JPH08216393A - Ink jet recording method and recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To eliminate bleed and feathering and improve water resistance by a method wherein the amount of ink of a specified color given to one picture element is made variable and a treating liquid for insolubilizing or agglutinating a component in the ink is discharged in such a manner that a large amount of the treating liquid is given to an image boundary portion, while a relatively small amount of the treating liquid is given to peripheral portion. CONSTITUTION: In order to increase the density in black (Bk) portion, the sum of 80ng of ink per unit picture element is printed with two heads. However, in a boundary portion, in order to prevent black color and colors except the black color (Y and M) from mixing with each other, a recording ink is kept small or only one black recording head is used at the boundary portion so as to print 40ng of the ink per unit picture element. The black edge part is also same as mentioned above. In order to give water resistance to a recorded matter, a treating liquid is given to the whole image. At the boundary portion between black color and colors except the black color, in order to prevent bleed from occurring, recording is performed under the condition that a large amount is discharged from the head for discharging the treating liquid, while a small amount is discharged from the head except the head for discharging the treating liquid.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording method and a recording apparatus capable of obtaining a high quality image on a recording material, and more specifically, to a recording ink on a recording medium and a coloring material in the recording ink. The present invention relates to an inkjet recording method and a recording apparatus for ejecting an image quality improving agent that insolubilizes or agglomerates.

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

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ink jet recording methods have been used in printers, copying machines and the like because of their low noise, low running cost, easy downsizing of devices, and easy colorization.

However, when an image is obtained on a recording material, which is so-called plain paper, by these recording apparatuses to which the ink jet recording method is applied, the water resistance of the image is insufficient, or a color image is obtained. In addition, it is not possible to combine a high-density image in which the ink does not spread along the fibers of the paper (feathering) with an image in which bleeding between colors does not occur. A good color image of good quality was not obtained.

As a method of improving the water resistance of an image, an ink in which a coloring material contained in the ink has water resistance has been put into practical use in recent years. However, its water resistance is still inadequate, and since it is an ink that is difficult to dissolve in water after drying in principle, it is easy for nozzle clogging of the recording head to occur, and to prevent this, the device configuration becomes complicated. There was a drawback that

Further, many techniques have been disclosed in the past for improving the robustness of a recording medium. JP-A-53-2448
No. 6, in order to improve the wet fastness of the dyed product,
A technique is disclosed in which a dye is laked and fixed by post-treating the dyed product.

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

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 55-150396 also discloses a method of applying a water resistant agent for forming a lake with a dye after ink-jet recording the aqueous dye ink.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 58-128862 discloses an ink jet recording method in which the position of an image to be recorded is identified in advance and the recording ink and the processing ink are overlapped and recorded. There is disclosed a method of drawing with, the treatment ink overlaid on the previously drawn recording ink, the recording ink overlaid on the previously drawn processing ink, and the overlaid treatment ink.

However, these documents disclose a printing mode of a treatment liquid for preventing factors such as bleeding between different colors (bleeding phenomenon) and feathering, which deteriorate the image, and improving the recorded image. Absent.

Further, there is no disclosure about the problems or effects peculiar to the recording method using the recording apparatus having a plurality of recording heads of the same color.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for obtaining a good color image free from the bleeding phenomenon and the feathering phenomenon and improving the water resistance of recorded matter. .

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting recording ink for image formation based on recording data. In an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink ejecting unit that can be applied by varying the amount of a specific color ink applied to one pixel, and a treatment liquid ejecting unit that ejects a treatment liquid containing a component that insolubilizes or aggregates components in the ink. And a control means for applying a relatively large amount of the processing liquid to the image boundary portion and applying a relatively small amount of the processing liquid to at least the peripheral portion thereof.

Here, the control means has means for limiting the amount of ink applied to the image boundary portion.

At the image boundary portion, for the recording of the specific color ink, it is preferable to use the specific color ink discharging portion in the position where the printing time difference with the color other than the specific color is longest in the discharging portion group. At the time of recording the image, it is preferable to use the specific color ink ejection portion on the downstream side of the treatment liquid ejection portion in the main scanning direction.

The control means can select the area of the image boundary portion. Here, the image boundary portion is a boundary such as a color difference, the presence or absence of image data, and the size of density.

The treatment liquid contains a low molecular component and a high molecular component cationic substance, the ink contains an anionic dye, or the treatment liquid contains a low molecular component and a high molecular component cationic substance. The ink contains an anionic dye, or at least an anionic compound and a pigment.

Further, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises an ink ejecting portion which can be applied by changing the amount of a specific color ink applied to one pixel, and a treatment liquid containing a component for insolubilizing or aggregating the components in the ink. An ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting a recording ink for image formation based on recording data by using a treatment liquid ejecting unit for ejecting the ink. A mode in which a relatively large amount of the treatment liquid is applied, and a relatively small amount of the treatment liquid is applied to at least the peripheral portion, and a relatively small amount of ink of a specific color is applied to the image boundary portion, and at least the peripheral portion It has a means for switching between a mode in which the number is relatively increased and a mode in accordance with the image boundary portion.

The recording method according to the present invention is for ejecting a treatment liquid containing an ink ejecting portion which can be applied by varying the amount of a specific color ink applied to one pixel, and a component which insolubilizes or aggregates the components in the ink. In the ink jet recording method having the treatment liquid ejecting unit, the treatment liquid is applied relatively much to the image boundary portion, and the treatment liquid is applied relatively little to at least the peripheral portion thereof. To do.

Here, the control means may include means for limiting the amount of ink applied to the image boundary portion.

In the image boundary portion, for the specific color ink recording, it is preferable to use the specific color ink ejection portion in the position where the printing time difference with the color other than the specific color is longest in the ejection portion group, and only the specific color is used. At the time of recording the image, it is preferable to use the specific color ink ejection portion on the downstream side of the treatment liquid ejection portion in the main scanning direction.

The control means can select the area of the image boundary portion.

Further, according to the recording method of the present invention, it is possible to eject an ink ejecting portion which can be applied by changing the amount of a specific color ink applied to one pixel, and a treatment liquid containing a component which insolubilizes or agglomerates the components in the ink. In the inkjet recording method of forming an image on a recording medium by ejecting recording ink for image formation based on recording data by using the treating liquid ejecting unit And a relatively small amount of the treatment liquid is applied to at least the peripheral portion thereof, and a relatively small amount of ink of a specific color is applied to the image boundary portion,
At least the peripheral portion thereof has a means for switching the mode to be relatively increased according to the image boundary portion.

The inkjet discharge unit group according to the present invention is an inkjet discharge mechanism applied to the above-described recording apparatus or recording method, and includes at least one ink discharge unit for discharging a specific color ink and other colors. At least one or more ink ejecting portions for ejecting the ink, and a treatment liquid ejecting portion for ejecting a treatment liquid containing a component that insolubilizes or agglomerates the components in the ink. It is characterized by having between a plurality of.

Here, the discharge part for discharging the processing liquid is
It may be located between the plurality of specific color ink ejection unit groups.

[0026]

The ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention has a recording head for ejecting a treatment liquid containing a component for insolubilizing or aggregating the components in the ink. Since the ink mixes with the treatment liquid at the moment when it reaches the recording medium and becomes insoluble or aggregates, it does not spread along the fibers of the paper, and feathering can be prevented.
Further, since the coloring agent insolubilized or aggregated by the treatment liquid is fixed on the recording medium without being dissolved in water, bleeding can be prevented without being mixed with inks of different colors. Further, image fastness such as water resistance can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, since a plurality of recording heads for ejecting black ink are provided, a plurality of heads are used when it is desired to emphasize black, and the amount of ink on the recording medium such as a boundary portion between black and other colors is used. When it is desired to reduce the amount, the amount of ink on the recording medium can be easily changed by using a single head.

Further, in the present invention, the discharge amount of the processing liquid can be changed.

Further, the present invention has means for detecting the boundary of each color from the image data and creating new image data.

Further, in the present invention, a large amount of the treatment liquid is ejected at the black boundary portion and a small amount is ejected at the portions other than the border portion, so that the bleeding can be effectively prevented while reducing the consumption amount of the treatment liquid. You can

Further, in the present invention, the black recording head to be used is selected according to the print mode.

With this configuration, at the boundary between black and other colors, black uses only one head to reduce the amount of ink on the recording medium to prevent bleeding, and to use a plurality of black heads at other than the boundary. Thus, an image with high density can be obtained. Further, by adhering a large amount of the processing liquid to the boundary portions of different colors and the periphery thereof, it is possible to prevent bleeding better. In addition, since bleeding can be prevented even in bidirectional printing, printing speed can be increased.

Even when the treatment liquid is not used, a single head is used at the black boundary portion and a plurality of black recording heads are used at the portions other than the boundary portion to prevent bleeding and improve the black density.

[0034]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. Recording device 10
The recording medium 106 inserted in the 0 sheet feeding position is conveyed to the recordable area of the recording head unit 103 by the feed roller 109. A platen 108 is provided below the recording medium in the recordable area. Cap 101
Is configured to be movable in a direction defined by two guide shafts, a guide shaft 104 and a guide shaft 105, and reciprocally scans a recording area. In the carriage 101,
A printhead unit 103 including a printhead group that ejects a plurality of color inks and a treatment liquid, and an ink tank that supplies ink and treatment liquid to each printhead is mounted. The inks of a plurality of colors provided in the inkjet recording apparatus of this example are four colors of black (Bk), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y).

At the left end of the movable area of the carriage,
There is a recovery system unit 110 at the bottom, which caps the ejection port of the recording head during non-recording. This left end is called the home position of the recording head.

Reference numeral 107 denotes a switch section and a display element section,
The switch unit is used when the power of the recording apparatus is turned on / off and various recording modes are set, and the switch unit plays a role of displaying the state of the recording apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the recording head unit 103. In this example, each of the black (Bk), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) inks and the processing liquid (S) tank can be independently replaced.

The carriage 101 has a recording head group 102 for ejecting Bk, C, M, Y and a processing liquid, Bk tanks 20K1, 20K2, C tank 20C, and M tank 2
A tank 20Y for 0M and Y and a tank 21 for the processing liquid are mounted. Each tank is connected to a recording head group via a connection portion with the recording head, and supplies ink and treatment liquid to the ejection port.

In addition to this example, for example, the treatment liquid and the two Bk tanks may have an integral structure, and C and M
The tanks Y and Y may have an integrated structure.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the front surface (the surface facing the recording material) of the recording head group. The recording head group is a head 30 that ejects black ink (Bk1, Bk2).
K1 and 30K2, a head 31 for ejecting the treatment liquid (S), a head 30C for ejecting cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) inks, respectively.
Each of the heads is held by a frame. The head for ejecting the treatment liquid is arranged between the two black recording heads 30K1 and 30K2 in the main scanning direction of the recording head. The recording heads 30K1, 30K2, 30C, 30M, and 30Y may be the same, and the ejection amount may not be changed. The head 31 of the processing liquid can be changed in two steps, that is, a large discharge amount and a small discharge amount.

Each head is composed of 160 nozzles. About 40 ng of ink is ejected per unit pixel from the Bk, C, M and Y nozzles. The treatment liquid head has two heating resistance elements in each nozzle, and the ejection amount can be changed by the combination thereof. The discharge amount of the treatment liquid from the recording head is 15 ng per unit pixel when the small heating element is used, and 25 ng when the large heating element is used.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. Host computer 4
00, data of characters or images to be recorded (hereinafter referred to as image data) is input to the reception buffer 401 of the recording device. Further, data for confirming whether or not the data is correctly transferred, data for notifying the operating state of the recording device, etc. are returned from the recording device to the host computer. The data in the reception buffer 401 is the control unit 40 having a CPU.
RAM that is transferred to the memory unit 403 under the control of
It is temporarily stored in (random access memory). The mechanical control unit 404 drives a mechanical unit 405 such as a carriage motor or a line feed motor according to a command from the control unit 402. Sensor / SW control unit 40
Reference numeral 6 sends signals from the sensor / SW unit 407 including various sensors and SW (switches) to the control unit 402. The display element control unit 408 controls the display element unit 409 including LEDs of the display panel group, a liquid crystal display element, and the like according to a command from the control unit 402. The print head control unit 410 controls the print head 411 according to a command from the control unit 402. Also, temperature information indicating the state of the recording head 411 is sensed and transmitted to the control unit 402. The image processing unit 402A processes the image data input to the reception buffer 401, detects a boundary between each color and a black edge, and generates data for recording.

A printing method using this head unit will be described below. In this embodiment and the following embodiments, the boundary between the three colors of black, yellow and magenta will be described as an example.

FIG. 5 shows an example of printing. FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram of the boundary part, in which the left side is an image of black and the right side is an image of yellow and magenta, and the boundary part of three colors is enlarged. As shown in FIG. 5B, in order to increase the density of the black portion, two heads print a total of 80 ng of ink per unit pixel. However, it is necessary to reduce the amount of recording ink at the boundary portion in order to prevent the mixture of black and other colors.
Therefore, only one black recording head is used at the boundary portion, and 40 ng of ink is printed per unit pixel. As for the black edge portion, as shown in FIG. 5C, only one black recording head is used.

The treatment liquid is applied to the entire image in order to impart water resistance to the recorded matter. Further, at the boundary between black and other colors, it is necessary to effectively insolubilize or agglomerate the colorant and fix it in order to prevent bleeding.
Since the ejection amount of the head for ejecting the treatment liquid can be changed, as shown in FIG. 5D, a large ejection amount (25 ng) is generated at the boundary portion between black and other colors, and a small ejection amount ( 15 ng). By intensively applying the treatment liquid only to the boundary portion of black, the consumption amount of the whole treatment liquid can be suppressed and bleeding between black and other colors can be effectively prevented.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5E, the treatment liquid is applied in a large discharge amount also to the black edge which is not adjacent to other colors. Since the treatment liquid is applied to the outside of the recorded image with black ink, feathering can be prevented.

At the edge portion, the Bk1 head 3 is used for black recording.
Only 0K1 is used. This is to effectively prevent bleeding even during reciprocal recording. At the time of going, it is recorded in the order of black → treatment liquid → color (C, M, or Y or its secondary color), and at the time of return, color (C, M, or Y or its secondary color) → treatment liquid → black Recorded in order. Bk
When 2 heads 30K2 are used, the processing liquids → black → colors are recorded in the order at the time of going, so the colors do not mix, but at the time of returning, the colors → black → processing liquids are in order, and the colors and blacks are mixed. After that, the treatment liquid is applied and the effect is lost.

Here, in FIG. 5, the "edge portion" is a black edge and one dot outside thereof. This may be increased depending on the type of ink, recording medium, and the like. At least the treatment liquid needs to have at least one dot in each of the black portion and the outside thereof. Further, the treatment liquid may be appropriately thinned out except the boundary portion.

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of data processing for recording. First, the image data is read into the reception buffer of the recording device (S11). Next, the image data is converted into Bk, C, M,
The data is expanded into data DBk, DC, DM, and DY for each color of Y (S12). Next, it is determined whether black is adjacent to another color (S13).

Next, in S14, the data of the treatment liquid S is created from the data of Bk, C, M and Y. First, DB
The logical OR of k, DC, DM and DY is taken to create the treatment liquid data DS1. Next, the edge of DBk is detected, and the inside and outside portions thereof are treated liquid data DS2. DS1
The data obtained by subtracting DS2 from is taken as DS3. By using the large heating element for the DS2 data, the discharge amount of 25 ng
The S3 data is data for printing with a discharge amount of 15 ng by using a small heating element. The edge data is obtained by a known edge detection algorithm.

The Bk head has Bk1 and Bk2 depending on the area.
Use properly. In S15, the area data excluding the edge data from the DBk data is set to the head 30K2 of the Bk2.
Data DBk2 to be recorded by Bk1 head 30K
In 1 the read DBk data is used as the recording data as it is, and in C, M and Y the read DC, DM and DY data is used as the recording data (S16).

Based on these data, by moving the carriage, the heads 30K1, 31, 30K2, 30C, 30M, 30Y of Bk1, S, Bk2, C, M and Y, respectively.
Ink is ejected onto the recording medium to record (S1).
7).

Here, the formulation of the used ink and treatment liquid is as follows.

When all inks are dye inks Y ink Glycerin 5.0% by weight Thiodiglycol 5.0% by weight Urea 5.0% by weight Isopropyl alcohol 4.0% by weight Dye C.I. I. Direct Yellow 142 2.0% by weight Water 79.0% by weight M ink Glycerin 5.0% by weight Thiodiglycol 5.0% by weight Urea 5.0% by weight Isopropyl alcohol 4.0% by weight Dye C.I. I. Acid Red 289 2.5% by weight Water 78.5% by weight C ink Glycerin 5.0% by weight Thiodiglycol 5.0% by weight Urea 5.0% by weight Isopropyl alcohol 4.0% by weight Dye C. I. Direct Blue 199 2.5 wt% Water 78.5 wt% Bk ink Glycerin 5.0 wt% Thiodiglycol 5.0 wt% Urea 5.0 wt% Isopropyl alcohol 4.0 wt% Dye Food Black 2 3.0 Weight% Water 78.0 weight% Treatment liquid Polyallylamine hydrochloride 5.0 weight% Benzalkonium chloride 1.0 weight% Diethylene glycol 10.0 weight% Acetylenol EH (Kawaken Chemical) 0.5 weight% Water 83.5 In the practice of the present invention, the ink to be used is not limited to the dye ink, a pigment ink in which a pigment is dispersed may be used, and the treatment liquid to be used is one that causes the pigment to aggregate. Can be used. The following may be mentioned as an example of the pigment ink that causes aggregation when mixed with the above-mentioned treatment liquid. That is,
As described below, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color inks Y2, M2, C2, and K2 each containing a pigment and an anionic compound can be obtained.

Black ink K2 anionic polymer P-1 (styrene-methacrylic acid-ethyl acrylate, acid value 400, weight average molecular weight 6,0
00, an aqueous solution with a solid content of 20%, a neutralizing agent: potassium hydroxide) was used as a dispersant, and the following materials were charged into a batch type vertical sand mill (made by AIMEX) and 1 mm diameter glass beads were filled as a medium. The dispersion treatment was performed for 3 hours while cooling with water. The viscosity after dispersion was 9 cps and the pH was 10.0. This dispersion was centrifuged to remove coarse particles, to prepare a carbon black dispersion having a weight average particle diameter of 100 nm.

(Composition of carbon black dispersion) -P-1 aqueous solution (solid content 20%) 40 parts-Carbon black Mogul L (manufactured by Cablack) 24 parts-Glycerin 15 parts-Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether 0.5 parts- Isopropyl alcohol 3 parts water 135 parts Next, the dispersion obtained above was sufficiently dispersed to obtain a black ink K2 for ink jet containing a pigment. The solid content of the final preparation was about 10%.

Yellow ink Y2 anionic polymer P-2 (styrene-acrylic acid-methyl methacrylate, acid value 280, weight average molecular weight 1
1,000%, an aqueous solution with a solid content of 20%, a neutralizing agent: diethanolamine) was used as a dispersant, and the following materials were used to carry out a dispersion treatment in the same manner as in the production of the black ink K2. A 103 nm yellow color dispersion was prepared.

(Composition of yellow dispersion) P-2 aqueous solution (solid content 20%) 35 parts C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 180 24 parts (Novapalm Yellow PH-G, manufactured by Hoechst) -Triethylene glycol 10 parts-Diethylene glycol 10 parts-Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether 1.0 part-Isopropyl alcohol 0.5 parts-Water 135 parts Obtained as above The yellow dispersion was sufficiently diffused to obtain an inkjet yellow ink Y2 containing a pigment. The solid content of the final preparation was about 10%.

Cyan Ink C2 Using the anionic polymer P-1 used in the preparation of the black ink K2 as a dispersant, the following materials were used, and the same dispersion treatment as in the case of the carbon black dispersion described above was performed. Then, a cyan color dispersion having a weight average particle diameter of 120 nm was produced.

(Composition of cyan color dispersion) 30 parts of P-1 aqueous solution (solid content 20%) C.I. I. Pigment Blue 15: 3 24 parts (Fast Gemble-FGF, Dainippon Ink and Chemicals) ・ Glycerin 15 parts ・ Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether 0.5 parts ・ Isopropyl alcohol 3 parts ・ Water 135 parts Cyan color dispersion obtained above Was sufficiently stirred to obtain a cyan ink C2 for ink jet containing a pigment. The solid content of the final preparation was about 9.6%.

The same dispersion treatment as in the case of the carbon black dispersion described above was performed using the anionic polymer P-1 used in the preparation of the magenta ink M2 black ink K2 as a dispersant and the following materials. Then, a magenta color dispersion having a weight average particle diameter of 115 nm was produced.

(Composition of magenta color dispersion) P-1 aqueous solution (solid content 20%) 20 parts C.I. I. Pigment Red 122 (Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Inc.) 24 parts-Glycerin 15 parts-Isopropyl alcohol 3 parts-Water 135 parts Magenta ink for ink jet containing a pigment by sufficiently diffusing the magenta color dispersion obtained above. M2
I got The solid content of the final preparation was about 9.2%.

Treatment liquids (liquid compositions) shown above
In the present invention, when the treatment liquid and the ink described above are mixed with each other on the printing material or at the position where the ink penetrates into the printing material, the cations contained in the processing liquid as the first step of the reaction. Among the organic substances, a low molecular weight component or a cationic oligomer and an anionic compound used in the ink having a water-soluble dye or pigment ink used in the ink cause an association by ionic interaction, Instantly separates from the solution phase. As a result, dispersion destruction occurs in the pigment ink, and pigment aggregates are formed.

Next, in the second stage of the reaction, the above-mentioned dye and the aggregate of the low molecular weight cationic substance or cationic oligomer or the aggregate of the pigment are adsorbed by the polymer component contained in the treatment liquid. In addition, the size of aggregates of dyes or aggregates of pigments generated by association becomes even larger, making it difficult for the aggregates to enter into the gaps between fibers of the print material, and as a result, only the liquid portion that is solid-liquid separated into the recording paper. By soaking in, both print quality and fixability are achieved. At the same time, the low molecular weight component of the cationic substance generated by the mechanism as described above or a cationic oligomer, an aggregate formed of an anionic dye and a cationic substance or an aggregate of the pigment has a high viscosity,
Since the liquid medium does not move with the movement of the liquid medium, even if adjacent ink dots are formed of different color inks as in the case of full-color image formation, they do not mix with each other, and bleeding does not occur. Also,
The aggregates are essentially water insoluble and the water resistance of the formed image is perfect. Further, it also has the effect of improving the light fastness of the image formed by the shielding effect of the polymer.

In this embodiment, two black recording heads are provided for black recording. Furthermore, the number of black recording heads may be increased to three or four. Even in that case, bleeding can be prevented by using a single black recording head at the black boundary portion, and density can be increased by using a plurality of black recording heads at portions other than the boundary portion.

(Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, the entire black edge portion is printed by using a single black recording head. In this embodiment, only the boundary between black and other colors is recorded by a single head, and the black edge portion not in contact with other colors is printed by a plurality of heads, so that the density of the black edge portion is not lowered. In addition, reduce bleed between black and other colors.

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of data processing for recording according to this embodiment. The print data of Bk1, Y, M, C and the print data of the treatment liquid are generated in the same manner as in the first embodiment (S21 to S24). The recording data of Bk2 is data obtained by removing only the boundary portion in contact with another color from the black data (S25). This data is created by combining the black edge portion data obtained by a known black edge detection algorithm with Y,
It is obtained by removing the logical product data of the logical sum data of M and C data from the original black recording data. The subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows an example of recording in this embodiment. FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram of the boundary portion. In this embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (b), only the boundary between black and other colors is Bk1.
Recording is performed using the head, and other areas are shown in FIG. 8 (c).
As shown in (2), two heads Bk1 and Bk2 are used including the edge portion.

In this example, the treatment liquid is applied to the black edge portion and the outer periphery thereof, but it may be applied only to the boundary portion between black and other colors. When applied only to the boundary between black and other colors, bleeding can be prevented and the amount of processing liquid used can be reduced.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 9 is a flow chart of data processing for recording according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the first embodiment, first, the image data is read into the reception buffer of the recording device (S31), and is developed into each color data DBk, DC, DM, DY of Bk, C, M, Y (S32).
Next, the boundary of each process is determined (S33).

Next, in S34, the data of the treatment liquid S is created from the data of Bk, C, M and Y. First, DB
The logical OR of k, DC, DM and DY is taken to create the treatment liquid data DS1. Next, the edge of each data of DBk, DC, DM, and DY is detected, and the logical OR thereof is set as the processing liquid data DS2. Data obtained by subtracting DS2 from DS1 is DS
Set to 3. 2 by using a large heating element DS2 data
The discharge amount of 5 ng is used as the data for recording the DS3 data with a discharge amount of 15 ng by using a small heating element.

The data for Bk1, Bk2, C, M and Y are created in the same manner as in the first embodiment (S35, S36).

Based on these data, the carriage is moved to eject ink from the Bk1, S, Bk2, C, M, and Y heads onto the recording medium for recording (S3).
7).

FIG. 10 shows an example of printing in this embodiment.
FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram of a boundary portion of three colors. Figure 10
As shown in (b), black has a small ejection amount at the boundary between yellow and magenta by using a single recording head, and in other cases, the density is increased by using two heads. As shown in FIG. 10C, the treatment liquid is recorded with a large discharge amount at the boundary portion of each color, and is recorded with a small discharge amount in other cases.

In the first embodiment, a large amount of treatment liquid was applied to the black edge portion. In the third embodiment, the treatment liquid is concentratedly applied between the colors other than black. As a result, bleeding between colors other than black is prevented, and a higher quality image can be obtained.

Although a single head is used only for the black edge portion here, a single recording head may be used only for the boundary between black and other colors.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the recording head unit 103 in a monochrome printer.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the front surface of the recording head. The recording head group 111 includes two black recording heads 92K1 and 92K.
K2 (Bk1, Bk2) and a head 93 for ejecting the processing liquid are integrally formed. Recording head group 1 for ejecting black ink and treatment liquid onto the carriage 101
11, Bk tanks 90K1 and 90K2, and a treatment liquid tank 91 are mounted.

For black recording, a black recording head on the downstream side of the processing liquid, that is, on the recording side later than the processing liquid is used. Bk2 head 92K2 for forward recording, B for backward recording
The k1 head 92K1 is used. As a result, the black ink is always printed on the recording medium after recording the treatment liquid even during reciprocal recording.

The processing liquid print data is generated in real time by the boundary detection processing of the black image data. The treatment liquid is printed with a large discharge amount on the edge of the black recorded image and its outer periphery,
Other black areas are printed with a small discharge amount. The processing liquid data of the portion printed with a small discharge amount may be appropriately thinned out.

As a result, feathering can be prevented, and high speed operation can be achieved by reciprocal recording.

(Embodiment 5) In the above embodiments, the printing method uses the processing liquid, but a mode without using the processing liquid may be provided. In this case as well, black border processing is performed to prevent bleeding between black and other colors.

First, the boundary between black and other colors is detected. At the black boundary, only the Bk1 head is used for black recording to reduce the amount of ink at the boundary. By using the Bk1 head, it is possible to increase the time from the printing of black to the printing of other colors, or the time from the printing of colors other than black to the printing of black. It is possible to print the next color after the ink of the color printed on the ink penetrates the recording medium.

Further, in areas other than the boundary between black and other colors, two heads Bk1 and Bk2 are used to increase the black density.

The number of black heads is not limited to two and may be increased to three or four. Even then,
The same effect can be obtained by using the black recording head that is farthest from the head group that ejects ink other than black for the boundary portion and using a plurality of black recording heads for portions other than the black edge portion.

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

Regarding its typical structure and principle, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 796 is preferred. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
It can be applied to any of the continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to the sheet holding the liquid (ink) or the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal converter, and film boiling is caused on the heat acting surface of the recording head. Liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal in a one-to-one correspondence
It is effective because bubbles can be formed inside. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make this drive signal into a pulse shape because bubbles can be immediately and appropriately grown and contracted, so that liquid (ink) ejection with excellent responsiveness can be achieved. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise on the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the ejection port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, US Pat. No. 4,558,333, US Pat. No. 4,558,333, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
The structure using the specification of No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration corresponding to the ejection portion is disclosed in JP-A-59-138461. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be surely and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Furthermore, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium which can be recorded by the recording apparatus. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads or a configuration as one recording head integrally formed.

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

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

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

In addition, in the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet system. In general, the temperature of the ink itself is adjusted within the range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within the stable ejection range. Anything can be used. In addition, the temperature rise due to thermal energy is positively prevented by using it as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink that solidifies in the standing state is used for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink. However, in any case, when heat ink is liquefied by application of heat energy according to a recording signal and liquid ink is ejected, or when the ink reaches a recording medium, it begins to solidify. The present invention is also applicable to the case of using an ink that has a property of being liquefied only by energy. In this case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60.
As described in JP-A-71260, it may be configured to face the electrothermal converter in a state of being held as a liquid or a solid in the concave portion or the through hole of the porous sheet. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as a form of a recording apparatus provided with a recording mechanism using the liquid jet recording head of the present invention, in addition to the one used as an image output terminal of information processing equipment such as a computer, it is combined with a reader or the like. Copier,
Further, it may be a facsimile device having a transmitting / receiving function.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when the recording apparatus of the present invention is applied to an information processing apparatus having a function as a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile apparatus, a copying apparatus.

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

1804 is an FM (Frequency M)
sound source section, the music information created by a music editor or the like is stored in the memory section 1810 or the external storage device 18
The data is stored as digital data in 12, and is read from the memory or the like to perform FM modulation. FM
The electric signal from the sound source unit 1804 is converted into an audible sound by the speaker unit 1805. The printer unit 1806 has the recording apparatus of the present invention applied as an output terminal of a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile apparatus, and a copying apparatus.

Reference numeral 1807 denotes an image reader unit for photoelectrically reading and inputting original data, which is provided in the middle of the original conveying path and reads various originals such as facsimile originals and copy originals. The image reader unit 1808
It is a transmission / reception unit of a facsimile (FAX) that transmits the original data read in 07 by facsimile and receives and decodes the transmitted facsimile signal, and has an interface function with the outside. Reference numeral 1809 denotes a telephone unit having various telephone functions such as a normal telephone function and an answering machine function.

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

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

An external storage device using a floppy disk, a hard disk or the like as a storage medium.
Reference numeral 12 stores document information, music or voice information, a user application program, and the like.

FIG. 14 is a schematic external view of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 1901 is a flat panel display using liquid crystal or the like, which displays various menus, graphic information, document information and the like. By pressing the surface of the touch panel 1803 on the display 1901 with a finger or the like, coordinate input or item designation input can be performed.
1902 is a handset used when the device functions as a telephone. The keyboard 1903 is detachably connected to the main body via a cord, and various document information and various data can be input. The keyboard 1903 is also provided with various function keys 1904 and the like. Reference numeral 1905 is an insertion port of a floppy disk into the external storage device 212.

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

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

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

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

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

The information processing apparatus described above may be an integral type in which an ink jet printer is built in the main body as shown in FIG. 15, and in this case, it becomes possible to further enhance the portability. In the figure, parts having the same functions as those in FIG. 14 are designated by the corresponding reference numerals.

By applying the recording apparatus of the present invention to the multifunctional information processing apparatus described above, a high-quality recorded image can be obtained at high speed and with low noise, so that the function of the information processing apparatus is further improved. It becomes possible.

[0111]

As described above, according to the present invention, the image quality can be improved by preventing the deterioration of the image due to the bleeding phenomenon between different colors and increasing the black density. Further, feathering can be prevented by applying a large amount of the processing liquid to the boundary of colors. Furthermore, by adhering the treatment liquid onto the recording medium prior to the recording ink, it is possible to improve the fastness such as water resistance.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus applicable to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a recording head unit according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the front surface of the recording head according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a recording apparatus applicable to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of ejection amounts of ink and treatment liquid in Example 1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of data processing for recording in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of data processing for recording in the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the ink ejection amount in the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of data processing for recording in the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of printing according to a third exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a recording head unit according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the front surface of the recording head according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when the recording apparatus of the present invention is applied to an information processing apparatus.

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

15 is a schematic external view of the information processing device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Recording Device 101 Carriage 103 Recording Head Unit 20K1, 20K2 Black Ink Tank 20C Cyan Ink Tank 20M Magenta Ink Tank 20Y Yellow Ink Tank 21 Treatment Liquid Tank 30K1, 30K2 Black Ink Ejection Head 30C Cyan Ink Ejection Head 30M Magenta Ink ejection head 30Y Yellow ink ejection head

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Taka 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hitoshi Sugimoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon (72) Inventor Masao Kato 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Shinichi Sato 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by ejecting recording ink for image formation based on recording data, by changing the amount of a specific color ink given to one pixel. A possible ink ejecting portion, a treatment liquid ejecting portion for ejecting a treatment liquid containing a component that insolubilizes or agglomerates the components in the ink, and a relatively large amount of the treatment liquid is applied to the image boundary portion,
An inkjet recording apparatus comprising: a control unit that applies a relatively small amount of the treatment liquid to at least a peripheral portion thereof. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit has a unit that limits an application amount of the ink to the image boundary portion. 3. A specific color ink ejecting unit at a position where a printing time difference with a color other than the specific color is longest among the ejecting unit groups is used for recording the specific color ink at the image boundary portion. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The ink jet recording according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when recording an image of only a specific color, a specific color ink ejecting portion on the downstream side of the treatment liquid ejecting portion in the main scanning direction is used. apparatus. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means can select an area of the image boundary portion. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the treatment liquid contains a low molecular weight component and a high molecular weight component of a cationic substance, and the ink contains an anionic dye. . 7. The treatment liquid contains a low molecular component and a high molecular component of a cationic substance, and the ink contains an anionic dye or at least an anionic compound and a pigment. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is characterized in that. 8. An ink ejecting portion that can be applied by changing the amount of a specific color ink applied to one pixel, and a treatment liquid ejecting portion that ejects a treatment liquid containing a component that insolubilizes or aggregates components in the ink. In the ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting recording ink for image formation based on the recording data by using Then
An image boundary mode is a mode in which the treatment liquid is applied in a relatively small amount to at least the peripheral portion thereof, and a mode in which an ink of a specific color is applied in a relatively small amount in the image boundary portion and a relative amount is increased in at least the peripheral portion. 8. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit according to a unit. 9. An ink ejecting portion that can be applied by varying the amount of a specific color ink applied to one pixel, and a treatment liquid ejecting portion that ejects a treatment liquid containing a component that insolubilizes or aggregates the components in the ink. In the ink jet recording method having, a relatively large amount of the treatment liquid is applied to the image boundary portion,
An inkjet recording method characterized in that a relatively small amount of the treatment liquid is applied to at least a peripheral portion thereof. 10. The ink jet recording method according to claim 9, wherein the control unit has a unit that limits an application amount of the ink to the image boundary portion. 11. The specific color ink ejection section is used for recording a specific color ink at the image boundary section in the ejection section group where a printing time difference with a color other than the specific color is longest. The inkjet recording method according to claim 9 or 10. 12. The ink jet recording according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein when recording an image of only a specific color, a specific color ink ejecting portion downstream of the treatment liquid ejecting portion in the main scanning direction is used. Method. 13. The ink jet recording method according to claim 9, wherein the control means can select an area of the image boundary portion. 14. An ink ejecting portion capable of varying the amount of a specific color ink to be applied to one pixel and a treatment liquid ejecting portion capable of ejecting a treatment liquid containing a component for insolubilizing or aggregating a component in ink. In the inkjet recording method of forming an image on a recording medium by ejecting recording ink for image formation based on the recording data by using Then
An image boundary mode is a mode in which the treatment liquid is applied in a relatively small amount to at least the peripheral portion thereof, and a mode in which an ink of a specific color is applied in a relatively small amount in the image boundary portion and a relative amount is increased in at least the peripheral portion. 14. The ink jet recording method according to claim 9, further comprising a switching unit according to a unit. 15. An inkjet ejection mechanism applied to the recording apparatus according to claim 1 or the recording method according to claim 9, wherein at least one ink ejection unit for ejecting a specific color ink is provided. And at least one or more ink ejecting portions for ejecting inks of other colors, and the treatment liquid ejecting portion for ejecting a treatment liquid containing a component for insolubilizing or aggregating the components in the ink. An inkjet discharge unit group having any one of a plurality of units. 16. An ink jet ejecting mechanism applied to the recording apparatus according to claim 1 or the recording method according to claim 9, wherein the ejecting section for ejecting the processing liquid ejects a plurality of specific color inks. The inkjet discharge unit group according to claim 15, wherein the inkjet discharge unit group is located between the unit groups.