Image formation apparatus
View Patent ↗An image formation apparatus includes a transfer unit configured to transfer a second material with different solubility from that of a first material to a second position of a print medium where the second material comes into contact with the first material in a first position of the print medium, and a fixation unit configured to melt the second material transferred to the second position of the print medium, and fix the second material to the print medium.
1. An image formation apparatus comprising:
a transfer unit provided along a medium conveyance path through which a print medium is to be conveyed and configured to transfer, on the print medium, a first material and a second material with different solubility from that of the first material such that the second material is provided, on the print medium, at outside of an outline of an area where the first material is provided on the print medium and in contact with the outline of the area while the second material is not provided on or above the first material provided on the print medium; and
a fixation unit provided downstream of the transfer unit along the medium conveyance path and configured to melt the first material and the second material transferred to the print medium and thereby fix the first material and the second material to the print medium.
2. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second material has a value of solubility parameter different from that of the first material by 6.1 (cal/cm 3 ) 1/2 or more, the solubility parameter indicating solubility.
3. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the fixation unit is configured to melt the second material on the print medium by heating at a temperature ranging from 160° C. to 200° C. and pressing at a pressure ranging from 2.0 kg/cm 2 to 3.0 kg/cm 2 .
4. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the transfer unit is configured to transfer a first developer as the first material and transfer a second developer as the second material on the print medium.
5. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the transfer unit is configured to transfer a first developer produced using a colorant as the first material and transfer a second developer as the second material on the print medium.
6. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the transfer unit is configured to transfer a first developer produced using a colorant as the first material and transfer a second developer produced without using a colorant as the second material on the print medium.
7. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the transfer unit transfers a first developer produced using one of styrene acrylic resin and polyester resin as the first material and transfers a second developer produced using the other of the styrene acrylic resin and the polyester resin as the second material on the print medium.
8. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the first material is produced using one of styrene acrylic resin and polyester resin, and
the second material is produced using the other of the styrene acrylic resin and the polyester resin.