JP2011215202A - Inkjet printer and printed matter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve security by preventing a security image from being copied in a printed matter having a lenticular lens.SOLUTION: The printed matter 90 includes base material, an image layer 93 having a multi-viewpoint image, and a lens layer 95 that is a lenticular lens. A microlens corresponding area 930 corresponding to each cylindrical lens 971 of the lens layer 95 includes a partial image 941b drawn in an area 931b viewed through the lens layer 95 from a direction D1 perpendicular to the image layer 93, and a partial image 941c drawn in an area 931c viewed through the lens layer 95 from a direction D2. The image being aggregation of the partial images 941b can be copied, and the image being aggregation of the partial images 941c is the security image. When copying the printed matter 90 by a copying machine, only the image which can be copied is copied on copying paper, and the security image is prevented from being copied, whereby the security of the printed matter 90 is improved.

Description

  The present invention relates to an inkjet printer and printed matter.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a printed material that uses a lenticular lens to give a three-dimensional feeling to an image or that changes an image depending on a viewing angle. Such a printed matter usually has a multi-viewpoint image called a lenticular image printed on the back surface of a hard plate-like lenticular lens, or a plate-like lenticular lens pasted on a multi-viewpoint image printed on a substrate. It is formed by. In Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, colored ink is ejected toward a substrate by an ink jet method to form a colored image, and then a photocurable transparent ink is ejected by an ink jet method on the colored image. A technique for forming a lenticular lens is disclosed.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 3 relates to a technique for improving the security of printed matter. In Patent Document 3, an opaque screen pattern is printed with an opaque ink on the main surface of a transparent substrate, a first image is printed with the transparent ink on the opaque screen pattern, and a transparent ink is applied to a transparent region other than the opaque screen pattern. A technique for forming a security document by printing a second image is disclosed. When the security document is transparently scanned, the first image on the opaque screen pattern cannot be acquired. When the security document is reflectively scanned, an image in which the first image and the second image overlap is acquired. Thereby, it is difficult to acquire the first image and the second image independently.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-188866 JP 2007-144635 A JP 2008-44341 A

  By the way, in recent years, printed materials using lenticular lenses and the like are increasing, and it is required to prevent unauthorized duplication of such printed materials.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the reliability of a printed material by preventing copying of a security image in a printed material having a lenticular lens.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an ink jet printer, wherein a first ejection unit that ejects fine droplets of colored ink toward a substrate and a micro droplet of transparent ink are ejected toward the substrate. A second ejection unit, a moving mechanism for relatively moving the first ejection unit and the second ejection unit, and the base material; and the transparent ink applied to the base material from the second ejection unit. By controlling the curing unit that irradiates radiation to cure the transparent ink, the first ejection unit, the second ejection unit, the moving mechanism, and the curing unit, an image of the colored ink on the base material And a printing control unit that forms a lens layer made of the transparent ink on the image layer, and the lens layer is a lenticular lens, and is arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction and each is arranged in the arrangement direction. Vertical one A microlens layer having a plurality of cylindrical lenses extending in the direction, and at least a part of the plurality of cylindrical lenses is a security lens used to prevent copying of the image layer, and corresponds to the security lens of the image layer A copyable image drawn in a first area visible through the lens layer from a first direction perpendicular to the image layer and a security area from a second direction different from the first direction; And a security image drawn in a second region that is visible through the lens layer.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the ink jet printer according to the first aspect, wherein the lens layer includes a spacer layer formed with a predetermined thickness between the image layer and the microlens layer. Further prepare.

  Invention of Claim 3 is printed matter, Comprising: The base material, The image layer formed by discharging the micro droplet of the said colored ink on the said base material, The radiation discharged on the said base material A lens layer formed on the image layer by curing fine droplets of a curable transparent ink, and the lens layer is a lenticular lens, which is arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction and each of the arrangement is the arrangement A microlens layer having a plurality of cylindrical lenses extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction, wherein at least a part of the plurality of cylindrical lenses is a security lens used to prevent copying of the image layer, and the image layer A security region corresponding to a security lens is drawn in a first region that is visible through the lens layer from a first direction perpendicular to the image layer. Comprising possible image, and said first direction and security image drawn in the second area visible through said lens layer from a second direction different.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the printed matter according to claim 3, wherein the lens layer further includes a spacer layer formed with a predetermined film thickness between the image layer and the microlens layer. Prepare.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the printed matter according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the security lens is a part of the plurality of cylindrical lenses, and a width or a radius of curvature of the security lens is the security. It differs from the width or radius of curvature of other cylindrical lenses excluding the lens.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the printed matter according to claim 5, wherein the width of the security lens is larger than the width of other cylindrical lenses excluding the security lens, and the security lens of the image layer is formed on the security lens. A corresponding area is drawn in an area that is visible from the first direction through the lens layer, and includes a first image that includes the copyable image, a second image that is the security image, and the first image And a third image drawn in a region visible through the lens layer from a third direction different from the direction and the second direction.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the reliability of printed matter by preventing copying of a security image.

1 is a front view of an ink jet printer according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a head unit. It is sectional drawing of printed matter. It is a figure which shows the flow of formation of a lens layer. It is sectional drawing which shows the lens layer in the middle of formation. It is sectional drawing which shows the lens layer in the middle of formation. It is sectional drawing which shows the lens layer in the middle of formation. It is sectional drawing which shows the lens layer in the middle of formation. It is sectional drawing of printed matter. It is sectional drawing of printed matter. It is sectional drawing of printed matter. It is a figure which shows the micro droplet of the transparent ink discharged on the image layer. It is a top view of a multi-viewpoint image. It is a top view of an image. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of a multiview image and a lens layer. It is sectional drawing of printed matter. It is a front view of the inkjet printer which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a front view of the inkjet printer which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a head unit.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing an ink jet printer 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The ink jet printer 1 performs color printing by an ink jet method on a (+ Z) main surface 91 (hereinafter referred to as “upper surface 91”) of a base material 9 which is a flexible plate-like or sheet-like member. It is a device to perform. The base material 9 on which the image is printed is used, for example, for an exhibition for advertising purposes or for wrapping a car body such as an automobile or a train.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an inkjet printer 1 includes a holding unit 2 that holds a base material 9, a head unit 3 that discharges micro droplets of ink toward the base material 9, and a head moving mechanism 4 that moves the head unit 3. And a printing control unit 5 for controlling these mechanisms. The head moving mechanism 4 includes a main scanning mechanism 41 that moves the head unit 3 in the X direction, which is the main scanning direction, and a Y direction that is perpendicular to the X direction and horizontal (hereinafter referred to as “sub-scanning direction”). ) Is provided.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the head unit 3. In FIG. 2, the cover 30 of the head unit 3 is drawn with a broken line. The head unit 3 has a discharge unit 31 (hereinafter referred to as “transparent ink discharge unit 31”) that discharges transparent ink microdroplets toward the substrate 9, and colored ink microdroplets toward the substrate 9. Another discharge section 32 (hereinafter referred to as “colored ink discharge section 32”) for discharging, and two curing sections 33 disposed on both sides in the X direction of the transparent ink discharge section 31 and the colored ink discharge section 32 are provided. Prepare. The transparent ink discharge unit 31 is disposed on the (−X) side of the colored ink discharge unit 32 and has a plurality of discharge ports from which transparent ink is discharged.

  The colored ink discharge unit 32 includes four discharge mechanisms 32 a to 32 d arranged in the X direction, and each of the discharge mechanisms 32 a to 32 d has a plurality of discharge ports, like the colored ink discharge unit 32. In the colored ink discharge section 32, the discharge mechanism 32a located closest to the (+ X) side in FIG. 2 discharges K (black) color ink, and the discharge mechanism 32b on the (−X) side of the discharge mechanism 32a has C ( (Cyan) colored ink is discharged, the (−X) side discharge mechanism 32c of the discharge mechanism 32b discharges M (magenta) color ink, and the (−X) side discharge mechanism 32d of the discharge mechanism 32c is Y ( Yellow) colored ink is ejected.

  The transparent ink is a radiation curable flexible ink, and the colored ink is also a radiation curable ink. The curing unit 33 cures the transparent ink and the colored ink by irradiating the transparent ink and the colored ink applied on the substrate 9 from the transparent ink ejection unit 31 and the colored ink ejection unit 32 with radiation. In the present embodiment, ultraviolet curable ink is used as the transparent ink and the colored ink, and ultraviolet rays are emitted from the curing unit 33 as radiation.

  When printing is performed on the substrate 9, the colored ink ejection unit 32, the curing unit 33, and the head moving mechanism 4 are controlled by the print control unit 5, and the colored ink ejection unit 32 ejects colored ink (+ X). The colored ink is cured by irradiating the colored ink discharged onto the substrate 9 from the (−X) side curing unit 33 that moves continuously in the direction and moves with the colored ink ejection unit 32. The colored ink discharge unit 32 moves by a predetermined distance in the (+ Y) direction after reaching the (+ X) side of the base material 9. Subsequently, the colored ink discharge unit 32 continuously moves in the (−X) direction, and the colored ink discharged onto the base material 9 is cured by the ultraviolet rays from the (+ X) side curing unit 33. The colored ink discharge section 32 moves by a predetermined distance in the (+ Y) direction after reaching the (−X) side of the base material 9. In the ink jet printer 1, the main scanning in the X direction and the sub scanning in the Y direction of the colored ink discharging unit 32 and the curing unit 33 are repeated, and as shown in FIG. Then, an image layer 93 made of colored ink is formed. The image of the image layer 93 is a multi-viewpoint image corresponding to the lens layer 95 that is a lenticular lens. Details of the image on the image layer 93 will be described later.

  When the formation of the image layer 93 is completed, the discharge of the colored ink from the colored ink discharge unit 32 shown in FIG. 2 is stopped. Next, the transparent ink discharge unit 31, the curing unit 33, and the head moving mechanism 4 are controlled by the print control unit 5, and the discharge of the transparent ink from the transparent ink discharge unit 31 is started. Then, similarly to the formation of the image layer 93 by the colored ink discharge unit 32, the main scanning in the X direction and the sub scanning in the Y direction of the transparent ink discharging unit 31 and the curing unit 33 are repeated, so that FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a lens layer 95 made of transparent ink is formed on the image layer 93 on the substrate 9. Thereby, the formation of the printed material 90 including the substrate 9, the image layer 93, and the lens layer 95 is completed.

  The lens layer 95 is a lenticular lens having a thickness of about 300 μm, and includes a spacer layer 96 formed on the image layer 93 with a predetermined thickness, and a microlens layer 97 disposed on the spacer layer 96. . The thickness of the spacer layer 96 is approximately uniform over the entire area of the lens layer 95, and is about 150 μm in the present embodiment. The microlens layer 97 includes a plurality of cylindrical lenses 971 arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction (Y direction), and each of the plurality of cylindrical lenses 971 is a convex lens extending in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction (X direction). is there. In the printed matter 90, by forming the spacer layer 96, the creation parameters of the microlens layer 97 and the characteristics of the substrate 9 can be handled separately.

  Next, a specific example of the process of forming the lens layer 95 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. A thru | or FIG. D is a cross-sectional view showing the lens layer 95 being formed. In the formation of the lens layer 95, first, fine droplets of transparent ink are applied onto the image layer 93 formed on the substrate 9, and ultraviolet rays are irradiated by the curing unit 33 (see FIG. 2). 5. As shown to A, the main-body part 960 of the spacer layer 96 is formed (step S11). The surface of the main body 960 has irregularities because the center of the position where the fine droplets of the transparent ink have landed rises more than the surroundings. In step S11, in order to make the spacer layer 96 have a predetermined thickness, the transparent ink may be discharged and cured a plurality of times at each position of the image layer 93 as necessary.

  Subsequently, irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the curing unit 33 is stopped, and fine droplets of transparent ink are applied to the main body 960 over almost the entire surface. The fine droplets of transparent ink applied on the main body 960 spread around, and FIG. As shown to B, it flows into the recessed part of the surface of the main-body part 960, and becomes the surface layer 961 of the spacer layer 96 (step S12). The surface of the surface layer 961 is a smooth surface located at the same height from the upper surface 91 of the substrate 9 over the entire surface. Then, the discharge of the transparent ink is stopped, and the surface layer 961 on the main body 960 is cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays from the curing unit 33, so that the spacer layer 96 having a smooth surface and a substantially uniform film thickness is formed on the image layer 93. (Step S13). In step S12, the transparent ink applied on the main body 960 is not irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the curing unit 33, but the strength is small enough that the fluidity of the transparent ink is not lost (that is, the main body 960). The ultraviolet ray may be irradiated at an intensity smaller than the intensity of the ultraviolet ray irradiated when the is formed.

  Next, in the transparent ink discharge unit 31 (see FIG. 2), one or a plurality of discharge ports corresponding to one cylindrical lens 971 (see FIG. 3) is set as a discharge port group. The head unit 3 is main-scanned in a state where the discharge of the transparent ink from the even-numbered discharge port group is stopped while discharging the transparent ink from the odd-numbered discharge port group from the side. Then, the transparent ink applied on the spacer layer 96 from the odd-numbered ejection port group is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the curing unit 33, and thus FIG. As shown in C, a plurality of cylindrical lenses 971 extending in the main scanning direction (X direction) are formed (step S14). The plurality of cylindrical lenses 971 are arranged in the Y direction while being separated from each other, and the distance in the Y direction between two adjacent cylindrical lenses 971 (that is, the distance in the Y direction of the region where the spacer layer 96 is exposed) is: It is approximately equal to the width of the cylindrical lens 971 in the Y direction.

  In step S14, since the intensity of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the curing unit 33 is smaller than the intensity of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the curing unit 33 when the main body 960 of the spacer layer 96 is formed, the ultraviolet rays are discharged onto the spacer layer 96. The resulting transparent ink is cured to some extent but has fluidity (hereinafter referred to as “semi-cured state”). For this reason, a plurality of dots of transparent ink arranged in the X direction in an area corresponding to one cylindrical lens 971 are combined (that is, they become familiar with adjacent dots). Thereby, the surface of the cylindrical lens 971 is prevented from being uneven in the X direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical lens 971, and becomes a smooth curved surface. Further, since the dots of the semi-cured transparent ink spread in the Y direction, the width in the Y direction of the fine droplets of the transparent ink ejected from the transparent ink ejection unit 31 is made smaller than the design width of the cylindrical lens 971. The In the present embodiment, the intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiated from the curing part 33 in step S14 is about 5% to 20% (more preferably) of the intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiated from the curing part 33 when the spacer layer 96 is formed. Is about 5% to 10%).

  When the surface shape of the cylindrical lens 971 becomes a desired shape, the head unit 3 is scanned in a state where the discharge of the transparent ink from the transparent ink discharge unit 31 is stopped, and the cylindrical lens 971 in a semi-cured state is scanned from the curing unit 33. Ultraviolet rays are irradiated and the cylindrical lens 971 is cured (step S15). In step S15, the intensity of the ultraviolet ray irradiated from the curing unit 33 is larger than the intensity of the ultraviolet ray in step S14, and is equal to the intensity of the ultraviolet ray when the spacer layer 96 is formed. In the inkjet printer 1, steps S14 and S15 may be repeated a plurality of times as necessary in order to make the cylindrical lens 971 have a predetermined thickness.

  Subsequently, the transparent ink discharge unit 31 switches the discharge port group for discharging the transparent ink (steps S16 and S17). That is, the discharge of the transparent ink from the odd-numbered discharge port group from the (−Y) side is stopped, and the discharge of the transparent ink is started from the even-numbered discharge port group. Then, returning to step S14, the second steps S14 and S15 are performed, so that FIG. As shown in D, a plurality of cylindrical lenses 971 are formed on the spacer layer 96 between the plurality of cylindrical lenses 971 formed in the first steps S14 and S15, and the formation of the microlens layer 97 is completed ( That is, the formation of the lens layer 95 is completed.) (Steps S14 to S16). The cylindrical lens 971 formed at the second time is in contact with the adjacent cylindrical lens 971 formed at the first time in the Y direction.

  By the way, when the microlens layer 97 is formed in the inkjet printer 1, the transparent ink discharge unit 31 is moved by the print control unit 5 based on the size (width and height) and the surface shape of the plurality of cylindrical lenses 971. The size of the fine droplets of transparent ink ejected from the transparent ink ejection unit 31 is controlled and changed. FIG. A thru | or FIG. C is a cross-sectional view showing the size and surface shape of the cylindrical lens 971 when the size of the fine droplets of transparent ink is changed. FIG. A thru | or FIG. In C, the parallel droplets are not attached to the fine droplet 99 (the same applies to FIG. 7). FIG. A thru | or FIG. C shows that the discharge port group corresponding to one cylindrical lens 971 includes three discharge ports, and one cylindrical lens indicated by a broken line is represented by three minute droplets 99 indicated by a solid line in the drawing. 971 is formed.

  FIG. A thru | or FIG. In each example shown in C, FIG. A micro droplet 99 is the smallest, FIG. The C micro-droplet 99 is the largest. For this reason, FIG. The cylindrical lens 971 of A is the smallest (that is, the height from the image layer 93 is low), and the curvature at the center in the Y direction that is the width direction is also the smallest. On the other hand, FIG. The C cylindrical lens 971 is the largest, and the curvature at the center in the Y direction is the largest. As described above, by changing the size of the microdroplet of the transparent ink based on the size and the surface shape of the plurality of cylindrical lenses 971, the cylindrical having various characteristics (for example, different width, curvature, focal length). The lens 971 can be easily formed.

  FIG. A thru | or FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 7C, each cylindrical lens 971 is formed by a minute droplet 99 of transparent ink having the same size. However, each cylindrical lens 971 has a plurality of types of transparent ink as shown in FIG. It may be formed by a micro droplet. In FIG. 7, fine droplets 99 a to 99 c of transparent ink that are ejected at different positions on the image layer 93 and have different sizes are drawn in a circle. Actually, these micro droplets 99a to 99c are combined to form a cylindrical lens 971 having a surface shape indicated by a broken line. In the inkjet printer 1, when forming the cylindrical lens 971, the small droplets 99 a and 99 b of the transparent ink ejected to a position close to the planned position to be the surface of the cylindrical lens 971 are reduced so that the surface of the cylindrical lens 971 By enlarging the small droplets 99c of the transparent ink ejected to a position far from the planned position, the number of transparent ink microdroplets necessary for forming each cylindrical lens 971 can be increased without significantly increasing the number of the transparent ink. The lens 971 can be formed with high shape accuracy.

  FIG. A and FIG. B is a diagram for explaining a multi-viewpoint image 94 of the image layer 93 (see FIG. 3). FIG. A is a plan view showing a multi-viewpoint image 94. FIG. The multi-viewpoint image 94 is shown in FIG. Each of the three types of images 94a, 94b, and 94c shown in FIG. B is divided into a plurality of strip-shaped partial images 941a, 941b, and 941c arranged in the Y direction, and a portion between each two adjacent partial images 941a is divided. The images 941b and 941c are formed one by one. In other words, the multi-viewpoint image 94 includes a plurality of partial images 941a, 941b, and 941c arranged in order in the Y direction.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between the multi-viewpoint image 94 of the image layer 93 and the cylindrical lens 971 of the lens layer 95. In the printed material 90, each one of the regions 930 (regions corresponding to the respective cylindrical lenses 971, hereinafter referred to as “microlens corresponding regions 930”) of the image layer 93 that are visible through the respective cylindrical lenses 971. Two partial images 941a, 941b, and 941c are sequentially arranged from the (+ Y) side.

  In the printed matter 90, when the microlens corresponding region 930 is viewed through the cylindrical lens 971 from a direction perpendicular to the image layer 93 (a direction denoted by reference numeral D1 in FIG. 9 and hereinafter referred to as “direction D1”), Of the partial images 941a, 941b, and 941c drawn in the lens corresponding region 930, the central partial image 941b can be seen. That is, among the regions 931a, 931b, and 931c obtained by dividing the microlens corresponding region 930 into three in the Y direction, the central region 931b on which the partial image 941b is drawn is a region that can be viewed through the lens layer 95 from the direction D1. is there.

  In addition, the direction D2 is different from the direction D1 (in the present embodiment, the direction is parallel to the YZ plane facing the (−Y) direction and the (−Z) direction), and the angle between the direction D1 is 30 degrees. .) To the microlens corresponding region 930 through the cylindrical lens 971, the partial image 941c on the most (−Y) side can be seen. The most (−Y) side region 931c of the microlens corresponding region 930 is a region that can be visually recognized through the lens layer 95 from the direction D2.

  Further, the direction D3 is different from the directions D1 and D2 (in this embodiment, the direction is parallel to the YZ plane facing the (+ Y) direction and the (−Z) direction), and the angle between the direction D1 is 30 degrees. From the above, when viewing the microlens corresponding region 930 through the cylindrical lens 971, the partial image 941a on the most (+ Y) side can be seen. The most (+ Y) side region 931a of the microlens corresponding region 930 is a region that is visible through the lens layer 95 from the direction D3.

  Therefore, when the printed matter 90 is viewed from the direction D1, only the image 94b (see FIG. 8B) drawn in the region 931b of the plurality of microlens corresponding regions 930 is seen through the lens layer 95, and the other images 94a and 94c are displayed. (See Figure 8.B) is not visible. Further, when the printed material 90 is viewed from the direction D2, only the image 94c drawn in the region 931c of the plurality of microlens corresponding regions 930 is seen through the lens layer 95, and when the printed material 90 is viewed from the direction D3, the plurality of microlenses is viewed. Only the image 94 a drawn in the area 931 a of the corresponding area 930 is visible through the lens layer 95.

  In the printed matter 90, the image 94c is a copy-preventing security image, and the image 94b is a copyable image with no problem even if it is copied. When the printed material 90 is copied by a copying machine or the like, the light from the light source in the copying machine is only incident on the lens layer 95 of the printed material 90 from the direction D1 and emitted in the direction opposite to the direction D1 by the scanner unit. Received light. Therefore, the image that can be received by the scanner unit is only the copyable image 94b that is visible when the printed matter 90 is viewed from the direction D1. Accordingly, only the copyable image 94b is copied on the copy sheet or the like, and the security image 94c is not copied.

  As described above, in the inkjet printer 1, by providing the lens layer 95 on the image layer 93 on which the multi-viewpoint image 94 including the security image 94 c is drawn in the printed material 90, the security image 94 c is prevented from being copied and the printed material 90. Can be prevented and the reliability of the printed matter 90 can be improved. In the inkjet printer 1, all the cylindrical lenses 971 in the lens layer 95 are security lenses that are used for preventing copying of the image layer 93. In the image layer 93, all the microlens corresponding regions 930 corresponding to these cylindrical lenses 971 are used. Is a security area.

  In the printed matter 90, as shown in FIG. 3, by providing a spacer layer 96 between the microlens layer 97 and the image layer 93, the thickness direction between the surface of the plurality of cylindrical lenses 971 and the image layer 93 is increased. The distance can be increased, and the plurality of cylindrical lenses 971 of the microlens layer 97 can be easily focused on the image layer 93. Thereby, the multi-viewpoint image 94 (see FIG. 8.A) of the image layer 93 can be clearly seen through the lens layer 95. Further, by forming the microlens layer 97 on the surface of the smooth spacer layer 96, the lens layer 95 having a plurality of cylindrical lenses 971 having a desired surface shape can be obtained without being affected by the surface shape of the image layer 93. It can be formed easily. As a result, a visual effect can be easily imparted to the image on the substrate 9. Furthermore, since the lens layer 95 is a lenticular lens, various visual effects such as giving a stereoscopic effect to the image or making the image different depending on the viewing angle can be given to the image on the substrate 9.

  In the inkjet printer 1, not all the cylindrical lenses 971 in the microlens layer 97 need to be security lenses, and at least some of the plurality of cylindrical lenses 971 may be security lenses. For example, in the printed matter 90a shown in FIG. 10, three cylindrical lenses (reference numeral 971a) which are a part of the plurality of cylindrical lenses 971 are security lenses, and the widths of the three cylindrical lenses 971a are cylindrical lenses. It is larger than the width of each of the other cylindrical lenses 971 excluding 971a. Actually, there are more cylindrical lenses 971a used as security lenses.

  In the printed material 90a, the microlens corresponding region 930 corresponding to each cylindrical lens 971 in the image layer 93 is divided into three regions 931d, 931e, and 931f as in the printed material 90 (see FIG. 9), and partial images of three types of images. 941d, 941e, and 941f are drawn in areas 931d, 931e, and 931f, respectively. These three types of images do not include security information. On the other hand, the microlens corresponding region 930a (that is, the security region) corresponding to each cylindrical lens 971a of the image layer 93 includes regions 931d, 931e, and 931f, and the (+ Y) side and the (−Y) side of these three regions. Are divided into five areas 931g and 931h. Partial images 941d, 941e, and 941f are drawn in the regions 931d, 931e, and 931f, respectively, and partial images 941g and 941h of two types of images including security information are drawn in the regions 931g and 931h, respectively.

  The regions 931d, 931e, and 931f are regions that are visible through the lens layer 95 from the above-described directions D3, D1, and D2, respectively. The region 931h is a direction D4 different from the directions D1 to D3 (in this embodiment, the (−Y) direction and the (−Z) direction parallel to the YZ plane), and the angle with the direction D1 is The region 931g is a region visible from the lens layer 95. The region 931g is a direction D5 different from the directions D1 to D4 (in the present embodiment, the (+ Y) direction and the (-Z) direction). Is an area that is parallel to the YZ plane that faces the direction D1, and an angle between the direction D1 and the direction D1 is 60 degrees.

  For this reason, when the printed matter 90 is viewed from the direction D1 perpendicular to the image layer 93, only the image that is a set of the partial images 941e drawn in the region 931e can be seen through the lens layer 95. The image is a copyable image that can be copied without any problem. When the printed matter 90 is viewed from the directions D2 and D3, only images that are sets of partial images 941f and 941d can be seen through the lens layer 95, respectively. Further, when the printed material 90 is viewed from the directions D4 and D5, only the security images that are a set of the partial images 941h and 941g can be seen through the lens layer 95, respectively. Therefore, when the printed matter 90 is copied by a copying machine or the like, only a copyable image that is a set of partial images 941e is copied on a copy sheet or the like, and a security image is not copied.

  In the printed matter 90a, similarly to the printed matter 90, the lens layer 95 is provided on the image layer 93 on which the multi-viewpoint image 94 including security information is drawn, thereby preventing the copy of the security image and improving the security of the printed matter 90a. be able to. Further, by making the width of the cylindrical lens 971a, which is a security lens, larger than the width of other cylindrical lenses 971, the number of partial images drawn in the security area is increased, and the entire printed matter 90a can be visually recognized. A security image can be embedded in the multi-viewpoint image 94 without reducing the number of images (three images corresponding to the partial images 941d, 941e, and 941f).

  In the inkjet printer 1, the width of the cylindrical lens 971 a that is a security lens is made equal to that of the other cylindrical lens 971, and the curvature of the cylindrical lens 971 a (that is, the curvature at the center in the width direction) is made different from the curvature of the other cylindrical lens 971. May be. In addition, it is not necessary to use the entire plurality of selected cylindrical lenses as security lenses. For example, in the circular region at the center of the lens layer 95 in a plan view, the curvature of the cylindrical lens 971 is changed to that of the cylindrical lens 971 outside the circular region. By making it different from the curvature, the circular area may be a security lens.

  In this way, by making the width or curvature of the security lens that is a part of the plurality of cylindrical lenses 971 different from the width or curvature of the other cylindrical lenses 971, the image drawn in the security area corresponding to the security lens is changed. The appearance and the appearance of the image drawn in the microlens corresponding area 930 corresponding to the other cylindrical lens 971 can be easily made different. As a result, when viewing the printed matter 90a, the security image drawn in the security area can be easily identified.

  Next, an ink jet printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a front view showing an inkjet printer 1a according to the second embodiment. In the inkjet printer 1a, the sub-scanning mechanism for moving the head unit 3 in the Y direction, which is the sub-scanning direction, from the inkjet printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 is omitted, and the lower side of the holding unit 2 ((−Z ) Side) is provided with a holding unit moving mechanism 45 that moves the holding unit 2 in the sub-scanning direction. The other configuration of the inkjet printer 1a is the same as that of the inkjet printer 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the same reference numerals are given to the corresponding configurations in the following description.

  In the formation of the image layer 93 and the lens layer 95 (see FIG. 3) by the ink jet printer 1a, the base material 9 is replaced by the holding unit 2 in place of the sub-scan of the head unit 3 performed for each main scan of the head unit 3. At the same time, it is moved in the sub-scanning direction by a predetermined distance. Other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the inkjet printer 1a, as in the first embodiment, by providing the lens layer 95 on the image layer 93 on which the multi-viewpoint image 94 (see FIG. 8A) including security information is drawn on the printed matter 90, The security of the printed matter 90 can be improved by preventing copying of the security image.

  Next, an ink jet printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a front view showing an inkjet printer 1b according to the third embodiment. The inkjet printer 1b includes a head unit 3a, a feed mechanism 4a that moves the base material 9 in the (−X) direction below the head unit 3a (on the (−Z) side), and a print control unit 5.

  The feed mechanism 4 a includes two belt rollers 47 connected to a motor (not shown), and a belt 48 hung between the two belt rollers 47. Further, on the (+ X) side and (−Z) side of the feed mechanism 4a, a supply unit 61 that holds the roll-shaped base material 9 (supply roll) is provided, and the (−X) side and (( On the −Z) side, a winding unit 62 for holding the roll-shaped base material 9 (winding roll) is provided. The base material 9 drawn out from the supply unit 61 is held on a belt 48 that is a holding unit, passes together with the belt 48 under the head unit 3a, moves to the (−X) side, and takes up the winding unit 62. It is wound up by. In the following description, the term “base material 9” refers to a part in the middle of conveyance (that is, a part of the base material 9 on the belt 48).

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the head unit 3a. In FIG. 13, the cover 30 of the head unit 3a is drawn with a broken line. A colored ink discharge section 32 including four discharge mechanisms 32a to 32d is disposed on the most (+ X) side of the head unit 3a, and a curing section that emits ultraviolet rays is disposed on the (−X) side of the colored ink discharge section 32. 33a is arranged. Four transparent ink ejection portions 31a to 31d are arranged on the (−X) side of the curing portion 33a, and on each (−X) side of the transparent ink ejection portions 31a to 31d, the curing portions 33b to 33 that emit ultraviolet rays. 33g is arranged. The four ejection mechanisms 32a to 32d, the transparent ink ejection units 31a to 31d, and the curing units 33a to 33g of the colored ink ejection unit 32 extend over the entire width of the substrate 9 (that is, over the entire length in the Y direction). The colored ink and the transparent ink are ejected and irradiated with ultraviolet rays over the entire width of the base material 9 that passes below the head unit 3a.

  Since the formation process of the printed matter 90 (see FIG. 3) by the ink jet printer 1b is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, hereinafter, FIG. A thru | or FIG. The formation process will be described with reference to D. In the following description, attention will be paid to a part of the base material 9, and processing for the part will be described in order. In the inkjet printer 1b, first, colored ink is ejected from the colored ink ejection unit 32 onto the substrate 9 moving in the (−X) direction, and the colored ink is cured by irradiating the colored ink with ultraviolet rays from the curing unit 33a. Thus, the image layer 93 (see FIG. 5.A) is formed. Subsequently, the transparent ink is ejected from the transparent ink ejecting portion 31a onto the image layer 93, and the transparent ink is cured by the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the curing portion 33b to form the main body portion 960 of the spacer layer 96 (FIG. 5). A).

  Next, transparent ink is ejected from the transparent ink ejection part 31 b onto the main body part 960. In the head unit 3, since the distance in the X direction between the transparent ink discharge portion 31b and the curing portion 33c is relatively large, the transparent ink applied on the main body portion 960 is exposed to the surroundings before being cured by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays. And flows into the recesses on the surface of the main body 960 to form the surface layer 961. Thereafter, the surface layer 961 is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays from the cured portion 33c, and a spacer layer 96 (see FIG. 5.B) having a smooth surface and a substantially uniform film thickness is formed.

  When the spacer layer 96 is formed, transparent ink is ejected from the transparent ink ejection part 31c, and relatively weak intensity (5% to 10% of the intensity of ultraviolet rays from the curing parts 33b, 33c, 33e, 33g). In this case, a plurality of semi-cured cylindrical lenses 971 (see FIG. 5.C) arranged in every other line are formed. Then, the semi-cured cylindrical lens 971 is cured by irradiating the semi-cured cylindrical lens 971 with ultraviolet light at a normal intensity from the cured portion 33e.

  Subsequently, the transparent ink is ejected from the transparent ink ejection part 31d between the already formed cylindrical lenses 971, and has a relatively weak intensity from the curing part 33f (intensity equal to the intensity of ultraviolet rays from the curing part 33). A plurality of cylindrical lenses 971 (see FIG. 5.D) in a semi-cured state are formed by ultraviolet rays. Then, these cylindrical lenses 971 are cured by the normal intensity ultraviolet rays from the curing portion 33g, and the formation of the microlens layer 97 is completed (that is, the formation of the lens layer 95 is completed).

  As described above, in the inkjet printer 1b, the colored ink ejection unit 32 and the transparent ink ejection units 31a to 31d move to the positions on the substrate 9 by one movement of the substrate 9 in the (−X) direction. Passing only once completes printing on the substrate 9. That is, printing (so-called one-pass printing) that does not involve movement of the head unit 3a and the base material 9 in the Y direction is performed. In the inkjet printer 1b, as in the first embodiment, the lens layer 95 is provided on the image layer 93 on which the multi-viewpoint image 94 including the security information is drawn on the printed matter 90, thereby preventing copying of the security image. Thus, the security of the printed matter 90 can be improved.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention has been described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible.

  For example, in the formation of the spacer layer 96 of the lens layer 95, the surface layer 961 may be omitted if the surface can be made substantially smooth when the main body 960 is formed. In this case, the intensity of the ultraviolet ray irradiated from the curing unit 33 when forming the microlens layer 97 is set smaller than the intensity of the ultraviolet ray irradiated from the curing unit 33 when forming the spacer layer 96.

  The transparent ink and the colored ink may be, for example, ink that is cured by irradiation with visible light (photons) or ink that is cured by irradiation with electron beams (electrons). That is, various inks may be used as long as they can be quickly cured by irradiation with radiation such as electromagnetic waves or particle beams. Further, the colored ink ejection unit 32 may eject ink of a color other than black, cyan, magenta, and yellow (for example, light cyan, light magenta, white).

  In the ink jet printer, the head unit and the substrate 9 may be relatively moved by various kinds of moving mechanisms. In other words, at least one of the head unit and the substrate 9 may be moved relative to the other. In the inkjet printer 1 described above, the head moving mechanism 4 that moves the head unit 3 in the X direction and the Y direction corresponds to the moving mechanism. In the inkjet printer 1a, the head moving mechanism 4 that moves the head unit 3 in the X direction and the holding unit moving mechanism 45 that moves the base material 9 in the Y direction together with the holding unit 2 correspond to the moving mechanism described above. In the printer 1b, the feeding mechanism 4a that moves the base material 9 in the X direction corresponds to the moving mechanism.

  Inkjet printers are particularly suitable for printing on sheet-like or plate-like flexible substrates made of paper, cloth, plastics, etc., but other substrates (for example, glass or metal) It may be used for forming the image layer 93 and the lens layer 95 on the plate material to be formed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1a, 1b Inkjet printer 4 Head moving mechanism 4a Feed mechanism 5 Print control part 9 Base material 31,31a-31d Transparent ink discharge part 32 Colored ink discharge part 33, 33a-33g Curing part 41 Main scanning mechanism 42 Subscanning mechanism 45 Holding part moving mechanism 90, 90a Printed material 93 Image layer 94a Image 94b Copyable image 94c Security image 95 Lens layer 96 Spacer layer 97 Micro lens layer 99, 99a to 99c Micro droplet 930, 930a Micro lens corresponding region 931a to 931h region 941a to 941h Partial images 971 and 971a Cylindrical lenses D1 to D5 directions S11 to S17 Steps

Claims (6)

An inkjet printer,
A first discharge unit for discharging fine droplets of colored ink toward a substrate;
A second ejection unit that ejects fine droplets of transparent ink toward the substrate;
A moving mechanism for relatively moving the first discharge unit, the second discharge unit, and the base material;
A curing unit that cures the transparent ink by irradiating the transparent ink applied on the substrate from the second ejection unit with radiation;
By controlling the first ejection unit, the second ejection unit, the moving mechanism, and the curing unit, an image layer made of the colored ink is formed on the substrate, and a lens made of the transparent ink is formed on the image layer. A print control unit for forming a layer;
With
The lens layer is a lenticular lens, and includes a microlens layer having a plurality of cylindrical lenses arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction and each extending in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction,
At least a part of the plurality of cylindrical lenses is a security lens used for preventing copy of the image layer,
A security area corresponding to the security lens of the image layer is
A copyable image drawn in a first region visible through the lens layer from a first direction perpendicular to the image layer;
A security image drawn in a second region visible through the lens layer from a second direction different from the first direction;
An ink jet printer comprising: The inkjet printer according to claim 1,
The ink jet printer, wherein the lens layer further includes a spacer layer formed with a predetermined film thickness between the image layer and the microlens layer. Printed material,
A substrate;
An image layer formed by discharging fine droplets of the colored ink on the substrate;
A lens layer formed on the image layer by curing minute droplets of radiation-curable transparent ink discharged onto the substrate;
With
The lens layer is a lenticular lens, and includes a microlens layer having a plurality of cylindrical lenses arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction and each extending in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction,
At least a part of the plurality of cylindrical lenses is a security lens used for preventing copy of the image layer,
A security area corresponding to the security lens of the image layer is
A copyable image drawn in a first region visible through the lens layer from a first direction perpendicular to the image layer;
A security image drawn in a second region visible through the lens layer from a second direction different from the first direction;
A printed matter comprising: The printed matter according to claim 3,
The printed matter, wherein the lens layer further includes a spacer layer formed with a predetermined film thickness between the image layer and the microlens layer. The printed matter according to claim 3 or 4,
The security lens is a part of the plurality of cylindrical lenses;
The printed matter, wherein a width or a radius of curvature of the security lens is different from a width or a radius of curvature of another cylindrical lens excluding the security lens. The printed matter according to claim 5,
The width of the security lens is larger than the width of other cylindrical lenses excluding the security lens,
The area of the image layer corresponding to the security lens is
A first image drawn in a region visible from the first direction through the lens layer and including the copyable image;
A second image which is the security image;
A third image drawn in a region visible through the lens layer from a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction;
A printed matter comprising:

Images