as thin layer formation transfer.

As shown in image data 2 where the softener was injected and supplied, powder adheres to the surface of the decorative base area (the area where you want to decorate metallically: the black painted area in Figure 10C), and the black toner image area where the softener is not injected and supplied. No powder adhered to the solid image area (solid image area) and the blank paper area (recording medium) where there was no black toner image. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10A, there is a metallic image area to which powder has adhered (silver; the hatched area in FIG. 10A) and a solid image area to which no powder has adhered (black: the black area in FIG. 10A). ) were confirmed to coexist. The metallic image area had a mirror-like appearance due to rubbing orientation.

Furthermore, based on image data 1 and 2, there is no blank area between the metallic image area and the solid image area in the entire image formed (within a 2cm x 4cm frame), and the quality will not deteriorate. Ta.

In this example, the recording medium on which the image of data 1 was printed was taken out by the above-mentioned output device, and a softening agent was separately supplied using an inkjet printing system (a method in which the paper was taken out and decorated once). However, as an in-line option, a pattern in which an inkjet printing system is directly connected to the output device (a method of continuously decorating the recording medium on which the image of data 1 is printed without taking it out) may be used. In the latter case, the same effects as in this embodiment (former) can be obtained. Note that the latter is more advantageous in preventing deterioration of quality. On the other hand, the former method (this example) is suitable for cases where the output machine and the softener supply device are made by different manufacturers, and the inkjet printing system of the softener supply device cannot be directly connected to the output machine as an inline option. There is.

<Example 2>
An image in which a metallic image area and a solid image area were present on the same paper surface was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the powder adhesion process in Example 1 was changed as follows.

(Powder adhesion process)
An image of partially supplying the softener using a makeup puff (Lamige Makeup Sponge square type manufactured by Grace Co., Ltd.) with a rubbing member to which metallic powder "Elgy neo#325SILVER" manufactured by Oike Kogyo Co., Ltd. is attached as a powder. I rubbed the surface. In the table, this process is described as image rubbing.

Thereafter, when excess powder was collected using an adhesive roller, an image similar to that of Example 1 was obtained.

<Example 3>
An image in which a metallic image area and a solid image area were present on the same paper surface was formed in the same manner as in Example 2, except that the softening agent and its supply amount were changed as shown in Table 1.

In Table 1, "double the injection amount" refers to the case where the softener was injected and supplied at 6 pl per dot, but was injected at 12 pl, which is twice as much.

<Examples 4 to 7>
An image in which a metallic image area and a solid image area were present on the same paper surface was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the softening agent and its supply amount were changed as shown in Table 1. In the softeners of Examples 4 to 7, a slight odor originating from the softener was observed.

In Example 6, a mixture of isobutyl adipate and ethanol, which is a substance with no softening effect, at a ratio of 1:1 (volume ratio) was used as the softener. Moreover, THF is an abbreviation for tetrahydrofuran.

<Example 8>
A metallic image area and a solid image area were formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a magenta developer was used instead of a black developer, and the toner used for forming the resin image was changed as described in Table 1. Images existing on the same paper surface were formed. A magenta-like image was obtained in the solid image area, and a magenta pearl-like image was obtained in the metallic image area.

<Example 9>
The metallic image area and the solid image area were formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a clear developer was used instead of the black developer and the toner used for forming the resin image was changed as described in Table 1. Images existing on the same paper surface were formed. A clear toner watermark image was obtained in the solid image area, and a silver image was obtained in the metallic image area.

<Example 10>
An image in which a metallic image area and a solid image area were present on the same paper surface was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the powder used was changed as shown in Table 1. A black image was obtained in the solid image area, and a gold image was obtained in the metallic image area.

<Example 11>
An image in which the metallic image area and the solid image area existed on the same paper surface was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the powder used was changed as shown in Table 1. A similar image was obtained.

<Example 12>
Formation of an image in which the decorative part (the image part to be decorated) and the solid image part exist on the same paper surface was carried out in the same manner as in Example 2, except that the powder used was changed as described in Table 1. As a result, it was confirmed that powder thermally expandable microcapsules (unexpanded) were attached only to the softener supply section (image area to be decorated).

<Example 13>
An image in which a metallic image area and a solid image area were present on the same paper surface was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the powder adhesion process in Example 1 was changed as follows.

(Powder adhesion process)
Metallic powder "ELG neo#325SILVER" manufactured by Oike Kogyo Co., Ltd. was supplied as a powder onto a silicone rubber sheet, and a vibrating massager was used to uniformly spread and adhere the powder to avoid orientation. Then, it was placed on top of the image partially supplied with the softener so that the surface to which the powder was attached and the toner image surface were aligned. Pressure was applied from above the rubber sheet at 200 kPa for 10 seconds to peel off the silicone rubber sheet. In Table 1, this operation (step) was described as pressing.

<Example 14>
An image in which a metallic image area and a solid image area were present on the same paper surface was formed in the same manner as in Example 13, except that the supply amount of the softener was changed as shown in Table 1.

<Example 15>
An image was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the image partial softening process was changed as described below.

(Image softening process)
Bar coater No. manufactured by Daiichi Rikagaku Co., Ltd. 2, a softening agent, isobutyl adipate, was applied and supplied to the entire surface of the resin image (black toner image) to soften it. The film thickness of the softener coated on the resin image (black toner image) (the thickness of the softener liquid film or droplets formed on the surface of the decorated base portion) was 4.3 μm. Before the applied softener volatilized, in fact, within 30 seconds from supply, the film thickness of the softener was measured using a laser microscope VK-250 manufactured by Keyence Corporation in the film thickness measurement mode.

Next, as a partial heating device, a device in which a thermal head KBT-303-24BBD4-STA manufactured by Kyocera Corporation is connected to a self-made control system is used, and a softening agent is applied to the entire surface of the resin image (black toner image). The recording medium coated with was set, and image data 3 shown in FIG. 10D was input into the control system. Based on image data 3, the softener in the solid image area (non-decorated base area; black painted area in Figure 10D) of the resin image (black toner image) is partially heated with a thermal head and instantly volatilized. , it was dried to eliminate adhesiveness, leaving only the decorative base portion (white portion in FIG. 10D) softened (maintaining adhesiveness).

Through the above operation, a state was obtained in which the softener was supplied only to the decorative base portion of the resin image, as in Example 1. Therefore, by transferring a thin layer of powder onto the image in which the softening agent has been supplied only to the decorative base area, the metallic image area and the solid image area can be printed on the same paper surface, as in Example 1. It was possible to form an image that exists in

<Comparative example 1>
An image was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the image partial softening process was changed as described below.

(Image softening process)
Bar coater No. manufactured by Daiichi Rikagaku Co., Ltd. 2, a softening agent, isobutyl adipate, was applied and supplied to the entire surface of the resin image (black toner image) to soften it.

Because the entire surface of the resin image was coated and supplied, a thin layer of powder was transferred onto the image to which the softener had been supplied, and areas other than the areas to be decorated were also decorated, resulting in the entire surface of the resin image being decorated. , it was not possible to coexist with the solid image area.

<Comparative example 2>
(Base image forming process)
The process was carried out in the same manner as Comparative Example 1, except that the decorative base part (the part to be decorated metallically: the black part in FIG. 10C), which is the base image, was formed and output as shown in image data 2 shown in FIG. 10C. Then, only the toner image area was formed.

(Image softening process)
Bar coater No. manufactured by Daiichi Rikagaku Co., Ltd. 2 was used to apply and supply the softening agent isobutyl adipate to the entire surface (2 cm x 4 cm) including the toner image area and the blank paper area where the solid image area was to be formed by additional printing to soften the toner image area. .

(Powder adhesion process)
A silicone rubber sheet was prepared by rubbing and oriented the metallic powder "Elgy neo#325SILVER" manufactured by Oike Kogyo Co., Ltd. using a makeup puff (Lamige Makeup Sponge square type manufactured by Grace Co., Ltd.) as a rubbing member. Then, the entire surface (2 cm x 4 cm) including the toner image area to which the softener had been supplied and the blank paper area was overlapped so that the surface on which the powder was oriented and the toner image surface were aligned. Pressure was applied from above the rubber sheet at 200 kPa for 10 seconds to peel off the silicone rubber sheet.

In the area completely coated with the bar coater, the softener is applied and supplied to the blank paper area other than the toner image area, but since there was no resin component in the blank paper area before the powder was transferred, the powder was applied to the blank paper area. was not transcribed. Therefore, as shown in image data 2, only the metallic image area with powder attached to the surface of the decorative base area (the area where you want to decorate metallically: the black area in Figure C) is formed, and the blank area where the softener was injected and supplied is No powder was attached.

The recording medium on which only the metallic image portion was formed was again set in the output device, and data of image data 3 was input. On the recording medium on which only the metallic image area has been formed, a solid image area is created using black toner on the blank paper area (the black area in FIG. 10D) to which no powder is attached, based on the data of image data 3 shown in FIG. 10D. (black) was formed and output. A silver image was obtained in the metallic image area, and a black image was obtained in the solid image area. It was difficult to align the positions, resulting in an image where blank paper (recording medium) was visible between the metallic image area and the solid image area of the striped area on the left side of the image.

(Evaluation method)
(1) Metallic image area (in Example 12, it was confirmed whether the decorative area (image area to be decorated) and solid area coexisted. If the metallic image area and solid image area coexisted, It was marked as good ("○" in Table 1), and when they did not coexist, it was marked as poor ("x" in Table 1).The results are shown in the column of "Metallic part and solid part coexist" in Table 1.

(2) The appearance (texture) of the metallic image area (excluding Example 12) was visually confirmed to see whether it was mirror-like with a metallic luster that reflected light or glitter-like where light was diffusely reflected. The results are shown in the "Metallic part appearance" column of Table 1.

(3) Regarding the stripe portion on the left side of the image, the presence or absence of an exposed portion of the blank paper (recording medium) was confirmed. If the blank paper (recording medium) was not exposed, it was rated as good ("○" in Table 1), and if the blank paper (recording medium) was exposed, it was rated as poor ("x" in Table 1). The results are shown in the "Fine decoration part" column of Table 1.

(4) During the experiment, we checked to see if we could feel any odor coming from the softener. If no odor is felt, it is evaluated as good (“○” in Table 1), if a slight odor is felt (not unpleasant), it is evaluated as “slightly good” (“△” in Table 1), and if an odor is felt (not unpleasant), it is evaluated as “fair” (“△” in Table 1). If it feels like this), it is marked as poor ("×" in Table 1). The results are shown in the "odor" column of Table 1.

(5) "Short" means that the powder no longer adheres within 5 seconds after applying the softener, "medium" means that the powder no longer adheres within 10 seconds, and "medium" means that the powder no longer adheres within 10 seconds. Those that took more than 20 seconds were classified as "long." The results are shown in the "Softening Time" column of Table 1.

The powders, toners, softening methods, softeners, powder adhesion methods used for image formation in Examples 1 to 15 and Comparative Examples 1 to 2, and the evaluation results of (1) to (5) above are shown in Table 1 below. show.

In the "Powder" column of Table 1, "ELG neo#325SILVER" of Examples 1 to 9, 13 to 15, Comparative Examples 1 to 2, and "ELG neo #325S-GOLD" of Example 10 are all "Manufactured by Oike Kogyo Co., Ltd." Moreover, "Metashine (registered trademark) ME2025PS" of Example 11 is "a glittering inorganic pigment made of Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd., based on flake-shaped glass; silver-coated glass powder". "Matsumoto Microsphere (registered trademark) F-35D" in Example 12 is "thermally expandable microcapsule manufactured by Matsumoto Yushi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.".

As is clear from Table 1, in Examples 1 to 15, by selectively softening the resin image on the recording medium, a part of the resin image was selectively softened, and powder was applied only to the softened part. It was confirmed that by selectively attaching bodies, it was possible to output a decorative image (metallic image, etc.) and a solid image on the same page. Furthermore, it was confirmed that even if a positional shift occurs in an image in which a decorative image portion (metallic image portion, etc.) and a solid image portion are finely intricate, it is possible to form an image that is less noticeable. As a result, we were able to confirm that it was possible to suppress the increase in process steps and prevent deterioration in quality even in images where decorative images (metallic images, etc.) and solid images were intricately intricate.

On the other hand, in the entire surface softening method of Comparative Example 1, it was not possible to output a decorative image (such as a metallic image) and a solid image on the same paper surface. In addition, in the additional printing method of Comparative Example 2, it was confirmed that positional deviation occurred in an image in which a decorative image area (metallic image area) and a solid image area were intricately intricate, and the quality was significantly degraded.

In addition, a comparison between Example 1 and Example 3 shows that by changing the amount of softener supplied, the degree of softening of the resin image can be changed, and decorative images with various expressions from mirror to glitter can be created. It was confirmed that it could be formed.

Further, in a comparison between Example 1 and Example 2, although the methods for orienting the powder were different, it was confirmed that a mirror-like decorative image could be formed in both cases. On the other hand, in contrast to the powder orientation method of Examples 1 and 2, the method of Examples 13 and 14 in which the powder is not oriented produces glitter-like addition regardless of the difference in the amount of softener supplied (difference in the degree of softening). It was confirmed that decorative images could be formed.

Further, in a comparison between Example 1 and Example 15, it was confirmed that although the partial softening methods were different, it was possible to form a mirror-like decorative image in both cases.

In addition, by comparing Example 1 and Examples 4 to 7, it was confirmed that even if the type of softener was changed, there was no effect on the texture of the decorated image, and it was possible to form a mirror-like decorative image in each case. Ta. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the softeners of Examples 4, 5, and 7 could be adjusted to have a shorter softening time than the softener of Example 1. It was also confirmed that even when the softener of Example 6 is mixed with a substance that does not have a softening effect, the softening time can be adjusted by changing the mixing ratio (the softening time can be extended compared to Example 5). This shows that it is possible to reproduce finely decorated parts with high precision in a shorter period of time from partial softening to powder adhesion, making it possible to downsize the imaging device and increase the number of sheets decorated per unit time. Ta. On the other hand, in the softeners of Examples 4 to 7, a slight odor originating from the softener was observed. Some odors can be sufficiently eliminated by providing an environment equipped with ventilation or exhaust equipment, so changing the type of softener is a useful way to freely adjust the softening time.

In addition, from Examples 1, 8 to 12, by changing the toner (developer) or powder, various decorative images (silver or gold metallic images, magenta pearl-like images, etc.) can be created on the same paper surface. It was confirmed that it is possible to express a combination of a solid image (full color image) and a solid image (full color image). Here, in the magenta pearl-like image of Example 8, the concealment rate by the metallic powder (silver) is about 60%, so the underlying image is visible. In the case of chromatic colors, such as magenta, there is absorption at specific wavelengths, and colored reflected light enters the eye. Since the colored reflected light is visible in combination with the white reflected light (all wavelengths have approximately the same reflectance) coming from the metallic powder, it is assumed that it appears colored like a magenta pearl. On the other hand, if the underlying image is black and the powder used is silver as in Example 1, all light other than surface reflection is absorbed, and only the white light coming from the metallic powder is visible. It will look like this. As in Example 9, in the case of white (including the case of clear toner on white paper), the white light from the white part and the white light coming from the metallic powder are seen mixed, so it looks silver. Become.

1 image forming device,
11 light source,
12 Optical system,
13 image sensor,
14 image processing section,
21 photoreceptor drum,
22 A charging section arranged around the photoreceptor drum,
23 optical writing section,
24 developing device,
25 drum cleaner,
26 intermediate transfer belt,
27 Fixing section,
31 delivery roller,
32 Judging roller,
33 conveyance roller,
34 loop roller,
35 Registration roller,
36 Paper ejection roller,
37 Paper reversing section,
41, 42, 43 a plurality of paper feed trays accommodating the recording medium S;
50 control unit 60 resin image forming unit,
70a, 70b, 70c, 70d, 70e partial decoration forming portion,
75 heater,
80 Data reception department 90 Softener,
91 Softener supply section,
92 Thermal head,
93 Powder holding part,
93a powder holding surface,
94 Powder supply section,
94a storage section (container),
94b conveyance unit (conveyance screw),
94c brush roller (removal part),
94d flicker (repelling part),
95, 95', 95" sliding part,
95a Powder collection section,
96, 96' Opposite part,
97 Powder recovery department,
98 Press roller,
100 resin images,
100a Part of the resin image (decoration base part),
101 Decorated image,
102 grid image,
P powder,
S Recording medium.

Claims (8)

The method includes a step of adjusting the softening state of a part of the resin image placed on the recording medium, and a step of attaching powder onto the softened resin image ,
An image forming method, wherein the step of attaching powder onto the softened resin image is performed by transferring the powder by bringing an orientation member on which the powder is oriented into contact with the image. The image forming method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of forming a resin image on the recording medium. 3. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the resin image is formed by an electrophotographic method. 4. The image forming method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of adjusting the softening state of a part of the resin image is performed by supplying a softening agent. The recording medium includes means for adjusting the softening state of a part of the resin image on the recording medium, and means for attaching powder onto the softened resin image,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the means for adhering powder onto the softened resin image includes a powder holding section in which the powder is oriented . means for adjusting the softening state of a part of the resin image on the recording medium based on image data; and means for attaching powder onto the softened resin image based on the image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , comprising: The means for adjusting the softening state of a part of the resin image on the recording medium based on the image data includes means for softening the resin image on the recording medium, and further adjusting the softening state of the resin image on the recording medium based on the image data. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising means for adjusting the softening state of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7 , wherein the softening means includes a softening agent supplying means.