Liquid dispensing device and liquid dispensing method

Abstract

The present invention aims to suppress deformation of recording media due to heating. [Solution] The liquid dispensing device 1 is characterized by comprising: a liquid dispensing head 31 for dispensing liquid onto a recording medium M; a preheater 21 and a platen heater 22 for heating the recording medium M at or upstream of the liquid dispensing position C by the liquid dispensing head 31 in the recording medium transport direction B; a curing heater 23, which is independently controllable from the preheater 21 and the platen heater 22, for heating the surface of the recording medium M from which the liquid has been dispensed, downstream of the liquid dispensing position C in the recording medium transport direction B; and a cooling means 24 for cooling the portion of the recording medium M heated by the curing heater 23 from the opposite side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device and a liquid ejection method.

Background Art

[0002] In a liquid ejection device that ejects ink as a liquid to form an image on a recording medium, after ejecting ink or the like onto the recording medium, the ink or the like on the recording medium is heated and dried by a heater (heating means).

[0003] And there already exists a liquid ejection device provided with a cooling means for cooling the recording medium after heating. For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016 - 112727), after applying and drying a pretreatment liquid to the recording medium, the recording medium is cooled by a cooling system. The cooling system circulates a refrigerant and cools the recording medium by heat exchange. Thereby, it is possible to suppress an excessive temperature rise in the head portion when ejecting ink to form an image.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] During drying by the heating means, heating at a high temperature can quickly dry ink or the like and fix it to the recording medium, enabling clear and non - bleeding printing. However, on the other hand, there is a problem that the recording medium is heated at a high temperature and deformed due to thermal expansion or distortion, and the quality of the image formed on the recording medium deteriorates.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to suppress deformation of the recording medium due to heating.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by comprising: a liquid discharge means for discharging liquid onto a recording medium; an upstream heating means for heating the recording medium at or upstream of the liquid discharge position on the recording medium by the liquid discharge means in the recording medium transport direction; a downstream heating means provided independently of the upstream heating means and heating the surface of the recording medium from which the liquid has been discharged, downstream of the liquid discharge position in the recording medium transport direction; and a cooling means for cooling the portion of the recording medium heated by the downstream heating means from the opposite side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This can suppress deformation of the recording medium due to heating. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the heating means of a liquid dispensing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. In the following description, a liquid dispensing device that dispenses ink as a liquid will be given as an example of a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of a liquid dispensing device 1, which is an image forming apparatus. As shown in Figure 1, the liquid dispensing device 1 comprises a carriage 3, a main scanning motor 4, a sub-scanning motor 5, a support section 7, and a guide rod 8.

[0011] The carriage 3 is equipped with multiple inkjet-type liquid ejection heads 31 (see Figure 2). The liquid ejection heads are the liquid ejection means in this embodiment. Each liquid ejection head ejects ink of a predetermined color. The liquid ejection heads are mounted on the carriage 3 with their ejection surfaces facing downwards.

[0012] The carriage 3 is supported by a guide rod 8 that extends along the main scanning direction X. The carriage 3 reciprocates along the guide rod 8 in the main scanning direction X when driven by the main scanning motor 4.

[0013] The recording medium M is a long, printable object of varying sizes, materials, and thicknesses, such as a paper medium or a vinyl chloride medium.

[0014] A discharge roll 41 equipped with a discharge motor is provided behind the liquid discharge device 1 in the sub-scanning direction Y, and a winding roll 61 equipped with a winding motor is provided in front of the liquid discharge device 1 in the sub-scanning direction Y.

[0015] The recording medium M is pulled out from its wound state on the feed roll 41 and set on the platen of the support unit 7. After a predetermined image is printed on the platen, it is wound onto the take-up roll 61. In other words, the recording medium M is pulled out from the feed roll 41 by the driving force of the sub-scanning motor 5, transported intermittently, and wound onto the take-up roll 61.

[0016] When the sub-scanning motor 5 is driven and the recording medium M is transported to a predetermined position, the transport of the recording medium M is temporarily stopped. During this time, the main scanning motor 4 is driven, and the carriage 3 reciprocates along the guide rod 8 in the main scanning direction X, ejecting ink onto the recording medium M. As a result, images such as characters, diagrams, pictures, and photographs are formed on the recording medium M.

[0017] Thus, the liquid ejection device 1 is configured as, for example, an inkjet printer equipped with an inkjet-type liquid ejection head. The liquid ejection device 1 is also a serial printer that performs printing by moving, for example, a carriage 3. The liquid ejection device 1 may also be configured as a wide-format machine in which the carriage 3 travels a long distance in the main scanning direction X.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the transport mechanism of the liquid dispensing device 1 comprises a discharge unit 40, a transport unit 50, and a winding unit 60. The discharge unit 40 is located behind the liquid dispensing device 1. The winding unit 60 is located in front of the liquid dispensing device 1. The transport unit 50 is located upstream of the liquid dispensing position C, which is the position opposite the carriage 3 in the transport direction B of the recording medium M.

[0019] The transport direction B of the recording medium M is the direction along the surface of the recording medium M from the position where it is pulled out from the discharge roll 41 to the position where it is wound onto the winding roll 61. Hereinafter, the transport direction B of the recording medium M will be simply referred to as the transport direction, and the upstream or downstream side of the transport direction will be simply referred to as the upstream side or downstream side. The side of the recording medium M from which the liquid is discharged (the upper side in Figure 2) will be called the discharge surface, and the opposite side will be called the back surface.

[0020] The support section 7 includes a first platen 71, a second platen 72, and a third platen 73. These platens extend in the sub-scanning direction, which is perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 2, and support the recording medium M from its back side along the sub-scanning direction. The first platen 71 is located upstream of the liquid discharge position C in the recording medium transport direction B. The second platen 72 is located opposite the liquid discharge position C and supports the recording medium M when the liquid is discharged. The third platen 73 is located downstream of the liquid discharge position C and opposite the curing heater 23. These platens are made of, for example, plate-shaped members and are connected in the transport direction.

[0021] The first platen 71 is formed in a cross-sectional arc shape extending such that one end thereof drops toward the feeding unit 40. The second platen 72 extends along the sub-scanning direction. The third platen 73 is formed in a cross-sectional arc shape extending such that one end thereof drops toward the take-up unit 60.

[0022] Also, small suction holes 72a are provided in the second platen 72 at least in the printing area directly below the carriage 3, and the recording medium M is configured to be adsorbed onto the platen 7 by a fan. Thereby, the lifting of the recording medium M from the platen 7 is suppressed, and the recording medium M can be conveyed along the platen 7.

[0023] The liquid ejection device 1 includes a preheater 21, a platen heater 22, and a curing heater 23 as heating means. These heaters heat the recording medium M or the ink on the recording medium M (details will be described later). Also, these heaters are provided so that their heating operations can be controlled independently.

[0024] The feeding unit 40 includes a feeding roll 41, a feeding motor 43, encoder sheets 44r and 44m, encoder sensors 45r and 45m, and a torque limiter 46.

[0025] The recording medium M is wound around the feeding roll 41. The feeding motor 43 serves as a drive source for generating tension on the feeding unit 40 side. The tension applied to the recording medium M is adjusted by the torque limiter 46.

[0026] The encoder sheet 44r is attached to the rotation axis of the feeding roll 41 and detects the rotation amount of the feeding roll 41. The encoder sensor 45r detects the remaining amount of the recording medium M based on the rotation amount of the feeding roll 41 detected by the encoder sheet 44r.

[0027] The encoder sheet 44m is mounted on the rotation axis of the delivery motor 43 and detects the amount of rotation of the delivery motor 43. The encoder sensor 45m detects the rotation speed of the delivery motor 43 based on the amount of rotation of the delivery motor 43 detected by the encoder sheet 44m.

[0028] When the delivery motor 43 is rotated and force is applied in the opposite direction to the sub-scanning direction Y, which is the transport direction of the recording medium M, tension is applied to the recording medium M held by the transport rollers 51 and pressure rollers 52 of the transport unit 50, causing the torque limiter 46 of the delivery unit 40 to slip.

[0029] As a result, the torque limiter 46 creates a feed tension that feeds out the recording medium M, and this tension is applied to the recording medium M. Therefore, as the feed roll 41 rotates, the recording medium M is fed onto the platen 7. This also ensures that the tension between the feed unit 40 and the transport unit 50 remains constant.

[0030] The transport unit 50 includes a transport roller 51, a pressure roller 52, a sub-scanning motor 5, an encoder sheet 54r, and an encoder sensor 55r.

[0031] The sub-scanning motor 5, acting as a transport motor, is the drive source for rotating the transport roller 51. The pressure roller 52 applies pressure to the transport roller 51 in order to transmit the power of the transport roller 51 to the recording medium M.

[0032] The encoder sheet 54r is mounted on the rotation axis of the transport roller 51 and detects the amount of rotation of the transport roller 51. The encoder sensor 55r detects the rotation speed of the transport roller 51 based on the amount of rotation of the transport roller 51 detected by the encoder sheet 54r.

[0033] By rotating the sub-scanning motor 5 while the recording medium M is sandwiched between the transport roller 51 and the pressure roller 52, the transport roller 51 rotates and the recording medium M is transported in the sub-scanning direction Y.

[0034] The delivery unit 40 and the transport unit 50 are driven intermittently. As a result, while the carriage 3 reciprocates in the main scanning direction X by the main scanning motor 4 described above, the recording medium M moves intermittently on the platen 7.

[0035] The winding unit 60 includes a winding roll 61, a winding motor 63, encoder sheets 64r and 64m, encoder sensors 65r and 65m, and a torque limiter 66.

[0036] The recording medium M, which has been printed and collected, is wound onto the winding roll 61. The winding motor 63 is the drive source that generates tension on the winding unit 60 side. The tension applied to the recording medium M is adjusted by the torque limiter 66.

[0037] The encoder sheet 64r is mounted on the rotation axis of the winding roll 61 and detects the amount of rotation of the winding roll 61. The encoder sensor 65r detects the amount of winding of the recording medium M based on the amount of rotation of the winding roll 61 detected by the encoder sheet 64r.

[0038] The encoder sheet 64m is mounted on the rotation axis of the winding motor 63 and detects the amount of rotation of the winding motor 63. The encoder sensor 65m detects the rotation speed of the winding motor 63 based on the amount of rotation of the winding motor 63 detected by the encoder sheet 64m.

[0039] When the winding motor 63 is rotated, the torque limiter 66 slips, creating winding tension that winds the recording medium M, and this tension is applied to the recording medium M. As a result, the winding roll 61 rotates, and the recording medium M is wound up by the winding roll 61.

[0040] As described above, the liquid dispensing device 1 is also configured as a transport device for transporting the recording medium M by a transport mechanism comprising a dispensing unit 40, a transport unit 50, and a winding unit 60.

[0041] Next, the configuration of the heating means provided in the liquid dispensing device of this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 3.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, the liquid dispensing device 1 includes a preheater 21 as a first upstream heating means, a platen heater 22 as a second upstream heating means, a curing heater 23 as a downstream heating means, and a cooling means 24. Note that in Figure 3, the arrangement of the delivery roll 41 and the preheater 21 is different from that in Figure 2, and the recording medium M is transported from the delivery roll 41 toward the liquid dispensing position C in the left-right direction of Figure 3, which is the sub-scanning direction. However, the liquid dispensing device can adopt any configuration as appropriate, not limited to the arrangements in Figures 2 and 3.

[0043] The preheater 21 faces the back surface of the recording medium M via the first platen 71 upstream of the liquid discharge position C in the recording medium transport direction B. In other words, the preheater 21 heats the back surface of the recording medium M upstream of the liquid discharge position C. This process is called the upstream heating process, and in particular the first upstream heating process. This allows the recording medium M to be preheated before the liquid is discharged. The liquid discharge position C is a position facing the carriage 3 in the recording medium transport direction B.

[0044] The platen heater 22 faces the back surface of the recording medium M via the second platen 72 at the liquid ejection position C in the transport direction B of the recording medium M. In other words, the platen heater 22 heats the back surface of the recording medium M at the liquid ejection position C. This suppresses the spreading of ink dots ejected onto the recording medium M, and allows the desired image to be formed on the recording medium M. This process is called the upstream heating process, and specifically the second upstream heating process. The process of ejecting ink onto the recording medium M at the liquid ejection position C is called the liquid ejection process. Platens 71 and 72 that support the recording medium are provided between the recording medium M and the preheater 21, platen heater 22, etc. Thus, "heating the recording medium" in this embodiment also includes cases where the recording medium is indirectly heated by placing other components between the heating means and the recording medium.

[0045] The curing heater 23 is installed downstream of the liquid discharge position C in the transport direction B of the recording medium M, and facing the discharge surface of the recording medium M. In other words, the platen heater 22 heats the discharge surface of the recording medium M downstream of the liquid discharge position C. The curing heater 23 in this embodiment is an infrared heater.

[0046] The cooling means 24 faces the back surface of the recording medium M via the third platen 73 at the position where the curing heater 23 in the transport direction B of the recording medium M heats the recording medium M. In this embodiment, the cooling means 24 passes and circulates a refrigerant at a lower temperature than the recording medium M at the position shown in Figure 3, facing the third platen 73. This cooling system cools the recording medium M by transferring heat from the recording medium M to the refrigerant via the third platen 73.

[0047] The process of heating the ejection surface of the recording medium M with the curing heater 23 and cooling the portion of the recording medium M heated by the curing heater 23 from the opposite side using the cooling means 24 (in other words, cooling the portion of the recording medium M opposite to the ejection surface that corresponds to the portion heated by the curing heater 23) is called the downstream heating and cooling process. The portion of the recording medium M heated by the curing heater 23 is, for example, the area D shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment, the heated portion D of the recording medium M of the curing heater 23 is the range from the upstream to the downstream position in the area where a line segment perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium M (or the tangential direction in the case of a curved portion like in Figure 3) intersects the heating portion of the curing heater 23 on the plane of the paper in Figure 3, which is perpendicular to the width direction of the recording medium M. However, it is not limited to this, and the heating range by the downstream heating means may be set by actual measurement. The width direction of the recording medium M is the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium M, among the directions along the surface of the recording medium M. In this embodiment, the cooling means 24 faces the recording medium M over the entire range of the heating portion D, and over a wider range than the heating portion D. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the range over which the cooling means 24 faces the recording medium M may be the same as the heating portion D, or a part of the heating portion D.

[0048] In this embodiment, the recording medium M, on which an image has been formed by ejecting ink, is heated to a high temperature by a curing heater 23 downstream in the transport direction. This quickly dries and hardens the ink on the recording medium M, suppressing ink bleeding on the recording medium M and enabling the printing of a clear image.

[0049] However, on the other hand, there is a problem that the recording medium M expands or distorts when heated by the curing heater 23. In other words, when a material is subjected to heat, the absorbed thermal energy appears as an increase in the kinetic energy of atoms or molecules, causing thermal expansion. Consequently, heating by the curing heater 23, etc., causes the recording medium M to stretch overall in the transport direction, or distortion such as wave formation occurs due to differences in the stretching in the transport direction depending on the location. This negatively affects the quality of the recording medium M after printing, such as making it look bad or degrading the dimensional accuracy of the formed image.

[0050] In response to such deformation of the recording medium M, this embodiment performs heating by a curing heater 23 on the discharge side and cooling by a cooling means 24 on the back side simultaneously. In other words, the portion of the recording medium M heated by the curing heater 23 is cooled from the opposite side. This allows the ink on the recording medium M to dry and harden quickly, while the cooling from the back side by the cooling means 24 suppresses the temperature rise of the recording medium M and thus suppresses thermal expansion of the recording medium M. In other words, since recording medium M is often made of a material with relatively low thermal conductivity, thermal energy is transferred only slowly within the recording medium M. Therefore, by heating and cooling each side of the recording medium M, it is possible to cool the recording medium M while minimizing the thermal influence on the drying and hardening of the ink on the heated side, thereby achieving both of the above effects. By suppressing the thermal expansion of the recording medium M, distortion and waviness of the recording medium M after image formation can be suppressed, and the dimensions of the recording medium M after printing can be stabilized. In particular, when printing high-resolution images, it is important to dry and harden the ink quickly to prevent ink bleeding, and the above configuration of this embodiment is preferable.

[0051] The thermal expansion of the recording medium M due to heating increases with the length of the recording medium M, and in particular, continuous-sheet recording media like those in this embodiment are prone to deformation. Therefore, it is preferable to perform heating and cooling simultaneously using the above configuration of this embodiment.

[0052] As in this embodiment, by employing an infrared heater as the downstream heating means, the ink on the recording medium M can be heated efficiently. In other words, heat can be rapidly supplied to the ink by short-wavelength infrared rays, and thermal energy can be directly transferred to the ink.

[0053] As in this embodiment, by employing a heat exchange system using a refrigerant as a cooling means, a uniform cooling effect can be provided to the back surface of the recording medium M, effectively suppressing its deformation. In this case, temperature control by the cooling means becomes easier, and the degree of the cooling effect can be adjusted according to the thickness, material, and printing conditions of the recording medium M, enabling fine temperature control of the recording medium M.

[0054] In this embodiment, the back surface of the recording medium M is heated before or during printing by the upstream heating means, which is either a preheater 21 or a platen heater 22, and conversely, cooled by the cooling means 24 after printing. This makes it possible to achieve both the effect of suppressing dot spreading during liquid ejection and the effect of suppressing deformation of the recording medium M.

[0055] Furthermore, the heating temperature of the curing heater 23, which is a downstream heating means, is set higher than the heating temperature of the preheater 21 or platen heater 22, which are upstream heating means. In such a configuration, the ink on the recording medium M can be dried quickly, but on the other hand, the recording medium M becomes more susceptible to deformation. Therefore, it is preferable to adopt the configuration of this embodiment in which drying and cooling are performed simultaneously.

[0056] In this embodiment, a curing heater 23 and a cooling means 24 are provided immediately downstream of the liquid discharge position C in the transport direction of the recording medium M. For example, no other processes such as heating are performed between the liquid discharge position C in the transport direction of the recording medium M and the curing heater 23 and cooling means 24, and no transport means such as transport rollers are provided. With this configuration, heating and curing of the ink on the recording medium M can be performed immediately after the image forming operation on the recording medium M, and ink bleeding can be effectively suppressed. However, on the other hand, the section from which heat is dissipated from the recording medium M is short, and heat from liquid discharge tends to remain on the recording medium M. Therefore, it is preferable to adopt the configuration of this embodiment in which drying and cooling are performed simultaneously.

[0057] In this embodiment, a hardening heater 23 is provided on the outer circumferential surface side of the portion of the recording medium M that is bent and transported (transported in a curved shape when viewed from one side of the main scanning direction, as shown in Figure 3), and a cooling means 24 is provided on the inner circumferential surface side. In this configuration, the distance between the hardening heater 23 and the recording medium M is easily changed depending on the position of the recording medium M. In other words, the range of the recording medium M that is close to the hardening heater 23 can be more limited, and localized heating becomes possible. Therefore, it becomes easier to distinguish between the main heating portion of the recording medium M and the portions that are not, and for example, it becomes possible to effectively heat only the image forming region of the recording medium M. On the other hand, the recording medium M is more prone to thermal expansion toward the outer circumferential surface. Therefore, it is preferable to suppress the expansion of the recording medium M with the configuration of this embodiment.

[0058] As a downstream heating means, a blowing means can be used to blow air at a temperature higher than the recording medium M onto a liquid such as ink on the recording medium M. Similarly, as a cooling means, a blowing means can be used to blow air at a temperature lower than the heating temperature of the downstream heating means onto the back surface of the recording medium M. Furthermore, the heating and cooling means are not limited to the above configurations; any known and appropriate configurations can be adopted.

[0059] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0060] In this application, the discharged liquid is not particularly limited as long as it has a viscosity and surface tension that can be discharged from the head, but it is preferable that its viscosity becomes 30 mPa·s or less at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, or when heated or cooled. More specifically, it is a solution, suspension, emulsion, etc. containing a solvent such as water or an organic solvent, a colorant such as a dye or pigment, a polymerizable compound, a resin, a functional material such as a surfactant, a biocompatible material such as DNA, amino acids or proteins, calcium, or an edible material such as a natural pigment. These can be used, for example, as inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, liquids for forming components of electronic elements and light-emitting elements or electronic circuit resist patterns, and material liquids for 3D molding.

[0061] The term "liquid" includes not only ink but also paints, pre-treatment solutions, binders, and overcoat solutions.

[0062] In this application, a "liquid dispensing device" is a device that drives a liquid dispensing head to dispense liquid. A liquid dispensing device includes not only devices capable of dispensing liquid onto a recording medium to which liquid can adhere, but also devices that dispense liquid into air or into liquid. Furthermore, although the above embodiments have described a liquid dispensing device that dispenses liquid by moving the liquid dispensing head in the main scanning direction using a carriage, a line head type liquid dispensing device may also be used.

[0063] This "liquid dispensing device" may also include means for feeding, transporting, and dispensing paper onto materials to which liquid can adhere, as well as pre-treatment devices, post-treatment devices, etc.

[0064] For example, "liquid ejection devices" include image forming devices that eject ink to form images on paper, and three-dimensional molding devices that eject molding liquid into a powder layer formed in layers to create three-dimensional objects.

[0065] Furthermore, the term "liquid dispensing device" is not limited to those that visualize meaningful images such as letters or figures through the dispensed liquid. For example, it also includes devices that form patterns that do not have meaning in themselves, or devices that create three-dimensional images.

[0066] The term "material to which liquid can adhere" above refers to a material to which liquid can adhere at least temporarily, such as material to which liquid adheres and solidifies, or material to which liquid adheres and penetrates, and is the recording medium in the above embodiment. Specific examples include recording media such as paper, recording paper, film, and cloth; electronic components such as electronic circuit boards and piezoelectric elements; powder layers; organ models; and inspection cells. Unless otherwise specified, it includes all materials to which liquid can adhere.

[0067] The materials referred to as "materials to which liquid can adhere" above include paper, thread, fibers, fabrics, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, etc., as long as liquid can adhere to them, even temporarily.

[0068] Other examples of "liquid dispensing devices" include processing liquid coating devices that dispense processing liquid onto the surface of paper for purposes such as modifying the paper surface, and injection granulation devices that granulate fine particles of raw materials by spraying a compositional liquid, in which raw materials are dispersed in a solution, through a nozzle.

[0069] In this application, the terms image formation, recording, printing, copying, printing, and shaping are all considered synonymous.

[0070] Examples of the present invention are as follows: <1> A liquid dispensing means for dispensing liquid onto a recording medium, An upstream heating means that heats the recording medium at the liquid discharge position onto the recording medium by the liquid discharge means in the recording medium transport direction, or upstream of that position, A downstream heating means is provided that can be controlled independently of the upstream heating means, and is located downstream of the liquid discharge position in the recording medium transport direction, and heats the surface of the recording medium from which the liquid has been discharged. The liquid dispensing device is characterized by comprising a cooling means for cooling the portion of the recording medium that is heated by the downstream heating means from the opposite side. <2> The upstream heating means heats the side of the recording medium opposite to the side from which the liquid is discharged. <1> This is the liquid dispensing device described. <3> The heating temperature of the downstream heating means is higher than the heating temperature of the upstream heating means. <1> or <2> This is the liquid dispensing device described. <4> The upstream heating means includes a first upstream heating means that heats the area upstream of the liquid discharge position in the recording medium transport direction, and a second upstream heating means that heats the liquid discharge position in the recording medium transport direction. <1> from <3> It is a liquid dispensing device as described in one of the following terms. <5> The downstream heating means is an infrared heater. <1> from <4> It is a liquid dispensing device as described in one of the following terms. <6> The downstream heating means is a blowing means that blows air onto the recording medium at a temperature higher than that of the recording medium. <1> from <4> It is a liquid dispensing device as described in one of the following terms. <7> The cooling means comprises a refrigerant and cools the recording medium by heat transfer from the recording medium to the refrigerant. <1> from <6> It is a liquid dispensing device as described in one of the following terms. <8> The cooling means is an air blowing means that blows air onto the recording medium at a temperature lower than the heating temperature of the downstream heating means. <1> from <6> It is a liquid dispensing device as described in one of the following terms. <9> An upstream heating step in which the recording medium is heated by an upstream heating means at the discharge position where the liquid is discharged onto the recording medium, or upstream of that position in the direction of conveying the recording medium, A liquid discharge step in which liquid is discharged onto the recording medium by a liquid discharge means at the discharge position, The liquid discharge method is characterized by comprising a downstream heating means, which is provided downstream of the liquid discharge position in the recording medium transport direction and is controllable independently of the upstream heating means, to heat the surface of the recording medium from which the liquid has been discharged, and a downstream heating and cooling step, which cools the portion of the recording medium heated by the downstream heating means from the opposite side. <10> The upstream heating means heats the side of the recording medium opposite to the side from which the liquid is discharged. <9> This is the liquid dispensing method described. <11> The heating temperature of the downstream heating means is higher than the heating temperature of the upstream heating means. <9> or <10> This is the liquid dispensing method described. <12> The upstream heating step includes a first upstream heating step in which a first upstream heating means heats the area upstream of the liquid discharge position in the recording medium transport direction, and a second upstream heating step in which a second upstream heating means heats the liquid discharge position in the recording medium transport direction. <9> from <11> The liquid dispensing method is one of the methods described above. <13> The downstream heating means is an infrared heater. <9> from <12> The liquid dispensing method is one of the methods described above. <14> The downstream heating means is a blowing means that blows air onto the recording medium at a temperature higher than that of the recording medium. <9> from <12> The liquid dispensing method is one of the methods described above. <15> The cooling means comprises a refrigerant and cools the recording medium by heat transfer from the recording medium to the refrigerant. <9> from <14> The liquid dispensing method is one of the methods described above. <16> The cooling means is an air blowing means that blows air onto the recording medium at a temperature lower than the heating temperature of the downstream heating means. <9> from <14> The liquid dispensing method is one of the methods described above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0071] 1 Liquid discharge device 3 carriages 21 Preheater (first upstream heating means) 22 Platen heater (second upstream heating means) 23. Curing heater (downstream heating means) 24 Cooling means 31 Liquid dispensing head (liquid dispensing means) B. Direction of media transport C Liquid discharge position D. The portion of the recording medium that is heated by the hardening heater (the portion of the recording medium that is heated by the downstream heating means) [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0072] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-112727

Claims

1. A liquid dispensing means for dispensing liquid onto a recording medium, An upstream heating means that heats the recording medium at the liquid discharge position onto the recording medium by the liquid discharge means in the recording medium transport direction, or upstream of that position, A downstream heating means is provided that can be controlled independently of the upstream heating means, and is located downstream of the liquid discharge position in the recording medium transport direction, and heats the surface of the recording medium from which the liquid has been discharged. A liquid dispensing device characterized by comprising a cooling means for cooling the portion of the recording medium that is heated by the downstream heating means from the opposite side.

2. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the upstream heating means heats the side of the recording medium opposite to the side from which the liquid is discharged.

3. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the heating temperature of the downstream heating means is higher than the heating temperature of the upstream heating means.

4. The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising, as the upstream heating means, a first upstream heating means for heating the area upstream of the liquid dispensing position in the recording medium transport direction, and a second upstream heating means for heating the liquid dispensing position in the recording medium transport direction.

5. The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the downstream heating means is an infrared heater.

6. The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the downstream heating means is a blowing means that blows air at a higher temperature than the recording medium onto the recording medium.

7. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling means comprises a refrigerant, and the recording medium is cooled by heat transfer from the recording medium to the refrigerant.

8. The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooling means is a blowing means that blows air onto the recording medium at a temperature lower than the heating temperature of the downstream heating means.

9. An upstream heating step in which the recording medium is heated by an upstream heating means at the discharge position where the liquid is discharged onto the recording medium, or upstream of that position in the direction of conveying the recording medium, A liquid discharge step in which liquid is discharged onto the recording medium by a liquid discharge means at the discharge position, A liquid discharge method characterized by comprising a downstream heating means, which is provided downstream of the liquid discharge position in the recording medium transport direction and is controllable independently of the upstream heating means, to heat the surface of the recording medium from which the liquid has been discharged, and a downstream heating and cooling step, which cools the portion of the recording medium heated by the downstream heating means from the opposite side.

Images