Image forming device

Abstract

To add, to an image, a decorative effect in which glossiness changes depending on a direction in which the image is seen.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus has toner image forming means that forms a toner image on a recording material, fixing means that fixes the toner image formed on the recording material by the toner image forming means to the recording material, and control means that controls the toner image forming means and the fixing means based on image information to form an image on the recording material. The control means causes the toner image forming means to form a first toner image for applying toner to the entirety of an image area to which a decorative effect should be added and a second toner image formed of a pattern having anisotropy so that the first toner image and the second toner image overlap each other on the recording material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material. [Background technology]

[0002] In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method, a toner image formed on an image carrier such as a photoconductor or an intermediate transfer body is transferred onto a recording material, and then the toner image is fixed by a fixing device to produce a recording medium. Materials An image forming apparatus is known that can control the glossiness of an image to be output as a result. Patent Document 1 describes that when an image including a plurality of image areas with different required glossiness is formed on a sheet, a transfer process and a fixing process are performed a plurality of times so that the number of times each image area passes through the fixing device differs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-80250 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, there has been no known image forming apparatus having a function for adding a decorative effect to an image, the glossiness of which changes depending on the direction from which the image is viewed.

[0005] The present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of adding a decorative effect to an image, the glossiness of which changes depending on the direction from which the image is viewed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on a recording material, and a toner image formed on the recording material by the toner image forming unit. By heating A fixing means for fixing the recording material; a re-transportation section for transporting the recording material that has passed through the fixing section again to the toner image forming section;and a control unit that controls the toner image forming unit and the fixing unit based on image information to form an image on the recording material, and the control unit generates a first toner image for applying toner to the entire image area to which a decorative effect is to be added. is formed on the recording material by the toner image forming means. , The first toner image is fixed onto the recording material by the fixing means, and the recording material onto which the first toner image has been fixed is transported again to the toner image forming means by the re-transporting section, and a gloss level is changed by changing the amount of light reflected from the pattern when light is applied to the recording material, the amount of light being reflected from the pattern changing depending on the viewing direction. Has anisotropy The above pattern Includes Second toner image onto the first toner image by the toner image forming means. To overlap In shape Growth the second toner image superimposed on the first toner image is fixed to the recording material by the fixing unit, the recording material on which the second toner image has been fixed is transported again to the fixing unit by the re-transport unit, and the second toner image is further heated by the fixing unit. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to impart to an image a decorative effect in which the glossiness changes depending on the direction from which the image is viewed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a fixing device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4A to 4C are diagrams for explaining the decorative effect achieved by a thin line pattern. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a thin line pattern according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for executing a decoration mode according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a graph showing the measurement results of the decorative effect according to Example 1. [Figure 8] 1A to 1E are diagrams showing examples of pattern images for adding a decorative effect. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a color image forming apparatus. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for executing a decoration mode according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for executing a decoration mode according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] 11 is a graph showing the measurement results of the decorative effect according to Example 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0010] First, the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. This image forming apparatus 100 is a monochrome laser printer that forms an image on a recording material P by using an electrophotographic method. Note that as the recording material P, various sheets of different sizes and materials can be used, such as paper such as plain paper and thick paper, sheet materials with surface treatments such as plastic film, cloth, and coated paper, and sheet materials with special shapes such as envelopes and index paper.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming section 50 including a process cartridge 5 and a transfer roller 6 (transfer member) as a toner image forming means for forming a toner image on a recording material P. The process cartridge 5 includes a photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier (electrophotographic photosensitive member), a charging roller 2 as a charging means, a developing roller 3 as a developing means, and a cleaning blade 4 as a cleaning means. In this embodiment, the developing unit including the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, and the developing roller 3, and the cleaning unit including the cleaning blade 4 are configured as the process cartridge 5 to be detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 100 also includes a fixing unit 30 as a fixing unit for fixing the toner image formed on the recording material P by the toner image forming unit to the recording material P. The image forming apparatus 100 also includes a feed cassette 13, a feed roller 14, a pair of transport rollers 15, a top sensor 17, a transfer roller 6, the fixing unit 30, a pair of discharge rollers 20, a motor 18, and a control unit 60. The motor 18 is a driving source (driving unit) for supplying driving force to the image carrier and members responsible for transporting the recording material P. In this embodiment, the driving force for a plurality of members such as the feed roller 14, the pair of transport rollers 15, the photosensitive drum 1, the fixing unit 30, and the pair of discharge rollers 20 is provided by a single motor 18.

[0013] The photosensitive drum 1 is a photosensitive member molded into a drum (cylindrical) shape, and is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed) during image formation. The charging roller 2 uniformly charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to a predetermined polarity and potential (primary charging). The charged surface of the photosensitive drum 1 that has been primarily charged is scanned and exposed (irradiated) with a laser beam emitted from an exposure device 7. The exposure device 7, which serves as an exposure means, outputs a laser beam that is on / off modulated in response to a video signal transmitted from a control unit 60.

[0014] The video signal is a signal (time-series digital pixel signal) that is generated based on data obtained by expanding image information to be formed on the image carrier in the main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction of the exposure device 7, and is transmitted to the exposure device 7 as a signal specifying the amount of toner for each pixel. Image information representing an image to be formed on the recording material P is input from an external device (information processing terminal) such as an image scanner or a computer connected to the image forming apparatus 100. By scanning exposure by the exposure device 7, the charge of the exposure area (bright area) on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is removed, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The developing roller 3 carries a developer containing toner on its surface and supplies the toner to the photosensitive drum 1, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 1 into a toner image. In this embodiment, a reversal development method is used in which toner is attached to the bright area during exposure to develop it.

[0015] The feeding cassette 13 is detachable from the image forming apparatus 100, and stores therein the recording materials P in a stacked state. The recording materials P in the feeding cassette 13 are fed while being separated one by one by driving a feeding roller 14 based on a feeding start signal from the control unit 60, and are conveyed to a conveying roller pair 15. The recording materials P are further introduced by the conveying roller pair 15 into a transfer nip Nt as a transfer unit formed between the photosensitive drum 1 and a transfer roller 6.

[0016] The top sensor 17 is installed on the transport path between the transport roller pair 15 and the transfer nip Nt, and detects the passing timing of the leading edge of the recording material P sent from the transport roller pair 15. The control unit 60 adjusts the writing timing of the electrostatic latent image by the exposure device 7 according to the leading edge timing of the recording material P detected by the top sensor 17. In other words, the writing timing is controlled so that the leading edge of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 reaches the transfer nip Nt in time with the leading edge of the recording material P reaching the transfer nip Nt.

[0017] The recording material P introduced into the transfer nip Nt is sandwiched and conveyed between the photosensitive drum 1 and the transfer roller 6 at the transfer nip Nt. During this time, a transfer voltage controlled to a predetermined voltage value is applied to the transfer roller 6 from a transfer voltage application power source (not shown). A transfer voltage of a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner is applied to the transfer roller 6, so that the toner image carried on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is electrostatically transferred to the surface of the recording material P. The recording material P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed from the transfer nip Nt to the fixing device 30. Note that the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 that has passed through the transfer nip Nt has residual toner and paper powder removed by the cleaning blade 4, and is again primarily charged for use in the next image formation.

[0018] The fixing unit 30 has a fixing film 31 and a pressure roller 32 (details will be described later), and nip and conveys the recording material P at the fixing nip Nf. During this time, the recording material P is fixed to a predetermined temperature (fixing temperature) by the fixing film 31. PThe toner image is heated and fixed to the recording material P. The recording material P that has passed through the fixing device 30 is discharged and stacked on a discharge tray provided at the top of the image forming apparatus 100 by a pair of discharge rollers 20 that discharges the recording material P. Through the above series of operations, image formation on one sheet of recording material P is completed.

[0019] In the case of double-sided printing, the recording material P, which has an image formed on its first side by passing through the transfer nip Nt and the fixing nip Nf, is sent to the discharge roller pair 20, and then the discharge roller pair 20 rotates in reverse at a predetermined timing to be pulled back into the image forming apparatus 100. The pulled back recording material P is conveyed again toward the image forming section 50 by the double-sided conveying roller pair 41, 43 provided in the double-sided conveying path 42, with the first side and the opposite second side interchanged. Then, the recording material P, which has an image formed on its second side by being conveyed again from the conveying roller pair 15 through the transfer nip Nt and the fixing nip Nf, is discharged to the discharge tray by the discharge roller pair 20. In other words, the double-sided conveying path 42 functions as a re-conveying section that conveys the recording material that has passed through the toner image forming means and the fixing means toward the toner image forming means or the fixing means again. In this embodiment, the discharge roller pair 20 functions as a reversing unit that conveys the recording material to the re-conveying section in a reversed state.

[0020] By repeating the above operations, images can be formed on a plurality of sheets of recording material P in succession.

[0021] <Fixing method> Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the fixing device 30 as a fixing means mounted on the image forming apparatus 100. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the fixing device 30 of the first embodiment cut along a plane perpendicular to the sheet width direction (main scanning direction during image formation, rotation axis direction of the pressure roller 32) in the fixing nip Nf. For ease of explanation, the fixing device 30 shown in Fig. 2 is shown in a state where the orientation of the fixing device 30 in Fig. 1 is rotated by a predetermined angle.

[0022] The fixing unit 30 includes a fixing film 31, a pressure roller 32, a nip forming member 37 having a heater 33 and a heater holder , a pressure stay , and an entrance guide .

[0023] The fixing film 31 is a member formed in the shape of a cylindrical (endless) film, in which an elastic layer 312 and a surface layer 313 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of a base layer 311. The elastic layer 312 is made of a heat-resistant elastic material such as silicone rubber from the viewpoints of improving fixability and uniform glossiness. The surface layer 313 is made of a heat-resistant material with good releasability such as fluororesin from the viewpoints of improving separation from the recording material P and suppressing offset in which part of the toner of the toner image T adheres to the surface layer 313.

[0024] The pressure roller 32 as a pressure member has a core shaft portion 321, at least one elastic layer 322, and a surface layer 323. The elastic layer 322 is made of a heat-resistant elastic material such as silicone rubber or fluororubber so as to ensure the width of the fixing nip Nf described below. The surface layer 323 is made of a heat-resistant material with good releasability such as fluororesin to prevent contamination by toner or paper powder. In this embodiment, the pressure roller 32 has an outer diameter of 25 mm.

[0025] The heater 33 is a plate-shaped heating element that rapidly heats the fixing film 31 while contacting the inner circumferential surface of the fixing film 31. The heater 33 has a heating resistor that generates heat when electricity is applied, and generates heat when a current is applied from a current circuit mounted on the image forming apparatus 100. The temperature of the heater 33 is detected by a thermistor 331 as a temperature detection means that is in contact with the rear surface of the substrate. Then, the control unit 60 controls the power supply to the heater 33 based on a detection signal from the thermistor 331 so that the heater 33 reaches a predetermined target temperature.

[0026] The heater holder 34 holds the heater 33. That is, the heater 33 and the heater holder 34 have a heating element for heating the film and function as a nip forming member 37 arranged inside the film. The pressure stay 35 is made of a member having rigidity, and applies pressure force received from a pressure means such as a spring (not shown) to the pressure roller 32 via the heater holder 34. This pressure force forms a fixing nip Nf as a nip portion of a predetermined width between the nip forming member 37 and the pressure roller 32, which are in pressure contact with each other with the fixing film 31 sandwiched therebetween.

[0027] In the fixing device 30 of this embodiment, the heater 33 is in direct contact with the inner circumferential surface of the fixing film 31, but a plate-like or sheet-like member having high thermal conductivity (for example, a sheet-like member made of alloy iron or aluminum) may be disposed between the heater 33 and the fixing film 31. In other words, a nip forming member 37 may be used in which the heater 33 heats the fixing film 31 via a sliding member that slides against the inner circumferential surface of the fixing film 31.

[0028] Next, the fixing process in the fixing device 30 will be described. The pressure roller 32 is rotated in the direction of the arrow r1 by the motor 18 (FIG. 12) which is a driving means. The fixing film 31 is rotated in the direction of the arrow r2 in accordance with the rotation of the pressure roller 32. The heater 33 is energized to rapidly increase its temperature and heat the fixing film 31. In a state in which the heater 33 is controlled to a predetermined target temperature, the recording material P is guided to the fixing nip Nf along the entrance guide 36, and is sandwiched and conveyed in the conveying direction D by the fixing film 31 and the pressure roller 32. In the conveying process, the toner on the recording material P is heated and pressurized, and the unfixed toner image T is fixed to the recording material P.

[0029] <Control block diagram> Next, a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of Fig. 3. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 60, an image forming unit 50, an HDD 73, and a calculation unit 74.

[0030] The control unit 60 as a control means is a control circuit including a CPU that executes a control program to control the entire image forming apparatus 100, a RAM as a work memory, and a ROM in which the control program is stored. The ROM is an example of a non-transitory storage medium in which the control program of the image forming apparatus 100 is stored. The control unit 60 has an image formation control unit 61 for operating the image forming unit 50 based on image information to perform an image forming operation. The control unit 60 also has a fixing temperature adjustment control unit 62 that controls the temperature of the heater 33 of the fixing unit 30 to a predetermined temperature based on the detection result of the thermistor 331, which is a temperature detection element.

[0031] The HDD 73 is a hard disk drive. The HDD 73 stores not only system software and image data, but also decoration information for the decoration mode used in this embodiment. As a storage means, a writable non-volatile memory such as a semiconductor memory may be used in addition to a hard disk. The calculation unit 74 as a calculation means creates image data used by the image formation control unit 61 for image formation from the decoration information stored in the HDD 73 and the decoration information specified by the user. Details will be described later.

[0032] The control unit 60 is connected to a network such as a LAN via a network I / F 70. The network I / F 70 communicates image information, instructions to execute image formation, and the like between the image forming apparatus 100 and external devices on the network.

[0033] <Decoration method explanation> A method for decorating an image according to the present embodiment will now be described. In this embodiment, a decorative effect can be added to an image, which varies the glossiness of the image depending on the direction from which the image is viewed.

[0034] FIG. 4(a) shows a schematic diagram of the thin line pattern used in this embodiment. The thin line pattern is a parallel line pattern in which parallel straight lines extending in the same predetermined direction are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval. The width of the thin lines is X1 in dots, and the interval between the thin lines is X2 in dots. Since the image forming apparatus in this embodiment has a resolution of 600 dpi, the size of one dot corresponds to 42 μm. In this embodiment, the decorative effect is achieved by superimposing and transferring the thin line pattern shown in FIG. 4(a) onto a toner image (hereinafter referred to as a base image) formed on a recording material according to image information.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 4(a), when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the recording material on which the thin line pattern is recorded (when viewed vertically with the recording material placed on a horizontal surface), the angle parallel to the direction of each thin line of the thin line pattern is set to 0°, and the angle perpendicular to the direction of each thin line is set to 90°. When viewed from a direction of 0° to the thin line pattern as shown in Fig. 4(b), the amount of light specularly reflected (mirror reflected) by the thin line pattern is greater than when viewed from a direction of 90° to the thin line pattern as shown in Fig. 4(c).

[0036] This is because, when viewed from a direction at 90° to the thin line pattern, a part of the light incident on the recording material from the light source is "kicked" by the wall of the thin line, and the reflected light toward the regular reflection direction is reduced. In other words, a part of the light incident from a direction intersecting the thin line pattern is reflected by the step between the thin lines and the area between the thin lines, and is reflected in a direction different from the direction of specular reflection by the virtual plane along the surface of the recording material. On the other hand, light incident from a direction parallel to the thin line pattern rarely collides with the wall of the thin line, and is likely to be reflected in the regular reflection direction on the surface of the thin line or the area between the thin lines. In other words, when the recording material is viewed in a direction intersecting the normal direction of the recording material surface, the glossiness of the thin line pattern is high (high gloss) when viewed in the normal direction and in the direction along the thin line pattern. Conversely, the glossiness of the thin line pattern is low (low gloss) when viewed in the normal direction and in the direction intersecting the thin line pattern.

[0037] The property of the thin line pattern that the glossiness changes depending on the viewing direction as described above (anisotropy with respect to glossiness) is the same even when the thin line pattern is formed by overlaying it on another toner image formed with a substantially uniform thickness on the recording material. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment is configured to selectively execute a decoration mode that outputs an image with a decorative effect added using a thin line pattern, and a normal mode that outputs an image without using a thin line pattern, based on an instruction from a user.

[0038] <Decoration mode> In this embodiment, when adding a decorative effect by a thin line pattern, the decoration level (the width of the width at which the glossiness changes depending on the direction of viewing the image) can be specified in four stages. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the difference in the thin line pattern for each decoration level. The image R0 at the upper left shows a solid image formed at decoration level "0" (normal mode), and no thin line pattern is formed on the solid image. The image R1 shows the thin line pattern used at decoration level "1", the image R2 shows the thin line pattern used at decoration level "2", and the image R3 shows the thin line pattern used at decoration level "3", and the higher the level value, the greater the difference in glossiness depending on the direction of viewing the image. As described later, the decoration level can be controlled by changing the width and interval of the thin lines of the thin line pattern. Note that FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining that the decoration level can be controlled by changing the width and interval of the thin lines of the thin line pattern, and the thin line pattern used in the actual decoration mode does not need to be the same as the images R1 to R4 shown in FIG. 5.

[0039] <Control flow> A flowchart showing the procedure for executing the decoration mode in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Each step of this flow described below is achieved by the CPU of the control unit 60 (Fig. 3) executing a control program from the ROM.

[0040] When the control unit 60 receives image information from an external device via the network I / F 70, it executes a series of operations (print job) to form an image on a recording material and discharge it. When the print job is started, in S101 the control unit 60 refers to the setting information of the print job received from the external device and determines whether to form an image in the normal mode or in the decoration mode. The decoration mode is the first mode in this embodiment in which the toner image forming means forms a first toner image and a second toner image. In the case of the decoration mode, the process proceeds to S102, where the calculation unit 74 creates image data corresponding to the decoration mode.

[0041] In this embodiment, in the image area (decoration designated area) where a decorative effect is specified, a solid image is formed as a base image in the first image forming operation, and a thin line pattern according to the decoration level is formed in the second image forming operation. The solid image is a toner image (first toner image) corresponding to the image information. In other words, the solid image is a solid image for applying toner with a substantially uniform thickness (toner loading amount) over the entire area of ​​the image area (hereinafter referred to as the decoration designated area) to which the decorative effect is to be added. The "image area (printed area)" refers to, for example, the area inside the outline of the text in the case of a text image, and the area inside the figure in the case of a filled figure. On the other hand, the thin line pattern is a pattern image that is superimposed on the first toner image on the recording material to add a decorative effect, and is a toner image (second toner image) including a parallel line pattern in the same direction. The thin line pattern (second toner image) for adding the decorative effect is preferably a toner image using toner of the same color as the base image (first toner image).

[0042] In S102 above, the calculation unit 74 creates image data for causing the image forming unit 50 to form a base image and image data for causing the image forming unit 50 to form a thin line pattern based on the image information received from the external device and the setting information of the decoration level. The control unit 60 executes the following processes using the image data of the base image and the thin line pattern created by the calculation unit 74.

[0043] In S103, the control unit 60 executes the first image forming operation, and forms a solid image as a base image in the designated decoration area of ​​the recording material. At this time, the control unit 60 transmits a video signal generated based on image data of the base image created by the calculation unit 74 to the exposure device 7, thereby causing the image forming unit 50 to form a base image (first toner image) on the recording material P. The recording material P to which the base image has been transferred is transported to the fixing device 30 and undergoes a fixing process.

[0044] In S104, the control unit 60 conveys the recording material on which the base image has been formed by the discharge roller pair 20 and the double-sided conveying path 42 so that the surface of the recording material on which the base image has been formed becomes the surface (transfer surface) facing the photosensitive drum 1 again at the transfer nip Nt. Specifically, after the recording material P on which the base image has been transferred at the transfer nip Nt passes through the fixing device 30 and the rear end of the recording material P passes the position of the switching guide 40 (FIG. 1), the control unit 60 switches the position of the switching guide 40 and reversely rotates the discharge roller pair 20. As a result, the recording material P is pulled back into the image forming apparatus and conveyed again to the transfer nip Nt via the double-sided conveying path 42. At this point, the surface (second surface) of the recording material P opposite to the surface (first surface) on which the base image has been formed faces the photosensitive drum 1, so the transfer of the thin line pattern is not performed. After the recording material P passes through the fixing device 30 for the second time, the control unit 60 executes a second reverse conveyance by the discharge roller pair 20 and conveys the recording material P to the transfer nip Nt via the double-sided conveyance path 42. As a result, the recording material P reaches the transfer nip Nt again with the surface (first surface) on which the base image is formed facing the photosensitive drum 1.

[0045] In S105, the control unit 60 performs a second image forming operation, and forms a fine line pattern on the base image already formed in the decoration designated area of ​​the recording material. At this time, the control unit 60 transmits a video signal generated based on image data of the fine line pattern created by the calculation unit 74 to the exposure device 7, thereby causing the image forming unit 50 to form a fine line pattern (second toner image) on the recording material P. Next, the recording material P is conveyed to the fixing device 30 and undergoes a second fixing process. In S106, the recording material P is discharged by the discharge roller pair 20, and the print job in the decoration mode for one sheet of recording material P is completed.

[0046] On the other hand, if the print job is set to the normal mode in S101, the process proceeds to S107, and the control unit 60 performs normal image formation. In this case, the calculation unit 74 does not create image data of the thin line pattern. The control unit 60 transmits a video signal generated based on image information received from an external device to the exposure device 7, thereby causing the image forming unit 50 to form a toner image corresponding to the image information on the recording material P. In this case, the recording material P to which the toner image corresponding to the image information is transferred at the transfer nip Nt and subjected to a fixing process at the fixing device 30 is discharged as is by the discharge roller pair 20. In other words, if the result is NO in S101, the control unit 60 executes the second mode in which the toner image forming unit forms a toner image corresponding to the image information and the fixing unit fixes the toner image corresponding to the image information without causing the toner image forming unit to form a second toner image.

[0047] Although the operation for forming an image with a decorative effect on one side of the recording material P has been described here, it is also possible to form an image with a decorative effect on both sides of the recording material P. In this case, the control unit 60 controls the image forming operation so that the base image on the first side is formed in the first image forming operation and the base image on the second side is formed in the second image forming operation. Under The background image is formed by forming the thin line pattern on the first surface in the third image forming operation, and the thin line pattern on the second surface in the fourth image forming operation.

[0048] <Decoration level setting> Here, adjustment of the thin line pattern according to the decoration level setting will be described. Figure 7 shows the glossiness (gloss value) measured from a direction of 0° or 90° to the thin line pattern and the difference (gloss difference Δ) when the line width and interval of the thin line pattern are changed. Here, the thin line width X1 and the thin line interval X2 are set to the same value, and the glossiness of the thin line pattern created by changing the values ​​of X1 and X2 (number of dots of the thin line and interval) in the range of 1 dot to 10 dots was measured, as well as the glossiness of a solid image on which no thin line pattern is formed. The recording material used for the measurement was "Futura 100lb (manufactured by VERSO)" with a basis weight of 148g / m 2 The gloss level was measured using PG-1 (manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries) at an incidence angle of 75°.

[0049] From the results shown in Figure 7, it can be seen that the decorative effect changes depending on the roughness of the thin line pattern. For example, the gloss difference Δ is maximum when the thin line width X1 and thin line interval X2 are 6 dots each, and is smaller when they are 10 dots each than when they are 6 dots each. In other words, by changing the thin line width X1 and thin line interval X2, it is possible to change the level of the decorative effect that creates differences in gloss depending on the direction from which the image is viewed.

[0050] In this embodiment, for decoration level 0, a solid image (only a background image) is formed. For decoration level 1, a thin line pattern with a width X1 and interval X2 of 10 dots is formed, for decoration level 2, a thin line pattern with a width X1 and interval X2 of 3 dots is formed, and for decoration level 3, a thin line pattern with a width X1 and interval X2 of 6 dots is formed. That is, in S102 of the above flow, the calculation unit 74 creates image data of a thin line pattern with a width X1 and interval X2 that are predetermined according to the set value of the decoration level. In this way, by adjusting the thin line pattern in four stages, it is possible to control the difference in glossiness depending on the viewing direction.

[0051] It should be noted that a thin line pattern with a width X1 and interval X2 of 1 dot is the finest thin line pattern that can be realized by the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, the upper limit of the period of the thin line pattern in this embodiment is 20 dots (approximately 0.84 mm at 600 dpi), but as an example, the upper limit of the period of the thin line pattern may be set to 12 dots (approximately 0.5 mm at 600 dpi, which corresponds to a thin line pattern of decoration level 3 in this embodiment).

[0052] (Modification) The direction of the thin line pattern for adding a decorative effect may be perpendicular to the conveying direction D of the recording material (main scanning direction during image formation, sheet width direction) as shown in Fig. 8(a), but may be other directions. For example, as shown in Fig. 8(b), it may be made of thin lines parallel to the conveying direction D, or as shown in Figs. 8(c, d), it may be inclined at an angle of 45° with respect to the conveying direction D. In other words, as the second toner image, a plurality of patterns each made of parallel lines in the same direction, but with the parallel lines extending in different directions, may be selectively used.

[0053] The pattern image that adds the decorative effect may be a combination of multiple thin line patterns with different directions as exemplified in Fig. 8(a-c). That is, the second toner image may be a combination of a first pattern in which parallel lines in a first direction are arranged at a predetermined first interval and a second pattern in which parallel lines in a second direction different from the first direction are arranged at a predetermined second interval. For example, in the case of a pattern that combines the thin line patterns of Fig. 8(a, b), the pattern has anisotropy in the sense that the glossiness when viewed at an angle of 0° or 90° with respect to the transport direction D is different from the glossiness when viewed at an angle of ±45° with respect to the transport direction D.

[0054] In addition, as long as the pattern image has anisotropy, the pattern image for adding the decorative effect is not limited to a pattern consisting of parallel lines. For example, as shown in FIG. 8(e), a pattern image in which elongated rectangles (or line segments extending in the same direction) are arranged at regular intervals in the same direction also has different glossiness when viewed in the long side direction and the short side direction of the rectangle. "Anisotropy" refers to the fact that when a pattern image is cut with a straight line in a certain direction, the frequency with which the boundary (edge) between the toner image area and the non-toner image area appears differs depending on the cutting direction. If the frequency with which the edge of the toner image appears is high (or low) depending on the cutting direction, when the image is viewed from that direction, the proportion of light reflected in a direction different from the regular reflection direction at the edge portion becomes large (or small), resulting in a difference in glossiness. In the case of the thin line pattern shown in FIG. 8(a-d), when cut in a direction parallel to the thin lines, the number of times the boundary is passed is zero, and when cut in a direction perpendicular to the thin lines, the boundary is passed twice as many times as the number of thin lines, so that the anisotropy is very high and it is easy to obtain a difference in glossiness.

[0055] In addition, in this embodiment, the solid image as the base image is transferred and fixed first, and then the thin line pattern for adding the decorative effect is transferred and fixed. Alternatively, the thin line pattern (second toner image) may be transferred and fixed first, and then the solid image (first toner image) may be transferred and fixed. Even in this case, the solid image is formed on the thin line pattern, so that unevenness is formed on the surface of the image on the recording material along the direction of the thin line pattern, and therefore the glossiness of the image varies depending on the viewing direction. In addition, the method of setting the decoration level is not limited to the above-mentioned one, and the decoration level may be changed in three or less stages or five or more stages (including continuous). EXAMPLES

[0056] In the first embodiment, a monochrome image forming apparatus is illustrated, but in the present embodiment, a color image forming apparatus is used. In the following, elements having the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have substantially the same configurations and functions as those described in the first embodiment.

[0057] First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the cross-sectional configuration of an image forming apparatus 101 according to this embodiment. This image forming apparatus 101 is a color laser printer that forms an image on a recording material P by using an electrophotographic method.

[0058] The image forming apparatus 101 includes an image forming section 50 including four process cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K, an intermediate transfer belt unit, and a secondary transfer roller 11 (transfer member) as a toner image forming means for forming a toner image on a recording material P. The process cartridges 5Y to 5K are process stations that are detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus 101. Each of the process cartridges 5Y to 5K has substantially the same structure, and creates a toner image using a developer containing toner of different colors, that is, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Each of the process cartridges 5Y to 5K includes a toner container 23, a photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier (electrophotographic photosensitive member), a charging roller 2, a developing roller 3, a cleaning blade 4, and a waste toner container 24. An exposure device 7 is disposed below each process cartridge 5.

[0059] During image formation, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotated, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and a predetermined potential by the charging roller 2. Thereafter, the photosensitive drum 1 is exposed by the exposure device 7. At this time, the exposure device 7 exposes the photosensitive drum 1 based on a video signal corresponding to each color component image (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color component images) according to the image information. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to each color component image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 of each process cartridge 5Y to 5K. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is developed by supplying a developer from the developing roller 3, and is visualized as a toner image of each color. The developer is, for example, a non-magnetic one-component toner of negative charging polarity, and the electrostatic latent image is developed by a non-magnetic one-component contact development method.

[0060] The intermediate transfer belt unit is composed of an intermediate transfer belt 8, a driving roller 9, a secondary transfer opposing roller 10, a belt cleaning blade 21, and a belt toner box 22. The intermediate transfer belt unit also includes four transfer rollers (primary transfer rollers) 6 arranged inside the intermediate transfer belt 8 to face each photosensitive drum 1. When the driving roller 9 is rotated by a motor (not shown), the intermediate transfer belt 8 is rotated, and the secondary transfer opposing roller 10 is rotated accordingly. Each photosensitive drum 1 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the intermediate transfer belt 8 rotates in the direction of the arrow A, and a primary transfer bias of positive polarity is applied to the transfer roller 6. As a result, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 in sequence from the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1Y. At this time, the start timing of exposure is synchronized so that the four color toner images overlap each other on the intermediate transfer belt 8, so that a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

[0061] The full-color toner image carried by the intermediate transfer belt 8 is conveyed to a transfer nip Nt, which is a nip portion (secondary transfer portion) between the intermediate transfer belt 8 and a secondary transfer roller 11. Then, a positive bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 11, so that the full-color toner image is transferred to a recording material P at the transfer nip Nt. The cleaning blade 4 of the photosensitive drum 1 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 1 to remove residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 without being primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 and other residues on the photosensitive drum. The belt cleaning blade 21 is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 8 stretched around a drive roller 9 to remove residual toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 without being secondary transferred to the recording material P in the secondary transfer described later and other residues on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

[0062] The supply / conveyance device 12 has a supply roller 14 that supplies the recording material P from a supply cassette 13 that stores the recording material P, and a pair of conveying rollers 15 that convey the supplied recording material P. The recording material P conveyed from the supply / conveyance device 12 is conveyed to the transfer nip Nt by a pair of registration rollers 16, where the toner image is transferred onto the recording material P.

[0063] The recording material P that has passed through the transfer nip Nt is conveyed to a fixing device 30 as a fixing means. The fixing device 30 is a fixing device of a film heating type that includes a fixing film 31 incorporating a nip forming member having a heater 33, and a pressure roller 32 that is in pressure contact with the fixing film 31. A thermistor 331 that measures the temperature of the heater 33 is attached to the heater 33. The recording material P is heated and pressurized while being nipped and conveyed between the fixing film 31 and the pressure roller 32 in the fixing nip Nf between the pressure roller 32 and the nip forming member, thereby undergoing a fixing process of the toner image. Thereafter, the recording material P is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 101 by a pair of discharge rollers 20.

[0064] The image forming apparatus 101 is capable of performing double-sided printing on the recording material P. In double-sided printing, after the rear end of the recording material P that has passed through the fixing device 30 passes the position of the switching guide 40, the position of the switching guide 40 is first switched to the double-sided conveying path side. In addition, a reversing clutch (not shown) that determines the rotation direction of the discharge roller pair 20 switches the rotation direction of the discharge roller pair 20 to the double-sided conveying path 42 side. As a result, the conveying direction of the recording material P is reversed, and the recording material P is conveyed to the double-sided conveying path 42. In the double-sided conveying path 42, the recording material P is conveyed again toward the registration roller pair 16 by the double-sided conveying roller pairs 41 and 43. After the registration roller pair 16, a toner image is transferred and fixed to the back side (second side) of the recording material P in the same process as the front side (first side), and then the recording material P is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 101 by the discharge roller pair 20. The configuration of the fixing device 30 and the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 101 are the same as those described in the first embodiment using FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0065] In such a color image forming apparatus 101, the decoration mode can be executed in the same manner as in Example 1. That is, after a base image (first toner image) is formed on the recording material P, the recording material P is transported so that the surface on which the base image has been formed faces the intermediate transfer belt 8 again at the transfer nip Nt, and a thin line pattern (second toner image) is formed by superimposing it on the base image.

[0066] In addition, in the case of a color image forming apparatus 101, a decoration mode can be realized by forming a base image (first toner image) using some of the multiple process cartridges, and forming a thin line pattern (second toner image) for adding a decorative effect using the remaining part. In this way, when performing the decoration mode, it is possible to perform the decoration mode with one fixing process without passing the recording material P through the fixing device 30 multiple times. As an example, FIG. 10 shows an example in which the cyan process cartridge 5C in FIG. 9 is replaced with the second black process cartridge 5K2. In this case, a base image is formed by one black process cartridge 5K2, and a thin line pattern is formed by the other black process cartridge 5K, and the base image and the thin line pattern can be transferred to the recording material P at the same time in the transfer nip Nt.

[0067] 11 shows a flowchart illustrating the procedure for executing the decoration mode in this embodiment. When the control unit 60 starts a print job, in S201 the control unit 60 refers to the setting information of the print job received from an external device and determines whether to form an image in the normal mode (second mode) or the decoration mode (first mode). If the decoration mode is selected, the process proceeds to S202, where the calculation unit 74 creates image data corresponding to the decoration mode.

[0068] In S202, the calculation unit 74 creates image data for forming a solid image, which is a base image, in the process cartridge 5K2 and forming a fine line pattern in the process cartridge 5K based on the image information received from the external device and the setting information of the decoration level. In S203, the control unit 60 executes an image forming operation and causes the base image and the fine line pattern to be formed in the decoration designated area of ​​the recording material. At this time, the control unit 60 transmits a video signal generated based on the image data of the base image and the fine line pattern created by the calculation unit 74 to the process cartridge 5K2, 5KThe recording material P is then transferred to the exposure device 7 corresponding to the recording material P, thereby forming a base image and a fine line pattern. Next, in S204, the recording material P is transported to the fixing device 30 and fixed. At this time, the base image and the fine line pattern are fixed at the same time. Even if the base image and the fine line pattern are fixed at the same time, unevenness (difference in the thickness of the toner layer) corresponding to the fine line pattern remains on the surface of the fixed image, so that a decoration effect in which the glossiness varies depending on the direction from which the image is viewed is obtained. In S205, the recording material P is discharged by the pair of discharge rollers 20, and the print job in the decoration mode for one sheet of recording material P is completed.

[0069] On the other hand, if the print job setting in S201 is the normal mode, the process proceeds to S206, and the control unit 60 performs normal image formation. In this case, image data of the thin line pattern is not created by the calculation unit 74. In other words, if the result is NO in S201, the control unit 60 executes the second mode in which the toner image forming means forms a toner image corresponding to the image information and the fixing means fixes the toner image corresponding to the image information, without causing the toner image forming means to form a second toner image.

[0070] As described above, according to this embodiment, in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of process cartridges, a base image and a fine line pattern are transferred onto a recording material P in a superimposed manner, and then a fixing process is performed. That is, the toner image forming means of this embodiment has a first image carrier carrying a toner image, a second image carrier carrying a toner image, and a transfer means for transferring the toner image from the first image carrier and the second image carrier to the recording material. An example of the first image carrier is the photosensitive drum 1 of the process cartridge 5K2, an example of the second image carrier is the photosensitive drum of the process cartridge 5K, and an example of the transfer means is the intermediate transfer belt unit and the secondary transfer roller 11. In addition, the control means causes the toner image forming means to form a first toner image on the first image carrier, causes the second image carrier to form a second toner image, causes the transfer means to transfer the first toner image and the second toner image to the recording material, and then causes the fixing means to fix the first toner image and the second toner image to the recording material. This makes it possible to realize the decoration mode without repeatedly re-conveying the recording material P using the double-sided conveying path 42, thereby making it possible to improve productivity.

[0071] In this embodiment, the thin line pattern is formed by one of the plurality of process cartridges using the same color toner, but the thin line pattern may be formed by one of the plurality of process cartridges using toner of different colors. For example, the thin line pattern may be formed by using transparent toner instead of black toner in the process cartridge 5K.

[0072] Furthermore, the configuration of the image forming apparatus using a plurality of process cartridges is not limited to the tandem type intermediate transfer type, and may be, for example, a configuration in which a plurality of direct transfer type process cartridges are arranged along the conveying path of the recording material. EXAMPLES

[0073] As the third embodiment, a form in which the absolute value of glossiness can be changed will be described. In this embodiment, a monochrome image forming apparatus 100 will be used as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, elements with the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment will have substantially the same configurations and functions as those described in the first embodiment.

[0074] 7, in the first embodiment, the magnitude of the glossiness (gloss value) differs depending on the width X1 and interval X2 of the thin lines of the thin line pattern, and the absolute value of the glossiness also changes when the decoration level (difference in glossiness depending on the viewing direction) is changed. In this embodiment, the fluctuation range of the absolute value of the glossiness is reduced by performing an additional fixing process on the recording material P following the operation in the decoration mode similar to that in the first embodiment.

[0075] 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure for executing the decoration mode in this embodiment. When the control unit 60 starts a print job, in S301 the control unit 60 refers to the setting information of the print job received from an external device and determines whether to form an image in the normal mode (second mode) or the decoration mode (first mode). In the case of the decoration mode, the process proceeds to S302, where the calculation unit 74 creates image data corresponding to the decoration mode. In S302, the calculation unit 74 creates image data for causing the image forming unit 50 to form a base image and image data for causing the image forming unit 50 to form a thin line pattern, based on the image information and decoration level setting information received from the external device.

[0076] In S303, the control unit 60 executes the first image forming operation, and forms a solid image as a base image in the designated decoration area of ​​the recording material. At this time, the control unit 60 transmits a video signal generated based on image data of the base image created by the calculation unit 74 to the exposure device 7, thereby causing the image forming unit 50 to form a base image (first toner image) on the recording material P. The recording material P to which the base image has been transferred is transported to the fixing device 30 and undergoes a fixing process.

[0077] In S304, the control unit 60 conveys the recording material on which the base image has been formed by the discharge roller pair 20 and the double-sided conveying path 42 so that the surface of the recording material on which the base image has been formed again becomes the surface (transfer surface) facing the photosensitive drum 1 at the transfer nip Nt. The conveying procedure is the same as in the first embodiment. In S305, the control unit 60 performs a second image forming operation to form a fine line pattern superimposed on the base image already formed in the designated decoration area of ​​the recording material. Next, the recording material P is conveyed to the fixing device 30 and undergoes a second fixing process (first fixing process for the fine line pattern).

[0078] In S306, the control unit 60 further conveys the recording material on which the base image and the fine line pattern are formed by the discharge roller pair 20 and the double-sided conveying path 42 so that the surface of the recording material on which the base image is formed becomes the surface (fixed surface) facing the fixing film 31 in the fixing nip Nf again. The conveying procedure is the same as S104 in the first embodiment. That is, after the rear end of the recording material P that has been subjected to the first fixing process for the fine line pattern passes the position of the switching guide 40 (FIG. 1), the control unit 60 switches the position of the switching guide 40 and reversely rotates the discharge roller pair 20. As a result, the recording material P is pulled back into the image forming apparatus and conveyed to the fixing nip Nf again via the double-sided conveying path 42. At this point, the surface of the recording material P opposite to the surface on which the base image and the fine line pattern are formed faces the fixing film 31. After the recording material P passes through the fixing device 30, the control unit 60 controls the discharge roller pair 20 to further execute reverse conveyance and convey the recording material P to the fixing nip Nf via the double-sided conveyance path 42. As a result, the recording material P reaches the fixing nip Nf again with the surface on which the base image and the fine line pattern are formed facing the fixing film 31.

[0079] In S307, the control unit 60 causes the fixing unit 30 to perform additional fixing processing on the surface of the recording material P on which the base image and the fine line pattern are formed. In S308, the recording material P is discharged by the discharge roller pair 20, and the print job in the decoration mode for one sheet of recording material P is completed.

[0080] On the other hand, if the print job setting in S301 is the normal mode, the process proceeds to S309, and the control unit 60 performs normal image formation. In this case, formation of a thin line pattern and additional fixing processing are not performed.

[0081] 13 shows, as a comparison between Example 1 and this example, the glossiness (gloss value) measured from a direction of 0° or 90° to the thin line pattern and the difference therebetween (gloss difference Δ) when the line width and interval of the thin line pattern are changed. The solid line shows Example 1, and the dashed line shows Example 3. Here, the thin line width X1 and the thin line interval X2 are set to the same value, and the glossiness of thin line patterns created by changing the values ​​of X1 and X2 (number of dots of thin lines and intervals) in the range of 1 dot to 10 dots, as well as the glossiness of a solid image in which no thin line pattern is formed, were measured.

[0082] Comparing Example 3 (dashed line) with Example 1 (solid line), it can be seen that the gloss difference Δ value does not change, but the variation range of the gloss value, which differs depending on the values ​​of the thin line width X1 and the interval X2, can be suppressed. For example, in Example 3, when the thin line width X1 and the thin line interval X2 are 3 dots, the gloss value measured from the 0° direction is 58, and when the thin line width X1 and the thin line interval X2 are 5 dots, the gloss value measured from the 0° direction is 65, so the variation of the gloss value is 7. On the other hand, in Example 1, when the thin line width X1 and the thin line interval X2 are 3 dots, the gloss value measured from the 0° direction is 45, and when the thin line width X1 and the thin line interval X2 are 5 dots, the gloss value measured from the 0° direction is 57, so the variation of the gloss value is 12.

[0083] The reason why the variation range of the gloss value can be suppressed when the values ​​of the width X1 and the interval X2 of the thin line are changed is as follows. The flatter the toner surface fixed to the recording material P, the more light is reflected specularly on the surface of the recording material P, and the higher the glossiness. In the case of Example 1, when a thin line pattern is formed with a thin line having a width X1 of 2 dots, 3 dots, or 4 dots, the line width is very thin, so there are fewer flat parts and the glossiness (gloss value) is low compared to a line having a width of 5 dots or more. On the other hand, in Example 3, after the thin line pattern is transferred to the recording material P, the surface on which the thin line pattern is formed is used as the fixing surface and multiple fixing processes are performed. In other words, the control unit fixes the second toner image to the recording material by the fixing unit by conveying the recording material again to the fixing unit with the re-conveying unit after the recording material passes through the fixing unit in a state where the second toner image is formed. As a result, the flat parts increase even in very thin thin lines of 2 to 4 dots, so that the glossiness of the decoration designated area approaches the glossiness when a relatively wide thin line of 5 dots or more is used.

[0084] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to change the level of the decoration effect, which changes in glossiness depending on the direction in which the image is viewed, and to suppress fluctuations in the absolute value of the glossiness that accompanies changes in the level of the decoration effect. This expands the range in which the level of the decoration effect and the absolute value of the glossiness of the decoration designation area can be changed according to the user's wishes, making it easier to meet user needs.

[0085] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 30... fixing means / 50... toner image forming means / 60... control means / 100, 101... image forming apparatus

Claims

1. a toner image forming means for forming a toner image on a recording material; a fixing unit for fixing the toner image formed on the recording material by the toner image forming unit onto the recording material by heating the toner image; a re-transportation section for transporting the recording material that has passed through the fixing section again to the toner image forming section; a control means for controlling the toner image forming means and the fixing means based on image information to form an image on the recording material; having The control means forming a first toner image on the recording material by the toner image forming means for applying toner to the entire image area to which a decorative effect is to be added, and fixing the first toner image on the recording material by the fixing means; The recording material on which the first toner image is fixed is transported again to the toner image forming means by the re-transporting section; a second toner image including a pattern in which parallel lines extending in the same direction are arranged at regular intervals, the pattern having anisotropy in which the glossiness changes depending on the viewing direction as the amount of light reflected from the pattern when light is applied to the recording material changes; forming the second toner image by the toner image forming means so as to be superimposed on the first toner image; and fixing the second toner image superimposed on the first toner image to the recording material by the fixing means; the recording material on which the second toner image has been fixed is transported again to the fixing means by the re-transporting section, and the second toner image is further heated by the fixing means; 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means is capable of changing a level of a decorative effect by changing a width and an interval between parallel lines constituting the second toner image.

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The second toner image is a combination of a first pattern in which parallel lines in a first direction are arranged at a predetermined first interval, and a second pattern in which parallel lines in a second direction different from the first direction are arranged at a predetermined second interval.

4. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means selectively uses, as the second toner image, a plurality of patterns each consisting of parallel lines extending in the same direction, the parallel lines having mutually different extending directions.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, an image forming apparatus, wherein the first toner image is an image in which toner is applied in a uniform thickness over the entire image area to which the decorative effect is to be added;

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first toner image and the second toner image are toner images using toner of the same color.

7. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the control means selectively executes a first mode in which the toner image forming means forms the first toner image and the second toner image, and a second mode in which the toner image forming means forms a toner image corresponding to the image information without forming the second toner image.

8. The fixing means includes a cylindrical film, a nip forming member having a heating element for heating the film and disposed inside the film, and a pressure member that is in pressure contact with the nip forming member across the film, and heats an image on the recording material while conveying the recording material by sandwiching it between the film and the pressure member in a nip portion formed between the nip forming member and the pressure member.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

Images