JP2008018693A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing apparatus which ejects ink to the exterior of a receiving part which receives the ink left besides a handling sheet, when performing edgeless printing, by depositing no ink in the receiving part. <P>SOLUTION: The printing apparatus comprises a nozzle which discharges ink, and a receiving part which receives ink which does not reach a medium out of inks discharged from the nozzle, and is characterized that a clearance which ejects the ink to the exterior of the receiving part using capillary action is prepared in the receiving part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

With the development of printing apparatuses such as inkjet printers that eject ink from nozzles and form dots on a medium for printing, a printing apparatus that can perform printing up to the border of the medium has been realized.
As a method for printing up to the edge of the medium, a method of discharging ink to the outside of the edge of the medium is known. According to this method, even if there is a variation in the position of the edge of the medium, printing is performed without margins. Ink that has not landed on the medium is received by an ink receiving portion provided with an absorbing material or the like. (See Patent Document 1)
JP 20022252531 A

  If the ink received by the ink receiving portion accumulates on the spot, the medium or the like may be soiled. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a discharge port or the like in the ink receiving portion and discharge the ink to the outside of the ink receiving portion. However, there is a problem that the ink in the ink receiving portion is not guided by the capillary phenomenon, but is led to a narrow gap formed between the side surface or bottom surface of the ink receiving portion and the absorbent material, and is accumulated inside the ink receiving portion. Occurred.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to discharge ink to the outside of the ink receiving portion without depositing ink in the ink receiving portion.

  A nozzle that ejects ink; and a receiving portion that receives ink that does not land on a medium among the ink ejected from the nozzle, and the receiving portion receives the ink by utilizing a capillary phenomenon. A printing apparatus, characterized in that a gap for discharging is provided outside.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

=== Summary of disclosure ===
At least the following will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

That is, a nozzle that ejects ink and a receiving portion that receives ink that does not land on a medium among the ink ejected from the nozzle, and the receiving portion receives the ink by utilizing capillary action. The printing apparatus is characterized in that a gap is provided outside the receiving portion.
According to such a printing apparatus, the ink is easily discharged to the outside of the receiving portion.

In this printing apparatus, the gap is provided on the bottom surface of the receiving portion.
According to such a printing apparatus, not only the capillary phenomenon but also the weight of the ink causes the ink to be easily discharged to the outside of the receiving portion.

In this printing apparatus, the plurality of nozzles are arranged in a predetermined direction, and the length of the gap in the predetermined direction is longer than the length of the gap in the direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction.
According to such a printing apparatus, the discarded ink is easily discharged to the outside of the receiving portion evenly. If the length of the gap in the direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction is longer than the predetermined direction (nozzle row direction), ink that has been discarded near the gap is likely to be discharged, but separated from the gap. Ink that has been thrown away at the location is less likely to be discharged.

In this printing apparatus, the gap is provided in a region where the ink lands on the receiving portion.
According to such a printing apparatus, the distance that the ink moves to the discharge port is short, and the ink is easily discharged to the outside of the receiving portion.

In this printing apparatus, the receiving portion includes a groove portion having a groove shape and an ink absorber, and the ink absorber is embedded in the groove portion, and the groove portion is parallel to an end portion of the medium. And the gap is provided in a region close to the side surface closer to the medium of the two side surfaces.
According to such a printing apparatus, it is possible to prevent ink from accumulating near the side surface on the medium side and soiling the medium.

In this printing apparatus, a part of the guide member that is in the form of a film is inserted into the gap.
According to such a printing apparatus, by providing the guide member in the gap, the ink in the gap is easily discharged out of the gap.

In this printing apparatus, a part of the guide member protrudes from the gap to the outside of the receiving portion.
According to such a printing apparatus, the ink in the gap is easily discharged out of the gap.

In this printing apparatus, an external discharge portion is provided outside the receiving portion at a position facing the gap, and a part of the guide member and the external discharge portion are in contact with each other.
According to such a printing apparatus, the ink discharged outside the gap is easily absorbed by the external discharge unit.

In this printing apparatus, the receiving portion includes a groove portion having a groove shape and an ink absorber, and the ink absorber is embedded in the groove portion and inserted into the gap of the guide member. The non-existing portion is provided between the bottom surface of the groove and the ink absorber, and at least a part of the guide member facing the ink absorber is opposed to the gap.
According to such a printing apparatus, ink is guided between the guide member provided on the bottom surface of the groove portion and the receiving portion by the capillary phenomenon, and the ink is easily guided to the gap.

In such a printing apparatus, at least a part of the ink absorber faces the bottom surface of the groove.
According to such a printing apparatus, the ink between the ink absorber and the guide member provided on the bottom surface of the groove portion is easily guided to the gap.

In such a printing apparatus, an end portion of the guide member facing the ink absorber is positioned on the gap.
According to such a printing apparatus, since the gap is not completely covered by the guide member, the ink between the ink absorber and the guide member provided on the bottom surface of the groove portion is easily discharged from the gap. .

In this printing apparatus, of the end portions of the guide member facing the ink absorber, the end portion on the opposite side to the end portion located on the gap is more than the end portion located on the gap. Is closer to the medium.
According to such a printing apparatus, the medium-side ink in the groove is easily guided to the gap by the guide member, so that the medium can be prevented from being stained.

In this printing apparatus, a plurality of the nozzles are arranged in a predetermined direction, and the length of the gap in the predetermined direction is longer than the length of the gap in the direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction, A part of the guide member facing the ink absorber includes a first guide part and a second guide part, and the first guide part and the second guide part are arranged in the predetermined direction, and the first guide part and The bottom surface of the groove portion between the second guide portions is opposed to the ink absorber.
According to such a printing apparatus, the ink between the ink absorber and the guide member provided on the bottom surface of the groove portion is easily guided to the gap.

In this printing apparatus, the guide member facing the ink absorber is a member through which ink can pass.
According to such a printing apparatus, the ink between the ink absorber and the guide member provided on the bottom surface of the groove portion is easily guided to the gap.

A nozzle that ejects ink; a receiving portion that receives ink that does not land on the medium out of the ink discharged from the nozzle; a guide member that is in the form of a film; and an external discharge portion outside the receiving portion. The plurality of nozzles are arranged in a predetermined direction, and the receiving portion has a groove portion and an ink absorber that are groove-shaped, and the ink absorber is embedded in the groove portion, and the receiving portion In the region where the ink lands on the bottom surface of the portion, a gap for discharging the ink to the outside of the receiving portion using a capillary phenomenon is provided, and the length of the gap in the predetermined direction is the height of the gap. The guide member is longer than a length in a direction perpendicular to a predetermined direction, and a part of the guide member is inserted into the gap, protrudes to the outside of the receiving portion from the gap, and is provided at a position facing the gap. In the external discharge section The portion of the guide member that is touched and not inserted in the gap is provided between the bottom surface of the groove and the ink absorber, and at least a portion of the ink absorber faces the bottom surface of the groove. Thus, it is possible to realize a printing apparatus in which the end portion of the guide member facing the ink absorber is positioned above the gap.
According to such a printing apparatus, since almost all the effects described above are exhibited, the object of the present invention is achieved most effectively.

A plurality of nozzles from which ink is ejected; and a receiving portion that receives ink that does not land on a medium among the ink ejected from the plurality of nozzles, wherein the plurality of nozzles are arranged in a predetermined direction, A gap for discharging the ink to the outside of the receiving portion is provided on the bottom surface of the receiving portion, and the length of the gap in the predetermined direction is longer than the length of the gap in the direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. Be a device.
According to such a printing apparatus, the discarded ink is easily discharged to the outside of the receiving portion evenly.

=== Components and Printing Procedure of Inkjet Printer ===
An embodiment of the present invention will be described using an inkjet printer as an example of a printing apparatus. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of the printer 50 of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of the printer 50. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the overall configuration of the printer 50. First, components of the printer 50 will be described. The printer 50 of this embodiment includes a transport unit 60, a carriage unit 70, a head unit 80, a detector group 90, and a controller 100.

  The transport unit 60 is for feeding paper (medium S) to a printable position and transporting the paper by a predetermined transport amount in a predetermined direction (hereinafter referred to as a transport direction) during printing. The transport unit 60 includes a paper feed roller 1, a transport motor 2, a transport roller 3, a platen 4, and a paper discharge roller 5. The paper feed roller 1 is a roller for automatically feeding the paper inserted into the paper insertion slot into the printer 50. The transport motor 2 is a motor for transporting paper in the transport direction. The transport roller 3 is a roller that transports the paper fed by the paper feed roller 1 to a printable area, and is driven by the transport motor 2. The platen 4 supports the paper being printed. The paper discharge roller 5 is a roller for discharging the printed paper to the outside of the printer. The paper discharge roller 5 rotates in synchronization with the transport roller 3.

  The carriage unit 70 is for moving the head 6 in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (hereinafter referred to as a moving direction). The carriage unit 70 includes a carriage 7 and a carriage motor 8. The carriage 7 can reciprocate in the moving direction. Thereby, the head 6 moves along the moving direction. Further, the carriage 7 detachably holds an ink cartridge 9 that stores ink. The carriage motor 8 is a motor for moving the carriage 7 in the movement direction.

  The head unit 80 is for ejecting ink onto paper. The head unit 80 has a head 6. The head 6 has a plurality of nozzles that are ink ejection portions, and ejects ink intermittently from each nozzle. Each nozzle is provided with a piezo element (not shown), which is a drive element for driving each nozzle to eject ink droplets. The head 6 is provided on the carriage 7. Therefore, when the carriage 7 moves in the movement direction, the head 6 also moves in the movement direction. Then, by intermittently ejecting ink while the head 6 is moving in the moving direction, dot rows (raster lines) along the moving direction are formed on the paper.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of nozzles on the lower surface (nozzle surface) of the head 6. A yellow ink nozzle row Y, a magenta ink nozzle row M, a cyan ink nozzle row C, and a black ink nozzle row K are formed on the lower surface of the head 6. Each nozzle row includes 180 nozzles that are ejection openings for ejecting ink of each color. Out of the 180 nozzles, the lower nozzles are assigned with lower numbers (# i = # 1 to # 180). In addition, the nozzles of each nozzle row are aligned at a constant interval D along the transport direction.

  The detector group 90 includes a linear encoder 10, a rotary encoder 11, a paper detection sensor 12, an optical sensor 13, and the like. The linear encoder 10 is for detecting the position of the carriage 7 in the moving direction. The rotary encoder 11 is for detecting the rotation amount of the transport roller 3. The paper detection sensor 12 is for detecting the position of the leading edge of the paper to be printed. The paper detection sensor 12 is provided at a position where the position of the leading edge of the paper can be detected while the paper feed roller 1 feeds the paper toward the transport roller 3. The optical sensor 13 is attached to the carriage 7. The optical sensor 13 detects the presence or absence of paper by the light receiving unit detecting reflected light of light irradiated on the paper from the light emitting unit. The optical sensor 13 detects the position of the edge of the paper while being moved by the carriage 7. Further, the optical sensor 13 is substantially at the same position as the nozzle # 180 on the most upstream side of the head 6 with respect to the position in the transport direction.

  The controller 100 is a control unit for controlling the printer 50. The controller 100 includes an interface unit 101, a CPU 102, a memory 103, and a unit control circuit 104. The interface unit 101 is for transmitting and receiving data between the computer 110 which is an external device and the printer 50. The CPU 102 is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire printer 50. The memory 103 is used to secure an area for storing a program of the CPU 102, a work area, and the like, and includes storage means such as a RAM and an EEPROM. The CPU 102 has a unit control circuit according to a program stored in the memory 103 and controls each unit.

  Next, a printing procedure will be described. First, the controller 100 receives a print command and print data from the computer 110 as an external device via the interface unit 101. Then, the controller 100 analyzes the contents of various commands included in the received print data and controls each unit (conveyance unit 60, carriage unit 70, head unit 80).

  Then, the controller 100 supplies the paper to be printed into the printer 50 and positions the paper at a print start position (also referred to as a cue position). The paper feed roller 1 is rotated, and the paper to be printed is sent to the transport roller 3. Then, the controller 100 rotates the transport roller 3 to position the paper fed from the paper feed roller 1 at the print start position. When the paper is positioned at the print start position, at least some of the nozzles of the head 6 are opposed to the paper.

  When the paper is positioned at the print start position, the controller 100 moves the carriage 7 in the movement direction. Then, the controller 100 intermittently ejects ink from the nozzles based on the print data while the carriage 7 is moving. As a result, a dot row composed of a plurality of dots along the moving direction is formed on the paper. When the carriage 7 moves once in the movement direction, the paper is transported by the transport unit 60. By this carrying operation, the head 6 can form dots at positions different from the positions where dots are already formed. The controller 100 alternately repeats the dot formation operation by the movement of the head 6 and the paper transport operation until there is no more data to be printed, and gradually prints the image on the paper. When there is no more data to be printed, the controller 100 rotates the paper discharge roller 5 to discharge the paper and finish printing.

=== Borderless printing ===
As printing methods for printing certain image data, there are “bordered printing” in which there is a margin at the edge of the paper and “borderless printing” in which printing is performed so that there is no margin at the edge of the paper. Here, for the sake of explanation, the bordered printing is a printing method having a margin on all four sides of the paper, and the borderless printing is a printing method having no margin on all four sides of the paper. Actually, various printing can be performed depending on the setting, such as printing with no margins at the top and bottom of the paper.

  Now, in the case of bordered printing, the printed image is smaller than the paper, and a margin is formed at the edge of the paper. Therefore, when the image instructed to be printed is larger than the paper, the computer 110 needs to exclude a part of the image to be printed from the print target or reduce the image to be printed. On the other hand, in the case of borderless printing, a region where ink is ejected is larger than paper, and no margin is formed at the edge of the paper. Therefore, the computer 110 enlarges the image instructed to be printed to be larger than the size of the paper, and causes the image to be printed out of the paper. When there are variations in paper dimensions or errors in the paper feed position, cueing position, and transport amount, it is difficult to specify the position of the paper edge. Therefore, by printing out of the paper, even if there is a variation in the position of the edge of the paper, it is possible to avoid a margin.

  Further, in order to perform borderless printing, it is necessary to eject ink to a position outside the edge of the paper. Furthermore, an ink receiving portion (described later) for receiving the ink discharged to the outside of the paper is required. Then, it is necessary to prevent the paper and the head 6 from being stained by the ink ejected to the outside of the paper.

=== Ink receiving portion: Comparative example ===
In the following, an ink receiving portion that receives ink discarded outside the edge of the paper when performing borderless printing will be described. Before describing the ink receiving portion used in the present embodiment, first, an ink receiving portion for comparison with the present embodiment will be described.

<Ink receiving part: Comparative example 1>
First, the configuration of the ink receiving portion will be described. FIG. 5 b is a perspective view of the platen 4. For explanation, the platen 4 is divided into three areas in the transport direction. In the upstream region on the most upstream side in the transport direction, the convex portion 4A and the groove portion (concave portion) 4B are arranged in the moving direction. The convex portion 4A is raised upward from the groove portion 4B, and the convex portion 4A supports the printing paper so that the printing paper faces the nozzle surface of the head 6. The groove 4B serves as an ink receiving portion for ink that is discarded outside the paper during borderless printing. Further, the convex portions 4A and the groove portions 4B are arranged in accordance with a standard size (postcard size, A4 size, etc.) paper. This is because the position of the edge of the paper changes depending on the size of the paper, and the position at which ink is discarded during borderless printing also changes.

  And the groove part 4B and the discharge port 16 are provided in the midstream area which is downstream from the upstream area. The upstream half of the midstream region is the groove 4B. The groove 4B serves as an ink receiving portion for ink that is discarded during borderless printing at the upper and lower ends (upstream and downstream in the transport direction) of the paper. A discharge port 16, which is a square hole, is provided on the bottom surface of the downstream half of the midstream region of the platen 4. A plurality of discharge ports 16 are arranged side by side in the movement direction. The discharge port 16 passes through the bottom surface of the platen 4. The ink discarded in the ink receiving portion is discharged from the discharge port 16 to the outside of the platen 4. The most downstream area is a convex portion 4A for supporting paper.

  FIG. 5 a is a perspective view of the ink absorber 14. The ink absorber 14 is embedded in the groove 4 </ b> B of the platen 4. The upstream part of the ink absorber 14 shown in FIG. 5 a is embedded in the groove part 4 B in the upstream area of the platen 4. The midstream portion of the ink absorber 14 is embedded in the groove portion 4B in the upstream half of the midstream area of the platen 4. The downstream portion of the ink absorber 14 has an arrow shape. The downstream portion of the ink absorber 14 is passed through the discharge port 16 and taken out of the platen 4. Then, the vertex of the arrow of the ink absorber 14 is directed downward with respect to the platen 4. In this way, the ink absorber 14 is installed on the platen 4. As described above, the platen groove 4B is an ink receiving part, but the ink absorber 14 embedded in the platen groove 4B is also an ink receiving part. That is, the combination of the platen groove 4B and the ink absorber 14 is an ink receiving portion.

  Next, the flow of ink discarded in the ink receiving portion will be described. FIG. 6 a is a cross-sectional view of the platen 4, the ink absorber 14, the waste ink absorber 15, and the head 6, and shows a state of borderless printing. FIG. 6 a is a cross-sectional view of the upstream region of the platen 4. FIG. 6 b is a view of the platen 4, the ink absorber 14, and the head 6 as seen from above. FIG. 6 c is also a sectional view of the platen 4, the ink absorber 14, the head 6, and the waste ink absorber 15. However, FIG. 6A is a sectional view in the moving direction, whereas FIG. 6C is a sectional view in the transport direction. FIG. 6C shows a state of borderless printing on the upper and lower ends (upstream and downstream in the transport direction) of the paper.

  In FIG. 6a, in order to print the left end of the paper S without a margin, the ink is ejected to the outside of the left end of the paper. Here, an area where paper is present is defined as a print area (area a). A region where ink that does not land on the paper lands in the ink receiving portion is defined as a leakage region (region b). The ink discarded in the spilled area first lands on the ink absorber 14 and is absorbed by the ink absorber 14. A porous material such as a sponge is used for the ink absorber 14. The sponge is composed of fibers entangled in a mesh shape and has excellent water absorption. However, since some inks have low permeability or easily coagulate, the ink absorber 14 is moistened with a moisturizing agent to prevent evaporation of water contained in the ink, and the ink absorber 14 has an ink inside. Easy to penetrate. Then, the ink absorbed by the ink absorber 14 is discharged from the discharge port 16 to the outside of the ink receiving portion (platen 4) through the ink absorber 14. Below the platen 4, an external discharge unit that receives ink discharged from the ink receiving unit is provided. In the present embodiment, the waste ink absorber 15 is used as the external discharge portion. Similar to the ink absorber 14, the waste ink absorber 15 is a sponge-like material and absorbs ink. The ink discharged from the discharge port 16 is finally absorbed by the discharged ink absorber 15. Further, since the waste ink absorber 15 is provided under the platen 4, even if the ink solidifies and accumulates in the waste ink absorber 15, the paper, the head 6 and the like are not soiled.

  By the way, the platen groove 4B and the ink absorber 14 which are ink receiving portions are composed of two objects of different materials. For this reason, the platen groove 4B and the ink absorber 14 are not in close contact with each other, and a slight gap is generated. FIG. 6 d is a diagram illustrating the gap 17 between the groove 4 </ b> B and the ink absorber 14. The gap 17 between the platen groove 4B and the ink absorber 14 is shown in black in the same sectional view as FIG. 6a. The ink absorbed by the ink absorber 14 is guided to the gap 17 between the platen groove 4B and the ink absorber 14 by capillary action. Then, the discarded ink is accumulated in the gap 17 without being discharged from the discharge port 16 through the ink absorber 14. As time passes, the ink accumulated in the gap 17 is solidified. That is, ink is likely to be deposited near the bottom and side surfaces of the groove 4B of the platen. The ink deposited on the ink receiving portion causes the paper, the head 6 and the like to become dirty. That is, in the first comparative example, there is a problem in that ink discarded during borderless printing is discharged from the ink receiving unit without being deposited on the ink receiving unit.

<Ink receiving part: Comparative example 2>
FIG. 7 a is a cross-sectional view of the platen 4, the ink absorber 14, the head 6, and the waste ink absorber 15 used in Comparative Example 2, and shows a state of borderless printing. FIG. 7 a is a cross-sectional view of the upstream region of the platen 4. Then, as in FIG. 6a of Comparative Example 1, in order to print the left edge of the paper without a margin, ink is ejected to the outside of the left edge of the paper. FIG. 7b is a view of the platen 4 and the head 6 as viewed from above (excluding the ink absorber 14).

  The platen 4 used in Comparative Example 1 is provided with a discharge port 16 in the groove portion 4B in the midstream region (FIG. 5b). In this comparative example 2, the platen 4 having a further increased discharge port is used. A discharge port 162 having a square shape is provided in the groove 4 </ b> B in the upstream area of the platen 4. For the sake of explanation, a discharge port common to the discharge port 16 of the platen 4 of Comparative Example 1 is referred to as a first discharge port 161. And the discharge port which only the platen 4 of the comparative example 2 has is set as the second discharge port 162. The ink absorber 14 is the same as in Comparative Example 1. The upstream portion and the midstream portion of the ink absorber 14 are embedded in the groove 4 </ b> B of the platen 4, and the tip of the ink absorber 14 is discharged from the first discharge port 161 to the outside of the platen 4. That is, the combination of the platen groove portion 4B provided with the first discharge port 161 and the second discharge port 162 and the ink absorber 14 is an ink receiving portion in the comparative example 2. The second discharge port 162 is provided in the leakage region. The length of the side in the movement direction and the conveyance direction of the second discharge port 162 is equal to the width in the movement direction of the breakthrough region. Moreover, the position of the 2nd discharge port 162 in the conveyance direction is provided in the position which can oppose the nozzle of the center part among the nozzles arranged in a conveyance direction. That is, the second discharge port 162 is not located at a position where the upstream and downstream nozzles can face each other among the nozzles that discard ink during borderless printing. Note that ink discarded during borderless printing of the left and right edges of the paper is mainly discharged from the second discharge port 162. The ink discarded during borderless printing at the upper and lower ends of the paper is discharged mainly from the first discharge port 161 through the ink absorber 14.

  By the way, during the borderless printing of the left and right edges of the paper, the ink absorbed by the ink absorber 14 finally drops from the second discharge port 162 and is absorbed by the discharged ink absorber 15 below the platen 4. The By doing so, the paper and the head 6 are not soiled. However, a certain amount of ink is required in order for the ink in the ink absorber 14 to be separated from the ink absorber 14 and dropped onto the discharged ink absorber 15 from the second discharge port 162. However, the amount of ink that is discarded in the struck region by a single head scan is very small, and it takes time until a certain amount of ink is collected. As a result, there is a possibility that the ink discarded in the initial stage is solidified in the ink absorber 14 before the ink amount to be dropped is collected. As a result, ink is deposited in the ink absorber 14. Further, as described in Comparative Example 1, the ink absorbed by the ink absorber 14 is guided to the gap formed between the platen groove 4B and the ink absorber 14 by capillary action. The ink solidifies and accumulates while accumulating in the gap.

  In addition, the length of the second discharge port 162 in the transport direction is shorter than the length of the nozzle row extending in the transport direction. Therefore, the ink that has been discarded away from the second discharge port 162 is solidified and accumulated between the ink absorber 14 and the groove 4B of the platen before reaching the second discharge port 162. . In Comparative Example 2, there is a high possibility that the ink discarded from the upstream and downstream nozzles will accumulate on the upstream side and downstream side of the groove 4B of the platen.

  As described above, the ink deposits in the ink absorber 14 or in the gap between the platen groove 4B and the ink absorber 14, thereby causing the paper, the head 6, and the like to become dirty. That is, in Comparative Example 2, there is a problem in that ink discarded during borderless printing is discharged from the ink receiving unit without being deposited on the ink receiving unit. Another problem is that the abandoned ink is not easily discharged or difficult to discharge depending on the location, and is uniformly discharged to the outside of the receiving portion.

=== Ink receiving portion: Embodiment 1 ===
<Ink receiving portion: usage example 1 of this embodiment>
FIG. 8 a is a cross-sectional view of the platen 4, the ink absorber 14, the head 6, and the waste ink absorber 15. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the upstream area of the platen, and shows a state of borderless printing at the left end of the paper. FIG. 8b is a view of the platen 4 and the head 6 as viewed from above (excluding the ink absorber 14). In this usage example 1, instead of the second discharge port 162 provided in the platen 4 used in the comparative example 2, the third discharge port 163 is provided on the bottom surface of the platen groove portion 4B. Unlike the second discharge port 162, the third discharge port 163 is a discharge port that extends long in the transport direction from the groove portion 4B in the upstream area of the platen 4 to the groove portion 4B in the middle flow area. The length of the side of the third discharge port 163 in the transport direction is substantially equal to the length of the nozzle rows arranged in the transport direction. The third discharge port 163 is provided in the hitting area. The length of the side in the movement direction of the third discharge port 163 is shorter than the length of the side in the movement direction of the second discharge port 162. In other words, the third discharge port 163 is a narrow gap such as a slit. The ink absorber 14 is the same as in Comparative Example 2. The upstream portion and the midstream portion of the ink absorber 14 are embedded in the groove 4 </ b> B of the platen 4, and the tip of the ink absorber 14 is discharged from the first discharge port 161 to the outside of the platen 4. A combination of the platen groove 4B provided with the first discharge port 161 and the third discharge port 163 and the ink absorber 14 is an ink receiving portion in the first use example.

  By the way, the ink discarded during borderless printing on the left and right edges of the paper passes through the third discharge port 163 and is absorbed by the discharged ink absorber 15 below the platen 4. By doing so, the paper and the head 6 are not soiled. That is, both the comparative example 2 and the usage example 1 are the same in that the ink absorbed by the ink absorber 14 is discharged from the discharge port provided on the bottom surface of the groove 4B. However, unlike the comparative example 2, the usage example 1 uses the capillary phenomenon to discharge the ink in the ink absorber 14 from the third discharge port 163 to the discharged ink absorber 15. As described in Comparative Example 1, the ink in the ink absorber 14 is guided to the narrow gap between the platen groove 4B and the ink absorber 14 by capillary action. Similarly, the ink in the ink absorber 14 is guided to a narrow gap (third discharge port 163) provided on the bottom surface of the groove 4B by capillary action. In other words, the length of the third discharge port 163 in the moving direction, the length in the vertical direction, and the like are determined so that the ink can be discharged out of the ink receiving portion using the capillary phenomenon. The ink in the ink receiving portion is finally discharged from the ink receiving portion and absorbed by the waste ink absorber 15. Further, when the ink in the third discharge port 163 is discharged to the outside, the ink between the groove portion 4B and the ink absorber 14 is drawn to the third discharge port 163 by the amount of the discharged ink. In this manner, ink discarded during borderless printing can be discharged from the ink receiving portion without being deposited on the ink receiving portion.

  In summary, in order to facilitate the discharge of ink, a large hole is not provided as in the second discharge port 162 of Comparative Example 2, but conversely, it is as thin as the third discharge port 163 of Use Example 1. By providing the gap, it becomes possible to easily discharge the ink out of the ink receiving portion using the capillary phenomenon. Moreover, the 3rd discharge port 163 is extended long in the conveyance direction along the nozzle row. Therefore, ink discarded from the upstream and downstream nozzles of the nozzle row does not accumulate. That is, by making the length in the transport direction longer than the length of the third discharge port 163 in the moving direction, the discarded ink can be easily discharged to the outside of the receiving portion regardless of the discarded location. Become.

  FIG. 8c shows a state of borderless printing on the upper end of the paper. In order to print the upper end of the paper without a margin, ink is ejected to the outside of the upper end of the paper. When performing borderless printing on the upper edge of the paper, the groove portion 4B and the ink absorber 14 in the middle flow area of the platen 4 serve as an ink receiving portion. When performing borderless printing on the lower end of the paper, the groove 4B and the ink absorber 14 in the middle flow area of the platen 4 serve as the ink receiving portion. The ink discarded during borderless printing at the upper end (or lower end) of the paper is discharged from the first discharge port 161 through the ink absorber 14. Further, the length in the moving direction of the groove 4B in the midstream region of the platen 4 is longer than the width of the printable paper in the moving direction. That is, borderless printing on the upper end (or lower end) of the paper is completed by one movement of the head 6 in the movement direction (hereinafter referred to as scanning). In contrast, borderless printing on the left and right edges of the paper is completed by scanning the head a plurality of times while transporting the paper. For this reason, the amount of ink discarded during borderless printing at the upper and lower ends of the paper is smaller than the amount of ink discarded during borderless printing at the left and right edges of the paper. Therefore, although there is a possibility that the ink is deposited on the borderless printing ink receiving portions at the upper and lower ends of the paper, the ink can be deposited as compared with the borderless printing ink receiving portions at the left and right ends of the paper. There is little nature. That is, there is no problem even if a discharge port such as the third discharge port 163 is not provided on the bottom surface of the groove 4B in the middle flow area of the platen 4 in order to discharge ink that is discarded during borderless printing of the upper and lower ends. In the case of high-quality printing or the like, borderless printing at the upper end (or lower end) requires scanning of the head a plurality of times instead of once. However, even in such a case, the number of scans of the head in borderless printing at the upper and lower ends is smaller than the number of scans of the head in borderless printing at the left and right ends.

<Ink receiving portion: use example 2 of this embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the platen 4, the ink absorber 14, the head 6, and the waste ink absorber 15. This sectional view is a sectional view of the upstream area of the platen 4 and shows a state of borderless printing at the left end of the paper. By the way, of the side surfaces of the platen groove 4B, there are two surfaces perpendicular to the moving direction. The two are a side surface on the printing area side (right side in FIG. 9) and a side surface opposite to the printing area side (left side in FIG. 9). In order to perform borderless printing on the left edge of the paper, the left edge (edge) of the paper is positioned on the platen groove 4B. Therefore, these two side surfaces are surfaces parallel to the left end (left side) of the paper and are surfaces perpendicular to the surface of the paper. The side surface on the printing area side is closer to paper than the side surface on the opposite side to the printing area side. In the usage example 2, the third discharge port 163 is provided near the side surface closer to the paper. That is, in the usage example 1 and the usage example 2, the positions where the third discharge ports 163 are provided are different.

  As described in the first use example, the ink discarded during the borderless printing is guided to the third discharge port 163 by the capillary phenomenon, and finally, is discharged to the discharged ink absorber 15 below the platen 4. Absorbed. By doing so, the paper, the head 6 and the like are not soiled without the ink being deposited on the ink receiving portion.

  By the way, as described in Comparative Example 1, the ink absorbed by the ink absorber 14 is guided to the gap formed between the groove portion 4B of the platen and the ink absorber 14 by capillary action. If the ink in this gap solidifies and accumulates, the head 6 and paper will be soiled. Even if ink is deposited between the bottom surface of the platen groove 4B and the ink absorber 14, there is little possibility that the head 6 or paper is soiled, but the side surface of the platen groove 4B and the ink absorber 14 If ink accumulates in the meantime, the head 6 or paper is surely soiled. Further, the side where the ink is deposited between the side of the printing region side (right side in FIG. 9) of the platen groove 4B and the ink absorber 14 is the side of the groove 4B opposite to the printing region side (left side in FIG. 9). The ink is more likely to be stained than the ink is deposited between the ink absorber 14 and the ink absorber 14.

  Therefore, as in use example 2, the third discharge port 163 is provided near the side surface on the printing area side of the groove portion 4B of the platen, so that the side surface on the printing area side of the groove portion 4B of the platen and the ink absorber 14 are provided. The ink is easily discharged from the third discharge port 163. As a result, it becomes difficult for ink to accumulate between the side surface on the printing region side of the groove 4B of the platen and the ink absorber 14, and the possibility of soiling the paper can be reduced.

=== Ink receiving portion: Embodiment 2 ===
In the first embodiment, a gap (third discharge port 163) is provided on the bottom surface of the groove 4B of the platen so that the capillary phenomenon works. By doing so, the ink could be discharged from the ink receiving portion without depositing ink in the ink receiving portion. In the second embodiment, a guiding member is further provided so that the ink is easily discharged from the ink receiving portion. In the following examples, description will be made using the ink receiving portion (ink absorber 14 and platen groove 4B) of the first usage example described in the first embodiment. That is, a narrow gap (third discharge port 163) through which ink is guided by capillary action is provided on the bottom surface of the platen groove 4B.

<Induction member addition: Shape example 1>
FIG. 10 a is a perspective view of the first guide member 18. The material of the guide member is a non-absorbable material such as PET, polyethylene, or polypropylene, and the surface is smooth. In addition, the guide member is in the form of a film and is as thin as paper. The first guide member 18 used in this shape example 1 has a shape in which two rectangular guide members are combined like a T-shape.

  FIG. 10 b is a cross-sectional view of the ink absorber 14, the platen groove 4 </ b> B, the waste ink absorber 15, and the first guide member 18. FIG. 10 b is a cross-sectional view of the upstream region of the platen 4. An upper surface 18A of the first guide member is provided on the bottom surface of the platen groove 4B. The ink absorber 14 is provided on the upper surface 18A of the first guide member. That is, the upper surface 18A of the first guide member is in a state provided between the ink absorber 14 and the bottom surface of the groove 4B. Then, the side surface 18 </ b> B of the first guide member is inserted into the third discharge port 163. Further, the length in the vertical direction of the side surface 18B of the first guide member is longer than the vertical direction of the third discharge port 163. Therefore, the side surface 18 </ b> B of the first guide member protrudes from the lower surface of the platen 4 and is in contact with the waste ink absorber 15 provided at the lower part of the platen 4.

  FIG. 10c is a view of the platen 4 and the upper surface 18A of the first guide member as seen from above. In addition, the 3rd discharge port 163 hidden under the upper surface 18A of the 1st guide member is shown with the broken line. Further, the length in the transport direction of the upper surface 18A and the side surface 18B of the first guide member extends long in the transport direction, like the third discharge port 163. The length of the upper surface 18A of the first guide member in the moving direction is shorter than the length of the ink absorber 14 in the moving direction. That is, the bottom surface of the groove portion 4B of the platen is divided into a region where the bottom surface of the groove portion 4B and the upper surface 18A of the first guide member are opposed to each other, and a region where the bottom surface of the groove portion 4B and the ink absorber 14 are opposed.

  Next, the flow of ink in the ink receiver (ink absorber 14 and platen groove 4B) will be described. The arrows depicted in FIG. 10b indicate the flow of ink in the ink receiver. The ink absorbed by the ink absorber 14 is first guided to a narrow gap between the ink absorber 14 and the groove 4B of the platen by capillary action. Next, the ink is guided between the upper surface 18A of the first guide member and the bottom surface of the groove portion 4B of the platen by capillary action. Since the top surface 18A of the first guide member faces the third discharge port 163, the ink between the top surface 18A of the first guide member and the bottom surface of the groove 4B of the platen is guided to the third discharge port 163. Then, the ink is guided into the third discharge port 163 by capillary action. Thereafter, the ink is discharged out of the ink receiving portion from the third discharge port 163 along the side surface 18B of the first guide member. When the ink in the third discharge port 163 is discharged to the outside, the ink such as between the groove 4B and the ink absorber 14 is drawn to the third discharge port 163 by the amount of the discharged ink. That is, in shape example 1, by guiding the ink between the upper surface 18A of the first guide member and the bottom surface of the groove portion 4B by the capillary phenomenon, it is easier to guide the ink to the third discharge port 163 than in use example 1. . However, the ink between the ink absorber 14 and the upper surface 18A of the first guide member cannot pass through the upper surface 18A of the first guide member. Therefore, first, the ink between the ink absorber 14 and the upper surface 18A of the first guide member is guided between the ink absorber 14 and the bottom surface of the groove 4B. And it discharges | emits from the 3rd discharge port 163 through between the upper surface 18A of a 1st guide member, and the bottom face of the groove part 4B. Therefore, if the length in the moving direction of the upper surface 18A of the first guide member is made too long, the ink between the ink absorber 14 and the upper surface 18A of the first guide member goes around and passes through the third discharge port 163. Will be discharged.

  Further, the ink outlet portion of the third discharge port 163 is a free surface of ink, and surface tension acts on the free surface. Therefore, in order to discharge ink from the third discharge port 163, a certain amount of ink is required as a force for pushing out the ink. By the way, in the first usage example, no guide member is used, whereas in the first shape example, the first guide member 18 is inserted into the third discharge port 163. The width in the moving direction of the free surface of the ink at the exit portion of the third discharge port 163 in Usage Example 1 in which the guide member is not inserted is equal to the distance between the left side surface and the right side surface of the third discharge port 163. The width in the movement direction of the free surface of the ink at the outlet portion of the third discharge port 163 in Shape Example 1 is equal to the distance between the left side (or right side) side of the third discharge port 163 and the side surface 18B of the first guide member. That is, the width of the free surface of the ink formed at the outlet portion of the third discharge port 163 is narrower in the shape example 1 than in the usage example 1. As a result, the surface tension acting on the free surface of the ink formed on the third discharge port 163 of the shape example 1 is more than the surface tension acting on the free surface of the ink formed on the third discharge port 163 of use example 1. Becomes smaller. In other words, in the first shape example, by inserting the side surface 18B of the first guide member into the third discharge port 163, it is easier to discharge the ink in the third discharge port 163 to the outside of the third discharge port 163 than in the first use example. is doing.

  Furthermore, since the side surface 18B of the first guide member protrudes from the lower surface of the platen 4, the ink near the outlet of the third discharge port 163 is discharged along the side surface 18B of the first guide member. Rather than dropping ink from the third discharge port 163 as in Use Example 1, the ink in the third discharge port 163 is more aligned with the side surface 18B of the first guide member as in Shape Example 1. 3 It becomes easy to be discharged out of the discharge port 163. That is, in the first shape example, the side 18B of the first guide member protrudes from the lower surface of the platen, so that the ink in the third discharge port 163 can be easily discharged out of the third discharge port 163.

  The ink discharged from the third discharge port 163 is ultimately desired to be absorbed by the discharged ink absorber 15 so as not to stain the paper, the head 6 and the like. Therefore, in the shape example 1, the side surface 18B of the first guide member is brought into contact with the waste ink absorber 15. Suppose that the side surface 18B of the first guide member is not in contact with the waste ink absorber 15. Then, the ink discharged from the third discharge port 163 along the side surface 18B of the first guide member needs to be dropped from the first guide member 18 and absorbed by the discharged ink absorber 15. For that purpose, a certain amount of ink is required. On the other hand, in shape example 1, since the ink discharged from the third discharge port 163 is guided to the discharged ink absorber 15 along the first guide member 18, it is necessary to drop the ink from the first guide member 18. Therefore, even with a small amount of ink, the waste ink absorber 15 can absorb the ink.

  In summary, in the first shape example, the first guide member 18 is provided in the shape example 1 so that the ink in the ink receiving portion can be more easily guided to the third discharge port 163 than in the first use example. Thus, the discharged ink is easily absorbed by the discharged ink absorber 15. However, the shape example 1 is more expensive than the use example 1 because the number of parts increases by the amount of the first guide member 18.

<Addition of guide member: Shape example 2>
FIG. 11 a is a perspective view of the second guide member 19. The second guide member 19 has a shape obtained by folding a rectangular guide member into an inverted L shape. In shape example 2, two second guide members 19 are used. Similarly to the first guide member 18, the length of the upper surface 19A and the side surface 19B of the second guide member in the transport direction extends long in the transport direction.

  FIG. 11 b is a cross-sectional view of the ink absorber 14, the platen groove 4 </ b> B, the waste ink absorber 15, and the second guide member 19. FIG. 11 b is a cross-sectional view of the groove 4 </ b> B in the upstream area of the platen 4. The left second guide member 19 in FIG. 11a is provided on the left side of the groove 4B of the platen. The upper surface 19A of the left second guide member is provided on the left bottom surface of the groove 4B of the platen. Then, the ink absorber 14 is provided on the upper surface 19A of the second guide member. That is, the upper surface 19A of the second guide member is provided between the ink absorber 14 and the bottom surface of the platen groove 4B. The length of the upper surface 19A of the second guide member in the moving direction is shorter than half the length of the ink absorber 14 in the moving direction. That is, the bottom surface of the groove portion 4B of the platen is divided into a region where the bottom surface of the groove portion 4B and the upper surface 19A of the second guide member are opposed to each other, and a region where the bottom surface of the groove portion 4B and the ink absorber 14 are opposed. Then, the side surface 19 </ b> B of the second guide member is inserted into the third discharge port 163. Further, the side surface 19B is in contact with the waste ink absorber 15. Similarly, the second guide member 19 on the right side of FIG. 11a is also provided on the right side of the platen groove 4B.

  Next, the flow of ink in the ink receiving portion will be described. The arrows depicted in FIG. 11b indicate the flow of ink in the ink receiver. By the way, in the shape example 2, two second guiding members 19 are used. The fold portion of the upper surface 19 </ b> A of the second guide member (the end of the portion of the second guide member facing the ink absorber 14) is located above the third discharge port 163. That is, the third outlet 163 is divided into three regions by the side surfaces 19B of the two second guide members. That is, a region sandwiched between the left side surface of the third discharge port 163 and the side surface 19B of the second guide member (hereinafter referred to as region A) and a region sandwiched between the side surfaces 19B of the two second guide members (hereinafter referred to as “region A”). , Region B) and a region sandwiched between the right side surface of the third discharge port 163 and the side surface 19B of the second guide member (hereinafter referred to as region C). In other words, when the ink in the ink receiving portion is discharged from the third discharge port 163, there are three ways of discharge.

  First, the ink in the ink absorber 14 is guided to a narrow gap such as between the ink absorber 14 and the groove 4B of the platen by capillary action. From here, for the sake of explanation, attention is paid to the left side of the groove 4B of the platen. Next, the ink near the left side surface of the platen groove 4B is guided between the upper surface 19A of the left second guide member and the bottom surface of the platen groove 4B by capillary action. Since the upper surface 19A of the second guide member is located above the third discharge port 163, the ink between the upper surface 19A of the second guide member and the bottom surface of the groove 4B of the platen is guided to the third discharge port 163. It is burned. Then, the ink is guided into the third discharge port 163 by capillary action. Thereafter, the ink is discharged out of the ink receiving portion from the region A along the side surface 19B of the second guide member. Further, the ink between the ink absorber 14 and the upper surface 19A of the left second guide member cannot pass through the upper surface 19A of the second guide member. Therefore, among the ink between the upper surface 19A of the second guide member and the ink absorber 14, the ink closer to the left end of the upper surface 19A of the second guide member than the third discharge port 163 is first of all. And between the bottom surfaces of the grooves 4B. The ink between the ink absorber 14 and the bottom surface of the left groove portion 4B passes between the upper surface 19A and the bottom surface of the groove portion 4B of the second guiding member and is discharged from the region A to the outside of the ink receiving portion.

  Similarly, the ink near the right side surface of the groove portion 4B of the platen and the ink near the right end of the upper surface 19A of the right second guide member are subjected to capillary action, and the upper surface 19A of the right second guide member and the groove portion 4B of the platen. Led between the bottom of the. Then, the ink is guided into the third discharge port 163 that is a narrow gap by a capillary phenomenon. Then, the ink is discharged from the region C to the outside of the ink receiving portion along the side surface 19B of the second guide member. Of the ink between the ink absorber 14 and the upper surface 19A of the two second guide members, the ink near the third discharge port 163 is a region B between the side surfaces 19B of the two second guide members due to capillary action. Led to. Then, the ink is discharged from the region B to the outside of the ink receiving portion.

  That is, in the shape example 2, due to capillary action, the ink is guided between the upper surface 19A of the second guide member and the bottom surface of the groove 4B and between the side surfaces 18B of the two second guide members. Also, the ink is easily guided to the third discharge port 163.

  In the second shape example, as in the first shape example, the second guide member 19 is inserted into the third discharge port 163, and the second guide member 19 is in contact with the waste ink absorber 15. Therefore, in Shape Example 2, ink is more easily discharged from the third discharge port 163 than in Use Example 1 in which no guide member is inserted, and the discharged ink is more easily absorbed by the discharged ink absorber 15. That is, the same effect as in the shape example 1 can be obtained in the shape example 2 as well.

  In summary, in the shape example 2, by providing the second guide member 19, it is easier to guide the ink in the ink receiving portion to the third discharge port 163 than in the use example 1, and further, the third discharge port 163. Thus, the discharged ink is easily absorbed by the discharged ink absorber 15.

  By the way, in the first shape example, the third discharge port 163 is closed by the upper surface 18A of the first guide member, and the ink between the ink absorber 14 and the upper surface 18A of the first guide member goes around. Then, it passes between the upper surface 18A of the first guide member and the bottom surface of the platen groove portion 4B, and is discharged from the third discharge port 163. On the other hand, in the shape example 2, the ink between the ink absorber 14 and the upper surface 19A of the second guide member can pass between the side surfaces 19B of the two second guide members (region B). That is, the ink between the ink absorber 14 and the upper surface 19A of the second guide member is discharged from the third discharge port 163 without going around. However, the shape example 2 uses two guide members as compared to the shape example 1, and thus the number of parts increases.

<Induction member: Shape example 3>
FIG. 12 a is a perspective view of the third guide member 20. FIG. 12 b shows a method for creating the third guide member 20. A broken line is a cut line, and the portions where the cuts are made are alternately folded left and right in the moving direction. The folding direction is indicated by an arrow. By doing so, similarly to the first guide member 18 of the shape example 1, a T-shaped guide member is obtained.

  FIG. 12 c is a view of the platen 4 and the upper surface 20 </ b> A of the third guide member 20 as viewed from above. The length of the upper surface 20A of the third guide member in the moving direction (the length of the cut line (broken line) of the third guide member 20) is longer than the length of the upper surface 18A of the first guide member of Shape Example 1 in the moving direction. . The upper surface 20A of the third guide member is provided on the bottom surface of the groove 4B of the platen, and the ink absorber 14 is provided thereon. The upper surface 20A of the third guide member is provided between the ink absorber 14 and the bottom surface of the platen groove 4B. However, the entire bottom surface of the groove 4B is not covered with the top surface 20A of the third guide member. On the bottom surface of the groove portion 4B, a region where the bottom surface of the groove portion 4B and the upper surface 20A of the third guide member are opposed to each other (a gray portion in FIG. 12c, hereinafter referred to as a gray region), a bottom surface of the groove portion 4B, and an ink absorber. The regions 14 facing each other (white portions in FIG. 12c, hereinafter referred to as white regions) are alternately arranged in the transport direction. That is, a white region is formed between gray regions arranged in the transport direction. Further, the side surface 20 </ b> B of the third guide member is inserted into the third discharge port 163 and is in contact with the discharged ink absorber 15.

  Next, the flow of ink in the ink receiving portion will be described. The arrows drawn in FIG. 12c indicate the ink flow. The ink in the ink absorber 14 is guided to a narrow gap such as between the ink absorber 14 and the platen groove 4B by capillary action. Thereafter, the ink in the white region and in the vicinity of the upper surface 20A of the third guide member is guided between the upper surface 20A of the third guide member and the bottom surface of the platen groove 4B by capillary action. Since the upper surface 20A of the third guide member is located above the third discharge port 163, the ink between the upper surface 20A of the third guide member and the bottom surface of the platen groove 4B is guided to the third discharge port 163. It is burned. Then, the ink is guided into the third discharge port 163 by a capillary phenomenon, and is discharged from the third discharge port 163 to the outside of the ink receiving portion. On the other hand, the ink in the white region and in the vicinity of the third discharge port 163 is guided into the third discharge port 163 without passing between the upper surface 20A of the third guide member and the bottom surface of the platen groove portion 4B. Then, the ink is discharged out of the ink receiving portion.

  By the way, in the first shape example, the third discharge port 163 is closed by the upper surface 18A of the first guide member, and the ink between the ink absorber 14 and the upper surface 18A of the first guide member goes around. Then, it passes between the upper surface 18A of the first guide member and the bottom surface of the groove portion 4B of the platen and is discharged from the third discharge port 163. On the other hand, in the shape example 3, gray areas and white areas are alternately arranged in the conveyance direction on the bottom surface of the groove 4B of the platen. Since the fold portion of the upper surface 20A of the third guide member (the end portion of the third guide member 20 facing the ink absorber 14) is located above the third discharge port 163, The third discharge port 163 is not blocked by the upper surface 20A of the three guide member. Therefore, the ink between the ink absorber 14 and the upper surface 20A of the third guide member does not go around in the moving direction, and the third discharge port from the position closest to the four sides of the upper surface 20A of the third guide member. 163. Therefore, it does not matter if the length of the upper surface 20A of the third guide member in the moving direction is longer than the length of the upper surface 18A of the first guide member in the moving direction.

  In the third shape example, as in the first shape example, the third guide member 20 is inserted into the third discharge port 163, and the third guide member 20 is in contact with the waste ink absorber 15. Therefore, the ink is more easily discharged from the third discharge port than in the first use example in which the guide member is not inserted, and the discharged ink is easily absorbed by the discharged ink absorber 15. That is, the same effect as in the shape example 1 can be obtained in the shape example 3.

  In summary, in the shape example 3, by providing the third guide member 20, it is easier to guide the ink in the ink receiving portion to the third discharge port 163 than in the use example 1, and further, the third discharge port 163. Thus, the discharged ink is easily absorbed by the discharged ink absorber 15. Further, since the third discharge port 163 is not completely covered by the upper surface 20A of the third guide member, the length of the upper surface 20A of the third guide member in the moving direction is the moving direction of the upper surface 18A of the first guide member. There is no problem even if the length is longer than.

<Induction member: Shape example 4>
FIG. 13 a is a perspective view of the fourth guide member 21. FIG. 13 b is a cross-sectional view of the ink absorber 14, the platen groove 4 </ b> B, the waste ink absorber 15, and the fourth guide member 21. It is a cross-sectional view of the groove 4B in the upstream region of the platen 4. FIG. 13c is a view of the platen 4 and the upper surface 21A of the fourth guide member as seen from above. A third outlet 163 hidden under the fourth guide member 21 is indicated by a broken line. Similar to the first guide member 18 of the shape example 1, the fourth guide member 21 used in the shape example 4 has a shape in which two rectangular guide members are combined like a T-shape. However, the length of the upper surface 21A of the fourth guide member in the moving direction is longer than the length of the upper surface 18A of the first guide member in the moving direction. The upper surface 18A of the fourth guiding member has a mesh shape with a small hole that allows ink droplets to pass therethrough so that ink can pass therethrough.

  The upper surface 21A of the fourth guide member is provided on the bottom surface of the groove 4B of the platen, and the ink absorber 14 is provided thereon. Further, the side surface 21 </ b> B of the fourth guide member is inserted into the third discharge port 163 and is in contact with the discharged ink absorber 15. The side surface 21B is not mesh-shaped.

  Next, the flow of ink in the ink receiving portion will be described. The arrows depicted in FIG. 13 b indicate the flow of ink absorbed by the ink absorber 14. The ink absorbed by the ink absorber 14 is first guided to a narrow gap between the ink absorber 14 and the groove 4B of the platen by capillary action. The ink is guided between the upper surface 21A of the fourth guide member and the bottom surface of the groove 4B of the platen by a capillary phenomenon. Since the upper surface 21A of the fourth guide member is located above the third discharge port 163, the ink between the upper surface 21A of the fourth guide member and the bottom surface of the platen groove 4B is guided to the third discharge port 163. Then, the ink is guided into the third discharge port 163 by capillary action. Thereafter, the ink is discharged from the third discharge port 163 to the outside of the ink receiving portion along the fourth guide member 21.

  By the way, in the first shape example, the third discharge port 163 is closed by the upper surface 18A of the first guide member, and the ink between the ink absorber 14 and the upper surface 18A of the first guide member goes around. Then, it passes between the upper surface 18A of the first guide member and the bottom surface of the groove portion 4B of the platen and is discharged from the third discharge port 163. That is, as the length of the upper surface 18A of the first guide member in the moving direction is longer, the ink between the ink absorber 14 and the upper surface 18A of the first guide member goes around and is discharged from the third discharge port 163. The Rukoto. Therefore, in the shape example 4, by making the upper surface 21A of the fourth guide member meshed, the ink between the ink absorber 14 and the upper surface 21A of the fourth guide member passes through the upper surface 21A, and the third discharge port 163 is discharged. Therefore, it does not matter if the length of the upper surface 21A of the fourth guide member in the moving direction is longer than the length of the upper surface 18A of the first guide member in the moving direction.

  Also in the shape example 4, as in the shape example 1, the fourth guide member 21 is inserted into the third discharge port 163, and the fourth guide member 21 is in contact with the waste ink absorber 15. Therefore, the ink is more easily discharged from the third discharge port 163 than in the first use example in which the guide member is not inserted, and the discharged ink is easily absorbed by the discharged ink absorber 15. That is, the same effect as in the shape example 1 can be obtained in the shape example 4.

  In summary, in the shape example 4, by providing the fourth guide member 21, it is easier to guide the ink in the ink receiving portion to the third discharge port 163 than in the use example 1, and further, from the third discharge port 163. The ink is easily discharged, and the discharged ink is easily absorbed by the discharged ink absorber 15. In addition, since the ink between the upper surface 21A of the fourth guide member and the ink absorber 14 can pass through the upper surface 21A of the fourth guide member, the length of the upper surface 21A of the fourth guide member in the moving direction is the first length. There is no problem even if it is longer than the length of the upper surface 18A of the guide member in the moving direction.

<Addition of guide member: Shape example 5>
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the ink absorber 14, the platen groove 4 </ b> B, the waste ink absorber 15, and the second guide member 19. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the groove 4B in the upstream region of the platen 4. As shown in FIG. In shape example 2, an embodiment using two inverted L-shaped second guide members 19 is described. In the shape example 5, only one second guide member 19 is used. And the 2nd guide member 19 is provided only in the printing area side (right side in FIG. 14) of the bottom face of the groove part 4B of a platen. The fold portion of the upper surface 19A of the second guide member is located on the third discharge port 163, and the end portion of the upper surface 19A of the second guide member on the side opposite to the fold portion is located near the side surface on the printing area side. To do. Therefore, of the end portions of the upper surface 19A of the second guide member, the end portion opposite to the fold portion is closer to the paper than the fold portion.

  In the shape example 5, the second guide member 19 is provided only on the right side of the platen groove portion 4B, so that the ink between the right platen groove portion 4B and the ink absorber 14 is discharged to the third discharge port as compared with the first use example. 163 is easily guided. However, the ink between the groove portion 4B of the left platen and the ink absorber 14 is the same as in the first usage example.

  Further, the side surface 19B of the second guide member is inserted into the third discharge port 163, and the side surface 19B is in contact with the discharged ink absorber 15. Therefore, the ink is more easily discharged from the third discharge port 163 than in the first use example in which the guide member is not inserted, and the discharged ink is easily absorbed by the discharged ink absorber 15. Further, since the ink between the left platen groove 4B and the ink absorber 14 is also discharged from the third discharge port 163 along the second guide member 19 provided on the right side of the groove, the right platen groove The same effect as the ink between 4B and the ink absorber 14 is obtained.

  By the way, compared to the opposite side of the printing area side, the printing area side tends to stain paper when ink is deposited between the side surface of the groove 4B and the ink absorber 14. Therefore, in the shape example 5, the upper surface 19A of the second guide member is provided on the print region side so that the ink between the groove portion 4B on the print region side and the ink absorber 14 is easily discharged from the third discharge port 163. ing. The side 19B of the second guide member makes it easy for the ink in the third discharge port 163 to be discharged from the third discharge port 163, and the discharged ink is easily absorbed by the discharged ink absorber 15. In the shape example 2, the upper surface 19A of the second guide member is also provided on the side opposite to the printing region side. Therefore, on the opposite side of the print region side, the shape example 2 is less likely to deposit ink than the shape example 5. However, since shape example 2 uses two second guide members 19, it costs more than shape example 5 that uses only one second guide member 19.

=== Other Embodiments ===
Each of the above embodiments has been described mainly for a printing system having an ink jet printer, but includes disclosure of the shape of the platen, a method of discharging ink from the platen, and the like. The above-described embodiments are for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof. In particular, the embodiments described below are also included in the present invention.

<About the ink receiver>
In the above-described embodiment, the combination of the platen groove 4B and the ink absorber 14 is used as the ink receiving portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ink absorber 14 may not be provided. In addition, the platen 4 is provided with a groove 4B serving as an ink receiving portion, and the paper supporting portion and the ink receiving portion are not configured as one object, but the paper supporting portion and the ink receiving portion are configured as separate objects. Also good.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, since a part of the platen 4 is used as the ink receiving portion, the ink receiving portion has a groove shape. When the paper support part and the ink receiving part are different objects, the ink receiving part does not necessarily have a groove shape. In that case, ink does not accumulate on the side surface of the groove-shaped ink receiving portion as in the above-described embodiment, and ink accumulates on the bottom surface of the ink receiving portion.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where ink that is discarded during borderless printing is discharged from the ink receiving portion has been described as an example. However, the technique of the above-described embodiment may be applied to other cases. For example, the present invention can also be applied to the case where ink that is thrown away by the cap when flushing is discharged for cleaning the head 6.

<Induction member>
In the above-described embodiment, the guide members having various shapes have been described as examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto. FIG. 15A is a top view of the platen 4, and FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the guide member. For example, when it is necessary to provide a plastic punch hole 23 when molding the platen groove 4B as shown in FIG. 15a, a guide member adapted to the shape of the platen groove 4B as shown in FIG. 15b is used. Also good.

  Although the upper surface of the 4th guidance member 21 of the above-mentioned embodiment was explained as mesh shape, it is not restricted to this. For example, a thin gap such as a slit may be provided on the upper surface of the guide member so that ink can pass through.

  In the first embodiment, the guide member is not provided on the bottom surface of the ink receiving portion, and in the second embodiment, the guide member is provided. By providing the guide member, the ink is further easily guided to the third discharge port 163, and the ink is easily discharged from the third discharge port 163. However, when providing the guide member, the guide member may not necessarily provide these two effects. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the ink absorber 14, the platen groove 4 </ b> B, the waste ink absorber 15, and the protrusion 24. For example, the protrusion 24 may be attached to the ink absorber 14 as shown in FIG. 16 so that the ink can be easily discharged from the narrow gap.

<Discharge port>
In the above-described embodiment, the third discharge port 163 extending in the transport direction as shown in FIG. 8B is provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. FIG. 17 is a view of the platen 4 as viewed from above. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, a third discharge port 163 extending in the moving direction may be provided. However, in this case, compared with the above-described embodiment, the ink discarded in the central portion of the groove 4B is easily discharged, but the ink on the downstream side and the upstream side of the groove 4B is less likely to be discharged.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, one third discharge port 163 is provided for the single groove portion 4B in the upstream area of the platen 4, but a plurality of third discharge ports are provided for the single groove portion 4B. An outlet 163 may be provided. For example, in usage example 2, as shown in FIG. 9, the third discharge port 163 is provided only near the side surface on the printing region side of the platen groove 4B, but the third outlet port 163 is also provided near the side surface opposite to the printing region side. A discharge port 163 may be provided.

  FIG. 18 is a view of the platen 4 as viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 18, a discharge port 25 extending in the moving direction may be provided in the groove 4 </ b> B in the middle flow area of the platen 4. By providing the discharge port 25, ink that is discarded during borderless printing on the upper and lower ends of the paper is discharged from the ink receiving portion without accumulating. At that time, the first discharge port 161 may not be provided.

<About the platen>
In the above-described embodiment, the platen 4 having a convex part and a groove part and including one part is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Various platens such as configurations and shapes are conceivable. For example, the convex part and the groove part of the platen may be composed of two parts (not shown). Even if the convex part of the platen is fixed to the printing apparatus, if the groove part where the ink is thrown away can be removed from the printing apparatus, cleaning can be easily performed and the maintainability is improved.

  Further, it is described that the convex portions 4A and the groove portions 4B of the platen 4 are arranged with a plurality of convex portions 4A and groove portions 4B in accordance with the standard size paper. However, the platen 4 may be formed by combining the plurality of convex portions 4A and the groove portions 4B as separate objects. If it does so, the same components can be applied to printing apparatuses of various sizes by combination of convex part 4A and groove part 4B.

<External discharge section>
In the above-described embodiment, the waste ink absorber 15 is used as the external discharge portion, but this is not a limitation. For example, the external discharge unit may be a tray.

1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram of an overall configuration of a printer. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the overall printer configuration. It is explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement | sequence of the nozzle in the lower surface (nozzle surface) of a head. FIG. 5a is a perspective view of the ink absorber, and FIG. 5b is a perspective view of the platen. It is sectional drawing of a platen, an ink absorber, a waste ink absorber, and a head. It is the figure which looked at the platen, the ink absorber, and the head from above. It is sectional drawing of a platen, an ink absorber, a waste ink absorber, and a head. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a gap between a groove and an ink absorber. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the platen, the ink absorber, the waste ink absorber, and the head, and FIG. 7B is a view of the platen and the head as viewed from above. It is sectional drawing of a platen, an ink absorber, a waste ink absorber, and a head. It is the figure which looked at the platen and the head from the top. It is a figure which shows the mode of borderless printing of the upper end of paper. It is sectional drawing of a platen, an ink absorber, a head, and a waste ink absorber. It is a perspective view of the 1st guidance member. It is sectional drawing of the groove part of an ink absorber, a platen, a waste ink absorber, and a 1st guide member. It is the figure which looked at the upper surface of a platen and the 1st guidance member from the top. 11a is a perspective view of the second guide member, and FIG. 11b is a cross-sectional view of the ink absorber, the platen groove, the waste ink absorber, and the second guide member. 12a is a perspective view of the third guide member, FIG. 12b is a view showing a method for producing the third guide member, and FIG. 12c is a view of the upper surface of the platen and the third guide member as viewed from above. It is a perspective view of the 4th guidance member. It is sectional drawing of an ink absorber, a platen groove part, a waste ink absorber, and a 4th guide member. It is the figure which looked at the upper surface of a platen and the 4th guidance member from the top. It is sectional drawing of the groove part of an ink absorber, a platen, a waste ink absorber, and a 2nd guide member. FIG. 15A is a top view of the platen, and FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the guide member. It is sectional drawing of the groove part of an ink absorber and a platen, a waste ink absorber, and a protrusion part. It is the figure which looked at the platen from the top. It is the figure which looked at the platen from the top.

Explanation of symbols

1 paper feed roller, 2 transport motor, 3 transport roller,
4 platen, 4A platen convex part, 4B platen groove part,
5 discharge roller, 6 head, 7 carriage, 8 carriage motor,
9 Ink cartridge, 10 linear encoder,
11 Rotary encoder, 12 Paper detection sensor,
13 Optical sensor, 14 Ink absorber, 15 Waste ink absorber,
16 outlet, 161 first outlet, 162 second outlet, 163 third outlet,
17 Clearance (generated between ink absorber and platen),
18 first guide member, 18A top surface, 18B side surface,
19 second guide member, 19A top surface, 19B side surface,
20 third guide member, 20A top surface, 20B side surface,
21 4th guide member, 21A upper surface, 21B side surface,
23 Plastic punching hole, 24 Projection, 25 Discharge port 50 Printer, 60 Transport unit, 70 Carriage unit,
80 head units, 90 detector groups,
100 controller, 110 computer S medium (paper, etc.)

Claims (16)

A nozzle from which ink is ejected;
A receiving portion that receives ink that does not land on the medium among the ink ejected from the nozzles;
With
The receiving portion is provided with a gap for discharging the ink to the outside of the receiving portion using a capillary phenomenon,
A printing apparatus characterized by the above. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
The gap is provided on the bottom surface of the receiving portion.
Printing device. The printing apparatus according to claim 2,
A plurality of the nozzles are arranged side by side in a predetermined direction,
The length of the gap in the predetermined direction is longer than the length of the gap in the direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction.
Printing device. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The gap is provided in a region where the ink lands on the receiving portion.
Printing device. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The receiving portion has a groove portion and an ink absorber that are groove-shaped, and the ink absorber is embedded in the groove portion,
The groove has two side surfaces that are parallel to the edge of the medium,
Of the two side surfaces, the gap is provided in a region close to the side surface closer to the medium.
Printing device. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
In the gap, a part of the guide member in the form of a film is inserted,
Printing device. The printing apparatus according to claim 6,
A part of the guide member protrudes from the gap to the outside of the receiving part,
Printing device. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
An external discharge part is provided outside the receiving part at a position facing the gap,
A part of the guide member and the external discharge part are in contact with each other;
Printing device. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The receiving portion has a groove portion and an ink absorber that are groove-shaped, and the ink absorber is embedded in the groove portion,
The portion of the guide member that is not inserted into the gap is provided between the bottom surface of the groove and the ink absorber,
At least a portion of the guide member facing the ink absorber faces the gap;
Printing device. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
At least a portion of the ink absorber faces the bottom surface of the groove,
Printing device. The printing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein:
An end portion of the guide member facing the ink absorber is located on the gap.
Printing device. The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein
Of the end portions of the guide member facing the ink absorber, the end portion on the opposite side to the end portion located on the gap is more in the medium than the end portion located on the gap. close,
Printing device. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
A plurality of the nozzles are arranged in a predetermined direction, and the length of the gap in the predetermined direction is longer than the length of the gap in the direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction,
A part of the guide member facing the ink absorber includes a first guide part and a second guide part,
The first guiding portion and the second guiding portion are arranged in the predetermined direction, and a bottom surface of the groove portion between the first guiding portion and the second guiding portion is opposed to the ink absorber.
Printing device. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 13,
The guide member facing the ink absorber is a member through which ink can pass.
Printing device. A nozzle from which ink is ejected;
A receiving portion that receives ink that does not land on the medium among the ink ejected from the nozzles;
A guide member in the form of a film;
Outside the receiving part, an external discharge part,
With
The plurality of nozzles are arranged in a predetermined direction,
The receiving portion has a groove portion and an ink absorber that are groove-shaped, and the ink absorber is embedded in the groove portion,
In the region where the ink lands on the bottom surface of the receiving portion, a gap for discharging the ink to the outside of the receiving portion using a capillary phenomenon is provided, and the length of the gap in the predetermined direction is the gap Longer than the length in the direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction,
A part of the guide member is inserted into the gap, protrudes from the gap to the outside of the receiving portion, and is in contact with the external discharge portion provided at a position facing the gap,
The portion of the guide member that is not inserted into the gap is provided between the bottom surface of the groove and the ink absorber,
At least a part of the ink absorber faces the bottom surface of the groove,
The end of the guide member facing the ink absorber is located above the gap;
And a printing device. A plurality of nozzles from which ink is ejected;
Of the ink ejected from the plurality of nozzles, a receiving portion that receives ink that does not land on the medium;
With
The plurality of nozzles are arranged in a predetermined direction,
A gap for discharging the ink to the outside of the receiving part is provided on the bottom surface of the receiving part, and the length of the gap in the predetermined direction is longer than the length of the gap in the direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. ,
A printing apparatus characterized by the above.