Liquid application apparatus, image forming apparatus, liquid application method, and recording medium

Abstract

To prevent the lowering of the working efficiency of image formation by recovering the properties of a deteriorated processing solution in a short time.SOLUTION: A liquid processing apparatus includes a holding container that holds a processing liquid to be applied to an application target, a setting unit that sets information indicating a discharge amount of the processing liquid to be discharged from the holding container, a calculation unit that calculates an estimated value of a property indicating deterioration of the processing liquid held in the holding container, a discharge unit that performs a discharge process of discharging the processing liquid less than a total capacity of the holding container from the holding container in accordance with the information indicating the discharge amount set by the setting unit when the estimated value calculated by the calculation unit exceeds a limit value of the property, and a supply unit that performs a supply process of supplying the processing liquid to the holding container along with the discharge process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid application device, an image forming apparatus, a liquid application method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Inkjet printers, which use a recording head that ejects ink droplets, are known as image forming devices. Inkjet printers have been rapidly gaining popularity in recent years due to their advantages of low noise, low running costs, and ease of colorization. However, when forming images on recording media other than specialized paper, problems such as bleeding, loss of density and color tone, show-through, and insufficient water resistance and weather resistance arise. To address these issues, a liquid application device is used to apply (pre-apply) a treatment liquid (treatment agent liquid) that functions to aggregate ink to paper, which is the recording medium, and then eject ink droplets onto the paper that has been coated with the treatment liquid, thereby improving image quality.

[0003] If the treatment liquid stored in the liquid application device is left for a long period of time, the water and organic solvent in the treatment liquid evaporate, causing the properties of the treatment liquid, such as viscosity and concentration, to increase (deteriorate), resulting in an increase in the amount of treatment liquid applied. When the amount of treatment liquid applied increases, the treatment liquid spreads onto the recording medium, reducing the frictional force with the rollers that transport the recording medium, which can cause problems with the recording medium's running. Furthermore, if the amount of application increases and the treatment liquid does not dry sufficiently, problems arise, such as the image being transferred to another recording medium in a subsequent process, reducing image quality and hindering faster image formation.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses that an apparatus is provided with an estimation unit that estimates the concentration of the processing liquid, and a maintenance unit that performs maintenance processing to replace the processing liquid with new processing liquid based on changes in the estimated concentration. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with conventional technology, if the deterioration of the properties of the processing liquid exceeds a limit during image formation and maintenance processing begins, replacing the processing liquid takes time, which causes a problem of reduced work efficiency in image formation.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has as its object to restore the properties of deteriorated processing liquid in a short period of time and prevent a decrease in the efficiency of image formation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention is characterized by comprising a holding container that holds a treatment liquid to be applied to a treatment object; a setting unit that sets information indicating the discharge amount of treatment liquid to be discharged from the holding container; a calculation unit that calculates an estimated value of a property that indicates deterioration of the treatment liquid held in the holding container; a discharge unit that performs a discharge process to discharge from the holding container a amount of treatment liquid less than the total capacity of the holding container in accordance with the information indicating the discharge amount set by the setting unit when the estimated value calculated by the calculation unit exceeds a limit value of the property; and a supply unit that performs a supply process to supply treatment liquid to the holding container in conjunction with the discharge process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the properties of the deteriorated processing liquid can be restored in a short time, and the effect of preventing a decrease in the efficiency of image formation can be achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus equipped with a liquid application device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the liquid application apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the liquid application device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the liquid application apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the change over time in viscosity of the treatment liquid held in the holding container. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the panel display unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the liquid application apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for the discharge process and the supply process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a panel display unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a panel display unit according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for the discharge process and the supply process according to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a liquid application apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the first mode. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the second mode. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the first step of the third mode. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the second step of the third mode. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the third step of the third mode. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the liquid application apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing procedure of the liquid application apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing procedure of the liquid application apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a liquid application device, an image forming device, a liquid application method, and a program will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus equipped with a liquid application device according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, image forming apparatus 1, which is a discharge device, includes a carry-in section 10, a pre-application section 50 having a liquid application device 500 according to this embodiment, a printing section 20, a drying section 30, and a discharge section 40. In image forming apparatus 1, a treatment liquid (treatment agent liquid) that suppresses ink bleeding and show-through is applied to a recording medium (hereinafter also referred to as a "coating target" or "sheet material") P carried in from carry-in section 10 in pre-application section 50, a liquid containing a colorant is applied to perform printing in printing section 20, the liquid adhering to the sheet material P is dried in drying section 30, and then the recording medium P is discharged to discharge section 40.

[0012] The carry-in section 10 includes an input tray 11 on which a plurality of sheet materials P are stacked, and a feeding device 12 that separates and feeds the sheet materials P from the input tray 11 one by one.

[0013] Any type of feeding device can be used as the feeding device 12, such as a device using rollers or a device using air suction. The sheet material P fed from the feed tray 11 by the feeding device 12 is sent to the pre-coating section 50 having the liquid coating device according to the present invention.

[0014] In the pre-coating section 50, the sheet material P is transported by a plurality of roller pairs 51 to the liquid coating device 500, and the liquid coating device 500 applies the treatment liquid to the sheet material P to be coated. The sheet material P to which the treatment liquid has been applied is sent to the printing section 20 by a plurality of roller pairs 52.

[0015] The printing unit 20 includes a pair of registration rollers 21 that are driven at a predetermined timing to feed out the sheet material P after the sheet material P delivered from the pre-coating unit 50 arrives. The printing unit 20 also includes a sheet conveying device 22 that conveys the sheet material P. The sheet conveying device 22 includes a drum 23 that is a support member (rotating member) that rotates while supporting the sheet material P on its circumferential surface, and a suction device 24 that is suction means that generates a suction force on the circumferential surface of the drum 23.

[0016] The printing unit 20 includes a discharge unit 25 that discharges and applies a liquid toward the sheet material P carried and transported on the drum 23 of the sheet transport device 22. The printing unit 20 also includes a transfer cylinder 26 that receives the fed sheet material P and transfers the sheet material P between the drum 23 and the printing unit 20, and a transfer cylinder 27 that transfers the sheet material P transported by the drum 23 to the drying unit 30.

[0017] The sheet material P conveyed from the pre-coating section 50 to the printing section 20 is sent to the transfer drum 26 at a predetermined timing by the pair of registration rollers 21, and its leading edge is gripped by a gripping means (gripper) provided on the transfer drum 26, and is conveyed as the transfer drum 26 rotates. The sheet material P conveyed by the transfer drum 26 is delivered to the drum 23 at a position opposite the drum 23.

[0018] A gripping means (gripper) is provided on the surface of the drum 23, and the leading edge of the sheet material P is gripped by the gripper. A plurality of suction holes are formed and dispersed on the surface of the drum 23. A suction device generates a suction airflow that flows inward from the required suction holes of the drum 23.

[0019] The sheet material P transferred from the transfer cylinder 26 to the drum 23 has its leading edge gripped by a gripper, is sucked and held on the drum 23 by an airflow sucked by a suction device, and is transported as the drum 23 rotates.

[0020] The discharge section 25 is equipped with discharge units 28 (28a to 28f) that are liquid application means. For example, discharge unit 28a discharges black (K) liquid, discharge unit 28b discharges cyan (C) liquid, discharge unit 28c discharges magenta (M) liquid, and discharge unit 28d discharges yellow (Y) liquid. Discharge units 28e and 28f can be used to discharge any of YMCK liquids, or special liquids such as white or gold (silver). Furthermore, a discharge unit that discharges a treatment liquid such as a surface coating liquid can also be provided.

[0021] The ejection unit 28 is, for example, a full-line type head made up of a plurality of ejection heads (hereinafter simply referred to as "heads") each having a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged.

[0022] The ejection operation of each ejection unit 28 of the ejection section 25 is controlled by a drive signal corresponding to the printing information. When the sheet material P carried on the drum 23 passes through an area facing the ejection section 25, liquid of each color is ejected from the ejection unit 28, and an image corresponding to the printing information is printed.

[0023] The sheet material P to which the liquid has been applied by the discharge unit 25 is sent from the surface of the drum 23 to a transfer cylinder 27, which is a transfer rotor. A gripping means (gripper) for gripping the leading edge of the sheet material P is also provided on the surface of the transfer cylinder 27, and the leading edge of the sheet material P is transferred from the gripper of the drum 23 to the gripper of the transfer cylinder 27, thereby transferring the sheet material P from the surface of the drum 23 to the transfer cylinder 27.

[0024] Then, the sheet material P is transferred to the suction conveying mechanism 31 of the drying section 30 via the circumferential surface (transfer path) of the transfer cylinder 27 by the rotation of the transfer cylinder 27 .

[0025] The drying section 30 includes a suction conveying mechanism section 31, which is a conveying means that conveys (suction conveys) the sheet material P handed over from the transfer cylinder 27 of the printing section 20 in a suction state, and a drying mechanism section 32 that dries the liquid on the sheet material P conveyed by the suction conveying mechanism section 31.

[0026] The discharge section 40 includes a discharge tray 41 on which a plurality of sheet materials P are stacked. The sheet materials P conveyed from the drying section 30 are successively stacked and held on the discharge tray 41.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a liquid application apparatus 500 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the liquid application apparatus 500 includes a holding container 510, a cartridge 511, a reserve tank 512, a waste liquid tank 513, a filter 514, electromagnetic valves 520-526, pumps 530 and 531, and sensors 505-507.

[0028] Holding container 510 holds treatment liquid 17 to be applied to sheet material P, which is the application target. Inside holding container 510, a transfer roller 501, an application roller 502, a supply roller 503, and a draw-up roller 504 are provided as a liquid application mechanism. Each roller is rotatably supported by a side plate or the like provided in the liquid application mechanism. Supply roller 503 is a member that forms a nip with draw-up roller 504 and is supported via a rotation shaft at a position where a nip is formed with application roller 502. For example, supply roller 503 can be a roller with grooves machined on its surface, and can be used as a metering roller that can adjust the amount of treatment liquid applied by changing the pitch and depth of the grooves.

[0029] Here, the application process of the treatment liquid 17 according to this embodiment will be described. First, the treatment liquid 17 is drawn up by the rotation of the drawing roller 504 and carried to the supply roller 503. The treatment liquid 17 is reduced in volume as it passes through the contact position between the drawing roller 504 and the supply roller 503, and is then carried to the application roller 502. The treatment liquid 17 is then metered and thinned as it passes through the contact position between the supply roller 503 and the application roller 502. The sheet material P is conveyed by the conveying roller pair 51 upstream of the application roller 502 and sent to the contact portion between the transfer roller 501 and the application roller 502. The treatment liquid 17 thinned on the application roller 502 is transferred and applied to the sheet material P conveyed to the contact portion with the transfer roller 501. The drawing roller 504, the application roller 502, and the supply roller 503 may be spaced apart by the thickness of the coating formed by the treatment liquid 17 on the surface, or may be in contact with each other.

[0030] The cartridge 511 is filled with new processing liquid 17 to be supplied to the holding container 510. The processing liquid 17 filled in the cartridge 511 is supplied to the holding container 510 through pipes 541 and 540.

[0031] The reserve tank 512 stores the processing liquid 17 discharged from the holding container 510. The holding container 510 is not a completely airtight structure because it is configured to carry in and out the sheet material P. Therefore, when the processing liquid 17 will not be used for a long period of time, the solenoid valve 524 is opened to utilize the head difference to transfer the processing liquid 17 in the holding container 510 to the highly airtight reserve tank 512, thereby preventing the processing liquid 17 from drying out and increasing in viscosity.

[0032] The waste liquid tank 513 stores the processing liquid 17 discharged from the reserve tank 512. If the processing liquid 17 has not been used in the reserve tank 512 for a long period of time (for example, for several tens of days or more), the viscosity of the processing liquid 17 will increase. Therefore, if the processing liquid 17 has not been used in the reserve tank 512 for a certain period of time or more, the processing liquid 17 in the reserve tank 512 is discharged into the waste liquid tank 513, and new processing liquid 17 is supplied from, for example, the cartridge 511, thereby maintaining the freshness of the processing liquid 17 in the holding container 510.

[0033] The filter 514 removes foreign matter such as paper dust that has become mixed into the treatment liquid 17 in the holding container 510, and prevents the treatment liquid 17 from becoming pasty. Paper dust and the like are generated, for example, by friction when the sheet material P is transported by various rollers.

[0034] The solenoid valves 520 to 526 open and close the piping at the positions where they are located. Each solenoid valve can be, for example, a normally open type that automatically opens when not energized (when the power is turned off).

[0035] The pumps 530 and 531 send the processing liquid 17 in the pipes at their respective positions in the directions indicated by the arrows in FIG.

[0036] The sensors 505 to 507 detect the remaining amount of the processing liquid 17 at their respective positions. Each sensor has, for example, a plurality of liquid level detection sensors that detect liquid levels at different heights, and can detect the remaining amount of the processing liquid 17 in the holding container 510, the reserve tank 512, and the filter 514, respectively.

[0037] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of liquid application apparatus 500. In addition to the above-mentioned configuration, liquid application apparatus 500 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 551, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 552, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 553, an NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) 554, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 555, an input / output I / F (Interface) 556, an operation panel 560, and a bus line 570.

[0038] Of these, the CPU 551 controls the overall operation of the liquid application apparatus 500. The ROM 552 stores programs used to drive the CPU 551, such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader). The RAM 553 is used as a work area for the CPU 551. The NVRAM 554 stores various data such as programs, and retains the various data even when the power to the liquid application apparatus 500 is cut off. The ASIC 555 processes various signal processes for the data and input / output signals for other control. The input / output I / F 556 acquires information detected by the sensors 505 to 507.

[0039] The operation panel 560 includes a panel display unit 560a such as a touch panel that displays current setting values, selection screens, etc. and accepts input from the user, and operation keys 560b consisting of a numeric keypad or the like that accepts setting values ​​such as parameters required for the liquid application device 500. Here, the panel display unit 560a is an example of a display unit. The panel display unit 560a accepts touch input from the user, and the user can use a finger or a pen to enter numerical values ​​into input boxes displayed on the screen, select from pull-down menus, turn check boxes on / off, and so on. The operation keys 560b may include input means such as a trackball or a touchpad in addition to the numeric keypad or the like.

[0040] The bus line 570 is an address bus, a data bus, etc. for electrically connecting the components such as the CPU 551.

[0041] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of liquid application apparatus 500 according to the first embodiment. Liquid application apparatus 500 includes setting unit 581, calculation unit 582, discharge unit 583, supply unit 584, and display control unit 585.

[0042] The functions of these functional units are executed as programs on the CPU 551. The functions of these functional units may be configured to be executed by an information processing device such as a PC, or an arithmetic device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0043] The setting unit 581 sets information indicating the amount of treatment liquid 17 to be discharged from the holding container 510. The information indicating the amount of discharge is, for example, a target value (target discharge amount) for the volume or mass of the discharge amount. In this case, the setting unit 581 sets the target discharge amount to an amount less than the total capacity of the holding container 510 (the total amount of treatment liquid 17 that can be held in the holding container 510). Furthermore, the information indicating the amount of discharge may be a target property value (target viscosity, etc.) that is a target value for the property of the treatment liquid 17 after the treatment liquid 17 is discharged and new treatment liquid 17 is supplied. The property of the treatment liquid 17 is the viscosity, concentration, etc. of the treatment liquid 17, and indicates deterioration of the treatment liquid 17. In this case, the setting unit 581 sets the target property value to a value that exceeds the property value of a treatment liquid that is not deteriorated (new treatment liquid or treatment liquid before use).

[0044] The information indicating the discharge amount may be the ratio of the target discharge amount to the total volume Q0. Alternatively, the information indicating the discharge amount may be the ratio of the target viscosity to the critical viscosity Vs of the treatment liquid 17. The critical viscosity Vs is the limit value of the viscosity of the treatment liquid at which the image quality and processing speed are not impaired in the image formation at the downstream stage of the liquid application device 500. If the viscosity of the treatment liquid 17 becomes higher than the critical viscosity Vs, it is necessary to lower the viscosity of the treatment liquid 17 by discharging the treatment liquid 17 and supplying new treatment liquid 17. The target viscosity is an example of a target property value, which is a target value for the properties of the treatment liquid 17.

[0045] The calculation unit 582 calculates an estimated value of the property of the treatment liquid 17 held in the holding container 510. The property of the treatment liquid 17 is, for example, the viscosity or concentration of the treatment liquid 17. When the property of the treatment liquid 17 is viscosity, the calculation unit 582 can calculate the estimated value V of the viscosity (hereinafter, may be referred to as "viscosity V") using the following formula (1) or (2). Note that formula (1) is a calculation formula when there is no discharge from the holding container 510, and formula (2) is a calculation formula when there is discharge from the holding container 510.

[0046] V=Vp-1+(V0-Vp×Qc)+V0×Qe / Q0 (1) V=Vp-1+(V0-Vp×(Qc+Qt))+V0×Qe / Q0 (2)

[0047] Here, Vp is the estimated value calculated last time, V0 is the viscosity of the new treatment liquid 17, Qc is the amount of liquid consumed during printing (amount of liquid consumed), Qe is the amount of liquid reduced by evaporation (amount of evaporation), and Qt is the amount of liquid discharged from the holding container 510 (amount of waste liquid).

[0048] The calculation unit 582 can calculate the amount of liquid consumed Qc based on the application area on the sheet material P and the number of sheets printed since the previous calculation. In other words, the calculation unit 582 can calculate the amount of liquid consumed Qc based on the amount of sheet material P on which the image forming apparatus 1 has formed an image. In this way, the properties of the treatment liquid 17 are calculated based on the amount used in image formation, and as will be described later, the treatment liquid 17 is discharged or supplied, so that the discharge and supply of the treatment liquid 17 can be performed at an appropriate timing.

[0049] The calculation unit 582 can calculate the evaporation amount Qe based on the elapsed time from the previous calculation to the current calculation and the operating time of the coating operation of the liquid coating device 500. Furthermore, the calculation unit 582 can calculate the waste liquid amount Qt based on the time (operating time of the pump 531) of the discharge process (process of discharging the treatment liquid 17 from the holding container 510) performed from the previous calculation to the current calculation.

[0050] The discharge unit 583 performs a discharge process when the viscosity V calculated by the calculation unit 582 exceeds a limit value (limit viscosity Vs). For example, the discharge unit 583 opens the electromagnetic valve 524 to discharge the treatment liquid 17 in the holding container 510 to the reserve tank 512. At this time, the discharge unit 583 discharges the treatment liquid 17 from the holding container 510 by the discharge amount according to information indicating the discharge amount set by the setting unit 581. For example, the information indicating the discharge amount is set as a target discharge amount Q N When this is set, the discharge unit 583 discharges the treatment liquid 17 from the holding container 510 at a target discharge rate Q N In addition, the target emission amount Q for the total capacity Q0 is used as information indicating the amount of emission. N When the ratio N is set in percentage (%), the discharge unit 583 discharges N% of the total volume Q0 of the treatment liquid 17 from the holding container 510.

[0051] The supply unit 584 performs a supply process (a process of supplying new treatment liquid 17 to the holding container 510) in conjunction with the discharge process by the discharge unit 583. The supply unit 584 supplies new treatment liquid 17 from the cartridge 511 to the holding container 510 through the pipes 541 and 540, for example, by opening the solenoid valve 520, setting the solenoid valve 522 to a state in which the pipes 540 and 541 are in communication with each other, and driving the pump 530. By the supply unit 584 supplying new treatment liquid 17 corresponding to the amount discharged in the discharge process to the holding container 510, the viscosity of the treatment liquid 17 decreases to a desired value (the properties are restored to desired values), and image quality and high speed in image formation are ensured.

[0052] The discharge unit 583 and the supply unit 584 can determine the discharge amount and supply amount of the treatment liquid 17 using changes in information detected by the sensors 505 to 507. For example, the discharge amount of the treatment liquid 17 discharged from the holding container 510 can be determined using the change (decrease) in the remaining amount of the treatment liquid 17 detected by the sensor 505.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the change over time in the viscosity of the processing liquid 17 held in the holding container 510. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis of the graph represents time, and the vertical axis represents the viscosity of the processing liquid 17 in %. The minimum viscosity value corresponds to the viscosity V0 of new processing liquid 17. The graph in FIG. 5(a) shows an example of a case where the processing liquid 17 is replaced using conventional technology. The viscosity increases over time from the minimum value, reaching a limit value (100%) at time Ts, and the processing liquid 17 is replaced by a maintenance process. In this case, replacement of all of the processing liquid 17 is completed at time Ta.

[0054] The graph in Figure 5(b) shows an example of the discharge process and supply process according to this embodiment. In this example, a target viscosity of 70% is set as information indicating the discharge amount. As in Figure 5(a), the viscosity reaches its limit value (100%) at time Ts, but the viscosity decreases through the discharge process and supply process, and the process is completed at time Tb when the viscosity reaches the target viscosity. In this way, by setting information indicating the discharge amount and performing the discharge process and supply process for the amount of discharge indicated by the set information, the process of restoring the properties of the treatment liquid 17 to the desired value can be completed in a shorter time than with conventional techniques.

[0055] The display control unit 585 causes the panel display unit 560a to display a screen for the user to interactively set information indicating the discharge amount.

[0056] 6A and 6B are diagrams showing examples of a screen displayed on the panel display unit 560a according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6A, a screen 600 displayed on the panel display unit 560a has a target discharge amount setting area 610 and an execute button 620. The target discharge amount setting area 610 also has a slide bar 611 that allows the user to set a target discharge amount. In this example, the user can set a target discharge amount Q relative to a total capacity Q0. N The ratio N of the target discharge amount is set in %. The initial value of the target discharge amount ratio is, for example, 100%, and the user can change and set the setting value of the slide bar 611 by operating a pointing device such as a mouse or a finger on a touch panel. The set target discharge amount may also be displayed numerically as indicated by the dashed line portion of the slide bar 611.

[0057] 6(a) is a button for confirming the set target discharge amount. When the user clicks the execute button 620 with a pointing device or the like, the target discharge amount set with the slide bar 611 is confirmed, and the discharge unit 583 discharges the processing liquid 17 at the set target discharge amount during the next discharge process. Note that the setting or change of the target discharge amount may be configured to be input using the numeric keypad of the operation keys 560b.

[0058] 6(b) shows an example of a screen for setting a target viscosity as information indicating the discharge amount. The difference from FIG. 6(a) is that the screen 600 has a target viscosity setting area 630 instead of the target discharge amount setting area 610. The target viscosity setting area 630 has a slide bar 631, and the user can use the slide bar 631 to set the ratio of the target viscosity to the limit viscosity Vs of the treatment liquid 17.

[0059] Next, the flow of the process of discharging and supplying the treatment liquid 17 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the process procedure of the liquid application apparatus 500 according to the first embodiment. First, the setting unit 581 sets information indicating the discharge amount based on an input operation by the user (step S10). Next, the calculation unit 582 calculates the viscosity V (step S11). Then, if the calculated viscosity V is not greater than the limit viscosity Vs (step S12: No), the process returns to step S11. On the other hand, if the calculated viscosity V is greater than the limit viscosity Vs (step S12: Yes), the discharge process and the supply process are performed (step S13).

[0060] 8A and 8B are flowcharts illustrating an example of the procedure of the discharge process and the supply process according to the first embodiment. N The example shows a case where a ratio N of the total volume Q0 is set. The discharge unit 583 performs a discharge process to discharge the treatment liquid 17 equivalent to N% of the total volume Q0 (step S20). In addition, the supply unit 584 performs a supply process to supply new treatment liquid 17 equivalent to N% in conjunction with the discharge process (step S21).

[0061] 8(b) shows an example in which a target viscosity Vm is set as information indicating the discharge amount. First, the discharge unit 583 performs a discharge process to discharge a predetermined amount of waste liquid Qt of the treatment liquid 17 (step S30). The supply unit 584 performs a supply process of new treatment liquid 17 of the predetermined amount of waste liquid Qt in conjunction with the discharge process (step S31). Next, the calculation unit 582 calculates the viscosity V (step S32). If the viscosity V is greater than the target viscosity Vm (step S33: Yes), the process returns to step S30. On the other hand, if the viscosity V is not greater than the target viscosity Vm (step S33: No), the process ends. In this way, when the target viscosity Vm (target property value) is used as information indicating the discharge amount, the discharge unit 583 starts the discharge process when the viscosity V is greater than the limit viscosity Vs (when the estimated value exceeds the limit value). Then, if the viscosity is greater than the target viscosity value (if the estimated value exceeds the target property value), the discharge process is continued, and if the viscosity is not greater than the target viscosity value (if the estimated value does not exceed the target property value), the discharge process is stopped.

[0062] In addition, if the ratio Xm (Xm = 100 × Vm / Vs) of the target viscosity Vm to the limit viscosity Vs is set as information indicating the discharge amount, in step S33, it is determined whether the ratio X (X = 100 × V / Vs) of the viscosity V to the limit viscosity Vs is greater than Xm.

[0063] As described above, according to the present embodiment, information indicating the discharge amount is set, and the discharge process and supply process are performed according to the set information indicating the discharge amount, so the process of restoring the properties of deteriorated treatment liquid 17 can be completed in a shorter time than with conventional techniques, preventing a decrease in the efficiency of image formation. Furthermore, the amount of treatment liquid 17 to be discharged and supplied can be adjusted, and the cost of treatment liquid 17 can be reduced when the image forming apparatus 1 is used infrequently.

[0064] In the above description, an example was described in which the limit value of the property is an upper limit value, but the limit value may also be a lower limit value. In this case, the limit value is the lower limit value of the property that does not impair image quality or processing speed in image formation at a later stage of the liquid application device 500. For example, "exceeding the limit value" refers to a case in which the property (estimated value) is smaller than the limit value. Similarly, "exceeding the target property value" refers to a case in which the property (estimated value) is smaller than the limit value, and "not exceeding the target property value" refers to a case in which the property (estimated value) is not smaller than the limit value.

[0065] (Second embodiment) In the second embodiment, a display control unit 585 causes a display unit to display the properties of the treatment liquid 17. In the following description of the second embodiment, explanations of parts that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted, and only parts that differ from the first embodiment will be described.

[0066] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the panel display unit 560a according to the second embodiment. The difference from FIG. 6 is that the screen 600 further includes a property display area 640, and the display control unit 585 causes the property calculated by the calculation unit 582 to be displayed in the property display area 640. In FIG. 9, viscosity is displayed as an example of a property. By checking this display, the user can know whether the viscosity of the treatment liquid 17 is approaching the limit viscosity Vs (100% in the case of a ratio to Vs), and can manually execute, for example, a discharge process and a supply process. Note that FIG. 9(a) is an example of a screen when a target discharge amount is set as information indicating the discharge amount, and FIG. 9(b) is an example of a screen when a target viscosity is set as information indicating the discharge amount.

[0067] As described above, according to this embodiment, the display control unit 585 displays the properties of the treatment liquid 17 on the display unit, allowing the user to check the current properties of the treatment liquid 17, determine whether or not it is necessary to manually execute a discharge process, set information indicating a discharge amount based on the current properties, etc. This makes it possible to suppress unnecessary discharge processes and supply processes and to perform the discharge processes and supply processes at appropriate times.

[0068] (Third embodiment) In the third embodiment, a setting unit 581 sets a threshold (property threshold) that does not exceed the limit value of the property of the treatment liquid 17, and performs a discharge process when the property exceeds the property threshold. In the following description of the third embodiment, explanations of parts that overlap with the first and second embodiments will be omitted, and only parts that differ from the first and second embodiments will be described.

[0069] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the panel display unit 560a according to the third embodiment. The difference from Figs. 6 and 9 is that the screen 600 further includes a property threshold setting area 650. Fig. 10 shows an example in which viscosity is used as an example of a property, and since the discharge process is automatically started when the viscosity of the treatment liquid 17 exceeds the set property threshold, the property threshold setting area 650 displays "Automatic Discharge Viscosity Setting."

[0070] FIG. 10(a) shows an example in which a property threshold setting field 650 is added to the screen 600 of FIG. 6(a), and FIG. 10(b) shows an example in which a property threshold setting field 650 is added to the screen 600 of FIG. 6(b). Also, FIG. 10(c) shows an example in which a property threshold setting field 650 is added to the screen 600 of FIG. 9(a), and FIG. 10(d) shows an example in which a property threshold setting field 650 is added to the screen 600 of FIG. 9(b). In either case, the property threshold setting field 650 has a slide bar 651, which allows a user to set the ratio of the viscosity property threshold to the limit viscosity Vs of the treatment liquid 17. The initial value of the viscosity property threshold is, for example, 100%, and the user can change the setting value of the slide bar 651 to set the property threshold. The set property threshold may also be displayed numerically, as indicated by the dashed line in the slide bar 651. Furthermore, the user can confirm the values ​​set using the slide bars 611 and 651 by clicking the execute button 620. In this way, a value that does not exceed the limit viscosity Vs is set as the viscosity property threshold value.

[0071] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the liquid application device according to the third embodiment. The difference from FIG. 7 is that in step S40, the viscosity property threshold V M is set, and in step S43, the viscosity V is set to the property threshold value V M The operations in steps S41, S42 and S44 are the same as those in steps S10, S11 and S13 in FIG.

[0072] The setting unit 581 sets the viscosity property threshold V based on the input operation of the user. M (Step S40). M If the viscosity V is not greater than the property threshold value V (step S43: No), the process returns to step S42. M If it is greater than the predetermined value (step S43: Yes), the discharge process and the supply process are carried out (step S44).

[0073] As described above, according to this embodiment, the property threshold value is set to a value that does not exceed the limit value of the property of the treatment liquid 17, so that the discharge process and supply process of the treatment liquid 17 can be executed early. This allows the discharge process to be executed according to the user's convenience. Furthermore, the process of restoring the property of the treatment liquid 17 to the desired value can be completed in an even shorter time, improving the efficiency of image formation work.

[0074] In the above description, the attribute threshold is an upper limit value, but the attribute threshold may be a lower limit value. In this case, for example, "exceeding the attribute threshold value" refers to a case where the attribute (estimated value) is smaller than the attribute threshold value.

[0075] (Fourth embodiment) In the fourth embodiment, the discharge unit 583 and the supply unit 584 have a plurality of processing modes, and perform the discharge processing and the supply processing in accordance with a processing mode selected from the plurality of processing modes. In the following description of the fourth embodiment, the description of the parts that overlap with the first to third embodiments will be omitted, and only the parts that differ from the first to third embodiments will be described.

[0076] 12 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of liquid application apparatus 500 according to the fourth embodiment. The difference from the first to third embodiments is that liquid application apparatus 500 further includes a mode selection unit 586, and that discharge unit 583 and supply unit 584 perform discharge processing and supply processing according to the processing mode selected by mode selection unit 586.

[0077] The mode selection unit 586 selects one processing mode from a plurality of processing modes. The plurality of processing modes are, for example, a first mode that does not use the filter 514, a second mode that uses the filter 514, and a third mode that involves cleaning of the liquid application mechanism, etc. Next, these processing modes will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 17.

[0078] <First mode> 13 is a diagram illustrating the first mode. The discharge unit 583 opens the electromagnetic valve 524 to discharge the processing liquid 17 in the holding container 510 to the reserve tank 512. The discharge unit 583 also drives the pump 531 to discharge the processing liquid 17 in the reserve tank 512 to the waste liquid tank 513. The supply unit 584 opens the electromagnetic valve 520, sets the electromagnetic valve 522 to a state in which the pipes 540 and 541 are in communication with each other, and drives the pump 530 to supply new processing liquid 17 from the cartridge 511 to the holding container 510 through the pipes 541 and 540.

[0079] The first mode allows the processing liquid 17 in the holding container 510 to be quickly discharged into the waste liquid tank 513, and is therefore used, for example, immediately before the image forming process.

[0080] <Second mode> 14 is a diagram illustrating the second mode. The discharge unit 583 discharges the treatment liquid 17 in the filter 514 to the waste liquid tank 513 in the following procedure. First, the solenoid valves 525 and 521 are opened, the solenoid valve 522 is set to a state in which the pipe 540 and the pipe 543 are in communication with each other, and the pump 530 is driven to supply the treatment liquid 17 in the filter 514 to the holding container 510. Next, as in the first mode, the solenoid valve 524 is opened, and the pump 531 is driven to discharge the treatment liquid 17 in the holding container 510 to the waste liquid tank 513 via the reserve tank 512.

[0081] The supply unit 584 opens the solenoid valve 520, sets the solenoid valve 522 to a state in which the pipes 540 and 541 are in communication with each other, and drives the pump 530 to supply new processing liquid 17 from the cartridge 511 to the holding container 510 through the pipes 541 and 540.

[0082] The second mode takes longer than the first mode, but allows the treatment liquid 17 to be discharged from the filter 514 and the holding container 510, and is therefore used, for example, when starting up the liquid application device 500 after it has been stopped for a long time or when relocating the image forming device 1.

[0083] <Third mode> 15 is a diagram illustrating the first step of the third mode. As in the first mode, the discharge unit 583 opens the electromagnetic valve 524 and drives the pump 531 to discharge the treatment liquid 17 in the holding container 510 to the waste liquid tank 513 via the reserve tank 512. The supply unit 584 opens the electromagnetic valves 525 and 521, sets the electromagnetic valve 522 to a state in which the pipe 540 and the pipe 543 are in communication with each other, and drives the pump 530 to supply the treatment liquid 17 in the filter 514 to the holding container 510.

[0084] 16 is a diagram illustrating the second step of the third mode. When the liquid application device 500 determines that the level of the treatment liquid 17 has reached the upper end of the pumping roller 504 based on the remaining amount of the treatment liquid 17 detected by the sensor 505, the liquid application device 500 rotates each roller in the holding container 510 to clean the liquid application mechanism.

[0085] 17 is a diagram illustrating the third step of the third mode. Liquid application apparatus 500 opens solenoid valves 521 and 523, sets solenoid valve 522 to a state in which pipes 540 and 543 communicate with each other, and drives pump 530 to circulate treatment liquid 17 through a circulation path including pipes 542 and 543. This cleans the circulation path.

[0086] The third mode takes longer than the second mode, but by cleaning the liquid application mechanism and circulation path, it is possible to improve the condition of the liquid application device 500 and suppress deterioration of the properties of the treatment liquid 17. The third mode is used, for example, when starting up the liquid application device 500 after it has been stopped for a long time or when relocating the image forming apparatus 1.

[0087] The mode selection unit 586 can select a processing mode based on, for example, the properties (viscosity, etc.) of the processing liquid 17 calculated by the calculation unit 582. The discharge unit 583 and the supply unit 584 perform a discharge process and a supply process in accordance with the processing mode selected by the mode selection unit 586.

[0088] The mode selection unit 586 is configured to, for example, select the viscosity V calculated by the calculation unit 582 when the viscosity V is equal to or exceeds a first threshold value V T1 greater than the second threshold V T2 The first mode is selected when the viscosity V is less than or equal to a second threshold V T2 greater than the third threshold V T3 The second mode can be selected when the viscosity V is equal to or less than a third threshold V T3 If it is greater, a third mode can be selected.

[0089] The mode selection unit 586 may select a processing mode based on the time the liquid application apparatus 500 has been stopped (number of days of stoppage D, etc.). For example, when the number of days of stoppage D is equal to or greater than a first threshold D T1 greater than the second threshold D T2 The first mode is selected when the number of days of suspension D is equal to or less than the second threshold D T2 greater than the third threshold D T3 The second mode can be selected when the number of days of suspension D is equal to or less than the third threshold D.T3 The third mode can be selected if

[0090] The mode selection unit 586 may select a processing mode based on a combination of the viscosity V calculated by the calculation unit and the time (number of days D) during which the liquid application device 500 has been stopped. For example, when the number of days D is greater than or equal to the time threshold D T The viscosity V is greater than the viscosity threshold V T The first mode is selected when the viscosity V is less than or equal to the viscosity threshold V T The number of days of outage D is greater than the time threshold D T The second mode can be selected when the number of days of downtime D is less than or equal to the time threshold D. T is greater than or equal to the viscosity threshold V T If it is greater, a third mode can be selected.

[0091] Note that the above-mentioned threshold values ​​are values ​​that have been set in advance at a production factory or the like through experiments or the like. These values ​​may be dynamically changed depending on the usage status of the liquid application apparatus 500 or the like. The mode selection unit 586 may be configured to select a processing mode based on a user's input to the operation panel 560. The processing mode may be initially set to one of the modes (for example, the third mode). In this case, the mode selection unit 586 selects the processing mode by reading out the initial setting stored in a storage device such as the ROM 552 or the NVRAM 554.

[0092] Figure 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of liquid application apparatus 500 according to the fourth embodiment. The difference from Figure 7 is that a processing mode is selected by mode selection unit 586 in steps S52 to S54. The operations of steps S50 and S51 are the same as steps S10 and S11 in Figure 7. Furthermore, the operations of steps S55 to S57 are the same as step S13 in Figure 7 in accordance with the selected processing mode, and therefore their explanation will be omitted.

[0093] The mode selection unit 586 selects whether the viscosity V is greater than or equal to a third threshold V T3If the viscosity V is greater than the third threshold V (step S52: Yes), the third mode is selected, and the process proceeds to step S57. T3 If it is not greater (step S52: No), the process proceeds to step S53.

[0094] The mode selection unit 586 selects whether the viscosity V is greater than or equal to a second threshold V T2 If the viscosity V is greater than the second threshold value V (step S53: Yes), the second mode is selected, and the process proceeds to step S56. T2 If it is not greater (step S53: No), the process proceeds to step S54.

[0095] The mode selection unit 586 selects whether the viscosity V is greater than or equal to a first threshold V T1 If the viscosity V is greater than the first threshold value V (step S54: Yes), the first mode is selected and the process proceeds to step S55. T1 If it is not greater (step S54: No), the process returns to step S51.

[0096] Figure 19 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing procedure of liquid application apparatus 500 according to the fourth embodiment. The difference from Figure 7 is that the number of days of suspension is obtained in step S61, and a processing mode is selected by mode selection unit 586 in steps S62 to S64. The operation of step S60 is the same as step S10 in Figure 7. Furthermore, the operation of steps S65 to S67 is the same as step S13 in Figure 7 in accordance with the selected processing mode, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0097] The mode selection unit 586 acquires the number of days D of suspension of the liquid application device 500 (step S61), and determines whether the number of days D of suspension is equal to or greater than the third threshold value D T3 If the number of days of suspension D is greater than the third threshold D (step S62: Yes), the third mode is selected, and the process proceeds to step S67. T3 If it is not greater (step S62: No), the process proceeds to step S63.

[0098] The mode selection unit 586 selects whether the number of days of suspension D is equal to or exceeds the second threshold DT2 If the number of days of suspension D is greater than the second threshold D (step S63: Yes), the second mode is selected and the process proceeds to step S66. T2 If it is not greater (step S63: No), the process proceeds to step S64.

[0099] The mode selection unit 586 selects whether the number of days of suspension D is equal to or exceeds a first threshold D T1 If the number of days of suspension D is greater than the first threshold D (step S64: Yes), the first mode is selected and the process proceeds to step S65. T1 If it is not greater (step S64: No), the process returns to step S61.

[0100] Figure 20 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing procedure of liquid application apparatus 500 according to the fourth embodiment. The difference from Figures 18 and 19 is that in steps S73 to S75, a processing mode is selected based on a combination of viscosity and number of days of downtime. The operations of steps S70 and S71 are the same as steps S50 and S51 in Figure 18. The operation of step S72 is the same as step S61 in Figure 19. Furthermore, the operations of steps S76 to S78 are the same as steps S55 to S57 in Figure 18.

[0101] Viscosity V is the viscosity threshold V T If the viscosity V is greater than the viscosity threshold V (step S73: Yes), the process proceeds to step S75. T If it is not greater (step S73: No), the process proceeds to step S74.

[0102] The mode selection unit 586 determines whether the number of days of suspension D is equal to or exceeds the time threshold D T If it is greater than the time threshold D (step S75: Yes), the third mode is selected and the process proceeds to step S78. T If it is not greater (step S75: No), the mode selection unit 586 selects the second mode, and the process proceeds to step S77.

[0103] The mode selection unit 586 determines whether the number of days of suspension D is equal to or exceeds the time threshold D TIf it is greater than the time threshold D (step S74: Yes), the first mode is selected and the process proceeds to step S76. T If it is not greater (step S74: No), the process returns to step S71.

[0104] As described above, according to this embodiment, one processing mode can be selected from a plurality of processing modes to perform the discharge processing and the supply processing, so that the processing for restoring the properties of the processing liquid 17 to the desired values ​​can be appropriately carried out depending on the situation, and a decrease in the work efficiency of image formation can be prevented.

[0105] In the above description, an example was described in which each viscosity threshold value is an upper limit value, but each viscosity threshold value may be a lower limit value.

[0106] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These novel embodiments and modifications thereof are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims. Furthermore, components from different embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0107] The programs executed by the liquid application device 500 of each of the above-described embodiments are provided as files in an installable or executable format stored on a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R (Recordable), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0108] The program executed by liquid application apparatus 500 of each embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The program executed by liquid application apparatus 500 of each embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0109] The programs of the embodiments may be provided in a state where they are pre-installed in a ROM or the like.

[0110] The program executed by the liquid application device 500 of each embodiment has a modular structure including each of the functional units described above, and in actual hardware, the CPU (processor) reads and executes the program from the storage medium, thereby loading each of the above units onto the main memory device and generating each functional unit on the main memory device.

[0111] Furthermore, each function of each of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to perform each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and devices such as ASIC, DSP, FPGA, and conventional circuit modules designed to perform each of the above-described functions.

[0112] In addition, in this application, the "ejection device" may be a device that includes an ejection head or an ejection unit and ejects a discharged material by driving the ejection head. The ejection device includes not only a device that can eject a discharged material onto an object to which the discharged material can adhere, but also a device that ejects a discharged material into air or liquid.

[0113] An "ejection unit" is a collection of components related to the ejection of a target material, in which functional parts and mechanisms are integrated with an ejection head. For example, an "ejection unit" includes a combination of an ejection head and at least one of the following components: a head tank, a carriage, a supply mechanism, a maintenance and recovery mechanism, and a main scanning movement mechanism.

[0114] Here, integration includes, for example, the ejection head, functional parts, and mechanism being fixed to each other by fastening, bonding, engaging, etc., or one being held movably relative to the other. The ejection head, functional parts, and mechanism may also be configured to be detachable from each other.

[0115] For example, some ejection units have an ejection head and a head tank integrated together, while others have an ejection head and a head tank integrated together by being connected to each other by a tube, etc. Here, a unit including a filter can be added between the head tank and the ejection head of these ejection units.

[0116] Furthermore, there is a type of ejection unit in which the ejection head and the carriage are integrated.

[0117] In some discharge units, the discharge head is movably held by a guide member that constitutes part of the scanning movement mechanism, and the discharge head and the scanning movement mechanism are integrated together. In other discharge units, the discharge head, carriage, and main scanning movement mechanism are integrated together.

[0118] Furthermore, there is a type of ejection unit in which a cap member, which is part of the maintenance and recovery mechanism, is fixed to a carriage on which the ejection head is attached, thereby integrating the ejection head, carriage, and maintenance and recovery mechanism.

[0119] In addition, there is a discharge unit in which a tube is connected to a head tank or a discharge head to which a flow path part is attached, and the discharge head and a supply mechanism are integrated. The discharged material is supplied to the discharge head from a discharged material storage source via this tube.

[0120] The main scanning movement mechanism includes the guide member alone, and the supply mechanism includes the tube alone and the loading unit alone.

[0121] The ejection device may also include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging an object onto which the ejection target can be attached, as well as a pre-processing device and a post-processing device.

[0122] For example, ejection devices include image forming devices that eject ink to form an image on paper, and three-dimensional modeling devices (three-dimensional modeling devices) that eject modeling liquid onto a powder layer formed by layering powder in order to create a three-dimensional object (a three-dimensional model).

[0123] Furthermore, the discharge device is not limited to one that visualizes meaningful images such as letters and figures by the discharged material. For example, it also includes one that forms patterns that have no meaning in themselves, and one that forms three-dimensional images.

[0124] The above-mentioned "object to which the discharged material can adhere" means an object to which the discharged material can adhere at least temporarily, an object to which the discharged material adheres and sticks, an object to which the discharged material adheres and penetrates, etc. Specific examples include media to which the discharged material can adhere such as paper, recording paper, film, cloth, road surface, wall surface, electronic circuit board, electronic components such as piezoelectric element, powder layer, organ model, test cell, etc., and unless otherwise specified, all objects to which the discharged material can adhere are included.

[0125] The material of the "object to which the discharged object can adhere" may be any material to which the discharged object can adhere even temporarily, such as paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, or ceramics.

[0126] Furthermore, when the "discharged object" is a liquid, it need only have a viscosity and surface tension that allows it to be discharged from the head, and is not particularly limited. Preferably, the "discharged object" has a viscosity of 30 mPa·s or less at room temperature and normal pressure, or upon heating or cooling. More specifically, the "discharged object" includes solutions, suspensions, emulsions, etc. containing solvents such as water or organic solvents, colorants such as dyes or pigments, polymerizable compounds, resins, surfactants, and other functional materials, biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, and calcium, and edible materials such as natural dyes. These can be used, for example, as inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, liquids for forming components of electronic elements or light-emitting elements, and electronic circuit resist patterns, and as material liquids for 3D modeling.

[0127] Furthermore, the discharge device may be a device in which the discharge head and the object onto which the discharged material can be attached move relatively, but is not limited to this. Specific examples include a serial type device in which the discharge head moves, a line type device in which the discharge head does not move, and the like.

[0128] Other examples of ejection devices include a treatment liquid application device that ejects a treatment liquid onto paper to apply the treatment liquid to the surface of the paper for purposes such as modifying the surface of the paper, and an injection granulation device that sprays a composition liquid in which raw materials are dispersed through a nozzle to granulate fine particles of the raw materials.

[0129] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> a holding container for holding a treatment liquid to be applied to a treatment object; a setting unit that sets information indicating a discharge amount of the treatment liquid to be discharged from the holding container; a calculation unit that calculates an estimated value of a property that indicates deterioration of the treatment liquid held in the holding container; a discharge unit that performs a discharge process to discharge a smaller amount of treatment liquid than the total capacity of the holding container from the holding container in accordance with information indicating a discharge amount set by the setting unit when the estimated value calculated by the calculation unit exceeds a limit value of the property; a supply unit that performs a supply process of supplying a treatment liquid to the holding container in association with the discharge process; The liquid application device is characterized by comprising: <2> the setting unit sets a target discharge amount that is a target value of a discharge amount that is less than the total capacity of the holding container as information indicating the discharge amount. <1> 2. The liquid application device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid application device is a liquid application device. <3> the setting unit sets a target property value, which is a target value of a property that exceeds a value of a property of the treatment liquid without deterioration, as the information indicating the discharge amount; The discharge section is When the estimated value calculated by the calculation unit exceeds the limit value, the discharge process is started. The discharge process is continued when the estimated value calculated by the calculation unit exceeds the target property value; When the estimated value calculated by the calculation unit does not exceed the target property value, the discharge process is stopped. <1> 2. The liquid application device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid application device is a liquid application device. <4> The method further includes the step of: displaying the estimated value calculated by the calculation unit on a display unit; <1> ~ <3> 1. The liquid application device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid application device is a liquid application device having a nozzle. <5> The setting unit further sets a property threshold value that does not exceed the limit value, the discharge unit discharges, from the holding container, the treatment liquid whose amount is less than the total capacity of the holding container in accordance with information indicating a discharge amount set by the setting unit when the value calculated by the calculation unit exceeds the property threshold value. <1> ~ <4> 1. The liquid application device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid application device is a liquid application device having a nozzle. <6> the discharge section and the supply section have a plurality of processing modes, a mode selection unit that selects a processing mode from the plurality of processing modes in accordance with the estimated value calculated by the calculation unit; the discharge unit and the supply unit perform discharge processing and supply processing in accordance with the processing mode selected by the mode selection unit; <1> ~ <5> 10. The liquid application device according to claim 9, wherein <7> The properties of the treatment liquid are the viscosity of the treatment liquid. <1> ~ <6> 1. The liquid application device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid application device is a liquid application device having a nozzle. <8> The aforementioned <1> ~ <7> a liquid application device according to any one of the above items; an image forming unit that forms an image on the application target to which the treatment liquid has been applied by the liquid application device; The image forming apparatus includes: <9> the calculation unit calculates the properties based on the amount of the application target on which the image forming unit has formed an image. <8> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: <10> a setting step of setting information indicating a discharge amount of treatment liquid to be discharged from a holding container that holds the treatment liquid to be applied to the treatment object; a calculation step of calculating an estimated value of a property indicating deterioration of the treatment liquid held in the holding container; a discharge step of performing a discharge process of discharging the treatment liquid from the holding container in an amount less than the total capacity of the holding container in accordance with information indicating the discharge amount set in the setting step when the estimated value calculated in the calculation step exceeds the limit value of the property; a supply step of supplying a treatment liquid to the holding container in association with the discharge step; The liquid application method is characterized by comprising: <11> Computer, a setting means for setting information indicating a discharge amount of treatment liquid to be discharged from a holding container that holds the treatment liquid to be applied to the treatment object; a calculation means for calculating an estimated value of a property indicating deterioration of the treatment liquid held in the holding container; a discharge means for performing a discharge process of discharging a treatment liquid less than the total capacity of the holding container from the holding container in accordance with information indicating a discharge amount set by the setting means when the estimated value calculated by the calculation means exceeds a limit value of the property; a supply means for supplying a treatment liquid to the holding container in association with the discharge treatment; The program is characterized by functioning as follows. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 1. Image forming device 10 Loading area 11 Intake tray 12 Feeding device 17 Processing liquid 20 Printing Department 22 Sheet transport device 23 Drums 24 Suction device 25 Discharge part 26 Transfer body 26 Torso 27 Delivery Body 28 Discharge unit 30 Drying section 31 Suction transport mechanism 32 Drying mechanism section 40 Unloading section 41 Delivery tray 50 First coating section 500 Liquid Coating Device 501 Transfer roller 502 Application roller 503 Supply roller 504 Laura 505,506,507 Sensors 510 Holding vessel 511 Cartridge 512 reserve tank 513 Waste liquid tank 514 filters 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526 Solenoid valves 530,531 Pump 540,541,542,543 Piping 551 CPU(Central Processing Unit) 552 ROM (Read Only Memory) 553 RAM (Random Access Memory) 554 NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) 555 ASIC(Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 556 Input / Output I / F (Interface) 560 Operation Panel 570 Bus Line 581 Settings 582 Calculation Unit 583 Discharge section 584 Supply Department 585 Display control unit 586 Mode selection section 600 screens 610 Target emission setting area 611,631,651 Slide bar 620 Run button 630 Target viscosity setting area 640 Properties display area 650 Property upper limit setting area [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0131] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5087851

Claims

1. a holding container for holding a treatment liquid to be applied to a treatment object; a setting unit that sets information indicating a discharge amount of the treatment liquid to be discharged from the holding container; a calculation unit that calculates an estimated value of a property that indicates deterioration of the treatment liquid held in the holding container; a discharge unit that performs a discharge process to discharge a smaller amount of treatment liquid than the total capacity of the holding container from the holding container in accordance with information indicating a discharge amount set by the setting unit when the estimated value calculated by the calculation unit exceeds a limit value of the property; a supply unit that performs a supply process of supplying a treatment liquid to the holding container in association with the discharge process; A liquid application device comprising:

2. 2. The liquid application apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets a target discharge amount, which is a target value of a discharge amount that is smaller than the total capacity of the holding container, as the information indicating the discharge amount.

3. the setting unit sets a target property value, which is a target value of a property that exceeds a value of a property of the treatment liquid without deterioration, as the information indicating the discharge amount; The discharge section is When the estimated value calculated by the calculation unit exceeds the limit value, the discharge process is started. The discharge process is continued when the estimated value calculated by the calculation unit exceeds the target property value; 2. The liquid application device according to claim 1, wherein the discharge process is stopped when the estimated value calculated by the calculation unit does not exceed the target property value.

4. The liquid application apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a display control unit that causes the estimated value calculated by the calculation unit to be displayed on a display unit.

5. The setting unit further sets a property threshold value that does not exceed the limit value, 2. The liquid application device according to claim 1, wherein the discharge unit discharges from the holding container an amount of processing liquid less than the total capacity of the holding container in accordance with information indicating the discharge amount set by the setting unit when the value calculated by the calculation unit exceeds the property threshold value.

6. the discharge section and the supply section have a plurality of processing modes, a mode selection unit that selects a processing mode from the plurality of processing modes in accordance with the estimated value calculated by the calculation unit; The liquid applying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the discharge section and the supply section perform the discharge process and the supply process in accordance with the process mode selected by the mode selection section.

7. 7. The liquid application device according to claim 1, wherein the property of the treatment liquid is a viscosity of the treatment liquid.

8. The liquid application device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, an image forming unit that forms an image on the application target to which the treatment liquid has been applied by the liquid application device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the calculation unit calculates the properties based on an amount of the coating target on which the image forming unit has formed an image.

10. a setting step of setting information indicating a discharge amount of treatment liquid to be discharged from a holding container that holds the treatment liquid to be applied to the treatment object; a calculation step of calculating an estimated value of a property indicating deterioration of the treatment liquid held in the holding container; a discharge step of performing a discharge process of discharging the treatment liquid from the holding container in an amount less than the total capacity of the holding container in accordance with information indicating the discharge amount set in the setting step when the estimated value calculated in the calculation step exceeds the limit value of the property; a supply step of supplying a treatment liquid to the holding container in association with the discharge step; A liquid application method comprising:

11. Computer, a setting means for setting information indicating a discharge amount of treatment liquid to be discharged from a holding container that holds the treatment liquid to be applied to the treatment object; a calculation means for calculating an estimated value of a property indicating deterioration of the treatment liquid held in the holding container; a discharge means for performing a discharge process of discharging a treatment liquid less than the total capacity of the holding container from the holding container in accordance with information indicating a discharge amount set by the setting means when the estimated value calculated by the calculation means exceeds a limit value of the property; a supply means for supplying a treatment liquid to the holding container in association with the discharge treatment; A program characterized by functioning as

Images