WO2018181165A1

WO2018181165A1 - Printing device, printing control method, and device

Info

Publication number: WO2018181165A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/012110
Authority: WO
Inventors: 洋明北條
Original assignee: 富士フイルム株式会社
Priority date: 2017-03-29
Filing date: 2018-03-26
Publication date: 2018-10-04

Abstract

Provided are a printing device, printing control method, and device making it possible to curb the occurrence of blocking in an accumulating unit in a case where printed articles are being stacked in the accumulation unit after having been coated with water-based varnish. The printing device is provided with: a varnish coating unit 60 for coating, with a water-based varnish, a medium on which an image has been formed with the use of an image formation unit 40; and an accumulating unit 80 for stacking the medium that has been coated with the water-based varnish. The printing device is also provided with: an allowable stacking count determination unit 102 for determining an allowable stacking count at which stacking can be carried out at a specific stacking speed without the occurrence of blocking, such determination made on the basis of a combination of two or more conditions from medium type, varnish type, ink quantity, and powder quantity; and an information presentation unit 108 for presenting at least one blocking countermeasure that enables a designated number of prints to be printed and the occurrence of blocking to be curbed, if the designated number of prints exceeds the allowable stacking count.

Description

Printing apparatus, printing control method and apparatus

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing control method, and an apparatus, and more particularly, to a blocking suppression technique when stacking varnished printed materials.

A varnish coat is known as one of the surface treatments for printed materials. Varnishing is a technique for coating the image surface of a printed material using a varnish. The varnish coat is performed for the purpose of, for example, giving gloss to the image surface to give a high quality feeling to the printed matter, or improving the abrasion resistance and / or chemical resistance of the image surface.

Patent Document 1 describes an ink jet printing apparatus having a function of applying a varnish to an image surface of paper after image formation.

JP 2016-107419 A

In the case where an image is formed on paper using ink and then an aqueous varnish is applied to the surface of the image, there is a problem that blocking occurs in the stacking portion where the printed matter after the aqueous varnish application is stacked. Blocking is synonymous with “stacker blocking”. The problem of blocking is a problem common not only to printing apparatuses that form images by the inkjet method, but also to printing apparatuses of various image forming methods such as plate-type printing apparatuses that form images using plates. In the ink jet printing apparatus using the water-based ink, the amount of moisture applied to the paper is relatively large, and thus the above problem is particularly remarkable.

As shown in Patent Document 1, there are an inline method, an offline method, and an online method as varnish methods. In any of these methods, blocking can occur, but the above problem is particularly remarkable in the case of the inline method.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a printing apparatus, a printing control method, and an apparatus capable of suppressing the occurrence of blocking in a stacking portion when stacking printed matter after applying a water-based varnish. With the goal.

In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure provides the following aspects of the invention.

A printing apparatus according to a first aspect includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium, a varnish applying unit that applies an aqueous varnish to a medium on which an image is formed using the image forming unit, and a medium on which an aqueous varnish is applied Is applied under predetermined conditions to a powder having a blocking inhibitory effect, and is stacked at a specific stacking speed, medium type of medium, varnish type of aqueous varnish, ink amount used for image formation, and accumulation A stack allowable number determining unit that determines a stack allowable number of sheets that can be stacked without occurrence of blocking at a specific stack speed from a combination of two or more conditions among the amount of powder applied by the unit, and printing When the number of prints specified as the number exceeds the allowable number of stacks, printing of the specified number of prints can be realized, and the occurrence of blocking is reduced. Also printing apparatus comprising an information presenting section for presenting the one blocking control measures.

The printing apparatus of the first aspect determines the allowable number of stacks from a combination of two or more conditions of the medium type of the medium used for printing, the varnish type of the aqueous varnish, the ink amount, and the powder amount. The printing apparatus according to the first aspect can predict whether or not blocking has occurred in the stacking unit when the designated number of printed sheets is printed by comparing the designated number of printed sheets with the stack allowable number. If the number of printed sheets exceeds the stack allowable number, blocking is predicted to occur. The printing apparatus according to the first aspect presents at least one blocking suppression measure that can realize printing of a specified number of printed sheets and suppress the occurrence of blocking when the number of printed sheets exceeds the stack allowable number.

According to the first aspect, the user can grasp in advance whether blocking occurs in the stacking unit. By implementing the presented blocking suppression measure, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of blocking in the stacking unit when printing a specified number of printed sheets.

Note that the amount of ink used to form an image has a correlation with the content of the image to be printed. The ink amount can be obtained by calculation from a signal value of image data to be printed, for example. That is, the ink amount can be evaluated based on the image data.

As a second aspect, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, a selection instruction receiving unit that receives an input of an instruction for selecting whether or not to adopt at least one blocking suppression measure presented to the information presentation unit, and a selection instruction receiving unit are input. And a control unit that controls execution of the blocking suppression measure in accordance with the selection instruction.

The “selection instruction” includes at least one of an instruction to select a blocking suppression measure to be adopted from one or more candidate blocking suppression measures presented, and an instruction to select not to adopt a blocking suppression measure. One instruction is included.

“Controlling execution of blocking suppression measures” includes control of whether or not to execute blocking suppression measures. That is, it is included in the concept of “controlling execution of the blocking suppression measure” not to execute any one or more of the presented blocking suppression measures.

According to the second aspect, the user can determine whether or not to adopt the blocking suppression measure presented in the information presentation unit, and can input a selection instruction for adoption from the selection instruction receiving unit.

As a third aspect, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect or the second aspect, when the number of printed sheets is equal to or less than the allowable number of stacks, a stack of media equal to or smaller than the allowable number of stacks is stacked on the stacking unit at a specific stack speed. A stack operation that forms a single stack bundle may be executed.

If the number of printed sheets is less than or equal to the allowable number of stacks, blocking is not expected even if the specified number of printed sheets is stacked on the stacking unit at a specific stack speed. Therefore, in this case, it is not necessary to implement a separate blocking suppression measure.

As a fourth aspect, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, a stacking method in which a single stack bundle is formed by stacking media on the stacking unit at a specific stacking speed. In the case of the stack method, the blocking suppression measure can be configured as a measure for implementing the second stack method in which the stack operation is different from the first stack method.

As a fifth aspect, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, each of a plurality of combinations of two or more conditions among a medium type, a varnish type, an ink amount, and a powder amount. A calculation table storage unit that stores a first calculation table that defines the value of the allowable stack number is provided, and the allowable stack number determining unit is configured to determine the allowable stack number using the first calculation table. Can do.

The stack allowable number determination unit can determine the stack allowable number suitable for the conditions using the first calculation table from the given printing conditions. The printing conditions include two or more conditions of medium type, varnish type, ink amount, and powder amount.

As a sixth aspect, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, one of the blocking suppression measures is to stack the stacking unit at a specific stack speed, and the stack number becomes the stack allowable number. When it reaches, it can be set as the structure which is a policy of newly stacking another stack bundle.

As a seventh aspect, in the printing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the stacking unit includes a stacking device in which a partition member for separating the stack bundle is disposed for each stack allowable number, and a new stack bundle is stacked on the partition member. Can be configured.

As an eighth aspect, in the printing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the stacking unit includes a stack bundle retracting mechanism that moves the stack bundle that has reached the stack allowable number from the stack position to another retract position. Can do.

As a ninth aspect, in the printing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the stack bundle retracting mechanism includes a belt conveyor, and the belt conveyor has a belt length capable of placing each of the plurality of stack bundles at different positions on the belt conveyor. It can be configured.

As a tenth aspect, in the printing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the stack bundle retracting mechanism includes a turntable having a plurality of stack areas on which a plurality of stack bundles can be placed, and the turntable is rotated to stack the stack bundles. The position of the stacked stack area can be moved.

As an eleventh aspect, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the sixth aspect and the eighth aspect to the tenth aspect, when a new stack bundle is stacked for each stack allowable number with respect to the number of printed sheets, the total number of stack bundles When the number of stacks is 3 or more, the first stack bundle that has reached the allowable stack quantity is separated from the first stack bundle after the stack quantity of the newly stacked second stack bundle has reached the allowable stack quantity. Any one of the third and subsequent stack bundles may be stacked on the first stack bundle whose specified time has elapsed since the stack end of the stack bundle.

As a twelfth aspect, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, when one of the blocking suppression measures stacks a stack bundle at a specific stack speed and the stack number reaches the stack allowable number, It is possible to adopt a configuration in which printing is temporarily stopped and printing is resumed after a specified time has elapsed and the stack is continued in the stack bundle.

As a thirteenth aspect, in the printing apparatus of the eleventh aspect or the twelfth aspect, two or more of the medium type of the medium, the varnish type of the aqueous varnish, the ink amount of the ink used for forming the image, and the powder amount of the powder From the combination of the above conditions, a specified time determining unit that determines a specified time that can be stacked without occurrence of blocking at a specific stack speed on a stack bundle that has reached the allowable stack number can be provided. .

As a fourteenth aspect, in the printing apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, a stack allowable number value and a specified time value for a plurality of combinations of two or more conditions among medium type, varnish type, ink amount, and powder amount are set. A calculation table storage unit for storing a specified second calculation table, and the specified time determination unit determines a specified time suitable for the condition from the specified condition using the second calculation table; can do.

The second calculation table can serve as the first calculation table. The allowable stack number determining unit can determine the allowable stack number suitable for the conditions using the second calculation table from the given printing conditions. The specified time determination unit can determine a specified time suitable for the conditions using the second calculation table from the given printing conditions.

As a fifteenth aspect, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, one of the blocking suppression measures can be configured to make the stack speed slower than a specific stack speed.

As a sixteenth aspect, in the printing apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect, according to a stack speed determining unit that determines a stack speed at which stacking can be performed more than the number of printed sheets without occurrence of blocking, and a stack speed determined by the stack speed determining unit, And a stack speed control unit that controls the stack speed.

As a seventeenth aspect, in the printing apparatus according to the sixteenth aspect, the stack speed determining unit calculates a stack speed that allows stacking of the number of print sheets or more using the number of printed sheets, the stack allowable number, and a specific stack speed. It can be configured.

As an eighteenth aspect, in the printing apparatus according to the sixteenth aspect or the seventeenth aspect, the stack speed control unit may be configured to control the medium conveyance speed.

As a nineteenth aspect, in the printing apparatus according to the sixteenth aspect or the seventeenth aspect, the stack speed control unit can control the medium supply time interval for supplying the medium to the image forming unit.

As a twentieth aspect, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, one of the blocking suppression measures is to hold a bundle of media divided into a smaller number of smaller copies than the allowable number of stacks for a certain period of time. After that, by stacking the media, it is possible to adopt a configuration that is a measure for forming a stack bundle having a stack number exceeding the allowable number of stacks.

As a twenty-first aspect, in the printing apparatus according to the twentieth aspect, the stacking unit has a plurality of storage shelves for storing a small number of medium bundles, and sequentially moves the plurality of storage shelves so that a small number of copies are stored in the storage shelf. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which a stack of media is stored and a stacking device that holds a bundle of a small number of media in a storage shelf for a certain period of time.

As a twenty-second aspect, in the printing apparatus according to the twentieth aspect, the stacking unit injects air from a side surface direction of the medium to a position where the medium bundle is constrained, and constrains a small number of medium bundles by the ejected air. By doing so, it is possible to provide a stacking device that holds a bundle of a small number of media for a certain period of time.

As a twenty-third aspect, in the printing apparatus according to the twentieth aspect, the stacking unit includes a stacking device including a movable holding member that holds a small number of medium bundles, and the holding member is a small number of medium bundles. Can be moved to a non-holding position where a small number of medium bundles are not held, and after the small number of medium bundles are held by the holding member, the holding member is moved to the non-holding position. By releasing the holding state, the medium can be stacked.

As a twenty-fourth aspect, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to twenty-third aspects, the image forming unit may include an inkjet head.

In addition, you may combine suitably each aspect of a 1st aspect to a 24th aspect. For example, it is possible to configure a printing apparatus that can execute two or more blocking suppression measures among the blocking suppression measures shown as the sixth aspect, the twelfth aspect, the fifteenth aspect, and the nineteenth aspect.

In the printing control method according to the twenty-fifth aspect, an aqueous varnish is applied to a medium on which an image is formed, and a powder having a blocking inhibiting effect is applied to the medium on which the aqueous varnish is applied under predetermined conditions, and at a specific stack speed. A printing control method for controlling the operation of a printing apparatus stacked in a stacking unit, which is used for forming a medium type of an image-forming medium, an aqueous varnish type applied to an image-forming medium, and forming an image. A stack that determines the allowable number of stacks that can be stacked without causing blocking at a specific stack speed from a combination of two or more conditions among the ink amount of ink and the amount of powder applied in the stacking unit. When the number of prints designated as the number of sheets to be printed and the number of prints designated as the number of sheets to be printed exceed the allowable number of stacks, printing of the designated number of prints can be realized, and Including the information presentation step of presenting at least one blocking control measures for suppressing the occurrence of locking.

In the printing control method according to the twenty-fifth aspect, the same matters as the specific matters of the printing apparatus specified in the second to twenty-fourth aspects can be appropriately combined. In this case, the processing unit or function unit serving as a unit responsible for the processing or operation function specified in the printing apparatus can be grasped as an element of a “process (step)” of the corresponding processing or operation.

A printing control apparatus according to a twenty-sixth aspect includes a medium type of a medium on which an image is formed, a varnish type of an aqueous varnish applied to the medium on which an image is formed, an ink amount of ink used for forming an image, and an aqueous varnish. From the combination of two or more conditions of the amount of powder having a blocking deterrent effect that is applied to the medium on which the coating is applied in a predetermined condition, the powder is stacked at a specific stack speed without blocking. A stack allowable number determination unit that determines an allowable stack number, and when the number of prints specified as the number of sheets to be printed exceeds the stack allowable number, printing of the specified number of prints can be realized, and blocking is also possible. An information presentation unit that presents at least one blocking suppression measure that suppresses occurrence.

The printing control apparatus according to the twenty-sixth aspect can be used as a control apparatus for a printing apparatus that performs image formation and aqueous varnish application. In the printing control apparatus according to the twenty-sixth aspect, matters similar to the identification items of the printing apparatus identified in the second aspect to the twenty-fourth aspect can be appropriately combined.

According to the present invention, the user can grasp in advance before printing whether or not blocking occurs in the stacking unit. By implementing the presented blocking suppression measures, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of blocking in the stacking unit when printing a specified number of printed sheets.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an example of an inkjet printing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating the time dependency of the adhesive force between the surface of the varnish in the stack and the paper in the case of stacking the printed materials coated with the aqueous varnish. FIG. 3 is a graph of another example showing the time dependency of the adhesive force between the surface of the varnish in the stack and the paper in the case where the printed materials coated with the aqueous varnish are stacked. FIG. 4 is a graph of another example showing the time dependency of the adhesive force between the surface of the varnish in the stack and the paper in the case where the printed matter coated with the aqueous varnish is stacked. FIG. 5 is a chart showing an example of a calculation table used for calculating the allowable stack number X. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a part of functions realized by the control device of the inkjet printing apparatus. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the control device. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing an outline of the first example of the blocking suppression measure. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a specific example of an implementation method for realizing Example 1 of the blocking suppression measure. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating another specific example of the implementation method for realizing the first example of the blocking suppression measure. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing another specific example of the implementation method for realizing the first example of the blocking suppression measure. FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing an outline of the example 2 of the blocking suppression measure. FIG. 13 is a chart showing an example of a calculation table used for calculating the specified time T. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating functions of an inkjet printing apparatus that implements Example 2 of the blocking suppression measure. FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating functions of an inkjet printing apparatus that implements Example 3 of the blocking suppression measure. FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating a specific example of an implementation method for realizing Example 4 of the blocking suppression measure. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a bundle of printed materials stored in the storage shelf in the stacking apparatus illustrated in FIG. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the operation of the integrated device shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically illustrating another specific example of the implementation method for realizing the blocking suppression measure example 4. FIG. FIG. 20 is a diagram schematically illustrating another specific example of the implementation method for realizing the blocking suppression measure example 4. FIG. FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control system of the inkjet printing apparatus. FIG. 22 is a block diagram of functions realized by the control device. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a printing processing procedure for performing varnish coating.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<< Configuration example of inkjet printing apparatus >>
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an example of an inkjet printing apparatus. The inkjet printing apparatus 1 is configured as a printing apparatus capable of varnish coating inline. The ink jet printing apparatus 1 includes a paper feeding unit 10, a treatment liquid application unit 20, a treatment liquid drying unit 30, an image forming unit 40, an ink drying unit 50, a varnish application unit 60, and a varnish post-processing unit 70. And an accumulating unit 80.

<Paper Feeder>
The paper feeding unit 10 feeds paper P, which is a sheet of paper, one by one. The paper feeding unit 10 includes a paper feeding device 11, a feeder board 12, and a paper feeding drum 13. The paper P is placed on the paper feed tray of the paper feeder 11 in a paper bundle state. The type of the paper P is not particularly limited, and for example, general-purpose printing paper such as high-quality paper, coated paper, and art paper can be used. General-purpose printing paper is not so-called inkjet paper but coated paper or non-coated paper generally used in contact printing such as offset printing, and refers to paper mainly composed of cellulose. . The paper P is an example of a medium on which an image is formed.

The paper feeding device 11 feeds the paper P stacked on the paper feeding tray one by one from the top of the paper bundle one by one at a constant paper feeding time interval to the feeder board 12. The feeder board 12 conveys the sheet P received from the sheet feeding device 11 along a certain conveyance path and delivers it to the sheet feeding drum 13.

The paper supply drum 13 conveys the paper P received from the feeder board 12 along a certain conveyance path, and delivers it to the treatment liquid coating drum 21. The paper feed drum 13 includes a gripper (not shown) on the drum peripheral surface. The paper feed drum 13 conveys the paper P around the drum circumferential surface by gripping and rotating the leading edge of the paper P with a gripper (not shown).

<Processing liquid application part>
The processing liquid application unit 20 applies the processing liquid to the paper P. The processing liquid of this example is a liquid containing an aggregating agent that aggregates the color material components in the ink used in the image forming unit 40. The flocculant may be a compound that can change the pH (pH) of the ink composition, a polyvalent metal salt, or a polyallylamine. Preferred examples of the compound capable of lowering the pH include acidic substances having high water solubility. An acidic substance may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

By applying such a treatment liquid onto the paper P and performing printing, even when general-purpose printing paper is used, the spread and / or movement of ink is suppressed, and high-quality images can be formed. It becomes possible. The treatment liquid may be referred to by terms such as a pretreatment liquid, a precoat liquid, or a preconditioning liquid.

The treatment liquid application unit 20 includes a treatment liquid application drum 21 and a treatment liquid application device 22. The treatment liquid application drum 21 conveys the paper P received from the paper supply drum 13 along a certain conveyance path and delivers it to the treatment liquid drying drum 31. The treatment liquid coating drum 21 includes a gripper (not shown) on the peripheral surface of the drum. The treatment liquid coating drum 21 grips and rotates the leading end of the paper P with a gripper (not shown), thereby winding and transporting the paper P around the drum peripheral surface.

The processing liquid coating device 22 applies the processing liquid to the first surface of the paper P conveyed by the processing liquid coating drum 21. The first surface of the paper P corresponds to an image forming surface on which an image is formed with ink. The image forming surface is synonymous with the printing surface. The surface opposite to the first surface of the paper P is referred to as the second surface. The processing liquid coating apparatus 22 of this example applies the processing liquid to the paper P by a roller coating method. That is, the processing liquid coating apparatus 22 includes a coating roller, and applies the processing liquid to the paper P by pressing the coating roller with the processing liquid applied to the peripheral surface against the printing surface of the paper P. In addition, the coating method of the treatment liquid coating apparatus 22 is not particularly limited, and another coating method such as an inkjet method or a spray method may be employed instead of the roller coating method.

<Processing liquid drying section>
The treatment liquid drying unit 30 dries the treatment liquid applied to the paper P. The processing liquid drying unit 30 includes a processing liquid drying drum 31, a first paper guide 32, and a dryer 33.

The treatment liquid drying drum 31 conveys the paper P received from the treatment liquid application drum 21 along a certain conveyance path and delivers it to the image forming drum 41. The treatment liquid drying drum 31 includes a gripper (not shown) on the peripheral surface of the drum. The paper feed drum 13 conveys the paper P around the drum circumferential surface by gripping and rotating the leading edge of the paper P with a gripper (not shown).

The first paper guide 32 is arranged along the transport path of the paper P by the treatment liquid drying drum 31 and guides the transport of the paper P. The paper P is conveyed while sliding on the first paper guide 32.

The dryer 33 blows hot air onto the first surface of the paper P conveyed by the processing liquid drying drum 31 to heat the first surface of the paper P coated with the processing liquid. The dryer 33 is disposed inside the processing liquid drying drum 31. The dryer 33 includes, for example, a heat source such as a halogen heater or an infrared heater, and a blowing unit that blows the gas heated by the heat source. The gas heated by the heat source is, for example, air. Other gases may be used instead of or in addition to air.

As the air blowing means, for example, a fan or a blower can be used. When the dryer 33 is configured to include a heater and air blowing means, the heating intensity can be controlled by adjusting at least one of the number of lighting heaters and / or the lighting duty ratio.

The hot air from the dryer 33 is blown onto the first surface of the paper P in the process of being conveyed by the treatment liquid drying drum 31. As a result, the first surface, which is the treatment liquid application surface of the paper P, is heated, and the solvent component of the treatment liquid applied to the paper P is removed by drying. As a result, an ink aggregation layer is formed on the first surface of the paper P. The ink aggregating layer refers to a layer of an ink aggregating agent contained in the processing liquid. The water in the processing liquid evaporates by the processing liquid drying unit 30, and an ink aggregation layer that is a thin film layer of the ink aggregation agent of the processing liquid is formed on the first surface of the paper P.

<Image forming part>
The image forming unit 40 forms an image on the first surface of the paper P by an inkjet method. The image forming unit 40 includes an image forming drum 41, a sheet pressing roller 42, ink jet heads 43 C, 43 M, 43 Y, 43 K, and a scanner 44.

The image forming drum 41 receives the paper P from the processing liquid drying drum 31, transports the received paper P along a certain transport path, and delivers it to the first chain delivery 51. The image forming drum 41 grips and rotates the front end of the paper P with a gripper (not shown) provided on the peripheral surface, thereby winding and transporting the paper P around the peripheral surface.

A large number of suction holes (not shown) for adsorbing paper are formed on the peripheral surface of the image forming drum 41, and the paper P is adsorbed and held on the peripheral surface of the image forming drum 41 by the negative pressure generated in the suction holes. . Note that the image forming drum 41 is not limited to the configuration in which the paper P is sucked and fixed by negative pressure suction, and may be configured to suck and hold the paper P by electrostatic suction, for example.

The paper pressing roller 42 presses the paper P against the peripheral surface of the image forming drum 41 and closely contacts the peripheral surface of the image forming drum 41.

The inkjet head 43C is a recording head that discharges cyan (C) ink droplets. The inkjet head 43M is a recording head that ejects magenta (M) ink droplets. The inkjet head 43Y is a recording head that discharges yellow (Y) ink droplets. The inkjet head 43K is a recording head that ejects black (K) ink droplets.

Each of the inkjet heads 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K is supplied with ink from an ink tank (not shown) that is an ink supply source of a corresponding color via a pipe path (not shown). Each of the inkjet heads 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K is a line-type inkjet head. That is, the inkjet heads 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K are constituted by line heads having nozzle rows in which nozzles are arranged over a length corresponding to the drawable range of the maximum paper width.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of nozzles serving as ink ejection openings are two-dimensionally arranged on the nozzle surfaces of the inkjet heads 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K. “Nozzle surface” refers to an ejection surface on which nozzles are formed, and is synonymous with terms such as “ink ejection surface” or “nozzle formation surface”. A nozzle arrangement of a plurality of nozzles arranged two-dimensionally is called a “two-dimensional nozzle arrangement”.

Each of the inkjet heads 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K can be configured by connecting a plurality of head modules in the paper width direction. The paper width here refers to the paper width in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper P. Each of the inkjet heads 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K is a nozzle capable of recording an image with a specified recording resolution in one scan of the entire recording area of the paper P in the paper width direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P. This is a line type recording head having columns. Such a recording head is also called a “full line type recording head” or a “page wide head”.

In the case of an inkjet head having a two-dimensional nozzle array, the projection nozzle array in which the nozzles in the two-dimensional nozzle array are projected (orthographically projected) along the nozzle array direction achieves the maximum recording resolution in the nozzle array direction. It can be considered that the nozzle density is equivalent to a single nozzle row in which each nozzle is arranged at approximately equal intervals. The “substantially equidistant” means that the droplet ejection points that can be recorded by the ink jet printing apparatus are substantially equidistant. For example, the concept of “equally spaced” includes a case where the distance is slightly different in consideration of manufacturing errors and / or movement of droplets on the medium due to landing interference. The projection nozzle row corresponds to a substantial nozzle row. Considering the projection nozzle row, it is possible to associate a nozzle number representing the nozzle position with each nozzle in the arrangement order of the projection nozzles arranged along the nozzle row direction.

The nozzle arrangement form in each of the inkjet heads 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K is not limited, and various nozzle arrangement forms can be adopted. For example, instead of a matrix-like two-dimensional array, a linear array of lines, a V-shaped nozzle array, a polygonal nozzle array such as a W-shape with a V-shaped array as a repeating unit, and the like are also possible. It is.

The inkjet heads 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K are arranged on the conveyance path of the paper P at a constant interval, and the inkjet heads 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K extend in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper P. To be installed. The direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P is a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the image forming drum 41.

Ink droplets are ejected from at least one of the inkjet heads 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K toward the paper P conveyed by the image forming drum 41, and the ejected droplets adhere to the paper P. Thus, an image is formed on the paper P.

In this example, a configuration using four colors of CMYK is illustrated, but the combination of ink color and number of colors is not limited to this embodiment, and light ink, dark ink, special color ink, etc. are added as necessary. May be. For example, a configuration in which an inkjet head that ejects light-colored ink such as light cyan and light magenta is added, and / or a configuration in which an inkjet head that ejects a special color ink such as green or orange is added. Also, the arrangement order of the ink jet heads for each color is not particularly limited.

The scanner 44 is an apparatus that optically reads an image formed on the paper P by the inkjet heads 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K, and generates electronic image data indicating the read image. The scanner 44 includes an imaging device that captures an image recorded on the paper P and converts it into an electrical signal indicating image information. A color CCD linear image sensor can be used as the imaging device. CCD is an abbreviation for Charge-Coupled Device and refers to a charge coupled device. Instead of the color CCD linear image sensor, a color CMOS linear image sensor can be used. CMOS is an abbreviation for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor and refers to a complementary metal oxide semiconductor.

The scanner 44 may include, in addition to the imaging device, an illumination optical system that illuminates a reading target and a signal processing circuit that processes a signal obtained from the imaging device and generates digital image data.

The scanner 44 is arranged on the downstream side of the inkjet head 43K located on the most downstream side in the transport direction of the paper P among the inkjet heads 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K. The scanner 44 reads an image on the paper P while the paper P is being conveyed by the image forming drum 41.

When the paper P on which the image is formed using at least one of the inkjet heads 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K passes through the reading area of the scanner 44, the image on the paper P is read. As the image formed on the paper P, in addition to the image to be printed specified in the print job, a defective nozzle detection pattern for inspecting the ejection state of each nozzle, a test pattern for correcting print density, and for correcting print density unevenness Test patterns and other various test patterns can be included.

The print image is inspected based on the read image data read by the scanner 44, and it is determined whether there is an abnormality in image quality. Further, based on the read image data read by the scanner 44, it is possible to obtain information such as the density of the print image and ejection defects of the inkjet heads 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K.

<Ink drying section>
The ink drying unit 50 heats the paper P after image formation to dry the ink. The ink drying unit 50 includes a first chain delivery 51, a second paper guide 52, and a first heating device 53.

The first chain delivery 51 conveys the paper P received from the image forming drum 41 along a predetermined conveyance path, and delivers it to the varnish application drum 61. The first chain delivery 51 includes a pair of endless chains that travel along a certain travel route, and grips the leading edge of the paper P with a gripper (not shown) that spans the pair of chains. Is transported along a certain transport path.

The second paper guide 52 guides the travel of the paper P conveyed by the first chain delivery 51. The second paper guide 52 has a hollow board shape and has a flat guide surface along the paper P conveyance path. The paper P is conveyed while sliding on the guide surface of the second paper guide 52. The guide surface of the second paper guide 52 has a number of suction holes (not shown). The sheet P slides on the guide surface of the second sheet guide 52 while being sucked from the suction hole. Thereby, the paper P can be conveyed while applying tension to the paper P.

The first heating device 53 heats the image surface of the paper P conveyed by the first chain delivery 51 to dry the ink. For example, the first heating device 53 is configured by arranging a plurality of rod-shaped heaters at regular intervals along the conveyance direction of the paper P. Each heater is disposed orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper P. For example, a halogen heater or an infrared heater is used as the heater. The first heating device 53 may include a blowing unit such as a fan or a blower. In the first heating device 53, the drying intensity indicating the strength of drying is adjusted by the number of lighting heaters and / or the lighting duty ratio.

In the process of being conveyed by the first chain delivery 51, the image surface of the paper P is heated by the first heating device 53, and the ink is dried.

The inkjet printing apparatus 1 includes a first temperature detection unit 56 in order to appropriately control ink drying conditions in the ink drying unit 50. The first temperature detection unit 56 detects the temperature of the paper P that has been dried using the first heating device 53. The temperature of the paper P detected using the first temperature detection unit 56 is, for example, the surface temperature of the paper P. A non-contact temperature sensor can be used for the first temperature detection unit 56.

The first temperature detection unit 56 is disposed downstream of the first heating device 53 in the paper conveyance path and at a position before the paper P is delivered to the varnish application unit 60. Based on the temperature information detected using the first temperature detection unit 56, the operation of the first heating device 53 is controlled.

<Varnish application part>
The varnish application unit 60 applies varnish to the image surface of the paper P after image formation. The varnish used in this embodiment is an aqueous varnish. An aqueous varnish is a water-soluble varnish. The varnish application unit 60 includes a varnish application drum 61 and a varnish coater 90.

The varnish application drum 61 receives the paper P from the first chain delivery 51, transports the received paper P along a certain transport path, and delivers it to the second chain delivery 71. The varnish application drum 61 is conveyed by winding the paper P around the peripheral surface by gripping and rotating the leading end of the paper P with a gripper (not shown) provided on the peripheral surface of the drum.

Examples of the configuration of the varnish coater 90 include a configuration including a varnish tank, a drawing roller, a measuring blade, one or more intermediate transfer rollers, and a varnish application roller. The configuration of the varnish coater 90 is not particularly limited, and may include a doctor chamber and a varnish application roller.

When varnishing the paper P after image formation, the varnish application roller is pressed against the image forming surface (first surface) in the process of being conveyed to the varnish application drum 61 and the varnish is applied to the image forming surface. Applied.

<Variet aftertreatment>
The varnish post-processing unit 70 performs post-processing of the varnish applied to the image surface of the paper P by the varnish application unit 60. When an aqueous varnish is used, a heat drying process is performed as a post-treatment of the varnish. The heat drying process here is a process of heating the image surface of the paper P coated with varnish to dry the varnish, that is, a process of volatilizing moisture or solvent in the varnish. Thereby, the stickiness of the surface of a varnish layer is suppressed and generation | occurrence | production of blocking is suppressed.

The varnish post-processing unit 70 includes a second chain delivery 71, a third paper guide 72, and a second heating device 70A.

The second chain delivery 71 receives the paper P from the varnish application drum 61, transports the received paper P along a certain transport path, and discharges it at the paper discharge position. The second chain delivery 71 includes a pair of endless chains that travel along a certain travel route, and grips the leading end of the paper P with a gripper (not shown) that is stretched over the pair of chains. Is transported along a certain transport path.

The third paper guide 72 guides the travel of the paper P conveyed by the second chain delivery 71. The third paper guide 72 has a hollow board shape and has a flat guide surface along the paper P conveyance path. The paper P is conveyed while sliding on the guide surface of the third paper guide 72. The guide surface of the third paper guide 72 has a number of suction holes. The sheet P slides on the guide surface while being sucked from the suction hole. Thereby, the paper P can be conveyed while applying tension to the paper P.

The second heating device 70A heats the image surface of the paper P conveyed by the second chain delivery 71, and dries the varnish applied to the image surface. A configuration similar to that of the first heating device 53 can be applied to the second heating device 70A.

The sheet P coated with the aqueous varnish is heated by the second heating device 70A in the process of being conveyed by the second chain delivery 71, and the coated varnish is dried.

The varnish post-processing unit 70 may include a cooling processing unit (not shown) that cools the varnish applied to the paper P. As a configuration example of the cooling processing unit, a configuration in which a blower fan is provided can be given. By subjecting the varnish to a cooling treatment, the viscosity of the varnish can be increased. By increasing the viscosity of the varnish, the ink solvent is prevented from being mixed into the varnish, and the stickiness of the varnish can be suppressed.

The inkjet printing apparatus 1 includes a second temperature detection unit 94 in order to appropriately control the varnish drying conditions in the varnish post-processing unit 70. The second temperature detection unit 94 detects the temperature of the paper P after the varnish post-processing is performed using the second heating device 70A. The temperature of the paper P detected using the second temperature detection unit 94 is, for example, the surface temperature of the paper P. A non-contact temperature sensor can be used for the second temperature detection unit 94.

The second temperature detection unit 94 is disposed at a position downstream of the second heating device 70A on the downstream side of the sheet conveyance path and in front of the stacking unit 80. Based on the temperature information detected using the second temperature detector 94, the operation of the second heating device 70A is controlled.

<Accumulation part>
The stacking unit 80 stacks the discharged paper P. The stacking unit 80 includes a stacking device 81. The stacking device 81 receives the paper P released from the second chain delivery 71 at a predetermined paper discharge position, and stacks and collects the paper P on the paper discharge table.

<Powder spraying part>
The ink jet printing apparatus 1 includes a powder spray unit 96. The powder spraying unit 96 sprays the powder onto the paper P stacked on the stacking unit 80. The powder is a powder having a blocking deterrent effect. As the powder, an anti-blocking powder used in the printing field can be used. The powder is sometimes referred to as an “antiblocking agent”. The powder may be either inorganic particles or organic particles. As an example of the powder, particles of a material selected from the group consisting of starch coated with a silicone resin, silica, acrylic resin, styrene resin, silicone resin, and metal oxide are preferable.

Examples of acrylic resins include polymethyl acrylate and polymethyl methacrylate. An example of the styrene resin is polystyrene. Examples of metal oxides include titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, and aluminum oxide.

The ink used for inkjet image formation has a higher water content than the ink used in printing methods other than the inkjet method. Therefore, in the ink jet printing apparatus 1, it is preferable that the powder is hydrophobic in order to increase the abrasion resistance of the printed matter and prevent the occurrence of image defects in the image. For example, a powder subjected to hydrophobic treatment such as starch coated with a silicone resin is more preferable.

1 is arranged at a position downstream of the second temperature detection unit 94 in the paper conveyance direction in the conveyance path of the paper P. The powder spraying unit 96 shown in FIG. The powder spraying unit 96 sprays the powder onto the paper P before being stacked on the stacking unit 80 or onto the paper P after being placed on the stacking unit 80.

A powder spray nozzle that is used as a powder applying means in the printing field can be applied to the powder spray unit 96. As the powder spraying part 96, a blower type or an electronic spraying type can be applied.

《Blocking problem in the accumulation part》
When stacking the printed matter after applying the aqueous varnish, the adhesive force between the aqueous varnish surface and the paper increases as the load applied to the paper in contact with the aqueous varnish increases. The printed matter after applying the aqueous varnish is stacked one by one on the accumulating part. For this reason, the load applied to the sheet in the lowermost layer of the stack bundle increases as the number of stacks increases. That is, when printing a plurality of sheets, the load applied to the sheet in the lowermost layer of the stack bundle increases with time.

When the load applied to the paper exceeds a specified load, it exceeds the `` allowable adhesive strength '', the strength of the paper coat layer is lost against the adhesive strength of the varnish, and the coat layer breaks when the paper is peeled off, blocking May occur. On the other hand, if the load applied to the paper does not exceed the “allowable adhesive strength”, the coating layer of the paper will not be defeated by the adhesive strength of the varnish. do not do.

The adhesive force due to the stickiness of the surface of the varnish applied to the image surface after the image formation is gradually reduced as the solvent escapes from the varnish layer over time. The load applied to the varnish surface of the paper located in the lowermost layer in the stack of paper in the stack increases as the stack speed increases and / or as the paper basis weight increases, the load increasing speed increases. The load increase rate means an amount of increase in load applied to the paper per unit time. The basis weight means the mass of paper per unit area. The basis weight is usually expressed by the mass of paper per square meter, and the unit of “g / m ² ” is used. As the paper is heavier, the paper thickness tends to increase, so the basis weight is used in the same meaning as “paper thickness”.

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating the time dependency of the adhesive force between the surface of the varnish in the stack and the paper when the printed matter coated with the aqueous varnish is stacked. The horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time from the start of stacking. The vertical axis represents adhesive force or load. Time t = 0 represents the moment of stacking. In FIG. 2, a graph G1 that descends to the right represents the behavior of the adhesive force due to the stickiness of the varnish. Regarding this graph G1, the vertical axis of FIG. 2 represents “adhesive strength”.

In FIG. 2, a graph G2 that rises to the right shows an increasing behavior of the load due to the stack. Regarding the graph G2, the vertical axis in FIG. 2 represents “load”.

In FIG. 2, a graph G3 indicated by a thick solid line shows the behavior of the adhesive force between the varnish surface and the paper back surface. In FIG. 2, a horizontal graph G4 indicated by a broken line represents an allowable adhesive force. Regarding the graphs G3 and G4, the vertical axis of FIG. 2 represents “adhesive strength”.

ブロッキング Blocking does not occur if the adhesive strength between the varnish surface and the paper is less than the allowable adhesive strength. When the adhesive force between the varnish surface and the paper exceeds the allowable adhesive force, blocking occurs.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the adhesive force due to stickiness at the moment of stacking (t = 0) is smaller than the allowable adhesive force, the load increasing speed is the same as the speed at which the adhesive force due to varnish stickiness decreases, or If the adhesive force due to stickiness is slower than the rate at which it decreases, blocking does not occur.

The load increasing speed is represented by the magnitude of the slope of the graph G2. The speed at which the adhesive force due to the stickiness of the varnish decreases is represented by the magnitude of the slope of the graph G1. The graph G1 is a downward-sloping graph, and the slope has a negative value, but the magnitude of the slope is represented by the absolute value of the slope.

FIG. 3 is a graph of another example showing the time dependency of the adhesive force between the surface of the varnish in the stack and the paper in the case where the printed matter coated with the aqueous varnish is stacked. The notation rules of the horizontal axis, the vertical axis, and the graphs G1, G2, G3, and G4 in FIG. 3 are the same as those in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the adhesive force due to varnish sticking at the moment of stacking (t = 0) is smaller than the allowable adhesive force, the load increasing rate is faster than the rate at which the adhesive force due to varnish sticking decreases. When the load is reached (t = t _A ), the adhesive force between the varnish surface and the back surface of the paper exceeds the “allowable adhesive force”, and thus blocking occurs.

FIG. 4 is a graph of another example showing the time dependency of the adhesive force between the surface of the varnish in the stack and the paper in the case where the printed matter coated with the aqueous varnish is stacked. The notation rules of the horizontal axis, vertical axis, and graphs G1, G2, G3, and G4 in FIG. 4 are the same as those in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the amount of solvent in the varnish is unacceptably large from the beginning at the instant of stacking (t = 0), the adhesive force due to stickiness of the varnish increases, and the allowable adhesive force is increased from the beginning. It will exceed. In this case, blocking occurs on the second stack.

As can be seen from FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, if the condition that the relation between the amount of solvent in the varnish at the moment when the paper stacks (t = 0) and the stack speed are satisfied, the varnish sticks, It is possible to create a situation in which the speed at which the force decreases is faster than the load increase speed, and the occurrence of blocking can be suppressed. The stack speed is the number of stacks per unit time. The stack speed correlates with the speed at which the load applied to the lowermost sheet of the stack bundle increases per unit time.

The amount of solvent in the varnish at the moment of paper stacking (t = 0) can be adjusted to an appropriate amount by controlling the varnish application amount and / or varnish drying conditions in the printing apparatus. Here, a means for coping with the problem shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

<< Outline of First Embodiment >>
The ink jet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment includes a sheet type of paper used for printing, a varnish type of water-based varnish, an ink amount of ink used for image formation, and a powder having a blocking deterrent effect applied in an accumulation portion. A function of determining the stack allowable number X that can be stacked without blocking at a specific stack speed V from a combination of two or more conditions of the powder amount, and the number of prints designated as the number of prints And a function of presenting at least one blocking suppression measure when Y exceeds the stack allowable number X.

The stack speed V indicates the number of printed products stacked per unit time. The stack speed is determined by the paper feed speed and / or the print speed setting in the inkjet printing apparatus 1. The specific stack speed is, for example, a stack speed set by the print mode. The specific stack speed may be specified by the user.

The stack allowable number X is an allowable value of the number of sheets that can be stacked without stacking when printing is stacked at the stack speed V. The stack allowable number X may be understood as a stackable number of sheets that can be stacked without blocking at the stack speed V, or an upper limit number of stacks without blocking at the stack speed V.

The stack allowable number X may vary depending on the combination of printing conditions. In this embodiment, the stack allowable number X is determined from a combination of two or more conditions among the paper type, varnish type, ink amount, and powder amount.

The method of determining the allowable stack number X is performed using a calculation table prepared in advance as follows, for example.

FIG. 5 is a chart showing an example of a calculation table used for calculating the allowable stack number X. The calculation table illustrated in FIG. 5 is a table in which the value of the allowable stack number X for a combination of a plurality of conditions regarding the paper type, varnish type, ink amount, and powder amount is defined. The calculation table shown in FIG. 5 is an example of a first calculation table. In FIG. 5, four types of paper types, two types of varnish types, three types of ink amounts, and two types of powder amounts are illustrated, but the types of the condition items shown in the chart of FIG. The division is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. The paper type is an example of a medium type.

“Basis weight” is the mass of paper per unit area, and is generally expressed in units of “g / m ² ” grams per square meter. “G / m ² ” may be expressed as “GSM (grams per square meter)”. The notations “large basis weight” and “small basis weight” indicate the relative size relationship of the basis weight.

The ink amount indicates the amount of ink applied to the paper for printing an image. The ink amount can be estimated by calculation from image information to be printed. The ink amount may be evaluated by the total amount of ink applied to the paper, or may be evaluated by the amount of ink per unit area. The notation “large”, “medium”, or “small” of the ink amount represents a relative quantitative relationship of the ink amount.

Regarding the powder amount condition, “None” in the table shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the powder spray amount being “0”. Moreover, the powder “present” means that a predetermined amount of powder is sprayed. The prescribed amount is determined as a spray amount that effectively obtains a blocking suppression effect. “Present” of the powder corresponds to the spray amount of the powder being a specified amount. The concept of the amount of powder includes whether or not powder is used. The condition of the amount of powder is not limited to two types of powder “Yes” and “No”, but may be classified into multiple stages depending on the amount of powder spray. The amount of powder may be evaluated by the amount of powder sprayed per unit time, or may be evaluated by the amount of powder sprayed per unit area of the paper. Spraying a prescribed amount of powder is an example of applying powder under predetermined conditions. “None” of powder corresponds to applying powder under the condition that the amount of powder is “zero”.

The calculation table as illustrated in FIG. 5 can be created based on the experimental results based on combinations of various conditions. That is, it is possible to conduct an experiment using a combination of various conditions including the stack speed condition, and to predetermine an appropriate X value for the combination of various conditions. The calculation table is associated with the stack speed condition. The calculation table illustrated in FIG. 5 is a calculation table related to the stack speed V. The data of the calculation table is stored in a storage medium such as a memory and can be read out as necessary.

As shown in FIG. 5, the data of the calculation table that defines the X value for each combination of the items relating to the paper type, varnish type, ink amount, and powder amount is stored in the inkjet printing apparatus in advance, and the user From the combination of two or more of the paper type, varnish type, image information, and powder amount conditions to be specified, the calculation table is referenced to identify the combination most suitable for the specified condition and determine the X value. The ink amount can be estimated by calculation from image information to be printed.

The data stored in the calculation table may be read and used as it is, or the specified condition can be used by performing extrapolation (extrapolation) or interpolation (interpolation) using the data in the calculation table. An X value suitable for the combination may be calculated.

If the number of prints specified by the user is less than or equal to the allowable number of stacks, that is, if Y ≦ X, it is possible to stack Y sheets at a stack speed V without blocking, so that the stacking unit simply A stacking method of stacking Y printed materials may be employed. A stack method in which printed products are simply stacked at a set stack speed V to form a single stack bundle is referred to as a “standard stack method”. The standard stack method is an example of a first stack method.

The ink jet printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment executes printing at a set stack speed V when Y ≦ X, and stacks the paper P on the stacking unit 80 by a standard stack method.

On the other hand, if the number of prints specified by the user exceeds the allowable number of stacks, that is, if Y> X, blocking may occur when Y sheets are stacked by the standard stack method. Therefore, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 presents at least one countermeasure for suppressing the occurrence of blocking to the user. A countermeasure that can realize printing of the designated number of printed sheets and suppress the occurrence of blocking is referred to as a “blocking suppression measure”. The blocking suppression measure implements a stack method that results in a stack operation different from the standard stack method.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a part of functions realized by the control device of the inkjet printing apparatus. The inkjet printing apparatus 1 is a printing system that includes a printing apparatus main body 1 A and a control apparatus 100. The printing apparatus main body 1A indicates the mechanical structure of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 described in FIG. The printing apparatus main body 1 A includes a conveyance unit 5 for paper P, a paper feeding unit 10, an image forming unit 40, a varnish application unit 60, and a stacking unit 80.

The transport unit 5 refers to a transport mechanism that forms a transport path of the paper P as a whole of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 from the paper feed unit 10 to the stacking unit 80. The conveyance unit 5 includes the feeder board 12, the feed drum 13, the processing liquid application drum 21, the processing liquid drying drum 31, the image forming drum 41, the first chain delivery 51, the varnish application drum 61, and the second illustrated in FIG. Includes chain delivery 71. Although not shown in FIG. 6, the printing apparatus main body 1A includes the processing liquid application unit 20, the processing liquid drying unit 30, the ink drying unit 50, the varnish post-processing unit 70, and the powder spray shown in FIG. Part 96 is included.

The control device 100 controls the overall operation of the inkjet printing apparatus 1. The control device 100 can be realized by a combination of computer hardware and software. The control device 100 can be realized using one or a plurality of computers. The control device 100 includes a stack allowable number determination unit 102, a calculation table storage unit 104, a blocking suppression measure presentation processing unit 106, an information presentation unit 108, a selection instruction receiving unit 110, and a blocking countermeasure control unit 112. Prepare.

The stack allowable number determination unit 102 performs processing for acquiring information on printing conditions and determining the stack allowable number X. The information on the printing conditions includes information on the paper type used for printing, the varnish type of the aqueous varnish, and the powder amount conditions. Further, the print condition information may include image information to be printed and information on the number of prints Y designated as the number of prints.

The image information to be printed may be, for example, image data indicating a digital image for printing. Image data can be used as information for evaluating the amount of ink used to form an image. The control device 100 includes an ink amount calculation unit (not shown) that calculates the ink amount of ink used for image formation from image data to be printed. Information on the ink amount calculated by the ink amount calculation unit is provided to the stack allowable number determination unit 102. Alternatively, the stack allowable number determination unit 102 may include an ink amount calculation unit.

The stack allowable number determination unit 102 stacks at a specific stack speed V without blocking from a combination of two or more conditions among the paper type, varnish type, ink amount, and powder amount in the acquired printing conditions. The allowable stack number X is determined. The stack allowable number determination unit 102 determines the stack allowable number X using the calculation table 105.

The calculation table storage unit 104 is a storage device that stores data of the calculation table 105. The calculation table 105 is, for example, the calculation table illustrated in FIG.

The blocking suppression measure presentation processing unit 106 compares the stack allowable number X determined by the stack allowable number determination unit 102 with the print number Y designated as the number of sheets to be printed, and the print number Y becomes the stack allowable number X. If so, signal processing to present at least one blocking suppression measure is performed. The blocking suppression measure presentation processing unit 106 performs, for example, signal processing for generating a display signal representing a blocking suppression measure. The signal generated by the blocking suppression measure presentation processing unit 106 may include an audio signal, a vibration signal, and other signals that stimulate the user's perception.

The information presentation unit 108 includes an information output device for presenting at least one blocking suppression measure to the user. The information output device is, for example, a display device. As the information output device, an audio output device and / or a vibration generator may be included.

The selection instruction receiving unit 110 is a user interface that receives an input of a selection instruction from the user regarding adoption of at least one blocking suppression measure presented to the information presentation unit 108. The selection instruction receiving unit 110 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, operation buttons, or an appropriate combination thereof. The selection instruction receiving unit 110 may include a voice input device that inputs a user instruction by voice.

The user determines whether or not the blocking prevention measure presented on the information presenting unit 108 is adopted, and inputs a selection instruction including an instruction on whether or not to adopt the blocking suppression measure from the selection instruction receiving unit 110.

When only one blocking suppression measure is presented to the information presenting unit 108, the user inputs an instruction to accept or reject the presented blocking suppression measure from the selection instruction receiving unit 110. On the other hand, when a plurality of blocking suppression measure candidates are presented to the information presentation unit 108, the user inputs an instruction for specifying a blocking suppression measure to be adopted from among the plurality of candidates from the selection instruction receiving unit 110. The instruction that specifies the blocking suppression measure to be adopted includes an instruction that indicates that a blocking suppression measure other than the specification is not adopted. In addition, the user can input an instruction to the effect that none of the plurality of blocking suppression measure candidates presented on the information presentation unit 108 is adopted from the selection instruction receiving unit 110. The instruction input from the selection instruction receiving unit 110 is sent to the blocking countermeasure control unit 112.

The blocking countermeasure control unit 112 controls the execution of the blocking suppression policy in accordance with the instruction input from the selection instruction receiving unit 110. The blocking countermeasure control unit 112 controls the operation of the printing apparatus main body 1A and controls the stack operation. For example, the blocking countermeasure control unit 112 performs control to change the stack method in the stacking unit 80. Further, the blocking countermeasure control unit 112 may perform control including a change in the sheet conveyance speed by the conveyance unit 5 or a change in the sheet feeding speed from the sheet feeding unit 10. Alternatively, the blocking countermeasure control unit 112 may control the entire printing operation of the printing apparatus main body 1 A including the conveyance unit 5, the paper feeding unit 10, the image forming unit 40, the varnish application unit 60, and the stacking unit 80. . The blocking countermeasure control unit 112 is an example of a control unit.

The inkjet printing apparatus 1 may have a device configuration necessary for implementing a blocking suppression measure that can be presented to the information presenting unit 108 in advance. Changes may be made. The change in the device configuration necessary for implementing the blocking suppression measure may be, for example, replacement of a part or all of the stacking device in the stacking unit 80, addition of the stacking device, or attachment or removal of an accessory unit. The control device 100 is an example of a print control device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the control device 100. The flowchart of FIG. 7 shows a procedure of processing for determining a stack method.

In step S101, the control device 100 acquires at least two pieces of information among the paper type, varnish type, ink amount, and powder amount used for printing. When these conditions are arranged in descending order of importance, it is considered that the order is varnish type, powder amount, ink amount, and paper type. Therefore, the information acquired by the control device 100 preferably includes at least varnish type information. Moreover, it is more preferable that the information acquired by the control device 100 includes powder amount information in addition to the varnish type information. In this embodiment, information on each condition of paper type, varnish type, ink amount, and powder amount is acquired. In step S101, the information regarding the plurality of conditions may be acquired at the same time or may be acquired with a time difference. Step S101 is an example of an information acquisition process.

In step S102, the control device 100 acquires information on the stack speed V. The stack speed V may be a fixed value set in advance or may be a value appropriately set by the user.

In step S103, the control device 100 determines the stack allowable number X. The processing in step S103 is performed by the stack allowable number determination unit 102. Step S103 is an example of a stack allowable number determination process.

In step S104, the control device 100 acquires information on the number of printed sheets Y. Note that step S104 may be performed before step S103, and the execution order of step S101, step S102, and step S104 is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

In step S105, the control device 100 compares the print number Y with the stack allowable number X, and determines whether or not Y> X is satisfied. When determining that Y ≦ X in the determination step of step S105, the control device 100 proceeds to step S110.

In step S110, the control device 100 determines the stacking method of the stacking unit 80 as the standard stacking method.

On the other hand, when the control device 100 determines that Y> X in the determination step of step S105, the process proceeds to step S106.

In step S106, the control device 100 presents at least one blocking suppression measure to the information presentation unit 108. Step S106 is an example of an information presentation process. The blocking suppression measure presentation processing unit 106 of the control device 100 performs the processing from step S104 to step S106.

In step S107, the control device 100 accepts a selection instruction from the user. The control device 100 receives an input of an instruction for selecting whether to adopt at least one blocking suppression measure presented to the information presenting unit 108. The user can input a selection instruction from the selection instruction receiving unit 110.

In step S108, the control device 100 determines whether or not a selection instruction is input from the selection instruction receiving unit 110. If there is no input of the selection instruction from selection instruction receiving unit 110, control device 100 returns to step S107 and waits for the input of the instruction.

In step S108, when the control device 100 determines that a selection instruction is input from the selection instruction receiving unit 110, the control apparatus 100 proceeds to step S109.

In step S109, the control device 100 determines whether or not the selection instruction input by the user has selected a blocking suppression measure. When the control device 100 determines in the determination process of step S109 that the user has input an instruction to select a blocking suppression measure, the control device 100 proceeds to step S111.

In step S111, the control device 100 determines the stacking method of the printed matter as a stacking method (corresponding to the second stacking method) for performing the stacking operation of the blocking suppression measure selected by the user.

On the other hand, if the control device 100 determines in step S109 that the user has input an instruction not to adopt the blocking suppression measure, the control device 100 proceeds to step S110 and determines the print stacking method to be the standard stacking method.

The stack method is determined in step S110 or step S111, and the flowchart of FIG.

Thereafter, printing is performed according to the stacking method determined in step S110 or step S111, and the printed material is stacked on the stacking unit 80.

The control method including processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is an example of a print control method.

<< Example 1 of blocking prevention measures >>
Hereinafter, an example of a blocking suppression measure will be described.

Example 1 of the blocking suppression measure is that when the number of printed sheets Y is larger than the stack allowable number X, printing is performed at a stack speed V, and when the number of stacked sheets reaches X, the first stack bundle that is stacked X sheets Apart from that, it is a strategy to newly stack the second stack bundle.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of a strategy for newly stacking a stack bundle for every X stack bundles when the number of printed sheets is Y. When Y> X, the number of stack bundles when stack stacks are newly stacked for every X stacks, which is the allowable number of stacks, is the quotient +1 when Y is divided by X. However, when Y is a multiple of X, the number of stack bundles is a quotient when Y is divided by X. In other words, if the quotient when Y is divided by X is N and the remainder is Z, Y = X × N + Z. N is an integer of 1 or more. Z is an integer of 0 or more. In addition, when N = 1, Z is an integer of 1 or more. Z can be an integer greater than or equal to 0 when N> 2.

When Z> 1, X stack bundles are N bundles, and Z stack bundles are one N + 1 bundle in total. On the other hand, when Z = 0, X stack bundles become N bundles.

<Specific example 1-1>
As a specific example corresponding to the blocking suppression example 1, for example, when X stack bundles are stacked, a partition member is inserted above the first stack bundle loaded with X sheets, and the partition member is placed on the partition member. The second stack bundle is newly stacked, and thereafter, similarly, the third stack bundle, the fourth stack bundle, etc. are stacked while inserting the partition members in units of X. Can be adopted.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a specific example of an implementation method for realizing Example 1 of the blocking suppression measure. FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of an accumulation device 81A employed in the accumulation unit 80 of the inkjet printing apparatus 1. The stacking apparatus 81A shown in FIG. 9 has a sheet discharge table 82, and can insert a partition member 83 for every X stack bundles, and stack a new stack bundle on the partition member 83. It has become. The inkjet printing apparatus 1 including the stacking device 81A stacks X printed materials on the paper discharge tray 82 to form the first stack bundle Sb1, and then, above the first stack bundle Sb1, The partition member 83 is arranged, and the second stack bundle Sb2 is newly stacked on the partition member 83. The partition member 83 is disposed above the first stack bundle Sb1 and at a position away from the first stack bundle Sb1 so that the weight of the second stack bundle Sb2 is not applied to the first stack bundle Sb1. The Thereafter, similarly, in the unit of X stack bundles, a partition member 83 is disposed above the stack bundle, and a third stack bundle is newly stacked. This operation is repeated to stack N bundles or N + 1 bundles.

The accumulation device 81A preferably includes a mechanism for automatically inserting the partition member 83 every time X stacks are stacked. The control device 100 controls the insertion operation of the partition member 83.

<Specific Example 1-2>
As another specific example corresponding to the blocking suppression example 1, for example, the first stack bundle loaded with X sheets is retreated from the stack position to another retreat position, and the second stack bundle is newly loaded, Thereafter, similarly, the stack bundle is formed in units of X, and the operation of evacuating the formed stack bundle is repeated to load the third stack bundle, the fourth stack bundle, and so on. A configuration may be employed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing another specific example of an implementation method for realizing Example 1 of the blocking suppression measure. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of the stacking device 81B employed in the stacking unit 80 of the inkjet printing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 10, the accumulation device 81 B is disposed below the second chain delivery 71. In the stacking device 81 B, a discharge tray portion is configured using a belt conveyor 85. In FIG. 10, the stack position is the leftmost stack area in the belt conveyor 85.

When the number of stacks of the stack bundles stacked at the stack position reaches X, the belt of the belt conveyor 85 is rotated, the first stack bundle Sb1 is retreated to another space, and the second stack bundle is newly added. Pile up. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the first stack bundle Sb1 and the second stack bundle Sb2 are sequentially moved by the belt conveyor 85 to the retreat position in the right direction in FIG. In FIG. 10, the third stack bundle Sb3 is stacked at the stack position.

The belt conveyor 85 in FIG. 10 has a belt length that allows each of the three stack bundles Sb1 to Sb3 including the stack position to be placed at different positions on the belt conveyor. The belt length of the belt conveyor 85 is not limited to the example of FIG. Moreover, the form which uses combining a some belt conveyor is also possible. The control device 100 controls the driving of the belt conveyor 85 by counting the number of stacks. The belt conveyor 85 is an example of a stack bundle retracting mechanism.

<Specific Example 1-3>
FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing another specific example of the implementation method for realizing the first example of the blocking suppression measure. Instead of the stacking device 81B including the belt conveyor 85 described with reference to FIG. 10, a stacking device 81C including a rotary discharge tray illustrated in FIG. 11 may be employed. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of the accumulation device 81C. As shown in FIG. 11, an accumulation device 81 C is disposed below the second chain delivery 71. The stacking device 81C includes a turntable 86 that functions as a paper discharge table and a stack bundle retracting mechanism. The turntable 86 has a plurality of stack areas 86A on which a plurality of stack bundles can be placed. Each of the plurality of stack areas 86A is indicated by a dashed rectangle. Each of the plurality of stack areas 86A functions as a sheet discharge table.

FIG. 11 illustrates the turntable 86 having eight stack areas 86A, but the number of stack areas 86A is not limited to the example of FIG. The number of stack areas 86A can be designed to be an arbitrary number of 2 or more.

The turntable 86 can be rotated using a drive device (not shown). When the number of stack bundles stacked in the stack area 86A at the stack position SP reaches X, the turntable 86 is rotated, the position of the stack area 86A where the stack bundles are stacked is moved, and the stack bundle is retracted. All positions in the stack area 86A other than the stack position SP correspond to the retreat positions. According to the stacking device 81C shown in FIG. 11, a maximum of eight stack bundles can be stacked.

<< Example 2 of blocking prevention measures >>
Example 2 of the blocking suppression measure is that when the number of printed sheets Y is larger than the stack allowable number X, printing is performed at the stacking speed V, the stack bundle is stacked on the stacking unit 80, and the stack number reaches X sheets. This is a measure for temporarily stopping printing and restarting printing after a predetermined time T has elapsed to continue stacking in the same stack bundle. The specified time T is a standby time in which printing is paused and waited so as to realize a stack without occurrence of blocking when stacks of stacks exceeding the stack allowable number X are stacked.

FIG. 12 is an image diagram in a case where printing is stopped every time the number of stacks reaches X, printing is resumed after a lapse of a specified time T, and stacking is continued in the same (single) stack bundle. . If the quotient when the number of printed sheets Y is divided by the stack allowable number X is N and the remainder is Z, Y = X × N + Z. Therefore, in the case of Example 2, as shown in FIG. 12, the number of times printing is stopped is the quotient N when Y is divided by X. However, when Y is a multiple of X, the number of times printing is stopped is N−1 when Y is divided by X.

The reason for waiting for the elapse of the specified time T is to stop printing for every X sheets, and reduce the stickiness of the varnish film without causing blocking, and (X × 2) sheets, (X This is to withstand the load of (× 3), (X × 4),.

Specified time T is determined from a combination of two or more conditions among paper type, varnish type, ink amount, and powder amount, as in the case of stack allowable number X. The method for determining the prescribed time T is performed using a calculation table prepared in advance as follows, for example.

FIG. 13 is a chart showing an example of a calculation table used for calculating the specified time T. The calculation table illustrated in FIG. 13 is a table in which the value of the stack allowable number X and the specified time T are specified for a combination of a plurality of conditions regarding the paper type, varnish type, ink amount, and powder amount. The calculation table illustrated in FIG. 13 is obtained by adding the value of the specified time T to the calculation table illustrated in FIG. By using the calculation table illustrated in FIG. 13, the stack allowable number X and the specified time T can be calculated. The calculation table illustrated in FIG. 13 is an example of a second calculation table.

In FIG. 13, four types of paper types, two types of varnish types, three types of ink amounts, and two types of powder amounts are illustrated, but the types of the condition items shown in the chart of FIG. The division is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating functions provided in the ink jet printing apparatus 1 that implements the blocking suppression example 2. 14, elements that are the same as or similar to those in the configuration shown in FIG. 6 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

The control device 100 includes a specified time determination unit 103. In the calculation table storage unit 104, for example, a calculation table as illustrated in FIG.

The specified time determination unit 103 selects a specific stack on the stack bundle that has reached the stack allowable number X from a combination of two or more conditions among the paper type, varnish type, ink amount, and powder amount in the acquired printing conditions. A prescribed time T that can be stacked without occurrence of blocking at a speed V is determined. The specified time determination unit 103 determines the specified time T using the calculation table 105 as shown in FIG.

Further, the allowable stack number determining unit 102 determines the allowable stack number X using the calculation table 105 as shown in FIG. The allowable stack number determining unit 102 and the specified time determining unit 103 are configured as an allowable stack number and specified time determining unit 114 having both the function of the allowable stack number determining unit 102 and the function of the specified time determining unit 103. May be.

When presenting the blocking suppression measure, the blocking suppression measure presentation processing unit 106 may include information on the specified time T in the information to be presented.

The blocking countermeasure control unit 112 controls the stop and restart of printing based on the allowable stack number X determined by the allowable stack number determining unit 102 and the specified time T determined by the specified time determining unit 103. The control device 100 manages the number of stacks in the stacking unit 80, temporarily stops printing for every X sheets, and resumes printing after the lapse of the specified time T.

<Combination example of Example 1 and Example 2>
When the measure described as the blocking suppression measure example 1 is applied and a new stack bundle is stacked for each stack allowable number X with respect to the print number Y, the number of stack bundles becomes 3 or more. A configuration may be adopted in which any of the third and subsequent stack bundles is stacked on the first stack bundle that has already been retracted to the retracted position after the number of stacks of the first stack bundle reaches X. However, in order to stack another stack bundle on the first stack bundle that has been evacuated, a specified time T has elapsed from the end of X stacks for the first stack bundle. . That is, any of the third and subsequent stack bundles can be stacked on the first stack bundle that has passed the specified time T from the end of the X stacks of the first stack bundle.

For example, if the specified time T has elapsed from the end of the stack of the first stack bundle at the time of starting to stack the third stack bundle, the third stack bundle is stacked on the first stack bundle. On the other hand, if the specified time T has not elapsed since the end of the stack of the first stack bundle at the start of stacking the third stack bundle, the third stack bundle is separated from the first and second stack bundles. , Pile up new. Then, if the specified time T has elapsed from the end of the stack of the first stack bundle at the time of starting to stack the fourth stack bundle, the fourth stack bundle is stacked on the first stack bundle. Similarly, for the second and subsequent stack bundles, the stack bundle can be stacked on the stack bundle after the lapse of the specified time T from the end of the stack of each stack bundle.

The first stack bundle corresponds to the first stack bundle. The second stack bundle corresponds to the second stack bundle. The third stack bundle or the fourth stack bundle corresponds to the third and subsequent stack bundles.

<< Example 3 of blocking prevention measures >>
Example 3 of the blocking suppression measure is a measure for reducing the stack speed to _VA, which is lower than V, when the number of printed sheets Y is larger than the stack allowable number X. V _A is a stack speed at which Y or more stacks are possible without blocking.

The changed stack speed V _A is calculated using, for example, the following equation.

V _A = V × (X / Y)
As an example, when V = 2000 sph and X = 500 sheets and Y = 1000 sheets are printed, V _A = 2000 × (500/1000) = 1000 sph. “Sph” is a unit indicating the number of sheets per hour, and means sheet per hour.

As an example of means for changing the stack speed, there may be a form of changing the paper conveyance speed by the conveyance unit 5. As another example of the means for changing the stack speed, there may be a form of changing the paper feed time interval in the paper feed unit 10. Specifically, for example, with respect to the time interval of the paper feed timing for realizing the stack speed V, the paper feed is thinned out at a constant rate of every other paper, and the paper feed time interval is made an integral multiple of twice or more. To do.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating functions provided in the ink jet printing apparatus 1 that implements the third example of the blocking suppression measure. 15, elements that are the same as or similar to those shown in FIG. 6 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

The control device 100 includes a stack speed determination unit 117 and a stack speed control unit 118. The stack speed determining unit 117 determines a stack speed at which stacking can be performed for the number of printed sheets Y or more without blocking. The stack speed determining unit 117 determines the stack speed _VA based on the allowable stack number X determined by the allowable stack number determining unit 102, the designated print number Y, and the set stack speed V.

The stack speed control unit 118 controls the stack speed of the printing apparatus main body 1A according to the stack speed V _A determined by the stack speed determination unit 117. For example, the stack speed control unit 118 controls the paper transport speed of the transport unit 5 so as to be the stack speed V _A.

Alternatively, the stack speed control unit 118 controls the paper feed time interval from the paper feed unit 10 so that the stack speed _VA is reached. The paper supply time interval from the paper supply unit 10 is an example of a medium supply time interval for supplying a medium to the image forming unit.

The stack speed determination unit 117 and the stack speed control unit 118 may be included as functions of the blocking countermeasure control unit 112.

<< Example 4 of blocking prevention measures >>
In the fourth example of the blocking suppression measure, when the number of printed sheets Y is larger than the stack allowable number X, the stacking unit 80 divides the number of small copies into a smaller number of sheets than the stack allowable number X and holds the number of small copies for a certain time. later, by the stack, the without stackable number occurrence of blocking is increased to X _a Like the X Like a measure to form a stack bundle of stacked sheets exceeding the stack allowable number X. X _A is an integer greater than X. According to the blocking suppression example 4, the time required for the final stacking can be extended by stacking after being divided into small parts and held for a certain period of time. For this reason, the number of stack bundles that can be formed at one time is larger than X.

<Specific Example 4-1>
FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating a specific example of an implementation method for realizing Example 4 of the blocking suppression measure. FIG. 16 shows a schematic diagram of a stacking device 81D employed in the stacking unit 80 of the inkjet printing apparatus 1.

The stacking device 81D includes a plurality of mobile storage shelves 87 that can store a small number of sheets. The stacking device 81D has a structure in which a plurality of storage shelves 87 can be moved cyclically by a moving mechanism (not shown) to which a mechanism principle such as a so-called tower type parking lot is applied. In FIG. 16, an example of the stacking device 81D having eight storage shelves 87 is shown. Each of the eight storage shelves 87 is shown with an A to G identification symbol. Each of the storage shelves 87 can store a small number of printed material bundles that are a predetermined number of sheets. Here, the specified number is W. The specified number W is an integer that is two or more and smaller than the stack allowable number X.

Below the second chain delivery 71, a guide 88 for guiding the printed material to the storage shelf 87 is disposed. The guide 88 is disposed in an inclined state with respect to a horizontal plane so that a printed material released from a gripper (not shown) of the second chain delivery 71 slides along the guide 88. One of the storage shelves 87 is disposed at the tip of the inclined guide 88. The printed material that slides down along the guide 88 is stored in the storage shelf 87 ahead of the guide 88. The storage shelf 87 is arranged in a state of being inclined substantially parallel to the inclination of the guide 88.

The position where the storage shelf 87 receives the printed material from the guide 88 is referred to as a “printed material receiving position”. In FIG. 16, the storage shelf 87 set at the printed material receiving position is a storage shelf for the identification symbol A. The printed material is stored in the storage shelf 87 set at the printed material receiving position.

After storing a bundle of a predetermined number of printed materials in the storage shelf 87 set at the printed material receiving position, the storage shelf 87 is slid downward by one storage shelf in FIG. 16, and a new storage shelf 87 is set at the printed material receiving position. Thereafter, the bundle of the specified number W of printed materials is stored in the storage shelf 87 in the same manner. The “new storage shelf” means a empty (empty) storage shelf in which printed matter is not stored.

In FIG. 16, when a specified number W of printed matter is stored in the storage shelf 87 for the identification symbol A, the storage shelf 87 for the identification symbol A slides one storage shelf downward in FIG. The storage rack 87 is also linked to move the position of each storage shelf in a cyclic manner, whereby the storage shelf 87 with the identification symbol B is set as a new storage shelf at the printed material receiving position. That is, in the state shown in FIG. 16, when a specified number W of printed matter is stored in the storage shelf 87 for the identification symbol A, the storage shelf 87 for the identification symbol A is placed at the position of the storage shelf 87 for the identification symbol H. The storage shelf 87 for H is at the position of the storage shelf 87 for identification symbol G, the storage shelf 87 for identification symbol G is at the position of storage shelf 87 for identification symbol F, and the storage shelf 87 for identification symbol F is the storage shelf for identification symbol E. The storage shelf 87 for the identification symbol E is sequentially moved to the location for the storage shelf 87 for the identification symbol D at the position 87, and so on, and the storage shelf 87 for the identification symbol B is set at the printed material receiving position. The

The position of the lowermost storage shelf among the plurality of storage shelves 87 arranged side by side in the vertical direction in FIG. 16 from the printed material receiving position moves the bundle of printed materials from the storage shelf 87 to the paper discharge tray 82. "Release position". For example, in FIG. 16, the position of the storage shelf 87 for the identification symbol F corresponds to the “small copy retention release position”.

FIG. 17 schematically shows a stack of printed matter stored in the storage shelf 87 on the paper discharge tray 82. In FIG. 17, the storage shelf 87 for the identification symbol A is set at the small copy retention release position. Printing is further continued from the state described in FIG. 16, a bundle of a predetermined number of printed materials is stored in each of the storage rack 87 for the identification symbol B and the storage shelf 87 for the identification symbol C, and the storage shelf 87 for the identification symbol D is stored. When set at the print receiving position, the storage shelf 87 for the identification symbol A is set at the small copy holding release position.

The storage shelf 87 set at the small number holding release position performs a process of moving the stored bundle of printed materials to the paper discharge tray 82. The means for transferring a bundle of printed materials from the storage shelf 87 to the paper discharge tray 82 may be configured to open the bottom surface of the storage shelf 87 and drop the printed materials, for example.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view schematically showing the operation of the integrated device 81D described in FIGS. In FIG. 18, when a specified number of printed materials are stored in the storage rack 87 for the identification symbol D set at the printed material receiving position, the storage shelves 87 for the identification symbols D, C, and B move downward in FIG. Then, the storage shelf 87 of the identification symbol E is set at the printed material receiving position. The storage shelf 87 for the identification symbol A moves to another location not shown in FIG.

The storage shelf 87 set at the small copy retention release position releases the stored bundle of printed materials, and moves the bundle of printed materials to the paper discharge tray 82. A bundle of a prescribed number of printed materials is an example of a bundle of media divided into small copies. A bundle of a predetermined number of printed materials is held on the storage shelf 87 for a certain period of time and then stacked on the paper discharge tray 82.

<Specific example 4-2>
FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically illustrating another specific example of the implementation method for realizing the blocking suppression measure example 4. FIG. 19A to 19D are image diagrams schematically showing the operation of the stacking device 81E employed in the stacking unit 80 of the inkjet printing apparatus 1. FIG. In the stacking unit 80, as a means for dividing the printed material into small copies and holding it for a certain period of time, air is ejected from the side of the printed material to the position where the bundle of printed materials is restrained, and the bundle of printed materials is restrained by the ejected air Can be adopted.

The stacking device 81E includes a paper discharge tray 82 and an air injection device (not shown). An arrow indicated by reference numeral 120 in FIG. 19 indicates the flow of air injected from an air injection device (not shown). For example, air is ejected from both sides of two opposing side surfaces among the four side surfaces corresponding to the four sides of the printed matter.

As shown in FIG. 19A, the bundle 122 of printed matter divided into a predetermined number of small copies is restrained in a state of floating in the air by the force of air 120. In FIG. 19, three stages of air jets having different positions in the direction of gravity are performed from an air jet apparatus (not shown), and a bundle 122 of printed matter is obtained at each of the three restraint positions corresponding to the height positions of the air jets of each stage. However, the number of stages of air injection, that is, the number of restraining positions is not limited to the illustrated example, and may be one or more.

FIG. 19B shows a state in which the injection of the air 120 is stopped from the state of FIG. An arrow indicated by a broken line indicates that the injection of the air 120 is stopped. When the injection of the air 120 is stopped from the state of FIG. 19A, the restraining force by the air 120 is released, and as shown in FIG. 19B, the bundle 122 of printed matter moves downward by gravity.

(C) in FIG. 19 shows a state where the injection of air 120 is resumed from the state of (B) in FIG. As shown in FIG. 19C, when the injection of the air 120 is resumed, the bundle 122 of printed matter that has moved downward due to gravity is restrained by the air 120 again. In FIG. 19B, the bundle of printed matter 122 released from the restriction of the lowest air jet is stacked on the paper discharge table 82.

The new printed matter is restrained at the uppermost restraint position among the three restraint positions by the three-stage air injection shown in FIG.

By repeating the operation described in FIG. 19 from (A) (C), as shown in (D) of FIG. 19, on the discharge tray 82 is stacked with a blocking non-occurrence until X _A Like be able to. While it is not possible to gain only to X Like the stack by standard stack method, according to the method shown in FIG. 19, it is possible to gain without blocking occurs until X _A in excess of X cards.

Note that the stacking apparatus 81E shown in FIG. 19 can be stacked by the standard stacking method by stopping air injection. For example, when the number of printed sheets Y is smaller than the allowable number of stacked sheets X, prints can be stacked on the paper discharge table 82 of the stacking apparatus 81E by the standard stacking method by not ejecting air.

<Specific Example 4-3>
FIG. 20 is a diagram schematically illustrating another specific example of the implementation method for realizing the blocking suppression measure example 4. FIG. 20A to 20D are image diagrams schematically showing the operation of the stacking device 81F employed in the stacking unit 80 in the ink jet printing apparatus 1. FIG. A movable holding member that holds a bundle of printed matter of a small number of copies may be used as means for dividing the printed matter into small copies and holding the printed matter for a certain period of time in the stacking unit 80.

20 includes a paper discharge tray 82 and a plurality of movable holding members 89. The stacking device 81F shown in FIG. The holding member 89 can be moved to a holding position for holding the printed product bundle 122 and a non-holding position for holding the printed product bundle 122 by a driving mechanism (not shown). The non-holding position is a position for releasing the holding state of the bundle 122 of printed matter.

FIG. 20A shows a state in which the holding member 89 is set at the holding position. As shown in FIG. 20A, the bundle 122 of printed matter divided into a predetermined number of small copies is held by a holding member 89. FIG. 20 shows an example in which three stages of holding members 89 having different positions in the gravity direction are arranged, and the bundle 122 of printed matter is restrained at each of the three restraining positions corresponding to the height positions of the holding members 89 at each stage. Although shown, the number of steps where the holding member 89 is arranged, that is, the number of restraint positions is not limited to the example shown in the figure, and may be one or more.

20B shows a state in which the holding member 89 is moved to the non-holding position from the state of FIG. 20A to release the holding state of the bundle 122 of printed matter. When the holding member 89 is moved from the state shown in FIG. 20A to the non-holding position, as shown in FIG. 20B, the bundle 122 of printed matter moves downward due to gravity.

20 (C) shows a state in which the holding member 89 is returned to the holding position from the state of FIG. 20 (B). As shown in FIG. 20C, when the holding member 89 is returned to the holding position, the printed material bundle 122 moved downward by gravity is held by the holding member 89. In FIG. 20B, the bundle of printed matter 122 released from being held by the lowermost holding member 89 is stacked on the paper discharge table 82.

The new printed matter is restrained at the uppermost restraint position among the three restraint positions by the three-stage holding member 89 shown in FIG.

By repeating the operation described in FIG. 20 (A) from (C), as shown in (D) in FIG. 20, on the discharge tray 82 is stacked with a blocking non-occurrence until X _A Like be able to. While it is not possible to gain only to X Like the stack by standard stack method, according to the method shown in FIG. 20, it is possible to gain without blocking occurs until X _A in excess of X cards.

Note that the stacking apparatus 81F shown in FIG. 20 can be stacked by the standard stacking method by holding the holding member 89 in the non-holding position. For example, when the number of printed sheets Y is smaller than the allowable stacking number X, the printed material is stacked on the discharge tray 82 of the stacking apparatus 81F by the standard stacking method by maintaining the holding member 89 in the non-holding position. Can do.

《Change of paper discharge destination in conjunction with adoption of blocking suppression measures》
The inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment may be configured to automatically switch the discharge destination of the printed material in conjunction with an input of a selection instruction for selecting whether or not to adopt a blocking suppression measure presented to the information presentation unit 108. For example, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 includes a first paper discharge unit that collects printed materials by a first stacking method (standard stacking method), and a second discharge that collects printed materials by a second stacking method related to blocking prevention measures. A first discharge path for guiding the printed matter to the first discharge portion, and a second discharge path for guiding the printed matter to the second discharge portion. Control may be performed to switch the paper discharge path in response to an instruction to select whether or not to adopt a blocking suppression measure specified by the user.

In the case of an apparatus configuration that can implement a plurality of blocking suppression measures, a plurality of paper discharge units and paper discharge paths corresponding to the second paper discharge unit and the second paper discharge path can be provided. In addition, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 discharges any unit of the stacking

devices

81A, 81B, 81C, 81D, 81E, and 81F used for the implementation of the blocking suppression measure in response to the instruction to select whether or not to adopt the blocking suppression measure. Or a control system that can be retracted from the paper discharge position to the retreat position.

<Control system of inkjet printing apparatus>
FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control system of the inkjet printing apparatus 1. The control device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. A communication unit 201, an operation unit 202, a display unit 203, and a storage unit 204 are connected to the control device 100.

The communication unit 201 transmits / receives data to / from an external device such as a host computer (not shown). The communication unit 201 includes a known communication interface. The operation unit 202 includes an operation device such as operation buttons, a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel, a voice input device, or an appropriate combination thereof. The control device 100 executes various processes according to information input from the operation unit 202.

The display unit 203 includes a display device (display) such as a liquid crystal panel. The display unit 203 can display various information such as various setting information or abnormality information of the ink jet printing apparatus in accordance with a command from the control device 100. The operation unit 202 and the display unit 203 constitute a user interface. The user can set various parameters and input and edit various information using the operation unit 202 while viewing the contents displayed on the screen of the display unit 203. The operation unit 202 serves as the selection instruction receiving unit 110 described with reference to FIG. The display unit 203 serves as the information presentation unit 108 described with reference to FIG.

21 is configured to include a storage device such as a hard disk device. Programs executed by the CPU of the control device 100 and various data necessary for control are stored in the ROM and / or the storage unit 204.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of functions realized by the control device 100. In FIG. 22, the same elements as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 22, the control device 100 includes a transport control unit 210, a paper feed control unit 211, a processing liquid application control unit 212, a processing liquid drying control unit 213, an image formation control unit 214, an ink drying control unit 215, a varnish. It functions as an application control unit 216, a varnish post-processing control unit 217, an accumulation control unit 218, a powder spray control unit 219, and a communication control unit 220.

The transport control unit 210 controls the transport unit 5 to control the transport of the paper P. The conveyance control unit 210 controls driving of the conveyance means provided in each unit so that the paper P fed from the paper feeding unit 10 is conveyed at a constant speed.

The paper feed control unit 211 controls the paper feed unit 10 to control the paper feed of the paper P. The paper feed control unit 211 controls driving of the components of the paper feed unit 10 so that the paper P set on the paper feed table is sequentially fed at a constant paper feed time interval.

The treatment liquid application control unit 212 controls the treatment liquid application unit 20 to control application of the treatment liquid to the paper P. The treatment liquid application control unit 212 controls driving of the components of the treatment liquid application unit 20 so that the treatment liquid is applied to the conveyed paper P with a predetermined thickness.

The processing liquid drying control unit 213 controls the processing liquid drying unit 30 to control the drying of the processing liquid applied to the paper P. The processing liquid drying control unit 213 controls driving of the components of the processing liquid drying unit 30 so that the processing liquid applied to the paper P is dried.

The image formation control unit 214 controls the image forming unit 40 to control image formation on the paper P. The image forming control unit 214 controls driving of the components of the image forming unit 40 so that an image is formed on the conveyed paper P.

The ink drying control unit 215 controls the ink drying unit 50 to control ink drying. The ink drying control unit 215 controls driving of the components of the ink drying unit 50 so that the ink applied to the paper P by the image forming unit 40 is dried.

The varnish application control unit 216 controls the varnish application unit 60 to control application of varnish to the paper P after image formation. When performing varnish coating, the varnish application control unit 216 controls driving of the components of the varnish application unit 60 so that the varnish is applied to the paper P with a certain thickness.

The varnish post-processing control unit 217 controls the varnish post-processing unit 70 to control the varnish post-processing applied to the paper P. The varnish post-processing control unit 217 controls driving of the constituent elements of the varnish post-processing unit 70 so that processing corresponding to the type of varnish used for the varnish coating is performed.

The accumulation control unit 218 controls the accumulation unit 80 to control the accumulation of the paper P. The stacking control unit 218 controls the driving of the components of the stacking unit 80 so that the sequentially discharged sheets P are stacked in a bundle. Note that the various integrated devices described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11 and FIGS. 16 to 20 can be components of the stacking unit 80. The stacking unit 80 can be configured to include one or a combination of various stacking devices described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11 and FIGS. 16 to 20. The accumulation control unit 218 can function as the blocking countermeasure control unit 112.

In addition, the control device 100 functions as a communication control unit 220, an image processing unit 230, a drying condition setting unit 234, a varnish post-processing condition setting unit 238, an information acquisition unit 240, and a display control unit 242.

The communication control unit 220 controls communication with an external device (not shown).

The image processing unit 230 processes image data of an image acquired as a printing target, and image forming data that can be formed by the image forming unit 40 of the inkjet printing apparatus 1, that is, dot arrangement data of each ink color Convert to The image processing unit 230 performs various signal processing such as color conversion processing, density correction processing, and halftone processing. At the time of image formation, ink ejection operations of the inkjet heads 43C, 43M, 43Y, and 43K in the image forming unit 40 are controlled based on the dot arrangement data generated by the image processing unit 230.

The drying condition setting unit 234 sets ink drying conditions that define the drying strength when the ink drying unit 50 dries the ink.

The ink drying conditions are determined according to the type of ink used for image formation, the amount of ink, and the type of varnish used. The ink drying control unit 215 controls the operation of the ink drying unit 50 based on the ink drying conditions set by the drying condition setting unit 234.

In the ink jet printing apparatus 1, the ink drying unit 50 is feedback-controlled based on the temperature information of the paper P detected using the first temperature detection unit 56. That is, the temperature information of the paper P detected using the first temperature detection unit 56 is sent to the drying condition setting unit 234. The drying condition setting unit 234 changes the ink drying condition based on the temperature information of the paper P acquired through the first temperature detection unit 56. The setting of ink drying conditions includes initial setting of ink drying conditions and change of preset ink drying conditions.

The varnish post-processing condition setting unit 238 sets varnish post-processing conditions based on the type of varnish to be used and the type of ink. The varnish post-processing control unit 217 controls the operation of the varnish post-processing unit 70 based on the varnish post-processing conditions set by the varnish post-processing condition setting unit 238.

In the inkjet printing apparatus 1, the varnish post-processing unit 70 is feedback-controlled based on the temperature information of the paper P detected by the second temperature detection unit 94. That is, the temperature information of the paper P detected using the second temperature detection unit 94 is sent to the varnish post-processing condition setting unit 238.

The varnish post-processing condition setting unit 238 changes the varnish post-processing condition based on the temperature information of the paper P detected using the second temperature detection unit 94. The setting of the varnish post-processing conditions includes an initial setting of the varnish post-processing conditions and a change of preset varnish post-processing conditions.

The information acquisition unit 240 is an interface that captures various types of information from outside the control device 100 or from a processing unit inside the control device 100. The information acquisition unit 240 can acquire information input from the operation unit 202.

The stack allowable number determination unit 102 can acquire information such as the paper type, varnish type, ink amount, powder amount, number of printed sheets Y, and stack speed V of the paper used for printing via the information acquisition unit 240. it can.

The calculation table storage unit 104 may be a part of the storage area of the storage unit 204. Further, the calculation table storage unit 104 may be a part of the storage area of the RAM.

The display control unit 242 controls the display content of the display unit 203. The display control unit 242 generates a display signal to be displayed on the display unit 203 and supplies the generated display signal to the display unit 203. Information about the candidate for blocking suppression generated by the blocking suppression measure presentation processing unit 106 is displayed on the display unit 203 via the display control unit 242.

The inkjet printing apparatus 1 may be an apparatus configuration that realizes at least one of the various measures illustrated as examples 1 to 4 of the blocking suppression measures.

6, 14, 15, 21, and 22, the allowable stack number determination unit 102, the specified time determination unit 103, the blocking suppression measure presentation processing unit 106, the blocking countermeasure control unit 112, and the stack speed of the control device 100. Determination unit 117, stack speed control unit 118, transport control unit 210, paper feed control unit 211, processing liquid application control unit 212, processing liquid drying control unit 213, image formation control unit 214, ink drying control unit 215, varnish application control Unit 216, varnish post-processing control unit 217, accumulation control unit 218, powder spray control unit 219, communication control unit 220, image processing unit 230, drying condition setting unit 234, varnish post-processing condition setting unit 238, information acquisition unit 240, The hardware structure of the processing unit (processing unit) that executes various processes such as the display control unit 242 is as follows. Various processors.

Various processors are processors that can change their circuit configuration after manufacturing, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that is a general-purpose processor that functions as various processing units by executing programs. Examples include a dedicated electric circuit that is a processor having a circuit configuration specifically designed to execute a specific process such as a programmable logic device (PLD) and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). A program is synonymous with software.

One processing unit may be configured by one of these various processors, or may be configured by two or more processors of the same type or different types. For example, one processing unit may be configured by a plurality of FPGAs or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA. Further, the plurality of processing units may be configured by one processor. As an example of configuring a plurality of processing units with one processor, first, as represented by a computer such as a client or server, one processor is configured with a combination of one or more CPUs and software. There is a form in which the processor functions as a plurality of processing units. Second, as represented by a system-on-chip (SoC), a form of using a processor that implements the functions of the entire system including a plurality of processing units with a single IC (integrated circuit) chip. is there. As described above, various processing units are configured using one or more of the various processors as a hardware structure.

Furthermore, the hardware structure of these various processors is more specifically an electric circuit (circuitry) in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined.

<Description of printing process>
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a printing processing procedure for performing varnish coating. The flowchart shown in FIG. 23 is a print processing procedure started after the stack method determination processing described with reference to FIG.

When printing is started, paper supply is started from the paper supply unit 10 (step S21: paper supply process). The processing liquid is applied to the first surface of the paper P fed from the paper supply unit 10 in the processing liquid application unit 20 (step S22: processing liquid application process). The first surface of the paper P coated with the treatment liquid is heated by the treatment liquid drying unit 30 and the treatment liquid is heated and dried (step S23: treatment liquid drying step). The paper P that has undergone the treatment liquid drying step is ejected with ink on the first surface by the image forming unit 40 to form an image (step S24: image forming step). The paper P after image formation is heated by the ink drying unit 50 and the ink is heated and dried (step S25: ink drying step).

The paper P that has undergone the ink drying process is coated with a varnish on the image surface by the varnish coating unit 60 (step S26: varnish coating process). The paper P coated with varnish is subjected to varnish post-processing including heat drying of the varnish in the varnish post-processing section 70 (step S27: varnish post-processing step). The content of post-processing is switched according to the type of varnish used. The varnished post-processed paper P is discharged at the paper discharge position (step S28: paper discharge process) and stacked on the stacking unit 80 (step S29: stacking process).

<Discharge method of inkjet head>
An ejector of an inkjet head includes a nozzle that discharges liquid, a pressure chamber that communicates with the nozzle, and a discharge energy generating element that applies discharge energy to the liquid in the pressure chamber. With respect to the ejection method for ejecting liquid droplets from the nozzle of the ejector, the means for generating the ejection energy is not limited to the piezoelectric element, and various ejection energy generating elements such as a heating element and an electrostatic actuator can be applied. For example, it is possible to employ a method in which droplets are ejected using the pressure of film boiling caused by heating of a liquid by a heating element. Corresponding ejection energy generating elements are provided in the flow path structure according to the ejection method of the inkjet head.

<< Advantages of the Embodiment >>
(1) According to the above-described embodiment, when performing varnish coating using an aqueous varnish, the user can grasp in advance whether or not blocking has occurred in the stacking unit.

(2) The user can select an appropriate measure that can prevent the occurrence of blocking according to the designated number of prints.

(3) Occurrence of blocking is prevented by implementing the proposed blocking suppression measures.

<< Other embodiments >>
In FIG. 1, an inkjet printing apparatus has been described as an example of a printing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to an inkjet printing apparatus, and may be various types such as an offset printing apparatus, a gravure printing apparatus, a flexographic printing apparatus, a screen printing apparatus, or an electrophotographic apparatus. The present invention can be applied to a printing apparatus using various printing methods.

1 shows an inkjet printing apparatus that performs varnish coating in-line, but the present invention can also be applied to a printing system that performs online varnish coating. Online varnishing is a form in which image forming processing using a printing device and varnishing processing using a varnishing device are continuously performed as a series of processing. Online varnishing is performed, for example, by a printing system that combines a printing device that does not have a varnishing function and a varnishing device. A printing apparatus that does not have a varnish coating function is a printing apparatus that discharges paper without performing varnish coating after image formation. The varnish coating apparatus may be a varnish coating apparatus configured separately from the printing apparatus. A printing system in which a printing apparatus that does not have a varnishing function and a varnishing apparatus are connected in series can perform online varnishing. The printing system may include a sheet transfer device such as a belt conveyor for automatically transferring the sheet after image formation discharged from the printing apparatus to the sheet feeding unit of the varnish coat apparatus.

Online varnishing is the same as inline varnishing in that the image forming process and the varnishing process are performed continuously, but the image forming process and the varnishing process are performed using separate devices. Is different. Due to this difference, the time interval until the varnish coat tends to be longer than that of the in-line varnish coat.

Also, the online varnish is different from the offline varnish in that the paper discharged from the printing apparatus is fed to the varnish apparatus as it is, and the sheets after image formation are not collected before the varnish.

In the case of a printing system that performs online varnishing, the paper discharge unit of the varnishing device corresponds to the stacking unit. A printing system that performs online varnish coating can be an embodiment of the printing apparatus of the present invention.

<Modification 1>
In the above embodiment, the single-pass inkjet printing apparatus has been described. However, for example, the present invention can also be applied to a multi-scan inkjet printing apparatus that forms an image by reciprocating a short inkjet head. .

<Modification 2>
In the above embodiment, the varnish is applied to the paper by a so-called roll coater, but the configuration of the varnish application portion is not limited to this. For example, a varnish may be applied to the paper using a varnish coater such as a chamber coater.

<Modification 3>
In the above embodiment, the inkjet printing apparatus using the treatment liquid has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a printing apparatus that does not use the treatment liquid.

<Modification 4>
In addition to the configuration in which the user determines whether or not to adopt the blocking suppression measure presented to the information presenting unit 108 and inputs the selection instruction from the selection instruction receiving unit 110, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 is configured such that the number of printed sheets Y is the stack allowable number. You may provide the automatic countermeasure mode which performs a blocking suppression measure automatically, when exceeding X. The inkjet printing apparatus 1 preferably has a configuration including a user interface that allows a user to selectively set whether to enable or disable the automatic countermeasure mode.

When the automatic countermeasure mode is set to invalid, the execution of the blocking suppression measure is controlled according to the selection instruction input from the selection instruction receiving unit 110. When the automatic countermeasure mode is set to be effective, the blocking suppression measure is automatically selected without waiting for the input of the selection instruction from the selection instruction receiving unit 110, and the automatically selected blocking suppression measure is executed. Will be.

<About the media>
“Paper” is an example of a medium used for image formation. The term “paper” can be understood as a generic term for various terms such as recording paper, printing paper, printing medium, printing medium, printing medium, image forming medium, image forming medium, image receiving medium, and discharged medium. . The material, shape, etc. of the medium are not particularly limited, and various sheet bodies can be used regardless of seal paper, resin sheet, film, cloth, nonwoven fabric, and other materials and shapes.

The paper is not limited to a single sheet medium but may be a continuous medium such as continuous paper. In the case of the present invention, it suffices if the sheet medium is separated one by one at the stage of being stacked on the stacking unit, and is fed from a continuous medium after being cut to a specified size, or an image For example, the sheet may be cut into a predetermined size and discharged after formation.

《Terminology》
The term “printing apparatus” includes the concept of terms such as a printing press, a printer, a printing apparatus, an image recording apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image output apparatus, or a drawing apparatus. The term “printing apparatus” includes the concept of a printing system in which a plurality of apparatuses are combined.

“Image” is to be interpreted in a broad sense and includes color images, black and white images, single color images, gradation images, uniform density (solid) images, and the like. The “image” is not limited to a photographic image, but is used as a comprehensive term including a pattern, a character, a symbol, a line drawing, a mosaic pattern, a color painting pattern, other various patterns, or an appropriate combination thereof.

The term “printing” includes the concept of terms such as image formation, image recording, printing, drawing, and printing. Further, the term “printing” may be used as a conceptual term including post-processing such as varnishing performed after image formation.

In the present specification, the term “orthogonal” or “perpendicular” refers to a case of intersecting at an angle of substantially 90 ° in an aspect of intersecting at an angle of less than 90 ° or greater than 90 °. The mode which produces the same operation effect as is included. In the present specification, the term “parallel” includes aspects that can be regarded as being substantially parallel among the aspects that are strictly non-parallel, and that can provide substantially the same operational effects as when parallel.

<< Combination of Embodiments and Modifications >>
The matters described in the above-described embodiments and the modifications can be used in appropriate combinations, and some of the matters can be replaced.

In the embodiment of the present invention described above, the configuration requirements can be changed, added, or deleted as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and many modifications can be made by those having ordinary knowledge in the related fields within the technical idea of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet printing apparatus 1A Printing apparatus main body 5 Conveyance part 10 Paper feed part 11 Paper feed apparatus 12 Feeder board 13 Paper feed drum 20 Process liquid application part 21 Process liquid application drum 22 Process liquid application apparatus 30 Process liquid drying part 31 Process liquid drying Drum 32 First paper guide 33 Dryer 40 Image forming unit 41 Image forming drum 42 Paper pressing rollers 43C, 43M, 43Y, 43K Inkjet head 44 Scanner 50 Ink drying unit 51 First chain delivery 52 Second paper guide 53 First heating device 56 First temperature detection unit 60 Varnish application unit 61 Varnish application drum 70 Varnish post-processing unit 70A Second heating device 71 Second chain delivery 72 Third paper guide 80 Accumulation unit 81, 81A, 81B, 81C, 81D, 81E, 81F Accumulator 82 Discharge stand 83 Partition member 8 5 Belt conveyor 86 Turntable 86A Stack area 87 Storage shelf 88 Guide 89 Holding member 90 Varnish coater 94 Second temperature detection unit 96 Powder spray unit 100 Control device 102 Stack allowable number determination unit 103 Specified time determination unit 104 Calculation table storage unit 105 Calculation Table 106 Blocking suppression measure presentation processing unit 108 Information presentation unit 110 Selection instruction receiving unit 112 Blocking countermeasure control unit 114 Regular time determination unit 117 Stack speed determination unit 118 Stack speed control unit 120 Air 122 Bundle of printed matter 201 Communication unit 202 Operation unit 203 Display unit 204 Storage unit 210 Transport control unit 211 Feed control unit 212 Processing liquid application control unit 213 Processing liquid drying control unit 214 Image formation control unit 215 Ink drying control unit 216 Varnish application control unit 217 Varnish post-processing control unit 218 Product control unit 219 Powder spray control unit 220 Communication control unit 230 Image processing unit 234 Drying condition setting unit 238 Varnish post-processing condition setting unit 240 Information acquisition unit 242 Display control unit P Paper S21 to S29 Printing processing steps S101 to S111 Stacking method Step Sb1 of decision processing First stack bundle Sb2 Second stack bundle Sb3 Third stack bundle SP Stack position

Claims

An image forming unit for forming an image on a medium;
A varnish application unit that applies an aqueous varnish to the medium on which the image is formed using the image formation unit;
An accumulation unit that applies a powder having a blocking inhibitory effect to the medium coated with the aqueous varnish under predetermined conditions, and stacks at a specific stack speed;
From the combination of two or more conditions among the medium type of the medium, the varnish type of the aqueous varnish, the ink amount of the ink used for forming the image, and the amount of powder applied in the accumulation portion, the specific An allowable stack number determining unit that determines an allowable stack number that can be stacked without occurrence of blocking at a stack speed; and
When the number of prints designated as the number of prints exceeds the allowable stack number, information presentation that can realize printing of the designated number of prints and presents at least one blocking suppression measure that suppresses the occurrence of blocking And
A printing apparatus comprising:
A selection instruction receiving unit that receives an input of an instruction for selecting whether or not to adopt at least one blocking suppression measure presented to the information presenting unit;
In accordance with a selection instruction input from the selection instruction receiving unit, a control unit that controls execution of the blocking suppression measure,
A printing apparatus according to claim 1.
When the number of printed sheets is equal to or less than the allowable number of stacks, a stacking operation is performed in which a single stack bundle is formed by stacking the number of sheets equal to or less than the allowable number of stacks on the stacking unit at the specific stack speed. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is executed.
When the stack method of stacking the medium on the stacking unit at the specific stack speed to form a single stack bundle is referred to as a first stack method,
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the blocking suppression measure is a measure for implementing a second stack method that is a stack operation different from the first stack method.
Storing a first calculation table that defines a value of the stack allowable number for each of a plurality of combinations of two or more conditions among the medium type, the varnish type, the ink amount, and the powder amount; A calculation table storage unit,
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the stack allowable number determination unit determines the stack allowable number using the first calculation table.
One of the blocking suppression measures is a measure of stacking the stacking unit at the specific stack speed and newly stacking another stack bundle when the stack number reaches the stack allowable number. The printing apparatus according to claim 5.
The stacking unit includes a stacking device in which a partition member for separating the stack bundle is arranged for each stack allowable number.
The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the new stack bundle is stacked on the partition member.
The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the stacking unit includes a stack bundle retracting mechanism that moves the stack bundle having reached the stack allowable number from the stack position to another retract position.
The stack bundle retracting mechanism includes a belt conveyor,
The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the belt conveyor has a belt length capable of placing each of the plurality of stack bundles at different positions on the belt conveyor.
The stack bundle retracting mechanism includes a turntable having a plurality of stack areas on which a plurality of the stack bundles can be placed,
The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the turntable is rotated to move a position of the stack area on which the stack bundle is stacked.
Separately from the first stack bundle that has reached the stack allowable number when the total number of stack bundles becomes 3 or more when a new stack bundle is stacked for each of the stack allowable sheets with respect to the number of printed sheets. A stack of the second stack bundle newly stacked reaches the stack allowable number, and the upper limit of the first stack bundle after a predetermined time has elapsed from the end of the stack of the first stack bundle. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 6 and 8 to 10, wherein any one of the third and subsequent stacks is stacked.
One of the blocking suppression measures is to stack the stack bundle at the specific stack speed, and when the number of stacks reaches the stack allowable number, the printing is temporarily stopped, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the printing is resumed and the stack is resumed. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the printing apparatus is a measure for continuing a stack in a bundle.
From the combination of two or more conditions among the medium type of the medium, the varnish type of the aqueous varnish, the ink amount of the ink used to form the image, and the powder amount of the powder, the allowable number of stacks has been reached. 13. The printing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a specified time determination unit that determines the specified time that can be stacked on the stack bundle without blocking at the specific stack speed.
A second calculation table defining the stack allowable number value and the specified time value for a plurality of combinations of two or more conditions among the medium type, the varnish type, the ink amount, and the powder amount. Including a calculation table storage unit for storing
The printing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the specified time determination unit determines the specified time using the second calculation table.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein one of the blocking suppression measures is a measure of making a stack speed slower than the specific stack speed.
A stack speed determining unit that determines a stack speed at which stacking of the number of printed sheets or more is possible without occurrence of blocking;
A stack speed control unit for controlling the stack speed according to the stack speed determined by the stack speed determination unit;
The printing apparatus according to claim 15.
The printing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the stack speed determination unit calculates a stack speed at which stacking that is equal to or greater than the print number can be performed using the number of printed sheets, the stack allowable number, and the specific stack speed. .
The printing apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the stack speed control unit controls a conveyance speed of the medium.
The printing apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the stack speed control unit controls a medium supply time interval for supplying the medium to the image forming unit.
One of the blocking suppression measures is to hold the bundle of media divided into a smaller number of small copies than the allowable number of stacks for a certain period of time, and then stack the media to exceed the allowable stack number. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, which is a measure for forming a stack bundle.
The stacking unit
Having a plurality of storage shelves for storing the bundle of media in the small number of copies;
The storage device includes an accumulation device that sequentially moves the plurality of storage shelves to store the bundle of the small number of media in the storage shelf and holds the bundle of the small number of media in the storage shelf for a certain period of time. The printing apparatus according to 20.
The stacking unit
The medium bundle of the small number of parts is obtained by injecting air from a side surface direction of the medium to a position where the bundle of the medium is constrained, and constraining the small number of the medium bundle by the ejected air. The printing apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising: an accumulation device that holds the value for a predetermined time.
The stacking unit
A stacking device including a movable holding member that holds the bundle of the small number of the media;
The holding member is movable to a holding position for holding the bundle of the small number of media and a non-holding position for not holding the bundle of the small number of media;
The printing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the medium is stacked by holding the small number of the bundle of the media by the holding member and then moving the holding member to a non-holding position to release the holding state.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the image forming unit includes an inkjet head.
A printing apparatus in which an aqueous varnish is applied to a medium on which an image is formed, a powder having a blocking inhibitory effect is applied to the medium on which the aqueous varnish is applied under predetermined conditions, and is stacked on a stacking unit at a specific stack speed. A printing control method for controlling operation,
The medium type of the medium on which the image is formed, the varnish type of the aqueous varnish applied to the medium on which the image is formed, the ink amount of the ink used for forming the image, and the accumulation unit. A stack allowable number determining step for determining a stack allowable number that can be stacked without occurrence of blocking at the specific stack speed from a combination of two or more conditions among the amount of powder to be obtained;
When the number of prints designated as the number of prints exceeds the allowable stack number, information presentation that can realize printing of the designated number of prints and presents at least one blocking suppression measure that suppresses the occurrence of blocking Process,
A printing control method.
Medium type of medium on which an image is formed, varnish type of aqueous varnish applied to the medium on which the image is formed, ink amount of ink used for forming the image, and the medium on which the aqueous varnish is applied A stack that can be stacked without causing blocking at a specific stack speed from a combination of two or more conditions of the amount of powder that has a blocking inhibitory effect imparted to the stacking part under a predetermined condition. A stack allowable number determining unit for determining the allowable number;
When the number of prints designated as the number of prints exceeds the allowable stack number, information presentation that can realize printing of the designated number of prints and presents at least one blocking suppression measure that suppresses the occurrence of blocking And
A printing control apparatus comprising: