Coating system and coating method

Abstract

To appropriately apply functional powder-containing liquid to an application region in a medium.SOLUTION: A coating system 10 for applying pearl coating liquid, which is functional powder-containing liquid, to a medium, includes: a coating liquid discharge device 14 having a discharge unit that discharges ultraviolet-curable pearl coating liquid to the medium; and a coating liquid curing device 16 that is an ultraviolet irradiation unit that generates ultraviolet rays for curing the pearl coating liquid. The discharge unit of the coating liquid discharge device 14 sets a position of a portion of a coating region of the pearl coating liquid as a discharge position and discharges the pearl coating liquid into the coating region, the discharge position being a position separated from an edge of the coating region, and after the pearl coating liquid discharged to the discharge position spreads within the coating region and reaches the edge, the coating liquid curing device 16 irradiates the pearl coating liquid with ultraviolet ray, thereby curing the pearl coating liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coating system and a coating method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a method of screen printing using pearl ink containing a pearl pigment (see, for example, Patent Document 1) has been known. Patent Document 1 discloses that a pearl print layer is formed by screen printing using pearl ink on matte paper that is suitable for printing with an inkjet printer, and an image layer is also formed by an inkjet printer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-159536 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When performing screen printing using a coating liquid containing a pearl pigment, it is necessary to prepare a screen plate (printing plate) with openings in the areas where the coating liquid will be applied. Therefore, conventionally, there has been a problem in that the effort and cost required to apply a coating liquid containing a pearl pigment is large. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a coating system and a coating method that can solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The inventors of the present application conducted extensive research into a method for applying a liquid (coating liquid) containing a functional powder such as a pearl pigment to a medium. They discovered that by using an ultraviolet-curable liquid, applying the liquid in a predetermined manner, and then curing the liquid, it is possible to properly apply the liquid to a coating area without using a screen or the like. Furthermore, through further extensive research, the inventors of the present application discovered the characteristics necessary to achieve this effect, leading to the present invention.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a coating system for coating a medium with a functional powder-containing liquid, which is a liquid containing a functional powder, which is a powder having a predetermined function, and the system includes a functional powder-containing liquid discharge unit that discharges the ultraviolet-curable functional powder-containing liquid onto the medium, and an ultraviolet irradiation unit that generates ultraviolet rays that harden the functional powder-containing liquid discharged onto the medium. The functional powder-containing liquid discharge unit sets a part of the coating region, which is the region where the functional powder-containing liquid is to be coated, as a discharge position and discharges the functional powder-containing liquid onto the coating region, the discharge position being a position separated from the edge of the coating region. The ultraviolet irradiation unit irradiates the functional powder-containing liquid discharged to the discharge position within the coating region and after it has spread and reached the edge, irradiates the ultraviolet light to harden the functional powder-containing liquid.

[0007] With this configuration, for example, by applying the functional powder-containing liquid to a discharge position spaced from the edge of the application area, the functional powder-containing liquid can be appropriately spread within the application area over time. Furthermore, by irradiating the functional powder-containing liquid with ultraviolet light after it reaches the edge of the application area to harden the functional powder-containing liquid, the functional powder-containing liquid can be appropriately fixed to the medium. Therefore, with this configuration, for example, the functional powder-containing liquid can be appropriately applied to the application area of ​​the medium without using a screen or the like.

[0008] In this configuration, the functional powder contained in the functional powder-containing liquid can be, for example, an effect pigment. Effect pigments can be considered to be, for example, pigments that produce effects through light interference or the like. For example, pigments that develop color through the interference of light of a specific wavelength can be used as effect pigments. Furthermore, for example, pigments that exhibit special colors through the reflection or absorption of light can be used as effect pigments. For example, scale-like pigments can be used as these effect pigments. More specifically, for example, pearlescent pigments can be used as effect pigments. For example, pearlescent pigments can be considered to be pigments that exhibit pearlescent luster through the interference of light. Furthermore, for example, glitter pigments and glitter pigments can be used as effect pigments. Furthermore, various functional powders other than effect pigments can be used as the functional powder. More specifically, for example, luminous, antifouling, or conductive powders can be used as such functional powders. Furthermore, it is also conceivable to use, as the functional powder, materials such as functional powders or fillers that impart other mechanical or chemical properties.

[0009] In this configuration, the printing system further includes, for example, an inkjet head that ejects ink using an inkjet method. In this case, in the printing system, for example, an image can be drawn on a medium using the inkjet head. With this configuration, for example, an image can be drawn on the medium using the inkjet head and a functional powder-containing liquid can be applied to at least a portion of the medium, thereby appropriately creating a highly designed printed matter. In this configuration, for example, a translucent medium can be used as the medium. Suitable examples of such a medium include colorless, transparent resin plates and films. By using such a medium, for example, a highly designed printed matter can be more appropriately created.

[0010] Furthermore, when a printing system includes an inkjet head, it is also possible to form a configuration indicating the application area of ​​the functional powder-containing liquid using the inkjet head. In this case, for example, it is possible to form a frame-shaped convex portion surrounding the periphery of the application area by overlapping ink layers using the inkjet head. In this case, forming such a frame-shaped convex portion can be considered, for example, to correspond to setting the range of the application area on the medium. In this configuration, forming a convex portion around the application area can, for example, prevent the functional powder-containing liquid from spilling out of the application area when ejecting the functional powder-containing liquid onto the application area. This can also, for example, enable more appropriate ejection of the functional powder-containing liquid onto the application area. Such a frame-shaped convex portion can be considered, for example, as a wall surrounding the periphery of the application area. This wall can also be considered, for example, as a dam that retains the functional powder-containing liquid within the application area. In this case, for example, ultraviolet-curable ink (UV ink) can be suitably used as the ink ejected from the inkjet head. With this configuration, for example, a convex portion where multiple ink layers overlap can be appropriately formed. The printing system may also include, for example, multiple inkjet heads. In this case, the multiple inkjet heads may eject inks of different colors. In this case, the frame-shaped convex portion may be formed using the multiple inkjet heads. With this configuration, for example, the convex portion can be formed appropriately in a shorter time.

[0011] It is also conceivable to set the coating area on the medium by, for example, forming a mask on the medium that surrounds the coating area. Even with this configuration, the coating area can be appropriately set on the medium. In this case, the mask may be formed by, for example, using an inkjet head to form a layer of ink that covers the periphery of the coating area. With this configuration, it is possible to, for example, appropriately form a mask at a desired position on the medium with high precision. In this case, the inkjet head can be considered, for example, as an example of an ejection head that ejects the liquid used to form the mask. Furthermore, when using an ejection head such as an inkjet head, it is also conceivable to form a layer that covers the coating area by, for example, applying the liquid to the entire surface of the medium, and then removing a portion of the layer. In this case, the coating system further includes, for example, a layer processing unit that processes the layer formed by curing the liquid ejected by the ejection head. The layer processing unit, for example, performs a process of removing a portion of the layer by scraping the layer. In this case, for example, by ejecting liquid over an area including the coating area using the ejection head, a layer that includes the coating area and covers an area wider than the coating area is formed on the medium. Then, the layer processing unit forms a mask on the medium by, for example, removing a portion of the layer that covers the application area. Even with this configuration, it is possible to appropriately form a mask on the medium that covers, for example, the periphery of the application area.

[0012] Furthermore, when the functional powder-containing liquid applied to the application area is cured by ultraviolet irradiation, for example, static electricity charged to the medium may cause the functional powder-containing liquid to scatter outside the application area before the functional powder-containing liquid hardens. Therefore, it is preferable that the application system further includes, for example, a static eliminator that removes static electricity from the medium. This configuration can appropriately prevent problems caused by static electricity charged to the medium. More specifically, in this configuration, the medium is transported by, for example, a transporting device. The transporting device contacts the medium at least after the functional powder-containing liquid is ejected by the functional powder-containing liquid ejecting unit. Regarding the transporting device, contacting the medium after the functional powder-containing liquid is ejected by the functional powder-containing liquid ejecting unit can be considered, for example, as meaning that the transporting device is not in contact with the medium when the functional powder-containing liquid is ejected, and that the transporting device contacts the medium after the functional powder-containing liquid is ejected. In this case, for example, the transporting device may contact the medium before the functional powder-containing liquid is ejected and then separate from the medium when the functional powder-containing liquid is ejected. In this case, the medium is transported by the transport means, for example, from the position where the functional powder-containing liquid is discharged by the functional powder-containing liquid discharge unit to the position where ultraviolet light is irradiated by the ultraviolet light irradiation unit. In this case, the static eliminator removes static electricity that accumulates on the medium at least before the transport means contacts the medium during this transport. This configuration can appropriately prevent, for example, the effects of static electricity that occur on the medium after the functional powder-containing liquid is discharged. Furthermore, in this case, the static eliminator can be considered to prevent, for example, uncured functional powder-containing liquid from scattering outside the application area when the transport means contacts the medium. This configuration can appropriately prevent, for example, problems caused by the effects of static electricity that accumulate on the medium. As the transport means, for example, a robot having an arm that grips the medium can be suitably used. Furthermore, as a configuration of the present invention, for example, a configuration of an application method having the same characteristics as above can also be considered. In this case, for example, the same effects as above can be obtained. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, for example, the functional powder-containing liquid can be appropriately applied to the application area of ​​the medium. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a coating system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating more detailed configurations of the printing device 12 and the coating liquid ejection device 14. Fig. 2A shows an example of the configuration of the printing device 12. Fig. 2B shows an example of the configuration of the coating liquid ejection device 14. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating in more detail the operation of the printing device 12 on the medium 50. Fig. 3A shows an example of the operation of the printing device 12. Fig. 3B shows another example of the configuration of ink layers formed by the printing device 12. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating in more detail the operations performed by the coating liquid discharge device 14 and the coating liquid curing device 16. Fig. 4A shows an example of the operation of the coating liquid discharge device 14. Fig. 4B shows an example of the operation of the coating liquid curing device 16. [Figure 5] 5A to 5C are diagrams showing other examples of how to eject the pearlescent coating liquid onto the medium 50. FIGS. 5A to 5C show various examples of how to form a mask 72 on the medium 50. In FIG. [Figure 6] 6(a) and 6(b) are diagrams illustrating in more detail the configuration for providing a boundary where the surface condition of the surface coated with the pearlescent coating liquid is different. FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) show an example of a configuration for changing the surface condition by forming a protrusion 56. FIGS. 6(c) and 6(d) show another example of a configuration for changing the surface condition. FIG. 6(e) shows an enlarged view of a portion of the configuration shown in FIG. 6(d). [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation for producing a printed material in the coating system 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a coating system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The coating system 10 is a system that coats a medium with a pearlescent coating liquid (pearlescent pigment-containing coating liquid), which is a liquid containing a pearlescent pigment. The coating system 10 includes a printing device 12, a coating liquid ejection device 14, a coating liquid curing device 16, a medium transport device 18, a static elimination device 20, and a control device 22. Except as described below, the coating system 10 and its components may have the same or similar features as known coating systems and their components. In this example, the pearlescent pigment and pearlescent coating liquid are examples of effect pigments and effect pigment-containing liquids. The effect pigments and effect pigment-containing liquids are examples of functional powders and functional powder-containing liquids. The functional powders can be considered, for example, as powders having a predetermined function. The functional powders can also be considered, for example, as functional pigments. The functional powder-containing liquids can be considered, for example, as liquids containing functional powders. The effect pigments can be considered, for example, as pigments that produce effects due to light interference or the like. The effect pigment-containing liquid can be considered, for example, as a liquid containing an effect pigment. The pearlescent pigment can be considered, for example, as a pigment that exhibits pearlescent luster due to light interference or the like. Known pearlescent pigments can be suitably used as the pearlescent pigment. Effect pigments such as pearlescent pigments can also be considered, for example, as pigments that develop color due to the interference of light of a specific wavelength. The medium can be considered, for example, as the object to which the pearlescent coating liquid or the like is applied. Suitable examples of suitable media include translucent resin plates and films. In this case, it is possible to use, for example, a colorless and transparent medium. By using such a medium, for example, a highly designed finished product (printed material) can be appropriately produced. More specifically, suitable examples of suitable media include colorless and transparent acrylic plates.

[0016] The printing device 12 is an inkjet printer having an inkjet head that ejects ink using an inkjet method, and the inkjet head draws an image on a medium. In this case, the ink ejected by the inkjet head can be considered to be, for example, a liquid of a different color from the pearlescent coating liquid. In this example, the printing device 12 ejects ink onto the medium before the pearlescent coating liquid is applied to the medium, thereby forming a convex portion that surrounds the application area of ​​the pearlescent coating liquid. In this case, this convex portion is an example of a configuration that indicates the application area. The configuration and operation of the printing device 12 will be described in more detail below.

[0017] The coating liquid ejection device 14 ejects the pearlescent coating liquid onto the medium. The coating liquid ejection device 14 can be considered, for example, as a device (pearl pigment coating liquid applicator) that applies the pearlescent coating liquid to the medium for decoration other than printing performed by the printing device 12. In this example, the coating liquid ejection device 14 ejects the pearlescent coating liquid to a ejection position set within a coating area on the medium. In this case, the pearlescent coating liquid ejected to the ejection position gradually spreads within the coating area, thereby being applied to the coating area. Therefore, the operation of the coating liquid ejection device 14 to eject the pearlescent coating liquid to the ejection position can be considered, for example, to correspond to the operation of applying the pearlescent coating liquid to the coating area. In this example, the coating liquid ejection device 14 ejects an ultraviolet-curable pearlescent coating liquid that hardens when irradiated with ultraviolet light. In this case, the pearlescent coating liquid can be appropriately hardened by irradiating it with ultraviolet light after it has spread within the coating area. The configuration and operation of the coating liquid ejection device 14 will be described in more detail below. The coating liquid hardening device 16 is a device that hardens the pearlescent coating liquid discharged to the coating area by the coating liquid discharge device 14. In this example, the coating liquid hardening device 16 is an example of an ultraviolet irradiating unit, and has an ultraviolet light source such as a mercury lamp or UV LED, and hardens the pearlescent coating liquid by irradiating it with ultraviolet light after it has spread within the coating area. In addition, the coating liquid hardening device 16 thereby fixes the pearlescent coating liquid to the medium. In this case, the coating liquid hardening device 16 can also be considered, for example, as an example of hardening means that hardens the pearlescent coating liquid.

[0018] The medium transport device 18 is an example of a medium transport means in the coating system 10 and transports the medium between the devices in the coating system 10. More specifically, in the coating system 10 of this example, the printing device 12, the coating liquid discharge device 14, and the coating liquid curing device 16 are independent devices. In this case, the fact that the multiple devices are independent devices can be considered, for example, because their installation locations can be determined without being restricted by the installation locations of other devices. Furthermore, the fact that the printing device 12, the coating liquid discharge device 14, and the coating liquid curing device 16 of this example are independent devices can be considered, for example, because, after processing the medium in one device, it is necessary to remove the medium from the device and transport it when processing the medium in another device. More specifically, in this example, after the pearlescent coating liquid is applied to the medium in the coating liquid discharge device 14, the medium transport device 18 removes the medium from the coating liquid discharge device 14 and moves it to the coating liquid curing device 16. Furthermore, as a result, the medium transport device 18 places the medium in the coating liquid curing device 16. With this configuration, for example, the medium can be appropriately transported from a position where the pearlescent coating liquid is discharged in the coating liquid discharge device 14 to a position where ultraviolet light is irradiated by the coating liquid curing device 16. For example, a robot having an arm for gripping the medium can be suitably used as the medium transport device 18. Furthermore, in this example, the medium transport device 18 further performs tasks such as transporting the medium from the printing device 12 to the coating liquid discharge device 14 and placing the medium in the printing device 12.

[0019] The static eliminator 20 is a device that removes static electricity from the medium. Use of the static eliminator 20 can appropriately prevent problems caused by static electricity on the medium, for example. More specifically, for example, when transporting the medium from the coating liquid discharge device 14 to the coating liquid curing device 16, the medium transport device 18 contacts the medium after the pearlescent coating liquid is discharged in the coating liquid discharge device 14. Regarding the medium transport device 18 contacting the medium after the pearlescent coating liquid is discharged, this can be considered, for example, as the medium transport device 18 not contacting the medium when the pearlescent coating liquid is discharged, and then contacting the medium after the discharge. In this case, the medium transport device 18 may contact the medium before the pearlescent coating liquid is discharged and then separate from the medium when the pearlescent coating liquid is discharged. More specifically, in this example, the medium transport device 18 contacts the medium when transporting the medium from the printing device 12 to the coating liquid discharge device 14, and separates from the medium before the pearlescent coating liquid is discharged onto the medium in the coating liquid discharge device 14. In addition, when an insulating medium such as an acrylic plate is used, if the pearlescent coating liquid adhering to the medium is uncured, simply bringing the medium transport device 18 into contact with the medium during transport from the coating liquid discharge device 14 to the coating liquid curing device 16 may cause the pearlescent coating liquid or pearl pigment to scatter outside the coating area on the medium due to the static electricity stored on the medium. In contrast, in this example, the static eliminator 20 removes static electricity stored on the medium at least after the pearlescent coating liquid is discharged onto the medium by the coating liquid discharge device 14 and before the medium transport device 18 contacts the medium. This configuration can appropriately prevent the effects of static electricity stored on the medium after the pearlescent coating liquid is discharged. In this case, the static eliminator 20 can be considered to prevent the uncured pearlescent coating liquid or pearl pigment from scattering outside the coating area when the medium transport device 18 comes into contact with the medium by, for example, removing static electricity stored on the medium. For example, a static eliminator that neutralizes static electricity by generating ions can be suitably used as the static eliminator 20. For example, a commercially available known ionizer can be suitably used as such a static eliminator.

[0020] Here, the static eliminator 20 preferably removes static electricity from the medium at least from the coating surface, which is the surface onto which the pearlescent coating liquid is applied. Furthermore, the static eliminator 20 preferably also removes static electricity from the back surface of the coating surface. In this case, the static eliminator 20 may have, for example, a coating surface static eliminator configured to remove static electricity from the coating surface of the medium and a back surface static eliminator configured to remove static electricity from the back surface. Furthermore, in this case, the back surface static eliminator may be configured to eliminate static electricity based on a different principle from that of the coating surface static eliminator. More specifically, the coating surface static eliminator may be, for example, an ionizer. Furthermore, the back surface static eliminator may be, for example, a conductive sheet (static eliminator sheet) that contacts the back surface of the medium. This configuration, for example, can appropriately prevent problems caused by static electricity building up on the medium. Furthermore, depending on the configuration of the coating system 10, the medium transport device 18 may also function as the static eliminator 20. For example, if a robot is used as the medium transfer device 18, it is possible to make the portion of the arm that comes into contact with the medium 50 conductive, thereby dissipating static electricity charged to the medium via the medium transfer device 18. Depending on the configuration of the coating system 10, it is also possible to transfer media between devices manually, for example, by a user, without using a medium transfer device 18 such as a robot. In this case, too, the use of the static eliminator 20 can appropriately prevent problems caused by, for example, static electricity charged to the medium. In this case, the static eliminator 20 removes static electricity charged to the medium at least after the pearlescent coating liquid is discharged onto the medium by the coating liquid discharge device 14 and before the user comes into contact with the medium.

[0021] The control device 22 is configured to control each device in the coating system 10. The control device 22 can be considered, for example, as a control unit in the coating system 10. A computer executing a program for controlling each device can be suitably used as the control device 22. In this example, the control device 22 determines, for example, printing conditions (printing conditions) to be executed by the printing device 12 and conditions (coating conditions) for applying the pearlescent coating liquid to the coating liquid discharge device 14 and the coating liquid hardening device 16, based on user instructions and operations. In this case, the control device 22 controls the operation of the printing device 12 based on the determined printing conditions. The control device 22 also controls the operation of the coating liquid discharge device 14 and the coating liquid hardening device 16 based on the determined coating conditions. According to this example, for example, printing an image on a medium and applying the pearlescent coating liquid can be appropriately performed. In this case, for example, an image can be drawn on a medium using an inkjet head in the printing device 12, and the pearlescent coating liquid can be applied to at least a portion of the medium using the coating liquid discharge device 14, thereby appropriately creating a highly designed printed matter.

[0022] Next, the specific configurations and operations of the printing device 12 and the coating liquid ejection device 14 will be described in more detail. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configurations of the printing device 12 and the coating liquid ejection device 14 in more detail. FIG. 2(a) shows an example of the configuration of the printing device 12. In this example, the printing device 12 includes a head unit 102, a base unit 104, a scan driver 106, and a controller 108. The head unit 102 ejects ink onto the medium 50 and includes multiple inkjet heads 112 and multiple ultraviolet light sources 114. The head unit 102 may further include a carriage or other component that supports these components. The multiple inkjet heads 112 are ejection heads that eject ink using an inkjet method and eject inks of different colors, for example. More specifically, at least some of the multiple inkjet heads 112 eject color inks for color printing. In this case, it is conceivable to use inks of each of the process colors, which are the basic colors used for color expression, as the color inks. As the process color inks, for example, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) inks may be used. In this example, the head unit 102 includes multiple inkjet heads 112 for the process colors, as well as inkjet heads 112 for specific spot colors. The spot colors may be considered to be colors other than the process colors. More specifically, in this example, the head unit 102 includes at least an inkjet head 112 for white ink as the inkjet heads 112 for the spot colors. In this example, the multiple inkjet heads 112 eject ultraviolet-curable inks (UV inks) that are cured by irradiation with ultraviolet light. The multiple ultraviolet light sources 114 are light sources that irradiate ultraviolet light to cure the ink ejected onto the medium 50. For example, UV LEDs or the like may be suitably used as the ultraviolet light sources 114.

[0023] The base 104 is a platform-like member that holds the medium 50 in a position facing the multiple inkjet heads 112. The scan driver 106 is a driver that causes the multiple inkjet heads 112 to perform a scanning operation, moving relative to the medium 50. In this example, the scan driver 106 causes the multiple inkjet heads 112 to perform a main scanning operation and a sub-scanning operation. The main scanning operation can be considered, for example, as an operation of ejecting ink while moving relative to the medium 50 in a predetermined main scanning direction. The sub-scanning operation can be considered, for example, as an operation of moving relative to the medium 50 in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. In this example, the scan driver 106 causes the multiple inkjet heads 112 to repeatedly perform the main scanning operation and the sub-scanning operation, thereby causing the multiple inkjet heads 112 to eject ink to various positions on the medium 50. The control unit 108 includes, for example, a CPU of the printing device 12 and controls the operation of each unit of the printing device 12. According to this example, for example, the printing device 12 can appropriately print a desired image or the like onto the medium 50. Also, as explained above, in this example, the printing device 12 ejects ink onto the medium 50 to form a convex portion that surrounds the periphery of the application area of ​​the pearlescent coating liquid. The specific configuration of this convex portion will be explained in more detail later.

[0024] FIG. 2(b) shows an example of the configuration of the coating liquid discharge device 14. In this example, the coating liquid discharge device 14 includes a discharge unit 202, a base unit 204, a solvent supply unit 206, a pigment supply unit 208, an air pressure supply unit 210, and a control unit 212. The discharge unit 202 is configured to discharge a pearlescent coating liquid onto the medium 50. In this example, the discharge unit 202 is an example of a functional powder-containing liquid discharge unit and an effect pigment-containing liquid discharge unit, and generates a pearlescent coating liquid by internally kneading a solvent supplied from the solvent supply unit 206 and a pearlescent pigment supplied from the pigment supply unit 208, and discharges the pearlescent coating liquid from a nozzle (discharge nozzle) toward the medium 50. In this case, the discharge unit 202 can also be considered, for example, as a discharge head for the pearlescent coating liquid having a kneading unit and a nozzle. The kneading unit can be considered, for example, as a portion that kneads the pearlescent pigment and solvent upstream of the nozzle. In this example, the discharge unit 202 has a nozzle capable of adjusting the range over which the discharged pearlescent coating liquid spreads, and changes the manner in which the pearlescent coating liquid is discharged in response to, for example, user instructions or operations. More specifically, in this example, the discharge unit 202 switches between spray discharge, which discharges the pearlescent coating liquid in a wide spray (mist) state, and dispenser discharge, which discharges the pearlescent coating liquid toward the discharge position over a narrower range than spray discharge. In this example, spray discharge can be considered, for example, as discharge for directly applying the pearlescent coating liquid to a wide range. Dispenser discharge can be considered, for example, as discharge for applying the pearlescent coating liquid to the application area by discharging the pearlescent coating liquid to a discharge position set within the application area and spreading it around the discharge position. Dispenser discharge can also be considered, for example, as discharge in which the discharged pearlescent pigment lands at the discharge position in a dripping manner rather than in a spray state. As the nozzle of the discharge unit 202, for example, a known nozzle capable of switching between spray discharge and dispenser discharge can be suitably used. In this case, it is possible to change the method of ejection by, for example, switching the setting regarding whether or not atomization is performed during ejection. Also, in this case, it is possible to appropriately adjust the range over which the pearl coating liquid is spread by adjusting the atomization setting when spray ejection is performed by the ejection unit 202.With this configuration, it is possible to use a variety of methods to eject the pearlescent coating liquid onto the medium 50. Furthermore, by using such an ejection unit 202, it is possible to more appropriately eject the pearlescent coating liquid, for example, even when using a pearlescent pigment of a size that is difficult to eject using an inkjet method (for example, a particle size exceeding 50 μm).

[0025] Furthermore, in this example, the discharge unit 202 continuously discharges the pearl coating liquid, unlike, for example, inkjet discharge. In this case, the discharge unit 202 discharges the pearl coating liquid, for example, by setting the amount of pearl coating liquid discharged per unit time to a predetermined constant amount. The continuous discharge of the pearl coating liquid by the discharge unit 202 can be considered, for example, as continuous discharge of the pearl coating liquid in an operation of discharging a predetermined amount of the pearl coating liquid. In this case, the discharge unit 202 can also be considered, for example, as having a configuration in which the amount of pearl coating liquid discharged in one discharge to one discharge position is variable. Furthermore, the discharge unit 202 may, for example, discharge the pearl coating liquid to multiple discharge positions within one application area. In this case, the discharge unit 202 continuously discharges a predetermined amount of the pearl coating liquid for each discharge position. Furthermore, the discharge unit 202 may, for example, move along a movement path passing through multiple discharge positions and continuously discharge the total amount of pearl coating liquid to the multiple discharge positions.

[0026] The base 204 is a table-like member that holds the medium 50 in a position facing the ejection unit 202. The solvent supply unit 206 supplies the solvent for the pearlescent coating liquid to the ejection unit 202. In this example, the solvent for the pearlescent coating liquid is a colorless, transparent, ultraviolet-curable liquid. Such a solvent can also be considered, for example, as a transparent coating liquid. Regarding the solvent, the term "colorless and transparent" can also be considered, for example, as meaning that the solvent is not intentionally colored. An example of such a solvent is an ultraviolet-curable clear ink with an appropriately adjusted viscosity. The pigment supply unit 208 supplies the pearlescent pigment to the ejection unit 202. As described above, known pearlescent pigments can be used. More specifically, a pigment in which titanium oxide, silica, or the like is coated on the surface of mica can be used. In this case, a scaly pearlescent pigment can be used.

[0027] In this example, the viscosity of the pearlescent coating liquid generated by kneading with the pearl pigment is, for example, a viscosity that gradually spreads over time within the coating area after being discharged to the discharging position. In this case, the viscosity of the pearlescent coating liquid can be considered to be, for example, a viscosity that allows the discharging unit 202 to perform spray discharging and dispenser discharging, and that allows the pearlescent coating liquid discharged to the discharging position to spread appropriately within the coating area when dispenser discharging is performed. In this case, if the viscosity of the pearlescent coating liquid is too high, it may be difficult for the discharging unit 202 to properly discharge the pearlescent coating liquid. On the other hand, if the viscosity of the pearlescent coating liquid is too low, for example, the pearlescent pigment may not be pulled when the solvent spreads within the coating area, making it impossible to properly apply the pearlescent coating liquid to the coating area. Furthermore, if the viscosity of the pearlescent coating liquid is too low, for example, the pearlescent pigment may easily settle within the pearlescent coating liquid. If the pearlescent pigment settles within the pearlescent coating liquid, it may be difficult to re-disperse the pearlescent pigment, even if subsequent stirring or other procedures are performed. Therefore, it is preferable that the viscosity of the pearlescent coating liquid be set to a value that prevents sedimentation of the pearlescent pigment from occurring between the time the pearlescent pigment and the solvent are mixed and the time the pearlescent pigment is discharged. Taking these points into consideration, the viscosity of the pearlescent coating liquid may be set to, for example, about 100 to 1000 cp (centipoise) (for example, about 50 to 5000 cp, preferably about 80 to 3000 cp). In this case, the viscosity of the solvent supplied to the discharge unit 202 by the solvent supply unit 206 may be set to match the viscosity of the pearlescent coating liquid. This configuration allows the pearlescent coating liquid to be appropriately produced by, for example, mixing the pearlescent pigment and the solvent in the discharge unit 202. Furthermore, using a pearlescent coating liquid with such a viscosity makes it possible, for example, to appropriately apply the pearlescent coating liquid to the coating area and appropriately prevent sedimentation of the pearlescent pigment in the pearlescent coating liquid. Furthermore, in this case, the viscosity of the solvent can be set to a value that facilitates liquid delivery, for example, when supplying the solvent from the solvent supply unit 206 to the discharge unit 202, and facilitates mixing with the pearlescent pigment.Furthermore, the particle size of the pearl pigment supplied from the pigment supply unit 208 to the discharge unit 202 may be, for example, about several tens of micrometers (e.g., about 10 to 90 micrometers). By using such a pearl pigment, for example, the discharge unit 202 can appropriately generate a pearl coating liquid. The particle size of the pearl pigment may be selected, for example, according to the desired texture. Furthermore, the pigment supply unit 208 may supply a pearl pigment with a smaller particle size or a larger particle size to the discharge unit 202 depending on the desired texture. More specifically, for example, if a silky feel is desired to be expressed by the pearl coating liquid, a pearl pigment with a particle size of about 10 micrometers (e.g., about 5 to 20 micrometers) may be used. For example, if a sparkling feel is desired to be expressed by the pearl coating liquid, a pearl pigment with a particle size of about several hundred micrometers (e.g., about 100 to 500 micrometers) may be used.

[0028] The air pressure supply unit 210 is configured to output positively pressurized air, which is air at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. In this example, the air pressure supply unit 210 supplies positively pressurized air to the solvent supply unit 206 and the pigment supply unit 208, thereby moving the solvent and pearlescent pigment from the solvent supply unit 206 and the pigment supply unit 208 to the discharge unit 202. With this configuration, for example, the solvent and pearlescent pigment can be appropriately supplied from the solvent supply unit 206 and the pigment supply unit 208 to the discharge unit 202. In this case, the solvent, etc. supplied from the solvent supply unit 206 to the discharge unit 202 can also be considered to transmit the pressure of the air supplied from the air pressure supply unit 210 to the discharge unit 202. In this case, the air pressure supply unit 210 can also be considered to apply pressure to the discharge unit 202 to cause the discharge unit 202 to discharge the pearlescent coating liquid. The air pressure supply unit 210 may apply pressure to the discharge unit 202 to cause the discharge unit 202 to discharge the pearlescent coating liquid without going through the solvent supply unit 206 or the like. Also, the control unit 212 is configured to include, for example, a CPU of the coating liquid discharge device 14, and controls the operation of each part of the coating liquid discharge device 14. According to this example, the coating liquid discharge device 14 can appropriately discharge the pearlescent coating liquid onto the medium 50. In this case, the pearlescent coating liquid can be appropriately applied to the medium 50 by subsequently curing it using the coating liquid curing device 16 (see FIG. 1).

[0029] Next, the operations performed by the printing device 12 on the medium 50, and the operations of applying the pearlescent coating liquid to the medium 50 using the coating liquid discharge device 14 and the coating liquid curing device 16 will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a diagram that further describes the operations performed by the printing device 12 on the medium 50. FIG. 3(a) shows an example of the operation of the printing device 12. As described above, in this example, a light-transmitting resin plate or the like can be suitably used as the medium 50. In this case, the printing device 12 may print on the medium 50 so that the image is visible from the side opposite the printing surface, which is the surface on which the ink layer is formed.

[0030] More specifically, in this case, the printing device 12 ejects ink from at least one of the inkjet heads 112 (see FIG. 2 ) onto one side of the medium 50 to form a color layer 52, which is a layer of ink for drawing an image. The printing device 12 may, for example, form the color layer 52 only in a partial area of ​​the medium 50. In this example, the printing device 12 forms a white layer 54 by ejecting white ink onto the color layer 52 using the white inkjet head 112. The white layer 54 can be considered, for example, as a light-reflective layer that functions as a background for the color layer 52. This configuration allows, for example, an observer viewing the image represented by the color layer 52 from the side of the medium 50 opposite the printed surface on which the color layer 52 is formed to properly view the image. The white layer 54 can also be considered, for example, as a shielding layer formed with white ink. The printing device 12 may also form the white layer 54 only in a portion of the color layer 52 excluding a partial area. More specifically, in the illustrated example, the portions of the color layer 52 where the white layer 54 is not formed become coating regions 152 where the pearlescent coating liquid is subsequently applied. Therefore, it can be considered that the white layer 54 is formed, for example, in portions of the color layer 52 other than the coating regions 152 of the pearlescent coating liquid. In this case, it can be considered that in the coating regions 152, for example, the pearlescent coating liquid functions as the background of the image.

[0031] After forming the white layer 54, the printing device 12 forms the convex portions 56 by overlapping ink layers around the application area 152 using the inkjet heads 112, as shown in the figure. In this case, the printing device 12 forms the convex portions 56 by, for example, ejecting ink from multiple inkjet heads 112. This configuration allows the convex portions 56 to be formed appropriately in a shorter time, for example. In this example, the convex portions 56 can be considered to have, for example, a frame-like configuration surrounding the application area 152. In this case, forming such a frame-like convex portion 56 can be considered to correspond to, for example, defining the range of the application area 152 on the medium 50. By forming such convex portions 56 around the application area 152, for example, when the pearlescent coating liquid is subsequently ejected onto the application area 152, it is possible to prevent the pearlescent coating liquid 62 from spilling out of the application area 152. Therefore, this example allows the pearlescent coating liquid 62 to be appropriately prevented from spilling out of the application area 152, for example. This also makes it possible to more appropriately discharge the pearlescent coating liquid into the coating region 152, for example. The protrusions 56 can also be considered, for example, as walls surrounding the periphery of the coating region 152. These walls can also be considered to function as dams that keep the pearlescent coating liquid within the coating region 152. In this case, the method of dispensing the pearlescent coating liquid into the coating region 152 can also be considered, for example, as a method of forming a dam to perform doming. The height of the protrusions 56 can be considered to be, for example, 0.3 mm or more (e.g., approximately 0.3 to 2 mm). With this configuration, the protrusions 56 can function more appropriately as a dam, for example.

[0032] Furthermore, the pearlescent coating liquid may be applied to portions of the medium 50 where the color layer 52 is not formed. In this case, for example, the example shown in FIG. 3(a) may be modified so that the color layer 52 is not formed in the coating region 152. The method of forming the color layer 52, white layer 54, and protrusions 56 on the medium 50 may be modified, for example, as shown in FIG. 3(b). FIG. 3(b) shows another example of the configuration of ink layers formed on the medium 50 by the printing device 12. In the example shown in FIG. 3(b), the printing device 12 forms the color layer 52 on one side of the medium 50 and the white layer 54 and protrusions 56 on the other side. In this case, the white layer 54 can be considered to overlap the color layer 52, with the medium 50 sandwiched between them. In this case, the image represented by the color layer 52 is visible to an observer viewing the image from the printed side, for example. Even with this configuration, the image represented by the color layer 52 can be properly viewed by an observer. Also in this case, by forming the convex portions 56 as shown in the drawing, the range of the medium 50 to be the application area 152 can be appropriately set.

[0033] After the color layer 52, the white layer 54, and the convex portions 56 are formed on the medium 50 by the printing device 12, a pearlescent coating liquid 62 is applied to the medium 50 using the coating liquid discharge device 14 and the coating liquid hardening device 16, as shown in FIG. 4, for example. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating in more detail the operations performed by the coating liquid discharge device 14 and the coating liquid hardening device 16 on the medium 50. FIG. 4(a) shows an example of the operation of the coating liquid discharge device 14. As described above, in this example, the coating liquid discharge device 14 discharges the pearlescent coating liquid 62 from the discharge unit 202 (see FIG. 2) onto a coating region 152 on the medium 50 where the pearlescent coating liquid 62 is to be applied. In this case, the coating liquid discharge device 14 sets a part of the coating region 152 as the discharge position and discharges the pearlescent coating liquid 62 from the discharge unit 202 onto the coating region 152. In this example, the discharge position is a position spaced from the edge of the coating region 152. As described above, in this example, the coating area 152 is an area surrounded by the convex portions 56. In this case, for example, the inner edge of the frame-shaped convex portion 56 can be considered to be the edge of the coating area 152. In this case, by discharging the pearlescent coating liquid 62 to such a discharging position, the pearlescent coating liquid 62 can be appropriately spread within the coating area 152 over time. More specifically, in this case, immediately after being discharged to the discharging position, the pearlescent coating liquid 62 adheres to only a portion of the coating area 152, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 4(a), for example. Then, in this case, the pearlescent coating liquid 62 spreads over the entire coating area 152 over time, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 4(a), for example.

[0034] The coating liquid discharge device 14 may discharge the pearlescent coating liquid 62 to, for example, multiple discharge positions set within the coating region 152. In this case, the coating liquid discharge device 14 discharges the pearlescent coating liquid 62 to the multiple discharge positions in sequence by, for example, appropriately changing the position of the discharge unit 202 relative to the medium 50. In this case, the coating liquid discharge device 14 may, for example, move the discharge unit 202 while the pearlescent coating liquid 62 remains discharged from the discharge unit 202. In this case, the operation of the coating liquid discharge device 14 can be considered, for example, to discharge the pearlescent coating liquid 62 in a single stroke along a movement path that passes through the multiple discharge positions. As described above, in the coating liquid discharge device 14 of this example, the discharge unit 202 switches between spray discharge and dispenser discharge. In this example, when discharging to the coating region 152 as shown in the figure, the discharge unit 202 discharges the pearlescent coating liquid 62 to the discharge position by, for example, dispenser discharge. With this configuration, for example, the pearlescent coating liquid 62 can be more appropriately discharged onto a portion of the coating region 152. Furthermore, depending on the extent of the coating region 152 and the quality required for the method of applying the pearlescent coating liquid 62, the pearlescent coating liquid 62 may be discharged onto the discharge position within the coating region 152 by spray discharge. In this case, for example, it is possible to narrow the discharge range so as not to extend beyond the coating region 152, and then perform spray discharge from the discharge unit 202. After the pearlescent coating liquid 62 has appropriately spread within the coating region 152, the coating liquid hardening device 16 irradiates the pearlescent coating liquid 62 with ultraviolet light, as shown in FIG. 4(b), for example. FIG. 4(b) shows an example of the operation of the coating liquid hardening device 16. More specifically, in this case, the coating liquid hardening device 16 irradiates the pearlescent coating liquid 62 with ultraviolet light after the pearlescent coating liquid 62 discharged onto the discharge position spreads within the coating region 152 and reaches the edge of the coating region 152. This also causes the coating liquid discharge device 14 to harden the pearlescent coating liquid 62 in the coating area 152. With this configuration, for example, the pearlescent coating liquid 62 can be properly fixed on the medium 50. According to this example, for example, the pearlescent coating liquid 62 can be properly applied to the coating area 152 on the medium 50 without using a screen or the like.

[0035] As described above, in this example, by forming the convex portions 56 around the coating area 152 on the medium 50, it is possible to appropriately prevent the pearlescent coating liquid 62 ejected onto the coating area 152 from overflowing outside the coating area 152. However, depending on the quality required for the method of applying the pearlescent coating liquid 62, the viscosity of the pearlescent coating liquid 62, or the shape of the coating area 152, it may be possible to not form the convex portions 56. In this case, it may be possible to form a mask 72 that masks the periphery of the coating area 152, as shown in FIG. 5, for example. FIG. 5 shows another example of how the pearlescent coating liquid is ejected onto the medium 50. FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c) show various examples of how the mask 72 may be formed on the medium 50. More specifically, in this case, it may be possible to form a color layer 52 and a white layer 54 on the medium 50, and use the white layer 54 as the mask 72, as shown in FIG. 5(a), for example. In this case, too, if the white layer 54 is made sufficiently thick, even if part of the pearlescent coating liquid ejected into the coating area 152 spills outside the coating area 152, it is unlikely to affect the visual recognition results seen from the side observing the image expressed by the color layer 52. Therefore, even with this configuration, for example, the pearlescent coating liquid can be appropriately applied to the coating area 152. Furthermore, in this case, it can be considered that the mask 72 is formed by ink ejected from the inkjet head 112 (see FIG. 2) in the printing device 12, for example.

[0036] In a modified configuration of the mask 72, the printing device 12 may form the mask 72 using ink other than white. In this case, the printing device 12 may form the mask 72 by, for example, overlapping multiple ink layers. Alternatively, the printing device 12 may form a white layer 54 on the color layer 52, and then form a layer of ink of another color on top of that. In this case, the ink layer consisting of the white layer 54 and the layer of ink of the other color overlapping can be considered to function as the mask 72. Alternatively, only the layer of ink of the other color can be considered to be the mask 72. For example, black ink can be used as the ink of the other color. The printing device 12 may also form multiple layers of ink of the other color. The printing device 12 may also draw an image using process color ink in at least some of the layers of ink of the other color. This configuration, for example, can further express the image visible when the medium 50 is observed from the side opposite the color layer 52. This also makes it possible to more appropriately create printed materials with a highly designed design, for example. Furthermore, when forming the mask 72 as described above, it can also be considered that the coating area 152 is set on the medium 50 by, for example, forming the mask 72 on the medium 50 so that the mask 72 surrounds the periphery of the coating area 152. Therefore, even with this configuration, it is possible to appropriately set the coating area 152 on the medium 50. Furthermore, when the mask 72 is formed with ink ejected from the inkjet head 112 in the printing device 12, the mask 72 can be considered, for example, as a layer of ink that covers the periphery of the coating area 152. Furthermore, in this case, forming the mask 72 using the inkjet head 112 makes it possible, for example, to appropriately form the mask at a desired position on the medium 50 with high precision. Furthermore, in this case, the inkjet head 112 can also be considered, for example, as an example of an ejection head that ejects the liquid used to form the mask 72.

[0037] The mask 72 may be formed by a method other than ejecting ink from the inkjet head 112, as shown in FIG. 5( b), for example. In this case, for example, a plate-like or film-like mask 72 with an opening corresponding to the coating area 152 may be prepared in advance and attached to the medium 50. This configuration also allows the mask 72 to be appropriately formed on the medium 50. This allows the coating area 152 to be appropriately defined on the medium 50 and the pearlescent coating liquid to be appropriately applied to the coating area 152. The mask 72 may be placed so as to overlap the color layer 52 on the medium 50, as shown in the figure. In this case, for example, at least the surface of the mask 72 facing the color layer 52 may be colored with a light-reflective color. For example, a white layer 54 may be formed on the color layer 52 of the medium 50, and a mask 72 made of a material other than ink may be attached thereon. For example, the mask 72 may be removed after the pearlescent coating liquid is applied to the coating area 152.

[0038] Furthermore, the portion of the mask 72 corresponding to the coating region 152 may be formed by processing after a layer that will become the mask 72 is formed on the medium 50, as shown in FIG. 5( c), for example. More specifically, in this case, a discharge head such as an inkjet head that discharges the liquid used to form the mask 72 is used to discharge the liquid onto an area that includes the coating region 152 indicated by the arrow in the upper part of FIG. 5( c), thereby forming the pre-processed mask 72 on the medium 50. In this case, the pre-processed mask 72 can be considered, for example, as a layer that includes the coating region 152 and covers an area wider than the coating region 152. In this case, for example, a layer that covers the coating region 152 may be formed by applying the liquid used to form the mask 72 to the entire surface of the medium 50. Then, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 5( c), for example, the pre-processed mask 72 is formed by removing a portion of the pre-processed mask 72. This configuration also allows the mask 72 to be appropriately formed on the medium 50.

[0039] In this case, the liquid used to form the mask 72 can be, for example, a liquid that hardens under predetermined conditions. More specifically, in this case, the liquid used to form the mask 72 can be, for example, an ultraviolet-curable ink ejected from one of the inkjet heads 112 in the printing device 12. In this case, it is preferable to harden the liquid used to form the mask 72 before performing a process to remove a portion of the mask 72. In this case, the mask 72 before processing can be considered to be a layer formed by, for example, hardening a liquid ejected by an ejection head. In this case, the coating system 10 (see FIG. 1) further includes, for example, a layer processing unit that processes such a layer. The layer processing unit removes a portion of the layer by, for example, grinding the layer. The layer processing unit then forms the mask 72 on the medium 50 by, for example, removing a portion of the layer that covers the coating area 152. The layer processing unit can also be considered, for example, as a post-processing machine that processes a layer formed on the medium 50. As such a post-processing machine, for example, a known engraving machine or the like can be suitably used.

[0040] As explained above, when forming the convex portions 56 and the mask 72 on the medium 50, the formation of the convex portions 56 and the mask 72 can be considered to correspond to, for example, setting the range that will become the coating region 152 on the medium 50. In this case, it can also be considered that the surface condition (surface tension) of the convex portions 56 and the mask 72 is made different from that of the coating region 152, thereby making it difficult for the pearlescent coating liquid 62 to diffuse outside the coating region 152. From this perspective, for example, when forming the convex portions 56, it can also be considered that the convex portions 56 have a configuration for making the surface condition of the convex portions 56 different from that of the coating region 152. In this case, the method of applying the pearlescent coating liquid to the coating region 152 can be considered to be, for example, a method of preventing the diffusion of the pearlescent coating liquid 62 by providing a boundary where the surface condition of the coating surface of the pearlescent coating liquid 62 is different, rather than a method of forming a dam to perform doming.

[0041] Furthermore, in this case, if it is possible to appropriately change the surface condition, it is also possible to consider lowering the height of the convex portions 56, as shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating in more detail a configuration for providing a boundary between different surface conditions on the surface to be coated with the pearlescent coating liquid. FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) show an example of a configuration for changing the surface condition by forming convex portions 56. More specifically, FIG. 6(a) shows an example of a configuration for forming convex portions 56 with a certain height and stopping the diffusion of the pearlescent coating liquid 62 by changing the surface condition. This configuration can more appropriately prevent, for example, the pearlescent coating liquid 62 from spilling outside the coating area 152. FIG. 6(b) also shows an example of a configuration for forming lower convex portions 56. In this case, for example, the diffusion of the pearlescent coating liquid 62 can be appropriately stopped by appropriately changing the surface condition using the convex portions 56.

[0042] For ease of illustration, FIG. 6 omits all ink layers formed by the printing device 12 (see FIG. 1 ) except for the ink layer that constitutes the convex portions 56. In this case, similarly or identically to the case described above using FIG. 3 and the like, a color layer 52 and a white layer 54 (see FIG. 3 ) may be further formed on the medium 50. In this case, the color layer 52 and the white layer 54 may be formed, for example, on the surface of the medium 50 opposite to the surface coated with the pearlescent coating liquid 62. This configuration, for example, makes it possible to more appropriately differentiate the surface condition at the position where the convex portions 56 are formed from the coated region 152 on the coated surface. Depending on the design to be expressed by the printed matter, it is also possible to omit one or both of the color layer 52 and the white layer 54 from the medium 50.

[0043] As a configuration for differentiating the surface condition from the application region 152, for example, configurations other than the protrusions 56 may be used, as shown in FIGS. 6(c) to 6(e). FIGS. 6(c) and 6(d) show other examples of configurations for changing the surface condition. FIG. 6(e) is an enlarged view of a portion of the configuration shown in FIG. 6(d). More specifically, FIG. 6(c) shows an example of a configuration for changing the surface condition using grooves 74. In this case, the grooves 74 may be formed around the area of ​​the medium 50 that will become the application region 152 using, for example, a processing machine that processes the medium 50 or an ink layer formed on the medium 50. An example of such a processing machine is a device that scrapes the surface of the medium 50 using laser processing or the like. In this case, the surface condition can be appropriately differentiated from the application region 152, for example, at the position where the grooves 74 are formed. This also makes it possible to appropriately prevent the pearlescent coating liquid 62 from spreading at the position of the grooves 74. Furthermore, in this case, for example, even without forming deep grooves 74, the diffusion of the pearlescent coating liquid 62 can be appropriately stopped by changing the surface condition of the medium 50 at the positions of the grooves 74. When forming the grooves 74, it is preferable to eject a smaller amount of the pearlescent coating liquid 62 into the coating region 152 than when forming the protrusions 56, for example. FIG. 6(d) shows an example of a configuration in which the surface condition is changed by a roughened portion 76 formed by a roughening treatment that roughens the surface. In this case, the roughened portion 76 is formed on the surface of the medium 50, for example, in the portion indicated by the arrow in FIG. 6(d), as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 6(e). In this case, for example, the surface condition at the position where the roughened portion 76 is formed can be more appropriately differentiated from the coating region 152. This also makes it possible to appropriately stop the diffusion of the pearlescent coating liquid 62 at the position of the roughened portion 76, for example.

[0044] Next, the operation of creating a printed matter in the coating system 10 will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of creating a printed matter in the coating system 10, and illustrates an example of the operation of creating a printed matter in the case of forming convex portions 56 on the medium 50. As described above, in the coating system 10 of this example, the printing device 12 prints an image on the medium 50, and the coating liquid discharge device 14 and the coating liquid hardening device 16 apply the pearlescent coating liquid to the medium 50 to create a printed matter. In this case, for example, first, the design of the printed matter to be created is determined (S102). In this case, it is considered that the design is determined based on, for example, user instructions or operations on the control device 22. In this case, for example, the image to be drawn on the medium 50 by the printing device 12 and the positions where the pearlescent coating liquid should be applied to the medium 50 by the coating liquid discharge device 14 and the coating liquid hardening device 16 are determined depending on the determined design. Therefore, in this case, in step S102, the control device 22 further determines, for example, printing conditions for printing to be performed in the printing device 12. The printing performed by the printing device 12 can be considered to be, for example, an operation of forming a color layer 52, a white layer 54, a convex portion 56, etc. on the medium 50. In this example, the control device 22 also determines the application conditions of the pearlescent coating liquid to be applied by the coating liquid discharge device 14 and the coating liquid hardening device 16 (S104). In this example, the operation of step S104 is an example of an operation at the application condition determination stage. In step S104, the control device 22 determines, for example, among the application conditions, the discharge position for discharging the pearlescent coating liquid within the application area and the total discharge amount, which is the total amount of pearlescent coating liquid to be discharged to the discharge position, for the operation performed by the coating liquid discharge device 14. The total discharge amount can be considered to be, for example, a discharge amount taking into account the range over which the pearlescent coating liquid is to be spread and the film thickness required for application. Furthermore, the control device 22 determines, for example, the method of ultraviolet irradiation for the operation performed by the coating liquid hardening device 16.

[0045] Following these operations, in this example, the control device 22 causes the printing device 12 to perform a printing operation (inkjet printing) based on the printing conditions (S106). As a result, the printing device 12 forms a color layer 52, a white layer 54, a convex portion 56, and the like on the medium 50. In this case, the control device 22 causes the medium transport device 18 to place the medium 50 in the printing device 12, for example, before causing the printing device 12 to start the printing operation on the medium 50. Then, after the printing operation on the medium 50 in the printing device 12 is completed, the control device 22 causes the medium transport device 18 to transport the medium 50 from the printing device 12 to the coating liquid ejection device 14. Furthermore, in this example, the control device 22 causes the static eliminator 20 to eliminate static electricity from the medium 50, for example, before the medium 50 is placed in the printing device 12. This also removes static electricity from the medium 50 before the medium transport device 18 comes into contact with the medium 50 during subsequent transport from the coating liquid discharge device 14 to the coating liquid curing device 16.

[0046] Furthermore, after causing the medium transport device 18 to transport the medium 50 from the printing device 12 to the coating liquid discharge device 14, the control device 22 causes the coating liquid discharge device 14 to discharge the pearlescent coating liquid to a discharge position set within the coating area based on the coating conditions determined in S104 (S108). In this example, the operation of step S108 is an example of a discharge stage. Then, after the pearlescent coating liquid is discharged into the coating area, the control device 22 causes the medium transport device 18 to transport the medium 50 from the coating liquid discharge device 14 to the coating liquid curing device 16, and causes the coating liquid curing device 16 to irradiate the pearlescent coating liquid on the medium 50 with ultraviolet light (S110). In this example, the operation of step S110 is an example of a curing stage. For example, the control device 22 may cause the static eliminator 20 to again neutralize the medium 50 before causing the medium transport device 18 to transport the medium 50 from the coating liquid discharge device 14 to the coating liquid curing device 16. With this configuration, for example, the influence of static electricity that occurs when the coating liquid is transferred from the coating liquid discharge device 14 to the coating liquid curing device 16 can be more appropriately prevented.

[0047] By the above operations, according to this example, in the coating system 10, for example, the operation of printing on the medium 50 by the printing device 12 and the operation of applying the pearlescent coating liquid to the medium 50 by the coating liquid discharge device 14 and the coating liquid hardening device 16 can be appropriately executed. This also makes it possible to appropriately create printed matter with a design expressed by printing an image and applying the pearlescent coating liquid, for example. Therefore, according to this example, it is possible to appropriately create printed matter with a highly designed appearance, for example.

[0048] Next, supplementary explanations regarding the configuration described above and further modifications regarding the configuration or operation of the coating system 10 will be provided. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the modifications described above or below may be referred to as the configuration of this example. As described above, in this example, the discharge unit 202 (see FIG. 2 ) of the coating solution discharge device 14 continuously discharges the pearlescent coating solution to the discharge position, unlike, for example, inkjet-based discharge. In this case, if the pearlescent coating solution is applied to the coating area by simply moving (scanning) the discharge unit 202 so as to fill the entire coating area, as in the case of drawing an image with an inkjet head, it is likely that unevenness in the fixation of the pearlescent pigment will occur. More specifically, for example, if the discharge unit 202 is caused to spray and moved so that the pearlescent coating solution is directly applied to all positions in the coating area, a concentration gradient will occur in the applied pearlescent coating solution, resulting in noticeable unevenness in concentration. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a similar problem would occur, for example, if the dispensing unit 202 were to perform dispenser dispensing and move the dispensing unit 202 so that the pearlescent coating liquid would be directly applied to all positions in the coating area. In contrast, in this example, for example, instead of directly applying the pearlescent coating liquid to all positions in the coating area, the pearlescent coating liquid discharged to the dispensing position is spread within the coating area, thereby enabling the pearlescent coating liquid to be applied more uniformly to the coating area. Furthermore, in this case, even when various shapes of coating areas are used, the pearlescent coating liquid can be applied more appropriately in accordance with the shape of the coating area. The shape of the coating area can be various shapes, such as a triangle, a square, a circle, a star, or the like. It is also conceivable that the shape of the coating area can be other irregular shapes, for example.

[0049] As described above, this embodiment allows for the appropriate creation of highly aesthetically pleasing printed matter using, for example, color inks and pearlescent coating liquid. As can be understood from the configuration of the printed matter described above, the printed matter created in this embodiment can be considered, for example, as a printed matter in which the pearlescent coating liquid is applied to at least a portion of the backside of an image expressed in color ink. Such a printed matter can also be considered, for example, as a printed matter in which a design is expressed by overlapping a layer formed from the pearlescent coating liquid with a layer of color ink. The printing matter created by the application system 10 can also be considered, for example, as a printed matter in which the pearlescent coating liquid is applied to areas of the medium where no color ink layer expressing the image is formed. Furthermore, the configuration of the application system 10 in this embodiment can be considered, for example, as a configuration in which the pearlescent coating liquid is ejected from an ejection unit 202, which is a separate mechanism from the inkjet head 112 (see FIG. 2 ) that ejects ink for drawing an image. By using such a configuration, for example, ink ejected from the inkjet head 112 and pearlescent coating liquid ejected from the ejection unit 202 can be appropriately combined to appropriately create highly aesthetically pleasing printed matter. In this example, the pearl pigment in the pearl coating liquid is thought to settle toward the medium after the pearl coating liquid is ejected onto the medium and before the pearl coating liquid hardens. In this case, it can be thought that the design expressed using the pearl coating liquid can be more appropriately viewed when observed from the side of the medium opposite to the surface on which the pearl coating liquid is applied, as in the printed matter having the configuration described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0050] As described above, in this example, the discharge unit 202 generates a pearlescent coating liquid by kneading the solvent supplied from the solvent supply unit 206 with the pigment supplied from the pigment supply unit 208, and then discharges the pearlescent coating liquid. This configuration allows the pearlescent coating liquid to be appropriately applied to a medium without directly discharging, for example, dried powder pearlescent pigment. This also appropriately prevents the pearlescent pigment from scattering and spreading within the room in which the coating liquid discharge device 14 is used. Since the pearlescent pigment does not scatter, the pearlescent pigment can be appropriately used without measures such as using a dust collector. In this case, the pigment supply unit 208 supplies, for example, dried pearlescent pigment to the discharge unit 202. Therefore, according to this example, the pearlescent pigment can be appropriately maintained for a long period of time in the coating liquid discharge device 14. In this case, for example, by kneading the pearlescent pigment and the solvent in the discharge unit 202 immediately before discharging the pearlescent coating liquid, sedimentation of the pearlescent pigment in the pearlescent coating liquid before discharge can be appropriately prevented. The coating liquid discharge device 14 may further have a configuration for preventing the occurrence of sedimentation of the pearl pigment in the pearlescent coating liquid. As such a configuration, for example, a mechanism for circulating the pearlescent coating liquid produced in the discharge unit 202 may be used. As such a configuration, for example, a mechanism for stirring the pearlescent coating liquid may be used. By using such a configuration, for example, it is possible to more appropriately prevent the occurrence of sedimentation of the pearlescent pigment in the pearlescent coating liquid before discharge.

[0051] As described above, in the coating system 10 of this embodiment, after the coating liquid discharge device 14 discharges the pearlescent coating liquid onto the medium, the coating liquid curing device 16, which is a device separate from the coating liquid discharge device 14, irradiates the pearlescent coating liquid on the medium with ultraviolet light. This configuration, for example, simplifies the processes performed by each device, thereby appropriately preventing the device configuration from becoming overly complex. This also makes it easier to use existing devices or devices with modified parts as the coating liquid discharge device 14 or the coating liquid curing device 16. This also makes it easier to ensure that each device in the coating system 10 is installed in a manner that prevents the device from becoming excessively large. In a modified configuration of the coating system 10, for example, a single device may be used that functions as both the coating liquid discharge device 14 and the coating liquid curing device 16. This configuration allows, for example, a series of operations, from discharging the pearlescent coating liquid onto the medium to curing it, to be performed in coordination with higher precision. In a modified configuration of the coating system 10, for example, it is also possible to use a single device that combines the functions of the printing device 12 and the coating liquid ejection device 14.

[0052] As explained above, in this example, the pearlescent pigment and pearlescent coating liquid are examples of effect pigments and effect pigment-containing liquids. Furthermore, the effect pigment and effect pigment-containing liquid are examples of functional powders and functional powder-containing liquids. Pigments such as effect pigments can also be considered, for example, as examples of powders contained in coating liquids. Furthermore, in modified configurations and operations of the coating system 10, it is possible to use, for example, a coating liquid containing an effect pigment or functional powder other than pearlescent pigments (effect pigment-containing liquid or functional powder-containing liquid). In this case, it is possible to use a coating liquid containing an effect pigment other than pearlescent pigments instead of the pearlescent coating liquid described above. Furthermore, it is possible to use, for example, a pigment that exhibits a special color through light reflection or absorption as the effect pigment. For example, a scaly pigment can be suitably used as such an effect pigment. More specifically, glitter pigments and glitter pigments can be used as effect pigments other than pearlescent pigments. For example, glitter pigments can be used as glitter pigments, such as a resin film with aluminum vapor deposition, a metal foil such as aluminum foil, or a multilayer film. As the resin film, for example, a PET film or the like can be suitably used. As the multilayer film, for example, a configuration in which multiple thin resin films are stacked can be suitably used. Furthermore, as the glitter pigment, for example, a pigment having a particle size of about several hundred μm to several mm (for example, about 100 μm to 3 mm) can be used. As the glitter pigment, for example, a pigment having a larger particle size than the glitter pigment can be suitably used. In this case, for example, a pigment having a particle size of several mm or more (for example, 3 mm or more) can be used as the glitter pigment. Furthermore, as the coating liquid, for example, a liquid containing various functional powders other than those mentioned above can be used. For example, as the functional powder, various functional powders (pigments) other than effect pigments can be used. More specifically, as the functional powder, for example, a luminous, antifouling, or conductive powder can be used.Furthermore, it is also possible to use, as the functional powder, materials such as functional powders or fillers that impart other mechanical or chemical properties. Even when using a coating liquid containing such various functional powders, the coating liquid can be appropriately applied to a medium by using, for example, a coating system 10 having the same or similar configuration as described above. Furthermore, when using a coating liquid containing various functional powders, it is preferable to appropriately adjust the viscosity of the coating liquid according to, for example, the type and particle size of the functional powder contained in the coating liquid. [Industrial Applicability]

[0053] The present invention can be suitably used, for example, in a coating system that coats a functional powder-containing liquid onto a medium. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 10 Coating system, 102 Head unit, 104 Base unit, 106 Scanning drive unit, 108 Control unit, 112 Inkjet head, 114 Ultraviolet light source, 12 Printing device, 14 Coating liquid discharge device, 152 Coating area, 16 Coating liquid curing device, 18 Medium transport device, 20 Antistatic device, 202 Discharge unit, 204 Base unit, 206 Solvent supply unit, 208 Pigment supply unit, 210 Air pressure supply unit, 212 Control unit, 22 Control device, 50 Medium, 52 Color layer, 54 White layer, 56 Convex portion, 62 Pearl coating liquid, 72 Mask, 74 Groove, 76 Roughening unit

Claims

1. A coating method for applying a functional powder-containing liquid, which is a liquid containing a functional powder having a predetermined function, to a medium, A dispensing step in which the UV-curable functional powder-containing liquid, which hardens upon irradiation with ultraviolet light, is dispensed onto the medium, A curing step in which the functional powder-containing liquid discharged onto the medium is cured by generating ultraviolet light. Equipped with, In the discharge step, the functional powder-containing liquid is discharged into the coating area, which is the area to which the functional powder-containing liquid is applied, with a specific location within the coating area designated as the discharge position. A coating method characterized by curing the functional powder-containing liquid by irradiating it with ultraviolet light during the curing step.

2. The discharge position is a position spaced apart from the edge of the coating area, The coating method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the curing step, the functional powder-containing liquid discharged to the discharge position spreads within the coating area and reaches the edge, and then is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet light.

3. The coating method according to claim 2, characterized in that, in the coating area, a mask surrounding the coating area is provided on the medium outside the edge to suppress the diffusion of the functional powder-containing liquid.

4. A coating system for applying a functional powder-containing liquid, which is a liquid containing a functional powder having a predetermined function, to a medium, A functional powder-containing liquid dispensing unit that dispenses the UV-curable functional powder-containing liquid, which hardens upon irradiation with ultraviolet light, into the medium, A UV irradiation unit that generates ultraviolet light to cure the functional powder-containing liquid discharged into the medium, Equipped with, The functional powder-containing liquid dispensing unit dispenses the functional powder-containing liquid into the coating area, which is the area to which the functional powder-containing liquid is applied, by designating a specific position within the coating area as the dispensing position. The coating system is characterized in that the ultraviolet irradiation section irradiates the functional powder-containing liquid with ultraviolet light to cure it.

5. The aforementioned discharge position is located at a position spaced apart from the edge of the coating area. The coating system according to claim 4, characterized in that the ultraviolet irradiation unit irradiates the functional powder-containing liquid, which has been discharged to the discharge position, with ultraviolet light after it has spread within the coating area and reached the edge, thereby curing the functional powder-containing liquid.

6. It is further equipped with an inkjet head that ejects ink using an inkjet method, The coating system according to claim 4, characterized in that the area to be the coating region is set on the medium by forming layers of ink by the inkjet head and creating a frame-shaped protrusion surrounding the coating region.

7. The coating system according to claim 4, characterized in that the coating area is set on the medium by forming a mask on the medium that surrounds the coating area.

8. A dispensing head for dispensing the liquid used to form the mask, A layer processing unit that processes the layer formed by hardening the liquid discharged by the discharge head. Furthermore, By dispensing the liquid into the area including the coating area using the discharge head, the layer is formed on the medium that includes the coating area and covers an area wider than the coating area. The coating system according to claim 7, characterized in that the layer processing unit removes the portion of the layer covering the coating area, thereby forming the mask on the medium.

9. The coating system according to claim 4, characterized in that the medium is transported by a transfer means that comes into contact with the medium after the functional powder-containing liquid is discharged by the functional powder-containing liquid discharge unit, from the position where the functional powder-containing liquid is discharged by the functional powder-containing liquid discharge unit to the position where the ultraviolet light is irradiated by the ultraviolet light irradiation unit.

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