EP4696513A1

EP4696513A1 - Printing device

Info

Publication number: EP4696513A1
Application number: EP24819242.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hiroyuki Maeda; Masaaki Maruta
Original assignee: Kyocera Corp
Current assignee: Kyocera Corp
Priority date: 2023-06-05
Filing date: 2024-05-30
Publication date: 2026-02-18
Also published as: JP2025028379A; WO2024253011A1; CN121194883A; JPWO2024253011A1; JP7612128B1

Abstract

A printing apparatus (1) includes a feeder (31) that feeds a medium (M), a printer unit (4) above the feeder (31), a liquid tank unit (5) below the feeder (31), and a collection unit (6) below a liquid tank (51) in the liquid tank unit (5). The collection unit (6) includes a circulation channel (6A) through which a liquid (L) stored in the liquid tank (51) circulates through the liquid tank (51) and a collection member (62, 63) that collects a deposit (A) contained in the liquid (L) flowing through the circulation channel (6A).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

A known printing apparatus includes a feeder that feeds a print medium to be printed. In such a printing apparatus, ink for printing and other substances that have passed through the print medium may deposit on the surface of the feeder. Deposits such as ink on the feeder are to be removed and collected. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a printing apparatus including a cleaning brush, an aggregation tank, and a filter to remove and collect deposits on the feeder. The cleaning brush cleans the feeder with a cleaning liquid stored in a reservoir tank to remove the deposits from the feeder. The aggregation tank stores the used cleaning liquid to which an aggregating agent is added. The filter separates aggregates from the cleaning liquid stored in the aggregation tank to collect the aggregates containing the deposits on the feeder.

CITATION LIST

PATENT LITERATURE

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-83155

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a printing apparatus includes a feeder, a printer unit, a liquid tank unit, and a collection unit. The feeder includes a feed surface to support and feed a print medium. The printer unit is located above the feeder. The printer unit is configured to print an image on the print medium on the feed surface. The liquid tank unit is located below the feeder. The liquid tank unit includes a liquid tank configured to store a liquid and a transfer member configured to transfer a deposit on the feed surface to the liquid tank. The collection unit is located below the liquid tank. The collection unit includes a circulation channel through which the liquid stored in the liquid tank circulates through the liquid tank and a collection member configured to collect the deposit contained in the liquid flowing through the circulation channel. In the above aspect of the present disclosure, the printing apparatus can have improved maintainability of the components for removing and collecting the deposit on the feeder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus taken along line II-II in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a feeder unit, a liquid tank unit, and a collection unit included in the printing apparatus, illustrating their positional relationships.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Printing apparatuses involve maintenance of, for example, a cleaning brush to maintain the effect of removing deposits on a feeder. Printing apparatuses also involve maintenance of, for example, a filter to maintain the effect of collecting the deposits.
With the technique described in Patent Literature 1 described above, the cleaning brush is located in the reservoir tank, and the filter is connected to the aggregation tank. Thus, the maintenance of the cleaning brush is performed around the reservoir tank, and the maintenance of the filter is performed around the aggregation tank away from the reservoir tank. The maintainability is low for the components for removing and collecting deposits on the feeder in this structure.
Printing apparatuses are thus requested to have improved maintainability of the components for removing and collecting deposits on the feeder.
A printing apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the directional relationship will be hereafter described using orthogonal XY coordinates orthogonal to each other on a horizontal plane. A vertical direction orthogonal to an X-direction and a Y-direction is referred to as a Z-direction.
A printing apparatus 1 illustrated in FIGs. 1 and 2 includes an ink unit that can deposit ink on a medium M as a wide and elongated print medium. The printing apparatus 1 uses the ink unit to deposit ink on the medium M to print an image. The printing apparatus 1 may be a screen printing apparatus or an inkjet printing apparatus. For the printing apparatus 1 that is a screen printing apparatus, the ink unit includes a screen mask with multiple openings and a squeegee. In this case, the ink unit moves ink along the screen mask as the squeegee moves, and thus deposits the ink on the medium M through the openings in the screen mask. For the printing apparatus 1 that is an inkjet printing apparatus, the ink unit ejects ink to the medium M to deposit the ink on the medium M. The printing apparatus 1 as an inkjet printing apparatus will be described in detail below.
The printing apparatus 1 as an inkjet printing apparatus may be used for digital textile printing to print images such as letters and patterns on the medium M that is a fabric member made of fabric such as woven fabric or knitted fabric. The printing apparatus 1 can also be used to print various images on a print medium such as a paper sheet or a resin sheet.
The printing apparatus 1 includes an apparatus frame 2, a feeder unit 3, a printer unit 4, a liquid tank unit 5, and a collection unit 6. The apparatus frame 2 is a frame of the printing apparatus 1. In the printing apparatus 1, the feeder unit 3, the printer unit 4, the liquid tank unit 5, and the collection unit 6 are joined to the apparatus frame 2.
The feeder unit 3 feeds the medium M in the Y-direction. The feeder unit 3 includes a feeder 31, a first feed roller 32, and a second feed roller 33.
The feeder 31 can feed the medium M. In the present embodiment, the feeder 31 is an endless belt having a width in the X-direction and elongated in the Y-direction. The feeder 31 as an endless belt includes, on an area of its surface facing upward, a feed surface 311 that can support and feed the medium M. The feeder 31 is rotatable. The feeder 31 defines a feed path 3R for the medium M along the feed surface 311. The feed path 3R has a width in the X-direction and extends linearly in the Y-direction. The feeder 31 rotates in the Y-direction to feed the medium M in contact with the upward-facing feed surface 311 along the feed path 3R in a feed direction H1. The feed direction H1 is a linear direction from one position to another in the Y-direction. The feeder 31 includes, on its surface, a layer of an adhesive to which the medium M adheres.
The first feed roller 32 is a cylindrical roller extending in the X-direction. The first feed roller 32 is located at the most downstream position along the feed path 3R, and the feeder 31 is wound on the first feed roller 32. The first feed roller 32 is rotated as the feeder 31 rotates. The second feed roller 33 is a cylindrical roller extending in the X-direction. The second feed roller 33 is located at the most upstream position along the feed path 3R, and the feeder 31 is wound on the second feed roller 33. The second feed roller 33 is rotated by a drive motor (not illustrated) to rotate the feeder 31. The feeder 31 stretches between the first feed roller 32 and the second feed roller 33 to cause the feed surface 311 and a non-feed surface 312 to extend horizontally in the X-direction and the Y-direction. The feed surface 311 and the non-feed surface 312 are respectively the area of the surface of the feeder 31 facing upward and an area of the surface of the feeder 31 facing downward between the first feed roller 32 and the second feed roller 33. The feeder 31 rotates as the second feed roller 33 is rotated, and can thus feed the medium M in the feed direction H1 along the feed path 3R.
The printer unit 4 prints an image on the medium M on the feed surface 311 of the feeder 31. The printer unit 4 includes an inkjet head 42 mounted on a carriage 41. The inkjet head 42 includes ink heads 421, a pretreatment liquid head 422, and a post-treatment liquid head 423. The printer unit 4 is located above the feeder 31. More specifically, the printer unit 4 faces, from above, the upward-facing feed surface 311 of the feeder 31 as an endless belt. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the printer unit 4 includes an upstream end 4A in the feed direction H1 along the feed surface 311 upstream from a middle portion 311A of the feed surface 311 in the feed direction H1. Note that the upstream end 4A of the printer unit 4 may be located above the middle portion 311A of the feed surface 311.
The printing apparatus 1 is a serial printer that performs a printing process on the medium M by serial printing. In the printing apparatus 1 for serial printing, an ejection operation and a feed operation are repeatedly performed. In the ejection operation, the inkjet head 42 ejects different types of liquid while the carriage 41 is reciprocating in the X-direction, which is perpendicular to the Y-direction that is the feed direction H1 of the medium M on a horizontal plane. In the feed operation, the medium M is fed by the feeder 31. In another embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 may be a line printer including the inkjet head 42 with the position fixed relative to the medium M being fed by the feeder 31 in the Y-direction.
A carriage guide 21 that is a flat plate including guide rails 211 extending in the X-direction is joined to the apparatus frame 2 at a position upward from the feeder 31. The carriage 41 is fixed to a timing belt 212 rotatable around the carriage guide 21. The timing belt 212 is an endless belt that is driven to rotate in the X-direction around the carriage guide 21. As the timing belt 212 rotates in the X-direction, the carriage 41 can reciprocate in the X-direction along the carriage guide 21 while being guided by the guide rails 211.
Each of the ink heads 421, the pretreatment liquid head 422, and the post-treatment liquid head 423 included in the inkjet head 42 mounted on the carriage 41 moves relative to the medium M in the X-direction and the Y-direction when the carriage 41 reciprocates in the X-direction with the medium M being fed by the feeder 31 in the Y-direction.
The multiple ink heads 421 are mounted on the carriage 41. Each of the multiple ink heads 421 is an ink unit that ejects pigment ink containing a pigment as a color material to deposit the ink on the medium M on the feeder 31. Each of the multiple ink heads 421 includes many nozzles, ink channels that guide the pigment ink into the nozzles, and a wiring board that controls ejection of the pigment ink. The nozzles eject ink droplets of the pigment ink by, for example, piezoelectric ejection using piezoelectric elements or thermal ejection using heating elements. The multiple ink heads 421 are mounted on the carriage 41 in two arrays in the X-direction. Two of the ink heads 421 that eject the same color of pigment ink are arranged on the carriage 41 in a manner displaced from each other in the X-direction and the Y-direction. In another embodiment, a single ink head 421 may be mounted on the carriage 41.
The pretreatment liquid head 422 is located upstream from the ink heads 421 on the carriage 41 in the feed direction H1 in which the feeder 31 feeds the medium M. The pretreatment liquid head 422 is a pretreatment liquid unit that ejects a pretreatment liquid to deposit the pretreatment liquid on the medium M on the feeder 31 before pigment ink is deposited. The pretreatment liquid head 422 includes many nozzles, pretreatment liquid channels that guide the pretreatment liquid into the nozzles, and a wiring board that controls ejection of the pretreatment liquid. The nozzles eject the pretreatment liquid by, for example, piezoelectric ejection using piezoelectric elements or thermal ejection using heating elements. The pretreatment liquid is a noncolor-developing treatment liquid that comes in contact with undried pigment ink on the medium M and develops no color on the medium M. Note that the pretreatment liquid unit that deposits the pretreatment liquid on the medium M on the feeder 31 is not limited to a head such as the pretreatment liquid head 422, and may be a spray that sprays the pretreatment liquid.
The post-treatment liquid head 423 is located downstream from the ink heads 421 on the carriage 41 in the feed direction H1 in which the feeder 31 feeds the medium M. The post-treatment liquid head 423 is a post-treatment liquid unit that ejects a post-treatment liquid to deposit the post-treatment liquid on the medium M on the feeder 31 after pigment ink is deposited. The post-treatment liquid head 423 includes many nozzles, post-treatment liquid channels that guide the post-treatment liquid into the nozzles, and a wiring board that controls ejection of the post-treatment liquid. The nozzles eject the post-treatment liquid by, for example, piezoelectric ejection using piezoelectric elements or thermal ejection using heating elements. The post-pretreatment liquid is a noncolor-developing treatment liquid that comes in contact with undried pigment ink on the medium M and develops no color on the medium M. The post-treatment liquid improves fixation of the pigment ink on the medium M. Examples of the post-treatment liquid include a treatment liquid containing silicone oil. The silicone oil is stably dispersed in the post-treatment liquid. Note that the post-treatment liquid unit that deposits the post-treatment liquid on the medium M on the feeder 31 is not limited to a head such as the post-treatment liquid head 423, and may be a spray that sprays the post-treatment liquid.
The printer unit 4 performs, on the medium M on the feed surface 311 of the feeder 31, the liquid ejection operations of ejecting the pretreatment liquid from the pretreatment liquid head 422, ejecting pigment ink from the ink heads 421, and ejecting, as appropriate, the post-treatment liquid from the post-treatment liquid head 423. Through these operations, an image is printed on the medium M. More specifically, the medium M on the feed surface 311 of the feeder 31 receives the pretreatment liquid ejected from the pretreatment liquid head 422, receives pigment ink ejected from the ink heads 421, and receives, as appropriate, the post-treatment liquid ejected from the post-treatment liquid head 423.
The pretreatment liquid ejected from the pretreatment liquid head 422 contains an aqueous solvent being water or a mixture of water and an organic solvent, and an aggregate forming component that can form aggregates together with a pigment. Examples of the organic solvent that can be contained in the pretreatment liquid include glycols, alcohols, aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, esters, ethers, and a vegetable oil. The aggregate forming component is soluble in the aqueous solvent. Examples of the aggregate forming component include an ionic resin with its ionic properties different from those of a pigment contained in pigment ink. Examples of the ionic resin include a positively charged cationic resin. Examples of the cationic resin include an ammonium-containing resin, an amine-containing resin, polyallylamine, polyvinylamine, polyimine, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylenimine, polyvinylpyridine, aminoacetalized polyvinyl alcohol, an ionene polymer, polyvinyl imidazole, polyvinyl benzylphosphonium, polyalkyl allyl ammonium, polyamidine, and polyamine sulfone. The aggregate forming component in the pretreatment liquid reacts and aggregates with the pigment contained in the pigment ink, achieving high color development.
The pigment ink ejected from the ink heads 421 contains an aqueous medium, a pigment, and a binder resin. The aqueous medium mainly contains water. Specific examples of the aqueous medium include water and a mixed solution of water and a polar solvent. Examples of the polar solvent contained in the aqueous medium include methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butanol, and methyl ethyl ketone. The binder resin is dispersed in the aqueous medium as resin particles. The resin particles of the binder resin function as binders that bond the medium M and the pigment. The resin particles of the binder resin have a volume median diameter of, for example, 50 to 150 nm inclusive. Examples of the binder resin include a polyurethane resin, a (meth)acrylic resin, a styrene-(meth)acrylic resin, a styrene-maleic acid copolymer, a vinyl naphthalene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer, and a vinyl naphthalene-maleic acid copolymer. The pigment may be a dispersible pigment dispersed in the aqueous medium as pigment particles. To obtain pigment ink with high stability in image density, hue, and color, the pigment has a volume median diameter of, for example, 50 to 150 nm inclusive. The pigment may be an anionic pigment. Examples of the anionic pigment include a pigment having an anion group such as a carboxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, a phosphonic acid group, a phenylsulfonic acid group, or a phenylcarboxyl group. The anionic pigment electrically reacts and aggregates, on the medium M, with the cationic resin as the aggregate forming component contained in the pretreatment liquid ejected from the pretreatment liquid head 422, thus reducing the likelihood that the binder resin contained in pigment ink permeates into the medium M. For the medium M that is a fabric member, the binder resin is less likely to permeate into spaces between fibers and bind the fibers to each other. This can improve the texture of the fabric member, such as fabric hand.
For the medium M that is, for example, a thin fabric member or a fabric member finished with coarse weave patterns or stitches, the printing apparatus 1 can have deposits on the feeder 31, such as at least the pigment ink, the pretreatment liquid, and the post-treatment liquid that have passed through the medium M in the liquid ejection operations performed on the medium M by the printer unit 4 as well as fibers that have fallen from the fabric member. Deposits A such as the pigment ink and the post-treatment liquid on the feeder 31 can stain the medium M and can also reduce the adhesion of the adhesive layer on the surface of the feeder 31 for the medium M, reducing the print quality of the medium M. Thus, the deposits A on the feeder 31 are to be removed and collected.
In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 includes the liquid tank unit 5 that removes the deposits A from the feeder 31 and the collection unit 6 that collects the deposits A. The liquid tank unit 5 and the collection unit 6 will be described below with reference to FIG. 3 in addition to FIGs. 1 and 2.
The liquid tank unit 5 removes the deposits A on the feeder 31 from the feeder 31. The liquid tank unit 5 is located below the feeder 31. More specifically, the liquid tank unit 5 faces, from below, the downward-facing non-feed surface 312 of the feeder 31 as an endless belt. The liquid tank unit 5 below the feeder 31 is located downstream from the upstream end 4A of the printer unit 4 in the feed direction H1 along the feed surface 311. In this case, the liquid tank unit 5 below the feeder 31 is located downstream from the middle portion 311A of the feed surface 311 of the feeder 31 in the feed direction H1. The liquid tank unit 5 located below the feeder 31 can efficiently remove the deposits A from the feeder 31.
A pair of guide rails 22 extending in the Y-direction along the feed path 3R are joined to the apparatus frame 2 downward from the feeder 31. The pair of guide rails 22 are arranged at a predetermined distance in the X-direction. The liquid tank unit 5 is supported by the pair of guide rails 22 in a manner movable in the Y-direction. The liquid tank unit 5 is thus movable along the feed path 3R extending along the feed surface 311 under the feeder 31. More specifically, the liquid tank unit 5 is movable between a first position below the feeder 31 and a second position below the feeder 31 and downstream from the feeder 31 in the feed direction H1 of the feed path 3R along the feed surface 311. When the liquid tank unit 5 is at the first position below the feeder 31, the liquid tank unit 5 can remove the deposits A on the feeder 31. When the liquid tank unit 5 is at the second position downstream from the feeder 31 along the feed path 3R, the liquid tank unit 5 is outside the apparatus frame 2. In this case, an operator can easily perform maintenance on the liquid tank unit 5.
The liquid tank unit 5 includes a liquid tank 51, transfer members 52, and blades 53.
The liquid tank 51 is located below the feeder 31 and can store a liquid L. The liquid L is, for example, water. The liquid tank 51 below the feeder 31 is located downstream from the upstream end 4A of the printer unit 4 in the feed direction H1 along the feed surface 311. In this case, the liquid tank 51 below the feeder 31 is located downstream from the middle portion 311A of the feed surface 311 of the feeder 31 in the feed direction H1. The liquid tank 51 includes a liquid tank body 51A in an installation area of the feeder 31 when the feeder 31 is viewed from above. In other words, the liquid tank 51 including the liquid tank body 51A in the installation area of the feeder 31 when the feeder 31 is viewed from above may include a portion outside the installation area of the feeder 31. In the present embodiment, the liquid tank 51 is entirely located in the installation area of the feeder 31 when the feeder 31 is viewed from above. The liquid tank 51 includes a bottom wall 511 that is a flat plate extending in the X-direction and the Y-direction and a peripheral wall 512 extending upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 511. The liquid tank 51 is a box with its top being open to allow the bottom wall 511 to face the feeder 31. The liquid tank 51 has substantially the same width as the feeder 31 in the X-direction.
A float sensor 54 is located in the liquid tank 51. The float sensor 54 detects the height position of a surface LS of the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51 from the bottom wall 511. The liquid tank 51 can store the liquid L to cause the surface LS of the liquid L to be between a predetermined upper limit height position P1 and a predetermined lower limit height position P2.
A first channel joint 5111 and a second channel joint 5112 are connected to the bottom wall 511 of the liquid tank 51. The first channel joint 5111 is connected to a first connection channel 71 in a connection channel member 7 in the collection unit 6 (described later). The second channel joint 5112 is connected to a second connection channel 72 in the connection channel member 7 in the collection unit 6. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first channel joint 5111 connected to the bottom wall 511 includes an upper end located on the inner surface of the bottom wall 511. The second channel joint 5112 connected to the bottom wall 511 includes an upper end located upward from the upper limit height position P1 of the surface LS of the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51 from the bottom wall 511.
A third channel joint 5113 is connected to the bottom wall 511 of the liquid tank 51. The third channel joint 5113 is connected to a liquid supplier 73. The liquid supplier 73 defines a channel through which the liquid L is supplied to the liquid tank 51. The liquid supplier 73 is flexible. The surface LS of the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51 falls due to, for example, evaporation of the liquid L. When the float sensor 54 detects the surface LS of the liquid L in the liquid tank 51 reaching the lower limit height position P2, the liquid L is supplied to the liquid tank 51 through the liquid supplier 73 to cause the surface LS to be between the upper limit height position P1 and the lower limit height position P2.
The transfer members 52 can remove the deposits A from the feeder 31 by transferring the deposits A on the feeder 31 to the liquid tank 51. In the present embodiment, the transfer members 52 are in the liquid tank body 51A of the liquid tank 51. The transfer members 52 can transfer the deposits A on the feeder 31 to the liquid tank 51 using the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51. The transfer members 52 in the liquid tank body 51A are in the installation area of the feeder 31 when the feeder 31 is viewed from above. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, two transfer members 52 are attached in the liquid tank body 51A of the liquid tank 51. Each of the transfer members 52 includes a cylindrical shaft 521 extending in the X-direction and a brush 522 extending radially from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft 521. The shaft 521 is rotatably supported on the peripheral wall 512 of the liquid tank 51. In each of the transfer members 52, the brush 522 is partially immersed in the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51, and is also in contact with the downward-facing non-feed surface 312 of the feeder 31. The brush 522 in this state rotates about the shaft 521 as the shaft 521 rotates, and can thus transfer the deposits A on the feeder 31 to the liquid tank 51 using the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51. The transfer members 52 can remove the deposits A from the feeder 31 by transferring the deposits A on the feeder 31 to the liquid tank 51 and clean the feeder 31.
The blades 53 are rubber plates extending in the X-direction and attached to the peripheral wall 512 of the liquid tank 51 to be in contact with the downward-facing non-feed surface 312 of the feeder 31. In the present embodiment, two blades 53 are attached to the peripheral wall 512. The blades 53 can remove, as the feeder 31 rotates, the liquid L remaining on the feeder 31 after the transfer members 52 clean the feeder 31.
In the printing apparatus 1, the transfer members 52 transfer, to the liquid tank 51, the deposits A on the feeder 31, such as pigment ink, the pretreatment liquid, the post-treatment liquid, and fibers from the medium M. In this case, the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51 contains the deposits A. Examples of the deposits A include aggregates produced on the feeder 31 or in the liquid L, in addition to the fibers from the medium M, pigment ink, the pretreatment liquid, and the post-treatment liquid. The aggregates are produced by the pigment ink coming in contact with the pretreatment liquid and the pigment contained in the pigment ink reacting and aggregating with the aggregate forming component contained in the pretreatment liquid. The aggregates are produced by the pigment ink for image printing on the medium M coming in contact with the pretreatment liquid without, for example, an aggregating agent added to the liquid L.
When the transfer members 52 immersed in the liquid L containing the deposits A such as the fibers from the medium M and the aggregates come in contact with the feeder 31, the deposits A in the liquid L may again deposit on the feeder 31, and thus the deposits A on the feeder 31 may not be removed appropriately. The printing apparatus 1 thus includes the collection unit 6.
The collection unit 6 can collect the deposits A contained in the liquid L flowing out of the liquid tank 51. The collection unit 6 is located below the liquid tank 51. More specifically, the collection unit 6 faces the bottom wall 511 of the liquid tank 51 from below. The collection unit 6 below the liquid tank 51 is located downstream from the upstream end 4A of the printer unit 4 in the feed direction H1 along the feed surface 311. In this case, the collection unit 6 below the liquid tank 51 is located downstream from the middle portion 311A of the feed surface 311 of the feeder 31 in the feed direction H1.
The collection unit 6 includes a circulation channel 6A, a strainer 62, a filter 63, and a pump 64.
The circulation channel 6A is a channel through which the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51 circulates. The circulation channel 6A includes a collection channel member 61 and the connection channel member 7.
The strainer 62, the filter 63, and the pump 64 are connected to the collection channel member 61. The collection channel member 61 is located below the liquid tank 51 and defines a channel through which the liquid L flowing out of the liquid tank 51 flows in a flow direction D1. The collection channel member 61 below the liquid tank 51 is located downstream from the upstream end 4A of the printer unit 4 in the feed direction H1 along the feed surface 311. In this case, the collection channel member 61 below the liquid tank 51 is located downstream from the middle portion 311A of the feed surface 311 of the feeder 31 in the feed direction H1.
The collection channel member 61 is located in an installation area of the liquid tank 51 when the liquid tank 51 is viewed from above. In the present embodiment, the collection channel member 61 is entirely located in the installation area of the liquid tank 51 when the liquid tank 51 is viewed from above.
The collection channel member 61 extends linearly in the X-direction along the width of the liquid tank 51, with the strainer 62, the filter 63, and the pump 64 being connected to the collection channel member 61. The collection channel member 61 is rigid enough to extend linearly. In this case, the flow direction D1 of the liquid L flowing through the collection channel member 61 is linear along the X-direction. The linearly extending collection channel member 61 reduces a pressure drop that occurs as the liquid L flows through the collection channel member 61 as compared with when, for example, the collection channel member 61 is curved.
The connection channel member 7 connects the collection channel member 61 and the liquid tank 51 to define a circulation channel for the liquid L through the liquid tank 51 and the collection channel member 61. The connection channel member 7 directly connects the liquid tank 51 and the collection channel member 61. More specifically, the connection channel member 7 directly connects the liquid tank 51 and the collection channel member 61 without a reservoir or any other component that can store the liquid L between the liquid tank 51 and the collection channel member 61. The connection channel member 7 directly connecting the liquid tank 51 and the collection channel member 61 may include a curved portion. The connection channel member 7 directly connecting the liquid tank 51 and the collection channel member 61 may include a portion outside the installation area of the liquid tank 51 when the liquid tank 51 is viewed from above. The liquid L flowing out of the liquid tank 51 flows through the circulation channel 6A including the collection channel member 61 and the connection channel member 7, and returns to the liquid tank 51. The collection channel member 61 is located in the installation area below the liquid tank 51, and the connection channel member 7 directly connects the liquid tank 51 and the collection channel member 61. This minimizes the length of the connection channel member 7. This reduces a pressure drop that occurs as the liquid L circulates through the liquid tank 51, the collection channel member 61, and the connection channel member 7.
The pump 64 is connected to the collection channel member 61. The pump 64 is a circulation pump that can circulate the liquid L through the liquid tank 51, the collection channel member 61, and the connection channel member 7. The pump 64 being driven causes the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51 to flow out of the liquid tank 51 and also circulate through the liquid tank 51, the collection channel member 61, and the connection channel member 7.
The collection channel member 61 includes a first collection channel 611 and a second collection channel 612 downstream from the first collection channel 611 in the flow direction D1 of the liquid L. The first collection channel 611 and the second collection channel 612 are located in the installation area of the liquid tank 51 when the liquid tank 51 is viewed from above. The first collection channel 611 and the second collection channel 612 each extend linearly in the X-direction along the width of the liquid tank 51. In this case, the flow direction D1 of the liquid L flowing through each of the first collection channel 611 and the second collection channel 612 is linear along the X-direction. The first collection channel 611 includes a first upstream end portion 611A in the flow direction D1 and a first downstream end portion 611B opposite to the first upstream end portion 611A. In the same or a similar manner, the second collection channel 612 includes a second upstream end portion 612A in the flow direction D1 and a second downstream end portion 612B opposite to the second upstream end portion 612A.
The pump 64 is connected between the first downstream end portion 611B of the first collection channel 611 and the second upstream end portion 612A of the second collection channel 612. More specifically, the pump 64 is connected to the first downstream end portion 611B of the first collection channel 611 with a first connection member 641, and to the second upstream end portion 612A of the second collection channel 612 with a second connection member 642. The first connection member 641 is a flexible channel member connecting the pump 64 and the first collection channel 611. In the same or a similar manner, the second connection member 642 is a flexible channel member connecting the pump 64 and the second collection channel 612.
The connection channel member 7 includes the first connection channel 71 and the second connection channel 72. The first connection channel 71 directly connects the first upstream end portion 611A of the first collection channel 611 and the first channel joint 5111 on the bottom wall 511 in the liquid tank 51. The second connection channel 72 directly connects the second downstream end portion 612B of the second collection channel 612 and the second channel joint 5112 on the bottom wall 511 in the liquid tank 51.
In response to the pump 64 being driven, the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51 flows through the first connection channel 71 connected to the first channel joint 5111 on the bottom wall 511, and flows into the first collection channel 611 through the first upstream end portion 611A. The first connection channel 71 is connected to the first channel joint 5111 on the bottom wall 511. Thus, the liquid L containing the deposits A that may settle on the bottom wall 511 flows into the first collection channel 611.
The liquid L that has flowed into the first collection channel 611 flows through the first collection channel 611 in the flow direction D1 and is introduced into the pump 64 through the first downstream end portion 611B. The liquid L that has passed through the pump 64 flows into the second collection channel 612 through the second upstream end portion 612A. The liquid L that has flowed into the second collection channel 612 flows through the second collection channel 612 in the flow direction D1. The liquid L that has passed through the second collection channel 612 flows through the second connection channel 72 connected to the second channel joint 5112 on the bottom wall 511, and flows into the liquid tank 51 through the second channel joint 5112.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first collection channel 611 and the second collection channel 612 extend linearly in the X-direction along the width of the liquid tank 51, and are spaced from each other in a direction intersecting with the X-direction. The first downstream end portion 611B of the first collection channel 611 connected to the pump 64 is located downstream from the second upstream end portion 612A of the second collection channel 612 in the flow direction D1 of the liquid L. In this case, the distance from the first upstream end portion 611A of the first collection channel 611 to the second downstream end portion 612B of the second collection channel 612 in the flow direction D1 is shorter than that in a structure in which the first collection channel 611 and the second collection channel 612 are aligned linearly with the pump 64 between them. This allows the first connection channel 71, which connects the first upstream end portion 611A of the first collection channel 611 and the liquid tank 51, and the second connection channel 72, which connects the second downstream end portion 612B of the second collection channel 612 and the liquid tank 51, to be shorter than in the structure in which the first collection channel 611 and the second collection channel 612 are aligned linearly. This reduces a pressure drop that occurs as the liquid L circulates through the liquid tank 51, the first connection channel 71, the first collection channel 611, the second collection channel 612, and the second connection channel 72.
As described above, the liquid tank unit 5 is supported by the pair of guide rails 22 joined to the apparatus frame 2 in a movable manner. The liquid tank unit 5 is thus movable along the feed path 3R extending along the feed surface 311 under the feeder 31, with the connection channel member 7 connecting the liquid tank 51 and the collection channel member 61. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the pair of guide rails 22 include lower surfaces to which a first connector 221 extending in the X-direction is fixed. The pair of guide rails 22 include, in the feed direction H1 along the feed path 3R, upstream ends to which a second connector 222 extending in the X-direction is fixed. The first connector 221 and the second connector 222 each connect the pair of guide rails 22.
The collection channel member 61 including the first collection channel 611 and the second collection channel 612 is fixed to the first connector 221 fixed to the pair of guide rails 22. In this case, the liquid tank unit 5 is movable along the pair of guide rails 22, whereas the collection unit 6 includes the collection channel member 61 fixed to the first connector 221 and is thus restricted from moving. Note that the collection unit 6 may be movable together with the liquid tank unit 5. The collection unit 6 may be movable between a position below the liquid tank 51 and a position downstream from the liquid tank 51 in the feed direction H1 along the feed path 3R, separately from the liquid tank unit 5.
The connection channel member 7 including the first connection channel 71 and the second connection channel 72 is flexible. The connection channel member 7 has a movement allowing length that is long enough to allow movement of the liquid tank unit 5, with movement of the collection unit 6 being restricted. In this case, the connection channel member 7 directly connecting the liquid tank 51 and the collection channel member 61 is deformable in response to movement of the liquid tank unit 5 along the feed path 3R. This allows the liquid tank unit 5 to move, with the liquid tank 51 and the collection channel member 61 being connected by the connection channel member 7.
Note that the first connection channel 71 connecting the first upstream end portion 611A of the first collection channel 611 and the first channel joint 5111 in the liquid tank 51 is in contact with the second connector 222 fixed to the pair of guide rails 22, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The portions of the first connection channel 71 in contact with the second connector 222 are fixed to the second connector 222 with, for example, cable ties BM. In the same or a similar manner, the second connection channel 72 connecting the second downstream end portion 612B of the second collection channel 612 and the second channel joint 5112 in the liquid tank 51 is in contact with the second connector 222. The portions of the second connection channel 72 in contact with the second connector 222 are fixed to the second connector 222 with, for example, cable ties BM.
The strainer 62 is connected to the collection channel member 61. More specifically, the strainer 62 is connected to the first collection channel 611. The strainer 62 includes a channel through which the liquid L flows. The strainer 62 is a collection member that can collect, through filtering and separation, the fibers from the medium M among the deposits A contained in the liquid L flowing through the first collection channel 611. The filtration accuracy of the strainer 62 is, for example, about 180 µm. Thus, the strainer 62 can filter and separate the fibers among the deposits A in the liquid L, but cannot separate the aggregates with volume median diameters smaller than the filtration accuracy. The aggregates in the deposits A have volume median diameters larger than the volume median diameter of the pigment particles and smaller than the fibers from the medium M. The volume median diameters of the aggregates have a wide distribution based on the degree by which the pigment in the pigment ink reacts and aggregates with the aggregate forming component in the pretreatment liquid, and are, for example, 20 to 50 µm inclusive.
The filter 63 is connected to the collection channel member 61. More specifically, the filter 63 is connected to the second collection channel 612. The filter 63 includes a channel through which the liquid L flows. The filter 63 is a collection member that can collect, through filtering and separation, the aggregates among the deposits A contained in the liquid L flowing through the second collection channel 612.
In the present embodiment, the filter 63 includes a first filter 631 and a second filter 632. The first filter 631 and the second filter 632 may be, for example, string wound filters with resin strings wound around a core for depth filtration. A first filtration accuracy indicating the filtration accuracy of the first filter 631 is set to, for example, about 50 µm, which is close to the upper limit of the distribution of the volume median diameters of the aggregates to be collected. A second filtration accuracy indicating the filtration accuracy of the second filter 632 is higher than the first filtration accuracy, and is set to, for example, about 20 µm, which is close to the lower limit of the distribution of the volume median diameters of the aggregate to be collected. The first filter 631 and the second filter 632 with different filtration accuracy levels can appropriately collect the aggregates among the deposits A contained in the liquid L, and can also reduce filter clogging as compared with when a single filter is used.
In the present embodiment, as described above, the printing apparatus 1 collects the deposits A contained in the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51 with the strainer 62 and the filter 63. This reduces the amount of deposits A in the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51. This reduces a decrease in performance in removing the deposits A on the feeder 31 using the liquid L.
In particular, when a pigment contained in the pigment ink is contained in the liquid L as pigment particles, the pigment particles are microparticles with a very small particle size as described above, and are thus difficult to separate from the liquid L. To separate the pigment particles from the liquid L, for example, the liquid L containing the pigment particles may be introduced into a predetermined reservoir tank, and an aggregating agent or other substances may be added to the reservoir tank to aggregate the pigment particles. However, this involves separately installing the reservoir tank and channels for adding the aggregating agent, with large-scale design change of the printing apparatus 1.
In contrast, in the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the pigment in the pigment ink for image printing on the medium M reacts and aggregates with the aggregate forming component in the pretreatment liquid, and the aggregates produced through the reaction and aggregation are collected with the filter 63. The filter 63 can appropriately collect the aggregates as compared with when collecting the pigment as pigment particles.
As illustrated in FIGs. 1 and 3, a first pressure sensor 81, a second pressure sensor 82, and a third pressure sensor 83 are connected to the collection channel member 61. The first pressure sensor 81 is connected to a portion of the first collection channel 611 upstream from the strainer 62 in the flow direction D1 of the liquid L. The first pressure sensor 81 detects the pressure of the liquid L flowing into the strainer 62. A clogged state of the strainer 62 can be determined based on the detection result from the first pressure sensor 81. The second pressure sensor 82 is connected to a portion of the second collection channel 612 upstream from the first filter 631 in the flow direction D1 of the liquid L. The second pressure sensor 82 detects the pressure of the liquid L flowing into the first filter 631. A clogged state of the first filter 631 can be determined based on the detection result from the second pressure sensor 82. The third pressure sensor 83 is connected to a portion of the second collection channel 612 upstream from the second filter 632 in the flow direction D1 of the liquid L. The third pressure sensor 83 detects the pressure of the liquid L flowing into the second filter 632. A clogged state of the second filter 632 can be determined based on the detection result from the third pressure sensor 83.
The printing apparatus 1 involves maintenance of the liquid tank unit 5 to maintain the effect of the liquid tank unit 5 removing the deposits A on the feeder 31. Examples of the maintenance of the liquid tank unit 5 include cleaning the liquid tank 51 and the transfer members 52. For the maintenance of the liquid tank unit 5, the liquid tank unit 5 is moved from the first position below the feeder 31 to the second position downstream from the feeder 31 in the feed direction H1 along the feed path 3R.
The printing apparatus 1 involves maintenance of the collection unit 6 to maintain the effect of the collection unit 6 collecting the deposits A. Examples of the maintenance of the collection unit 6 include unclogging the strainer 62 and replacing the first filter 631 and the second filter 632 that are clogged.
As described above, the printing apparatus 1 includes the liquid tank unit 5 below the feeder 31 and the collection unit 6 below the liquid tank 51 in the liquid tank unit 5. In particular, in the liquid tank unit 5, the liquid tank 51 includes the liquid tank body 51A located in the installation area of the feeder 31 when the feeder 31 is viewed from above. The transfer members 52 are in the liquid tank body 51A. In the collection unit 6, the collection channel member 61 in the circulation channel 6A is located in the installation area of the liquid tank 51 when the liquid tank 51 is viewed from above. The strainer 62 and the filter 63 are connected to the collection channel member 61. In this case, the liquid tank unit 5 and the collection unit 6 are both located in an area below the feeder 31 without deviating from the area below the feeder 31. This can improve the maintainability of each of the liquid tank unit 5 and the collection unit 6.
In the present embodiment, the liquid tank unit 5 below the feeder 31 is located downstream from the upstream end 4A of the printer unit 4 in the feed direction H1. The collection unit 6 below the liquid tank 51 is located downstream from the upstream end 4A of the printer unit 4 in the feed direction H1. In this case, the liquid tank unit 5 and the collection unit 6 below the feeder 31 are both located in an area downstream from the middle portion 311A of the feeder 31 in the feed direction H1. This structure allows each of the liquid tank unit 5 and the collection unit 6 to be reached from a position downstream from the feeder 31 in the feed direction H1 along the feed path 3R for maintenance.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 further includes a display 91 and a controller 92. The display 91 can display various items of information. The controller 92 controls display of information on the display 91.
The controller 92 is a personal computer including a central processing unit (CPU), a storage area that stores a processing program, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash memory, and a random-access memory (RAM) used as a work area for the CPU. The controller 92 executes the processing program stored in the HDD or the flash memory with the CPU to control the feeder unit 3 and the printer unit 4 to perform a process for printing an image on the medium M. The controller 92 also controls the transfer members 52 in the liquid tank unit 5 to perform a process for transferring the deposits A on the feeder 31 to the liquid tank 51. Further, the controller 92 controls the pump 64 in the collection unit 6 to perform a process for collecting the deposits A with the liquid L circulating through the liquid tank 51, the collection channel member 61, and the connection channel member 7.
In controlling the pump 64 in the collection unit 6, the controller 92 may monitor detection results from the first pressure sensor 81, the second pressure sensor 82, and the third pressure sensor 83. When the detection results from the first pressure sensor 81, the second pressure sensor 82, and the third pressure sensor 83 exceed a predetermined threshold, the controller 92 causes the display 91 to display collection maintenance information indicating a request for maintenance of the collection unit 6. The operator can find the collection maintenance information displayed on the display 91 and perform maintenance on the collection unit 6. In this case, the operator reaches the collection unit 6 located below the liquid tank 51 from the position downstream from the feeder 31 in the feed direction H1 along the feed path 3R.
The controller 92 may cause the display 91 to periodically display liquid tank maintenance information indicating a request for maintenance of the liquid tank unit 5. The operator can find the liquid tank maintenance information displayed on the display 91 and perform maintenance on the liquid tank unit 5. In this case, the operator moves the liquid tank unit 5 at the first position below the feeder 31 to the second position downstream from the feeder 31 in the feed direction H1 along the feed path 3R. The liquid tank unit 5 is thus removed out of the apparatus frame 2. The operator can perform maintenance on the liquid tank unit 5 removed out of the apparatus frame 2.
Although one or more embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments, and may be implemented in, for example, various manners described below.
In the liquid tank unit 5 that removes the deposits A on the feeder 31, which includes the adhesive layer on its surface, the liquid L as water stored in the liquid tank 51 may contain a surfactant. The surfactant increases the removal of the deposits A on the feeder 31, particularly, the silicone oil in the post-treatment liquid. The surfactant may be selected as appropriate from, for example, an anion surfactant, a cation surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant. In particular, a nonionic surfactant may be selected. Examples of the nonionic surfactant include polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether and polyoxyethylene alkyl ether.
In the liquid tank unit 5, bubbles form in the liquid L in the liquid tank 51 due to foaming action of the surfactant in response to rotation of the brushes 522 in the transfer members 52. The content of the surfactant in the liquid L in the liquid tank 51 is set in a range to restrict overflowing of bubbles forming in the liquid L from the liquid tank 51. For example, the content of the surfactant may be set to 20 milliliters or less relative to 40 liters of the liquid L. To maintain the cleaning effect, the content of the surfactant may be set to 0.02 milliliters or greater relative to 40 liters of the liquid L.
The surfactant contained in the liquid L adsorbs to silicone oil on the adhesive layer on the surface of the feeder 31, releases the silicone oil from the feeder 31, and disperses the silicone oil into the liquid L. The liquid L containing the surfactant thus increases the removal of the silicone oil on the feeder 31.
The liquid tank unit 5 may remove the deposits A on the feeder 31 with the liquid L in which microbubbles are generated. In this case, in supplying the liquid L to the liquid tank 51 through the liquid supplier 73 connected to the bottom wall 511 of the liquid tank 51, the liquid L in which microbubbles are generated by a microbubble generator is supplied to the liquid tank 51. The liquid L in which microbubbles are generated by a microbubble generator may be sprayed onto the feeder 31.
Microbubbles are fine air bubbles with a diameter of about 1 to 100 µm. Microbubbles have a negatively charged surface potential, and thus repel one another in the liquid L. Microbubbles thus do not bond with one another in the liquid L, with less likelihood of a decrease in the density of air bubbles.
When the liquid L in which microbubbles are generated comes in contact with the feeder 31, the negatively charged microbubbles capture the deposits A on the feeder 31, and thus release the deposits A from the feeder 31 and disperse the deposits A into the liquid L. The liquid L in which microbubbles are generated thus increases the removal of the deposits A on the feeder 31. When the liquid L in which microbubbles are generated is sprayed onto the feeder 31, physical impact of the sprayed liquid L on the feeder 31 further increases the removal of the deposits A on the feeder 31.
A surfactant may be contained in the liquid L, and microbubbles may be generated in the liquid L as well. In other words, microbubbles may be generated by a microbubble generator in the liquid L containing a surfactant. In this case, the combination of the surfactant and the microbubbles further increases the removal of the deposits A on the feeder 31.

REFERENCE SIGNS

1 printing apparatus
3 feeder unit
31 feeder
4 printer unit
5 liquid tank unit
51 liquid tank
52 transfer member
6 collection unit
6A circulation channel
61 collection channel member
611 first collection channel
612 second collection channel
62 strainer (collection member)
63 filter (collection member)
7 connection channel member
71 first connection channel
72 second connection channel

Claims

A printing apparatus, comprising:
a feeder including a feed surface to support and feed a print medium;

a printer unit above the feeder, the printer unit being configured to print an image on the print medium on the feed surface;

a liquid tank unit below the feeder, the liquid tank unit including a liquid tank configured to store a liquid, and a transfer member configured to transfer a deposit on the feed surface to the liquid tank; and

a collection unit below the liquid tank, the collection unit including a circulation channel through which the liquid stored in the liquid tank circulates through the liquid tank, and a collection member configured to collect the deposit contained in the liquid flowing through the circulation channel.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the liquid tank includes a liquid tank body located in an installation area of the feeder when the feeder is viewed from above.
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
the transfer member is in the liquid tank body.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the circulation channel is located in an installation area of the liquid tank when the liquid tank is viewed from above, and the circulation channel includes a collection channel member extending linearly with the collection member being connected to the collection channel member.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the liquid tank unit is located downstream from an upstream end of the printer unit along the feed surface.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the collection unit is located downstream from an upstream end of the printer unit along the feed surface.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the liquid tank unit is located downstream from a middle portion of the feed surface of the feeder.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the collection unit is located downstream from a middle portion of the feed surface of the feeder.
The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
the circulation channel includes a connection channel member directly connecting the liquid tank and the connection channel member.
The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
the circulation channel includes a connection channel member directly connecting the liquid tank and the connection channel member without a reservoir storing the liquid between the liquid tank and the collection channel member.
The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
the collection channel member includes a first collection channel and a second collection channel downstream from the first collection channel,

the connection channel member includes a first connection channel directly connecting a first upstream end portion of the first collection channel and the liquid tank, and a second connection channel directly connecting a second downstream end portion of the second collection channel and the liquid tank, and

the collection unit includes a pump connected between a first downstream end portion of the first collection channel opposite to the first upstream end portion and a second upstream portion of the second collection channel opposite to the second downstream portion, and the pump is configured to circulate the liquid through the liquid tank, the connection channel member, and the collect channel member.
The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein
the first downstream end portion of the first collection channel is located downstream from the second upstream end portion of the second collection channel.
The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
the liquid tank unit is movable along the feed surface under the feeder, with the connection channel member connecting the liquid tank and the collection channel member.
The printing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
the liquid tank unit is movable between a first position below the feeder and a second position below the feeder, and the second position is downstream from the feeder along the feed surface.
The printing apparatus according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein
the connection channel member is flexible and deformable in response to movement of the liquid tank unit.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein
the print medium is a fabric member comprising fabric.