Ink-jet recording apparatus and method utilizing processing liquid to improve ink recording

Claim 2

An ink-jet recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording medium using an ink jet recording head for discharging ink and a liquid jet head for discharging a processing liquid for causing a coloring material in the ink discharged from the ink jet recording head to be insoluble or to agglomerate, said apparatus comprising: low-resolution-mode control means for effecting recording at a first resolution by controlling ink discharge from the ink jet recording head to form a plurality of dots on the recording medium by the ink discharged from the ink jet recording head and controlling feeding of the recording medium; and high-resolution-mode control means for effecting recording at a second resolution higher than the first resolution by controlling ink discharge from the ink jet recording head and processing liquid discharge from the liquid jet head to form a plurality of dots by mixing the ink and the processing liquid discharged from the ink jet recording head and the liquid jet head, respectively, on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium, wherein the coloring material in the ink discharged from the ink jet recording head becomes insoluble or agglomerates when the ink and the processing liquid are mixed on the recording medium.

Claim 3

An ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing liquid comprises a cationic substance comprising a low-molecular component and a high-molecular component, and wherein the ink comprises a anionic dye as the coloring material.

Claim 4

An ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing liquid comprises a cationic substance comprising a low-molecular component and a high-molecular component, and wherein the ink comprises an anionic compound and a pigment as the coloring material.

Claim 5

An ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording head comprises an energy generating member for generating energy to discharge the ink.

Claim 6

An ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid jet head comprises an energy generating member for generating energy to discharge the processing liquid.

Claim 7

An ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said high-resolution-mode control means controls the processing liquid discharge to occur before the ink discharge on the recording medium.

Claim 8

An ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said high-resolution-mode control means controls the liquid jet head to discharge the processing liquid to form dots of a smaller size than dots formed by ink discharged from the ink recording head.

Claim 9

An ink-jet recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording medium using an ink jet recording head for discharging ink and a liquid jet head for discharging a processing liquid for causing a coloring material in the ink discharged from the ink jet recording head to be insoluble or to agglomerate, said apparatus comprising: low-resolution-mode control means for effecting recording at a first resolution by controlling ink discharge from the ink jet recording head to form a plurality of dots on the recording medium by the ink discharged from the ink jet recording head and controlling feeding of the recording medium; and high-resolution-mode control means for effecting recording at a second resolution higher than the first resolution by controlling ink discharge from the ink jet recording head and processing liquid discharge from the liquid jet head to form a plurality of dots by mixing the ink and the processing liquid discharged from the ink jet recording head and the liquid jet head, respectively, on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium, wherein the ink jet recording head comprises a plurality of nozzles arranged at a predetermined pitch and said low-resolution-mode control means controls the ink jet recording head to discharge ink at the predetermined pitch, whereas said high-resolution-mode control means controls the ink jet recording head to discharge ink at one-half the predetermined pitch.

Claim 10

An ink-jet recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording medium using an ink jet recording head for discharging ink and a liquid jet head for discharging a processing liquid for causing a coloring material in the ink discharged from the ink jet recording head to be insoluble or to agglomerate, said apparatus comprising: low-resolution-mode control means for effecting recording at a first resolution by controlling ink discharge from the ink jet recording head to form a plurality of dots on the recording medium by the ink discharged from the ink jet recording head and controlling feeding of the recording medium; and high-resolution-mode control means for effecting recording at a second resolution higher than the first resolution by controlling ink discharge from the ink jet recording head and processing liquid discharge from the liquid jet head to form a plurality of dots by mixing the ink and the processing liquid discharged from the ink jet recording head and the liquid jet head, respectively, on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium, wherein the ink jet recording head comprises a plurality of nozzles arranged at a predetermined pitch and said low-resolution-mode control means controls the ink jet recording head to discharge ink at the predetermined pitch, whereas said high-resolution-mode control means controls the ink jet recording head to discharge ink at one-half the predetermined pitch.

Claim 11

An ink-jet recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording medium using an ink jet recording head for discharging ink and a liquid jet head for discharging a processing liquid for causing a coloring material in the ink discharged from the ink jet recording head to be insoluble or to agglomerate, said apparatus comprising: low-resolution-mode control means for effecting recording at a first resolution by controlling ink discharge from the ink jet recording head to form a plurality of dots on the recording medium by the ink discharged from the ink jet recording head and controlling feeding of the recording medium; and high-resolution-mode control means for effecting recording at a second resolution higher than the first resolution by controlling ink discharge from the ink jet recording head and processing liquid discharge from the liquid jet head to form a plurality of dots by mixing the ink and the processing liquid discharged from the ink jet recording head and the liquid jet head, respectively, on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium, wherein the ink jet recording head comprises a plurality of nozzles arranged at a predetermined pitch and said low-resolution-mode control means controls the ink jet recording head to discharge ink at twice the predetermined pitch, whereas said high-resolution-mode control means controls the ink jet recording head to discharge ink at the predetermined pitch.

Claim 12

An ink-jet recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording medium using an ink jet recording head for discharging ink and a liquid jet head for discharging a processing liquid for causing a coloring material in the ink discharged from the ink jet recording head to be insoluble or to agglomerate, said apparatus comprising: low-resolution-mode control means for effecting recording at a first resolution by controlling ink discharge from the ink jet recording head to form a plurality of dots on the recording medium by the ink discharged from the ink jet recording head and controlling feeding of the recording medium; and high-resolution-mode control means for effecting recording at a second resolution higher than the first resolution by controlling ink discharge from the ink jet recording head and processing liquid discharge from the liquid jet head to form a plurality of dots by mixing the ink and the processing liquid discharged from the ink jet recording head and the liquid jet head, respectively, on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium, wherein the ink jet recording head comprises a plurality of nozzles arranged at a predetermined pitch and said low-resolution-mode control means controls the ink jet recording head to discharge ink at twice the predetermined pitch, whereas said high-resolution-mode control means controls the ink jet recording head to discharge ink at the predetermined pitch.

Claim 13

A recording apparatus comprising: conveying means for conveying a recording medium; means for discharging ink onto the recording medium; means for discharging a processing liquid onto the recording medium, the processing liquid for causing a coloring material in the ink to be insoluble or to agglomerate; and control means for effecting recording in a first mode at a first resolution by controlling ink discharge from said ink discharging means to form a plurality of dots on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium by said conveying means, and for effecting recording in a second mode at a second resolution higher than the first resolution by controlling ink discharge from said ink discharging means and processing liquid discharge from said processing liquid discharging means to form a plurality of dots by mixing the ink and the processing liquid on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium by said conveying means, wherein the coloring material in the ink discharged from the ink discharging means becomes insoluble or agglomerates when the ink and the processing liquid are mixed on the recording medium.

Claim 14

A recording apparatus comprising: conveying means for conveying a recording medium; means for discharging ink onto the recording medium; means for discharging a processing liquid onto the recording medium, the processing liquid for causing a coloring material in the ink to be insoluble or to agglomerate; and control means for effecting recording in a first mode at a first resolution by controlling ink discharge from said ink discharging means to form a plurality of dots on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium by said conveying means, and for effecting recording in a second mode at a second resolution higher than the first resolution by controlling ink discharge from said ink discharging means and processing liquid discharge from said processing liquid discharging means to form a plurality of dots by mixing the ink and the processing liquid on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium by said conveying means, wherein the coloring material in the ink discharged from the ink discharging means becomes insoluble or agglomerates when the ink and the processing liquid are mixed on the recording medium.

Claim 15

A recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the processing liquid comprises a cationic substance comprising a low-molecular component and a high-molecular component, and wherein the ink comprises a anionic dye as the coloring material.

Claim 16

A recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the processing liquid comprises a cationic substance comprising a low-molecular component and a high-molecular component, and wherein the ink comprises an anionic compound and a pigment as the coloring material.

Claim 17

A recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said ink discharging means comprises an energy generating member for generating energy to discharge the ink.

Claim 18

A recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said processing discharging means comprises an energy generating member for generating energy to discharge the processing liquid.

Claim 19

A recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein in the second mode, said control means controls said processing liquid discharge means to discharge processing liquid before said ink discharging means discharges the ink on the recording medium.

Claim 20

A recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said control means controls said processing liquid discharging means to discharge the processing liquid to form dots of a smaller size than dots formed by ink discharged from said ink discharging means.

Claim 21

A recording apparatus comprising: conveying means for conveying a recording medium; means for discharging ink onto the recording medium; means for discharging a processing liquid onto the recording medium, the processing liquid for causing a coloring material in the ink to be insoluble or to agglomerate; and control means for effecting recording in a first mode at a first resolution by controlling ink discharge from said ink discharging means to form a plurality of dots on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium by said conveying means, and for effecting recording in a second mode at a second resolution higher than the first resolution by controlling ink discharge from said ink discharging means and processing liquid discharge from said processing liquid discharging means to form a plurality of dots by mixing the ink and the processing liquid on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium by said conveying means, wherein said ink discharging means comprises a plurality of nozzles arranged at a predetermined pitch and in the first mode said control means controls said ink jet discharging means to discharge ink at the predetermined pitch, whereas in the second mode said control means controls said ink discharging means to discharge ink at one-half the predetermined pitch.

Claim 22

A recording apparatus comprising: conveying means for conveying a recording medium; means for discharging ink onto the recording medium; means for discharging a processing liquid onto the recording medium, the processing liquid for causing a coloring material in the ink to be insoluble or to agglomerate; and control means for effecting recording in a first mode at a first resolution by controlling ink discharge from said ink discharging means to form a plurality of dots on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium by said conveying means, and for effecting recording in a second mode at a second resolution higher than the first resolution by controlling ink discharge from said ink discharging means and processing liquid discharge from said processing liquid discharging means to form a plurality of dots by mixing the ink and the processing liquid on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium by said conveying means, wherein said ink discharging means comprises a plurality of nozzles arranged at a predetermined pitch and in the first mode said control means controls said ink jet discharging means to discharge ink at the predetermined pitch, whereas in the second mode said control means controls said ink discharging means to discharge ink at one-half the predetermined pitch.

Claim 23

A recording apparatus comprising: conveying means for conveying a recording medium; means for discharging ink onto the recording medium; means for discharging a processing liquid onto the recording medium, the processing liquid for causing a coloring material in the ink to be insoluble or to agglomerate; and control means for effecting recording in a first mode at a first resolution by controlling ink discharge from said ink discharging means to form a plurality of dots on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium by said conveying means, and for effecting recording in a second mode at a second resolution higher than the first resolution by controlling ink discharge from said ink discharging means and processing liquid discharge from said processing liquid discharging means to form a plurality of dots by mixing the ink and the processing liquid on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium by said conveying means, wherein said ink discharging means comprises a plurality of nozzles arranged at a predetermined pitch and in the first mode said control means controls said ink jet discharging means to discharge ink at twice the predetermined pitch, whereas in the second mode said control means controls said ink discharging means to discharge ink at the predetermined pitch.

Claim 24

A recording apparatus comprising: conveying means for conveying a recording medium; means for discharging ink onto the recording medium; means for discharging a processing liquid onto the recording medium, the processing liquid for causing a coloring material in the ink to be insoluble or to agglomerate; and control means for effecting recording in a first mode at a first resolution by controlling ink discharge from said ink discharging means to form a plurality of dots on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium by said conveying means, and for effecting recording in a second mode at a second resolution higher than the first resolution by controlling ink discharge from said ink discharging means and processing liquid discharge from said processing liquid discharging means to form a plurality of dots by mixing the ink and the processing liquid on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium by said conveying means, wherein said ink discharging means comprises a plurality of nozzles arranged at a predetermined pitch and in the first mode said control means controls said ink jet discharging means to discharge ink at twice the predetermined pitch, whereas in the second mode said control means controls said ink discharging means to discharge ink at the predetermined pitch.

Claim 25

An ink-jet recording method for performing recording on a recording medium using an ink jet recording head for discharging ink and a liquid jet head for discharging a processing liquid for causing a coloring material in the ink discharged from the ink jet recording head to be insoluble or to agglomerate, said method comprising the steps of: selectively effecting recording in a low-resolution mode at a first resolution by controlling ink discharge from the ink jet recording head to form a plurality of dots on the recording medium by the ink discharged from the ink jet recording head and controlling feeding of the recording medium; and selectively effecting recording in a high-resolution mode at a second resolution higher than the first resolution by controlling ink discharge from the ink jet recording head and processing liquid discharge from the liquid jet head to form a plurality of dots by mixing the ink and the processing liquid discharged from the ink jet recording head and the liquid jet head, respectively, on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium, wherein the coloring material in the ink discharged from the ink jet recording head becomes insoluble or agglomerates when the ink and the processing liquid are mixed on the recording medium.

Claim 26

An ink-jet recording method for performing recording on a recording medium using an ink jet recording head for discharging ink and a liquid jet head for discharging a processing liquid for causing a coloring material in the ink discharged from the ink jet recording head to be insoluble or to agglomerate, said method comprising the steps of: selectively effecting recording in a low-resolution mode at a first resolution by controlling ink discharge from the ink jet recording head to form a plurality of dots on the recording medium by the ink discharged from the ink jet recording head and controlling feeding of the recording medium; and selectively effecting recording in a high-resolution mode at a second resolution higher than the first resolution by controlling ink discharge from the ink jet recording head and processing liquid discharge from the liquid jet head to form a plurality of dots by mixing the ink and the processing liquid discharged from the ink jet recording head and the liquid jet head, respectively, on the recording medium and controlling feeding of the recording medium, wherein the coloring material in the ink discharged from the ink jet recording head becomes insoluble or agglomerates when the ink and the processing liquid are mixed on the recording medium.

Claim 27

An ink-jet recording method according to claim 19, wherein the processing liquid comprises a cationic substance comprising a low-molecular component and a high-molecular component, and wherein the ink comprises a anionic dye as the coloring material.

Claim 28

An ink-jet recording method according to claim 19, wherein the processing liquid comprises a cationic substance comprising a low-molecular component and a high-molecular component, and wherein the ink comprises an anionic compound and a pigment as the coloring material.

Claim 29

An ink-jet recording method according to claim 19, wherein in said high-resolution-mode recording step, the liquid jet head is controlled to discharge the processing liquid to form dots of a smaller size than dots formed by ink discharged from the ink jet recording head.

Claim 30

An ink jet recording method according to claim 19, wherein in the high-resolution mode the processing liquid discharge occurs before the ink discharge on the recording medium.