阅读说明：本技术 液体组合物，赋予液体组合物的装置，成像装置和成像方法 (Liquid composition, apparatus for imparting liquid composition, image forming apparatus and image forming method ) 是由 张东植 渡会幸隆 前川勉 玉井崇词 花泽宏文 葛城弘二 于 2019-01-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种液体组合物包括无机颗粒和多价金属盐,其中,将所述液体组合物相对铸涂纸赋予使其成为0.12mg/cm<Sup>2</Sup>后,在80℃下加热15秒,在赋予所述液体组合物的铸涂纸的区域的粘合力为50mN以下。(A liquid composition comprising inorganic particles and a polyvalent metal salt, wherein the liquid composition is imparted to cast-coated paper so as to be 0.12mg/cm 2 And then heated at 80 ℃ for 15 seconds, whereby the adhesive force in the area of the cast-coated paper to which the liquid composition is applied is 50mN or less.)

1. A liquid composition comprising:

inorganic particles; and

a polyvalent metal salt of a metal selected from the group consisting of,

wherein the liquid composition is imparted to cast coated paper to a level of 0.12mg/cm²And then heated at 80 ℃ for 15 seconds, whereby the adhesive force in the area of the cast-coated paper to which the liquid composition is applied is 50mN or less.

2. The liquid composition according to claim 1, wherein,

wherein the liquid composition is imparted before the ink is imparted.

3. The liquid composition according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein the inorganic particles comprise a metal oxide.

4. The liquid composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

wherein the inorganic particles comprise a material selected from the group consisting of SiO₂、Al₂O₃、TiO₂ZnO, and ZnO₂At least one selected from the group consisting of.

5. The liquid composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

wherein the inorganic particles are 0.5 to 1.0 mass% with respect to the total amount of the liquid composition.

6. The liquid composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

wherein a content of the inorganic particles in the liquid composition is 4.0 mass% or less with respect to a content of the polyvalent metal salt in the liquid composition.

7. The liquid composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

wherein the adhesive force is 40mN or less.

8. The liquid composition according to any one of claims 2 to 7,

wherein the polyvalent metal salt aggregates a color material contained in the ink.

9. A device for imparting the liquid composition of any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising:

a liquid composition containing device containing the liquid composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and

a liquid composition imparting device configured to impart the liquid composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8 to a recording medium.

10. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a liquid composition containing device according to claim 9;

a liquid composition imparting apparatus according to claim 9; and

an ink applying device configured to apply ink to a region of the recording medium to which the liquid composition has been applied.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a member disposed in a conveyance path of the recording medium between a position of the liquid composition imparting means and a position of the ink imparting means, the member being configured to at least partially contact the area of the recording medium.

12. An image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said member includes a roller.

13. An imaging method, comprising:

imparting the liquid composition of any one of claims 1 to 8 to the recording medium; and

imparting an ink to a region to which has been imparted the liquid composition of any one of claims 1 to 8.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a liquid composition, a device for imparting a liquid composition, an image forming device, and an image forming method.

Background

As an ink used in applications requiring water resistance and light resistance, such as posters, it is known to use an ink containing a coloring material such as a pigment. If such ink is discharged by an ink jet recording method to a low-absorption recording medium such as coated paper used for commercial printing or the like, coalescence between adjacent droplets occurs on the recording medium, resulting in image defects (beading). As a method for eliminating the beading image defect, there is known a method in which a treatment liquid containing a polyvalent metal salt or the like having an action of aggregating a color material in an ink is applied to a recording medium before ink is discharged.

JP-2013-71277-a discloses an ink jet recording method including a first process of causing a second treatment liquid to adhere to a recording medium of low ink absorbency or non-absorbency, and a second process of discharging droplets of a glossy ink composition containing a glossy pigment from a nozzle hole onto the second treatment liquid adhering to the recording medium to cause adhesion. More specifically, it is disclosed that the second treatment liquid contains colloidal silica and at least one selected from the group consisting of a cationic resin, a polyvalent metal salt and an organic acid.

CITATION LIST

Patent document

[ patent document 1 ] JP-2013-71277-A

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

However, for example, when a member such as a roller contacts a region of the recording medium to which the liquid composition has been applied, during a period after the liquid composition such as the treatment liquid has been applied to the recording medium and before the ink has been applied, there is a problem that the liquid composition may adhere to the member. Further, the liquid composition adhering to the member may move further to another recording medium in contact with the member after the adhesion, or may be dried in an adhered state and brought into contact with another recording medium, which may cause an image defect due to uneven concentration of the liquid composition in another recording medium.

Means for solving the problems

As an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid composition including:

inorganic particles; and

a polyvalent (polyvalent) metal salt,

wherein the liquid composition is imparted to cast coated paper to a level of 0.12mg/cm²And then heated at 80 ℃ for 15 seconds, whereby the adhesive force in the area of the cast-coated paper to which the liquid composition is applied is 50mN or less.

Effects of the invention

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid composition having an excellent effect of suppressing adhesion of the liquid composition to a member even when the member contacts a region of a recording medium to which the liquid composition is applied.

Drawings

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout.

Fig. 1A is an example schematically showing a state in which a recording medium to which a liquid composition has been imparted is in contact with a member of an image forming apparatus;

fig. 1B is another example schematically showing a state in which a recording medium to which a liquid composition has been imparted is in contact with a member of an image forming apparatus;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing one example of an imaging apparatus.

Detailed Description

In describing the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of the present specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that perform similar functions, operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Further, image formation, recording, printing, modeling, and the like mean the same in the present disclosure unless otherwise specified.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be explained.

Liquid composition

The liquid composition of the present embodiment is applied to a recording medium before the ink is applied to the recording medium. The liquid composition comprises inorganic particles, a multivalent metal salt, and optionally other components, such as an organic solvent, water, and a surfactant. Hereinafter, the liquid composition may also be referred to as a treatment liquid.

Inorganic particles

If the inorganic particles are contained in the liquid composition, even when the member contacts the region of the recording medium to which the liquid composition has been applied during the period after the liquid composition has been applied to the recording medium but before the ink has been applied, the adhesion of the liquid composition to the member can be reduced.

Specific examples of the inorganic particles include, but are not limited to, silicon oxide (SiO)₂) Aluminum oxide (Al)₂O₃) Titanium oxide (TiO)₂) Zinc oxide (ZnO), zinc peroxide (ZnO)₂). Of these examples, titanium oxide (TiO) is preferred₂) Silicon oxide (SiO)₂) And zinc oxide (ZnO).

The volume average particle diameter of the inorganic particles is preferably 5 to 50nm so as not to affect an image. In addition, the volume average particle size was small, and the reading was good.

The inorganic particles are preferably 0.05% by mass or more, more preferably 0.1% by mass or more, and still more preferably 0.5% by mass or more, relative to the total amount of the liquid composition. The inorganic particles are preferably 2.0% by mass or less, more preferably 1.5% by mass or less, and further preferably 1.0% by mass or less, relative to the total amount of the liquid composition. Within this range, even when the member contacts the region of the recording medium to which the liquid composition has been applied during the period after the liquid composition has been applied to the recording medium but before the ink has not been applied, the adhesion of the liquid composition to the member can be reduced.

Next, how the inorganic particles prevent the adhesion of the liquid composition to the member is described with reference to fig. 1. Fig. 1A is a schematic view showing an example of a state in which a recording medium to which a liquid composition has been applied is in contact with a member of an image forming apparatus. In fig. 1A, a state in which a member 1 of an image forming apparatus is in contact with a layer formed of a liquid composition 3 applied onto a recording medium 2 is shown, and the liquid composition 3 does not contain inorganic particles. In fig. 1B, a state in which a member 1 of an image forming apparatus is in contact with a layer formed of a liquid composition 4 that has been applied onto a recording medium 2 is shown, and the liquid composition 4 contains inorganic particles 5 and a component 6 other than the inorganic particles 5.

As shown in fig. 1A, when the member 1 of the image forming apparatus and the recording medium 2 are separated after being brought into contact, the layer composed of the liquid composition 3 is brought into contact with each of the member 1 of the image forming apparatus and the recording medium 2. Therefore, the layer composed of the liquid composition 3 is split and attached to the member 1 of the image forming apparatus and the recording medium 2, respectively. The liquid composition 3 attached to the member 1 of the image forming apparatus is forcibly evaporated or naturally evaporated by heating of the member 1 of the image forming apparatus, and moisture is evaporated. If the moisture evaporates, components contained in the liquid composition 3, such as a polyvalent metal salt, are precipitated and fixed to the surface of the member 1 of the image forming apparatus. The consolidated polyvalent metal salt component is visible as a result of the whitening. Next, the next recording medium 2 to which the liquid composition 3 has been imparted is brought into contact with the member 1 of the image forming apparatus. Thereby, the liquid composition 3 that has been applied to the recording medium 2 adheres to the member 1 of the image forming apparatus. The thickness of the consolidated object of the component 1 of the image forming apparatus gradually increases. Thereafter, the solidified material is brought into contact with a region of the recording medium to which the liquid composition has been applied, and the liquid composition is transferred by the contact itself or the contact, whereby the liquid composition may be unevenly concentrated on the recording medium, and an image failure may be caused.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 1B, when the recording medium 2 to which the liquid composition 4 containing the inorganic particles 5 has been applied is brought into contact with the member 1 of the image forming apparatus and then separated, the layer composed of the liquid composition 4 in contact with the recording medium 2 and the member 1 of the image forming apparatus, respectively, is separated from the member 1 of the image forming apparatus without being broken by the inorganic particles 5 in the liquid composition 4. The liquid composition 4 containing the inorganic particles 5 is entangled with the fibers or coating layer of the recording medium 2, and therefore, the layer composed of the liquid composition 4 can be rapidly separated from the surface of the member 1 of the image forming apparatus. As a result, on the surface of the member 1 of the image forming apparatus, the consolidation of the polyvalent metal salt component contained in the liquid composition 3 can be reduced. The concentration unevenness of the liquid composition on the recording medium which is thereafter brought into contact with the member 1 of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

When the recording medium 2 is low in absorbency or when the member 1 of the image forming apparatus is a device for heating the recording medium, the liquid composition 3 adheres remarkably to the member 1 of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is particularly preferred to use in this case a liquid composition 4 comprising inorganic particles 5.

Polyvalent metal salt

The polyvalent metal salt associates with the color material in the ink by an electric charge action, and forms an aggregate of the color material, thereby separating the color material from the liquid phase and promoting adhesion to the recording medium. Further, by containing the polyvalent metal salt in the liquid composition, beading can be suppressed and a high-quality image can be formed even when a recording medium having low ink absorbency is used. Further, unlike a coagulant such as a cationic polymer, the polyvalent metal salt can reduce the adhesion of the liquid composition to the member even when the member contacts the region of the recording medium to which the liquid composition has been applied, during the period after the liquid composition has been applied to the recording medium but before the ink has been applied.

The polyvalent metal salt is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples thereof include titanium compounds, chromium compounds, copper compounds, cobalt compounds, strontium compounds, barium compounds, iron compounds, aluminum compounds, calcium compounds, magnesium compounds, zinc compounds, and salts of nickel compounds. These may be used alone or in combination. Among these, salts of calcium compounds, magnesium compounds and nickel compounds are preferable, and alkaline earth metal salts of calcium compounds and magnesium compounds are more preferable, from the viewpoint of efficiently aggregating pigments.

The magnesium compound is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose.

Specific examples include, but are not limited to, magnesium chloride, magnesium acetate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium nitrate, and magnesium silicate. The calcium compound is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, calcium carbonate, calcium nitrate, calcium chloride, calcium acetate, calcium sulfate, and calcium silicate. The barium compound is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, barium sulfate, for example. The zinc compound is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, zinc sulfate, zinc carbonate. The aluminum compound is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, aluminum silicate, aluminum hydroxide. Among them, magnesium sulfate, magnesium nitrate, calcium nitrate, and the like are particularly preferable because they have particularly high solubility in a liquid composition containing glycerin. The glycerin content in the liquid composition is preferably 0.5 to 2.0, more preferably 1.0 to 1.5, and still more preferably 1.1 to 1.3 in terms of mass ratio to the polyvalent metal salt content in the liquid composition.

The polyvalent metal salt is preferably 0.8 to 1.4 mol/L relative to the total amount of the liquid composition. When the polyvalent metal salt is 0.8 mol/L or more, the beading problem can be sufficiently controlled even when a low-absorptive recording medium is used. When the polyvalent metal salt is 1.4 mol/L or less, the storage stability of the liquid composition is improved.

The polyvalent metal salt is preferably 10.0% by mass or more, more preferably 20.0% by mass or more, and further preferably 22.0% by mass or more, based on the total amount of the liquid composition. The polyvalent metal salt is preferably 40.0% by mass or less, more preferably 30.0% by mass or less, and further preferably 28.0% by mass or less with respect to the total amount of the liquid composition.

The content of the inorganic particles in the liquid composition is preferably 10.0% by mass or less, more preferably 4.0% by mass or less, and further preferably 3.0% by mass or less, relative to the content of the polyvalent metal salt in the liquid composition. The content of the inorganic particles in the liquid composition is preferably 0.5% by mass or more, more preferably 1.0% by mass or more, and further preferably 1.5% by mass or more, relative to the content of the polyvalent metal salt in the liquid composition. When the amount of the liquid composition is within this range, the adhesion of the liquid composition to the member can be reduced even when the member contacts the region of the recording medium to which the liquid composition has been applied, after the liquid composition has been applied to the recording medium, but before the ink has not been applied. Further, when the content is within this range, the pigment aggregation effect of the polyvalent metal salt is improved, and beading of the image can be reduced.

Organic solvent

The liquid composition may contain an organic solvent, and a water-soluble organic solvent is preferably used. Examples of the water-soluble organic solvent include polyhydric alcohols, ethers such as polyhydric alcohol alkyl ethers and polyhydric alcohol aryl ethers, nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, amides, amines, and sulfur-containing compounds.

Specific examples of the water-soluble organic solvent include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 1, 2-propanediol, 1, 3-propanediol, 1, 2-butanediol, 1-3-butanediol, 1, 4-butanediol, 2, 3-butanediol, 3-methyl-1, 3-butanediol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, 1, 2-pentanediol, 1, 3-pentanediol, 1, 4-pentanediol, 2, 4-pentanediol, 1, 5-pentanediol, 1, 2-hexanediol, 1, 6-hexanediol, 1, 3-hexanediol, 2, 5-hexanediol, 1, 5-hexanediol, glycerol, 1,2, 6-hexanetriol, 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol, ethyl-1, polyhydric alcohols such as 2, 4-butanetriol, 1,2, 3-butanetriol, 2, 4-trimethyl-1, 3-pentanediol, and petriol; polyhydric alcohol alkyl ethers such as ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, tetraethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and propylene glycol monoethyl ether; polyhydric alcohol aryl ethers such as ethylene glycol monophenyl ether and ethylene glycol monobenzyl ether; nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds such as 2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-hydroxyethyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1, 3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, -caprolactam, and γ -butyrolactone; amides such as formamide, N-methylformamide, N-dimethylformamide, 3-methoxy-N, N-dimethylpropionamide, and 3-butoxy-N, N-dimethylpropionamide; amines such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine; sulfur-containing compounds such as dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane and thiodiethanol; propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, and the like. Among them, glycerin having high solubility of the polyvalent metal salt is preferably used, and glycerin alone is more preferably used.

The content of the organic solvent in the liquid composition is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but is preferably 10 to 60% by mass, more preferably 20 to 60% by mass, from the viewpoint of the drying property of the liquid composition.

Water (W)

Examples of the water include pure water such as ion-exchanged water, ultrafiltration water, reverse osmosis water, and distilled water, and ultrapure water. These may be used alone or in combination. The content of water is preferably 65% or less, more preferably 30 to 50% by mass, based on the total amount of the liquid composition. When the content is 65% by mass or less, the viscosity of the liquid composition increases when water is evaporated, and gelation, precipitation of insoluble substances, and the like are easily suppressed.

Interfacial activator

The surfactant has the effect of reducing the surface tension of the liquid composition, improving wettability to various recording media, and enabling uniform application of the liquid composition. The surfactant suitably wets the liquid composition, thereby increasing the permeation rate to various recording media.

In particular, the permeability of the liquid composition into various recording media is very important. If the liquid composition permeability is low, a large amount of the liquid composition accumulates near the surface of the recording medium, and when the liquid composition comes into contact with the color material in the ink, the color material excessively aggregates, and the dot diameter decreases, resulting in the occurrence of insufficient filling of the solid image. Further, since the color material is excessively accumulated on the surface of the recording medium, an adverse effect of lowering the fixing property may occur.

As the surfactant, any of a silicon-based surfactant, a fluorine-based surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and an anionic surfactant can be used.

The silicon-based surfactant is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Among them, a silicon-based surfactant which does not decompose even at a high pH is preferable. Examples of the silicon-based surfactant include side chain-modified polydimethylsiloxane, both-terminal-modified polydimethylsiloxane, single-terminal-modified polydimethylsiloxane, both-terminal-modified polydimethylsiloxane of side chain, and the like. A silicon-based surfactant having a polyoxyethylene group or a polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene group as a modifying group is particularly suitable because it exhibits good properties as an aqueous surfactant. Further, as the silicon-based surfactant, a polyether-modified silicon-based surfactant may be used, and examples thereof include a compound in which a polyalkylene oxide structure is introduced into a side chain of a Si portion of dimethylsiloxane.

As the fluorine-based surfactant, there may be mentioned, for example, a perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid compound, a perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid compound, a perfluoroalkyl phosphate ester compound, a perfluoroalkyl ethylene oxide adduct, and a polyoxyalkylene ether polymer compound having a perfluoroalkyl ether group in a side chain, and is particularly suitable because of its small foaming property.

Examples of the perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid compound include perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid and perfluoroalkyl sulfonate. Examples of the perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid compound include perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and perfluoroalkyl carboxylates. Examples of the polyoxyalkylene ether polymer compound having a perfluoroalkyl ether group in a side chain include sulfuric acid ester salts of polyoxyalkylene ether polymers having a perfluoroalkyl ether group in a side chain, and the like. Examples of the counter ion of the salt in the fluorine-based surfactant include Li, Na, K and NH₄、NH₃CH₂CH₂OH、NH₂(CH₂CH₂OH)₂、NH(CH₂CH₂OH)₃And the like.

Examples of the amphoteric surfactant include laurylaminopropionate, lauryldimethylbetaine, stearyldimethylbetaine, and lauryldihydroxyethyl betaine.

Examples of the nonionic surfactant include polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl esters, polyoxyethylene alkylamines, polyoxyethylene alkylamides, polyoxyethylene propylene block polymers, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, ethylene oxide adducts of acetylene alcohols, and the like.

Examples of the anionic surfactant include polyoxyethylene alkyl ether acetate, dodecylbenzene sulfonate, laurate, and polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate.

These surfactants may be used alone or in combination.

The silicon-based surfactant is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose.

Examples thereof include side chain-modified polydimethylsiloxanes, both-end-modified polydimethylsiloxanes, one-end-modified polydimethylsiloxanes, side chain both-end-modified polydimethylsiloxanes, and polyether-modified silicon-based surfactants having a polyoxyethylene group or a polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene group as a modifying group, and are particularly suitable because they exhibit good properties as aqueous surfactants.

As such a surfactant, those appropriately synthesized or commercially available ones may be used. Commercially available products are available from BYK CHEMIE, shin-Etsu CHEMICAL Co., Ltd., Silicon Dow Corning Toray, Japan latex Co., Ltd., KYOEISHA CHEMICAL Co., Ltd.

The polyether-modified silicon surfactant is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and examples thereof include compounds represented by the general formula (S-1) in which a polyalkylene oxide structure is introduced into a side chain of the Si portion of dimethylpolysiloxane.

General formula (S-1):

X＝-R(C₂H₄O)_a(C₃H₆O)_bR'

in the general formula (S-1), m, n, a, and b are each independently an integer, R represents an alkylene group, and R' represents an alkyl group.

As the polyether-modified Silicon surfactant, commercially available products can be used, and examples thereof include KF-618, KF-642, KF-643 (shin-Etsu chemical Co., Ltd.), EMLEX-SS-5602, SS-1906EX (Japan latex Co., Ltd.), FZ-2105, FZ-2118, FZ-2154, FZ-2161, FZ-2163, FZ-2164(Silicon Dow Corning Toray Co., Ltd.), BYK-33, BYK-387(BYK CHEMIE Co., Ltd.), TSF4440, TSF4452 and TSF4453 (Toshiba Silicon Co., Ltd.).

The fluorine-based surfactant is preferably a compound having 2 to 16 carbon atoms substituted with fluorine, and more preferably a compound having 4 to 16 carbon atoms substituted with fluorine.

Examples of the fluorine-based surfactant include perfluoroalkyl phosphate ester compounds, perfluoroalkyl ethylene oxide adducts, and polyoxyalkylene ether polymer compounds having a perfluoroalkyl ether group in a side chain. Among these, polyoxyalkylene ether polymer compounds having a perfluoroalkyl ether group in the side chain are preferable because of their low foaming properties, and fluorine-based surfactants represented by the general formulae (F-1) and (F-2) are particularly preferable.

General formula (F-1):

CF₃CF₂(CF₂CF₂)_m-CH₂CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_nH

in the compounds represented by the above general formula (F-1), m is preferably an integer of 0 to 10, and n is preferably an integer of 0 to 40, for imparting water solubility.

General formula (F-2):

C_nF_2n+1-CH₂CH(OH)CH₂-O-(CH₂CH₂O)_a-Y

in the compound represented by the above general formula (F-2), Y is H or C_mF_2m+1(m is an integer of 1 to 6), or CH₂CH(OH)CH₂-C_mF_2m+1(m is an integer of 4 to 6), or CpF_2p+1(p is an integer of 1 to 19). n is an integer of 1 to 6. a is an integer of 4 to 14.

As the fluorine-based surfactant, commercially available products can be used.

Examples of such commercially available products include SURLON S-111, S-112, S-113, S-121, S-131, S-132, S-141 and S-145 (all manufactured by ASAHI GLASS Co.); FLUORAD FC-93, FC-95, FC-98, FC-129, FC-135, FC-170C, FC-430, FC-431 (all manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Co.); MEGAFACE F-470, F-1405, F-474 (all manufactured by Dainippon ink chemical industries, Inc.); ZONYL TBS, FSP, FSA, FSN-100, FSN, FSO-100, FSO, FS-300, UR, CAPSTONE FS-30, FS31, FS-3100, FS-34, FS-35 (all manufactured by Chemours); FT-110, FT-250, FT-251, FT-400S, FT-150, FT-400SW (all manufactured by NEOS corporation); POLY FOX PF-136A, PF-156A, PF-151N, PF-154, PF-159 (manufactured by OMNOVA Inc.); unidyne DSN-403N (Daikin industries, Inc.), and the like. Among them, FS-3100, FS-34, FS-300, FT-110, FT-250, FT-251, FT-400S, FT-150, FT-400SW, POLY FOX PF-151N manufactured by OMNOVA, and Unidyne DSN-403N manufactured by Daikin industries, are particularly preferable from the viewpoint of improving good printing quality, particularly remarkably improving color development, permeability to paper, wettability, and leveling property.

The content of the surfactant in the liquid composition is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but is preferably 0.001 to 5% by mass, and more preferably 0.05 to 5% by mass.

Defoaming agent

The defoaming agent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a silicon defoaming agent, a polyether defoaming agent, and a fatty acid ester defoaming agent. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among them, a silicon-based defoaming agent is preferable in terms of excellent defoaming effect.

Antiseptic and mildew-proof agent

The preservative and antifungal agent is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and examples thereof include 1, 2-benzothiazepine-3-one and the like.

Rust inhibitor

The rust inhibitor is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and examples thereof include acid sulfite and sodium thiosulfate.

pH regulator

The pH adjuster is not particularly limited as long as it can adjust the pH to 7 or more, and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and examples thereof include amines such as diethanolamine and triethanolamine.

Physical Properties of liquid composition

The physical properties of the liquid composition are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and for example, the viscosity, surface tension, and pH are preferably in the following ranges.

The viscosity of the liquid composition at 25 ℃ is preferably 5 to 30 mPas, more preferably 5 to 25 mPas. Here, the viscosity can be measured by, for example, a rotational viscometer (RE-80L, manufactured by eastern industries). The measurement conditions were as follows:

standard taper rotor (1 degree 34' X R24)

Amount of sample liquid: 1.2mL

Revolution number: 50rpm

Measuring time of three minutes

The surface tension of the liquid composition is preferably 35mN/m or less, more preferably 32mN/m or less at 25 ℃.

The pH of the liquid composition is preferably 7 to 12, more preferably 8 to 11, from the viewpoint of preventing corrosion of metal parts in contact with the liquid.

Adhesion (tacking force)

The liquid composition was applied to cast-coated paper at 23 ℃ and a humidity of 65% to give a coating thickness of 0.12mg/cm²Thereafter, the mixture was heated at 80 ℃ for 15 secondsIn the case, the adhesive force in the area of the cast-coated paper to which the liquid composition is applied is 50mN or less, preferably 46mN or less, more preferably 40mN or less, further preferably 36mN or less, and particularly preferably 33mN or less. The adhesive force is preferably as low as possible, but may be set to 20mN or more. By making the adhesive force 50mN or less, it is possible to reduce the adhesion of the liquid composition to the member even when the member contacts the region of the recording medium to which the liquid composition has been applied, during the period after the liquid composition has been applied to the recording medium but before the ink has been applied.

To measure the adhesive force, an adhesion tester (TAC-II, manufactured by RHESCA corporation) may be used. Cast-coated paper is a recording medium, and is a recording medium having a cast coating layer. The recording medium having the cast coating layer is a recording medium which is dried by heating with a glossy chrome-plated smooth casting cylinder after coating the paint on paper. As commercially available cast coated papers, mention may be made of, for example, Miller Gold (Miller Coat Gold), Miller platinum, double-sided chrome, Elsinoprit Coat (Esprit Coat) C, Elsinoprit Coat FP, Elsinoprit Coat W. In the present example, an Esprlite coating C, 157g/m2 (manufactured by Nippon paper group Co., Ltd.) was used for measuring the adhesive force.

The method for adjusting the adhesive force to 50mN or less is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method of adjusting the content of the inorganic particles in the liquid composition, a method of adjusting the mass ratio of the content of the inorganic particles to the content of the polyvalent metal salt in the liquid composition, and a method of adjusting the kind or content of the surfactant in addition to the above-mentioned methods. These methods may be used alone or in combination.

Ink for ink jet recording

In this example, after the liquid composition was applied to the recording medium, ink was applied to the region to which the liquid composition was applied. The ink contains an organic solvent, water, a coloring material, a resin, and other components such as a surfactant according to the purpose.

As for the organic solvent, water, and other components such as a surfactant, the same as the liquid composition may be used, and thus, the description thereof is omitted.

Color material

The color material is not particularly limited. For example, pigments and dyes may be used.

As the pigment, an inorganic pigment or an organic pigment may be used. These may be used alone or in combination. Furthermore, mixed crystals can also be used as pigments.

As the pigment, for example, a black pigment, a yellow pigment, a magenta pigment, a cyan pigment, a white pigment, a green pigment, an orange pigment, a glossy pigment of gold or silver color or a metallic pigment, etc. can be used.

As the inorganic pigment, titanium oxide, iron oxide, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, aluminum hydroxide, barium yellow, cadmium red, chrome yellow, and carbon black produced by a known method such as a contact method, a furnace method, a thermal method, or the like can be used.

As the organic pigment, azo pigments, polycyclic pigments (for example, phthalocyanine pigments, perylene pigments, perynone pigments, anthraquinone pigments, quinacridone pigments, dioxazine pigments, indigo pigments, thioindigo pigments, isoindolinone pigments, quinophthalone pigments, etc.), dye chelates (for example, chelates of basic dye type, chelates of acidic dye type, etc.), nitro pigments, nitroso pigments, aniline black, etc. can be used. Among the above-listed pigments, those having good affinity with the solvent are preferred. In addition, resin hollow particles and inorganic hollow particles may be used.

Examples of the black pigment include carbon blacks (c.i. pigment black 7) such as furnace black, lamp black, acetylene black, and channel black; metals such as copper, iron (c.i. pigment black 11), and titanium oxide; and organic pigments such as aniline black (c.i. pigment black 1).

Examples of the color pigment include c.i. pigment yellow 1,3, 12, 13, 14, 17, 24, 34, 35, 37, 42 (yellow iron oxide), 53, 55, 74, 81, 83, 95, 97, 98, 100, 101, 104, 108, 109, 110, 117, 120, 138, 150, 153, 155, 180, 185, 213, c.i. pigment orange 5, 13, 16, 17, 36, 43, 51, c.i. pigment red 1,2,3, 5, 17, 22, 23, 31, 38, 48:2 (permanent red 2B (ca)), 48:3, 48:4, 49:1, 52:2, 53:1, 57:1 (carmine 6B of brilliant carmine), 60:1, 63:2, 64:1, 81, 83, 88, 101 (carmine), 104, 105, 106, 108 (cadmium), 149, 168, 172, 179, 177, 172, 177, 178, 177, 178, 177, 178, 177, and 177, 185. 190, 193, 202, 207, 208, 209, 213, 219, 224, 254, 264, c.i. pigment violet 1 (rhodamine lake), 3, 5:1, 16, 19, 23, 38, c.i. pigment blue-1, 2, 15 (phthalocyanine blue), 15:1, 15:2, 15:3, 15:4 (phthalocyanine blue), 16, 17:1,56,60,63, c.i. green 1,4, 7, 8, 10, 17, 18, 36, etc.

The dye is not particularly limited, and an acid dye, a direct dye, a reactive dye, or a basic dye can be used. These may be used singly or in combination of two or more.

Examples of the dye include c.i. acid yellow 17, 23, 42, 44, 79, and 142; c.i. acid red 52, 80, 82, 249, 254, 289; c.i. acid blue 9, 45, 249; c.i. acid black 1,2, 24, 94; c.i. food black 1, 2; c.i. direct yellow 1, 12, 24, 33, 50, 55, 58, 86, 132, 142, 144, 173; c.i. direct red 1,4, 9, 80, 81, 225, 227; c.i. direct blue 1,2, 15, 71, 86, 87, 98, 165, 199, 202; c.i. direct black 19, 38, 51, 71, 154, 168, 171, 195; c.i. reactive red 14, 32, 55, 79, 249; c.i. reactive black 3, 4, 35, etc.

The content of the color material in the ink is preferably 0.1 mass% or more and 15 mass% or less, more preferably 1 mass% or more and 10 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of improvement in image density, favorable fixability, and ejection stability.

Examples of the method of dispersing the pigment in the ink include a method of introducing a hydrophilic functional group into the pigment to form a self-dispersible pigment, a method of coating the surface of the pigment with a resin to disperse the pigment, and a method of dispersing the pigment using a dispersant.

Examples of the self-dispersible pigment having a hydrophilic functional group introduced into the pigment include pigments (e.g., carbon) which are dispersible in water and to which a functional group such as a sulfone group or a carboxyl group is added.

Examples of the pigment having a surface coated with a resin include pigments which are contained in microcapsules and can be dispersed in water. This may also be referred to as resin coated pigment. In this case, the pigment added to the ink does not need to be entirely covered with the resin, and the pigment may be contained in an uncoated state within a range not to impair the effect of the present invention, and the pigment partially covered may be dispersed in the ink.

Examples of the method of dispersing the dispersion with a dispersant include known low-molecular dispersants typified by surfactants and known methods of dispersing high-molecular dispersants.

As the dispersant, for example, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and the like can be used depending on the pigment.

As the dispersant, RT-100 (nonionic surfactant) manufactured by bamboo fat and oil Co., Ltd., or Na formaldehyde naphthalenesulfonate condensate can be suitably used.

One kind of the dispersant may be used alone, or two or more kinds may be used in combination.

Pigment dispersion

The ink may be obtained by mixing a material such as water or an organic solvent with a pigment, or may be obtained by mixing a pigment with water or a dispersant to obtain a pigment dispersion and mixing a material such as water or an organic solvent with the pigment dispersion.

The pigment dispersion is obtained by mixing and dispersing water, a pigment dispersant, and other components as necessary in water using a dispersing machine or the like, and adjusting the particle size.

The pigment particle diameter in the pigment dispersion is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of good dispersion stability of the pigment, ejection stability, and high image quality such as image density, the maximum frequency in terms of the maximum number is preferably 20nm or more and 500nm or less, and more preferably 20nm or more and 150nm or less. The pigment particle diameter can be measured using a particle size analyzer (Nanotrack Wave-UT151, available from Microrack BEL).

The content of the pigment in the pigment dispersion is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and is preferably 0.1 mass% or more and 50 mass% or less, and more preferably 0.1 mass% or more and 30 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of obtaining good discharge stability and improving the image density.

The pigment dispersion is preferably degassed by filtering coarse particles with a filter, a centrifugal separator, or the like, if necessary.

Resin composition

The kind of the resin contained in the ink is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples thereof include polyurethane resins, polyester resins, acrylic resins, vinyl acetate resins, styrene resins, butadiene resins, styrene-butadiene resins, vinyl chloride resins, acrylic styrene resins, and acrylic silicone resins.

Resin particles formed of these resins may be used. The ink can be obtained by mixing water as a dispersion medium, dispersing resin particles, and materials such as a color material and an organic solvent in a resin emulsion state. As the resin particles, appropriately synthesized resin particles may be used, or commercially available products may be used. These resin particles may be used alone or in combination of plural kinds.

The volume average particle diameter of the resin particles is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. The volume average particle diameter is preferably 10 to 1,000nm, more preferably 10 to 200nm, and still more preferably 10 to 100nm, from the viewpoint of obtaining good fixability and high image hardness.

The volume average particle diameter can be measured using, for example, a particle size analyzer (Nano track Wave-UT151, manufactured by MicrotrackBEL).

The content of the resin is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. From the viewpoint of ink fixability and storage stability, the amount is preferably 1 to 30% by mass, and more preferably 5 to 20% by mass, based on the total amount of the ink.

The particle size of the solid content in the ink is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. From the viewpoint of improving the discharge stability and the image quality such as the image density, the maximum frequency of the particle size of the solid content in the ink is preferably 20 to 1000nm, more preferably 20 to E ∞ in terms of the maximum number

150 nm. The solid content includes resin particles, pigment particles and the like. The particle diameter can be measured using, for example, a particle size analyzer (Nanotrack Wave-UT151, available from Microrack BEL).

Physical Properties of ink

The physical properties of the ink are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the viscosity, surface tension and pH are preferably in the following ranges.

The viscosity of the ink at 25 ℃ is preferably 5 to 30 mPas, more preferably 5 to 25 mPas, from the viewpoint of improving the print density and the character quality and obtaining good discharge property. Here, the viscosity can be measured by, for example, a rotational viscometer (RE-80L, manufactured by eastern industries). The measurement conditions were as follows:

standard taper rotor (1 degree 34' X R24)

Amount of sample liquid: 1.2mL

Revolution number: 50rpm

Measuring time of three minutes

The surface tension of the ink is preferably 35mN/m or less, more preferably 32mN/m or less at 25 ℃ from the viewpoint of appropriately leveling the ink on a recording medium and shortening the ink drying time. When the ink is used in combination with the liquid composition of the present embodiment, the surface tension of the ink is preferably 32mN/m or less, more preferably 25mN/m or less at 25 ℃.

The pH of the ink is preferably 7 to 12, more preferably 8 to 11, from the viewpoint of preventing corrosion of metal parts in contact with the liquid.

Recording medium

As the recording medium, it can be used without particular limitation. For example, plain paper, glossy paper, special paper, and cloth can be used. Also, low permeability substrates (also referred to as low absorbency recording media or low absorbency substrates) may be particularly suitably used.

By low permeability substrate is meant a substrate having a surface with low water permeability, absorbency, and/or adsorptivity, and also includes materials having a plurality of hollow spaces inside but not open to the outside. Examples of the low-permeability substrate include a recording medium such as coated paper used for commercial printing and a cardboard having a middle layer and a back surface on which waste pulp is disposed and a surface is coated. In this way, when a member such as a roller contacts a region of the recording medium to which the liquid composition has been applied, the liquid composition is likely to adhere to the member after the liquid composition has been applied to the recording medium but before the ink has been applied. Therefore, a relatively low-absorption recording medium, by using the liquid composition of the embodiments of the present disclosure, can reduce the adhesion of the liquid composition to the member, and is suitable.

Low permeability substrate

As the low permeability base material, for example, a recording medium including a support and a coated paper having a surface layer provided on at least one surface of the support and having another layer as necessary can be cited.

In a recording medium having a support and a surface layer, the amount of pure water transferred to the recording medium for a contact time of 100ms measured by a dynamic scanning absorptometer is preferably 2 to 35mL/m²More preferably 2 to 10mL/m²。

If the transfer amount of the ink and the pure water is too small at the contact time of 100ms, the beading phenomenon is liable to occur. When the transfer amount is too large, the dot diameter after image formation tends to be smaller than a desired diameter.

The transfer amount of pure water to the recording medium is preferably 3 to 40mL/m, the contact time of which is 400ms as measured by a dynamic scanning liquid absorption meter²More preferably 3 to 10mL/m²。

When the transfer amount is small at a contact time of 400ms, the drying property becomes insufficient. When the amount of transfer is too large, the gloss of the image portion after drying is liable to decrease. The transfer amounts of pure water to the recording medium at contact times of 100ms and 400ms can be measured on the side of the recording medium on which the surface layer is provided.

The dynamic scanning pipette (KUGA, Shigeniri, dynamic scanning pipette (DSA); J.TAPPI, 5.1994, volume 48, pages 88-92) is a device which can accurately measure the amount of pipette in an extremely short time. The dynamic scanning pipette automatically measures using the following method: the liquid suction speed is directly read from the movement of the meniscus in the capillary, the sample is made into a disk shape, the liquid suction head is made to scan spirally, the scanning speed is automatically changed according to a predetermined pattern, and the number of dots required for a single sample is measured.

Liquid supply head for supplying a paper sampleThe tube is connected to a capillary tube, and the position of the meniscus in the capillary tube is automatically read by an optical sensor. Specifically, the amount of pure water or ink transferred can be measured using a dynamic scanning liquid suction meter (K350 series model D, manufactured by Kyowa Seiko Co., Ltd.).

As the transfer amounts of the contact time 100ms and the contact time 400ms, it can be obtained by interpolation from the measured values of the transfer amounts of the adjacent contact times of the respective contact times.

Support body

The support is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, there may be cited paper mainly formed of wood fibers, and sheet-like substances such as nonwoven fabrics mainly formed of wood fibers and synthetic fibers.

The thickness of the support is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Preferably 50 to 300 μm. The weight of the support is preferably 45 to 290g/m²。

Surface layer

The surface layer contains pigments, binders, and other ingredients, such as a surfactant.

As the pigment, an inorganic pigment or a combination of an inorganic pigment and an organic pigment may be used. As the inorganic pigment, there may be mentioned, but not limited to, kaolin, talc, heavy calcium carbonate, light calcium carbonate, calcium sulfite, amorphous silica, titanium white, magnesium carbonate, titanium dioxide, aluminum hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, zinc hydroxide, chlorate. The amount of the inorganic pigment added is preferably 50 parts by mass or more per 100 parts by mass of the binder.

As the organic pigment, specific examples include, but are not limited to, water-soluble dispersions of styrene-acrylic copolymer particles, styrene-butadiene copolymer particles, polystyrene particles, polyethylene particles, and the like. The amount of the organic pigment added is preferably 2 to 20 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of all the pigments in the surface layer.

As the binder resin, an aqueous resin is preferable. As the aqueous resin, at least one of a water-soluble resin and a water-dispersible resin is preferable. The water-soluble resin is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples thereof include polyvinyl alcohol, cationically modified polyvinyl alcohol, acetal modified polyvinyl alcohol, polyester, and polyurethane.

The surfactant to be contained in the surface layer as needed is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Any of anionic, cationic, amphoteric and nonionic actives may be used.

As a method of forming the surface layer, there is no particular limitation, and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the liquid forming the surface layer may be applied to the support by a dipping or coating method. The amount of the liquid adhering to the surface layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. The solid content is preferably 0.5 to 20g/m²More preferably 1 to 15g/m²。

Image forming method

The image forming method preferably includes a liquid composition applying step of applying the liquid composition to a recording medium, and an applying step of applying ink to a region of the recording medium to which the liquid composition has been applied.

Liquid composition imparting step

Examples of a method for applying the liquid composition to the recording medium include a liquid discharge method and a coating method.

The liquid discharge method is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. There can be cited, for example, a method using a piezoelectric element actuator, a method applying thermal energy, a method using an actuator utilizing electrostatic force, and a method using a charge control type head of a continuous ejection type.

Specific examples of the coating method include, but are not limited to, a blade coating method, a gravure offset coating method, a wire coating method, a bar coating method, a roll coating method, a blade coating method, an air knife coating method, a comma coating method, a U comma coating method, an AKKU coating method, a smooth coating method, a micro-gravure coating method, a reverse roll coating method, a four-roll or five-roll coating method, a dip coating method, a curtain coating method, a slide coating method, a die coating method, and the like. Among them, wire coating and roll coating are particularly preferable.

The amount of the liquid composition applied to the recording medium in the liquid composition applying step is preferably 0.1 to 30.0g/m²More preferably 0.2 to 10.0g/m². When the imparted amount is 0.1g/m²In the above, the image quality can be improved. When the coating amount is 30.0g/m²In the following case, particularly in the case of a recording medium having low ink absorbency, the drying property of the liquid composition can be improved and the occurrence of curling can be prevented.

In the liquid composition applying step, the recording medium to which the liquid composition is applied may be subjected to a heating step of heating the recording medium to dry the liquid composition after the liquid composition applying step and before an ink applying step described later, as necessary. However, the heating step may not be performed.

The heating step is a step of heating the recording medium by a known heating device such as a roller heater, a cartridge heater, or hot air to dry the liquid composition applied to the recording medium. The recording medium is heated to 60 ℃ or higher by such a heating device.

Ink applying step

After the liquid composition is imparted onto the recording medium, the ink is imparted onto the recording medium. In addition, the ink is imparted to the region of the recording medium to which the liquid composition has been imparted.

Specific examples of the method of applying the ink to the recording medium include, but are not limited to, an ink jet method, a blade coating method, a gravure coating method, a bar coating method, a roll coating method, a dip coating method, a curtain coating method, a slide coating method, a die coating method, a spray coating method, and the like. Among them, the ink jet method is preferable.

Image forming apparatus with a plurality of image forming units

The image forming apparatus preferably includes a liquid composition containing device that contains the liquid composition, a liquid composition imparting device that imparts the contained liquid composition to the recording medium, and an ink imparting device that imparts ink to the region to which the liquid composition has been imparted.

An embodiment of an imaging device is described with reference to fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an imaging apparatus.

The image forming apparatus 101 shown in fig. 2 includes a plurality of head units 110K, 110C, 110M, and 110Y that accumulate heads that discharge ink as an example of an ink applying device, a plurality of maintenance units 111K, 111C, 111M, and 111Y that perform head maintenance corresponding to the respective head units, a plurality of ink cartridges 107K, 107C, 107M, and 107Y that store and supply ink as an example of an ink containing device, and a plurality of sub-ink tanks 108K, 108C, 108M, and 108Y that store a part of the ink supplied from the ink cartridges and supply the ink to the respective print heads at an appropriate pressure.

Further, the image forming apparatus 101 includes a conveying belt 113 which conveys the recording medium 114 by being attracted by an attraction fan 120, conveying rollers 119, 121 which support the conveying belt, a tension roller 115 which controls so that the conveying belt 113 maintains an appropriate tension, a pressure plate 124 and a pressure roller 118 which maintain an appropriate flatness of the conveying belt 113, a charging roller 116 which gives electrostatic charging for attracting the recording medium 114, a discharge roller 117 which presses the recording medium 114, a discharge mechanism which has a discharge tray 104 for storing the discharged recording medium 114, a supply tray 103 which stores the recording medium 114 for forming an image, separation pads 112 and 122 which send the recording medium 114 from the supply tray 103 one by one, a counter roller 123 which causes the sent recording medium 114 to be firmly attracted to the charged belt, and a manual supply tray 105 which is used in a manual supply field.

In addition, the image forming apparatus 101 further includes a waste liquid tank 109 for recovering waste liquid discharged after maintenance, and an operation panel 106 capable of operating the apparatus, displaying the apparatus state.

The nozzle rows of the head units 110K, 110C, 110M, and 110Y are arranged perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 114, and are longer than the recording area.

The recording media 114 are separated from the supply tray 103 one by a separation roller, brought into close contact with the conveyor belt 113 by a pressure roller, and fixed to the conveyor belt 113. Thereafter, when the recording medium 114 passes under the head units 110K, 110C, 110M, and 110Y, droplets are discharged, and an image is formed by an aggregate of droplet formation dots. The recording medium 114 is separated from the conveyance belt by a separation claw, and the recording medium 114 is supported by a discharge roller 117 and discharged to the discharge tray 104.

Further, the image forming apparatus 101 shown in fig. 2 includes, as a mechanism for treating the surface of the recording medium 114 with the liquid composition, an application mechanism 130 as an example of a liquid composition applying apparatus. The coating mechanism 130 employs a roll coating mechanism. The liquid composition is contained in a liquid composition storage tank 135 as an example of a liquid composition storage device, and is drawn onto the roller surface by a drawing roller 137 and transferred to a film pressure control roller 138. Then, the liquid composition is transferred to the coating roller 136 as an example of a liquid composition applying device, and the liquid composition is transferred and coated on the recording medium 114 passing between the coating roller 136 and the counter roller 139. The liquid composition applying device is a device including at least a liquid composition applying mechanism, and may be a single independent device, a device integrated with another device or mechanism, or a device integrated with an image forming apparatus.

The amount of the liquid composition transferred to the coating roller 136 is controlled by controlling the nip thickness with the coating roller 136. If the liquid composition is not applied, the movable blade 134 may be pressed against the application roller 136 to scrape the liquid composition from the surface of the application roller 136. This can prevent functional troubles such as thickening of the liquid composition by remaining on the coating roll 136 and drying, solidification with the counter roll 139 for coating, and coating unevenness.

In addition, as shown in fig. 2, the supply units are provided one above the other, and the supply unit provided at the lower portion is used when the liquid composition is applied, and the supply unit provided at the upper portion is used when the liquid composition is not applied.

In addition to the above roll coating method, the liquid composition may be applied by an ejection method such as spraying. For example, when a head such as the head 110K is filled with a liquid composition, the liquid composition can be discharged to the recording medium 114 as ink. Also, the discharge amount and the discharge position can be easily controlled with high accuracy. In addition, a roll coating method and a spray coating method may also be used in combination.

The liquid composition can be applied to any location in any amount by any method.

In the image forming apparatus 101 of the present embodiment, a roller 200 is provided between the position where the application roller 136 is provided and the positions where the head units 110K, 110C, 110M, and 110Y are provided in the transport path of the recording medium 114, and is an example of a member that directly contacts the region to which the liquid composition is applied. The roller 200 is used to convey the recording medium 114. Heating means may also be included to heat the liquid composition that has been imparted onto the recording medium 114 to dry it. In this embodiment, even with such a device configuration, adhesion of the liquid composition to the roller 200 can be reduced.

Further, the recording medium 114 on which the liquid composition and the ink are adhered is heated by the hot air blowing fan 150 to accelerate drying, and the fixing property can be improved. In the present embodiment, the heating process is performed with the hot air blowing fan 150 for the recording medium 114. However, it may be carried out for any recording medium before or after image formation. In addition, a heating roller may be used instead of the hot air blowing fan 150.

Having generally described preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, a further understanding can be obtained by reference to certain specific examples which are provided herein for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting. In the description of the following examples, numerals indicate parts by weight unless otherwise specified.