Intermediate Transfer Member Temperature Control for Ink Bronzing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording technologies face challenges in suppressing bronzing and improving the efficiency of transferring intermediate images to recording media, particularly on low permeability surfaces, where inks tend to spread and adhere excessively, leading to image deterioration.
Innovation Solution
An image recording method and apparatus that apply a reaction liquid and a first liquid composition with a water-soluble resin to an intermediate transfer member, followed by an ink containing a second water-soluble resin, with precise temperature adjustments to ensure the intermediate image is transferred efficiently and adheres well to the recording medium, minimizing bronzing and feathering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a transfer type image recording method is used to suppress feathering, then image quality is improved, but incomplete transfer or separation of intermediate images occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies temperature parameter changes by heating the intermediate transfer member to not less than the glass transition temperature Tgs of the water-soluble resin, and cooling the recording medium to less than Tgs, to optimize the transfer process and ensure complete image transfer without separation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material composition by incorporating water-soluble resin into the ink formulation, creating an intermediate image with specific adhesive properties that enables complete transfer to the recording medium while maintaining image quality
2Productivity
If ink is applied directly to low permeability recording medium to achieve high speed output, then productivity is improved, but bronzing occurs due to ink adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate transfer member as a mediator between the ink jet recording apparatus and the low permeability recording medium. This intermediate member allows high-speed ink application while preventing direct ink adhesion to the recording medium surface, thereby eliminating bronzing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the intermediate transfer member to not less than the glass transition temperature Tgs of the water-soluble resin, which modifies the adhesive properties and prevents ink bronzing while maintaining high-speed transfer capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method effectively suppresses bronzing and enhances the transfer efficiency of intermediate images, resulting in high-quality images by optimizing the temperature conditions for the intermediate transfer member and recording medium to align with the glass transition temperature of the water-soluble resin, ensuring better adhesion and reduced adhesion to the transfer member.
Implementation Method 1
a first liquid composition that contains a first water-soluble resin and causes viscosity increase on contact with the reaction liquid
Implementation Method 2
the temperature Tc of the intermediate image and the temperature T1 of the intermediate transfer member from a position at which the intermediate image starts to be in contact with the recording medium to a position at which the intermediate image is separated from the intermediate transfer member are adjusted to a temperature not less than the glass transition temperature Tgs of the second water-soluble resin
Implementation Method 3
the temperature Tr of the intermediate image and the temperature T2 of the recording medium at a position at which the intermediate image is separated from the intermediate transfer member are adjusted to a temperature less than the glass transition temperature Tgs of the second water-soluble resin
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording method includes a reaction liquid applying step; a first liquid composition applying step; an ink applying step of applying an ink containing a second water-soluble resin so as to at least partly overlap with an area where the first liquid composition is applied on an intermediate transfer member to form an intermediate image; and a step of transferring the intermediate image to a recording medium by bringing the intermediate image into contact with the recording medium to separate the intermediate image from the intermediate transfer member. The temperatures Tc, T1 of the intermediate image and intermediate transfer member from start of the contact to the separation are adjusted to be not less than the glass transition temperature Tgs of the second water-soluble resin. The temperatures Tr, T2 of the intermediate image and recording medium at the separation are adjusted to be less than Tgs.