JPH054335A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To record images clearly on other paper than ordinary paper such as irregular recording paper or water repellent recording paper, and prevent recorded matter from fouling and prevent multicolor image from discoloring. CONSTITUTION:An intermediate transfer roller 11 is provided between a record head 7 and a recording paper 1. The intermediate transfer roller 11 is coated with a transparent coating liquid 12 and an additive agent 13. A reversed image is formed on coated layers 14 and 15 by the record head 7 so as to transfer the coated layers 14, 15 and the reversed image on the recording paper 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium based on an image signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording device having functions such as a printer, a copying machine and a facsimile, or a recording device used as an output device of a composite electronic device including a computer, a word processor, etc. An image is recorded on a recording medium (recording material) such as a plastic thin plate. The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type, etc., depending on the recording method.

In a serial type recording apparatus which employs a serial scan system in which main scanning is performed in a direction intersecting a conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording medium, the recording medium is set at a predetermined recording position and then along the recording medium. The image is recorded (main scanning) by the recording means mounted on the moving carriage, and after the recording for one line is completed, the paper is fed by a predetermined amount (pitch conveyance), and then the recording medium is stopped again. Then, by repeating the operation of recording (main scanning) the image of the next row, the entire recording medium is recorded. On the other hand, in a line type printing apparatus that prints only by sub-scanning in the conveyance direction of the print medium, the print medium is set at a predetermined print position, one line of print is performed at a time, and then a predetermined amount of paper is printed. The entire recording medium is recorded by repeating the operation of feeding (pitch feeding) and then collectively recording the next row.

Among the above-mentioned recording apparatuses, the ink-jet recording apparatus (ink-jet recording apparatus) performs recording by ejecting ink from a recording unit (recording head) onto a recording medium, and it is easy to make the recording unit compact. And
High-definition images can be recorded at high speed, plain paper can be recorded without any special processing, running costs are low, and the non-impact method produces less noise and multicolor images. It has advantages such as easy recording of a color image using ink. Above all, a line type apparatus using a line type recording means in which a large number of ejection openings are arranged in the paper width direction can further speed up recording.

In particular, an ink jet type recording means (recording head) for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy
Is a high-density liquid channel arrangement (discharging) by forming the electrothermal converter, electrodes, liquid channel wall, top plate, etc. formed on the substrate through semiconductor manufacturing processes such as etching, vapor deposition, and sputtering. Those having an outlet arrangement) can be easily manufactured, and further downsizing can be achieved.
On the other hand, there are various requirements for the material of the recording medium, and in recent years, paper and resin thin plate (O
In addition to HP, etc., thin paper and processed paper (paper with punched holes for filing, paper with perforations, paper of arbitrary shape, etc.) have been required to be used.

[0006]

However, the conventional recording apparatus has the following problems because the image is directly formed on the recording medium by the recording means. First, it is difficult to form a clear image depending on the type of recording medium, such as a recording medium having a textured surface or a recording medium having high water repellency. For example, when recording on a recording medium that has been subjected to uneven processing by an inkjet recording device, the flight distance of the ink from the ejection port forming surface of the recording head to the recording medium surface varies depending on the location, so Due to the difference, the landing point may be different, and a clear image may not be formed. Secondly, the surface protection for protecting the recorded matter from the external environment such as raindrops and dust and for preventing the stain is performed by a method of covering the entire surface of the recorded matter with a film-like protective film after recording. It took a lot of time and effort. Third, in multi-color recording, the second color is recorded on top of the first color, so if the previous color is melted or discolored due to chemical change or turbidity, the expected color cannot be obtained. was there.

The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to select a type of recording medium such as a recording medium having an uneven surface or a recording medium having a highly water-repellent surface. Regardless of the problem of discoloration in multi-color recording in which different colors are overlaid, a clear image can be easily formed regardless of the environment, stains can be prevented by protecting the recorded matter from the external environment such as raindrops. It is to provide a recording device that can be eliminated.

[0008]

According to the present invention, in a recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium by a recording means, an intermediate transfer roller is provided between the recording means and the recording medium, and a protective agent is applied to the intermediate transfer roller. The above object is achieved by forming a protective film by means of the recording means, forming an inverted image on the protective film by the recording means, and transferring the protective film and the inverted image onto a recording medium. According to another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the recording unit is an inkjet recording unit that ejects ink based on an image signal, or the protective film is a transparent ink protective film. Thus, the above object can be achieved more efficiently.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a schematic side view showing an embodiment of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the recording apparatus of FIG. 1 and 2 show a case where the present invention is applied to a serial recording type inkjet recording apparatus. 1 and 2, 1 is a recording medium (recording material) such as a recording sheet or a plastic thin plate, 2 is a paper feed drive motor (conveying motor), 3 is a recording medium 1 loaded in a cassette or a paper feed table 1 A sheet feeding roller for feeding the recording medium 1 one by one, a platen roller for conveying and guiding and supporting the supplied recording medium 1, and a feed 5 for giving a paper feeding force (conveying force) to the recording medium 1. A roller, 6 is a paper pressing roller for bringing the recording medium 1 into close contact with the platen roller 4, 7 is a recording means (recording head) for recording based on an image signal, and 8 is two guides arranged in parallel. A carriage 10 movable along the rail 9 in the width direction of the recording medium 1 is a control circuit board for controlling the entire recording apparatus. The recording means 7 is mounted on a carriage 8.

1 and 2, on the carriage 8, in addition to the recording head 7, the recording head 7 is provided.
And an intermediate transfer roller 11 disposed between the recording medium 1 and
A coating liquid unit 12 for applying a coating liquid on the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer roller 11 and an adhesive agent unit 13 for applying an adhesive agent on the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer roller 11 are mounted. The intermediate transfer roller 11 is supported by a vertical shaft. These components form a protective film consisting of a layer of coating liquid and a layer of an adhesive agent on the intermediate transfer roller 11 as the intermediate transfer roller 11 rotates, and then,
An image is formed on the recording medium 1 by recording an inverted image on the surface of the protective film by the recording head 7 and then transferring the inverted image and the protective film onto the surface of the recording medium 1. Has been done.

The recording means (recording head) 7 is an ink jet recording means for ejecting ink by utilizing heat energy, and is provided with an electrothermal converter for generating heat energy. Further, the recording means 7 performs recording by ejecting ink from an ejection port by utilizing a pressure change caused by growth and contraction of bubbles due to film boiling caused by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. Is.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection portion of the recording means (recording head) 7.
In FIG. 3, the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer roller 11 (specifically, the protective film) and a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.5 to
A plurality of discharge ports 52 are formed at a predetermined pitch on the discharge port forming surface 51 facing each other at a distance of about 2.0 mm), and the common liquid chamber 53 and the respective liquid passages 54 communicating with the respective discharge ports 52 are formed. An electrothermal converter (heating resistor, etc.) 55 for generating energy for ejecting ink is arranged along the wall surface.
In this example, the recording head 7 is mounted on the carriage 8.
The ejection ports 52 are mounted in such a positional relationship that they are arranged in a direction intersecting with the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer roller 11.
In this manner, the corresponding electrothermal converter 55 is driven (energized) based on the image signal or the ejection signal to cause the ink in the liquid path 54 to film-boil, and the pressure generated at that time causes the ink to be ejected from the ejection port 52. The recording head 7 is configured.

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view showing a state in which a protective film is formed on the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer roller 11 and an image is recorded on the protective film. FIG. 5 shows the recorded protective film on the recording medium 1. FIG. 4 is a partial plan view showing a state of transfer to a sheet. 4 and 5, the intermediate transfer roller 11 is composed of a resilient roller whose peripheral surface is formed of a rubber-like elastic material. The coating liquid unit 12 has a coating liquid tank and a brush. By driving the brush with a magnet (not shown), the coating liquid layer 14 is formed on the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer roller 11.
Are configured to form. Further, the adhesive agent unit 13 has an adhesive agent tank and a brush, and by driving the brush with a magnet (not shown), an adhesive layer 15 is formed on the coating liquid layer 14 of the intermediate transfer roller 11. Are configured to form. The layer 14 of the coating liquid and the layer 15 of the adhesive agent form the protective film.

During recording, the intermediate transfer roller 11 has a discharge port forming surface 51 of the recording head 7 and the protective films 14 and 15 thereon.
And the protective film recorded on the recording medium 1 which is in close contact with the platen roller 4 can be reliably transferred. Layer 14 of the coating liquid
Is formed, for example, by applying a transparent wax or a polymer-based liquid. This layer 14 of coating liquid is
It is a layer which solidifies immediately and is for covering and protecting the recording surface of the recording medium 1 when transferred. The layer 15 of the adhesive (adhesive) formed on the layer 14 of the coating liquid is for easily and surely attaching (adhering) the recording medium 1 by transfer. The image recorded on the protective film (adhesive layer 15) by the recording head 7 is a reverse image, and the reverse image is the recording medium 1.
When it is transferred to, it is recorded as a normal image.

Next, the operation of the above recording apparatus will be described in detail. First, when the CPU on the control circuit board 10 receives a paper feed command from the host computer, the paper feed drive motor 2 is driven to rotate the platen roller 4 and the paper feed roller 3 in synchronization, and the paper feed cassette (or the paper feed cassette). One of the recording media 1 stacked on the table is supplied between the platen roller 4 and the feed roller 5. The feed roller 5 is pressed against the platen roller 4 and is rotated by the frictional force between the platen roller 4 and the supplied recording medium 1 at a predetermined position (for example, the leading portion is pressed by the paper presser) by the frictional conveyance force of the feed roller 5. The rollers 6 convey the platen rollers 4 to the position where they are brought into close contact with the platen roller 4).

Next, when the CPU on the control circuit board 10 receives the recording command together with the recording data, the CPU moves the carriage 8 to a position before the recording start position by a predetermined distance. This predetermined distance is in contact with the brush of the coating liquid unit 12 and the circumferential distance M from the position facing the ejection port forming surface 51 to the position tangent to the recording medium 1 along the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer roller 11. From the position to the discharge port forming surface 51
And the circumferential distance N to the facing position are summed (M
+ N). Next, a magnet (not shown) is operated to bring the coating port of the brush of the coating liquid unit 12 into contact with the intermediate transfer roller 11 to start coating the coating liquid and move the carriage 8 to move the intermediate transfer roller 11 on the circumference. When the carriage 8 is moved by an amount corresponding to the circumferential distance L (L dot) between the brush of the coating liquid unit 12 and the brush of the adhesive agent unit 13, the magnet (not shown) is operated to activate the adhesive agent unit. The application port of the brush 13 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer roller 11, and the application of the adhesive on the layer 14 of the coating liquid is started.

Thus, the coating liquid layer 14 and the adhesive layer 15
While forming the protective film made of, the carriage 8 further includes the coating liquid unit 12 and the ejection port forming surface 51 of the recording head 7.
When the circumference distance N (N dots) between
Recording on the protective film (adhesive layer 15) is started.
In this recording operation, recording data of a reverse image is sent to the recording head 7, the electrothermal converter 55 is driven (energized) based on the recording data, ink is ejected from a predetermined ejection port 52, and the protective film is formed. Is performed as an operation for forming a reverse image on the.
Even during this recording operation, the coating liquid 14 is continuously coated by the coating liquid unit 12 and the adhesive 15 is continuously coated by the adhesive unit 13.

Thus, based on the print data, the print head 7 discharges ink dot by dot on the protective film of the intermediate transfer roller 11 to form a transfer image (reverse image).
After the dot is moved, the operation of transferring the transferred image to a predetermined position on the recording medium 1 is continuously performed. Carriage 8
Is ejected on the basis of the final recording data, and then is additionally moved (moved) by (M + N) dots to thereby form the layer 14 of the coating liquid on the intermediate transfer roller 11 and the adhesive (adhesive). All of the layer 15 and the recorded reverse image are transferred onto the recording medium 1, and a correct image (normal image) is formed (recorded) on the recording medium 1.

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view showing a state of transfer onto the recording medium 1 having a convex portion on the surface. In the above example,
Since the surface of the intermediate transfer roller 11 is formed of a rubber-like elastic material having elasticity, the intermediate transfer roller 11 can be dented by the convex portion of the recording medium 1 and should be in close contact with the recording medium 1 before and after that. You can Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, the unevenness of the recording medium 1 can be absorbed by the intermediate transfer roller 11, and clear image transfer without recording defects can be performed.

By providing an electrothermal conversion element composed of a heating element or the like inside the intermediate transfer roller 11, the protective films 14 and 15 are separated from the intermediate transfer roller 11 at the time of transfer and transferred to the recording medium 1. Can be further facilitated, and the change in transferability due to ambient temperature can be eliminated. Further, by covering the surface of the intermediate transfer roller 11 with a polymer agent such as polyethylene and engraving fine irregularities (texture) on the surface, it is possible to improve the ink application. In that case, if a method of spraying the coating liquid in a spray state instead of applying the coating liquid is adopted, the uneven surface of the intermediate transfer roller 11 can be formed by the layer 14 of the coating liquid itself.

Although the platen roller 4 is used as the platen in the above-described embodiments, it may be a platen having various other structures such as a flat plate-shaped fixed platen. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the recording means (recording head)
Although the serial type recording apparatus in which 7 is mounted on the carriage 8 and main scanning is performed along the recording medium 1 has been described as an example, the present invention is a line type corresponding to the whole or a part of the recording width of the recording medium. The same can be applied to the case of a line type recording apparatus using the above recording means, and the same operational effect can be achieved. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the recording is performed by one recording means 7 is illustrated, but
The present invention provides recording means (recording means) such as a color recording apparatus having a plurality of recording means for recording in different colors, or a recording apparatus for gradation recording using a plurality of recording means for recording with the same color but different densities. The same can be applied regardless of the number of heads), and the same effect can be achieved.

Further, as the recording means, other recording heads such as a cartridge type recording means (head cartridge) in which a recording head and an ink tank are integrated, or a structure in which the recording head and the ink tank are separately provided The same can be applied to the recording apparatus having the configuration form of the ink tank and the ink tank, and the same effect can be obtained.

When the recording apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus, the present invention can be applied to, for example, a recording means (recording head) using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element. The present invention brings about an excellent effect in an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording means of a type that ejects ink by utilizing thermal energy. This is because such a system can achieve high density recording and high definition recording.

Regarding the typical structure and principle thereof, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
This is preferably done using the basic principles disclosed in 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type, but particularly in the case of the on-demand type, a liquid (ink) is used.
By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which is stored, which corresponds to the recorded information and causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling. Since the electrothermal converter generates heat energy to cause film boiling on the heat acting surface of the recording means (recording head), as a result, bubbles can be formed in the liquid (ink) in a one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal. It is valid.

Due to the growth and contraction of the bubbles, the liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make the driving signal into a pulse shape because bubbles can be grown and contracted immediately and appropriately, and thus a liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness can be ejected. As this pulse-shaped drive signal, US Pat.
Those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,633,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Incidentally, US Pat. No. 43131 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface.
If the conditions described in the specification of No. 24 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 respective 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.
A configuration using the specification of No. 459600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 123670/1984 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. The present invention is also effective as a structure based on Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 138461/1984, which discloses a structure in which the discharge section is associated with the discharge section. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, 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 with the serial type as in the above example, it is possible to electrically connect to the device body and supply ink from the device body by mounting it on the recording head fixed to the device body or the device body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip type recording head 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, etc., 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. If you list these specifically,
Capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suctioning means, electrothermal converter or other heating element or preheating means by a combination thereof, and ejection different from recording are applied to the recording head. Performing the preliminary ejection mode is also effective for stable recording.

Regarding the type and 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. And a plurality of them may be provided. That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to a recording mode only for mainstream colors such as black,
The recording head may be integrally configured or a combination of a plurality of recording heads may be used, but the present invention is also extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of a mixed color of different colors or a full color by mixing colors.

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 that softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet. In the method, the temperature of the ink itself is generally adjusted within a 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 a stable ejection range. It may be in a liquid form. in addition,
Whether the temperature rise due to thermal energy is positively used as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink that solidifies when left standing for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink is used. In any case, the ink is liquefied by applying the thermal energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink is ejected,
The present invention is also applicable to the case of using an ink that has a property of being liquefied only by thermal energy, such as one that has already started to solidify when it reaches the recording medium.

The ink in such a case is disclosed in JP-A-54-54.
As described in JP-A-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, a mode in which it is held as a liquid or a solid in the recesses or through holes of the porous sheet and faces the electrothermal converter. May be 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 the form of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the one used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. And the like may be used.

[0033]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, in the recording apparatus for recording on the recording medium by the recording means, the intermediate transfer roller is provided between the recording means and the recording medium, and the intermediate transfer roller is provided. The roller is coated with a protective agent to form a protective film, the recording means forms an inverted image on the protective film, and the protective film and the inverted image are transferred to a recording medium. A clear image can be easily formed regardless of the type of recording medium such as a recording medium or a recording medium with high water repellency such as coating paper, which protects the recorded matter from the external environment such as raindrops and prevents stains. In addition, it is possible to solve the problem of discoloration in multicolor recording in which different colors are overlaid, and metallic recording can be easily performed by mixing metal powder or the like into the protective film. Kill the recording apparatus is provided. According to another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the recording unit is an inkjet recording unit that ejects ink based on an image signal, or the protective film is a transparent ink protective film. Therefore, a recording device that can achieve the above effect more efficiently is provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of an embodiment of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of a recording unit of the recording apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of an ink ejection portion of the recording means in FIG.

4 is a partial plan view showing a state in which a protective film is formed on the intermediate transfer roller in FIG. 2 and a reverse image is formed on the protective film.

5 is a partial plan view showing a state in which an image and a protective film are transferred onto a recording medium by the intermediate transfer roller in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic partial plan view showing a state of transferring onto a recording medium having a convex portion by the intermediate transfer roller of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 recording medium 2 Paper feed drive motor 4 Platen roller 5 Feed roller 6 Paper pressing roller 7 Recording means (recording head) 8 carriage 10 control circuit board 11 Intermediate transfer roller 12 Coating liquid unit 13 Adhesive unit 14 Layer of coating liquid 15 Layer of adhesive

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium by a recording means, wherein an intermediate transfer roller is provided between the recording means and the recording medium, and a protective agent is applied to the intermediate transfer roller to form a protective film, A recording apparatus, wherein a reverse image is formed on the protective film by the recording unit, and the protective film and the reverse image are transferred to a recording medium. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is an inkjet recording unit that ejects ink based on an image signal. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the protective film is a transparent ink protective film. 4. The ink jet recording means, wherein the recording means comprises an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for ejecting ink.
Recording device. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording unit ejects the ink from the ejection port by utilizing film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. .