JP2002225305A - Method and apparatus for ink jet printing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and an apparatus for ink jet printing whereby a time for flushing can be shortened without affecting printing of images. SOLUTION: There are provided an ink jet head 22 and a control means 7 for controlling driving of the ink jet head 22. The ink jet head 22 prints images B and marks C for detecting positions of the images B to a printing object A. Moreover, flushing of discharging ink from all nozzles during a series of printing operations is regularly carried out to the ink jet head 22. The control means 7 makes the marks C printed by discharging ink from all nozzles.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet printing method and an ink jet printing apparatus for periodically performing flushing for discharging ink from all nozzles of an ink jet head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional ink jet printer (ink jet printing apparatus), in order to prevent the viscosity of ink ejected from ink nozzles of an ink jet head to be increased,
Flushing for discharging ink from all nozzles is performed periodically. In this case, the flushing is performed toward a cap disposed at a position off the feed path of the printing paper.

[0003]

By the way, flushing is periodically performed mainly every several tens of seconds during printing. For this reason, there is a problem that the flushing operation is performed and the printing is suspended, and the printing speed is reduced by the time required for the flushing.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet printing method and an ink jet printing apparatus which can reduce the time for flushing without affecting the printing of an image.

[0005]

According to an ink jet printing method of the present invention, in a method of periodically performing flushing for discharging ink from all nozzles of an ink jet head in a series of printing operations, an ink jet printing method is provided for printing on an object to be printed. When printing a mark for detecting an image and a position of the image, printing of the mark is performed by discharging ink from all nozzles.

Similarly, the ink jet printing apparatus of the present invention prints an image and a mark for detecting the position of the image on a printing object, and performs flushing for discharging ink from all nozzles in a series of printing operations. An ink jet head that performs the ink jet head periodically and a control unit that controls the driving of the ink jet head are provided, and the control unit prints a mark by discharging ink from all nozzles.

According to these configurations, the printing of the mark is
Since the ink ejection is performed from all the nozzles, flushing and mark printing can be performed. This eliminates the need to pause printing during flushing.

In this case, it is preferable to print the image and the mark while moving the ink jet head in the main scanning direction and sending the printing object in the sub scanning direction.

Similarly, the apparatus further comprises a head moving mechanism for moving the ink jet head in the main scanning direction, and an object feeding mechanism for feeding the printing object in the sub-scanning direction, and the control means includes a head moving mechanism and an object feeding mechanism. It is preferable that the mechanism be further controlled so that the inkjet head is moved in the main scanning direction while the printing target is being sent in the sub-scanning direction, so that printing of images and marks is performed.

According to these configurations, printing (flushing) of an image and a mark can be appropriately performed by a printing operation of an ink jet head in a general serial printer.

In this case, it is preferable that the printing target is a tape-shaped continuous paper, and the printing target is fed in the extending direction during printing.

Similarly, it is preferable that the printing target is a tape-shaped continuous paper, and the printing target feeding mechanism feeds the printing target in the direction in which the printing target extends in printing.

According to these configurations, the loss of time due to flushing can be reduced as compared with the prior art, as the continuous paper becomes narrower.

It is preferable that the image and the mark are printed by moving the ink jet head in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction with respect to the printing target.

Similarly, an X / Y moving mechanism for moving the ink jet head in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction includes
The control unit further controls the X / Y moving mechanism,
It is preferable to print the image and the mark while moving the inkjet head in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction with respect to the printing target.

According to these configurations, printing (flushing) of images and marks can be appropriately performed even in a printer of a special printing mode in which the ink jet head moves in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction.

In this case, it is preferable that the printing target is a tape-shaped continuous paper, and printing is performed with the extending direction and the width direction of the printing target as the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, respectively.

Similarly, the printing target is a tape-shaped continuous paper, and the control means performs printing by setting the extending direction and the width direction of the printing target as the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, respectively. preferable.

According to these configurations, the narrower the continuous paper is, the smaller the time loss due to flushing can be made as compared with the prior art, and the continuous paper can be combined with the printing form. Printing speed can be increased.

Further, the printing object is a tape-shaped continuous paper, the extending direction and the width direction of the printing object are set to the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, respectively, and the feeding of the printing object is stopped. While printing the image by moving in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, and after printing the image, it is possible to print the mark while feeding the printing target in the extending direction with the inkjet head immobile, preferable.

Similarly, the printing target is a tape-shaped continuous paper, and a paper feeding mechanism for feeding the printing target in the extending direction thereof;
X for moving the inkjet head in the main scanning direction, which is the extending direction of the printing target, and in the sub-scanning direction, which is the width direction
And a Y moving mechanism, wherein the control means further controls the paper feeding mechanism and the XY moving mechanism, stops feeding of the printing target, and moves the inkjet head in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction. It is preferable that the printing of the mark is performed while the image is printed, and after the printing of the image is completed, the printing target is sent in the extending direction while the inkjet head is not moved.

According to these arrangements, the printing time is shortened as a whole by printing the mark (flushing) by driving only the ink jet head using the non-image printing time for sending the printing object. Can be.

Another ink jet printing method of the present invention comprises:
In an inkjet printing method for printing on a print target in which a print area for printing an image for a label and a non-print area for not printing an image are printed, periodic flushing for discharging ink from all nozzles of an inkjet head is performed without printing. It is performed on an area.

Similarly, another ink jet printing apparatus of the present invention is an ink jet printing apparatus for printing on a printing target in which a print area for printing a label image and a non-print area where no image is printed are set. An ink jet head that performs image printing and performs periodic flushing that ejects ink from all nozzles of the inkjet head, and a control unit that controls the driving of the inkjet head, the control unit performs the periodic flushing on a non-printing area. Is performed.

According to these configurations, it is not necessary to move the ink jet head to a position distant from the printing target when performing regular flushing, so that the head moving time for regular flushing can be reduced.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An ink jet printing method and a printing apparatus to which an ink jet printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This printing apparatus is a large-sized color printer for business use, and continuously prints labels by an ink jet method. That is, the printing apparatus is to continuously print a large number of unit images to be subsequently cut out and used as a label on a continuous printing paper with a release tape, for example, a label to be stuck on a wrap film of fresh food. And the like can be printed in small lots.

FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing a printing apparatus, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view thereof, and FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the printing apparatus. As shown in these figures, the printing device 1
Is a machine base 2, a print mechanism 3 installed on the machine base 2,
A tape feed mechanism 5 for feeding the print tape A along a tape feed path (paper feed path) 4 that traverses the machine base 2, a suction table 6 disposed in the center of the tape feed path 4, (Control means: see FIG. 11) 7. The printing apparatus 1 further includes a tape supply mechanism 8 that feeds the printing tape A wound in a roll shape to the tape feeding mechanism 5 while feeding the printing tape A, and a tape feeding mechanism 8.
And a tape winding mechanism 9 that winds the printed printing tape A received from the company into a roll.

On the other hand, the printing tape A to be printed is a roll paper with a so-called release paper and has a tape width of 50 mm to 50 mm.
A plurality of types of 150 mm are prepared. In printing, an image (unit image) B serving as a label is continuously printed in the extending direction of the printing tape A (see FIG. 12), and each unit image B is half-cut by another cutting device and adhered. A label with an agent is created.

The ink used for this printing, that is, the ink used for one-line color printing includes light cyan (LC) and light cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K). It is composed of a total of six reference colors including magenta (LM). As will be described later in detail, these six colors of ink are supplied from the ink tanks (fixed tanks) to the respective ink jet heads 2 of the head unit 21 via ink tubes.
2 is supplied.

Although not shown in the figure, a safety cover is provided on the machine base 2 to integrally cover the above-mentioned mechanisms and the like, and an opening / closing door 11 is provided in front of the safety cover (FIG. 1). reference). The safety cover is provided with a detection switch (detection sensor) 12 for detecting blockage of the door 11, and the main power supply is turned on only when the detection switch 12 detects blockage of the door 11. It can be turned on. When the door is opened while the main power is on, the main power is turned off via the detection switch 12.
F.

Reference numeral 13 in FIG. 3 denotes a warning light (actually, the warning light is provided upright on the upper surface of the safety cover), and includes an ink indicator light portion 13a for indicating the ink end, and a tape for indicating the tape end. It has an indicator light portion 13b and an operation indicator light portion 13c for displaying that a printing operation is being performed (during operation of the apparatus). Further, reference numeral 14 in the figure denotes an ink lamp group, which indicates the presence or absence of six colors of ink described later.
Further, reference numeral 15 in the figure denotes an operation panel, and a power switch (main power supply), an emergency stop switch,
A pause switch, a restart switch, a tape feed switch (idle feed), a head cleaning switch, and the like are provided. A circuit board constituting the controller 7 is built in the operation panel 15.

The machine base 2 is configured by assembling angle members 17 into a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and fixing a base plate 18 to an upper portion thereof.
At the lower part of the machine base 2, six legs 19 are attached so as to be adjustable in height. At one end of the base plate 18 in the longitudinal direction, a replenishing work portion 18a for performing the replenishing work of the printing tape A is extended (see FIG. 3).

Although not shown, a main ink tank (fixed tank) for storing ink of each color is installed on the base plate 18 via a small frame, and a sub ink tank (fixed tank) installed on the base plate. Can be supplied with ink. Also, ink of each color is supplied from the sub ink tank to each of the ink jet heads described below via ink tubes. The display in the ink indicating lamp section 13a and the ink lamp group 14 is performed based on a detection result such as the presence or absence of ink detected in the main ink tank.

The printing mechanism 3 includes a head unit 21 having a large number of inkjet heads 22 mounted thereon, an X / Y moving mechanism 23 for freely moving the head unit 21 in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, and an inkjet head 2.
Storage unit 24 used for storage (when not in operation) and for flushing, and inkjet head 22
And a cleaning unit 25 used for cleaning (manual operation).

The XY moving mechanism 23 is a so-called XY robot installed on the machine base 2, and the head unit 2
The X-axis stage 27 that moves the X-axis stage 1 in the X-axis direction (main scanning direction), the Y-axis stage 28 that moves the X-axis stage 27 in the Y-axis direction (sub-scanning direction), and the movement of the X-axis stage 27 are guided. And a Y-axis guide rail 29. The X-axis stage 27 is a main scanning ball screw 31 for reciprocating the head unit 21 in the main scanning direction (X-axis direction).
, A main scanning motor 32 for rotating the main scanning ball screw 31 forward and reverse, and an X-axis case 33 for accommodating these components.

The Y-axis stage 28 includes the head unit 21
, A sub-scanning ball screw 34 for reciprocating the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction), a sub-scanning motor 35 for rotating the sub-scanning ball screw 34 forward and reverse, and a Y-axis case 36 for housing these components. I have. Y-axis guide rail 29 is Y
The X-axis stage 27 is supported in parallel with the Y-axis stage 28 and guides reciprocation of the X-axis stage 27.

Reference numeral 37 in FIG. 1 denotes an X-direction detection sensor for detecting a reference position (home position) of the head unit 21 in the X-axis direction, and reference numeral 38 denotes an X-axis stage 2.
7, a Y-direction detection sensor 38 for detecting a reference position (home position) of the head unit 21 in the Y-axis direction. When the main power supply of the printing apparatus 1 is turned on, the XY moving mechanism 23 is always reset to this reference position.

Although not shown, the head unit 21 includes:
A female screw block extending from the horizontal slit formed in the X-axis case 33 into the X-axis case 33 is attached,
This female screw block is screwed into the main scanning ball screw 31. Similarly, one end of the X-axis stage 27 has
From the horizontal slit formed in the shaft case 36, the Y-axis case 3
A female screw block extending into the inside 6 is attached, and the female screw block is screwed to the sub-scanning ball screw 34. Further, two guide rollers 39 are attached to the other end of the X-axis stage 27 so that the guide rollers 39, 39 roll on the rail portion 29a of the Y-axis guide rail 29. (See FIG. 3).

Main scanning motor 32 and sub-scanning motor 35
Is connected to the controller 7, the head unit 21 reciprocates in the main scanning direction by rotating the main scanning motor 32 in the forward and reverse directions, and rotates the X-axis by rotating the sub-scanning motor 35 in the forward and reverse directions. The head unit 21 reciprocates in the sub-scanning direction via the stage 27. Then, one line of printing is performed by moving the head unit 21 in the main scanning direction, and the head unit 21 is moved to the next line by moving in the sub-scanning direction.

More specifically, referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, for example, when printing is started with the print start position P1 at the upper left, the head unit 21 is moved rightward (main scanning direction) from this position. The first line is printed (main scanning) by moving the head unit 21, and the head unit 21 is moved to the second line (sub-scanning) by moving the head unit 21 at the right end. The second line is printed (main scanning) by moving 21 to the left (main scanning direction). The above operation is repeated to print all lines (see FIG. 4B). Further, for example, when the printing is completed at the lower right position, the printing after the next tape feed is performed from the printing end position P2 in the reverse operation to the printing start position P.
1 is printed on all lines (see FIG. 4C). Thereby, the head unit 21
Movement loss is reduced.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the head unit 21 comprises a support bracket 41 having the above-described female screw block mounted on the back surface thereof, and a unified carriage 42 horizontally mounted below the support bracket 41. There are four partial carriages 43 detachably mounted on the carriage 42, and three partial carriages 43 are mounted side by side, that is, a total of 12 inkjet heads 22 are mounted on all the partial carriages 43.

In this case, each of the ink jet heads 22 is adhered and fixed to a partial carriage 43, and each of the partial carriages 43 is detachably mounted on the unified carriage 42 by positioning mounting means 44 comprising a plurality of pins. The ink jet head 22 mounted on each of the partial carriages 43 has a main body portion 22a having an ink nozzle formed projecting downward from the unified carriage 42, and the main body portion 22a is arranged to face the ink nozzle row group. 46 are arranged collectively (see FIG. 6).

As shown schematically in FIG. 6, the six-color ink nozzle row group 46 forming one line of reference color is divided into four, and the divided six-color ink nozzle row group 47 is divided.
Is incorporated in the three inkjet heads 22,
It is mounted on each partial carriage 43. In particular,
The first head 22-1 of the three inkjet heads 22 mounted on each partial carriage 43 incorporates two divided ink nozzle rows 47 a of black (K) and cyan (C), and the second head 22-2. 2 incorporates two divided ink nozzle rows 47a of magenta (M) and yellow (Y), and the third head 22-3 includes light cyan (LC) and light magenta (LM).
Two divided ink nozzle rows 47a are incorporated.

The divided nozzle row groups 47 are arranged in a staggered manner so as to partially overlap each other, and each color nozzle row group 46 of approximately 4 inches (one line) as a whole is provided.
Is composed. As described above, the ink nozzle row group 46 for one line is divided into four parts, and the ink nozzle head group 22 is configured by dividing the ink nozzle row group into four parts.
1 yield can be improved.

The storage unit 24 is located on the base 2
The X-axis stage 27 that has deviated to the near side from the tape running path 4
Is disposed in the vicinity of. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the storage unit 24 includes a storage cap 51, an elevating mechanism 52 for moving the storage cap 51 toward and away from the head unit 21, and storing ink flowing down from the storage cap 51. And a waste ink tank 54.
Needless to say, the lifting mechanism 52 is connected to the controller 7.

The storage cap 51 includes a cap body 54.
And an ink absorbing material 5 laid on the bottom of the cap body 54.
5 and a seal member 56 formed of a substantially rectangular O-ring mounted on the upper end of the cap body 54. In this case, the seal member 56 is formed to have a size including all the inkjet heads 22 of the head unit 21 and is in close contact with the lower surface of the unified carriage 42 to seal all the inkjet heads 22. .

The raising / lowering mechanism 52 is used for flushing the head unit 21 directly above the storage cap 51.
On the other hand, while keeping the storage cap 51 at the lowered position, the storage cap 51 is raised and brought into close contact with the head unit 21 with respect to the head unit 21 facing directly above for storage. The ink ejected by the flushing is absorbed by the ink absorbing material 55. When the ink absorbing material 55 becomes saturated, the ink is transferred to the waste ink tank 53 disposed below the base plate 18 via the tube 57. Flow down. On the other hand, when the storage cap 51 is in close contact with the head unit 21 for storage, the storage cap 51
Is maintained in a high humidity state by the ink absorbed by the ink absorbing material 55, and the drying of the inkjet head (ink nozzle) 22 is effectively prevented.

The cleaning unit 25 is disposed on the machine base 2 at a position deviated from the tape feed path 4 to the near side. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cleaning unit 25 includes a pair of cap bases 61A each having three cleaning caps 61 mounted thereon.
61A, an elevating mechanism 62 for bringing a total of six cleaning caps 61 toward and away from the head unit 21 via a pair of cap bases 61A, 61A, and a total of 6 for sucking ink through each cleaning cap 61. And an ink pump 63. The lifting mechanism 6
2 and each ink pump 63 are connected to the controller 7 described above.

Each cleaning cap 61 includes a cap body 64, an ink absorbing material 65 laid on the bottom of the cap body 64, and a seal member 66 attached to the upper end of the cap body 64. The pair of cap bases 61A, 61A are connected to each other.
Three cleaning caps 61 are mounted side by side so as to correspond to the plurality of inkjet heads (each head group 48) 22.

That is, one cap base (cap 1 shown) corresponds to the first head group 48-1 (and the third head group 48-3), and the second head group 48-2.
(And the fourth head group 48-4) corresponds to the other cap base (the illustrated cap 2) 61A. Also,
The pair of cap bases 61A, 61A are displaced in the Y-axis direction so as to correspond to two adjacent head groups (first and second head groups and third and fourth head groups) 48. ing. The lifting mechanism 62 lifts and lowers the pair of cap bases 61A, 61A integrally.

The first head group 48-
When the first and second head groups 48-2 face the pair of cap bases 61A, 61A of the cleaning unit 25, the elevating mechanism 62 is driven to drive the pair of cap bases 61.
The entire cleaning cap 61 is raised via A and 61A so as to be in close contact with the head unit 21. continue,
Each ink pump 63 is driven, and each ink jet head 2 of the first head group 48-1 and the second head group 48-2 is
The ink is sucked from 2 (cleaning).

Here, the lifting mechanism 62 is driven again to lower the entire cleaning cap 61, and the X / Y
The moving mechanism 23 is driven to move the third head group 48-3 and the fourth head group 48-4 of the head unit 21 in the Y-axis direction so as to face the pair of cap bases 61A, 61A. Then, the lifting of each cleaning cap 61 and the suction of the pump are performed, and the respective inkjet heads 2 of the third head group 48-3 and the fourth head group 48-4 are moved.
The ink suction (cleaning) of No. 2 is performed.

On the other hand, the ink sucked by each of the ink pumps 63 is led to the waste ink tank 53 through the ink tube 67. As described above, by appropriately moving the head unit 21 by the XY moving mechanism 23, the number of caps can be reduced, and the cleaning unit 25 can be made compact. In order to further reduce the number of caps, one of the cap bases (cap 2 in the drawing) 61A is omitted. In such a case, 4
Cleaning is completed by the suction of the pump twice. of course,
Although the number of times of pump suction increases, the cleaning unit 25 can be configured with one cleaning cap 61.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the suction table 6 includes a housing 71 fixed on the machine base 2, a suction plate 72 attached to the upper surface of the housing 71, and a lower side of the suction plate 72. , And a pair of suction fans 74, 74 connected to the suction chamber 73. The suction plate 72 is formed long in the direction in which the tape feed path 4 extends, and has a suction chamber 73 on its upper surface.
Are formed with a large number of suction holes 75 communicating with. Also,
The suction plate 72 is horizontally disposed, and the upper portion thereof is X ·
It faces in parallel with the inkjet head 22 that moves in the Y direction. That is, the printing tape A sucked on the upper surface of the suction plate 72 faces the ink jet head 22 in parallel with a predetermined space for ink ejection.

In this case, the pair of suction fans 74, 74 are connected to the controller 7, and are driven in synchronization with turning on the main power supply. In other words, when the printing tape A is stopped, the printing tape A is sucked even when the printing tape A is fed. In particular, the feeding of the printing tape A is performed against the suction force of the suction table 6. . Also,
The arrangement width of the large number of suction holes 75 in order to prevent the leakage of the suction air corresponds to the minimum width of the printing tape (tape width 50 mm) A. In addition, a pair of suction fans 7
The exhaust air of 4,74 may be guided to the tape feed path 4 on the downstream side of the suction table 6 to promote drying of the ink.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the tape feed mechanism 5 includes a paper feed roller 81 disposed downstream of the suction table 6 in the feed direction, a paper feed motor 82 for driving the paper feed roller 81 to rotate, and A tension roller 83 disposed upstream of the suction table 6 in the feed direction, and a pair of guide rollers 84 disposed adjacent to the upstream and downstream sides of the suction table 6. The paper feed roller 81 is
The drive roller 81a and the free roller 81b are opposed to each other with the print tape A interposed therebetween. A paper feed motor 82 is connected to the drive roller 81a.

Similarly, the tension roller 83 comprises a braking roller 83a and a free roller 83b opposed to each other with the printing tape A interposed therebetween, and a torque limiter 85 is mounted on the braking roller 83a. The pair of guide rollers 84, 84 are located before and after the suction table 6 (upstream and downstream), position the printing tape A in the width direction, and face the printing tape A horizontally on the suction table 6. I do. In such a configuration, when the paper feed motor 82 is driven, the printing tape A is fed with high precision while being stretched between the tension roller 83. Therefore, the portion of the printing tape A facing the suction table 6 is also horizontally sucked to the suction table 6 in a stretched and positioned state.

The paper feed roller 81 and the suction table 6
And a paper feed sensor 8 facing the tape feed path 4.
6 are provided. The paper feed sensor 86 and the paper feed motor 82 are connected to the controller 7, and the paper feed sensor 86 detects a mark C of the printing tape A, which will be described later. The drive of 82 (feed stop) is controlled. Thus, the feeding of the printing tape A, that is, the intermittent feeding in units of a printable area Aa described later is always performed with high accuracy.

The tape supply mechanism 8 and the tape take-up mechanism 9 are arranged before and after (upstream and downstream) in the tape feed direction with the machine base 2 interposed therebetween. The tape supply mechanism 8 rotates the print tape A by free rotation. The tape winding mechanism 9 is fed out and winds the printing tape A by forced rotation. The tape supply mechanism 8 has a supply case 91 and a spindle 92 that is wound in a roll shape and rotatably supports the printing tape (raw tape) A. It is preferable that the fed print tape A be loosely introduced into the tape feeding mechanism 5 in order to eliminate the influence (tension or skew) on the tape feeding mechanism 5.

The tape winding mechanism 9 includes a winding case 94.
And a winding shaft 95 provided in the winding case 94, and a winding motor 96 for winding the printing tape (printed tape) A via the winding shaft 95. Also in this case, it is preferable that the printing tape A to be wound has slack with the tape feeding mechanism 5 in order to eliminate the influence (tension and skew) on the tape feeding mechanism 5.

Next, the main control system constituted by the controller 7 and various printing methods will be described in detail. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 11, the control system of the printing apparatus 1 includes an input unit 101 for inputting image data created by an external device such as a personal computer by operating the operation panel 15, and a printing mechanism (head unit 2).
1, a printing unit 102 having an XY moving mechanism 23) 3 and a paper feed motor 82 for printing an image on a predetermined position of a print tape A, and various components including a printer driver and a paper feed driver , A detection unit 104 having a paper feed sensor 86, and a control unit (controller 7) 105 that controls each mechanism of the printing apparatus 1.

The control unit 105 includes a CPU 111 and a ROM 1
12, CG-ROM 113, RAM 114 and PC
ON 115 are connected to each other via a bus 116. The ROM 112 includes a CPU 111
And a control data area for storing control data including a character table, a color conversion table, and the like, in addition to a control program area for storing a control program to be processed in.
The CG-ROM 113 stores bitmap data of characters, symbols, figures, and the like, and outputs corresponding bitmap data when code data specifying characters and the like is given.

The RAM 114 stores an image data area for storing image data input from the outside, a print image data area for storing image data for printing, and each color (black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M ), Yellow (Y), light cyan (LC), and light magenta (LM)) and various register groups, and is used as a work area for control processing.

The P-CON 115 includes a logic circuit for supplementing the function of the CPU 111 and handling an interface signal with a peripheral circuit, such as a gate array or a custom LS.
I and so on. For this reason,
The P-CON 115 is connected to the operation panel 15, and takes in various commands and image data from the input unit 101 as they are or processes them to the bus 116. Also, P-CON
Reference numeral 115 interlocks with the CPU 111 and outputs the data and control signals output from the CPU 111 and the like to the bus 116 to the drive unit 103 as they are or after processing.

With the above configuration, the CPU 111 operates the PC in accordance with the control program in the ROM 112.
Various detection signals, various commands, various data, and the like are input via the ON 115, and bit map data from the CG-ROM 113, various data in the RAM 114, and the like are processed.
A control signal is output to the drive unit 103 via the CON 115. Thereby, the printing mechanism 3 and the paper feed motor 8
2 is controlled to control the entire printing apparatus, such as performing image printing and tape feeding on the printing tape A under predetermined printing conditions.

For example, when the input image data is color, the color image data is stored for each color in the color conversion buffer in the RAM 114, and the three inkjet heads 22 are controlled according to the control program in the ROM 112. Specifically, the first head 2 based on the data read from the black (K) and cyan (C) buffers.
2-1 based on the data read from the magenta (M) and yellow (Y) buffers.
2 and the third head 22-3 based on the data read from the light cyan (LC) and light magenta (LM) buffers.

Here, an image printing method will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 12. This printing device 1
First, the tape feed mechanism 5 is driven to feed the portion of the print tape A to be printed, that is, the printable area Aa onto the suction table 6. In this state, the suction table 6 is being driven, and the printable area Aa of the printing tape A that has stopped feeding is sucked by the suction table 6 and is held immovably. Subsequently, the XY moving mechanism 23 is driven to move the head unit 21 in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction (see FIG. 4), and ink is ejected from each inkjet head 22 of the head unit 21 to form an image. Is printed.

In printing an image, a plurality of label portions as unit images B are provided with a gap (non-print portion Ab) therebetween.
A desired number of unit images B are printed on the printing tape A by repeating printing and feeding the printing tape A. Also, together with this unit image B,
A mark C for indicating the position of each unit image B is also printed. Then, when the printing of the unit image B and the mark C on the printable area Aa is completed, the XY moving mechanism 23 stops, and then the tape feed mechanism 5 is driven to move the next printable area Aa to the suction table. 6 is introduced. Here, the XY moving mechanism 23 is driven again to move the head unit 21 in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction toward the original printing start position P1 while discharging the images (unit images B and Mark C) is printed (FIG. 4)
reference).

As described above, while the printing tape A is held on the suction table 6, printing on one printable area Aa by the main scanning and sub-scanning of the head unit 21 and the next printable area Aa are performed. Since an arbitrary number of labels are printed on the long printing tape A by repeating the feeding to the suction table 6, printing at the dot level can be performed with high accuracy, and the head unit 21 can be printed.
, The ratio of the acceleration / deceleration time to the actual printing time can be extremely reduced, and the waste time other than the actual printing can be extremely reduced. Therefore, the printing time can be reduced. In addition, the required number of labels can be printed without waste.

In the above embodiment, the head unit 21 is moved to the original printing start position P1 by the XY moving mechanism 23 while the printing tape A is being fed, so that printing is always performed from the printing start position P1. You may make it start. Alternatively, the printing of the unit image B and the printing of the mark C may be performed separately, and the printing operation of the mark C may be performed while the printing tape A is being sent. That is, a portion where an image is printed in the printable area Aa (image print area AB)
Where mark C is printed outside mark (mark print area A
C) is set (see FIG. 12A), the head unit 21 is moved to a portion where the mark C is printed, and
In this state, the mark C is printed when the print tape A is sent.

In this mark printing method, the main scanning is performed by feeding the printing tape A, and the feeding time of the printing tape A, which is originally a printing pause time, is sent to a mark printing that does not require a relatively high resolution. It is a crap. Therefore, the printing time can be shortened as a whole. In this case, if the mark printing is performed at a lower resolution than the image printing, the printing tape A can be fed relatively quickly.

FIG. 12 shows the result of printing on one printable area Aa of the print tape. In FIG. 1A, a plurality of unit images (labels) B are printed with a predetermined gap in the extending direction of the printing tape A, and a large number of marks C are printed at equal intervals in parallel with this. ing. In FIG. 3B, a plurality of marks C are printed in correspondence with each unit image B. Mark C printed in this way
Is used to detect the position of the unit image B when half-cutting the printed tape later, and when the next printable area Aa is accurately sent to the suction table 6 as described above. Used. It is to be noted that the feeding of the printing tape A is performed such that the gap (the non-printing portion Ab) between the images is located at the boundary between one printable area Aa and the next printable area Aa. Not even.

On the other hand, FIGS. 7C and 7D show a case where the flushing of the ink jet head 22 is performed not on the storage unit 24 but on the print tape A. In FIG. 3C, one printable area A
When the printing of the unit image B and the mark C in “a” is completed, all the inkjet heads 22 are driven to perform ink ejection in the last gap (non-printing area Ab) as periodic flushing.

As described above, the end user uses only the half-cut label portion of the printing tape A,
Discard other parts. Therefore, flushing the non-printing portion Ab does not cause any trouble. Conversely, performing the regular flushing in such a form makes it possible to perform flushing for the flushing of the storage unit 24 as compared with the case of flushing the storage unit 24. The moving time of the head unit 21 is reduced, and the printing speed as a whole can be increased.

In FIG. 11D, the configuration is such that both the regular flushing and the printing of the mark C are performed. That is, the mark C is printed by discharging ink from all the inkjet heads 22 in the gap (non-printing area Ab) between adjacent unit images B. in this way,
By performing both regular flushing and printing of mark C,
Time loss for flushing can be reduced to zero, and the printing speed can be further increased.

The configuration in which the periodic flushing is performed on the printing tape (printing target) is also applicable to a general ink jet printer that sends the printing target in the sub-scanning direction while reciprocating the head unit in the main scanning direction. It goes without saying that it can be applied.

[0077]

As described above, according to the ink jet printing method and the ink jet printing apparatus of the present invention, the flushing of the ink jet head for discharging ink from all the nozzles and the mark printing are performed.
The printing pause time for flushing can be reduced to zero, and the printing speed can be increased accordingly.

Further, according to the other ink jet printing method and the ink jet printing apparatus of the present invention, since the regular flushing is performed on the non-printing area of the printing object, the head moving time for the regular flushing can be reduced. Printing speed can be increased accordingly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a moving operation of a head unit.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of a head unit.

FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of a head unit schematically shown.

FIG. 7 is a sectional structural view of a storage unit.

FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically showing a storage unit and a head unit.

FIG. 9 is a sectional structural view of a cleaning unit.

FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing a cleaning unit and a head unit.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a control system of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result by various printing methods.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 printing apparatus 2 machine base 3 printing mechanism 4 tape feeding path 5 tape feeding mechanism 6 suction table 7 controller 8 tape feeding mechanism 9 tape winding mechanism 21 head unit 22 inkjet head 23 XY moving mechanism 81 paper feeding roller 86 paper feeding Sensor A Print tape AB Image print area AC mark print area Aa Printable area Ab Non-printed part B Unit image C mark

Claims (14)

[Claims] An ink jet printing method for periodically performing flushing for discharging ink from all nozzles of an ink jet head in a series of printing operations, wherein an image and a position of the image are detected on an object to be printed. An ink-jet printing method, characterized in that when printing a mark, the printing of the mark is performed by discharging ink from all the nozzles. 2. The inkjet printing according to claim 1, wherein the printing of the image and the mark is performed while moving the inkjet head in a main scanning direction and feeding the print target in a sub scanning direction. Method. 3. The ink jet printing method according to claim 2, wherein the printing target is a tape-shaped continuous paper, and the printing target is sent in a direction in which the printing target extends during printing. 4. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the image and the mark are printed by moving the ink jet head in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction with respect to the print target. Printing method. 5. The printing method according to claim 1, wherein the printing target is a tape-shaped continuous paper, and printing is performed by setting an extending direction and a width direction of the printing target as a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction, respectively. Item 6. An inkjet printing method according to Item 4. 6. The printing target is a tape-shaped continuous paper, the extending direction and the width direction of the printing target are set to a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction, respectively, and the feeding of the printing target is stopped. The inkjet head is moved in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction to print the image, and after the printing of the image is completed, the printing target is sent in the extending direction while the inkjet head is not moved. 2. The printing of the mark while performing the printing.
3. The ink jet printing method according to 1. 7. An ink-jet printing method for printing on a printing object in which a print area for printing a label image and a non-print area where the image is not printed, wherein ink is ejected from all nozzles of an ink-jet head. An ink-jet printing method, wherein periodic flushing is performed on the non-printing area. 8. An ink jet head that prints an image and a mark for detecting the position of the image on a printing target and periodically performs flushing for discharging ink from all nozzles in a series of printing operations. Control means for controlling the driving of the ink jet head, wherein the control means causes the printing of the mark to be performed by discharging ink from all the nozzles. 9. A head moving mechanism for moving the ink-jet head in a main scanning direction, and an object feeding mechanism for feeding the printing object in a sub-scanning direction, wherein the control means includes the head moving mechanism and The method further comprises controlling the object feeding mechanism to move the inkjet head in the main scanning direction while feeding the printing object in the sub-scanning direction, thereby printing the image and the mark. Item 9. An inkjet printing apparatus according to Item 8. 10. The printing method according to claim 9, wherein the printing target is a tape-shaped continuous paper, and the target feeding mechanism feeds the printing target in a direction in which the printing target extends in printing. Ink jet printing device. 11. An X / Y moving mechanism for moving the ink jet head in a main scanning direction and a sub scanning direction,
The control unit further controls the XY movement mechanism to perform printing of the image and the mark while moving the inkjet head in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction with respect to a print target. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein
3. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1. 12. The printing object is a tape-shaped continuous paper, and the control unit causes printing to be performed by setting an extending direction and a width direction of the printing object as a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction, respectively. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: 13. A paper feed mechanism for feeding the printing target in a direction in which the printing target extends in a tape-shaped continuous paper; and a main scan in which the inkjet head is moved in a direction in which the printing target extends. An X / Y moving mechanism for moving in the sub-scanning direction that is a direction and a width direction, wherein the control unit further controls the paper feeding mechanism and the XY moving mechanism; And printing the image by moving the inkjet head in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. 9. The printing of the mark while feeding in the present direction.
3. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1. 14. An ink jet printing apparatus for printing on a printing target in which a print area for printing a label image and a non-print area for not printing the image are set, wherein the image is printed and an ink jet head is printed. An inkjet head that performs periodic flushing that ejects ink from all of the nozzles; and a control unit that controls driving of the inkjet head. The control unit performs the periodic flushing on the non-printing area. Characteristic inkjet printing equipment.