JP2003025714A - Ink jet image recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink jet image recording method, by which a typical photographic format, image size formats such as a large size format, a small size format or the like can be efficiently and simultaneously obtained from one material under the condition that the obtained image has the image quality of an image especially its preservability improved as good as that of a print obtained from silver salt color photosensitive materials as well as the defects of the image is prevented from developing. SOLUTION: In the ink image recording method, by which the typical photographic format, the image size formats such as the large size format, the small size format or the like can be obtained from one image recording material, the image recording material is formed by providing an ink image accepting layer on a support under the condition that an image protective layer and/or an overcoating layer on the ink image accepting layer, on the opposite side of which a back coating layer including at least one kind selected from the group consisting of a resin latex, inorganic pigment particles and a lubricant.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an inkjet image recording method, and more particularly, to a recording droplet ejected from an ejection port of a recording head on a material based on image information, for example, image information from a color photographic film. The present invention relates to an inkjet image recording method for recording an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art High-quality, general-purpose, low-cost color images in the production of color images using silver salt color sensitive materials and digitization of image production have enabled electrostatic transfer systems, sublimation heat transfer systems, inkjet systems, etc. Full-color image creation methods are rapidly becoming popular. The method using a silver salt color sensitive material is excellent in image quality such as color reproducibility, image sharpness, image density, glossiness, and image durability, and is one of the goals of developing an inkjet method. There is.

The ink jet system is relatively easy to realize full color by inputting digital information of a color original image, selection of ink species, etc., and is advantageous in that printing noise is relatively low as compared with other systems. However, the ink used contains a relatively large amount of water or solvent, and its droplets are absorbed and removed, beading of continuous ejection of fine droplets, prevention of sharpness deterioration due to bleeding, stain prevention, and silver. Unlike image formation in a film of a salt color light-sensitive material, image formation is performed by ejecting an ink containing a dissolved or dispersed dye, and image protection and durability improvement are particularly required.

Further, in the image recording by the ink jet system, since an image is recorded by ejecting ink droplets based on digital image information, the recording speed is slow, improvement of the structure of the recording head is required, and the silver salt feeling is required. It is necessary to devise to record various sizes of photographic formats, especially large formats. For example, JP 2000-12
7536, JP 2000-120550 A, JP 2000 A
One method is described in 168,066 and the like. However, even if the methods described in these are used, it is the current situation that a satisfactory image quality cannot be stably obtained.

In general, for example, the same loading recording material of various size photographic formats, especially large format recording of recorded images of excellent quality comparable to silver salt color prints from original images from photographic silver salt color light-sensitive materials. Therefore, an ink jet type image recording method for efficiently recording has not been found. The inkjet image recording method is
Since the image is formed by ejecting liquid ink, image bleeding and stains are likely to occur, particularly when recording in a large format or various sizes, these defects are likely to occur, and the image quality of the obtained image, Since defects such as storability are likely to occur, it is the current situation that special measures should be taken in combination with the image recording material and the image recording apparatus.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image in which the image quality of the image, especially its storability is improved to the same level as that of a print obtained from a silver salt color light-sensitive material while preventing image defects. An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet image recording method capable of efficiently obtaining a typical photographic format and an image size format such as a large size and a small size from one material at the same time.

[0007]

The above problems can be solved by the following means. That is, the present invention includes (1) inputting image information representing an image to be recorded on an image recording material, and ejecting a recording liquid droplet from an ejection port of a recording head based on the inputted one or a plurality of image information. An image recording step of attaching recording droplets to the image recording material to record one or more images on the image recording material; a first conveying step of conveying the image recording material to the downstream side of the recording head; The first cutting step of cutting the image recording material across the carrying direction in the first carrying step corresponding to each size of the image, and the image recording material cut by the first cutting step, A second conveying step of conveying in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction in the conveying step, and cutting the image recording material across the conveying direction in the second conveying step corresponding to each size of the one or more images. Second disconnect to An ink jet image recording method comprising a step, wherein the image recording material comprises an ink image receiving layer provided on a support, and a resin latex, inorganic pigment particles and a lubricant are provided on the ink image receiving layer. An image protective layer and / or an overcoat layer containing at least one selected from a resin latex, inorganic pigment particles, and a lubricant on the surface of the support opposite to the surface on which the ink image receiving layer is provided. An inkjet image recording method comprising an inkjet image recording material having at least one layer selected from a back coat layer containing at least one selected from the above.

(2) The ink image-receiving layer and / or the image-protecting layer has a minimum film-forming temperature (MFT) of 50 ° C. or higher.
The inkjet image recording method as described in (2) above, wherein the inkjet image recording method comprises:

(3) In the image recording step, the recording droplets are adhered to the image recording material to record one or a plurality of images on the image recording material, followed by heat drying treatment and heat drying. The inkjet image recording method according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the surface of the image recording material on the ink image receiving layer side is smoothed during the treatment or after the heat-drying treatment. (4) The above-mentioned image recording step is continuously carried out after the image-recording material preloaded in a roll shape is continuously conveyed and curl correction processing is carried out.
The inkjet image recording method according to any one of (3) to (3). (5) In the image recording step, while continuously recording one or a plurality of images on the image recording material, it is monitored whether or not an event that hinders image recording has occurred. The inkjet image recording method according to (4) above, wherein when it is determined that the failure has occurred, a process for removing and correcting the failure or the event is performed.

According to the ink jet image recording method of (1), the image recording material on which one or a plurality of images are recorded is first conveyed, and each size of the images, that is, the first of each image. A first cut is made in the image recording material across the first transport direction depending on the length in the transport direction. Subsequently, the cut image recording material is conveyed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first conveying direction, and the second image is conveyed in a direction corresponding to each image size, that is, the second conveying direction length of each image. A second cut is made in the image recording material across the transport direction. By using an inkjet image recording material having an image protective layer containing at least one selected from resin latex, inorganic pigment particles, and a lubricant, an overcoat layer, and a backcoat layer as this image recording material, image defects can be prevented. While preventing, the image quality of the image, especially its storability, is improved to the same level as that of a print obtained from a silver salt color light-sensitive material, and a typical photographic format, an image size format such as a large size and a small size is formed from one material. Can be obtained efficiently at the same time

According to the inkjet image recording method of (2), the ink image receiving layer and / or the image protective layer contains a thermoplastic resin latex having a minimum film forming temperature (MFT) of 50 ° C. or higher, and Ink permeability can be improved by having a porous structure.

According to the ink jet image recording method of (3), after recording one or a plurality of images on the image recording material, a heat drying treatment is performed, and during the heat drying treatment or after the heat drying treatment, By smoothing the surface of the image recording material on the ink image receiving layer side, the surface property and transparency of the surface of the image recording material are improved, and the printed ink is adsorbed and fixed in the ink image receiving layer. By doing so, the durability and weather resistance of the image recording material can be improved and the image can be sharpened.

According to the ink jet image recording method of (4), the image recording material preloaded in the form of a roll is continuously conveyed and curl correction processing is performed, thereby efficiently recording a good image. It can be performed.

According to the ink jet image recording method of (5), even when an event that hinders image recording occurs while continuously recording a plurality of images on the image recording material, this is detected. , The image recording obstruction is removed,
Alternatively, since the troubled event itself is removed, it is possible to record a large number of images with improper image quality after the occurrence of the event or stop the image recording for a long time due to the occurrence of the event. This can be prevented in advance, and the high performance of image recording and the improvement of the ratio of proper images can be achieved by the inkjet recording method. Note that, as an event that hinders image recording, for example, image recording disorder (specifically, clogging of the ejection port of the recording head, decrease in ejection amount of recording droplets from the ejection port of the recording head, or other Phenomenon) and a decrease in free space of the storage means for storing image information.
Further, it should be recorded on the image recording material by performing an image processing on the original image information representing the original image to be recorded on the image recording material and the original image information acquired by the acquiring means. In a configuration further provided with image processing means for generating image information representing an image and outputting the generated image information to the recording means, as an event that obstructs the image recording, for example, the malfunction of the acquisition means, the acquisition means This includes acquisition of defective original image information and malfunction of image processing by the image processing means. In the present invention, it is monitored whether at least one of the above events has occurred.
Then, when it is determined that the event has occurred, processing for removing the failure or the event is performed.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. The inkjet image recording method of the present invention is a specific image recording method capable of recording an image of a different size format from an inkjet image recording material of one form described later. And an image protective layer and / or an overcoat layer containing at least one selected from a resin latex, inorganic pigment particles and a lubricant on the ink image receiving layer, and an ink image receiving layer on the support. An ink jet image having at least one layer selected from a resin latex, a back coat layer containing at least one selected from inorganic pigment particles, and a lubricant on the surface opposite to the surface on which the ink image receiving layer is provided. It is characterized by using a recording material.

First, the ink jet image recording material will be described in detail. -Inkjet image recording material-The inkjet image recording material in the invention has a mode in which (1) only the image protective layer is provided on the ink image receiving layer,
(2) Aspect having an image protective layer and an overcoat layer,
(3) A layer structure having only an overcoat layer, a structure having only a backcoat layer on the surface opposite to the surface on which the ink image receiving layer is provided, (4) a combination of these, and the like. However, it is preferable that the image protective layer and the overcoat layer are provided on the ink image receiving layer, and the back coat layer is provided on the surface opposite to the surface provided with the ink image receiving layer. Moreover, it is desirable that the overcoat layer is formed of two or more layers.

At least one layer other than the ink image receiving layer in the layer structure of these forms contains at least one kind of resin latex, inorganic pigment particles and lubricant. Of these materials, preferably, the image protective layer of the inkjet image recording material contains a resin latex, the overcoat layer contains a lubricant, and the backcoat layer contains a resin latex, inorganic pigment particles, and a lubricant. Including.

As the monomer constituting the resin latex, the softening point of the resin latex is preferably 30 to 150.
A homopolymer composed of a single monomer, a copolymer composed of several kinds of monomers, or the like is preferably used so that the temperature becomes ℃, more preferably 50 to 120 ℃. Preferred monomers include, for example, olefins, α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acids and salts thereof, derivatives of α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acids, amides of α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acids, styrene and derivatives thereof, Examples thereof include vinyl ethers and vinyl esters.

Examples of the olefins are ethylene, propylene, isoprene, butadiene, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, 6-hydroxy-1-hexene, cyclopentadiene, 4-pentenoic acid, methyl 8-nonenate, vinyl sulfonic acid and trimethylvinylsilane. , Trimethoxyvinylsilane, butadiene, pentadiene, isoprene,
1,4-divinylcyclohexane, 1,2,5-trivinylcyclohexane and the like can be mentioned.

Examples of the α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid and salts thereof include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, sodium acrylate, ammonium methacrylate, potassium itaconic acid and the like.

Examples of the α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivative include alkyl acrylates (eg, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, n-dodecyl acrylate, etc.), substituted alkyl acrylates. (For example, 2-chloroethyl acrylate, benzyl acrylate, 2-cyanoethyl acrylate, allyl acrylate, etc.), alkyl methacrylate (for example, methyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, n-dodecyl methacrylate, etc.), substituted alkyl methacrylate [For example, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, glycerin monomethacrylate, 2-acetoxye Tylmethacrylate, tetrahydrofurfurylmethacrylate, 2-methoxyethylmethacrylate, ω-methoxypolyethyleneglycolmethacrylate (additional mol number of polyoxyethylene = 2 to 1)
00), polyethylene glycol monomethacrylate (polyoxyethylene addition mole number = 2 to 100), polypropylene glycol monomethacrylate (polyoxypropylene addition mole number = 2 to 100), 2-carboxyethyl methacrylate , 3-sulfopropylmethacrylate, 4-oxysulfobutylmethacrylate, 3-trimethoxysilylpropylmethacrylate, allylmethacrylate, etc.], derivatives of unsaturated dicarboxylic acids (eg, monobutyl maleate, dimethyl maleate, monomethyl itaconate, itaconic acid) Dibutyl etc.), polyfunctional esters (eg ethylene glycol diacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,4-cyclohexane diacrylate, pentaerythritol tet) Methacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, trimethylolethane triacrylate,
Dipentaerythritol pentamethacrylate, pentaerythritol hexaacrylate, 1,2,4-cyclohexanetetramethacrylate, etc.).

Examples of α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid amides include acrylamide, methacrylamide, and N.
-Methyl acrylamide, N, N-dimethyl acrylamide, N-methyl-N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide, N-tert butyl acrylamide, N-tert
Octyl methacrylamide, N-cyclohexyl acrylamide, N-phenyl acrylamide, N- (2-acetoacetoxyethyl) acrylamide, N-acryloylmorpholine, diacetone acrylamide, itaconic acid diamide, N-methyl maleimide, 2-acrylamido-2- Methyl propane sulfonic acid, methylene bis acrylamide, dimethacryloyl piperazine, etc. are mentioned.

Styrene and its derivatives include styrene, vinyltoluene, p-tertbutylstyrene, vinylbenzoic acid, methyl vinylbenzoate, α-methylstyrene, p-chloromethylstyrene, vinylnaphthalene,
p-Hydroxymethylstyrene, p-styrenesulfonic acid sodium salt, p-styrenesulfinic acid potassium salt, 1,4-divinylbenzene, 4-vinylbenzoic acid-
2-acryloyl ethyl ester and the like can be mentioned.

Examples of vinyl ethers include methyl vinyl ether, butyl vinyl ether and methoxyethyl vinyl ether. Examples of vinyl esters include vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl benzoate, vinyl salicylate and vinyl chloroacetate. Other polymerizable monomers include N-vinylpyrrolidone, 2-vinyloxazoline, 2-isopropenyloxazoline, divinylsulfone and the like.

Among the hydrophobic polymers of the present invention synthesized by copolymerization combining monomers, the main component is acrylamide, methacrylamide, acrylic acid ester, methacrylic acid ester, styrene, vinyl ester, vinyl ether, olefin, etc. A polymer or a copolymer is preferably selected.

The content of the resin latex is preferably 5 to 100% by mass, more preferably 40 to 100% by mass, based on the total components of the contained layer.

The inorganic pigment particles are preferably white pigments, and examples of the white pigments include calcium carbonate, kaolin, talc, clay, diatomaceous earth, and synthetic amorphous silica.
Aluminum silicate, magnesium silicate, calcium silicate, aluminum hydroxide, alumina, lithopone, zeolite, barium sulfate, calcium sulfate, titanium dioxide,
Preferable examples include inorganic pigments such as zinc sulfide and zinc carbonate, organic pigments such as styrene pigments, acrylic pigments, urea resins and melamine resins. Among these white pigments, inorganic pigments are preferable, and porous inorganic pigments having fine pores inside the pigment particles themselves are more preferable, and synthetic amorphous silica, alumina, aluminum silicate, or calcium carbonate having a large pore area. Are more preferable, and synthetic amorphous silica and alumina hydrate are particularly preferable. As the synthetic amorphous silica, both of silicic acid anhydride obtained by the dry production method and hydrous silicic acid obtained by the wet production method can be used, but it is particularly preferable to use hydrous silicic acid.

The content of the inorganic pigment particles is preferably 5 to 50% by mass, more preferably 10 to 30% by mass, based on the total components of the contained layer.

As the lubricant, a surfactant (for example, a fluorine-containing compound [including a fluorine-containing acrylic resin and the like]), a polyhydric alcohol derivative, a silicone oil dispersion, glycerin or its derivative, glycerol or its derivative, glycols (Diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, etc.) and the like. The content of the lubricant is preferably 1 to 50% by mass, more preferably 5 to 30% by mass, and further preferably 5 to 20% by mass with respect to the total components of the contained layer.

FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) are cross-sectional views of essential parts showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1
In (a) and (b), 2 is a support, 4 is an undercoat layer,
6 is an ink image receiving layer, 8 is an image protective layer, 10 is an overcoat layer, and 12 is a backcoat layer.

[Support] As the support in the image recording material of the present invention, either a transparent support made of a transparent material such as plastic or an opaque support made of an opaque material such as paper can be used. In order to make the most of the transparency of the colorant receiving layer, it is preferable to use a transparent support or a highly glossy opaque support.

As a material usable for the transparent support, a material which is transparent and has a property of withstanding radiant heat when used in an OHP or a backlight display is preferable. Examples of the material include polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polysulfone,
Examples thereof include polyphenylene oxide, polyimide, polycarbonate and polyamide. Among them, polyesters are preferable, and polyethylene terephthalate is particularly preferable. The thickness of the transparent support is not particularly limited, but is preferably 50 to 200 μm in terms of handleability.

As the highly glossy opaque support, it is preferable that the surface on the side where the ink image receiving layer is provided has a glossiness of 40% or more. The glossiness is JIS P-
8142 (value of 75 ° specular gloss test method for paper and paperboard). In particular,
The following supports may be mentioned.

For example, high gloss paper supports such as art papers, coated papers, cast coated papers and baryta papers used for silver salt photographic supports; polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET); nitrocellulose. , Cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate such as cellulose acetate butyrate, plastic film such as polysulfone, polyphenylene oxide, polyimide, polycarbonate, polyamide, etc. were made opaque by containing a white pigment etc. (may be subjected to surface calendering treatment) High-gloss film; or a high-gloss film containing the various paper supports, the transparent support, or the white pigment is provided with a coating layer of polyolefin containing or not containing a white pigment. Support. Further, a white pigment-containing expanded polyester film (for example, expanded PET in which polyolefin fine particles are contained and voids are formed by stretching) can also be preferably mentioned.

The support may be corona discharge treated,
Those subjected to glow discharge treatment, flame treatment, ultraviolet irradiation treatment and the like may be used.

The polyethylene for coating the front and back surfaces of the base paper is mainly low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and / or
Alternatively, high density polyethylene (HDPE) may be used, but other LLDPE, polypropylene or the like may be partially used.

In particular, the polyethylene layer on the side for forming the ink image receiving layer is formed by adding rutile or anatase type titanium oxide to polyethylene, as is commonly used in photographic printing paper, to obtain opacity and whiteness. Those improved are preferable. Here, the content of titanium oxide is preferably 3 to 20 mass% with respect to polyethylene, and 4 to 1 is preferable.
3 mass% is more preferable.

The polyethylene-coated paper can be used as a glossy paper, or when a polyethylene is melt-extruded on the surface of a raw paper for coating, a so-called embossing treatment is performed to obtain a matte surface or a matte surface obtained by ordinary photographic printing paper. It is also possible to use those having a silk surface.

In the present invention, in order to obtain the quality of the image recording material equivalent to that of the silver salt color sensitive material, the whiteness and smoothness of the current baryta paper or WP (support in which both sides of the base paper are coated with thermoplastic resin) are required. High substrates should be used. Further, it is preferable to use a substrate in which the support itself has an oxygen barrier property after image formation.

[Undercoat layer] In the undercoat layer, a hydrophilic resin such as polyvinyl alcohol or a modified product thereof, gelatin or a modified product thereof, which has good adhesion between the surface of the support and the ink image-receiving layer, is used, and a crosslinking curing agent is used. Alternatively, a thermoplastic resin latex or the like may be mixed. By providing such an undercoat layer, it is possible to improve the adhesion between the support and the ink image receiving layer and the water absorbency. Further, a white pigment such as barium sulfate, a fluorescent whitening agent, an antioxidant and a light stabilizer can be mixed in the undercoat layer.

[Ink image receiving layer] A layer having a function of absorbing an ink applied by an ink jet with a small amount of bleeding, adsorbing and fixing or insolubilizing a dye to hold an image.
A layer (ink absorption layer) for enhancing solvent absorption of the ink, fixing the image forming dye in a specific layer, and absorbing the solvent closer to the support to obtain an image with less bleeding and beading. It is preferable to provide a multi-layered structure for strengthening the fixation of the dye. It is preferable to use an inorganic pigment that mainly adsorbs a dye (ink-receptive inorganic pigment), a mordant that fixes a dye, etc., and a surfactant that is a binder that has good ink permeability and does not inhibit dye adsorption or fixation. is there. Further, it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin latex that protects an image. Further, it may have a porous structure in order to maintain ink permeability.

As the mordant for fixing the dye, US Pat.
The cationic polymers described in No. 474,943 can be used. Further, it is preferable to have a multilayer structure as described in US Pat. No. 5,789,070. Preferred mordants are water-soluble cationic polymers having a solubility of at least 30 g / l, such as diethylammonium chloride hydroxyethyl cellulose (c
elquant L-200 and celquant L-
100 National Starch aChem
ical company). Preferred are a cationic modified cellulose ether, an epoxy-substituted trimethylammonium chloride or a reaction product of dodecyldimethylammonium chloride and hydroxyethyl cellulose, and the like. Further, as the binder, a hydrophilic biopolymer that does not impair the ink receptivity, for example, those described in JP-A-61-110483, or a cationic polyvinyl alcohol or a copolymer thereof can be used.

As the inorganic pigment that adsorbs the dye, silica,
Known materials such as calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, diatomaceous earth, calcium silicate, colloidal silica, alumina, pseudo-boehmite, colloidal alumina, and alumina hydrate are used. Alumina hydrate, silica, colloidal silica and the like are particularly preferable. These inorganic pigments are formed in a void shape in the ink image receiving layer to adsorb the dye and prevent ink bleeding.

The alumina hydrate can be produced by a known method such as hydrolysis of aluminum alkoxide and hydrolysis of sodium aluminate. The shape thereof is not particularly limited, such as cilia, needle, plate, or spindle, and may or may not have orientation. As the alumina hydrate, those commercially available or those processed from their raw materials can be used, and the characteristics of these alumina hydrates are transparency, gloss, and dye fixing property. It is even better if it is expensive and does not cause cracks during film formation and has good coatability. Examples of commercially available products include, for example, "AS-2" and "AS" manufactured by Catalyst Kasei Co., Ltd.
-3 ”,“ 520 ”manufactured by Nissan Chemical Co., Ltd., and the like. These alumina hydrates usually have a fine particle size of 1 μm or less and have excellent dispersibility, and therefore can impart very good smoothness and gloss to the image recording material. .

The binder for binding the inorganic pigment can be freely selected from water-soluble polymers. For example, polyvinyl alcohol or a modified product thereof,
Starch or a modified product thereof, gelatin or a modified product thereof, casein or a modified product thereof, gum arabic, cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, SBR latex, NBR latex, methyl methacrylate-butadiene copolymer, etc. Conjugated diene-based copolymer latex, functional group-modified polymer latex, vinyl-based copolymer latex such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and acrylate copolymer are preferable. These binders may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The mixing ratio of the inorganic pigment (particularly alumina hydrate) and the binder is a mass ratio, preferably 1: 1 to 35:
1, more preferably from 5: 1 to 30: 1. When the amount of the binder is less than the above range, the mechanical strength of the ink image receiving layer may be insufficient, and cracking or powder falling tends to occur. But,
This tendency can be reduced by providing an image protective layer or an overcoat layer described below on the ink image receiving layer. Further, when the mixing ratio of the inorganic pigment, particularly alumina hydrate and the binder is higher than the above range, the pore volume becomes small and the ink absorbability may be lowered.

The coating liquid for forming the ink image receiving layer contains, in addition to the alumina hydrate and the binder, a dispersant, a thickener, a pH adjuster, a lubricant, a fluidity modifier, if necessary. It is also possible to add a surface active agent, a defoaming agent, a water resistance agent, a release agent, an optical brightening agent, an ultraviolet absorber, an antioxidant and the like.

The coating amount of the inorganic pigment (especially alumina hydrate) on the substrate is 10 in order to have dye fixing property.
g / m ² or more, when the substrate has no ink absorbency, and more preferably in the range of 30 to 50 g / m ² as coated amount, if the substrate has an ink absorbency, as coating weight Is more preferably in the range of 20 to 40 g / m ² . The coating / drying method is not particularly limited, but the alumina hydrate and the binder may be subjected to a baking treatment, if necessary. By performing such a baking treatment, the binder cross-linking strength is increased, and the mechanical strength of the ink receiving layer is improved,
Also, the surface gloss of the alumina hydrate layer is improved.

As the inorganic pigment, silica or colloidal silica may be used in the same porous structure as the alumina hydrate. In this case, as a binder,
For example, cation-modified polyvinyl alcohol or a copolymer thereof can be used in addition to the binder as described in JP-A-61-110483.

The ink image receiving layer may contain thermoplastic resin particles. In particular, it is preferable that the ink image receiving layer has a porous structure and contains a thermoplastic resin latex having a minimum film forming temperature (MFT) of 50 ° C. or higher. After permeation, the ink is fixed by making it non-porous, the weather resistance such as water resistance and light resistance is improved, gloss can be imparted to the image, and the printed matter can be stored for a long time.

As a method for making the ink image-receiving layer non-porous, heat treatment is preferable, and the heat-treatment temperature is preferably at least the flow temperature of the thermoplastic resin particles contained in the ink image-receiving layer, and is the lowest. Film formation temperature (MFT)
It is more preferable to heat above (preferably 50 ° C. or higher), and these temperatures are arbitrarily selected depending on the type of thermoplastic resin. The minimum film forming temperature (MFT) is a temperature at which the image protective layer is formed into a transparent film by heat treatment, and depends on the processing time.

[Image Protecting Layer] The image protecting layer preferably forms a porous resin layer containing a thermoplastic resin latex, and the latex preferably has a specific particle distribution. By providing this image protective layer, the physical strength of the ink image receiving layer, the durability of the image, and the weather resistance can be particularly improved.

The particle distribution of the thermoplastic resin latex is important for forming the porous resin layer of the thermoplastic resin latex as the image protective layer. Therefore, the average particle diameter of the thermoplastic resin latex is preferably 0.1 to 10 μm, more preferably 0.3 to 5 μm.
m, more preferably 0.3 to 3 μm. The distribution is preferably a monodisperse distribution, and a latex having uniform particles such that 90% or more of the particles are in the range of ± 2/3, preferably ± 1/3 of the average particle size is preferable. In particular, it is preferable that fine particles of the thermoplastic resin latex do not enter. The thermoplastic resin latex has a particle solid content of about 1
It is preferably about 0 to 60% by mass, and it is desirable that the transparent resin film is formed by heating without impairing the ink permeability.

The thermoplastic resin latex has a Tg of resin when an overcoat layer described later is provided on the image protective layer.
Regardless of the above, it is compatible with the processing temperature when forming the image protective layer, and preferably 10 ° C. higher than the processing temperature when forming the image protective layer
The above-mentioned high minimum film forming temperature (MFT) is preferable, for example, 50 ° C to 180 ° C, preferably 60 ° C to 170 ° C. At these processing temperatures, the image protective layer is formed while maintaining the state of the porous layer containing the thermoplastic particles, and the ink penetrating from the overcoat layer can be adsorbed and fixed to the ink image receiving layer. Therefore, particularly in the present invention, the minimum film formation temperature (MF) of 50 ° C. or higher is used.
It is preferable that the image protective layer contains a thermoplastic resin latex having T) and has a porous structure. Also,
As the thermoplastic resin latex, one having a difference between the Tg of the resin and MET of 10 ° C. or less can also be used.

The thermoplastic resin latex is preferably a resin having a property of non-porous by heat treatment during image recording, forming a film, and protecting an image, particularly a resin containing a component having high ultraviolet absorption. For example, vinyl chloride type, vinylidene chloride type, styrene type, acrylic type, urethane type, polyester type, ethylene type material or vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate type, vinyl chloride-acrylic type, vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride type, Vinylidene chloride-acrylic, S
Examples include BR-based and NBR-based latexes, and latexes of copolymers of two or more of these, such as SBR-based / NBR-based mixtures and vinyl chloride-acrylic-based / vinyl acetate-based latexes. The content of the component containing the conjugated double bond component is preferably 50% or less.

For the image protective layer, silica gel or the like is preferably mixed in the image protective layer in an amount of 10 to 30% by mass. The inclusion of silica gel or the like in the image protective layer has the effects of enhancing the adhesion between the image protective layer and the ink image receiving layer, preventing beading, and improving the sharpness of the image.

The image protective layer contains a hydrophilic binder used in the ink image-receiving layer, such as polyvinyl alcohol, for example, in a trace amount for the purpose of optimizing the adhesion to the ink image-receiving layer or improving the sharpness of the image. It is desirable to add it also to the protective layer. In particular, this binder is preferably selected from hydrophilic polymers having good adhesion and absorption with ink. For example, polyvinyl alcohol, a modified polyvinylpyrrolidone thereof, gelatin or a modified product thereof, casein or a modified product thereof, polyethylene oxide, polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, a derivative thereof such as hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, etc., alone or in combination. The seeds can be mixed and used.

In the image protection layer, a cross-linking curing agent for the binder, for example, dimethylhydantoin, glutaraldehyde for gelatin, other curing agents mentioned above, and for polyvinyl alcohol, borate or formaldehyde-urea resin, etc. Can be used. A wetting agent can also be added and used.

[Overcoat Layer] At least one overcoat layer is provided on the ink image receiving layer or the image protective layer. By providing the overcoat layer on the ink image-receiving layer and the image-protecting layer, the surface glossiness and the ink adhesion, which become defects of the layers below (ink-image-receiving layer and image-protecting layer), the weather resistance of the image, and the preservation resistance The sex can be improved. Further, by providing the overbar coat layer, even a thin film has good adhesion and absorption with respect to the ink and transparency, and improves the sharpness of the image. Further, the transportability can be improved in combination with the setting of the back coat layer. In particular, by forming a hardened gelatin layer containing a cross-linking hardener as the overcoat layer, it protects the image while being hydrophilic and has a surprisingly improved effect on weather resistance and storage stability. Further, when used in combination with another layer, the effect can be synergistically exerted on the weather resistance of the image and the improvement of the image quality.

The overcoat layer contains a hydrophilic polymer, particularly a polymer having ink receptivity, as a binder, preferably a cross-linking curing agent thereof, and a lubricant.
If necessary, thickeners, pH adjusters, fluidity change agents, surfactants, defoamers, release agents, optical brighteners, ultraviolet absorbers,
Antioxidants and the like can be added.

At least one of the overcoat layers comprises
It is preferable that the ink-solvent-permeable gelatin and / or modified gelatin and a cross-linking curing agent thereof are contained, and it is preferable that a hydrophilic polymer is further contained. As the gelatin, photographic gelatin can be used, and there are acid-treated gelatin having a relatively large amount of cationic components, lime-treated gelatin having a relatively large amount of anionic components, and the like, and it is preferable to select it according to the ink characteristics. Examples of modified gelatin include acylated gelatin, for example, modified gelatin with trimellitic anhydride, and esterified gelatin having a COO group to change the chargeability of gelatin. By mixing this modified gelatin with gelatin, the ink receptivity and the swelling property can be adjusted. By mixing gelatin such as copolymer of methyl methacrylate and gelatin,
Physical strength or plasticity can be adjusted. The mixing mass ratio with gelatin is preferably 2% to 20%. The cross-linking curing agent is a sulfonate ester-based curing agent used for photography, such as bis (methanesulfonate), bis (vinylsulfonyl) methane, or an S-triazine-based curing agent, such as 2,4-dichloro-6-hydroxytriazine. , T, H, Jones edited by The Theor
y of the photographic pro
Inorganic or organic curing agents described in Chapter 4, cess, fourth edition are used. The crosslinking hardening agent is preferably added in an amount of 0.01 to 0.1% by mass, depending on the type of gelatin, relative to the gelatin in the layer. The hydrophilic polymer is preferably a cellulose derivative. Examples include anionic cellulose ethers, anionic cellulose ethers, cationic cellulose ethers, and particularly polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone and sulfonated polyesters.

When the overcoat layer has an image protective layer, the overcoat layer is thinner than the image protective layer and is 0.01 to 1.0.
The following is desirable. When the thickness of the overcoat layer is less than 0.01 of the protective layer, the function of protecting the image protective layer is low, and when it is greater than 1, the function of permeating the ink into the image protective layer is likely to deteriorate. The thickness of the overcoat layer is more preferably 1/20 to 2/5 of the image protective layer, and is 0.1 to 1 μm, preferably 0.2 to 0.5 μm. When the overcoat layer is formed on the surface of the ink image receiving layer, the thickness of the overcoat layer is 0.1 to 1 μm, preferably 0.2 to 0.5 μm.

[Backcoat Layer] In the ink jet image recording material of the present invention, a backcoat layer may be provided on the back surface of the surface having the ink image receiving layer, if necessary. By providing a back coat layer, the transportability of the recording material in the image recording process is improved, and the ink receiving layer is substantially protected,
Also, by simplifying the function of the image protection layer, abnormal events in the image recording process can be reduced. The binder is
After the surface treatment of the support or the undercoating treatment thereof, a hydrophilic binder having high adhesion, such as gelatin or a modified product thereof,
Casein or its modified product, polyvinyl alcohol or its modified product, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene oxide, polyacrylic acid, polyacrylic acid amide, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose,
Derivatives such as hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose,
They can be used alone or in combination of two or more. In order to enhance the adhesiveness and physical strength of the back coat layer, it is preferable to use a curing agent for the binder. For example, boric acid or a salt thereof may be used as polyvinyl alcohol or a copolymer thereof, or another polymer. In the present invention, such a back coat layer contains at least a species selected from resin latex, inorganic pigment particles, and lubricant. The thickness of the back coat layer is preferably 0.2 to 10 μm, more preferably about 0.2 to 5 μm. In the back coat layer,
It is desirable to apply a mixed solution of water resistant resin latex, a matting agent of inorganic pigment particles, and a lubricant.

-Inkjet image recording method-The above-mentioned inkjet image recording material inputs image information representing an image to be recorded on the image recording material, and the ejection port of the recording head based on the input one or more image information. An image recording step of recording one or more images on the image recording material by ejecting recording droplets from the recording medium and adhering the recording droplets to the image recording material; and conveying the image recording material to the downstream side of the recording head. A first conveying step of, and a first cutting step of cutting the image recording material across the conveying direction in the first conveying step, corresponding to the one or more image sizes,
The image recording material cut by the first cutting step, a second transport step of transporting in a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction in the first transport step, corresponding to the one or more image sizes, It can be suitably applied to an inkjet image recording method having a second cutting step of cutting the image recording material across the carrying direction in the second carrying step.

In particular, in the image recording step, the recording droplets are attached to the image recording material to record one or a plurality of images on the image recording material, and then heat drying treatment is performed, and heat drying treatment is performed. It is preferable to carry out a smoothing treatment on the ink image receiving layer side surface of the image recording material after the inside or after the heat drying treatment. This heat-drying treatment is preferably carried out under the temperature conditions and treatment time necessary to render the ink image-receiving layer comprising a porous layer containing thermoplastic resin particles non-porous. The water resistance and light resistance of the receiving layer are good, and glossiness, graininess, and transparency can be imparted to the image, and the ink that has penetrated into the image receiving layer of the porous layer is non-porous. By adsorbing and fixing it in the ink image-receiving layer by making it possible, the printed matter can be stored for a long period of time.

The heat-drying treatment temperature at this time is preferably at least the flow temperature of the thermoplastic resin particles, more preferably at least the minimum film-forming temperature (MFT). Film formation temperature (MFT)
Is the temperature at which the image-protecting layer mainly used becomes transparent by heat treatment and also depends on the processing time.

Further, the heating and drying temperature is preferably such that the image protective layer is made non-porous and transparent at the same time. In this case, the Tg of the resin of the thermoplastic resin particles constituting the image protective layer and the thermoplastic resin are Minimum film formation temperature of latex (MF
It is desirable to use a resin latex having a T) difference of 10 ° C. or less.

On the other hand, the smoothing treatment can be carried out, for example, by pressing the surface of the image recording material (the surface on the side where the ink image receiving layer is provided) using a pressure roller or the like. By performing this smoothing treatment, the surface property, transparency, durability, weather resistance and the like of the surface can be more effectively improved.

The heat drying treatment and the smoothing treatment may be carried out separately, but may be carried out in the same manner by using, for example, a heating / pressurizing roller.

In the inkjet image recording method of the present invention, the image recording material may be in the form of a sheet or a roll, but the inkjet recording image recording material in the form of a roll is wound and the inkjet of the roll is used. It is desirable to have an image recording system capable of printing while feeding the recorded image recording material continuously or intermittently.
Further, when the image recording material preloaded in a roll shape is conveyed, it is preferable that the curl correction process is performed, and after the process, the image recording step is performed.
It is preferable from the viewpoint of preventing image shift.

The ink jet image recording method of the present invention comprises:
Particularly, it is preferable to use a high-quality color image recording method. In this case, after the image recording, the heat-drying treatment and the smoothing treatment are performed as described above, and a roll-shaped inkjet recording image recording material is used. This is an image recording method that can be loaded and prints while sending out this roll-shaped inkjet recording image recording material, which is an image obtained by a development processing system of a silver salt photographic light-sensitive material, a high-quality color digital camera, etc. An image recording method is particularly preferable, in which the image is recorded continuously by an inkjet method based on the obtained image information. Particularly in the case of such an image recording method, while continuously recording a plurality of images on the recording material, it is monitored whether or not an event that hinders image recording has occurred, and that the event has occurred. If determined, it is preferable to remove and correct the obstacle or the event.
For example, it can be used as a recording material of the image recording apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-361518.

An example of an inkjet image recording apparatus suitably applied to the inkjet image recording method of the present invention is shown below. As shown in FIG. 2, the image recording apparatus includes a film scanner 12, a media driver 14, and an image data receiving apparatus 1 as input devices for inputting image data.
An image processing device 18 for processing image data input from the input device is provided, and image data (or image) processed by the image processing device 18 is provided.
An inkjet printer 20 that records an image by an inkjet recording method is provided as an output device that outputs the.

The media driver 14 is, for example, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) or a C disk.
Various information such as optical discs such as D-R, magneto-optical discs (MO), PC cards that can be loaded into digital still cameras (DSC), smart media, IC cards (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as "digital camera cards") One of the storage media is set, and the image data stored in the set information storage medium is read and output. Also,
The image data receiving device 16 is connected to a computer network such as the Internet, receives R, G, B image data from an information processing device (for example, a personal computer (PC)) via the computer network, and receives the received image. Output the data.

The film scanner 12 uses the photographic film 3
8 (For example, a negative image or a positive image visualized by developing after photographing a subject, which is recorded on a photographic light-sensitive material (hereinafter simply referred to as photographic film) such as a negative film or a reversal film) Is read out and the image data obtained by the reading is output, and the light emitted from the LED light source 30 and having the light amount unevenness reduced by the light diffusion box 34 is reflected on the photographic film 38 set on the film carrier 36. The light irradiated and transmitted through the photographic film 38 is configured to form an image on the light receiving surface of the area CCD sensor 42 (may be a line CCD sensor) via the lens 40.

The film carrier 36 intermittently conveys the photographic film 38 so that the film image is sequentially positioned on the optical axis (reading position) of the light emitted from the LED light source 30. The LED light source 30 includes a large number of LEDs that emit R light,
A large number of LEDs that emit G light, a large number of LEDs that emit B light, and a large number of LEDs that emit IR light are arranged on the entire surface of a substrate (not shown) at a constant and high density. It is driven by a driver (not shown) so as to sequentially emit R, G, and B lights while one image is located at the reading position.

As a result, the film images recorded on the photographic film 38 are sequentially read by the CCD sensor 42, and the CCD sensor 42 outputs R, G, B, and IR signals corresponding to the film image. The signal output from the CCD sensor 42 is converted into digital image data by the A / D converter 44 and input to the image processing device 18. The film scanner 12 is provided with a scanner control unit 28, and the operation of each unit of the film scanner 12 is controlled by the scanner control unit 28.
Further, each film image may be read a plurality of times (for example, a prescan for reading a film image at a relatively low resolution and a fine scan for reading a film image at a relatively high resolution).

As the input device according to this embodiment,
The above-described film scanner 12 is a reflection-type scanner that reads a reflection original (for example, color paper on which an image is recorded) and outputs the image data obtained by the reading.
It may be provided separately. As this reflection type scanner, a scanner provided with an automatic supply mechanism that automatically and sequentially supplies a plurality of reflection originals to a reading unit of the scanner so that a plurality of reflection originals can be automatically and continuously read It is preferable to use.

The film scanner 12, the media driver 14, and the image data receiving device 16 are connected to the image processing device 18.
Image data output from these image data input devices are input to the pre-processing unit 44. The preprocessing unit 44 performs different predetermined preprocessing on the input image data depending on the image data input source. Examples of preprocessing for the image data input from the film scanner 12 include dark correction, density conversion, shading correction, defective pixel correction, and the like. Also,
Examples of preprocessing for the image data input from the media driver 14 include decompression of image data compressed and recorded in an information storage medium and image processing such as sharpness improvement. Further, as the preprocessing for the image data input from the image data receiving device 16, for example, decompression of the compressed image data (for example, JPEG format image data) received by the image data receiving device 16 can be cited.

The pre-processing unit 44 is connected to the image processing unit 48 via the image memory 46, and the image data subjected to the pre-processing by the pre-processing unit 44 is temporarily stored in the image memory 46 and then the image processing unit 48. The data is read by 48 and input to the image processing unit 48. Based on the image data read from the image memory 46, the image processing unit 48 automatically determines the processing conditions of various image processing for the image data by calculation (setup calculation).

The image processing executed by the image processing unit 48 includes, for example, gray balance adjustment of the image, density adjustment, gradation control, hypertone processing for compressing the gradation of the ultra low frequency luminance component of the image, and granularity. Hyper sharpness processing that enhances sharpness while suppressing IR, IR
Image processing for improving the image quality of the output image, such as defect portion correction processing for correcting the defect portion of the image data caused by scratches or adhesion of foreign matter on the photographic film based on the data of, or the size format of the output image (for example, Examples include image processing for changing the size of all paper, the size of four sheets, the size of six sheets, etc.). In addition, image processing that intentionally changes the image tone (for example, image processing that finishes the output image to portrait tone) and image processing that processes the image (for example, make a person present in the original image slender on the output image). Image processing such as image processing for finishing) may be executable.

The image processing unit 48 also performs various image processing on the image data read from the image memory 46 according to the processing conditions determined by the setup calculation.
The image processing unit 48 is connected to the image data storage unit 54 of the inkjet printer 20, and the image data for which various image processes have been completed is transferred to the image data storage unit 54 as recording image data and temporarily stored.

The image processing device 18 includes a CPU, RO
The M, the RAM, and the input / output port are connected to each other via a bus, and the input / output port includes a PC having a storage device such as a hard disk device (HDD). CRT5 is used for the input / output port of the PC.
0 and an input device 52 including a keyboard and a mouse are connected. The preprocessing unit 44 and the image processing unit 4 described above
8 can be realized, for example, by causing a PC to execute a predetermined program, but may be configured to include dedicated hardware that executes various image processes.

Further, the image processing is performed on the image data based on the processing conditions of the image processing obtained by the setup calculation, and the image data after the image processing is output to the CRT 50, so that the finish of the output image is estimated. By displaying the image on the CRT 50, the operator verifies the processing condition obtained by the setup calculation, and when the correction of the processing condition is instructed through the input device 52, the processing condition is corrected according to the instruction. You may It is also possible to display on the CRT 50 a simulation image in which correction of processing conditions is instructed as a user input via the input device 52 and the finish of the output image is estimated.

On the other hand, the image data storage unit 54 of the ink jet printer 20 is connected to a printer control unit 56 including a microcomputer. The printer control unit 56 is the scanner control unit 2 of the film scanner 12.
8. Connected to the image processing unit 48 of the image processing device 18. A recording head 60 is connected to the printer control unit 56 via a driver 58, and a heating / drying unit 64 and an image reading unit 66 are also connected. Further, the printer control unit 56 includes the first recording material transport unit 6
2A, a second recording material conveying section 62B, a first recording material cutting section 63A, and a second recording material cutting section 63B are respectively connected.

The ink jet printer 20 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (A), the housing 20A has a substantially box shape, and the elongated image recording material 7 is provided at one end of the housing 20A.
A magazine 72 that stores 0 wound on a reel 72A is set. In a state where the magazine 72 is set in the housing 20A, the reel 72A is connected to the pullout / conveyance motor via a speed reduction mechanism (all are not shown), and is rotated by driving the pullout / conveyance motor. As a result, the image recording material 70 is pulled out from the magazine 72.

The image recording material 70 drawn out from the magazine 72 is directed to the other end side of the housing 20A by a pair of conveying rollers 74, 76, 78, 80 and 82 arranged on the downstream side in the drawing direction of the image recording material 70. Are conveyed (direction of arrow X). The conveying roller pair 74 is rotationally driven by the driving force of the pull-out conveying motor, and the conveying roller pairs 76, 78, 80, 82 are rotationally driven by the driving force of the synchronous conveying motor (not shown).

Further, between the conveying roller pair 74, 76,
A curl correction roller pair 84 is provided, and the curl correction roller pair 84 corrects the curl by pressing the image recording material 70.

The pull-out / transport motor, the synchronous transport motor, the transport roller pairs 74, 76, 78, 80, 82 and the curl correction roller pair 84 constitute the first recording material transport section 62A, and the printer control section. A drive circuit 56 drives the pull-out and transport motor to rotate the reel 72A and the transport roller pair 74, thereby starting to pull out the image recording material 70 from the magazine 72, and stopping the drive of the pull-out and transport motor to stop the magazine 72. The process of stopping the withdrawal of the image recording material 70 from is repeated. In addition, the printer control unit (not shown)
In order to convey the image recording material 70 in synchronism with the image recording on the image recording material 70 by the recording head 60, the synchronous conveying motor is driven to convey the conveying roller pairs 76, 78, 80,
82 is driven to rotate.

A recording head 60 is arranged above the conveying roller pair 76, 78. The recording head 60 is arranged near the conveyance path of the image recording material 70. A cutter 100 that cuts the long image recording material 70 in units of individual information is provided on the downstream side of the conveying roller 82. The cutter 100 is the first recording image cutting section 63A.
The printer control unit 56 drives the synchronous conveyance motor in synchronization with the recorded image size to rotationally drive the conveyance roller pairs 76, 78, 80, 82 to reach the cutting position. 70 is conveyed. Then, the printer control unit 56 drives the cutter 100 to move the image recording material 70 in an image size (conveying direction (arrow X direction) in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction (arrow X direction) of the first recording material conveying unit 62A. ) Length) Cut every piece. Further, the printer controller 56 drives the synchronous transport motor to drive the transport roller pair 7.
6, 78, 80, 82 are driven to rotate, and the image recording material 70 cut by the cutter 100 for each image size is conveyed to the receiver 106.

On the other hand, the ink jet printer 20 has a substantially box-shaped casing 20A on the other end side surface of the substantially box-shaped casing 20A.
B is arranged, and as shown in FIG.
The image recording material 70 cut and conveyed for each image size to the receiver 106 arranged at one end of 0B is substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction (arrow X direction) of the first recording material conveyance unit 62A ( (Direction of arrow Y) The direction-changing conveying roller 92 arranged on the receiver 106, and further the conveying roller pair 9
The sheets 4 and 96 are conveyed toward the other end of the housing 20B (arrow Y direction). The direction changing conveyance roller 92 and the conveyance roller pairs 94 and 96 are rotationally driven by the driving force of a synchronous conveyance motor (not shown).

Motor for synchronous conveyance, direction changing conveyance roller 9
2, and the pair of transport rollers 94 and 96 configure a second recording material transport unit 62B, and the printer control unit 56 transports the image recording material 70 toward the other end of the housing 20B. Then, the synchronous conveying motor is driven to rotate the direction changing conveying roller 92 and the conveying roller pairs 94 and 96.

A cutter 102 for cutting the image recording material 70 cut for each image size (length in the carrying direction (arrow X direction)) in units of individual information is provided on the downstream side of the carrying roller pair 96. ing. The cutter 102 constitutes a second recording image cutting unit 63B, and the printer control unit 56
Drives the synchronous conveying motor in synchronization with the recorded image size to rotationally drive the direction changing conveying roller 92 and the conveying roller pairs 94 and 96 to convey the image recording material 70 to the cutting position. Then, the printer control unit 56 drives the cutter 102 to move the image recording material 70 in the image size (conveying direction (arrow Y direction) in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction (arrow Y direction) of the second recording material conveying unit 62B. ) Length) Cut every piece. Further, the printer control unit 56 drives the synchronous transport motor to rotate the direction-changing transport roller 92 and the transport roller pairs 94 and 96, and the sheet is discharged to the tray 104 provided in the housing 20B. In addition, 86 is an image surface heating and pressing roll pair, and 88 and 90 are platens.

Here, a state in which the image recording material 70 is cut by the cutters 100 and 102 for each image size is shown in FIG.
Shown in. As shown in FIG. 4, the image recording material 70 is conveyed in the arrow X direction (conveying direction of the first recording material conveying portion 62A), and in the arrow X direction according to the image size such as all paper, cut into four pieces, and cut into six pieces. The cutter 1 at the cutting portion 110A in a direction substantially orthogonal to
It is cut by 00. Subsequently, the cut image recording material 70 is conveyed in the arrow Y direction (the conveying direction of the second recording material conveying portion 62B), and is cut by the cutting portion 112A in a direction substantially orthogonal to the arrow Y direction according to the image size. It is cut by the cutter 102. Similarly, in succession, the image recording material 70
Is conveyed in the arrow X direction (conveying direction of the first recording material conveying portion 62A), and is cut by the cutter 100 at the cutting portion 110B in a direction substantially orthogonal to the arrow X direction according to the image size. Subsequently, the cut image recording material 70 is conveyed in the arrow Y direction (the conveying direction of the second recording material conveying portion 62B), and the cutting portion 112B is substantially orthogonal to the arrow Y direction according to the image size. Cutter 1 with 112C and 112D
It is cut by 02. In this way, the roll-shaped image recording material 70 is cut for each recorded image size,
Images of each size format can be obtained.

Inks of different colors (for example, C, M, Y, BK) are stored in a plurality of main tanks (not shown), and are supplied to each nozzle row through the ink chambers. As a result, the inks of different colors are ejected from the nozzles of each recording head 60 for each nozzle row.

A 3-line CCD sensor (an area sensor may be used) 98 for reading a color image (output image) recorded on the image recording material 70 is arranged between the conveying rollers 94 and 96. There is. The CCD sensor 98 constitutes a part of the image reading unit, and the image signal output from the CCD sensor 98 is supplied to an amplifier included in the image reading unit.
An output image data representing an output image is input to the printer control unit through an A / D converter and a correction unit that performs correction such as dark correction. Also, the output image data is
The image defect is compared with the input image information. The image is checked by the CCD sensor 98, and if there is no abnormality, the printer control unit 56
The synchronous conveying motor is driven in synchronization with the recorded image size to change the direction of the conveying roller 92 and the conveying roller pair 9.
Image recording material 7 is rotated to the cutting position by rotating 4 and 96.
Carry 0.

On the other hand, as the ejection method for ejecting the ink from the nozzle, any of various known ejection methods can be adopted. For example, as a typical method, a piezoelectric element attached to the ink chamber is used. A pulse voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element to deform the piezoelectric element to change the ink fluid pressure in the ink chamber, and the change in ink fluid pressure is used to eject ink droplets from the nozzle. It is possible to employ a thermal method or the like in which the ink is heated by the heating element and the ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles by the bubbles generated in the ink chamber by the heating. The recording head 60 is also provided with a pump 112 that sucks ink in all the ink chambers inside the recording head 60 by generating a negative pressure in order to eliminate clogging of the nozzle ejection port.

When the image recording material of the present invention is applied to the image recording apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, after the image recording material is prepared, the long image recording material 70 is taken out from the magazine 72 and image recording is carried out. When being conveyed through the apparatus, the image recording material 70 contains a wetting agent in at least one of the ink image receiving layer, the image protective layer and the overcoat layer except for the outermost layer, so that the ink permeability is promoted. , Surface gloss and image quality are improved. Further, after the ink is printed on the image recording material 70 from the recording head 60, the heat treatment unit 6
4, the porosity can be made non-porous by heating and pressurizing by the image surface heating and pressing roller 86. As a result, the surface property and transparency of the surface of the image recording material 70 are improved, and printing is performed. By adsorbing and fixing the formed ink in the ink image receiving layer, the durability and weather resistance of the image recording material can be improved and the image can be sharpened.

[0098]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be shown. However, it is not limited to this. (Example 1) 1. Preparation of Inkjet Image Recording Material 1-1 Preparation of Support and Undercoat Layer A polyethylene double-sided laminated paper support (thickness 100 μm) having a structure generally used for producing color photographic paper was used. After subjecting this back surface to corona discharge treatment, an undercoat layer having a thickness of 0.2 μm was prepared by using a solution obtained by adding 0.3 mass% of an epoxy curing agent to a 5 mass% gelatin aqueous solution containing sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate. Was set up.

1-2 Preparation of Ink Image Receiving Layer An ink image receiving layer (porous inorganic pigment layer) was formed as follows. 100 parts by mass of boehmite sol having a crystal thickness in the (020) plane direction of 80 μm and a secondary agglomerated particle diameter of 1.5 to 4 μm synthesized by the hydrolysis method of aluminum isoproxide, and 11 parts by mass of polyvinyl alcohol (both are Solid content) and water were added, and the coating liquid was applied onto the undercoat support to form a coating film (ink image receiving layer) having a dry film thickness of 30 μm. The coating film thus prepared was a transparent porous film having a pore size of the alumina hydrate porous layer of 50 mm.

1-3 Preparation of Image Protective Layer (1) -Acrylonitrile / vinylidene chloride / acrylic acid (mass ratio 15/79/6): (P-1) synthesis- (1) 230 g in a 400 ml eggplant-shaped flask. Distilled water, (2) 0.8 g Triton-770, (3) 1
2.34 g of acrylonitrile, (4) 4.93 g of acrylic acid, (5) 64.96 g of vinylidene chloride,
(6) 0.204 g of potassium metabisulfite and (7) 0.102 g of potassium persulfate were sequentially added.
The flask was sealed and shaken at 30 ° C. for 18 hours. The polymerization mixture was freed from volatile residual monomers for 15 minutes at room temperature under reduced pressure. (Tg: 46 ° C.) Sample (P-1) had a monodisperse distribution in which 90% or more of the particles had an average particle size of 0.8 μm and were in the diameter range of 0.5 to 1.1 μm.

(2) Formation of image protective layer A coating solution containing a thermoplastic resin latex (sample (P-1)) was applied on the ink image receiving layer at about 52 ° C. to a thickness of about 5 μm and dried. Then, a porous latex resin layer was formed as an image protective layer.

1-4 Formation of overcoat layer As a binder, 0.3% by mass of hardener alum is added to a 5% by mass aqueous solution of alkali-treated gelatin, and as inorganic pigment particles, about 20% by mass of fine particle silica (based on the binder) Particle size 0.05 to 0.15 μm) and mixed to about 0.3
A μm thick overcoat layer was applied.

As described above, the recording material sample No. Got 1. Further, recording material sample No. 1 was prepared except that the image protective layer and the overcoat layer were not provided. The comparative recording material sample a had the same structure as that of No. 1. ,

1-5 Preparation of Roll Form Sample The recording material sample (width 91.4 cm) was formed into a roll shape,
The ink image receiving layer side was wound up inside to obtain a recording material sample in a roll form.

2. Image recording (1) Using the roll recording material sample and the image recording system shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a film having a color negative image using a color negative film suparia 400 manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Images were recorded on the image recording prints of the size, the six-cut size, and the all-paper size, and this was repeated to produce a total of 60 image-record prints of the all-paper size, four-cut, and six-cut size. In the heat treatment unit 64, 100 to 14
Each sample was heat treated at 0 degrees.

3. Results of image recording (1) 3-1 Transportable recording material sample No. No. 1 was fine, there was no particular problem,
The comparative recording material sample a was recorded again after recording 18 images after recording 18 images due to defective conveyance and partial defect of the image, but after 6 more sheets, an alarm sounded and conveyance was stopped, recording was interrupted. It was

3-2 Image quality The hue, sharpness, and
Observation of scratches and gloss, recording material sample N
o. The image of No. 1 was good on all 60 sheets. On the other hand, the images obtained by the comparative recording material sample a up to the occurrence of abnormality are the recording material sample No. Although slightly inferior to 1, it was practical. However, in the recorded image of the abnormal occurrence, partial destruction of the image was recognized.

4. Image recording (2) Using the roll-shaped recording material sample, the CCD sensor 9
An image recording print was prepared in the same manner as the image recording (1) by the image recording system shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 except for 8 (monitoring means). Instead of the CCD sensor 98 (monitoring means), an image recording was attempted under the supervision of a person.

5. Results of image recording (2) 5-1 Transportable recording material sample No. No. 1 could be recorded without any abnormal event. On the other hand, the comparative recording material sample a did not reach the conveyance stop during recording, but about ⅓ of the obtained recording was unusable. It takes a lot of man-made to select the remaining usable items. The device which could be image quality could not be put to practical use. 5-2 Image quality recording material sample No. Regarding No. 1 as well, although the hue, bleeding, etc. were inferior to those obtained by the device equipped with the monitoring means, it was practically usable. On the other hand, the image quality using the comparative recording material sample a was inferior, and about 1/3 was unusable.

From the above results, it can be seen that by using the ink jet image recording material according to the present invention, print images of different size formats can be efficiently obtained with good image quality. Further, depending on the configuration of the inkjet image recording material used, when a material other than the inkjet image recording material according to the present invention or a material that does not have a quality guarantee is used in an apparatus without a monitoring means, it is necessary to monitor and process by a person. I understand.

(Example 2) 1. Preparation of Inkjet Image Recording Material 1-1 Recording Material Sample No. Recording Material Sample No. 1 except that an overcoat layer was not provided and a backcoat layer was provided as described below. Recording material sample No. 1 Got 2. Preparation of back coat layer: 0.3% by weight of an epoxy hardener was added to a 5% by weight gelatin aqueous solution, and a monodisperse distribution particle (modified by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) of modified polyethylene having an average particle size of about 5 μm About 3 mass% equivalent was added. Further, as a lubricant, 0.1% by mass of a fluorine-containing acrylic resin-based aqueous emulsion (manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.) was added and stirred,
A coating film was applied to form a back coat layer having a thickness of about 5 μm.

1-2 Recording material sample No. 1 except that the back coat layer was not provided. Recording material sample N in the same manner as 2
o. Got 3. 2. Similar to the image recording example 1, the case where the image recording system shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is used, and the CCD sensor 98 (monitoring means)
Comparing with the case of using the image recording system shown in FIGS.
Recorded sheets. 3. Result 3-1 Transportable recording material sample No. No. 2 was satisfactory, no particular problem was observed, and similarly, recording material sample No. 2 was used. 3 was also able to be transported almost smoothly.

3-2 Image Quality Recording material sample No. 3 is better when the image recording system shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is used. 2, especially recording material sample No. Three
It was possible to obtain a uniform image for. However, all were of usable quality. However, regarding the glossiness,
The heating temperature of the heating / pressurizing roller was adjusted to about 55 to 60 ° C., operated and evaluated.

(Example 3) 2. Preparation of Image Recording Material Using Silica as Adsorbent in Ink Image Receiving Layer 2-1 The support with undercoat layer used in Example 1 was used.

2-2 Preparation of Ink Image Receiving Layer After providing an undercoat layer, a coating solution having the following composition was used to prepare about 30
A μm ink image receiving layer was provided. (1) Preparation of silica dispersion Silica obtained by a gas phase method (average particle size of primary particles is about 0.
(01 μm) of a 18% by mass aqueous solution of 450 liters, a cationic polymer A of 16% by mass, n-propanol of 5% by mass, and an aqueous solution of 2% by mass of ethanol are added to a mixed solution of boric acid and borax at a mass ratio of 1: 1. 42 liters of the mixed aqueous solution was added and vigorously stirred to obtain a silica dispersion.

[0116]

[Chemical 1]

(2) Preparation of Optical Brightening Agent Dispersion A solution containing 4 kg of saponin and 2 kg of cationic polymer A in an aqueous solution of 3% acid-treated gelatin was added to an oil-soluble optical brightening agent (uVITE X manufactured by Ciba-Geigy Co., Ltd.). -OB) 6
00 g and 12 kg of diisodecyl phthalate are dissolved in 25 liters of ethyl acetate by heating, dissolved, emulsified and dispersed to add water 140
Let it be liters. (3) Preparation of coating liquid for ink image receiving layer 610 ml of the above silica dispersion, 5 ml of a 10% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA203 manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.),
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA235 made by Kuraray Co., Ltd.)
250 ml of 5% aqueous solution, 25 m of the above optical brightener dispersion
1 and 6 ml of ethanol are mixed and stirred, and water is added to make 1 liter. (4) The ink image-receiving layer coating liquid was applied to the support to form an ink image-receiving layer having a dry film thickness of about 30 μm. This is designated as a comparative recording material sample b.

2-3 Preparation of Overcoat Layer (Image Recording Material No. 3) On the surface of comparative recording material sample b (on the ink image receiving layer), resin latex P-2 (composition P-2 composition: acrylonitrile) was prepared. / Vinylidene chloride / acrylic acid, mass ratio 39/69/2, Tg 79 ° C., average particle size 1.2 μm monodisperse distribution) are dispersed in a mixed aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol and boric acid and borax 1: 1 mass ratio, After coating and drying, an overcoat layer having a film thickness of about 1 μm is provided, and recording material sample No. Got 3.

2. Image recording Recording images were recorded in the same manner as in Example 1 (Image recording (1)). 3. Result 3-1 Transportable sample No. No. 3 was smooth, and there was no particular problem. On the other hand, the comparative recording material sample b had scuff marks on the image during conveyance, particularly when cut by a cutter, and was likely to generate cutting dust. 3-2 Image quality recording material sample No. 3 was good, but the comparative recording material sample b had a slightly large amount of ink image bleeding.

In general, the recording material sample No. 1, No.
2, No. In No. 3, an image recording device capable of efficiently obtaining a typical photo format and a large and small image size format from one material at the same time was used to obtain good results in transportability and image quality, and quickly and smoothly. We were able to record efficiently in various formats with excellent image quality. Recording material sample No. 2 and No. In No. 3, if the heating / pressurizing roller treatment conditions were adapted (heating temperature is preferably Tg of thermoplastic resin + 10 ° C.), substantially good results were obtained. The comparative recording material samples a and b are both monitoring means (CCD
When used in combination with an image recording device that also uses (sensor) / processing means, unusable products are removed and efficiency and yield are poor, but there is an advantage that good products can be used.

[0121]

As described above, according to the ink jet image recording method of claim 1, as the image recording material, an image protective layer and an overcoat layer containing at least one selected from resin latex, inorganic pigment particles and lubricants. In addition, by using an inkjet image recording material having a back coat layer, the image quality of an image, especially its storage stability, is improved to the same level as that of a print obtained from a silver salt color light-sensitive material while preventing image defects. Thus, a typical photographic format and large and small image size formats can be efficiently obtained simultaneously from one material. The ink jet image recording method according to claim 2, wherein the ink image receiving layer and / or the image protective layer contains a thermoplastic resin latex having a minimum film forming temperature (MFT) of 50 ° C. or higher, and is porous. By having a quality structure, ink permeability can be improved. According to the inkjet image recording method of claim 3, after recording one or a plurality of images on the image recording material, heat drying treatment is performed, and during the heat drying treatment, or after the heat drying treatment, By performing a smoothing process on the ink image receiving layer side surface of the image recording material,
By improving the surface property and transparency of the surface of the image recording material, and by adsorbing and fixing the printed ink in the ink image receiving layer, the durability and weather resistance of the image recording material are improved and the sharpness of the image is improved. Can be realized. According to the inkjet image recording method of claim 4, the image recording material preloaded in the form of a roll is continuously conveyed, and the curl correction process is performed, thereby efficiently recording an excellent image. You can According to the inkjet image recording method of claim 5, this is detected even when an event that hinders image recording occurs while continuously recording a plurality of images on the image recording material, Since the obstacle of the image recording is removed or the event itself which becomes the obstacle is removed, a large number of images with improper image quality are recorded after the occurrence of the event, or the event occurs. Thus, it is possible to prevent the image recording from being stopped for a long time, and it is possible to achieve the high performance of the image recording by the inkjet recording method and the improvement of the yield of the proper image.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an essential part showing a preferred embodiment of an inkjet image recording material of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image recording apparatus to which the inkjet image recording material of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which an image recording material is cut for each image size.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 support 4 Undercoat layer 6 Ink image receiving layer 8 Image protection layer 10 Overcoat layer 11 Back coat layer 20 inkjet printer 60 recording head 64 Heat treatment section 70 Image recording materials

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 2C056 EA13 FC06 HA27                 2H086 BA02 BA05 BA13 BA15 BA24                       BA31 BA33 BA34 BA41

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Image information representing an image to be recorded on an image recording material is input, and a recording liquid droplet is ejected from an ejection port of a recording head based on the inputted one or more image information, and the recording liquid droplet is ejected. An image recording step of recording one or a plurality of images on the image recording material by adhering to the image recording material; a first conveying step of conveying the image recording material to the downstream side of the recording head; Corresponding to the size, a first cutting step of cutting the image recording material across the carrying direction in the first carrying step, and the image recording material cut by the first cutting step is carried in the first carrying step. A second conveying step of conveying in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction, and a second cutting step of cutting the image recording material across the conveying direction in the second conveying step, corresponding to each size of the image, Have A jet image recording method, wherein the image recording material comprises an ink image receiving layer provided on a support, and at least one selected from a resin latex, inorganic pigment particles and a lubricant on the ink image receiving layer. An image protective layer and / or an overcoat layer containing
At least one layer selected from a back coat layer containing at least one selected from resin latex, inorganic pigment particles, and a lubricant on the surface opposite to the surface on which the ink image receiving layer is provided on the support. An inkjet image recording method comprising: an inkjet image recording material having: 2. The ink image receiving layer and / or the image protective layer contains a thermoplastic resin latex having a minimum film forming temperature (MFT) of 50 ° C. or higher, and has a porous structure. The inkjet image recording method according to claim 2. 3. In the image recording step, the recording droplets are adhered to an image recording material to record one or a plurality of images on the image recording material, and then heat drying treatment is performed, and heat drying treatment is performed. The inkjet image recording method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the surface of the image recording material on the ink image receiving layer side is smoothed after the inside or after the heat drying. 4. The image recording step is continuously performed after the image recording material preloaded in a roll form is continuously conveyed and curl correction processing is performed. 4. The inkjet image recording method according to any one of 3 to 3. 5. In the image recording step, while continuously recording one or a plurality of images on an image recording material,
Monitor whether an event that hinders image recording has occurred,
The inkjet image recording method according to claim 4, wherein when it is determined that the event has occurred, a process for removing and correcting the obstacle or the event is performed.