JP2011116484A - Conveying belt and printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a conveying belt which efficiently conveys a printing medium with projections, and to provide a printing device including this. <P>SOLUTION: The conveying belt 10 capable of continuously conveying a plate with the projections includes a plurality of plate-like members 43 and connection parts 44 for connecting them in the belt-like form. A first setting part 40a and a second setting part 40b for placing and positioning the plate are provided. In the plate-like members 43 constituting the first setting part 40a, first recessed parts engaged with projection parts of the plate P2 are formed between the connection parts. In the plate-like members 43 constituting the second setting part 40b, second recession parts engaged with the projection parts of the plate is formed at the connection positions of the adjacent plate-like members. Further, a lid for covering the first recession part or the second recession part is provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a conveyance belt and a printing apparatus, and more particularly to a conveyance belt capable of conveying a print medium having a convex portion on a surface and a printing apparatus including the conveyance belt.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, printing apparatuses that print various information such as images and characters on a plate such as a card-like recording medium are known. In this type of printing apparatus, there is disclosed a printing apparatus that supports and conveys a plate having no protrusions (no unevenness) using a dedicated conveyance tray (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this printing apparatus, a print head is provided, a platen roller is provided to face the print head, and a print unit is configured by the print head and the platen roller. On both sides (upstream and downstream) of the printing unit, a conveyance unit composed of a pair of conveyance rollers is arranged, and a conveyance tray that supports the plate is conveyed to the printing unit by the conveyance unit, where the plate After the image is formed (printed), the sheet is further conveyed, and the plate is automatically separated from the conveyance tray and discharged. There is also known a printing apparatus that uses a pair of conveyance rollers to nip and convey a plate (card) without projections and performs a printing process without using a dedicated conveyance tray (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  On the other hand, when printing processing is performed on a plate having protrusions (with unevenness), the plates are manually set (placed) one by one on a dedicated transport tray different from the transport tray described above, and the printing process is performed. And then manually removed. Further, a plate having protrusions is printed by conveying the plate by niping the plate with a pair of conveyance rollers as disclosed in Patent Document 2, and the projection on the plate hits the pair of conveyance rollers. Transport was difficult.

Patent 3892287 JP 2008-179088 A

  As described above, when printing processing is performed on a plate having protrusions, productivity is poor because the plates are manually set one by one on a dedicated transport tray and removed manually after the printing processing is completed. There was a problem that the person had to operate at all times.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a conveyance belt capable of efficiently conveying a print medium (plate) having protrusions and a printing measure including the conveyance belt.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a first aspect of the present invention is a conveyance belt for conveying a print medium having a convex portion on a surface thereof, wherein a plurality of plate-like members and the adjacent plate-like members are connected. And connecting the plurality of plate-like members with the connecting portion to form a belt, and placing and positioning the print medium on the surface of the plate-like member formed in a belt shape A first set portion and a second set portion are provided, and the plate-like member constituting the first set portion is formed with a first recess for engaging a convex portion of the print medium between the connecting portions. The plate-like member constituting the second set portion is formed with a second recess for engaging a convex portion of the print medium at a connecting position of the adjacent plate-like members, and the first recess or the A lid for covering the second recess is provided.

  In this aspect, the second concave portion is formed by combining notches provided in the adjacent plate-like members, and the second plate portion is bent when the adjacent plate-like member is bent around the connecting portion. You may comprise so that the opening of a recessed part may spread.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a second aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus capable of printing on a print medium having a convex portion on a surface thereof, a supply unit that stacks and holds the print medium, A transport path for transporting the print medium, a discharge unit that discharges the print medium, a transport belt that is provided in the transport path and transports the print medium, and a drive unit that drives the transport belt, The conveyor belt has a plurality of plate-like members and a connecting portion that connects the adjacent plate-like members, and is formed in a belt shape by connecting the plurality of plate-like members at the connecting portion, A first set portion and a second set portion for placing and positioning the print medium on a surface of the plate-like member formed in a belt shape are provided, and the plate-like member constituting the first set portion is the The print medium is connected between the connecting portions. A first recess for engaging the portion is formed, and the plate-like member constituting the second set portion is for the convex portion of the printing medium to be engaged with a connecting position of the adjacent plate-like members. A second recess is formed, and a lid that covers the first recess or the second recess is further provided.

According to the present invention, since a printing medium having a convex portion is supplied, transported, and printed using a transport belt, an effect that productivity is improved as compared with the conventional case can be obtained. Further, the conveyor belt is formed in a belt shape by a plurality of plate-like members and a connecting portion for connecting the plate-like members, and the plate-like member constituting the first set portion for placing and positioning the print medium is the connecting portion. A first recess is formed between which the convex portion of the print medium engages. Therefore, when the printing process is performed, the pressure of the print head against the printing medium does not escape, so that the printing quality is improved. In the second set portion, a second concave portion for engaging the convex portion of the print medium is provided at a connecting position of adjacent plate-like members. Therefore, when the print medium is discharged, the adjacent plate-like member is bent around the connecting portion, so that the opening of the concave portion is widened, and the discharge property of the print medium is improved. And since the cover which covers a 1st set part or a 2nd set part was provided, a 1st set part and a 2nd set part can be used properly according to a use.

1 is an external perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applicable. 1 is an external perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applicable. It is a front sectional view of the printer of the embodiment. It is a front sectional view of the printer of an embodiment, and shows the state where a conveyance belt was set. It is a partial enlarged view showing a supply unit of the printer of the embodiment. It is a partial enlarged view showing a supply unit of the printer of the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the detail of a conveyance belt. It is a figure which shows the detail of a conveyance belt, and shows the state by which the plate (2nd printing medium) was set to the 1st set part, and the lid | cover was set to the 2nd set part. It is a figure which shows the detail of a conveyance belt, and shows the state by which the cover was set to the 1st set part, and the plate (2nd printing medium) was set to the 2nd set part. It is the elements on larger scale which show the 1st set part of a conveyance belt. It is the elements on larger scale which show the 2nd set part of a conveyance belt. It is the elements on larger scale which show the coupling | bond part of a conveyance belt. 1 shows a plate (second printing medium) having an uneven portion, (A) is an external perspective view of the surface side of the plate, (B) is an external perspective view of the bottom side of the plate, and (C) is arranged in a large number on the plate. FIG. (A) is a side view showing the relationship between a binding band bound to an electric wire and the chip, (B) is a plan view of the binding band, and (C) is printed and fitted to the binding band. FIG. It is a front view which shows typically conveyance / printing state of a flat-shaped plate (1st printing medium), (A) is the state in which the plate was set, (B) is the state which is performing printing processing to the plate , (C) shows a state where the plate is discharged. It is a front view which shows typically conveyance / printing state of the plate (2nd printing medium) which has an uneven | corrugated | grooved part, (A) is the state in which the plate was set, (B) is performing the printing process to a plate The state (C) shows a state where the plate is discharged. It is a state figure showing supply operation of a plate (second printing medium) which has an uneven part. It is the elements on larger scale which show the connection part of a conveyance belt, and is a figure which shows a state where a setting part is horizontal. It is the elements on larger scale which show the connection part of a conveyance belt, and is a figure which shows the state in which the set part is bent. The figure which showed the structure of the cover which covers the 1st or 2nd set part of a conveyance belt. The front view which shows typically the printing state of a roll sheet (1st printing medium).

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a printer that prints characters and symbols on a plate as a printing medium will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Constitution)
<Printer>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printer 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a printing unit 20 having a print head 21 to be described later, and the cover 2a is used except when it is necessary to replace the printing ribbon. Covered. The cover 2a is engaged with the main body of the printer 1 so as to open by flipping up from the front to the rear.

When the flat plate P1 is fed into the printing unit 20, the pair of side guides 8 and the plate P1 that are parallel to the printing direction are arranged one by one so that the plate P1 does not shift laterally with respect to the printing direction. An isolation gate 9 is provided for isolation. The separation gate 9 is covered with a cover 2a, and the side guide 8 is covered with a cover 2b.

The cover 2b is engaged with the main body of the printing press 1 so as to swing and open in a direction away from the printing unit along the printing direction. An operation display unit 6 having an input button for operating the printer 1 and an LCD for displaying the status of the printer 1 and the like is disposed on the front of the printer 1.

  The printer 1 has an interface, and can be connected to a host device such as a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a PC) 3 via a communication code 4. For this reason, the operator can operate from the PC 3 in place of the input from the input button of the operation display unit 6, and further, data stored in the external storage device by mounting an external storage device such as a RAM card. Can also be used.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment is roughly divided into the operation display unit 6 described above, a printing unit 20 that prints desired characters and symbols on the plate, a conveyance unit that conveys the plate P1, and conveyance. The path 15 includes a plate supply unit 5 that stacks and holds the plate group, a control unit that controls each unit, and a housing that houses them.

  The printing unit 20 is arranged on the downstream side of the feeding unit 5 with respect to the feeding direction of the plate. During printing, a large number of heats are arranged in a matrix via an ink ribbon R interposed between the printing unit 20 and the plate. The print head 21 selectively heats the elements, the bottom surface side of the plate P1, and a platen roller 22 that supports the conveyance belt 10 described later.

  The conveyance roller pair 23 provided in the conveyance path 15 includes a driving roller 23a disposed on the lower side and a driven roller 23b disposed on the upper side. The driving roller 23a, the pickup roller 24, and the platen A rotational driving force from the stepping motor M is transmitted to the roller 22 via a coupling mechanism (not shown). Here, the pickup roller 24 is configured to be able to switch drive transmission by an electromagnetic clutch (not shown). Therefore, when the plate P1 is supplied, the rotation of the pickup roller 24 is stopped by the electromagnetic clutch. A position sensor 27 that includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element and grasps the position of the plate P1 is disposed between the roller pair 23 and the printing unit 20. In this example, the position sensor 27 is constituted by a reflection-integrated sensor.

  The transport roller pair 23 is positioned at a standby position as shown in FIG. 3 in the initial state, and when the printing operation starts, the driven roller 23b of the transport roller is transported as shown in FIG. Move to position. At this time, the thickness of the printing medium is detected by a sensor (not shown), and the conveyance position of the driven roller 23b is adjusted according to the result. In the initial state, the print head is also positioned at the standby position shown in FIG. 3. However, the print head moves to the print position shown in FIG. 15B according to the thickness of the print medium, and print processing is performed on the print medium. Apply. Of the driven rollers 23b, one of the rollers disposed on the upstream side of the printing unit 20 is a cleaning roller having an adhesive surface, and removes dust from the print medium before printing.

  On the upstream side of the conveying roller pair 23, a supply unit 5 is provided that can stack and hold a predetermined number (for example, 50) of plates P1. The supply unit 5 includes the mounting table 16, the side guide 8 and the separation gate 9 described above. The user places the plate P1 on the mounting table 16, guides the side surface of the plate P1 with the side guide 8, and sets the gap of the separation gate 9 to the thickness of one plate P1 by the adjustment knob 17. An empty sensor 28 that detects the presence or absence of a plate is provided below the supply unit 5.

  Here, the printer 1 can print on the flat plate P1 as described above, but can also print on the plate P2 (FIG. 13) having a protrusion on the surface. When printing the plate P1, the plate P1 is transported and printed by the pair of transport rollers 23, and when printing the plate P2, the plate P2 is transported using a transport belt 10 to be described later (FIG. 5). 4).

<Conveyor belt and plate P2>
As shown in FIG. 7, the transport belt 10 is formed in a belt shape (caterpillar shape) by connecting a plurality of plate-like resin members 43 (hereinafter referred to as plate-like members 43) by a connecting portion 44. And it has the 1st set part 40a and the 2nd set part 40b which mount and position the plate P2. In the first set portion 40a, a groove 13a and a concave portion 14a that are engaged with convex portions (a leg portion 32B, projection 33, see FIG. 13 described later) of the plate P2 are formed between connecting portions of the plate-like member 43 (see FIG. 13). FIG. 10). In the second set portion 40b, the groove 13b and the concave portion 14b that engage with the convex portion of the plate P2 are formed at the connection position of the adjacent plate members 43 (FIG. 11). That is, one groove 13b is formed by combining notches of adjacent plate-like members 43. Each set portion has a bottom support portion 12 that supports the bottom surface between the convex portions of the plate P2. Further, a guide groove 42 that contacts the guide roller 25 shown in FIG. 16 is provided on the inner side of the transport belt 10 (the back side of the plate-like member 43). In addition, since the plate-like member 43 which forms parts other than the 1st set part 40a and the 2nd set part 40b is comprised as the sliding contact part 41, the recessed part which the convex part of the plate P2 engages is provided. However, the projection 33 of the plate P <b> 2 is in sliding contact with the sliding contact portion 41 in the supply unit 5 described later.

  FIG. 8 shows a state in which the plate P2 is set in the first setting portion 40a of the conveyor belt 10. In this state, the groove 13b and the recess 14b of the second set portion 40b are covered with the lid 49. On the other hand, FIG. 9 shows a state in which the plate P2 is set in the second set portion 40b. In this state, the groove 13a and the recess 14a of the first set portion 40a are covered with the lid 49. As shown in FIG. 20, the lid 49 has a protrusion 49A that fits into the recess 14a or 14b on the back side, and is configured to be fixed to the set portion 40a or 40b. The lid 49 is made of a material that can be expanded and contracted. When the conveyor belt 10 is bent along the guide roller 25, the lid 49 extends, and therefore the lid 49 does not come off. Further, the end portion of the lid 49 is provided with a taper 49B so that the convex portion of the plate P2 is not engaged with the supply portion 5 described later.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, in this example, the plate P2 is disposed at substantially equal intervals in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the frame 31 and a rectangular frame 31 constituting the outer edge of the plate P2. A plurality of (four in this example) ribs 34 and a plurality of (eight in this example, eight) tips 32 extending through the weakened portion along the longitudinal direction of the ribs 34; The synthetic resin such as vinyl chloride is used as the material. Therefore, a large number (32 in this example) of chips 32 are arranged on the plate P2, and can be printed on the front surface, and has at least an uneven portion on the back surface.

  As shown in FIG. 13C, the chip 32 includes a plate-like portion 32A having a substantially horizontal surface, and leg portions 32B projecting downward with a substantially L-shaped cross section. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, such a chip 32 is fitted into a binding band 36 that is bound to an electric wire 35, thereby preventing erroneous wiring of the electric wire used for the switchboard. That is, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the binding band 36 includes a band 36B bound to the electric wire 35 and a chip receiver 36A fixed to the band 36B. Is formed with a fitting groove 36C into which the leg portion 32B of the chip 32 can be fitted. For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14C, after characters, symbols, and the like are printed on the surface of the plate-like portion 32A of the chip 32 by the printer 1, the chip 32 is separated from the plate 30, and the binding band 36 is obtained. The electric wire 35 can be identified by being fitted to the chip receiver 36A.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, the leg 32B of the chip 32 protrudes from the bottom surface (back surface) side of the plate P2, and a projection 33 for supplying the plate P2 is provided at a predetermined position of the frame 31. Projected. Accordingly, the plate P2 has an uneven portion.

  FIG. 8 shows a state in which the plate P2 is set in the first setting portion 40a. In this state, the leg portion 32B of the chip 32 of the plate P2 is engaged with the groove 13a, and the protrusion 33 is engaged with the concave portion 14a. In addition, an opening 19a that transmits light from the light emitting element of the position sensor 27 is formed at the tip of the first set portion 40a. For this reason, the CPU of the printer 1 monitors the output of the position sensor 27 via the sensor control unit, so that the conveyance belt 10 that supports the plate P2 is conveyed to the position of the position sensor 27 by the conveyance unit of the printer 1. Thus, it is possible to cue the plate P2 for printing by the printing unit 20.

  Similarly, FIG. 9 shows a state in which the plate P2 is set in the second setting portion 40b. In this state, the leg portion 32B of the chip 32 of the plate P2 is engaged with the groove 13b, and the protrusion 33 is engaged with the concave portion 14b. Further, an opening 19b that transmits light from the light emitting element of the position sensor 27 is formed at the tip of the second set portion 40b.

  In this example, the first set portion 40a and the second set portion 40b are respectively disposed at two locations on the conveyor belt 10 (another set is provided on the opposite side of the circumference of the conveyor belt 10 in FIG. 7). .) After the first plate P2 has been printed and discharged, it is arranged to supply the next plate P2. (Here, description will be made using the setting units 400 and 401.) That is, when the plate P2 set in the setting unit 400 is discharged, the tip of the setting unit 401 is still in the state of the plate P2 set in the supply unit 5. The tip 33 has not reached the protrusion 33 (see FIG. 14C). In other words, the distance from the rear end of the set unit 400 to the front end of the set unit 401 is greater than the distance from the front end (discharge unit side) of the supply unit 5 to the discharge unit 7 (the point where the plate P2 and the conveyor belt 10 are separated). It is set long.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the conveyance belt 10 is configured to be detachable from the conveyance path 15 of the printer 1. The conveyor belt 10 is configured in an endless belt shape by being coupled by the coupling portion 11, but the coupling of the coupling portion 11 can be released (state of FIG. 12). When the conveyor belt 10 is set from the state of FIG. 3, the coupling of the conveyor belt 10 is released, and the conveyor belt 10 is passed along the upper side of the conveyor path 15 between the supply unit 5 side and the side guide 8. When the leading end of the conveyance belt 10 reaches the discharge unit 7, the conveyance belt 10 is moved along the lower side of the conveyance path 15 (lower side of the conveyance roller 23) so that the guide groove 42 is engaged with the guide roller 25. Pass through. When the leading end reaches the supply unit 5 side, the conveyor belt 10 is pulled out along the guide roller 25 on the opposite side, and the conveyor belt 10 is coupled by the coupling unit 11 (state of FIG. 4). The conveyance belt 10 is nipped by the conveyance roller pair 32 and is driven by the rotation of the conveyance roller 32a.

  The coupling portion 11 includes a knob 45, a pin 46 that moves in conjunction with the movement of the knob 45, and a hole 47 in which the pin 46 is fitted. When the transport belt 10 is in the coupled state, the pin 46 is fitted in the hole 47, but the pin 46 moves and comes out of the hole 47 by moving the knob 45 inward, so the coupling is released. . The knob 45 and the pin 46 are urged to the outside of the conveying belt 10 by a spring 48. When the conveyor belt 10 is coupled, the pin 46 is also moved by moving the knob 45 inward, and the pin 46 is moved outside by the spring 48 by releasing the knob 45 with the pin 46 aligned with the hole 47. The pin 46 and the hole 47 are engaged with each other. Therefore, the conveyance belt 10 is joined and becomes an endless belt shape.

  When setting the plate P <b> 2 on the supply unit 5, the plate P <b> 2 is stacked between the side guides 8 and on the conveyance belt 10 with the conveyance belt 10 being set. At this time, the rear end support portion 18 that supports the rear end portion (the rear end of the frame 31) of the plate P2 provided in the side guide 8 is pulled down to the support position (FIG. 5). The rear end support portion 18 is configured to be raised to the retracted position except when the plate P2 is set. Therefore, when the plate P2 is set in the supply unit 5, the front end portion of the plate P2 comes into contact with the sliding contact portion 41 of the transport belt 10, and the rear end portion is supported by the rear end support portion 18, so that the plate P2 is supported by the transport belt. 10 is held in a tilted state. When setting the plate P1 and the roll sheet S, the rear end support 18 is moved to the retracted position (FIG. 6).

  The control unit includes a CPU that functions as a central processing unit at high speed, a ROM that stores the basic control program and program data of the printer 1, a RAM that functions as a work area of the CPU, and the like. Connected by internal bus.

  An external bus is connected to the control unit. The external bus controls information from various sensors including an operation display control unit that controls the operation display unit 6, a head control unit that controls the print head 21, a driver that controls the operation of the stepping motor M, and the position sensor 27. A sensor control unit is connected. The external bus is connected to the above-described interface for connection with the host device and a buffer for temporarily storing data from the host device.

(Printing operation of plate P1)
Next, the operation of the printer 1 of this embodiment will be described. First, when the printer 1 is powered on, the program and program data stored in the ROM are expanded in the RAM, and it is confirmed whether each unit described above is at a predetermined home position via various sensors. If not, after performing an initial setting process including a return process for moving to the home position and a confirmation process for confirming whether or not the plate P1 is stored in the supply unit 5, the state of the printer 1 is displayed on the operation display unit 6. Is displayed and the following routine is executed.

  When the type of the plate to be printed from the PC 3 is set to the plate P1, the CPU monitors the output from the empty sensor 28 via the sensor control unit and determines whether the plate P1 is set in the supply unit 5, When a negative determination is made, the fact is displayed on the operation display unit 6 and waits until the setting is made. When an affirmative determination is made (FIG. 15A), the stepping motor M is driven via a driver, and the pickup roller 24 and The drive roller 23a is rotated. Thus, the lowermost plate P1 of the stacked plate group is supplied by the pickup roller 24, and is separated one by one by the separation gate 9 at that time. At this time, the drive to the pickup roller 24 is not transmitted by the electromagnetic clutch. When one plate P1 is supplied, the driven roller 23b of the transport roller pair 23 is moved from the standby position shown in FIG. 3 to the transport position to detect the thickness of the plate P1, and the transport position of the follower roller 23b. The printing position of the print head 21 is determined.

  Thereafter, the supplied plate P <b> 1 is conveyed toward the printing unit 20 by the conveyance roller pair 23. When the plate P1 passes the position sensor 27, the plate P1 is cued with respect to the print head 21. At this time, the CPU moves the print head 21 from the retracted position to the previously set print position by pressing a moving mechanism (not shown) (presses the plate P1 with the print head 21), and stores it in the buffer in the head controller. The printed data is converted into thermal energy and output to the print head 21 (FIG. 15B). The plate P1 for which the printing process has been completed is discharged from the discharge port 7 (FIG. 15C). When the discharging operation of the plate P1 is completed, the CPU stops the rotation driving of the stepping motor M, ends one routine, and waits until receiving a new instruction. When all the printing is completed, the driving of the stepping motor M is stopped, and the transport roller 23 and the print head 21 are moved to the standby position to complete the operation.

(Printing operation of plate P2)
Next, the printing operation for the plate P2 will be described. Since the initial operation when the printer 1 is turned on has been described above, a description thereof will be omitted. In the present embodiment, an example in which printing is performed with the lid 49 set on the second setting unit 40b will be described. When the type of the plate to be printed by the PC 3 is set to the plate P2, the CPU monitors the output from the belt presence sensor 29 via the sensor control unit, determines whether the conveyor belt 10 is set, and makes a negative determination. In this case, a message to that effect is displayed on the operation display unit 6 and the apparatus waits until the conveyor belt 10 is set. If the determination is affirmative, the output from the empty sensor 28 is further monitored and the plate P2 is set in the supply unit 5. If a negative determination is made, a message to that effect is displayed on the operation display unit 6 and the process waits until the plate P2 is set. If an affirmative determination is made (FIG. 16A), the stepping motor M is set via a driver. And the conveying belt 10 is driven by the rotation of the conveying roller pair 23.

  Here, the supply operation of the plate P2 will be described. First, until the concave portion 14a of the conveyor belt 10 arrives, the protrusion 33 is in sliding contact with (in contact with) the sliding contact portion 41 of the conveyor belt 10, but the surface of the conveyor belt 10 and the lid 49 is slid. (The state of FIG. 17A). Then, when the first set portion 40a of the transport belt 10 passes through the supply portion 5, the protrusion 33 on the front end side of the plate P2 engages with the concave portion 14a of the transport belt 10 (state shown in FIG. 17B). The lowermost plate P2 of the stacked plates is supplied so as to be pulled out. At that time, the second plate P2 is not pulled out from the lowermost stage by the separation gate 9, and only the lowermost plate P2 is supplied. At this time, the lowermost plate P2 is disengaged from the rear end support portion 18 that supports the rear end side of the plate P2, and all the convex portions (the leg portions 32B and the protrusions 33) are conveyed to the transport belt 10 (first set). The plate P2 is supported by the bottom surface support portion 12 of the first set portion 40a (engaged with the recesses (groove 13a, recess 14a) of the portion 40a) (state of FIG. 17C). When the plate P2 is supplied, the driven roller 23b of the conveying roller pair 23 is moved from the standby position shown in FIG. 4 to the conveying position to detect the thickness of the conveying belt 10 and the plate P2, and the driven roller 23b The transport position and the print position of the print head 21 are determined.

  Thereafter, the plate P <b> 2 set on the first setting unit 40 a of the conveyance belt 10 is conveyed to the printing unit 20 by the movement of the conveyance belt 10. When the opening 19a of the transport belt 10 passes through the position sensor 27 and the front end of the plate P2 is detected, the plate P2 is cued with respect to the print head 21. At this time, the CPU moves the print head 21 from the retracted position to the previously set print position by pressing a moving mechanism (not shown) (presses the plate P2 and the conveyance belt 10 with the print head 21), and sends it to the head controller. The print data stored in the buffer is converted into thermal energy and output to the print head 21 (FIG. 16B). The plate P1 for which the printing process has been completed is discharged from the discharge port 7 (FIG. 16C). When the discharging operation of the plate P1 is completed, the CPU stops the rotation driving of the stepping motor M, ends one routine, and waits until receiving a new instruction.

  When the plate P2 is continuously printed, the next plate P2 is supplied by the other set unit 40 immediately after the first plate P2 is discharged. Since the subsequent operation is as described above, the description thereof is omitted. When all the printing is completed, the driving of the stepping motor M is stopped, and the transport roller 23 and the print head 21 are moved to the standby position to complete the operation.

  Here, an example will be described in which the lid 49 is set on the first setting portion 40a and printing is performed on the plate P2 using the second setting portion 40b. In addition, since it is the same as that of the case where the 1st set part 40a is used from supply of the plate P2 to printing completion, description is abbreviate | omitted. The discharge operation of the plate P2 is different between the case where the first set portion 40a is used and the case where the second set portion 40b is used. When the first set portion 40a is used, the engagement between the first set portion 40a and the plate P2 is released in the state of FIG. 14C. For example, when the leg portion 32B of the plate P2 is long, the groove There is a possibility that the leg 32B is caught by 13a and the engagement cannot be released.

Therefore, the discharging operation of the plate P2 when the second set portion 40b is used will be described. As described above, since the groove 13b of the second set portion 40b is provided at the connection position of the adjacent plate-like members 43, when the adjacent plate-like member 43 is bent around the connection portion 44, FIG. As shown, the opening (width) of the groove 13b is widened. That is, the width of the opening of the groove 13b is wider when the second set portion 40b is bent than when the second set portion 40b is horizontal (FIG. 18) (FIG. 19). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16C, when the second set portion 40b passes through the guide roller 25 of the discharge portion 7 (FIG. 16C), the plate-like member 43 in the second set portion 40b is a figure. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the leg portion 32B of the plate P2 engaged with the groove 13b is easily detached from the second set portion 40b. Further, since the notches of the adjacent plate-like members 43 mesh with each other at the bottom surface of the groove 13b, the leg portions 32B of the plate P2 can be pushed out when the conveyor belt 10 is bent. Ejectability is improved compared to the set part 40a.

(Effects etc.)
Next, functions and effects of the conveyance belt 10 and the printer 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The printer 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to print on a plate P1 having a flat surface and a plate P2 having an uneven portion on the surface. When the plate P1 is transported, the plate P1 is nipped and transported by a pair of transport rollers 23 provided in the transport path 15, and printing is performed. When the plate P2 is transported, the transport belt 10 is set in the transport path 15. Printing is performed by conveying the plate P2. The transport belt 10 is formed in a caterpillar shape by connecting plate-like members 43 at a connecting portion 44, and is configured in an endless belt shape by being connected by a connecting portion 11. The transport belt 10 is provided with a first set portion 40a and a second set portion 40b for placing and positioning the plate P2. Depending on the type of the plate P2, the first set portion 40a is used. It is possible to select whether to use the two-set unit 40b. For this purpose, the lid 49 is configured to be settable on the first set part 40a or the second set part 40b.

Since the groove 13a with which the convex part of the plate P2 engages is formed between the connection parts of the plate-like member 43 which comprises the 1st set part 40a, the 1st set part 40a is the part (( The plate-like portion 32A) of the chip 32 is positioned on the groove 13a, that is, between the connecting portions of the plate-like member 43. Therefore, when the conveying belt 10 and the plate P2 are pressed between the print head 21 and the platen roller 22, it is possible to uniformly apply pressure to the plate-like portion 32A. When the plate P2 is set in the second set portion 40b, the plate-like portion 32A is positioned on the groove 13b, that is, on the connecting portion 44. Therefore, if the pressure of the print head 12 is applied as it is, the plate portion 32A may not be uniformly applied due to the backlash of the connecting portion 44. The printing quality is higher when printing is performed using the one set unit 40a.

  On the other hand, the 2nd set part 40b is provided in the connection position of the plate-shaped member 43 where the groove | channel 13b adjoins. Thereby, when the conveying belt 10 is bent along the guide roller 25 in the discharge portion 7, the adjacent plate-like members 43 are bent around the connecting portion 44. As a result, the opening of the groove 13b is widened, so that the leg portion 32B of the plate P2 is easily detached, and the discharge performance is improved. Moreover, since the notch of the adjacent plate-like member 43 is engaged in a comb-teeth shape on the bottom surface of the groove 13b, the leg portion 32B of the plate P2 can be pushed out when the conveyor belt 10 is bent. Compared with the case of discharging using the first set portion 40a, the discharge performance is improved by using the second set portion 40b.

  Thus, for example, when it is desired to use a belt having a long leg portion 32B of the plate P2 and excellent discharge performance, the lid 49 is set on the first set portion 40a, and printing is performed using the second set portion 40b. When printing is performed by applying a high pressure to the plate-like portion 32A, the lid 49 may be set on the second set portion 40b and the first set portion 40a may be used for printing. In the configuration in which the printing unit performs printing without applying pressure to the plate P2, such as an inkjet method, the use of the second set unit 40b is advantageous because the discharge performance is higher than that in the case of using the first set unit 40a. Thus, the transport belt 10 can use the first set portion 40a and the second set portion 40b properly according to the type of the plate P2.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the printing position of the plate P2 is the plate-like portion 32A on the back side of the leg portion 32B of the chip 32 is disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when printing is performed between the adjacent leg portions 32 </ b> B (the position of the rib 34), the position of the rib 34 is pressed by the print head 21. At this time, when the plate P <b> 2 is set in the second set portion 40 b, the rib 34 is positioned on the bottom surface support portion 12 between the connecting portions 44. Therefore, since the pressure of the print head 21 is uniformly applied to the ribs 34, the print quality is high. In this way, it is possible to selectively use the first set part 40a and the second set part 40b according to the printing position of the plate P2.

  Furthermore, the plate P <b> 2 stacked on the supply unit 5 can be supplied one by one by moving the transport belt 10 with the protrusion 33 of the plate P <b> 2 engaged with the recess of the set unit 40. Therefore, for example, the conveyance of the plate P2 is stabilized because there is no fear that the conveyance roller and the plate slip during the conveyance of the roller. The side guide 8 is provided with a rear end support portion 18 that supports the rear end of the plate P2. Thus, when the plate P2 is set in the supply unit 5, the front end of the plate P2 comes into contact with the transport belt 10 and the rear end is supported by the rear end support 18 so that the plate P2 is inclined with respect to the transport belt 10. It is held in the state. Therefore, since the projection 33 on the rear end side of the plate P2 does not first engage with the concave portion 14 of the transport belt, the convex portion of the plate P2 has a one-to-one correspondence with the concave portion of the transport belt 10 (set portion 40). Can be engaged. In addition, when the protrusion 33 of the plate P2 is formed in a rib shape along the transport direction of the plate P2, it is not necessary to support the rear end of the plate P2.

  Since the tip of the lid 49 is formed with a taper 49B, the projection 33 of the plate P2 is not caught when the lid 49 passes through the supply unit 5, and the surface of the lid 49 and the projection 33 are in sliding contact. Thereby, since the projection 33 of the plate P2 engages only with the concave portion of the set portion where the lid 49 is not set, the plate P2 can be appropriately supplied one by one.

  Moreover, although the example in which the lid | cover 49 was formed with the elastic material was shown, you may make it the structure by a plate-shaped member and a connection part similarly to the conveyance belt 10. FIG. Even in this configuration, when the conveying belt 10 is bent along the guide roller 25, the lid 49 can also be bent, so that it does not come off the set portion.

  In this embodiment, the lid 49 is configured to be detachable from the conveyor belt. However, the lid 49 is swingably fixed between the first set portion 40a and the second set portion 40b. Also good. Further, the lid 49 has been shown to be fitted and fixed to the concave portion 14 of the set portion, but is not limited to this, and the lid 49 covers the groove 13, the concave portion 14 and the opening 19 of the set portion. It only needs to be fixed. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a protrusion on the lid 49, and the lid 49 may be fixed to the set portion with a magnetic force or the like.

  Further, the transport belt 10 of the present embodiment is provided with two first set portions 40a and two second set portions 40b, respectively, and the first plate P2 is printed and discharged (separated from the transport belt 10). After that, each set portion is arranged so that the next plate P2 is supplied. As a result, the productivity is improved when the plate P2 is continuously printed as compared with the case where each set portion is one place. In addition, if the next plate P2 is supplied before the plate P2 being printed is discharged, if all the printing processes are finished with the currently printed plate P2, a plate P2 that is not scheduled to be printed is selected. I will supply. If the power is turned off in this state, the pre-printing plate P2 remains in the transport path 15. However, since the conveying belt 10 of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment has the set portions (400, 401) disposed so as not to supply the next plate P2 before the plate P2 being printed is discharged, Such a problem does not occur. Note that the number of the setting portions is not necessarily two, and the number of the setting portions may be provided as long as the next plate is supplied after the previous plate is separated from the conveying belt 10.

  Further, the conveyance belt 10 is driven while being nipped by a conveyance roller pair 23 for conveying the flat plate P1. Accordingly, the driving does not change when conveying various types of printing media (there is no need to prepare a driving dedicated to the conveying belt 10), and thus the cost can be reduced. If the number of parts is not considered, the conveyance belt 10 may be driven using a drive different from the conveyance roller pair 23.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which a card-like cut plate is used as the flat plate P1 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a long plate or a roll sheet (tape) S as shown in FIG. 21 is set in the supply unit 5, and the roll sheet is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 23, and printing is performed by the printing unit 20. May be. In that case, the printed roll sheet is discharged from the discharge unit 7 and is cut by a cutter unit (not shown).

  Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which a printing process is performed on a print medium using an ink ribbon and a print head has been described, but a printing unit such as an inkjet may be used.

  The present invention provides a conveyance belt capable of conveying a print medium having a convex portion on the surface and a printing apparatus capable of efficiently printing a print medium using the conveyance belt. Since it contributes to manufacturing and sales, it has industrial applicability.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 5 Supply part 7 Discharge part 8 Side guide 9 Separation gate 10 Conveying belt 11 Coupling part (a part of connection part)
12 bottom support portion 13a groove (part of recess)
13b Groove (part of recess)
14a Concave part (part of concave part)
14b Concave part (part of concave part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Conveyance path 20 Printing part 21 Print head 22 Platen roller 23 Conveying roller pair 25 Guide roller 32B Leg part (part of uneven part)
33 Protrusions (part of irregularities)
40a 1st set part 40b 2nd set part 41 Sliding contact part 42 Guide groove 43 Plate member 44 Connection part 49 Lid M Stepping motor (a part of drive means)
P1 Flat plate (first print medium)
P2 Plate with irregularities (second print medium)
S roll sheet (first print medium)

Claims (7)

In a transport belt for transporting a print medium having a convex portion on the surface,
A plurality of plate-like members;
A connecting portion that connects the adjacent plate-like members,
It is configured in a belt shape by connecting the plurality of plate-like members at the connecting portion,
A first set portion and a second set portion for placing and positioning the print medium on a surface of the plate-like member formed in a belt shape;
The plate-like member constituting the first set part is formed with a first recess for engaging a convex part of the print medium between the connecting parts,
The plate member constituting the second set portion is formed with a second recess for engaging the protrusion of the print medium at a connecting position of the adjacent plate members,
A transport belt comprising a lid that covers the first recess or the second recess. The second recess is formed by combining notches provided in the adjacent plate members, and when the adjacent plate member is bent around the connecting portion, the opening of the second recess is The conveyor belt according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor belt is configured to spread. The conveyance belt according to claim 1, wherein the plate-like member and the lid other than the set portion are configured as a sliding contact portion in which a convex portion of the printing medium is in sliding contact. Furthermore, the guide groove for conveying this conveyance belt was provided inside the said plate-shaped member formed in belt shape, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Conveyor belt. In a printing apparatus capable of printing on a print medium having a convex portion on the surface,
A supply unit for stacking and holding the print media;
A transport path for transporting the print medium;
A discharge unit for discharging the print medium;
A transport belt provided in the transport path for transporting the print medium;
Driving means for driving the conveyor belt,
The conveyor belt has a plurality of plate-like members and a connecting portion that connects the adjacent plate-like members, and is formed in a belt shape by connecting the plurality of plate-like members at the connecting portion,
A first set portion and a second set portion for placing and positioning the print medium on a surface of the plate-like member formed in a belt shape;
The plate-like member constituting the first set part is formed with a first recess for engaging a convex part of the print medium between the connecting parts,
The plate member constituting the second set portion is formed with a second recess for engaging the protrusion of the print medium at a connecting position of the adjacent plate members,
Furthermore, the printing apparatus provided with the cover which covers the said 1st set part or the said 2nd set part. The second recess is formed by combining notches provided in the adjacent plate-like members, and the discharge portion has a guide roller for guiding the transport belt, and the transport belt is connected to the guide roller. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the adjacent plate-like members are bent around the connecting portion when being conveyed along the opening, and the opening of the second recess is widened. . The supply unit includes a side guide that guides a side surface of the conveyor belt, and a rear end support unit that supports a bottom surface on a rear end side of the print medium, and the rear end side of the print medium is the rear end support unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the printing medium is held at an inclination with respect to the transport path in the supply unit by supporting the printing medium.