JP6972979B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image using a printing toner containing a printing dye.

Electrophotographic image forming apparatus is widely used. This is because a clear image can be obtained in a short time as compared with other image forming devices such as an inkjet method.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus uses toner to form an image on a medium. In the image forming step, the toner attached to the electrostatic latent image is transferred to the medium, and then the toner is fixed to the medium.

Various proposals have been made regarding the use of images formed by using an image forming apparatus. Specifically, after an image is formed on a medium, the image is transferred from the medium to another medium such as a cloth, so that an image corresponding to the image formed on the medium is formed on the other medium. (See, for example, Patent Document 1.). In this case, a printing toner containing a printing dye is used as the toner for forming the image.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-202880

It has been proposed to use an image formed on a medium to form an image on another medium such as fabric, but the quality of the image formed on the other medium is still insufficient, so there is room for improvement.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to be able to form a high-quality image on another medium when the image formed on the medium is transferred to another medium such as a cloth. The purpose is to provide an image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention has a first image forming portion for forming a printing toner image using a printing toner containing a printing dye, and a second image forming unit for forming a pigment toner image using a pigment toner containing a pigment. It includes an image forming unit and a control unit that controls a first image forming unit and a second image forming unit so that a pigment toner image is formed in a region where a printing toner image is formed.

In another image forming apparatus of the present invention, a first image forming portion for forming a printing toner image using a printing toner containing a printing dye and a pigment toner image containing a pigment are used to form a pigment toner image. It includes a second image forming unit and a control unit that controls a first image forming unit and a second image forming unit so that the printing toner image and the pigment toner image are superimposed on each other.

In still another image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, a first image forming portion for forming a printing toner image using a printing toner containing a printing dye and a pigment toner image forming a pigment toner image using a pigment toner containing a pigment. A second image forming unit is provided, and a control unit that controls the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit so that the pigment toner image is formed after the printing toner image is formed on the medium. It is a thing.

In still another image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, a first image forming portion for forming a printing toner image using a printing toner containing a printing dye and a pigment toner image forming a pigment toner image using a pigment toner containing a pigment. A second image forming unit is provided, and a control unit that controls the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit so that the printing toner image is formed after the pigment toner image is formed on the medium. It is a thing.

Here, "the pigment toner image is formed in the region where the printing toner image is formed" is not only when the pigment toner image is formed in the region where the printing toner image is formed, but also when the printing toner image is formed. It means that the pigment toner image may be formed in a region slightly wider than the region to be formed.

The "region where the printing toner image is formed" is a region where the printing toner image is formed by using the printing toner, and more specifically, it is a region defined by the outer edge (contour) of the printing toner image. ..

Further, the "region slightly wider than the region where the printing toner image is formed" is a region defined by the outer edge shifted outward by a predetermined distance from the outer edge of the printing toner image described above. That is, the "region slightly wider than the region where the printing toner image is formed" is the region where the above-mentioned "region where the printing toner image is formed" is expanded outward by a predetermined distance. The details of the "predetermined distance" will be described later.

According to the image forming apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention, the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit are controlled so that the pigment toner image is formed in the region where the printing toner image is formed, so that the medium can be used. When the formed image is transferred to another medium such as a cloth, a high-quality image can be formed on the other medium.

According to another image forming apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention, the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit are controlled so that the printing toner image and the pigment toner image are superimposed on each other, so that they are formed on the medium. When the image is transferred to another medium such as cloth, a high-quality image can be formed on the other medium.

According to still another image forming apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention, the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit are formed so that the pigment toner image is formed after the printing toner image is formed on the medium. Therefore, when the image formed on the medium is transferred to another medium such as a cloth, a high-quality image can be formed on the other medium.

According to still another image forming apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention, the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit are formed so that the printing toner image is formed after the pigment toner image is formed on the medium. Therefore, when the image formed on the medium is transferred to another medium such as a cloth, a high-quality image can be formed on the other medium.

It is a top view which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing the configuration of the developing unit shown in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the structure of the medium in order to explain the formation range of an image. It is a top view which shows each composition (configuration example 1) of a printing toner image and a pigment toner image. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of each of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image along the line AA shown in FIG. 5A. It is a top view which shows each composition (configuration example 2) of a printing toner image and a pigment toner image. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the configurations of the printed toner image and the pigment toner image along the line AA shown in FIG. 6A. It is a top view which shows each composition (configuration example 3) of a printing toner image and a pigment toner image. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of each of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image along the line AA shown in FIG. 7A. It is a top view which shows each composition (configuration example 4) of a printing toner image and a pigment toner image. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of each of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image along the line AA shown in FIG. 8A. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the intermediate transfer belt in which the printing toner image and the pigment toner image were formed. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the medium to which the printing toner image and the pigment toner image were transferred. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the medium in which the image (printing toner image and pigment toner image) was formed. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the medium in which the image (printing toner image) was formed by the image forming apparatus of 1st comparative example. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the medium in which the image (pigment toner image) was formed by the image forming apparatus of 2nd comparative example. It is a top view which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows each composition (configuration example 5) of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of each of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image along the line AA shown in FIG. 15A. It is a top view which shows the composition (configuration example 6) of each of a pigment toner image and a printing toner image. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of each of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image along the line AA shown in FIG. 16A. It is a top view which shows the composition (configuration example 7) of each of a pigment toner image and a printing toner image. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of each of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image along the line AA shown in FIG. 17A. It is a top view which shows each composition (configuration example 8) of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of each of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image along the line AA shown in FIG. 18A. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the intermediate transfer belt in which the pigment toner image and the printing toner image were formed. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the medium which transferred the pigment toner image and the printing toner image. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the medium in which the image (pigment toner image and printing toner image) was formed. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of each of the medium and other media in order to explain the transfer method of the image formed by the image forming apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the transfer method of the image following FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of each of the medium and other media in order to explain the transfer method of the image formed by the image forming apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the transfer method of the image following FIG. It is a top view which shows the modification (modification example 1-1) about the composition of each of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image in 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of each of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image along the line AA shown in FIG. 26A. It is a top view which shows the modification (modification example 1-2) about the composition of each of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image in 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of each of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image along the line AA shown in FIG. 27A. It is a top view which shows the modification (modification example 1-3) about the composition of each of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image in 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of each of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image along the line AA shown in FIG. 28A. It is a top view which shows the modification (modification example 1-4) about the composition of each of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image in 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of each of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image along the line AA shown in FIG. 29A. It is a top view which shows the modification (modification example 2-1) about the composition of each of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image in 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of each of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image along the line AA shown in FIG. 30A. It is a top view which shows the modification (modification example 2-2) about the composition of each of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image in 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of each of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image along the line AA shown in FIG. 31A. It is a top view which shows the modification (modification example 2-3) about the composition of each of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image in 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of each of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image along the line AA shown in FIG. 32A. It is a top view which shows the modification (modification example 2-4) about the composition of each of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image in 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of each of the pigment toner image and the printing toner image along the line AA shown in FIG. 33A. It is a top view which shows the modification (modification example 4-1) concerning the structure of the image forming apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the modification (modification example 4-2) concerning the structure of the image forming apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of another medium in order to explain the measurement position of a density | concentration.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The order of explanation is as follows.

1. 1. Image forming apparatus (first embodiment)
1-1. Overall configuration 1-2. Configuration of developing unit 1-3. Block configuration 1-4. Image composition 1-5. Toner composition 1-6. Operation 1-7. Action and effect 2. Image forming apparatus (second embodiment)
2-1. Overall configuration 2-2. Block configuration 2-3. Image composition 2-4. Operation 2-5. Action and effect 3. Use of images 3-1. Image formed by the image forming apparatus (first embodiment) 3-2. Image formed by the image forming apparatus (second embodiment) 4. Modification example

<1. Image forming apparatus (first embodiment)>
First, the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The image forming apparatus described here is, for example, an apparatus for forming an image G (see FIG. 11) on a medium M (see FIG. 1) described later using toner, and is a so-called electrophotographic full-color printer.

More specifically, the image forming apparatus is, for example, an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus that forms an image G on the medium M by using an intermediate transfer belt 41 described later.

The type of the medium M is not particularly limited, but is, for example, any one or more of paper and film.

<1-1. Overall configuration>
First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a planar configuration of an image forming apparatus. In this image forming apparatus, in the process of forming the image G, the medium M is conveyed along each of the conveying paths R1 to R5 shown by the broken line.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus includes, for example, a tray 10, a feeding roller 20, a developing unit 30, a transfer unit 40, and a fixing unit 50 inside the housing 1. , The transport rollers 61 to 68 and the transport path switching guides 69 and 70 are provided.

This image forming apparatus can form, for example, an image G on one side of the medium M and can form an image G on both sides of the medium M.

Hereinafter, when the image forming apparatus forms the image G on only one side of the medium M, the surface on which the image G is formed is referred to as a “surface” of the medium M. Further, when the image forming apparatus forms images G on both sides of the medium M, the surface on which one image G is formed is referred to as the "surface" of the medium M, and the medium M on which the other image G is formed is referred to. (The surface opposite to the above-mentioned surface) is referred to as "back surface".

That is, when the image G is formed on only one side of the medium M, the image G is formed on the surface of the medium M, whereas when the image G is formed on both sides of the medium M, the image G is formed. An image G is formed on each of the front surface and the back surface of the medium M.

[Case]
The housing 1 contains, for example, any one or more of a metal material and a polymer material. The housing 1 is provided with, for example, a stacker 2, and the medium M on which the image G is formed by the image forming apparatus is discharged from the discharge port 1H to the stacker 2.

[Tray and sending roller]
The tray 10 stores the medium M. The tray 10 is attached to, for example, the housing 1 so as to be removable. The delivery roller 20 is, for example, a cylindrical member that extends in the Y-axis direction and is rotatable about the Y-axis.

Among the components of the image forming apparatus described later, the components including the word "roller" in the name extend in the Y-axis direction and rotate about the Y-axis, like the above-mentioned delivery roller 20. It is a possible cylindrical member.

For example, a plurality of media M are stored in the tray 10 in a stacked state. The plurality of media M stored in the tray 10 are taken out from the tray 10 one by one by, for example, the delivery roller 20.

Since the number of trays 10 is not particularly limited, only one tray may be used, or two or more trays may be used. Similarly, the number of delivery rollers 20 is not particularly limited, and may be only one or two or more. FIG. 1 shows, for example, a case where the number of trays 10 is one and the number of feeding rollers 20 is one.

[Development unit]
The developing unit 30 uses toner to perform toner adhesion processing (development processing) on the electrostatic latent image. Specifically, the developing unit 30 forms, for example, an electrostatic latent image and uses Coulomb force to attach toner to the electrostatic latent image.

Here, the image forming apparatus includes, for example, five developing units 30 (30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, 30SC). Each of the developing units 30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC is attached so as to be removable from the housing 1, and is arranged along the movement path of the intermediate transfer belt 41 described later. ing. Here, the developing units 30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction (arrow F5) of the intermediate transfer belt 41, for example.

Each of the developing units 30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC has the same configuration as each other, except that, for example, the types of toner stored in the cartridge 38 (see FIG. 2) described later are different. ..

Here, printing toner and pigment toner are used as the toner. The printing toner is a toner containing a printing dye as a colorant, and the pigment toner is a toner containing a pigment as a colorant.

Specifically, the developing unit 30Y houses, for example, a pigment toner (pigment yellow toner). The developing unit 30C contains, for example, a pigment toner (pigment cyan toner). The developing unit 30SY contains, for example, a printing toner (printing yellow toner). The developing unit 30SM contains, for example, a printing toner (printing magenta toner). The developing unit 30SC contains, for example, a printing toner (printing cyan toner).

The printing toner (printing yellow toner, printing magenta toner, and printing cyan toner) is a toner mainly used for forming a full-color image G. More specifically, the printing toner is a colored toner capable of dyeing the other medium L by shifting to the other medium L (see FIG. 22) described later by utilizing the printing property (so-called sublimation transferability) at the time of heating. be. The "other medium L" is a medium different from the medium M on which the image G is formed by using the image forming apparatus, and is, for example, a cloth.

On the other hand, the pigment toner (pigment yellow toner and pigment cyan toner) is a toner mainly used to reinforce the full-color image G formed by the above-mentioned textile printing toner from the viewpoint of improving weather resistance (maintaining the concentration). .. More specifically, the pigment toner is a colored toner generally used for forming a full-color image G in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

In the following, the pigment yellow toner, the pigment cyan toner, the printing yellow toner, the printing magenta toner, and the printing cyan toner will be referred to individually, and if necessary, a generic term will be used. Specifically, first, the pigment yellow toner and the pigment cyan toner are collectively referred to as "pigment toner". Second, the printing yellow toner, the printing magenta toner, and the printing cyan toner are collectively referred to as "printing toner". Third, the pigment yellow toner, the pigment cyan toner, the printing yellow toner, the printing magenta toner, and the printing cyan toner are collectively referred to as "toner".

As will be described later, the developing units 30Y and 30C form a pigment toner image Z2 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) using pigment toner (pigment yellow toner and pigment cyan toner). On the other hand, the developing units 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC use the printing toner (printing yellow toner, printing magenta toner, and printing cyan toner) to print the printing toner image Z1 (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

In particular, in the present embodiment, as will be described later, the developing units 30Y and 30C form the pigment toner image Z2, and then the developing units 30SY, 30SM and 30SC form the printing toner image Z1 (see FIG. 9).

The configurations of the developing units 30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC will be described later (see FIG. 2). Further, the respective configurations of the pigment yellow toner, the pigment cyan toner, the printing yellow toner, the printing magenta toner, and the printing cyan toner will be described later.

[Transfer unit]
The transfer unit 40 performs a transfer process using the toner developed by the developing unit 30. Specifically, the transfer unit 40 transfers the toner attached to the electrostatic latent image to the medium M by, for example, the developing unit 30.

The transfer unit 40 includes, for example, an intermediate transfer belt 41, a drive roller 42, a driven roller 43, a backup roller 44, a primary transfer roller 45, a secondary transfer roller 46, and a cleaning blade 47. There is.

The intermediate transfer belt 41 is an intermediate transfer medium in which the toner is temporarily transferred before the toner is transferred to the medium M, and is, for example, an endless elastic belt. The intermediate transfer belt 41 contains any one or more of the polymer materials such as polyimide. Further, the intermediate transfer belt 41 can move in the direction of the arrow F5 according to the rotation of the drive roller 42, for example, in a state of being stretched by the drive roller 42, the driven roller 43, and the backup roller 44.

The drive roller 42 can rotate via, for example, a belt motor 91 (see FIG. 3) described later. Each of the driven roller 43 and the backup roller 44 can rotate according to the rotation of the drive roller 42, for example.

The primary transfer roller 45 transfers the toner attached to the electrostatic latent image to the intermediate transfer belt 41 (primary transfer). The primary transfer roller 45 is pressed against a photoconductor drum 32 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, via an intermediate transfer belt 41. The primary transfer roller 45 can be rotated via, for example, a roller motor 88 (see FIG. 3) described later.

Since the number of primary transfer rollers 45 is not particularly limited, it may be only one or two or more. Here, the image forming apparatus corresponds to, for example, the above-mentioned five developing units 30 (30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, 30SC) and five primary transfer rollers 45 (45Y, 45C, 45SY, 45SM). , 45SC). On the other hand, the image forming apparatus includes, for example, one secondary transfer roller 46 corresponding to one backup roller 44.

The secondary transfer roller 46 transfers the toner transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41 to the medium M (secondary transfer). The secondary transfer roller 46 is pressure-welded to the backup roller 44, and includes, for example, a metal core material and an elastic layer such as a foam rubber layer that covers the outer peripheral surface of the core material. The secondary transfer roller 46 can be rotated via, for example, a roller motor 88 (see FIG. 3) described later.

The cleaning blade 47 is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 41 and scrapes off unnecessary foreign matter such as toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41.

In particular, as will be described later, in the transfer unit 40, after the pigment toner image Z2 and the printing toner image Z1 are formed in this order on the intermediate transfer belt 41 (see FIG. 9), the printing toner is printed on the medium M from the intermediate transfer belt 41. The image Z1 and the pigment toner image Z2 are transferred (see FIG. 10).

[Fixing unit]
The fixing unit 50 performs a fixing process using the toner transferred to the medium M by the transfer unit 40. Specifically, the fixing unit 50 fixes the toner on the medium M by, for example, pressurizing the medium M to which the toner is transferred by the transfer unit 40 while heating.

The fixing unit 50 includes, for example, a heating roller 51 and a pressure roller 52.

The heating roller 51 heats the toner transferred to the medium M. The heating roller 51 includes, for example, a metal core and a resin coat that covers the surface of the metal core. The resin coat contains, for example, any one or more of polymer materials such as a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (PFA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). I'm out.

Inside the heating roller 51 (metal core), for example, a heater 92 (see FIG. 3) described later is installed, and the heater 92 includes, for example, a halogen lamp or the like. In the vicinity of the heating roller 51, for example, a thermistor 93 (see FIG. 3) described later is arranged so as to be separated from the heating roller 51. The thermistor 93 measures, for example, the surface temperature of the heating roller 51.

The pressure roller 52 is in pressure contact with the heating roller 51 and pressurizes the toner transferred to the medium M. The pressure roller 52 includes, for example, a metal core and a heat-resistant elastic layer that covers the surface of the metal core. The heat-resistant elastic layer contains, for example, any one or more of rubber materials such as silicone rubber.

In particular, as will be described later, the fixing unit 50 fixes the printing toner image Z1 and the pigment toner image Z2 to the medium M after the printing toner image Z1 and the pigment toner image Z2 are transferred to the medium M (see FIG. 10). ). As a result, the image G including the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 is formed on the medium M.

Here, the image forming unit 30SY, 30SM, 30SC, the transfer unit 40, and the fixing unit 50 are the "first image forming units" of the embodiment of the present invention. Further, the image forming units 30Y and 30C, the transfer unit 40 and the fixing unit 50 are "second image forming units" according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Conveying roller]
Each of the transport rollers 61 to 68 includes a pair of rollers arranged so as to face each other via the transport paths R1 to R5, and transports the medium M taken out by the feed roller 20.

When an image is formed on only one side (surface) of the medium M, the medium M is transported along the transport paths R1 and R2 by, for example, transport rollers 61 to 64. On the other hand, when images are formed on both sides (front surface and back surface) of the medium M, the medium M is transported along the transport paths R1 to R5 by, for example, transport rollers 61 to 68.

[Transport route switching guide]
Each of the transport path switching guides 69 and 70 switches the transport direction of the medium M according to the format of the image formed on the medium M. The image style is, for example, a style in which an image is formed on only one side of the medium M (single-sided image formation mode) and a style in which an image is formed on both sides of the medium M (double-sided image formation mode).

<1-2. Development unit configuration>
Next, the configuration of the developing unit 30 will be described. FIG. 2 is an enlargement of the planar configuration of the developing unit 30 (30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, 30SC) shown in FIG.

Each of the developing units 30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC has the same configuration as each other, except that, for example, as described above, the types of toner stored in the cartridge 38 are different.

Specifically, each of the developing units 30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC has, for example, a photoconductor drum 32, a charging roller 33, a supply roller 34, and a developing roller 35, as shown in FIG. , A developing blade 36, a cleaning blade 37, and a cartridge 38. A light source 39 is attached to each of the developing units 30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC, for example.

The photoconductor drum 32, the charging roller 33, the supply roller 34, the developing roller 35, the developing blade 36, and the cleaning blade 37 are housed inside the housing 31, for example. The cartridge 38 is attached to, for example, the housing 31 so as to be removable. The light source 39 is arranged outside the housing 31, for example.

Each of the developing units 30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC can move between the relief position and the contact position via, for example, a moving motor 90 (see FIG. 3) described later. The retreat position is a position where the photoconductor drum 32 is not pressed by the primary transfer roller 45 via the intermediate transfer belt 41 because the photoconductor drum 32 is retracted so as to move away from the intermediate transfer belt 41. On the other hand, the contact position is a position where the photoconductor drum 32 is advanced so as to approach the intermediate transfer belt 41, so that the photoconductor drum 32 is pressed by the primary transfer roller 45 via the intermediate transfer belt 41. be.

[Case]
The housing 31 contains, for example, any one or more of a metal material and a polymer material. The housing 31 is provided with, for example, an opening 31K1 for partially exposing the photoconductor drum 32 and an opening 31K2 for guiding the light output from the light source 39 to the photoconductor drum 32. ..

[Photoreceptor drum]
The photoconductor drum 32 is a latent image supporting member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and the electrostatic latent image is supported. The photoconductor drum 32 extends in the Y-axis direction and is rotatable about the Y-axis. Further, the photoconductor drum 32 is an organic photoconductor including, for example, a cylindrical conductive support and a photoconductive layer covering the outer peripheral surface of the conductive support, and is a drum motor 89 described later (FIG. FIG. 3) is rotatable. A part of the photoconductor drum 32 is exposed from the opening 31K1 provided in the housing 31.

[Charging roller]
The charging roller 33 is pressed against the photoconductor drum 32 to charge the surface of the photoconductor drum 32. The charging roller 33 includes, for example, a metal shaft and a semi-conductive epichlorohydrin rubber layer that covers the outer peripheral surface of the metal shaft.

[Supply roller]
The supply roller 34 is pressed against the developing roller 35 and supplies toner to the surface of the developing roller 35. The supply roller 34 includes, for example, a metal shaft and a semi-conductive foamed silicon sponge layer that covers the outer peripheral surface of the metal shaft, and is a so-called sponge roller.

[Development roller]
The developing roller 35 is pressure-contacted with the photoconductor drum 32, carries the toner supplied from the supply roller 34, and adheres the toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 32. The developing roller 35 includes, for example, a metal shaft and a semi-conductive urethane rubber layer that covers the outer peripheral surface of the metal shaft.

[Development blade]
The developing blade 36 is a plate-shaped member that regulates the thickness of the toner supplied to the surface of the developing roller 35. The developing blade 36 is arranged at a position separated from the developing roller 35 by a predetermined distance, for example, and the thickness of the toner is controlled based on the distance (distance) between the developing roller 35 and the developing blade 36. Will be done. The developing blade 36 contains any one or more of metal materials such as stainless steel.

[Cleaning blade]
The cleaning blade 37 is a plate-shaped elastic member that scrapes off unnecessary foreign matter such as toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 32. The cleaning blade 37 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the extending direction of the photoconductor drum 32, and is pressed against the photoconductor drum 32, for example. The cleaning blade 37 contains any one or more of the polymer materials such as urethane rubber, for example.

[cartridge]
The cartridge 38 is a storage member for storing toner. Details regarding the toner stored in the cartridge 38 are as described above.

[light source]
The light source 39 is an exposure device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 32 by exposing the surface of the photoconductor drum 32. The light source 39 is, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) head that includes an LED element, a lens array, and the like. The LED element and the lens array are arranged so that, for example, the light output from the LED element forms an image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 32.

<1-3. Block configuration>
Next, the block configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described.

FIG. 3 shows a block configuration of an image forming apparatus. However, FIG. 3 also shows some of the components of the image forming apparatus already described.

FIG. 4 shows the planar configuration of the medium M in order to explain the formation range of the image G formed on the medium M by the image forming apparatus. As will be described later, this image G is a printing toner image G1 formed by the developing units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC using the printing toner, and a pigment toner image G2 formed by the developing units 30Y, 30C using the pigment toner. And are included (see FIG. 11). FIG. 4 shows, for example, a case where the planar shape of the medium M is a rectangle (rectangle).

As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the image forming apparatus includes an image forming control unit 71, an interface (I / F) control unit 72, a reception memory 73, an editing memory 74, a panel unit 75, and an operation unit. 76, various sensors 77, light source control unit 78, charge voltage control unit 79, supply voltage control unit 80, development voltage control unit 81, transfer voltage control unit 82, roller drive control unit 83, and drum. It includes a drive control unit 84, a movement control unit 85, a belt drive control unit 86, and a fixing control unit 87.

[Image formation control unit]
The image formation control unit 71 controls the overall operation of the image formation device. The image formation control unit 71 includes, for example, one or more of electronic components such as a control circuit, a memory, an input / output port, and a timer. The control circuit includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) and the like. The memory includes, for example, any one or more of storage elements such as read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). Here, the image formation control unit 71 is a "control unit" according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In particular, as will be described later, the image forming control unit 71 controls the operation of the image forming units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC and the like for forming the above-mentioned printing toner image G1 and forms the image forming the above-mentioned pigment toner image G2. It controls the operation of the units 30Y, 30C, etc. (see FIGS. 9 to 11).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the image forming control unit 71 forms the printing toner image G1 when the image G (printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2) is formed on the medium M. The forming operation of the printing toner image G1 and the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2 are controlled so that the pigment toner image G2 is formed in the region. The details of this "region in which the printing toner image G1 is formed" will be described later.

In this case, for example, as will be described later, the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 may be overlapped with each other (see FIGS. 5A, 5B, 7A and 7B), or the printing toner image. G1 and the pigment toner image G2 may be adjacent to each other without being overlapped with each other (see FIGS. 6A, 6B, 8A and 8B). When the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 are overlapped with each other, the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 may be overlapped with each other as a whole (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). ), The printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 may be partially overlapped with each other (see FIGS. 7A and 7B).

Further, the image formation control unit 71 controls the forming operation of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 so that the printing toner image G1 is formed on the medium M and then the pigment toner image G2 is formed. The forming operation is controlled (see FIG. 11).

Here, "the pigment toner image G2 is formed in the region where the printing toner image G1 is formed" means that the pigment toner image G2 is formed in the region (region R1) where the printing toner image G1 is formed, as described above. This means that not only the case where the pigment toner image G2 is formed but also the case where the pigment toner image G2 is formed in a region slightly wider than the region R1 (region R2) is included.

The region R1 is a region where the printing toner image G1 is formed by using the printing toner, and more specifically, it is a region defined by the outer edge (contour) of the printing toner image G1. FIG. 4 shows, for example, a case where the planar shape of the region R1 is a rectangle corresponding to the planar shape of the medium M.

Further, the region R2 is a region defined by the outer edge shifted outward by a predetermined distance V from the outer edge of the above-mentioned region R1. That is, the region R2 is a region in which the region R1 is extended outward by a predetermined distance V.

This predetermined distance V can be arbitrarily set as long as it is a small distance that makes it difficult for the user of the image forming apparatus to recognize image quality defects such as color shift. Above all, the distance V is preferably 130 μm or less, more preferably 100 μm or less, and further preferably 80 μm or less. Here, for example, since the planar shape of the region R1 is rectangular, the region R2 is a region corresponding to a region in which the region R1 is expanded in all directions by a predetermined distance V. Therefore, the planar shape of the region R2 is, for example, a rectangle corresponding to the planar shape of the region R1.

As will be described later, the predetermined distance V is within the above-mentioned range when there are a plurality of image unit lines L (L1, L2) so as to be in Configuration Examples 2 to 4 (FIGS. 6A and 6B to 8A and 8B). ) Is set, the quality of the image G formed on the medium M is guaranteed. That is, even when the image unit lines L1 and L2 are adjacent to each other (configuration examples 2 and 4) and when the image unit lines L1 and L2 partially overlap each other (configuration example 3), the user of the image forming apparatus This is because it is difficult for the naked eye to recognize image quality defects such as color shift, and even if the image G includes the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, the image G having excellent image quality can be obtained.

The detailed configuration of the image G (printing toner image G1 and pigment toner image G2) formed on the medium M while the forming operation is controlled by the image forming control unit 71 described above will be described later (FIGS. 5A and 5B). -See FIGS. 8A and 8B).

[I / F control unit]
The I / F control unit 72 receives information such as data transmitted from the external device to the image forming device. The external device is, for example, one or more of one or more of personal computers that can be used by the user of the image forming apparatus, and the information transmitted from the external device to the image forming apparatus is, for example, for example. Image data and the like used to form an image.

[Received memory and edit memory]
The reception memory 73 stores information such as data received by the image forming apparatus. The editing memory 74 stores data obtained by editing the image data stored in the receiving memory 73.

[Panel and operation unit]
The panel unit 75 includes, for example, a display panel that displays information necessary for the user to operate the image forming apparatus. The type of the display panel is not particularly limited, but is, for example, a liquid crystal panel or the like. The operation unit 76 includes, for example, a button operated by the user when operating the image forming apparatus.

[Various sensors]
The various sensors 77 include, for example, one or more of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an image density sensor, a medium position detection sensor, a toner remaining amount detection sensor, a motion sensor, and the like.

[Light source control unit, charging voltage control unit, supply voltage control unit, developing voltage control unit and transfer voltage control unit]
The light source control unit 78 controls, for example, the exposure operation of the light source 39. The charging voltage control unit 79 controls, for example, the voltage applied to the charging roller 33. The supply voltage control unit 80 controls, for example, the voltage applied to the supply roller 34. The developing voltage control unit 81 controls, for example, the voltage applied to the developing roller 35. The transfer voltage control unit 82 controls, for example, the voltage applied to each of the primary transfer roller 45 and the secondary transfer roller 46. These voltages can be set, for example, according to the instruction of the image formation control unit 71, and can be arbitrarily changed according to the instruction of the image formation control unit 71.

Although the contents shown in FIG. 3 are simplified, the image forming apparatus includes, for example, five light source control units 78 corresponding to five developing units 30 (30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, 30SC). I'm out. Specifically, for example, the light source control unit 78 that controls the light source 39 attached to the development unit 30Y, the light source control unit 78 that controls the light source 39 attached to the development unit 30C, and the development unit 30SY are attached. A light source control unit 78 that controls the light source 39, a light source control unit 78 that controls the light source 39 attached to the development unit 30SM, and a light source control unit 78 that controls the light source 39 attached to the development unit 30SC. And.

Here, the description regarding the light source control unit 78 is the same for each of the charge voltage control unit 79, the supply voltage control unit 80, the development voltage control unit 81, and the transfer voltage control unit 82, for example. That is, the image forming apparatus includes, for example, five charge voltage control units 79, five supply voltage control units 80, and five development voltage control units 81 corresponding to the five development units 30. It includes five transfer voltage control units 82.

[Roller drive control unit, drum drive control unit, movement control unit, belt drive control unit and fixing control unit]
The roller drive control unit 83 controls, for example, the rotational operation of a series of rollers such as the charging roller 33, the supply roller 34, the developing roller 35, the primary transfer roller 45, and the secondary transfer roller 46 via the roller motor 88. .. The drum drive control unit 84 controls, for example, the rotational operation of the photoconductor drum 32 via the drum motor 89. The movement control unit 85 controls, for example, the movement operation of the developing unit 30 via the movement motor 90. The belt drive control unit 86 controls, for example, the movement operation of the intermediate transfer belt 41 via the belt motor 91. The fixing control unit 87 controls, for example, the operation of the heater 92 based on the temperature measured by the thermistor 93, and also controls the rotational operation of the heating roller 51 and the pressure roller 52 via the fixing motor 94. ..

The above with respect to the light source control unit 78 is the same for each of the roller drive control unit 83, the drum drive control unit 84, and the movement control unit 85, for example. That is, the image forming apparatus includes, for example, five roller drive control units 83, five drum drive control units 84, and five movement control units 85 corresponding to the five development units 30. I'm out.

<1-4. Image composition>
Next, the configuration of the image G formed by the image forming apparatus will be described in detail.

The composition of the image G, more specifically, the composition of each of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 while the forming operation is controlled by the image forming control unit 71 as described above. As long as each of the above is formed, it is not particularly limited.

Specifically, as the configuration of the image G, for example, various configurations can be considered depending on the types of a plurality of image units constituting each of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2. The "plurality of image units" is a plurality of image patterns (pixels) constituting each of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2.

Here, for example, by using a case where a plurality of linear image units (a plurality of image unit lines L) are used as an example, specific image G (printing toner image G1 and pigment toner image G2) may be specified. A configuration example will be described.

[Configuration Example 1]
FIG. 5A shows the planar configurations of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 (configuration example 1 relating to a plurality of image unit lines L). FIG. 5B shows the cross-sectional configurations of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 along the line AA shown in FIG. 5A.

In each of FIGS. 5A and 5B, a part (part Z) of the medium M shown in FIG. 4 is enlarged. Further, in FIG. 5B, the surface of the medium M is shown linearly (surface line S) in order to simplify the illustrated contents.

In each of FIGS. 5A and 5B, only three image unit lines L are shown, and the distance P between two image unit lines L adjacent to each other is sufficiently large. Since this interval P is actually sufficiently small that the user using the image forming apparatus cannot recognize it with the naked eye, the interval P is not visually recognized by the user as a linear white spot.

The above-mentioned supplementary matters regarding FIGS. 5A and 5B are the same for FIGS. 6A and 6B to 8A and 8B described later.

Each of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 is formed on the medium M as described above. In the configuration example 1 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, for example, the pigment toner image G2 is formed after the printing toner image G1 is formed, and in the direction intersecting the surface of the medium M (Z-axis direction). The printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 are entirely superimposed on each other.

Specifically, the printing toner image G1 includes, for example, a plurality of image unit lines L (L1) extending in the Y-axis direction, and the plurality of image unit lines L1 intersect with, for example, the Y-axis direction. They are arranged with an interval P in the X-axis direction. Here, the plurality of image unit lines L1 are the "plurality of printing toner image units" according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The pigment toner image G2 has, for example, the same configuration as the above-mentioned textile printing toner image G1. That is, the pigment toner image G2 includes, for example, a plurality of image unit lines L (L2) extending in the Y-axis direction, and the plurality of image unit lines L2 are separated by, for example, an interval P in the X-axis direction. While being arranged. In FIG. 5A, a plurality of image unit lines L2 are darkly shaded. Here, the plurality of image unit lines L2 are the "plurality of pigment toner image units" according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The configurations of the printed toner image G1 (plural image unit lines L1) and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit lines L2) described above are the same in FIGS. 6A and 6B to 8A to 8B described later. be.

Here, for example, after the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit lines L1) is formed on the medium M, the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit lines L2) is formed on the printing toner image G1. Therefore, the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 are laminated in this order on the medium M. That is, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 is arranged on each of the plurality of image unit lines L1.

Further, for example, the entire image unit line L1 and the entire image unit line L2 are overlapped with each other in the Z-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of collective image unit lines L12 are formed by superimposing one image unit line L1 and one image unit line on each other as a whole, and the plurality of collective images thereof. The unit lines L12 are arranged in the X-axis direction with an interval P. In this case, the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit lines L1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit lines L2) is also formed in the region R1.

In this configuration example 1, the image formation control unit 71 performs an operation of forming the printing toner image G1 and a pigment toner so that, for example, a plurality of image unit lines L1 and a plurality of image unit lines L2 are formed in this order on the medium M. The formation operation of the image G2 is controlled. Further, the image formation control unit 71 forms the printing toner image G1 so that, for example, the entire image unit line L1 and the entire image unit line L2 are overlapped with each other in the Z-axis direction. The operation and the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 are controlled.

[Configuration Example 2]
FIG. 6A shows the planar configurations of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 (configuration example 2 relating to a plurality of image unit lines L), and corresponds to FIG. 5A. FIG. 6B shows the cross-sectional configurations of the printed toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 along the line AA shown in FIG. 6A, and corresponds to FIG. 5B.

In the configuration example 2 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, for example, after the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit lines L1) is formed on the medium M, the pigment toner image G2 (plural) is formed on the printing toner image G1. Image unit line L2) is formed. In FIG. 6A, the plurality of image unit lines L1 are lightly shaded, and the plurality of image unit lines L2 are darkly shaded.

Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 and each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of collective image unit lines L12 are formed by having one image unit line L1 and one image unit line adjacent to each other, and the plurality of collective image unit lines are formed. L12s are arranged in the X-axis direction with an interval P. In this case, the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit lines L1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit lines L2) is formed in the region R2.

In the configuration example 2, the image formation control unit 71 performs an operation of forming the printing toner image G1 and a pigment toner so that, for example, a plurality of image unit lines L1 and a plurality of image unit lines L2 are formed in this order on the medium M. The formation operation of the image G2 is controlled. Further, the image formation control unit 71 may, for example, have a plurality of image unit lines L1 (one image unit line L1) and a plurality of image unit lines L2 (one image unit line l2) in the X-axis direction. The forming operation of the printing toner image G1 and the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2 are controlled so that the two are adjacent to each other.

[Configuration Example 3]
FIG. 7A shows the planar configurations of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 (configuration example 3 relating to a plurality of image unit lines L), and corresponds to FIG. 5A. FIG. 7B shows the cross-sectional configurations of the printed toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 along the line AA shown in FIG. 7A, and corresponds to FIG. 5B.

In the configuration example 3 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, for example, after the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit lines L1) is formed on the medium M, the pigment toner image G2 (plural) is formed on the printing toner image G1. Image unit line L2) is formed.

Further, for example, a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 and a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 are overlapped with each other in the Z-axis direction. That is, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 is formed so as to partially ride on each of the plurality of image unit lines L1. Therefore, for example, a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 is arranged on the medium M, while the remaining part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 is arranged. , Are arranged on each of the plurality of image unit lines L1. More specifically, for example, a plurality of collective image unit lines L12 are formed by partially superimposing one image unit line L1 and one image unit line on each other, and the plurality of collective images thereof. The unit lines L12 are arranged in the X-axis direction with an interval P. In this case, the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit lines L1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit lines L2) is formed in the region R2.

In the configuration example 3, the image formation control unit 71 performs an operation of forming the printing toner image G1 and a pigment toner so that, for example, a plurality of image unit lines L1 and a plurality of image unit lines L2 are formed in this order on the medium M. The formation operation of the image G2 is controlled. Further, the image formation control unit 71 may, for example, print toner image G1 so that a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 and a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 are overlapped with each other in the Z-axis direction. And the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 are controlled.

[Configuration Example 4]
FIG. 8A shows the planar configurations of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 (configuration example 4 relating to a plurality of image unit lines L), and corresponds to FIG. 5A. FIG. 8B shows the cross-sectional configurations of the printed toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 along the line AA shown in FIG. 8A, and corresponds to FIG. 5B.

In the configuration example 4 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, for example, after the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit lines L1) is formed on the medium M, the pigment toner image G2 (plural) is formed on the printing toner image G1. Image unit line L2) is formed.

Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 and each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of collective image unit lines L12 are formed by arranging two image unit lines L1 and two image unit lines adjacent to each other and alternately. A plurality of collective image unit lines L12 are arranged in the X-axis direction with an interval P. In this case, the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit lines L1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit lines L2) is formed in the region R2.

In the configuration example 4, the image formation control unit 71 performs an operation of forming the printing toner image G1 and a pigment toner so that, for example, a plurality of image unit lines L1 and a plurality of image unit lines L2 are formed in this order on the medium M. The formation operation of the image G2 is controlled. Further, the image formation control unit 71 may, for example, have a plurality of image unit lines L1 (two image unit lines L1) and a plurality of image unit lines L2 (two image unit lines l2) in the X-axis direction. The forming operation of the printing toner image G1 and the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2 are controlled so that the two are adjacent to each other.

[Image content]
The image pattern of the printing toner image G1 and the image pattern of the pigment toner image G2 are not particularly limited. However, since the image G is formed by the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, the image pattern of the printing toner image G1 and the image pattern of the pigment toner image G2 correspond to each other in terms of color, content, and the like. Is preferable.

Specifically, when each of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 is a full-color image, the image pattern of the printing toner image G1 and the image pattern of the pigment toner image G2 are image data common to each other. It is preferable that it is formed based on. Since the image pattern of the printing toner image G1 and the image pattern of the pigment toner image G2 are common to each other, even if the image G includes the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, an image G having excellent image quality can be obtained. Because.

Further, when each of the image pattern of the printing toner image G1 and the image pattern of the pigment toner image G2 is a monochromatic image such as a solid image, the color of the printing toner image G1 and the color of the pigment toner image G2 are similar to each other. It is preferably a color (a color adjacent to each other or a color close to each other in the color wheel). Since the color system of the printing toner image G1 and the color system of the pigment toner image G2 are common to each other, an image G having excellent image quality can be obtained even if the image G includes the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2. Because.

The above-mentioned "similar color" means, for example, that the color difference ΔE between the color of the printing toner image G1 (printing toner) and the color of the pigment toner image G2 (pigment toner) is 34.6 or less, preferably 26.5 or less. It means that it is preferably within 12.0. Since it is difficult for the user of the image forming apparatus to recognize image quality defects such as color shift with the naked eye, even if the image G includes the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, the image G having excellent image quality can be obtained. be.

<1-5. Toner composition>
Next, the composition of the toner will be described.

[Toner type]
The toner described here is, for example, a negatively charged toner of a one-component development method. That is, the toner has, for example, a negative charge polarity.

The one-component developing method is a method of imparting an appropriate amount of charge to the toner itself without using a carrier (magnetic particles) for imparting an electric charge to the toner. On the other hand, the two-component developing method is a method in which the above-mentioned carrier and toner are mixed and an appropriate amount of charge is applied to the toner by utilizing the friction between the carrier and the toner.

The method for producing the toner is not particularly limited as long as it is one or more of any one of the arbitrary production methods. Specifically, the method for producing the toner may be, for example, a pulverization method, a polymerization method, or any other method. The polymerization method is, for example, an emulsion polymerization aggregation method and a dissolution suspension method.

[Pigment toner]
The pigment toner is, for example, a pigment yellow toner and a pigment cyan toner, as described above.

(Pigment Yellow Toner)
The pigment yellow toner contains, for example, a binder, a mold release agent, a charge control agent, an external additive, and the like together with a colorant (yellow pigment). The yellow pigment is, for example, Pigment Yellow 74 and the like.

The binder binds a colorant or the like. This binder contains, for example, any one or more of the polymer compounds, and the polymer compound is, for example, a polyester resin, a styrene-acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, and a styrene. -A butadiene resin, etc. Since the crystalline state of the polymer compound is not particularly limited, it may be crystalline or amorphous.

The release agent improves the fixing property and offset resistance of the toner. The mold release agent is, for example, any one or two of waxes such as aliphatic hydrocarbon waxes, oxides of aliphatic hydrocarbon waxes, fatty acid ester waxes, and deoxidants of fatty acid ester waxes. Contains more than one type. In addition, the release agent may be, for example, a block copolymer of the above-mentioned series of waxes.

The aliphatic hydrocarbon wax is, for example, low molecular weight polyethylene, low molecular weight polypropylene, a copolymer of olefins, microcrystalline wax, paraffin wax, Fisher Tropsch wax and the like. The oxide of the aliphatic hydrocarbon wax is, for example, polyethylene oxide wax. The fatty acid ester wax is, for example, carnauba wax and montanic acid ester wax. The deoxidized fatty acid ester wax is a wax obtained by deoxidizing a part or all of the fatty acid ester wax, for example, deoxidized carnauba wax.

The charge control agent controls the triboelectricity of the toner and the like. The charge control agent used for the negatively charged toner contains, for example, one or more of azo-based complexes, salicylic acid-based complexes, calixarene-based complexes, and the like.

The external additive improves the fluidity of the toner by suppressing the aggregation of the toners with each other. The external additive contains, for example, any one or more of an inorganic material and an organic material. The inorganic material is, for example, hydrophobic silica. The organic material is, for example, a melamine resin.

(Pigment cyan toner)
The pigment cyan toner has the same configuration as the pigment yellow toner, except that it contains a cyan pigment instead of the yellow pigment as a colorant, for example. The cyan pigment is, for example, phthalocyanine blue (CI Pigment Blue 15: 3) or the like.

[Printing Toner (Printing Yellow Toner, Printing Magenta Toner and Printing Cyan Toner)]
The printing toner is, for example, a printing yellow toner, a printing magenta toner, and a printing cyan toner, as described above. Each of the printing yellow toner, the printing magenta toner, and the printing cyan toner contains a colorant (printing dye) of a color corresponding to each color, and the printing dye is a yellow printing dye, a magenta printing dye, and a cyan printing dye. Is. As described above, this "printing dye" is a dye that can be transferred to another medium L by utilizing the printing property (sublimation transferability) at the time of heating, and is a so-called sublimation dye. However, the type of material used as the printing dye is not particularly limited as long as it is a dye that can be transferred to the other medium L when heated, so that the printing dye is sublimable so that it can be transferred to the other medium L when heated. It may contain a dye other than the dye.

(Printing Yellow Toner)
The printing yellow toner has the same configuration as the pigment yellow toner, except that, for example, the printing yellow toner contains a yellow printing dye instead of the yellow pigment as a colorant. The yellow printing dye is, for example, C.I. L Reactive Yellow2, C.I. L Disperse Yellow 54, Disperse Yellow 160 and C.I. L Yellow 114 and the like.

However, unlike the pigment yellow toner, the printing yellow toner does not have to contain a mold release agent. In this case, mainly due to the presence or absence of the release agent, the printing yellow toner and the pigment yellow toner have different thermal physical properties (endothermic characteristics). This difference in endothermic characteristics will be described later.

(Printing magenta toner)
The printing magenta toner has the same configuration as the printing yellow toner, except that it contains, for example, a magenta printing dye instead of the yellow printing dye as a colorant. Magenta printing dyes include, for example, C.I. L Reactive Red3, C.I. L Disperse Red50 and C.I. L Disperse Red92 and the like.

(Printing cyan toner)
The printing cyan toner has the same configuration as the printing yellow toner, except that it contains, for example, a cyan printing dye instead of the yellow printing dye as a colorant. The cyan printing dye is, for example, C.I. L Disperse Blue60, C.I. L Reactive Blue15, C.I. L Disperse Blue359, C.I. L Solvent Blue63, C.I. L Disperse Blue165 and CibacronTurquoiseBlueFGF-P.

<1-6. Operation>
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus will be described.

FIG. 9 shows the cross-sectional structure of the intermediate transfer belt 41 on which the printing toner image Z1 and the pigment toner image Z2 are formed. FIG. 10 shows the cross-sectional structure of the medium M to which the printing toner image Z1 and the pigment toner image Z2 are transferred. FIG. 11 shows the cross-sectional structure of the medium M on which the image G (printing toner image G1 and pigment toner image G2) is formed.

When the image G is formed on the medium M, the image forming apparatus performs, for example, a development process, a primary transfer process, a secondary transfer process, and a fixing process in this order, and if necessary, as described below. And perform the cleaning process. The series of operations of the image forming apparatus described here is controlled by the image forming control unit 71 (FIG. 3) described above.

[Development processing]
First, the medium M stored in the tray 10 is taken out by the delivery roller 20. The medium M taken out by the delivery roller 20 is conveyed by the transfer rollers 61 and 62 along the transfer path R1 in the direction of the arrow F1.

In the developing process, when the photoconductor drum 32 rotates in each of the developing units 30Y and 30C, a DC voltage is applied to the surface of the photoconductor drum 32 while the charging roller 33 rotates. As a result, the surface of the photoconductor drum 32 is uniformly charged.

Subsequently, the light source 39 irradiates the surface of the photoconductor drum 32 with light based on the image data. As a result, on the surface of the photoconductor drum 32, the surface potential is attenuated (light attenuation) in the region irradiated with light, so that an electrostatic latent image is formed.

On the other hand, in each of the developing units 30Y and 30C, the pigment toner (pigment yellow toner and pigment cyan toner) stored in the cartridge 38 is discharged toward the supply roller 34.

When a voltage is applied to the supply roller 34, the supply roller 34 rotates. As a result, the pigment toner is supplied from the cartridge 38 to the surface of the supply roller 34.

When a voltage is applied to the developing roller 35, the developing roller 35 rotates while being pressed against the supply roller 34. As a result, the pigment toner supplied to the surface of the supply roller 34 adheres to the surface of the developing roller 35, and the pigment toner is conveyed by utilizing the rotation of the developing roller 35. In this case, since a part of the pigment toner adhering to the surface of the developing roller 35 is removed by the developing blade 36, the thickness of the pigment toner adhering to the surface of the developing roller 35 is made uniform. ..

After the photoconductor drum 32 rotates while being pressed against the developing roller 35, the pigment toner adhering to the surface of the developing roller 35 moves to the surface of the photoconductor drum 32. As a result, the pigment toner adheres to the surface (electrostatic latent image) of the photoconductor drum 32.

[Primary transfer processing]
When the drive roller 42 rotates in the transfer unit 40, each of the driven roller 43 and the backup roller 44 rotates according to the rotation of the drive roller 42. As a result, the intermediate transfer belt 41 moves in the direction of arrow F5.

In the primary transfer process, a voltage is applied to each of the primary transfer rollers 45Y and 45C. Since each of the primary transfer rollers 45Y and 45C is pressed against the photoconductor drum 32 via the intermediate transfer belt 41, it adheres to the surface (electrostatic latent image) of the photoconductor drum 32 in the above-mentioned development process. The pigment toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the pigment toner image Z2 is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 by using the pigment toner (pigment yellow toner and pigment cyan toner).

After that, the intermediate transfer belt 41 on which the pigment toner image Z2 is formed continues to move in the direction of the arrow F5. As a result, in the developing units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC and the primary transfer rollers 45SY, 45SM, 45SC, the development processing and the primary transfer processing are carried out by the same procedure as the development units 30Y, 30C and the primary transfer rollers 45Y, 45C described above. Is done. Therefore, the printing toner is transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41.

Specifically, the printing yellow toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41 by the developing unit 30SY and the primary transfer roller 45SY. The printing magenta toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41 by the developing unit 30SM and the primary transfer roller 45SM. The printing cyan toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41 by the developing unit 30SC and the primary transfer roller 45SC.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the printing toner image Z1 containing the printing dye N is formed by using the printing toner (printing yellow toner, printing magenta toner, and printing cyan toner).

Of course, whether or not the development process and the primary transfer process are actually performed in the development units 30Y and 30C and the primary transfer rollers 45Y and 45C respectively depends on the color (color) required for forming the pigment toner image Z2. It is determined according to the combination of). Similarly, whether or not the development process and the primary transfer process are actually performed in each of the development units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC and the primary transfer rollers 45SY, 45SM, 45SC is determined in order to form the printing toner image Z1. It is determined according to the required color (color combination).

[Secondary transfer processing]
The medium M transported along the transport path R1 passes between the backup roller 44 and the secondary transfer roller 46.

In the secondary transfer process, a voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 46. Since the secondary transfer roller 46 is pressed against the backup roller 44 via the medium M, the pigment toner and the printing toner transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41 in the above-mentioned primary transfer process are transferred to the medium M. NS.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the printing toner image Z1 and the pigment toner image Z2 are transferred to the medium M.

[Fixing process]
After the toner is transferred to the medium M in the secondary transfer process, the medium M is continuously conveyed along the transfer path R1 in the direction of the arrow F1 and is charged into the fixing unit 50.

In the fixing process, the surface temperature of the heating roller 51 is controlled to be a predetermined temperature. When the pressurizing roller 52 rotates while being pressed against the heating roller 51, the medium M is conveyed so as to pass between the heating roller 51 and the pressurizing roller 52.

As a result, the toner transferred to the medium M is heated, so that the toner melts. Moreover, since the toner in the molten state is pressed against the medium M, the toner adheres to the medium M.

As a result, the toner is fixed to the medium M, so that the image G is formed on the medium M as shown in FIG. This image G includes a printing toner image G1 formed by fixing the printing toner image Z1 and a pigment toner image G2 formed by fixing the pigment toner image Z2. In FIG. 11, the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 are laminated in this order in order to simplify the illustrated contents, but the respective configurations of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 are, for example, the above-mentioned configurations. Any of Examples 1 to 4 may be used.

The image G formed on the medium M utilizes, for example, the characteristics of a printing dye that can be transferred to another medium L (see FIGS. 22 and 23) other than the medium M by being heated, as described later. Then, the medium M can be transferred to another medium L. Therefore, when the image G is formed on the medium M, the image G is formed in a state in which the left and right sides are reversed so as to have a normal orientation when transferred to another medium L, for example. ..

The medium M on which the image G is formed is conveyed along the transfer path R2 by the transfer rollers 63 and 64 in the direction of the arrow F2. As a result, the medium M is discharged from the discharge port 1H to the stacker 2.

[Media transfer procedure]
The transport procedure of the medium M is changed according to the format of the image formed on the medium M.

For example, when images are formed on both sides of the medium M, the medium M that has passed through the fixing unit 50 is transported along the transport paths R3 to R5 in the directions of arrows F3 and F4 by the transport rollers 65-68. After that, it is again conveyed along the transfer path R1 by the transfer rollers 61 and 62 in the direction of the arrow F1. In this case, the direction in which the medium M is conveyed is controlled by the transfer path switching guides 69 and 70. As a result, the development process, the primary transfer process, the secondary transfer process, and the fixing process are performed on the back surface of the medium M (the surface on which the image is not yet formed).

[Cleaning process]
In the developing unit 30, foreign matter such as unnecessary toner may remain on the surface of the photoconductor drum 32. This unnecessary toner is, for example, a part of the toner used in the primary transfer treatment, and is toner that remains on the surface of the photoconductor drum 32 without being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41.

Therefore, in the developing unit 30, since the photoconductor drum 32 rotates in a state of being pressed against the cleaning blade 37, foreign matter such as toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 32 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 37. Therefore, foreign matter is removed from the surface of the photoconductor drum 32.

Further, in the transfer unit 40, a part of the toner transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 in the primary transfer process is not transferred to the surface of the medium M in the secondary transfer process, but remains on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41. May be done.

Therefore, in the transfer unit 40, when the intermediate transfer belt 41 moves in the direction of the arrow F5, the toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 47. Therefore, unnecessary toner is removed from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41.

<1-7. Actions and effects>
Next, the operation and effect of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

[Main actions and effects]
In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, when the image G (printing toner image G1 and pigment toner image G2) is formed on the medium M, the pigment toner is formed in the region (region R1 or region R2) where the printing toner image G1 is formed. The forming operation of the printing toner image G1 and the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2 are controlled so that the image G2 is formed. Therefore, for the reason described below, when the image G formed on the medium M is transferred to another medium L such as a cloth, a high quality image I can be formed on the other medium L.

FIG. 12 shows the cross-sectional structure of the medium M in which the image G is formed by the image forming apparatus of the first comparative example, and corresponds to FIG. 11. Since the image forming apparatus of the first comparative example does not include the developing units 30Y and 30C, the same configuration as the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is used except that the image G is formed only by the printing toner image G1. Have.

FIG. 13 shows the cross-sectional structure of the medium M in which the image G is formed by the image forming apparatus of the second comparative example, and corresponds to FIG. 11. Since the image forming apparatus of the second comparative example does not include the developing units 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC, the image forming apparatus is the same as that of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment except that the image G is formed only by the pigment toner image G2. Has a configuration.

As an application of the image G formed on the medium M using the printing toner, as described above, by transferring the image G to another medium L such as a cloth, the image I corresponding to the image G is transferred to the other medium L. (See FIGS. 22 and 23). This image forming method is, for example, a so-called T-shirt print when the other medium L is a T-shirt.

In the image G formed on the medium M by the image forming apparatus of the first comparative example, as shown in FIG. 12, since the image G is formed only by the printing toner image G1, the image G (printing toner) is formed. Contains printing dye N. As a result, when the medium M is heated while the medium M is in close contact with the other medium L, the printing dye N contained in the image G is transferred to the other medium L, so that the other medium L becomes available. Since it is dyed with the printing dye N, the image G is transferred to the other medium L. In the transfer step of the image G, if the image G contains a binder or the like together with the printing toner, only the printing dye N is transferred from the medium M to the other medium L while the binder or the like remains in the medium M. do. Therefore, the image I is formed on the other medium L. In this case, in particular, depending on the material of the other medium L, the other medium L is easily dyed by the printing dye N, so that the density of the image I is sufficiently high.

However, the printing dye N essentially has the property of being easily decomposed (volatilized) in response to light. In this case, since the weather resistance of the printing dye N is insufficient, the concentration of the image I formed using only the printing toner image G1 tends to decrease with time due to the decomposition of the printing dye N. Become. As a result, the color reproducibility deteriorates and the contour becomes unclear, so that it becomes difficult to maintain the image quality of the image I. Therefore, it is difficult to form a high-quality image I on the other medium L. In this case, it becomes difficult to even recognize what kind of image the image I was originally, depending on the degree of decrease in density.

Further, in the image G formed on the medium M by the image forming apparatus of the second comparative example, as shown in FIG. 13, the image G is formed only by the pigment toner image G2. As a result, when the medium M is in close contact with the other medium L and the medium M is heated, the pigment contained in the image G (pigment toner) is transferred to the other medium L, whereby the pigment is transferred to the other medium L. Is fixed on the other medium L, so that the image G is transferred to the other medium L. Therefore, the image I is formed on the other medium L. In this case, in particular, since the pigment toner has a property of being less likely to be decomposed in response to light, the density of the image I is less likely to change with time.

However, since the transfer amount of the pigment during heating is significantly smaller than the transfer amount of the printing dye N during heating, the concentration of the image I is high due to the insufficient fixing amount of the pigment to the other medium L. Run short. As a result, the color reproducibility is insufficient and the contour is not clear, so that the image quality of the image I is difficult to be guaranteed. Therefore, it is difficult to form a high-quality image I on the other medium L.

On the other hand, in the image G formed on the medium M by the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the image G is formed by the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, and the image G is formed. The forming operation of the printing toner image G1 and the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2 are controlled so that the pigment toner image G2 is formed in the region R1 or the region R2. As a result, when the medium M is heated while the medium M is in close contact with the other medium L, the printing dye N contained in the printing toner image G1 (printing toner) becomes the other medium as described above. In order to move to L, the other medium L is dyed with the printing dye N, and the pigment contained in the pigment toner image G2 (pigment toner) moves to the other medium L, so that the pigment is fixed on the other medium L. do. Therefore, since the image G is transferred to the other medium L, the image I is formed on the other medium L.

In this case, depending on the material of the other medium L, the other medium L is easily dyed by the printing dye N, so that the density of the image I is sufficiently high. Further, even if the printing dye N is decomposed according to the light, the density of the image I is compensated by the pigment which is difficult to decompose according to the light, so that the density of the image I is less likely to change with time. Therefore, even if the density of the image I decreases due to the decomposition of the printing dye N, it is difficult to reach a situation where it becomes difficult to recognize what kind of image the image I originally was. From these facts, in addition to sufficient color reproducibility and sharp contours, the image quality of the image I can be easily maintained.

Moreover, since the pigment toner image G2 is formed in the region R1 or the region R2, the formation range of the pigment toner image G1 is optimized with respect to the formation range of the printing toner image G1, so that the image G is the printing toner image G1. And even if the pigment toner image G2 is included, image quality defects such as color shift are less likely to be recognized by the naked eye.

Therefore, a high-quality image G capable of realizing a high-quality image I can be formed on the medium M. Therefore, the image G can be used to form a high-quality image I on the other medium L.

[Other actions and effects]
In particular, in the present embodiment, if the forming operation of the printing toner image G1 and the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2 are controlled so that the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 are entirely or partially overlapped with each other. Compared with the case where the forming operation of the printing toner image G1 and the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2 are controlled so that the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 are adjacent to each other, color shift and the like are less likely to be recognized. Therefore, a higher effect can be obtained.

Further, if the forming operation of the printing toner image G1 and the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2 are controlled so that the pigment toner image G2 is formed after the printing toner image G1 is formed on the medium M, the above description is made. As described above, since the image G is stably transferred from the medium M to the other medium L, the image I is stably formed on the other medium L. Therefore, the reproducibility of the formation of the image I is improved, and a higher effect can be obtained.

In this case, if the configuration of the image G (printing toner image G1 and pigment toner image G2) is any one of the above-mentioned configuration examples 1 to 4, the reproducibility regarding the formation of the image I is further improved. A higher effect can be obtained.

<2. Image forming apparatus (second embodiment)>
Next, the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

<2-1. Overall configuration>
The configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment described above (see FIGS. 1 and 2) except that, for example, the configuration of the developing unit 30 is different.

FIG. 14 shows the planar configuration of the image forming apparatus and corresponds to FIG. In this image forming apparatus, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, five developing units 30 (30SY, 30SM, 30SC, 30Y, 30C) move from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction (arrow F5) of the intermediate transfer belt 41. They are arranged in this order toward the side.

In particular, in the transfer unit 40, as will be described later, the printing toner image Z1 and the pigment toner image Z2 are formed in this order on the intermediate transfer belt 41 (see FIG. 19), and then the pigment toner is formed on the medium M from the intermediate transfer belt 41. The image Z2 and the printing toner image Z1 are transferred (see FIG. 20).

Further, as will be described later, the fixing unit 50 fixes the pigment toner image Z2 and the printing toner image Z1 to the medium M after the pigment toner image Z2 and the printing toner image Z1 are transferred to the medium M (see FIG. 21). .. As a result, the image G including the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 is formed on the medium M.

<2-2. Block configuration>
The block configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as the block configuration of the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment described above (see FIG. 3), except that the control content of the image forming control unit 71 is different, for example. be.

Similar to the first embodiment, the image forming control unit 71 controls the forming operation of the image forming units 30Y, 30C and the like for forming the pigment toner image G2, and the image forming unit 30SY, which forms the printing toner image G1. It controls the forming operation of 30SM, 30SC, etc. (see FIGS. 19 to 21).

Specifically, the image formation control unit 71 forms the pigment toner image G2 in the region R1 or the region R2 when the image G (pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1) is formed on the medium M. In addition, the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the formation operation of the printing toner image G1 are controlled.

In this case, for example, as will be described later, the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 may be overlapped with each other (see FIGS. 15A, 15B, 17A and 17B), or the pigment toner image. G2 and the printing toner image G1 may be adjacent to each other without being overlapped with each other (see FIGS. 16A, 16B, 18A and 18B). When the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 are overlapped with each other, the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 may be overlapped with each other as a whole (see FIGS. 15A and 51B). ), The pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 may be partially overlapped with each other (see FIGS. 17A and 17B).

Further, the image forming control unit 71 performs the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 so that the printing toner image G1 is formed after the pigment toner image G2 is formed on the medium M, for example. The forming operation is controlled (see FIG. 21).

The detailed configuration of the image G (pigment toner image G2 and printing toner image G1) formed on the medium M while the forming operation is controlled by the image forming control unit 71 will be described later (FIGS. 15A and 15B). -See FIGS. 18A and 18B).

<2-3. Image composition>
The composition of the image G, more specifically, each of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 has the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 while the forming operation is controlled by the image forming control unit 71 as described above. As long as each of the above is formed, it is not particularly limited.

Specifically, as the configuration of the image G, for example, various configurations can be considered depending on the types of the plurality of image units constituting each of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1. Here, as in the first embodiment, some images G (pigment toner image G2 and printing toner image) are used as an example when a plurality of linear image units (plural image unit lines L) are used. A specific configuration example of G1) will be described. The details regarding the respective configurations of the plurality of image unit lines L1 and L2 described below are as described above.

[Configuration Example 5]
FIG. 15A shows the planar configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 (configuration example 5 relating to a plurality of image unit lines L), and corresponds to FIG. 5A. FIG. 15B shows the cross-sectional configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 along the line AA shown in FIG. 15A, and corresponds to FIG. 5B.

In each of FIGS. 15A and 15B, a part (part W) of the medium M shown in FIG. 4 is enlarged. This supplementary matter also applies to FIGS. 16A and 16B to 18A and 18B described later.

In the configuration example 5 shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, for example, after the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit lines L2) is formed on the medium M, the printing toner image G1 (plural) is formed on the pigment toner image G2. Since the image unit line L1) of the above is formed, the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 are laminated in this order on the medium M. That is, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 is arranged on each of the plurality of image unit lines L2.

Further, for example, the entire image unit line L2 and the entire image unit line L1 are overlapped with each other in the Z-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of aggregate image unit lines L12 are formed by superimposing one image unit line L2 and one image unit line L1 on each other as a whole, and the plurality of aggregates thereof. The image unit lines L12 are arranged in the X-axis direction with an interval P. In this case, the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit lines L1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit lines L2) is also formed in the region R1.

In the configuration example 5, the image formation control unit 71 performs the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner so that, for example, a plurality of image unit lines L2 and a plurality of image unit lines L1 are formed in this order on the medium M. The formation operation of the image G1 is controlled. Further, the image formation control unit 71 forms the pigment toner image G2 so that, for example, the entire image unit line L2 and the entire image unit line L1 are overlapped with each other in the Z-axis direction. The operation and the formation operation of the printing toner image G1 are controlled.

[Configuration Example 6]
FIG. 16A shows the planar configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 (configuration example 6 for a plurality of image unit lines L), and corresponds to FIG. 15A. FIG. 16B shows the cross-sectional configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 along the line AA shown in FIG. 16A, and corresponds to FIG. 15B.

In the configuration example 6 shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, for example, after the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit lines L2) is formed on the medium M, the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit lines L2) is formed on the medium M. L1) is formed.

Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 and each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of collective image unit lines L12 are formed by adjoining one image unit line L2 and one image unit line L1 to each other, and the plurality of collective image units are formed. The lines L12 are arranged in the X-axis direction with an interval P. In this case, the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit lines L1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit lines L2) is formed in the region R2.

In the configuration example 6, the image formation control unit 71 performs the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner so that, for example, a plurality of image unit lines L2 and a plurality of image unit lines L1 are formed in this order on the medium M. The formation operation of the image G1 is controlled. Further, the image formation control unit 71 may, for example, have a plurality of image unit lines L2 (one image unit line L2) and a plurality of image unit lines L1 (one image unit line L1) in the X-axis direction. The formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the formation operation of the printing toner image G1 are controlled so that the two are adjacent to each other.

[Configuration Example 7]
FIG. 17A shows the planar configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 (configuration example 7 regarding a plurality of image unit lines L), and corresponds to FIG. 15A. FIG. 17B shows the cross-sectional configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 along the line AA shown in FIG. 17A, and corresponds to FIG. 15B.

In the configuration example 7 shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, for example, after the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit lines L2) is formed on the medium M, the printing toner image G1 (plural) is formed on the pigment toner image G2. Image unit line L1) is formed.

Further, for example, a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 and a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 are overlapped with each other in the Z-axis direction. That is, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 is formed so as to partially ride on each of the plurality of image unit lines L2. Therefore, for example, a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 is arranged on the medium M, whereas the remaining part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 is arranged. , Are arranged on each of the plurality of image unit lines L2. More specifically, for example, a plurality of aggregate image unit lines L12 are formed by partially superimposing one image unit line L2 and one image unit line L1 on each other, and the plurality of aggregates thereof. The image unit lines L12 are arranged in the X-axis direction with an interval P. In this case, the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit lines L1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit lines L2) is formed in the region R2.

In the configuration example 7, the image formation control unit 71 performs the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner so that, for example, a plurality of image unit lines L2 and a plurality of image unit lines L1 are formed in this order on the medium M. The formation operation of the image G1 is controlled. Further, in the image formation control unit 71, for example, the pigment toner image G2 is provided so that a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 and a part of each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 are overlapped with each other in the Z-axis direction. And the forming operation of the printing toner image G1 are controlled.

[Configuration Example 8]
FIG. 18A shows the planar configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 (configuration example 8 relating to a plurality of image unit lines L), and corresponds to FIG. 15A. FIG. 18B shows the cross-sectional configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 along the line AA shown in FIG. 18A, and corresponds to FIG. 15B.

In the configuration example 8 shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, for example, after the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit lines L2) is formed on the medium M, the printing toner image G1 (plural) is formed on the pigment toner image G2. Image unit line L1) is formed.

Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit lines L2 and each of the plurality of image unit lines L1 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of collective image unit lines L12 are formed by arranging the two image unit lines L2 and the two image unit lines L1 adjacent to each other and alternately. The plurality of collective image unit lines L12 are arranged in the X-axis direction with an interval P. In this case, the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit lines L1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit lines L2) is formed in the region R2.

In the configuration example 8, the image formation control unit 71 performs the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner so that, for example, a plurality of image unit lines L2 and a plurality of image unit lines L1 are formed in this order on the medium M. The formation operation of the image G1 is controlled. Further, the image formation control unit 71 may, for example, have a plurality of image unit lines L2 (two image unit lines L2) and a plurality of image unit lines L1 (two image unit lines L1) in the X-axis direction. The formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the formation operation of the printing toner image G1 are controlled so that the two are adjacent to each other.

<2-4. Operation>
The operation of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 so that the printing toner image G1 is formed after the pigment toner image G2 is formed in the image G forming step. It is the same as the operation of the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment described above except that the forming operation of the image forming apparatus is controlled.

FIG. 19 shows the cross-sectional structure of the intermediate transfer belt 41 on which the printing toner image Z1 and the pigment toner image Z2 are formed, and corresponds to FIG. FIG. 20 shows the cross-sectional structure of the medium M to which the pigment toner image Z2 and the printing toner image Z1 are transferred, and corresponds to FIG. 10. FIG. 21 shows the cross-sectional structure of the medium M on which the image G (pigment toner image G2 and printing toner image G1) is formed, and corresponds to FIG. 11.

Specifically, in the development process and the primary transfer process, the printing toner (printing yellow toner, printing magenta toner, and printing cyan) are printed on the surface (electrostatic latent image) of the photoconductor drum 32 in each of the developing units 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC. After the toner) is attached, the printing toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41. Subsequently, in each of the developing units 30Y and 30C, the pigment toner (pigment yellow toner and the pigment cyan toner) is adhered to the surface (electrostatic latent image) of the photoconductor drum 32, and then the pigment toner is attached to the intermediate transfer belt 41. Transferred.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 19, the printing toner image Z1 is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 using the printing toner (printing yellow toner, printing magenta toner, and printing cyan toner), and then the pigment toner (pigment yellow toner). And the pigment cyan toner) is used to form the pigment toner image Z2.

After that, by performing the secondary transfer treatment, as shown in FIG. 20, the pigment toner image Z2 and the printing toner image Z1 are transferred to the medium M. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, the image G (pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1) is formed on the medium M by performing the fixing process. In FIG. 21, the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 are laminated in this order in order to simplify the illustrated contents, but the respective configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 are, for example, the above-mentioned configurations. Any of Examples 5 to 8 may be used.

<2-5. Actions and effects>
In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the pigment toner is formed so that the pigment toner image G2 is formed in the region R1 or the region R2 when the image G (pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1) is formed on the medium M. It controls the forming operation of the image G2 and the forming operation of the printing toner image G1. In this case, for the same reason as in the first embodiment described above, the density of the image I is supplemented by the pigment, so that the density of the image I is less likely to change over time and the printing toner image G1 is formed. Since the formation range of the pigment toner image G2 is optimized with respect to the range, even if the image G includes the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, image quality defects such as color shift are less likely to be recognized. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, when the image G formed on the medium M is transferred to another medium L such as a cloth, a high quality image I can be formed on the other medium L.

In particular, if the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the formation operation of the printing toner image G1 are controlled so that the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 are entirely or partially overlapped with each other, the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 are formed. Compared with the case where the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the formation operation of the printing toner image G1 are controlled so that the printing toner image G1 is adjacent to each other, color shift and the like are less likely to be recognized, and thus higher. The effect can be obtained.

Further, if the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the formation operation of the printing toner image G1 are controlled so that the printing toner image G1 is formed after the pigment toner image G2 is formed on the medium M, the above is described. As described above, since the image G is stably transferred from the medium M to the other medium L, the image I is stably formed on the other medium L. Therefore, the reproducibility of the formation of the image I is improved, and a higher effect can be obtained.

In this case, if the configuration of the image G (pigment toner image G2 and printing toner image G1) is any one of the above-mentioned configuration examples 5 to 8, the reproducibility regarding the formation of the image I is further improved. A higher effect can be obtained.

<3. Use of images>
Next, the use of the image G formed by using the above-mentioned image forming apparatus will be described.

As described above, the image G formed on the medium M by the image forming apparatus utilizes the characteristics (sublimation transferability) of the printing dye that can be transferred to the other medium L other than the medium M by being heated. It is possible to transfer from the medium M to another medium L. Therefore, the image G is used for various purposes depending on the type of the other medium L.

The type of the other medium L is not particularly limited, and is, for example, paper, cloth, wood, metal, glass, pottery, resin, and the like. More specifically, the fabric is, for example, clothing such as a T-shirt, and the pottery is, for example, tableware such as a mug. However, cloth is not limited to clothing, and pottery is not limited to tableware. The resin is not limited to the polyester-based resin described above, and may be a resin other than the polyester-based resin.

<3-1. Image formed by the image forming apparatus (first embodiment)>
First, as an application of the image G formed by the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment, a method of transferring the image G from the medium M to another medium L will be described.

Here, for example, as described above, the case where the image G formed on the medium M is transferred to the other medium L (fabric) will be described. The transfer method of the image G described here is, for example, iron printing using an iron as a heating source. However, the type of heating source is not limited to the iron. The other medium L is, for example, clothing such as a T-shirt, and the material of the T-shirt is not particularly limited.

22 and 23 each represent the cross-sectional configurations of the medium M and the other medium L in order to explain the method of transferring the image G from the medium M to the other medium L, and correspond to FIG. ..

When the image G is transferred to the other medium L, first, as shown in FIG. 22, the image G (printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2) is formed on the other medium L to be transferred. The medium M is opposed to the other. In this case, the medium M is arranged so that the pigment toner image G2 faces the other medium L.

Subsequently, after the medium M is brought into close contact with the other medium L, the heat energy H is supplied to the medium M by pressing an iron against the medium M. In FIG. 22, only the thermal energy H is shown, and the illustration of the iron is omitted. Conditions such as the temperature of the iron, the pressing time of the iron against the other medium L, and the weight supplied to the medium M via the iron can be arbitrarily set.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 23, the pigment toner image G2 peeled off from the printing toner image G1 is transferred to the other medium L by using the heat energy H, and the printing toner image G1 (printing toner) is transferred to the other medium L. The printing dye N contained therein is transferred to the other medium L. In this case, a part of the printing toner image 1 is transferred to the other medium L together with the pigment toner image G2. As a result, the other medium L is dyed with a part of the printing dye N, and the rest of the printing dye N is fixed to each of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2. Therefore, the image I corresponding to the image G is formed on the other medium L.

In this case, as described above, if the pigment toner image G2 is formed after the printing toner image G1 is formed in the image G forming step, the image G is transferred to the other medium L. , The density of the image I is less likely to change over time. Therefore, since the image quality of the image I is easily maintained, a high-quality image I can be formed on the other medium L.

<3-2. Image formed by the image forming apparatus (second embodiment)>
Further, as an application of the image G formed by the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment, a method of transferring the image G from the medium M to another medium L will be described. Details of the method for transferring the image G formed by the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment are described in detail, for example, except as described below, for transferring the image G formed by the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment described above. Similar to the details on the method.

24 and 25 each represent the cross-sectional configurations of the medium M and the other medium L to explain the transfer method of the image G, and correspond to FIGS. 22 and 23.

When transferring the image G to the other medium L, first, as shown in FIG. 24, the medium M on which the image G (pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1) is formed faces the other medium L. After that, the heat energy H is supplied to the medium M by using an iron. In this case, the medium M is arranged so that the printing toner image G1 faces the other medium L. As a result, as shown in FIG. 25, the printing toner image G1 peeled off from the pigment toner image G2 is transferred to the other medium L by using the heat energy H, and the printing toner image G1 (printing toner) is transferred to the other medium L. The printing dye N contained therein is transferred to the other medium L. In this case, a part of the pigment toner image G2 is transferred to the other medium L together with the printing toner image G1, and the rest of the printing toner image G1 remains on the medium M. As a result, the other medium L is dyed with a part of the printing dye N. Therefore, the image I corresponding to the image G is formed on the other medium L.

In this case, as described above, if the printing toner image G1 is formed after the pigment toner image G2 is formed in the image G forming step, the image G is transferred to the other medium L. Since the printing toner image G1 is transferred so as to be in direct contact with the other medium L, the color development (density) of the image I derived from the printing dye N is increased. Moreover, since the uppermost layer of the image I becomes the pigment toner image G2, when the other medium L is dyed by the printing dye N, the other medium L is protected from the outside by the pigment toner image G2 and the printing dye N is used. Therefore, the loss of the dyeing amount (coloring amount) due to the printing dye N due to an external factor such as an external force is reduced. Therefore, since the image quality of the image I is improved, the high quality image I can be formed on the other medium L.

<4. Modification example>
The configuration of the image forming apparatus described above can be changed as appropriate.

[Modification 1]
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B to 8A and 8B, a plurality of linear image units (plurality of image unit lines L) are used as the plurality of image units. However, the type of the plurality of image units is not particularly limited and can be arbitrarily changed.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B to 29A and 29B corresponding to FIGS. 5A and 5B to 8A and 8B, a plurality of dot-shaped images are used as a plurality of image units. A unit (a plurality of image unit dots D) may be used. Also in these cases, the same effect can be obtained by forming the image G (printing toner image G1 and pigment toner image G2) on the medium M while the forming operation is controlled by the image forming control unit 71 as described above. be able to.

(Modification 1-1)
FIG. 26A shows the planar configurations of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 (modification example 1-1 regarding a plurality of image unit dots D), and corresponds to FIG. 5A. FIG. 26B shows the cross-sectional configurations of the printed toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 along the line AA shown in FIG. 26A, and corresponds to FIG. 5B.

In the modification 1-1 shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B, the printing toner image G1 includes, for example, a plurality of image unit dots D (D1), and the pigment toner image G2 contains, for example, a plurality of image units. It contains a dot D (D2). Here, the plurality of image unit dots D1 are the "plurality of printing toner image units" according to the embodiment of the present invention. Further, the plurality of image unit dots D2 are "plurality of pigment toner image units" according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The planar shape of each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, a circle. The plurality of image unit dots D1 are arranged, for example, with a spacing P in the X-axis direction and a spacing P in the Y-axis direction intersecting the X-axis direction. That is, the plurality of image unit dots D1 are arranged in a matrix so as to have, for example, a plurality of rows × a plurality of columns. The spacing P in the X-axis direction and the spacing P in the Y-axis direction may be the same or different from each other.

The planar shape and arrangement state of the plurality of image unit dots D2 are, for example, the same as the planar shape and arrangement state of the plurality of image unit dots D1 described above. In FIG. 26A, a plurality of image unit dots D2 are darkly shaded.

The configurations of the printed toner image G1 (plural image unit dots L1) and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots L2) described above are the same in FIGS. 27A and 27B to 29A to 29B described later. be.

Here, for example, after the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed on the medium M, the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is formed on the printing toner image G1. Therefore, the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 are laminated in this order on the medium M. That is, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 is arranged on each of the plurality of image unit dots D1.

Further, for example, the whole of each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 and the whole of each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 are overlapped with each other in the Z-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of aggregate image unit dots D12 are formed by superimposing one image unit dot D1 and one image unit dot D2 on each other as a whole, and the plurality of aggregates thereof. Image unit dots D12 are arranged with an interval P in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In this case, the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is also formed in the region R1.

In the modification 1-1, the image formation control unit 71 performs an operation of forming the printing toner image G1 and a printing toner image G1 so that, for example, a plurality of image unit dots D1 and a plurality of image unit dots D2 are formed in this order on the medium M. The formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 is controlled. Further, the image formation control unit 71 forms the printing toner image G1 so that, for example, the entire image unit dot D1 and the entire image unit dot D2 are overlapped with each other in the Z-axis direction. The operation and the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 are controlled.

(Modification 1-2)
FIG. 27A shows the planar configurations of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 (modifications 1-2 regarding a plurality of image unit dots D), and corresponds to FIG. 6A. 27B shows the cross-sectional configurations of the printed toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 along the line AA shown in FIG. 27A, and corresponds to FIG. 6B.

In the modification 1-2 shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B, for example, after the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed on the medium M, the pigment toner image G2 (plural images) is formed on the medium M. The unit dot D2) is formed. In FIG. 27A, the plurality of image unit dots D1 are lightly shaded, and the plurality of image unit dots D2 are darkly shaded.

Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. More specifically, for example, one image unit dot D1 and one image unit dot D2 are adjacent to each other to form a plurality of collective image unit dots D12, and the plurality of collective image units are formed. The dots D12 are arranged with an interval P in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In this case, the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is formed in the region R2.

In the modification 1-2, the image formation control unit 71 performs an operation of forming the printing toner image G1 and a printing toner image G1 so that, for example, a plurality of image unit dots D1 and a plurality of image unit dots D2 are formed in this order on the medium M. The formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 is controlled. Further, the image formation control unit 71 performs an operation of forming the printing toner image G1 and a pigment so that, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. The formation operation of the toner image G2 is controlled.

(Modification 1-3)
FIG. 28A shows the planar configurations of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 (modifications 1-3 regarding a plurality of image unit dots D), and corresponds to FIG. 7A. FIG. 28B shows the cross-sectional configurations of the printed toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 along the line AA shown in FIG. 28A, and corresponds to FIG. 7B.

In the modified examples 1-3 shown in FIGS. 28A and 28B, for example, after the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed on the medium M, the pigment toner image G2 is formed on the printing toner image G1. (A plurality of image unit dots D2) are formed.

Further, for example, a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 and a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 are overlapped with each other in the Z-axis direction. That is, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 is formed so as to partially ride on each of the plurality of image unit dots D1. Therefore, for example, a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 is arranged on the medium M, while the remaining part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 is arranged. , Are arranged on each of the plurality of image unit dots D1. More specifically, for example, a plurality of aggregate image unit dots D12 are formed by partially overlapping one image unit dot D1 and one image unit dot D2 with each other, and the plurality of aggregates thereof. Image unit dots D12 are arranged with an interval P in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In this case, the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is formed in the region R2.

In the modification 1-3, the image formation control unit 71 performs an operation of forming the printing toner image G1 and a printing toner image G1 so that, for example, a plurality of image unit dots D1 and a plurality of image unit dots D2 are formed in this order on the medium M. The formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 is controlled. Further, the image formation control unit 71 may, for example, print toner image G1 so that a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 and a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 are overlapped with each other in the Z-axis direction. And the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 are controlled.

(Modification 1-4)
FIG. 29A shows the planar configurations of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 (modifications 1-4 regarding a plurality of image unit dots D), and corresponds to FIG. 8A. FIG. 29B shows the cross-sectional configurations of the printed toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 along the line AA shown in FIG. 29A, and corresponds to FIG. 9B.

In the modification 1-4 shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B, for example, after the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed on the medium M, the pigment toner image G2 (plural images) is formed on the medium M. The unit dot D2) is formed.

Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of collective image unit dots D12 are formed by having two image unit dots D1 and two image unit dots D2 adjacent to each other, and the plurality of collective image unit dots D12 are formed. The dots D12 are arranged with an interval P in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In this case, the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is formed in the region R2.

In the modification 1-4, the image formation control unit 71 performs an operation of forming the printing toner image G1 and a printing toner image G1 so that, for example, a plurality of image unit dots D1 and a plurality of image unit dots D2 are formed in this order on the medium M. The formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 is controlled. Further, the image formation control unit 71 performs an operation of forming the printing toner image G1 and a pigment so that, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. The formation operation of the toner image G2 is controlled.

[Modification 2]
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B to 18A and 18B, a plurality of linear image units (plurality of image unit lines L) are used as the plurality of image units. However, the type of the plurality of image units is not particularly limited and can be arbitrarily changed.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B to 33A and 33B corresponding to FIGS. 15A and 15B to 18A and 18B, a plurality of dot-shaped images are used as a plurality of image units. A unit (a plurality of image unit dots D) may be used. Even in these cases, the same effect can be obtained by forming the image G (pigment toner image G2 and printing toner image G1) on the medium M while the formation operation is controlled by the image formation control unit 71 described above. can.

(Modification 2-1)
FIG. 30A shows the planar configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 (modification example 2-1 regarding a plurality of image unit dots D), and corresponds to FIGS. 15A and 26A. FIG. 30B shows the cross-sectional configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 along the line AA shown in FIG. 30A, and corresponds to FIGS. 15B and 26B.

In the modification 2-1 shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B, for example, after the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is formed on the medium M, the printing toner image G1 is formed on the pigment toner image G2. Since (a plurality of image unit dots D1) are formed, the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 are laminated in this order on the medium M. That is, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 is arranged on each of the plurality of image unit dots D2.

Further, for example, the whole of each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 and the whole of each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 are overlapped with each other in the Z-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of aggregate image unit dots D12 are formed by superimposing one image unit dot D2 and one image unit dot D1 on each other as a whole, and the plurality of aggregates thereof. Image unit dots D12 are arranged with an interval P in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In this case, the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is also formed in the region R1.

In the modification 2-1 of this modification, the image formation control unit 71 performs an operation of forming the pigment toner image G2 and a formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 so that, for example, a plurality of image unit dots D2 and a plurality of image unit dots D1 are formed in this order on the medium M. The formation operation of the printing toner image G1 is controlled. Further, the image formation control unit 71 forms the pigment toner image G2 so that, for example, the entire image unit dot D2 and the entire image unit dot D1 are overlapped with each other in the Z-axis direction. The operation and the formation operation of the printing toner image G1 are controlled.

(Modification 2-2)
FIG. 31A shows the planar configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 (modification example 2-2 relating to a plurality of image unit dots D), and corresponds to FIGS. 16A and 27A. FIG. 31B shows the cross-sectional configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 along the line AA shown in FIG. 31A, and corresponds to FIGS. 16B and 27B.

In the modification 2-2 shown in FIGS. 31A and 31B, for example, after the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is formed on the medium M, the printing toner image G1 (plural images) is formed on the medium M. The unit dot D1) is formed.

Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of collective image unit dots D12 are formed by adjoining one image unit dot D2 and one image unit dot D1 to each other, and the plurality of collective image unit dots D12 are formed. The dots D12 are arranged with an interval P in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In this case, the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is formed in the region R2.

In the modification 2-2, the image formation control unit 71 performs the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 so that, for example, a plurality of image unit dots D2 and a plurality of image unit dots D1 are formed in this order on the medium M. The formation operation of the printing toner image G1 is controlled. Further, the image formation control unit 71 forms and prints the pigment toner image G2 so that, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. The formation operation of the toner image G1 is controlled.

(Modification 2-3)
FIG. 32A shows the planar configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 (modifications 2-3 regarding a plurality of image unit dots D), and corresponds to FIGS. 17A and 28A. 32B shows the cross-sectional configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 along the line AA shown in FIG. 32A, and corresponds to FIGS. 17B and 28B.

In the modification 2-3 shown in FIGS. 32A and 32B, for example, after the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is formed on the medium M, the printing toner image G1 is formed on the pigment toner image G2. (A plurality of image unit dots D1) are formed.

Further, for example, a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 and a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 are overlapped with each other in the Z-axis direction. That is, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 is formed so as to partially ride on each of the plurality of image unit dots D2. Therefore, for example, a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 is arranged on the medium M, while the remaining part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 is arranged. , Are arranged on each of the plurality of image unit dots D2. More specifically, for example, a plurality of aggregate image unit dots D12 are formed by partially overlapping one image unit dot D2 and one image unit dot D1 with each other, and the plurality of aggregates thereof. Image unit dots D12 are arranged with an interval P in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In this case, the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is formed in the region R2.

In the modification 2-3, the image formation control unit 71 performs the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 so that, for example, a plurality of image unit dots D2 and a plurality of image unit dots D1 are formed in this order on the medium M. The formation operation of the printing toner image G1 is controlled. Further, in the image formation control unit 71, for example, the pigment toner image G2 is such that a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 and a part of each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 are overlapped with each other in the Z-axis direction. And the forming operation of the printing toner image G1 are controlled.

(Modification 2-4)
FIG. 33A shows the planar configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 (modification examples 2-4 relating to a plurality of image unit dots D), and corresponds to FIGS. 18A and 29A. 33B shows the cross-sectional configurations of the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 along the line AA shown in FIG. 33A, and corresponds to FIGS. 18B and 29B.

In the modification 2-4 shown in FIGS. 33A and 33B, for example, after the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is formed on the medium M, the printing toner image G1 (plural images) is formed on the medium M. The unit dot D1) is formed.

Further, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. More specifically, for example, a plurality of collective image unit dots D12 are formed by having two image unit dots D2 and two image unit dots D1 adjacent to each other, and the plurality of collective image unit dots D12 are formed. The dots D12 are arranged with an interval P in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In this case, the printing toner image G1 (plural image unit dots D1) is formed in the region R1, and the pigment toner image G2 (plural image unit dots D2) is formed in the region R2.

In the modification 2-4, the image formation control unit 71 performs the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 and the formation operation of the pigment toner image G2 so that, for example, a plurality of image unit dots D2 and a plurality of image unit dots D1 are formed in this order on the medium M. The formation operation of the printing toner image G1 is controlled. Further, the image formation control unit 71 forms and prints the pigment toner image G2 so that, for example, each of the plurality of image unit dots D2 and each of the plurality of image unit dots D1 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. The formation operation of the toner image G1 is controlled.

[Modification 3]
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the collective image unit line L12 is formed by the two image unit lines L1 and the two image unit lines L2. However, since the number of image unit lines L1 included in the collective image unit line L12 is not limited to two, it may be three or more, and the number of image unit lines L2 included in the collective image unit line L12 is two. Since it is not limited to, three or more may be used. The number of image unit lines L1 and the number of image unit lines L2 may be the same or different from each other. This also applies to the second embodiment (FIGS. 18A and 18B).

Further, in the modified example 1 (modified example 1-4), as shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B, the collective image unit dot D12 is formed by the two image unit dots D1 and the two image unit dots D2. I did it. However, since the number of image unit dots D1 included in the collective image unit dot D12 is not limited to two, it may be three or more, and the number of image unit dots D2 included in the collective image unit dot D12 is two. Since it is not limited to, 3 or more may be used. The number of image unit dots D1 and the number of image unit dots D2 may be the same or different from each other. This also applies to the modified example 2 (FIG. 33A and FIG. 33B which are the modified examples 2-4).

Even in these cases, the same effect can be obtained by forming the image G (pigment toner image G2 and printing toner image G1) on the medium M while the formation operation is controlled by the image formation control unit 71 described above. can.

[Modification 4]
Although the intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus for forming an image on the medium M using the intermediate transfer belt medium 41 has been described, the direct transfer type image forming apparatus for forming an image on the medium M without using the intermediate transfer belt medium 41 has been described. But it may be.

(Modification 4-1)
Specifically, in the first embodiment, for example, the direct transfer type image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 34 corresponding to FIG. 1 may be used. This direct transfer type image forming apparatus has, for example, the same configuration as the intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus (FIGS. 1 to 3) except as described below.

First, the image forming apparatus uses five transfer rollers 48 (48Y, 48C, 48SY) corresponding to five primary transfer rollers 45 (45Y, 45C, 45SY, 45SM, 45SC) instead of the transfer unit 40. , 48SM, 48SC). Second, the developing unit 30 (30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, 30SC) and the transfer roller 48 (48Y, 48C, 48SY, 48SM, 48SC) are arranged along the transport path R1. Third, the developing units 30Y, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, 30SC and the transfer rollers 48Y, 48C, 48SY, 48SM, 48SC are, for example, from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the medium M in the transport path R1. They are arranged in order.

The operation of the image forming apparatus of the direct transfer method is the same as the operation of the image forming apparatus of the intermediate transfer method, except that the transfer processing is performed instead of the primary transfer processing and the secondary transfer processing, for example. The content of this transfer process is the same as the content of the primary transfer process. That is, in the transfer treatment, each of the pigment toner and the printing toner adhered to the electrostatic latent image in the development treatment is transferred to the medium M.

Here, the image forming unit 30SY, 30SM, 30SC, the transfer roller 48SY, 48SM, 48SC and the fixing unit 50 are the "first image forming units" of the embodiment of the present invention. Further, the image forming units 30Y and 30C, the transfer rollers 48Y and 48C and the fixing unit 50 are "second image forming units" according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Also in this direct transfer type image forming apparatus, for example, after the development units 30Y and 30C form the pigment toner image Z2 using the pigment toner, the development units 30SY, 30SM and 30SC use the printing toner to form the printing toner image Z1. By forming the image G, the image G including the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 is formed on the medium M. Therefore, for the same reason as described for the image forming apparatus of the intermediate transfer method (first embodiment), when the image G formed on the medium M is transferred to another medium L such as a cloth, the other medium L High quality image I can be formed.

Other actions and effects with respect to the direct transfer type image forming apparatus are similar to those with respect to the intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus.

(Modification Example 4-2)
Specifically, in the second embodiment, for example, the direct transfer type image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 35 corresponding to FIG. 1 may be used. In this direct transfer type image forming apparatus, for example, the development units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC, 30Y, and 30C are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the medium M in the transport path R1. Except for this, it has the same configuration as the direct transfer type image forming apparatus (FIG. 34) described in the above-described modification 3-1.

The operation of the direct transfer type image forming apparatus is the same as the operation of the direct transfer type image forming apparatus described in the modified example 4-1 except that the forming order of the printing toner image Z1 and the pigment toner image Z2 is different, for example. The same is true. Specifically, for example, the developing units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC form the printing toner image Z1 using the printing toner, and then the developing units 30Y, 30C form the pigment toner image Z2 using the pigment toner. An image G including a pigment toner image G2 and a printing toner image G1 is formed on the medium M. Therefore, for the same reason as described for the image forming apparatus of the intermediate transfer method (second embodiment), when the image G formed on the medium M is transferred to another medium L such as a cloth, the other medium L High quality image I can be formed.

[Modification 5]
By using 3 types of printing toner (printing yellow toner, printing magenta toner and printing cyan toner) and 2 types of pigment toner (pigment yellow toner and pigment cyan toner), a total of 5 types of toner were used. However, each of the types of toner, that is, the type of printing toner and the type of pigment toner is not particularly limited and can be arbitrarily changed.

Specifically, for example, by using three types of printing toner (printing yellow toner, printing magenta toner and printing cyan toner) and three types of pigment toner (pigment yellow toner, pigment magenta toner and pigment cyan toner), the total 6 types of toner may be used. This pigment magenta toner has the same configuration as the pigment yellow toner, except that it contains, for example, a magenta pigment instead of the yellow pigment as a colorant. The magenta pigment is, for example, quinacridone.

In this case, for example, a developing unit 30M that performs a developing process using the pigment magenta toner may be added to the image forming apparatus. Specifically, in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), for example, the developing units 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, 30SC move from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41 (arrow F5). They are arranged in this order. In the second embodiment (see FIG. 14), for example, the developing units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC, 30Y, 30M, and 30C are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction (arrow F5) of the intermediate transfer belt 41. Will be done. In the modified example 4-1 (see FIG. 34), for example, the developing units 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the medium M in the transport path R1. NS. In the modified example 4-2 (see FIG. 35), for example, the developing units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC, 30Y, 30M, and 30C are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the medium M in the transport path R1. NS.

Further, for example, by using three types of printing toners (printing yellow toner, printing magenta toner and printing cyan toner) and four types of pigment toners (pigment yellow toner, pigment magenta toner, pigment cyan toner and pigment black toner), A total of 7 types of toner may be used. This pigment black toner has the same configuration as the pigment yellow toner, except that it contains a black pigment instead of the yellow pigment as a colorant, for example. The black pigment is, for example, carbon.

In this case, for example, a developing unit 30M that performs a developing process using the pigment magenta toner and a developing unit 30K that performs a developing process using the pigment black toner may be added to the image forming apparatus. Specifically, in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), for example, the developing units 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30K, 30SY, 30SM, 30SC move from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41 (arrow F5). They are arranged in this order toward the side. In the second embodiment (see FIG. 14), for example, the developing units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC, 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30K are oriented from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41 (arrow F5). Arranged in order. In the modified example 4-1 (see FIG. 34), for example, the developing units 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30K, 30SY, 30SM, and 30SC are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the medium M in the transport path R1. Be placed. In the modified example 4-2 (see FIG. 35), for example, the developing units 30SY, 30SM, 30SC, 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the medium M in the transport path R1. Be placed.

Even in these cases, the same effect can be obtained by forming the image G (printing toner image G1 and pigment toner image G2) on the medium M while the forming operation is controlled by the image forming control unit 71 described above. can.

Examples of the present invention will be described in detail.

(Experimental Examples 1-1-1-15)
After forming the image G on the medium M using the image forming apparatus by the following procedure, the performance of the image was evaluated.

[Preparation of image forming equipment, etc.]
First, an image forming apparatus, a toner, and a medium M were prepared. As an image forming apparatus, a color printer MICROLINE VINCI C941dn manufactured by Oki Data Corporation was used. As the medium M, A4 printer paper (excellent white, size = 297 mm × 210 mm) manufactured by Oki Data Corporation was used.

(Type and composition of toner)
By using 3 types of pigment toner (pigment yellow toner, pigment magenta toner and pigment cyan toner) and 3 types of printing toner (printing yellow toner, printing magenta toner and printing cyan toner), a total of 6 types are used. Toner was used.

The composition of the pigment yellow toner is as follows.

Yellow Pigment: Pigment Yellow 74 5 parts by mass Binder: 100 parts by mass of amorphous polyester Mold release agent: Paraffin wax (SP-0145 manufactured by Nipponsei Co., Ltd., melting point = 62 ° C) 4 parts by mass Charge control agent: Bontron P-51 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 1 part by mass External agent: Composite oxide particles (STX801, average primary particle diameter = 18 nm manufactured by Nippon Aerodil Co., Ltd.) 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner mother particles Department
Colloidal silica (Sol-gel silica X-24-9163A manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., average primary particle diameter = 100 nm) 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner mother particles
Silica powder (VPRY40S manufactured by Nippon Aerodil Co., Ltd., average primary particle size = 80 nm) 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner mother particles
Silica powder (RY50 manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., average primary particle diameter = 40 nm) 1.5 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner mother particles

The composition of the pigment magenta toner is as follows.

Magenta Pigment: 5 parts by mass of quinacridone Binder: 100 parts by mass of amorphous polyester Mold release agent: Paraffin wax (SP-0145 manufactured by Nipponsei Co., Ltd., melting point = 62 ° C) 4 parts by mass Charge control agent: Bontron P -51 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 1 part by mass External additive: Composite oxide particles (STX801, average primary particle diameter = 18 nm manufactured by Nippon Aerodil Co., Ltd.) 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner mother particles
Colloidal silica (Sol-gel silica X-24-9163A manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., average primary particle diameter = 100 nm) 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner mother particles
Silica powder (VPRY40S manufactured by Nippon Aerodil Co., Ltd., average primary particle size = 80 nm) 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner mother particles
Silica powder (RY50 manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., average primary particle diameter = 40 nm) 1.5 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner mother particles

The composition of the pigment cyan toner is as follows.

Cyan pigment: phthalocyanine blue (CI Pigment Blue 15: 3) 5 parts by mass Binder: 100 parts by mass of amorphous polyester Release agent: Paraffin wax (SP-0145 manufactured by Nipponsei Co., Ltd., melting point = 62 ° C) 4 parts by mass Charge control agent: Bontron P-51 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 1 part by mass External agent: Composite oxide particles (STX801, average primary particle diameter = 18 nm manufactured by Nippon Aerodil Co., Ltd.) Toner 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of mother particles
Colloidal silica (Sol-gel silica X-24-9163A manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., average primary particle diameter = 100 nm) 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner mother particles
Silica powder (VPRY40S manufactured by Nippon Aerodil Co., Ltd., average primary particle size = 80 nm) 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner mother particles
Silica powder (RY50 manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., average primary particle diameter = 40 nm) 1.5 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner mother particles

The composition of the printing yellow toner is as follows.

Printing yellow dye: C.I. L Reactive Yellow2 5 parts by mass Binder: Amorphous polyester 100 parts by mass Charge control agent: Bontron P-51 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 1 part by mass External agent: Hydrophobic silica fine powder (Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) R972, average primary particle diameter = 16 nm) 3 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner mother particles

The composition of the printing magenta toner is as follows.

Printing magenta dye: C.I. L Reactive Red3 5 parts by mass Binder: Amorphous polyester 100 parts by mass Charge control agent: Bontron P-51 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 1 part by mass External agent: Hydrophobic silica fine powder (Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) R972, average primary particle diameter = 16 nm) 3 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner mother particles

The composition of the printing cyan toner is as follows.

Printing cyan dye: C.I. L Disperde Blue60 5 parts by mass Binder: 100 parts by mass of amorphous polyester Charge control agent: Bontron P-51 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 1 part by mass External agent: Hydrophobic silica fine powder (Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) R972, average primary particle diameter = 16 nm) 3 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner mother particles

(Toner manufacturing method)
In order to obtain a pigment toner (pigment yellow toner, pigment magenta toner and pigment cyanate toner), a pigment toner was produced by using a dissolution suspension method.

Specifically, first, a continuous phase was prepared. In this case, first, 11024 parts by weight of a suspension stabilizer (industrial trisodium trisodium twelve hydrate) is mixed with 329676 parts by weight of an aqueous solvent (pure water), and then the mixture (temperature = 60 ° C.). Was stirred. As a result, the suspension stabilizer was dissolved, so that the first aqueous solution was obtained. After that, dilute nitric acid for pH adjustment was added to the first aqueous solution. Subsequently, 5319 parts by weight of a suspension stabilizer (industrial calcium chloride anhydride) was mixed with 43234 parts by weight of an aqueous solvent (pure water), and then the mixture was stirred. As a result, the suspension stabilizer was dissolved, so that a second aqueous solution was obtained. Subsequently, after mixing the first aqueous solution and the second aqueous solution, the mixture (temperature = 60 ° C.) is stirred using a stirring device (line mill manufactured by Primix Corporation) (rotation speed = 3566 rotations / minute, stirring time =). 50 minutes). This gave a continuous phase.

Next, a dispersed phase was prepared. In this case, first, an organic solvent (ethyl acetate, temperature = 50 ° C.) was prepared. Subsequently, a colorant (yellow pigment, magenta pigment or cyan pigment), 1086 parts by weight of a release agent, and 28 parts by weight of a fluorescent whitening agent are mixed in this order with 76565 parts by weight of an organic solvent, and then the mixture is mixed. Stirred. Subsequently, 13361 parts by weight of the binder was mixed with the mixture, and then the mixture was stirred until the solid matter disappeared. As a result, a dispersed phase was obtained. The mixing ratio of the colorants was adjusted so that the compositions of the pigment yellow toner, the pigment magenta toner, and the pigment cyan toner had the above-mentioned compositions.

Next, toner mother particles were formed by granulating using a continuous phase and a dispersed phase. In this case, after mixing the continuous phase and the dispersed phase, the mixture (temperature = 55 ° C.) was stirred (rotation speed = 2000 rotations / minute, stirring time = 50 minutes) using the above-mentioned stirring device. As a result, the mixture was suspended and granulated, so that a slurry solution containing the granulated product was obtained. Subsequently, the slurry solution was distilled under reduced pressure to volatilize and remove the organic solvent (ethyl acetate) contained in the slurry solution. Subsequently, a pH adjuster (nitric acid) was added to the slurry solution to adjust the pH to 1.5, and then the slurry solution was filtered to dissolve and remove the suspension stabilizer. Subsequently, the granulated product contained in the slurry solution was dehydrated, and then the granulated product was redispersed in an aqueous solvent (pure water). Subsequently, the granulated product was washed with an aqueous solvent (pure water), and then the granulated product was filtered. Subsequently, the granulated product was dehydrated and dried, and then the granulated product was classified. As a result, toner mother particles were obtained.

Finally, the toner to be dyed was produced by subjecting the toner matrix particles to an external addition treatment. In this case, after mixing the external additive with the toner matrix particles, the mixture is stirred using a stirring device (Henschel mixer manufactured by Nippon Coke Industries Co., Ltd.) (rotation speed = 5400 rotations / minute, stirring time = 10 minutes). )bottom. As a result, the toner to be dyed was obtained.

In addition, in order to obtain a printing toner (printing yellow toner, printing magenta toner, and printing cyan toner), a printing toner was produced by using a pulverization method.

Specifically, first, a mixture was obtained by mixing a printing dye (yellow printing dye, magenta printing dye or cyan printing dye), a binder, and a charge control agent. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred using a Henschel mixer, and then the mixture was melt-kneaded using a twin-screw extruder to obtain a kneaded product. After this, the kneaded product was cooled. Subsequently, the kneaded material is crushed using a cutter mill equipped with a screen (diameter = 2 mm), and then the kneaded material is further crushed using a collision plate type crusher (dispersion separator manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Industries Co., Ltd.). As a result, a pulverized product was obtained. Subsequently, the pulverized material was classified using a wind power classifier to obtain toner mother particles. Finally, after mixing the external additive with the toner matrix particles, the mixture was stirred using a Henschel mixer (stirring time = 3 minutes). As a result, a printing toner was obtained. The mixing ratio of the printing dye was adjusted so that the respective compositions of the printing yellow toner, the printing magenta toner, and the printing cyan toner had the above-mentioned composition.

(Physical characteristics of toner)
When the thermal physical characteristics (endothermic characteristics) of the above-mentioned 6 types of toner were examined using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), the results shown in Table 1 were obtained. In this case, DSC6220 manufactured by Hitachi High-Tech Science Corporation was used as the differential scanning calorimeter.

The measurement conditions of the endothermic curve (temperature program pattern of the differential scanning calorimeter) at the time of measuring the thermal characteristics are as follows. At the first temperature rise, each toner is left at 20 ° C. for 10 minutes, each toner is heated to 200 ° C. at a heating rate of 10 ° C./min, and each toner is left at 200 ° C. for 5 minutes. Then, each toner was cooled to 0 ° C. at a temperature lowering rate of 90 ° C./min, and each toner was left at 0 ° C. for 5 minutes. At the second temperature rise, each toner is heated to 20 ° C. at a temperature rise rate of 60 ° C./min, each toner is left at 20 ° C. for 10 minutes, and then 200 ° C./min. Each toner was heated to ° C.

In Table 1, the thermal properties of each toner are the glass transition temperature Tg 1st (° C) of each toner at the time of the first temperature rise and the glass transition temperature Tg 2nd (° C) of each toner at the time of the second temperature rise. The heat absorption amount (mJ / mg) of the mold release agent (wax) is shown.

In Table 1, "Y, M, C" represents the type (color) of the pigment toner, that is, yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C), and "SY, SM, SC" is used. , The type (color) of the printing toner, that is, yellow (SY), magenta (SM) and cyan (SC). The notation contents regarding the colors of these toners are the same in Table 2 described later.

As shown in Table 1, when the thermal physical properties of the pigment toner and the thermal physical properties of the printing toner were compared, a large difference occurred depending on the presence or absence of the release agent.

Specifically, in the pigment toners (pigment yellow toner, pigment magenta toner and pigment cyan toner) containing a mold release agent, a large amount of heat absorption was obtained regardless of the type (color). On the other hand, in the printing toner (printing yellow toner, printing magenta toner, and printing cyan toner) that does not contain a mold release agent, the type (color) is compared with the toner to be dyed that contains the above-mentioned mold release agent. The amount of heat absorption was significantly reduced regardless of.

[Image formation]
Next, the image G was formed on the medium M by using the above-mentioned image forming apparatus. In this case, the configuration of the image G is set to five types of configurations (configurations A to E) described below. The environmental conditions at the time of forming the image G were temperature = 22 ° C. and humidity = 55%. The conditions for forming the image G were an image forming speed (linear velocity at the outermost periphery of the photoconductor drum) = 58.7 mm / min, and a traveling direction of the medium M = a longitudinal direction.

(Structure A)
In Experimental Examples 1-1 to 1-3, the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 were formed in this order for each color (yellow, magenta, and cyan) as described in the first embodiment described above (FIG. 11). In this case, a plurality of image unit lines L1 and L2 are used to form each of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, and the entire image unit line L1 and the plurality of image unit lines L2 are used. The whole of each of the above was overlapped with each other (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). Further, each image pattern of the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 was set as a rectangular solid image, and the printing rate was set to 100%.

The formation of printed toner image is formed by using a printing yellow toner G1 is 0.40 mg / cm ^2, the amount of the formed printing toner images G1 formed by using the printing magenta toner 0.41 mg / cm ^2, The amount of the printing toner image G1 formed by using the printing cyan toner was 0.51 mg / cm ² .

The amount of the pigment toner image G2 formed by using the pigment yellow toner is 0.38 mg / cm ² , and the amount of the pigment toner image G2 formed by using the pigment magenta toner is 0.49 mg / cm ² . The amount of the pigment toner image G2 formed by using the pigment cyan toner was 0.41 mg / cm ² .

The formation amounts of the printed toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 described above are the same in the configurations B to E described later.

(Structure B)
In Experimental Examples 1-4 to 1-6, as described in the second embodiment described above, Experimental Examples 1-1 to 1- are obtained except that the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 are formed in this order. Image G was formed by the same procedure as in FIG. 3 (see FIGS. 15A, 15B and 21).

(Structure C)
In Experimental Examples 1-7 to 1-9, the image G is obtained by the same procedure as in Experimental Examples 1-1 to 1-3, except that only the printing toner image G1 is formed as the image G for comparison. Formed (see FIG. 12).

(Structure D)
In Experimental Examples 1-10-1-12, the image G was obtained by the same procedure as in Experimental Examples 1-1-1 to 1-3, except that only the pigment toner image G2 was formed as the image G for comparison. It was formed (see FIG. 13).

(Structure E)
In Experimental Examples 1-13 to 1-15, the image G was formed by the same procedure as in Experimental Examples 1-7 to 1-9, except that the printing rate was changed to 200% for comparison (for comparison). See FIG. 12).

The amount of the printing toner image G1 formed by using the printing yellow toner is 0.80 mg / cm ² , and the amount of the printing toner image G1 formed by using the printing magenta toner is 0.82 mg / cm ² . The amount of the printing toner image G1 formed by using the printing cyan toner was 1.02 mg / cm ² .

[Image performance evaluation]
Next, the performance of the image G formed on the medium M was evaluated by performing iron printing according to the above procedure. In this case, the initial density, residual ratio (%), and image quality of the image I were examined as indexes for evaluating the performance of the image G by the following procedure, and the results shown in Table 2 were obtained.

In Table 2, "configuration" represents the configuration (configuration A to configuration E) of the above-mentioned image G, and "color" represents the type (color) of the toner used to form the image G. ing.

(Initial concentration)
In order to check the initial density, first, iron printing (T-shirt printing) was performed using the medium M on which the image G was formed. In this case, as described with reference to FIGS. 22 to 25, the medium M is brought into close contact with the other medium L, and then the heating source is pressed against the medium M. As a result, the image I corresponding to the image G was formed on the other medium L.

As the other medium L, a 100% polyester cloth (T-shirt) was used. As a heating source, a heat press machine Model HTP234PS1 manufactured by Magic Touch was used. The temperature of the heating source was 200 ° C., and the pressing time of the heating source against the other medium L was 120 seconds.

Subsequently, the density (initial density) of the image I formed on the other medium L was measured. The "initial concentration" described here is a concentration before the weather resistance test described later.

FIG. 36 shows the planar configuration of the other medium L on which the image I is formed in order to explain the measurement position of the density. In FIG. 36, the formed range of the image I is shaded.

In FIG. 36, the virtual line S1 is a line that bisects the image I in the lateral direction, and the virtual line S2 is a line that bisects the image I in the longitudinal direction. Further, the positions P1 to P9 represent the measurement positions of the concentration. Each of the positions P1, P3, P7, and P9 is the position of the four corners of the image I. Each of the positions P2 and P8 is a position where the two edge E1 extending in the lateral direction of the image I and the virtual line S1 intersect each other. Each of the positions P4 and P6 is a position where the two edge E2 extending in the longitudinal direction of the image I and the virtual line S2 intersect each other. The position P5 is a position where the virtual lines S1 and S2 intersect each other.

When measuring the initial concentration, nine concentrations were measured at positions P1 to P9, and then the average value of the nine concentrations was calculated. As the concentration measuring device, a spectroscopic densitometer manufactured by X-rite was used.

(Survival rate)
In order to examine the residual rate, first, a weather resistance test was performed using Image I (another medium L) in which the initial concentration was measured. In this weather resistance test, a xenon weather resistance tester Ci4000 manufactured by Toyo Seiki Seisakusho Co., Ltd. was used as the weather resistance tester. The irradiation conditions of the test light (ultraviolet rays) using the xenon lamp were 55,000 lux for the illuminance and 700 hours for the irradiation time.

Subsequently, after the weather resistance test was completed, the concentration of image I (concentration after the test) was measured again by the above procedure. That is, after measuring the concentrations of nine at the positions P1 to P9 shown in FIG. 36, the average value of the nine concentrations was calculated.

Finally, the residual rate (%) was calculated based on the above-mentioned calculation results of the initial concentration and the post-test concentration. This residual rate was calculated by the residual rate (%) = (post-test concentration / initial concentration) × 100.

(image quality)
In order to check the image quality of the image I, the image I was formed on the other medium L, and then the quality of the image I was visually determined. In this case, the case where the color reproducibility is insufficient and the outline is unclear is determined as "poor", and the case where the color reproducibility is sufficient and the outline is clear is determined as "good". ..

[Discussion]
As shown in Table 2, each of the initial density, the residual ratio, and the image quality varied greatly depending on the composition of the image G formed on the medium M.

Specifically, when the image G is formed only by the printing toner image G1 (Experimental Examples 1-7 to 1-9 to which the configuration C is applied), the initial density is high and the image quality is also good. However, the survival rate was low.

Further, when the image G was formed only by the pigment toner image G2 (Experimental Examples 1-10 to 1-12 to which the configuration D was applied), the initial density was remarkably low and the image quality was also poor. In this case, the weather resistance test was not performed because the initial concentration was extremely low. That is, the survival rate was not examined.

On the other hand, when the image G is formed by the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2, and the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner image G2 are formed in this order (Experimental Example 1 to which the configuration A is applied). In -1 to 1-3), the initial densities are almost the same as those in the case where the above-mentioned image G is formed only by the printing toner image G1 (Experimental Examples 1-7 to 1-9). The same image quality was obtained and the residual rate was high.

This tendency is that the image G is formed by the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1, and the pigment toner image G2 and the printing toner image G1 are formed in this order (Experimental Example 1- to which the configuration B is applied). The same was obtained in 4 to 1-6).

For reference, the image G is formed only by the printing toner image G1, but when the printing rate is set to double (Experimental Examples 1-13 to 1-15 to which the configuration E is applied), Compared with the case where the image G is formed by the printing toner image G1 and the pigment toner G2 (Experimental Examples 1-1 to 1-6), the initial density is higher and the same image quality is obtained, but the residual rate is high. Has become low. From this result, it is expected that if the printing rate is set to double, the initial density becomes high, but if the test time (irradiation time of the test light) of the weather resistance test is lengthened, the residual rate tends to decrease.

From these facts, the forming operation of the printing toner image G1 and the forming operation of the pigment toner image G2 are controlled so that the pigment toner image G2 is formed in the region (region R1 or region R2) where the printing toner image G1 is formed. By doing so, when the image G formed on the medium M was transferred to another medium L such as a cloth, a high initial density and a high residual ratio were obtained while ensuring good image quality. Therefore, a high-quality image I was formed on the other medium L.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to one embodiment, the aspect of the present invention is not limited to the mode described in one embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

Specifically, for example, the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to a printer, and may be a copying machine, a facsimile, a multifunction device, or the like.

30 (30S, 30C, 30SY, 30SM, 30SC) ... Development unit, 40 ... Transfer unit, 50 ... Fixing unit, 71 ... Image formation control unit, G, I ... Image, G1 ... Printing toner image, G2 ... Pigment toner image , L ... other medium, M ... medium, N ... printing dye, Z1 ... printing toner image, Z2 ... pigment toner image.

Claims (14)

A first image forming unit that forms a printing toner image using a printing toner containing a printing dye, and a printing toner.
A second image forming unit that forms a pigment toner image using a pigment toner containing a pigment,
A control unit for controlling the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit is provided so that the pigment toner image is formed in the region where the printing toner image is formed .
The printing toner image is formed on the medium, and the pigment toner image is formed on the printing toner image.
Image forming device. A first image forming unit that forms a printing toner image using a printing toner containing a printing dye, and a printing toner.
A second image forming unit that forms a pigment toner image using a pigment toner containing a pigment,
A control unit that controls the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit so that the pigment toner image is formed in the region where the printing toner image is formed.
Equipped with
The pigment toner image is formed on the medium, and the printing toner image is formed on the pigment toner image.
Image forming device. A first image forming unit that forms a printing toner image using a printing toner containing a printing dye, and a printing toner.
A second image forming unit that forms a pigment toner image using a pigment toner containing a pigment,
A control unit for controlling the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit is provided so that the printing toner image and the pigment toner image are superimposed on each other .
The printing toner image is formed on the medium, and the pigment toner image is formed on the printing toner image.
Image forming device. A first image forming unit that forms a printing toner image using a printing toner containing a printing dye, and a printing toner.
A second image forming unit that forms a pigment toner image using a pigment toner containing a pigment,
A control unit that controls the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit so that the printing toner image and the pigment toner image are superimposed on each other.
Equipped with
The pigment toner image is formed on the medium, and the printing toner image is formed on the pigment toner image.
Image forming device. Each of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image is formed on the medium,
The printing toner image includes a plurality of printing toner image units, and the pigment toner image includes a plurality of pigment toner image units.
In the direction intersecting the surface of the medium, the whole of each of the plurality of printing toner image units and the whole of each of the plurality of pigment toner image units are overlapped with each other.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Each of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image is formed on the medium,
The printing toner image includes a plurality of printing toner image units, and the pigment toner image includes a plurality of pigment toner image units.
A part of each of the plurality of printing toner image units and a part of each of the plurality of pigment toner image units are overlapped with each other in a direction intersecting the surface of the medium.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A first image forming unit that forms a printing toner image including a plurality of printing toner image units by using a printing toner containing a printing dye, and a first image forming unit.
A second image forming unit that forms a pigment toner image containing a plurality of pigment toner image units by using a pigment toner containing a pigment.
Each of the printing toner image and the pigment toner image is formed on the medium, and each of the plurality of printing toner image units and each of the plurality of pigment toner units are adjacent to each other in a direction along the surface of the medium. With a control unit that controls the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit.
An image forming apparatus. The textile printing dye comprises a sublimation dye.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The printing dye is the sublimating dye.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. The colors of the printing toner and the pigment toner are similar colors.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The color difference ΔE between the color of the printing toner and the color of the pigment toner is within 34.6.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 10. The textile printing toner further contains a binder.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The first image forming unit transfers the printing toner to the medium, and the second image forming unit transfers the pigment toner to the medium.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12. The first image forming unit fixes the printing toner transferred to the medium to the medium, and the second image forming unit fixes the pigment toner transferred to the medium to the medium.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

Images